Joseph Steinman - Medical Biophysics
PhD Candidate
Student Name: Joseph Steinman
Country of Origin: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Pre-MSc/PhD Education: BSc in Chemical Physics, with a Mathematics minor, from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario.
Recent Research Experience (BSc and MSc):
During the summers of Years 2-4 of Undergraduate studies, I conducted research in Surface Physics at Trent University. In particular, I studied the oxidation of silver surfaces, and developed a mathematical model for describing this process. The oxygen-silver system has industrial importance due to silver’s efficiency as a catalyst in the epoxidation of ethylene and partial oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde.
During the MSc (Medical Biophysics, Mouse Imaging Centre), I developed a novel imaging methodology for imaging and analyzing the 3D microvasculature in the mouse brain. This technique enables visualization of the tiniest vessels in the brain (capillaries) through the entire depth of the cortex. It has the potential to be applied to a range of biological scenarios where the vasculature is believed to undergo structural changes, such as stroke and Alzheimer’s.
Current Research (PhD, Mouse Imaging Centre): My current research builds on the imaging technology developed during the MSc to study microvascular changes following Traumatic Brain Injury. The focus is on the extent to which the vasculature is damaged, its ability to self-repair, and the impact of its 3D structure on blood flow. This work combines in vivo measures of blood flow with microscopic imaging to visualize vascular changes. Often, changes in blood flow may be detected with humans, however this research probes the microscopic tissue changes underlying these alterations. The research aim is to shed light on understanding the relationship between vascular structure and function, and how it relates to recovery from brain injuries.
Why Faculty of Medicine?
The Faculty of Medicine at U of T provides unparalleled opportunities and breadth of research. Its research is highly interdisciplinary, and provides Graduate students the opportunities to interact with, and learn from, PhDs in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, as well as clinicians. My research lab, the Mouse Imaging Centre, provides a unique opportunity to apply skills learned from my Physics BSc to clinically relevant problems in all aspects of Medicine. Every day is a new experience: one week will be spent computer programming and analyzing data; the next in the lab performing micro-surgeries on mice! Very few institutions offer this variety of learning experience, and I’m thrilled with my decision to conduct research in the Faculty of Medicine.
Future Education Plans/Career Goals: My career goals are presently academic and research based. I would like to conduct Post-Doctoral research following the PhD. In the long-term, I would like my own lab dedicated to Traumatic Brain Injury and imaging technology development. I am interested in problems pertaining to treatment of TBI, and how we may monitor and detect recovery using imaging.
Contact Ambassador Joe Steinman