What are some of the major challenges you face in your research?
TV: The main challenge I'm concerned with is data quality and experimental noise. To address this, our efforts focus on improving the measurement technique by finding the optimal way of placing the sensors. Moreover, I develop advanced statistical methods to better distinguish cognitive-related components from the noise sources in the signal.
ZC: My research project consists of performing comprehensive tasks and taking neuroimaging studies through every step of the scientific process — from experiment design and subject recruitment to methodology development and data analysis. I need to be able to handle both the practical and theoretical work this requires.
What person, experience or moment in time first inspired you to study this subject and get involved in the field?
TV: When I joined Christophe Grova’s and Louis Bherer’s research teams, I discovered a richer way of doing neuroimaging which was grounded in real-life experiments. I could develop advanced statistical models while also participating in concrete experimental setups. On the application side, I could take part in the prevention of cognitive decline in older populations.
ZC: Everything fell into place naturally. I did my bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering and it related to the research work that I'm doing now. If there's one far-fetched inspiration, I guess it's because I'm a big fan of The Matrix — it would be fantastic to investigate the human brain like that. Since we are modifying the excitability level of the cortex, it's like a mild “hacking” of the brain.
How can interested STEM students get involved in this line of research? What advice would you give them?
TV: Neuroimaging is a highly multidisciplinary field involving physics, cognition, electrical engineering, advanced mathematics and statistics, as well as software development. The best advice to give to students is have expertise in at least two of these topics.
What do you like best about being at Concordia?
TV: I'm especially impressed by how Concordia creates new innovative research paradigms. The PERFORM Centre is one striking example of a unique platform that brings together high-end neuroimaging techniques, a biochemical laboratory and a nutrition platform, as well as physical exercise research equipment.
ZC: It is a great opportunity to study in Christophe Grova’s lab at Concordia because we often connect with experts in the field in order to learn and share our experiences. Thanks to the PERFORM Centre, we have a nice platform to study neuroimaging. It also helps us build a research community in this field at the university.
Are there any partners, agencies or other funding/support attached to your research?
TV: Through the grants of Christophe Grova and Louis Bherer, my work received funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Concordia University Research Chair in Preventive Health Research.
ZC: My project is supported by a Quebec Bio-imaging Network grant provided by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé and an NSERC Discovery Grant.
Find out more about the NIRSTORM workshop and the PERFORM Centre Research Week.