Our Lab

The GENET Lab (GErmann Advanced NEuroimaging & Clinical Translation Lab) develops and applies advanced multimodal neuroimaging and data modelling approaches to investigate how brain circuits support behaviour and how their dysfunction contributes to neurological and psychiatric symptoms. A central focus of our research is on patients receiving neuromodulatory interventions, including Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Focused Ultrasound (FUS), to better understand mechanisms of treatment and guide clinical translation.

The lab is based at the Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, with an academic affiliation at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto. As part of the Center For Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation To Application (CRANIA), we collaborate closely with clinicians and scientists to push the boundaries of brain science and improve patient care.

Genet is also the name of a small, agile mammal, known for its curiosity and adaptability -> read more

Krembil Brain Institute

Lab Lead

Jürgen Germann, PhD

I am a scientist at the Krembil Research Institute. The main focus of my research is brain mapping and modelling, investigating brain correlates of normal and abnormal thought processes using neuroimaging and computational analysis. Using various imaging data, my research aims to identify relevant brain networks, with a particular emphasis on Neurodegenerative diseases of aging, Mental Health, and optimizing treatment to maximize patient benefit.

I studied Psychology at Freiburg University and then moved to Montreal for my Ph.D. investigating the functional architecture of the human brain at the Montreal Neurological Institute under the supervision of Dr. Petrides.

-Assistant Scientist, Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network

-Assistant Professor, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto

-Scientist, Center for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application (CRANIA)

e-mail:

Jurgen.Germann@uhn.ca

Team

Sarah Iskin

Sarah is a graduate student at BME supervised by Dr. Jürgen Germann. Her research focuses on understanding the effects of neuromodulation on psychiatric patients, aiming to optimize treatment strategies.

Dr. Gavin Elias

Gavin is a current radiology resident at University of Toronto who recently completed a PhD with Dr. Andres Lozano. His research involves i) using various neuroimaging techniques to understand the mechanisms of neuromodulatory interventions like deep brain stimulation, and ii) leveraging imaging insights to refine and personalize treatment. Gavin's work is currently focused on identifying imaging biomarkers that could impact deep brain stimulation for psychiatric indications.

Uyiosa Omere

Uyi completed her Honours Bachelor’s degree at the University of Toronto, double majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology and minoring in biology. Her diverse research interests within the realm of clinical neuroscience led her to the Germann Lab in April 2024, where she works on projects focused on identifying neuroanatomical correlates and network mechanisms underlying clinical outcomes following DBS.

Julianna Pijar

Julianna is examining neuromodulation therapies in movement and psychiatric disorders, focusing on Deep Brain Stimulation and Focused Ultrasound, through fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging. She received her Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience from Boston College.

Dr. Houyou Fan

Houyou Fan is a neurosurgeon and visiting PhD student in the Germann lab, where his research addresses the significant inter-individual variability in DBS treatment outcomes. He uses advanced neuroimaging techniques, such as DWI and fMRI, to uncover the key neural circuits that mediate therapeutic effects on intractable motor symptoms, including Parkinsonian gait, dystonia, and Huntington's disease.

Dr. Steven Yan Hua Su

I am a neurosurgeon and postdoc fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Lozano and Prof. Jurgen. I am currently pursuing a PhD at National YangMing ChiaoTung University. My primary research focus is integrating advanced neuroimaging and functional connectivity analyses with functional neurosurgical interventions, including deep brain stimulation (DBS) and focused ultrasound, to improve outcomes in patients with movement disorders and epilepsy.

Dr. Aaron Loh

Aaron is a neurosurgery resident at the University of Toronto. He is currently completing a Doctor of Philosophy under the supervision of Dr Andres Lozano. His doctoral research investigates the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging as a tool to optimise deep brain stimulation therapy

Alumni

Dr. Chao Kai

Chao-Kai Hu, a neurosurgeon from Taiwan, was a research fellow under Professor Lozano. His research aims to optimize surgical outcomes through advanced image analysis and individualized treatment approaches, contributing to a better understanding of why some patients have suboptimal responses to DBS.

Dr. Yutong Bai

Yutong Bai specializes in neuroscience and machine learning, focusing on optimizing DBS efficacy in Parkinson’s disease. His research employs advanced neuroimaging and computational modelling to elucidate brain network dynamics underlying therapeutic outcomes, supporting precision approaches in neuromodulation.

Suraiya Mangra

Suraiya successfully graduated with an MSc at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Medical Science, supervised by Dr. Andres Lozano and Dr. Jurgen Germann. Her research focused on longitudinal hippocampal volume changes after deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson’s patients.

Research

Neuroimaging tools and brain atlases

This research aims to provide multimodal, high-resolution brain atlases and brain network analysis tools useful for investigating the contributions of key networks and network nodes in health and disease. The atlases have been demonstrated to provide essential guidance for surgical treatment.

Treatment optimization of neurostimulation therapies

Investigating outcomes in patients receiving neuromodulation therapies, this work aims to identify key networks and network nodes whose modulation is responsible for treatment success using primarily functional and structural MRI. Additionally, this work delineates optimal stimulation, allowing for individualized treatment adaptation to best suit the patient’s needs.

Brain networks and network modulation

We investigate the morphological and functional brain features predicting treatment success and characterize the specific brain changes associated with outcomes. Furthermore, using functional MRI to investigate the unique brain patterns elicited by varying DBS stimulation, this research provides evidence for optimizing DBS in patients and identifies other brain networks that are amenable to neurostimulation therapies.