Local Organizing Committee Members

The 2025 Annual Symposium is proudly hosted by:

Co-Chair

Samuel Pichardo, Ph.D. (he/him) 🏳️‍🌈
Co-chair ISTU25 (https://istu.org/istu-2025-banff/)
MR Guided FUS Program Co-Lead: Technical
Associate Professor
Radiology and Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute
Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

Samuel Pichardo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiology and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Calgary. His research focuses on the development of therapeutic ultrasound technologies, with a particular interest in neuromodulation. In his free time, Samuel enjoys gaming and contributing to collaborative research initiatives.

Co-Chair

Laura Curiel, PhD, PEng (she/her)
Associate Professor
Associate Head Undergraduate
Dept of Biomedical Engineering
University of Calgary
Laura Curiel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on non-invasive therapeutic ultrasound devices and applications. Outside of her academic and entrepreneurial work, Laura enjoys reading, supporting innovation initiatives, and mentoring the next generation of engineers and scientists.

Carly Pellow
Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Calgary

Carly Pellow is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Calgary, working under the supervision of Dr. Bruce Pike and Dr. Samuel Pichardo. Her research focuses on developing non-invasive ultrasound-based therapies for neurological applications. Outside of her research, Carly enjoys hiking in the Rockies, engaging in science outreach, and exploring creative hobbies.

Terra Fairbanks
MSc Student in Neuroscience
University of Calgary

Terra Fairbanks is an MSc Student in Neuroscience at the University of Calgary under the supervision of Dr. Fady Girgis and Dr. Bruce Pike. Her research investigates transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation in humans and its effect on cognitive and motor behaviour. In her free time, Terra enjoys adventuring in the Canadian Rockies, volunteering in her community, and teaching Irish dance.

Scientific Committee Members

  • Adam Maxwell, Ph.D., (USA) Virginia Tech
  • David Melodelima, Ph.D., (FRANCE), INSERM
  • W. Apoutou N'Djin, Ph.D., (FRANCE), LabTAU
  • Antonios Pouliopoulos, Ph.D., (UK), King's College London