Bojana Stefanovic

Dr. Stefanovic’s research aims to develop new methods for imaging brain function to improve our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, map the effects of treatments, and establish new ways of planning neuromodulatory interventions. Over the past few decades, new techniques have been developed that, for the first time, have allowed scientists to examine the working brain in real-time and with exquisite spatial detail.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is the dominant method of studying human brain function. Despite its widespread use by neuroscientists and clinicians in healthy study participants and some patients, the full potential of fMRI is yet to be realized. Like some other modalities, fMRI provides an indirect measure of neuronal activity, making a detailed understanding of the coupling between neuronal activity and cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism of particular importance.

Dr. Stefanovic’s team is working on the development of novel, quantitative MRI-based techniques for human brain function imaging. On the other, they are using in vivo multiphoton fluorescence microscopy in combination and ultra high-density electrophysiological recordings for detailed characterization of the brain responses to stimulation and to neuromodulation. They are applying these techniques and novel modelling approaches in experimental models of ischemic stroke, brain trauma, and Alzheimer’s disease to improve our understanding of these pathologies and evaluate the potential of neuromodulation for improving patients’ outcomes.

Education

• B.A.Sc., 1998, Electrical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada
• PhD, 2004, Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Canada

Appointments & Affiliations

• Senior Scientist, Physical Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute,
• Professor, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto,