Avin Sharma
Physiology · Western University · Neuromodulation, neural signals & medical AI
About
I'm an undergraduate researcher in computational neuroscience and biomedical AI, studying in the Honours Specialization in Physiology at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry (BMSc, expected 2028).
My work spans human neurophysiology, multimodal brain stimulation, clinical imaging, and machine learning. At the Krembil Brain Institute I lead a first-author study using focused ultrasound to test how the cerebellum shapes cortical motor preparation. I also work on stroke imaging biomarkers and on foundation models for brain data. The long-term goal is academic neurology: building computational tools and testing them rigorously enough to be used in the clinic.
Research
I designed and lead an independent human study combining EEG, EMG, and MRI-guided low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound. We target the dentate nucleus and lobule V to test the cerebellum's causal role in cortical motor preparation, measured by the Bereitschaftspotential. I programmed the paradigm, built the acquisition workflow, and wrote the analysis. I also contribute to a Parkinson's disease freezing-of-gait study (TUS, EEG, rsfMRI) and do video-based movement analysis in orthostatic tremor.
Computational analysis of CT angiography in ischemic stroke. I build regional phenotypes of perivascular adipose tissue around the aorta and branch vessels to test whether they distinguish cardioembolic from large-artery atherosclerotic stroke.
Student lead for architecture and benchmarking in a review of MRI and EEG foundation models in neurology and psychiatry.
Designed and ran an end-to-end machine-learning study for Alzheimer's disease classification, presented at the T-CAIREM Conference.
MRI and computational methods for studying cerebellar representations of speech articulation and motor control.
Publications & presentations
- Sharma A, Nankoo JF, Dorich A, Taskin HO, Chen R. Cerebellar modulation of motor preparatory and rhythmic cortical activity using low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation. Abstracts submitted to CSBBCS 2026 and the IAPRD World Congress. manuscript in prep
- Davidson B, Bhattacharya A, Sarica C, Darmani G, Raies N, Chen R, et al. Neuromodulation techniques: from noninvasive brain stimulation to deep brain stimulation. Invited textbook chapter. in press
- Video-based movement analysis in orthostatic tremor. Peer-reviewed article, co-author. in press
Talks and posters: CRANIA Conference, Neuronto (SickKids), T-CAIREM Conference, U of T IMS SURP Day.
Honours
- IMS Summer Undergraduate Research Program, University of Toronto 2025, 2026
- Focused Ultrasound Foundation Global Internship Program 2026
- Hult Prize, first runner-up at Western; national competition 2025–26
- SickKids Summer Undergraduate Research Award (declined) 2025
- Toronto Brain Bee, 1st place 2024
- Canadian National Brain Bee, top 10 2023
- Dean's Honour List and Scholarship of Distinction, Western University
Service: elected Basic Medical Sciences Representative, Science Students' Council (two terms); led the council's peer-mentorship program.
Contact
I'm always happy to talk about neuromodulation, neural data, and clinical machine learning.