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Alex Wiesman, PhD
Alex Wiesman, PhD
Principal Investigator - NANo Lab
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology - Simon Fraser University
Canada Research Chair (II) in Neurophysiology of Aging and Neurodegeneration
Scientific Director - ImageTech Lab
Dr. Alex Wiesman is a cognitive neuroscientist who is passionate about finding new ways to understand and treat age-related brain disorders. Most of his research uses brain imaging to measure the functional, structural and molecular changes that lead to these disorders. In addition to his role as PI of the NANo Lab, he is also Scientific Director of SFU's human brain imaging Core Facility: ImageTech Lab. Alex completed his PhD in neuroscience at the University of Nebraska Medical Center with Tony Wilson and his postdoctoral training at the Montreal Neurological Institute with Sylvain Baillet. In his abundant free time, he likes to read fiction, throw pottery, cook overly-complicated meals, and travel to new places where he can eat lots of food.
Current members
Current members
Santiago Isaac Flores Alonso, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Santiago Flores is a postdoctoral researcher at Simon Fraser University, where he applies artificial intelligence and neuroimaging to study brain aging. His research explores how brain function evolves over time, the factors influencing deviations in healthy aging, and the role of neurochemical systems in shaping brain connectivity. By leveraging advanced machine learning and high-performance computing, he develops innovative tools to analyze MEG/MRI data and uncover patterns that could improve early diagnosis and intervention strategies.
Sean Kriwokon
NSERC USRA Research Assistant
Sean is an undergraduate student from Airdrie, Alberta, studying in the Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology department at SFU, with a major in Behavioural Neuroscience. He is working on a project that combines functional brain imaging with various biomarkers to learn more about the relationships between cellular energetics, inflammation, and neurophysiological alterations in Alzheimer’s Disease. He has a broad interest in the mechanisms underlying neurological disorders, and in the development of treatments to improve quality of life for patients. Outside of the lab, he enjoys reading and plays lacrosse with the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League.
Ansley Wong
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ansley joined NANo Lab in November 2024, and is currently a fifth-year student at UBC studying Food, Nutrition, and Health. She is interested in how molecular and neural dynamics contribute to brain function, and how these processes change over time in health and disease. As an Undergraduate Research Assistant, she is conducting a literature review on Timescales of Human Brain Variability, exploring findings from neuroimaging techniques such as MEG, fMRI, and EEG. Her work aims to better understand how brain activity fluctuates across different timescales and conditions. Outside the lab, she enjoys traveling, trying new cafes and restaurants, and binge-watching TV shows.
Abdallah Abujamous
Postgraduate Research Assistant
Abdallah holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Physiology from Simon Fraser University. He is currently working on a project focused on enhancing recruitment of research participants in clinical studies, aiming to bridge the gap between physicians and academic researchers to improve clinical practices. Additionally, Abdallah is involved in an emerging research project on Parkinson’s disease. His interests lie in healthcare, patient care, and working directly with patients in clinical settings. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys traveling and exploring different countries and cultures.
Ako Sotiroff
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ako is an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Physiology at Simon Fraser University. Her interests are many, some of which include neurodegenerative diseases, biophysics, and botany. She is co-leading the MRI 3D printing project at ImageTech, where we are developing a reproducible system for converting MRI scans into STL files to create 3D-printed brain models of research participants. Our ultimate goal is to enhance participant engagement in neuroscience research while establishing a user-friendly and accessible workflow. Beyond the lab, she has a passion for gardening, painting, and identifying native plant species in British Columbia.
Parham Fathi Naz
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Parham is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Physiology at Simon Fraser University. His interests lie in neurological disorders, neuroimaging, medical technology, and computational analysis. In the lab, he is co-leading the MRI-to-3D pipeline project, where we are developing a streamlined workflow to segment MRI scans, convert them into 3D-printable STL files, and produce physical brain models. This involves optimizing software tools, automating batch processing, and setting up a dedicated 3D printing system at ImageTech Lab. The goal is to create an efficient, reproducible process that enhances neuroanatomy visualization for research and education. In his free time, Parham likes to play soccer, watch movies, and spend time with friends.
Matthew Eng
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Matthew is a 4th-year undergraduate in the Biomedical Physiology program at SFU, keen on integrating machine learning and artificial intelligence into the medical field. In the lab, he supports Santiago's research on the Cam-CAN dataset, aiming to understand how human circadian rhythms may impact brain function. His passion for technology and medicine and appreciation for patient care drives his academic pursuits. Outside the lab, Matthew is a competitive road cyclist and avid runner, always seeking new challenges—even if they come with a bit of pain.
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