OUR TEAM
DR. AIMEE NELSON
Professor, Canada Research Chair (Tier II) - Sensorimotor Control
I received my PhD from the Institute of Medical Sciences at the University of Toronto in 2003 in the field of human neurophysiology and neuroimaging with funding from NSERC. I was a Postdoctoral Associate in the McGovern Center for Brain, MIT from 2003-2005, where I advanced the technique of high-field (9.4T) monkey imaging. In 2005, I became a CIHR-funded Postdoctoral Fellow at the Toronto Western Research Institute where I continued to advance my neurophysiology and imaging techniques with studies in individuals with movement disorders. In 2008, I joined the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo as Assistant Professor. I came to the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University in 2012 as a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Sensorimotor control, and in 2014 became Associate Professor. I am a member of the Southern Ontario Neuroscience Association, the Canadian Association of Neuroscience and the Society for Neuroscience. I am also an Associate Member of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University and Associate Member of the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo.
FATTANEH FARAHMAND
Postdoctoral Fellow
I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. I successfully completed my Ph.D. in Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology at the University of Shahid Beheshti, Tehran, Iran. During my doctoral research, I focused on investigating the effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on a multi-sclerosis animal model. Throughout my Ph.D. program, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Kevin Power at Memorial University. Our research aimed to explore how the central nervous system (CNS) generates complex movements and whether exercise influences this process. After completing my Ph.D., I returned to Memorial University to continue my work in the field of learning rhythmic movements and neuropsychological assessments. Currently, I am a part of Dr. Aimee Nelson's Neurophysiology and Imaging Lab, where I am investigating the effects of controlled pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (cTMS) and repetitive cTMS on measures of neuroplasticity.
STEPHEN TOEPP
PhD Candidate
Research Interests: Recovering function for individuals who live with the consequences of neurological injury or neurodegenerative disease means leveraging the nervous system's consideral capacity for plasticity. High amounts of movment re-training are needed to stimulate adaptation and take advantage or this potential. I use electromyography and other electrophysiology techniques to better understand how the efficiency of moment training can be optimized in order to the fully realize each patient's potential for recovery.
STEVIE FOGLIA
PhD Candidate
I am currently a third year PhD Candidate in the School of Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University working in Dr. Aimee Nelson’s Neurophysiology and Imaging Lab. The goal of my research is to provide new insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms that underly chronic pain conditions including neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and chronic neck pain. My work also focuses on implementing novel treatment strategies that target the neurophysiological changes observed in these conditions. I utilize neurophysiological techniques including non-invasive brain stimulation, electroencephalography, peripheral nerve stimulation, and brain computer interface technology to facilitate my work.
KARISHMA RAMDEO
PhD Student
I am currently a second year PhD Student in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University working in Dr. Aimee Nelson’s Neurophysiology and Imaging Lab. The goal of my research is to explore the various factors that influence the neurophysiological mechanisms that underly neuroplasticity with the aim to support clinical populations that show deficits in synaptic plasticity. My work aims to determine whether exercise can improve cognition by enhancing synaptic plasticity in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and in aging individuals. This work explores the effects of exercise on rTMS protocols (iTBS and 5Hz rTMS), neurotrophins (BDNF &OCN), and cognition. In addition, I am interested in the effects of ketogenic supplementation on human neurophysiology. Currently, I work with neurophysiological techniques such as non-invasive brain stimulation (TMS,rTMS & cTMS), electroencephalography, electromyography, and peripheral nerve stimulation.
FAITH ADAMS
PhD Student
Research Interest: I am currently a first-year PhD Student in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University working in Dr. Aimee Nelson’s Neurophysiology and Imaging Lab. The goal of my research is to explore the various factors that influence the neurophysiological mechanisms that underly neuroplasticity. My current work examines the 'gut-brain axis' and how probiotics may modulate brain activity. I work with neurophysiological techniques such as non-invasive brain stimulation (TMS, rTMS, cTMS), electroencephalography, electromyography, and peripheral nerve stimulation.
MARC CUIZON
MSc Candidate
My research interests include neurophysiology and neuroimaging and how certain factors can affect an individual’s motor cortical representation. My current study aims to explore the differences in motor cortical representation in right and left-handed individuals and how ipsilateral contractions can affect their motor cortical representation. With this research, I aim to further understand the mechanisms of laterality in the brain and ipsilateral hemispheric control. The purpose of this work is to extrapolate it to clinical populations and further research.
CHLOE DRAPEAU
MSc Candiate
I am a first-year Master's student in Dr. Aimee Nelson’s Neurophysiology and Imaging Lab with an interest in chronic pain, specifically fibromyalgia. My research uses non-invasive brain stimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation), electromyography, and encephalography to investigate neurophysiological measures in chronic pain conditions. The aim of my research is to understand fibromyalgia and explore strategies to alleviate pain perception and the burdens of chronic pain.
AVA BOBINSKI
MSc Candiate
I am currently a first-year master’s student in the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University. My research interests include using medical devices such as electromyography to gain a better understanding of how they can be used to improve the motor function of individuals who are living with neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). My goal is to examine observed changes in motor function using a non-invasive treatment approach that can be implemented in a clinical setting.
JIYEON PARK
MSc Candiate
My research interests lie in enhancing the well-being of individuals by understanding neurophysiology and reducing pain through non-invasive techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). My research focuses on assessing the effects of controlled pulse parameter TMS (cTMS) on individuals with painful diabetic neuropathy. Pain symptoms, neurophysiology and somatosensory function will be measured to investigate the effects of cTMS intervention. I am also interested in other neurophysiological techniques and their effect in mediating pain.
FORMER STUDENTS
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Ravjot R. Rehsi (MSc.)
Jacob W. Pickersgill (MSc.)
Claudia V. Turco (PhD.)
Michael Asmussen (PhD.)
Aaron Z. Bailey (MSc.)
Jenin El-Sayes (MSc)
Hunter Fassett (MSc.)
Diana Harasym (MEng.)
Patrick Dans(MSc.)
Christina Jones (MSc.)
Kevin GH Lee (MSc.)
Mitchell Locke (MSc.)
Tanner Mackenzie (MSc.)
Peter Mi (MSc.)
Azra Premji (MSc.)
Mark Jacobs (MSc.)
Navjot Rai (MSc.)
Mitchell Savoie (MSc.)
Nicholas Simard (MEng.)
Philemon Tsang (MSc.)
Christopher Zapallow (MSc.)
Angela Ziluk (MSc.)
UNDERGRADUATE THESIS STUDENTS
Christelle Ah Sen
Raisa Ahmed
Prabhav Gogna
Roshni Ravi
Oriana Kosyhk
Yohanan Levin
Gurlal Gill
Chloe Drapeau
Tess Schwartz
Rosamaria Nucci
Sola Yatim
Ravjot Rehsi
Stephanie Berberian
Yichang Ge
Tarra D'hoine (NSERC USRA)
Manraj Virk
Anika Syroid