The People Behind the Research

  • Dr. Alex Boutet, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCPC, DABR, CAQ (Neuroradiology)

    Originally from Quebec city, Alex completed his medical school at McGill University and developed his passion for neuroscience at the Montreal Neurological Institute. He pursued a residency in radiology and a PhD in brain modulation at the University of Toronto followed by a neuroradiology fellowship. He now works as a clinician investigator neuroradiologist at the University Health Network in Toronto. His main interest is to use neuroimaging to improve patient care. He has published over 125 publications and several book chapters primarily on MRI and neuromodulation. Alex is actively working on using several advanced neuroimaging tools in clinical work. Outside of work, he enjoys travelling and social gathering with friends. 

  • Brian Lim

    Brian is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto specializing in neuroscience and physiology. His current work in the lab focuses on utilizing 7T-MRI to characterize whole-brain morphology and examine its relationship to substance use disorders, with the goal of identifying novel biomarkers. Previously, he contributed to a comprehensive literature review on skull density ratio alternatives for MR-guided focused ultrasound. Outside of the lab, Brian works as a personal trainer and is an avid fan of the Premier League.

  • Tiffany Rodrigues

    Tiffany joined Dr. Boutet’s Lab as a Master’s student in the spring of 2024 and later transitioned into a research staff role. Her research focuses on using preoperative imaging - such as functional and diffusion MRI - to identify biomarkers that can guide patient selection for deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease. Tiffany completed her BSc in Biomedical Science at Toronto Metropolitan University and earned her MEng in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto. Outside of the lab, she enjoys weight training, working on DIY projects, and spending time with friends.

  • Hezekiah Au

    Hezekiah is a first-year Master’s student with a background in neuroscience, physiology, and immunology. His project investigates the safety of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in 0.5T and 7T MRIs, aiming to enhance our understanding of network effects following DBS stimulation. His previous research explored the potential of incretin therapy (e.g., glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) in mood disorders and neurodegenerative conditions. In his spare time, Hezekiah enjoys running, watching football (soccer), and visiting cafés.

  • Garene Matossian

    Garene is a first-year PhD student working under the supervision of Dr. Boutet and Dr. Andres Lozano. She completed her Master’s degree in electrophysiology, where she used EEG to study auditory attention in cochlear implant users. Her current project focuses on optimizing directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes using fMRI and machine learning. Outside of the lab, Garene enjoys reading, traveling, and going on walks with her dog.

  • Gufran Mohammed

    Gufran is a fourth-year undergraduate student specializing in neuroscience. His project aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of chronic ocular pain by utilizing DTI and fMRI to identify pain-specific network patterns, categorize patient phenotypes, and inform improved treatment approaches. He is deeply interested in neurological diseases and the use of neuroimaging tools to better understand their pathology and support treatment development. In his free time, Gufran enjoys playing basketball and exploring nature.

  • Ricky Zhang

    Ricky is a first-year Master’s student working under the supervision of Dr. Boutet. His research focuses on understanding the brain networks associated with poor patient outcomes following total knee arthroplasty and exploring how these same networks may be used to preoperatively predict outcomes. In his free time, Ricky enjoys reading novels, working out, and playing games with friends.