Executive Board
Claire M. Brown
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
Chair
Dr. Brown is a leader in advanced bioimaging and the driving force behind Canada’s leading optical imaging platform, the Advanced BioImaging Facility (ABIF) at McGill University in Montreal. Her research leverages cutting-edge biophysical techniques to investigate the molecular mechanisms regulating cell migration in healthy and diseased cellular systems. She has played a pivotal role in establishing community-driven live imaging methods and quality control standards for quantitative light microscopy. Her exemplary leadership has been crucial in building the global bioimaging community through her roles as a co-founder of Canada BioImaging (CBI), the Canadian Network of Scientific Platforms (CNSP), and BioImaging North America (BINA) and Chair of the Global BioImaging (GBI) management board. These networks focus on collaborative science, professional development, technology training and empower researchers with the advanced technologies and expertise they need for scientific discovery and innovation. She is one of three Quebec NSERC/FRQNT chairs for inclusion in science and engineering co-leading the Équilibre program focused on building a more equitable research ecosystem in Canada.
Youssef Chebli
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
Board Member
Youssef Chebli is the Manager of the Multi-Scale Imaging Facility (MuSIF) at McGill University in Montreal. He is an imaging specialist with over 15 years of experience in establishing, developing, and managing advanced microscopy and imaging core facilities across multiple institutions. Youssef has co-founded and led three imaging facilities and has contributed to securing multimillion-dollar infrastructure funding to expand and modernize imaging platforms.
At MuSIF, he oversees a suite of more than 25 instruments supporting both biological and materials research, with expertise spanning light microscopy, electron microscopy, and X-ray imaging. He is actively involved in user training, method development, and fostering collaborations with academic and industrial partners.
Youssef is also an Associate Editor for STAR Protocols and contributes broadly to the imaging community through his involvement with organizations such as the Microscopy Society of Canada and BioImaging North America. He has organized numerous national and international conferences and co-founded several training initiatives within the imaging community.
He obtained his PhD in Biological Sciences from the Université de Montréal in 2012, where his research focused on plant cell biomechanics and development. His interdisciplinary research background and strong commitment to community building support his efforts to democratize and expand access to advanced bioimaging technologies.
Guang Gao
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
Board Member
Dr. Guang Gao is the Facility Manager of the Super-Resolution Microscopy Core (LSI Imaging Facility) at the University of British Columbia (UBC), a shared advanced bioimaging platform supporting approximately 150 laboratories across 15 departments. He is a bioimaging expert with over 10 years of experience in managing multi-user research facilities and advanced imaging technologies, with particular expertise in super-resolution microscopy.
Dr. Gao completed his PhD at UBC (2012–2018), where his research focused on organelle nanoscale organization, followed by postdoctoral training in Cell Biology and Virology. In his current role, he provides strategic vision and leadership for the Imaging Facility, overseeing day-to-day operations, developing grant applications, and leading major strategic initiatives. He also spearheads the development and implementation of novel imaging methodologies and instrumentation, which have contributed to numerous high-impact publications (PLOS Biology 2019; Nature 2022; Journal of Cell Biology 2024) and invited scientific presentations at international venues, including EMBO Workshops, Keystone Symposia, and the Advanced Imaging Methods (AIM) Workshop.
Beyond UBC, Dr. Gao actively contributes to the broader imaging community at both national and international levels. He serves on organizing and advisory committees for major bioimaging courses, workshops, including the Montreal Light Microscopy Course (MLMC), and for conferences within Canada BioImaging (CBI), and BioImaging North America (BINA).
James Jonkman
University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario
Board Member
James is a Staff Scientist at University Health Network where he developed and manages Canada’s largest optical microscopy facility - the Advanced Optical Microscopy Facility (AOMF). With over 40 instruments at 4 sites, he and his team at the AOMF help nearly 600 users per year with every manner of optical microscopy, from basic fluorescence and brightfield acquisition to advanced techniques such as Super-resolution, FRAP, FRET, and 3D analysis. James is particularly passionate about teaching and training users. He has been running week-long optical microscopy courses in the AOMF for 14 years, has co-authored several book chapters and review articles, presented at numerous conferences and webinars, and has helped as an organizer and instructor for the Montreal Light Microscopy Course (MLMC). James was also the co-president of the Canadian Cytometry and Microscopy Association (CCMA) from 2014-2017 and is on the executive board of Canada BioImaging.
Sabine Mai
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Board Member
Sabine obtained her PhD in Karlsruhe (Germany), did her postdoctoral research at the Basel Institute of Immunology (Switzerland), and currently is Professor of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Human Anatomy and Cell Science at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg (Canada), and the Director of the Nano and Cell Imaging Facility (NCIF) , formerly The Genomic Center for Cancer Research and Diagnosis (GCCRD). She holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Genomic Instability and Nuclear Architecture in Cancer (until 2033).
Sabine has created the NCIF a regional and national cutting-edge imaging facility with Canada Foundation for Innovation funding. She has trained >1000 HQPs in basic, inter-mediate and advanced imaging technologies and offers two intensive courses/workshops per year since 2002. She also organizes Imaging Symposia that attract speakers from all over the world.
Thomas Stroh
Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec
Board Member
Thomas has established the Microscopic Cellular Imaging Facility (MCIF) of the Montreal Neurological Institute (The Neuro) in 2005 and has overseen the growth of the facility from three shared microscopes to a modern microscopy platform providing access to and support with advanced microscopy ranging from standard widefield applications through live cell microscopy to fluorescence super-resolution techniques. The MCIF currently serves 33 laboratories from the Neuro, other McGill departments and other Montreal Universities. In his own laboratory, Thomas studies the regulation and trafficking of G Protein-Coupled Receptors in neurons and endocrine cells. He is passionate about teaching microscopy both to his own students and the users of the MCIF, in particular promoting the perception and use of microscopic data as quantitative data volumes. He is very engaged in networking and strengthening the microscopy community both nationally and internationally.
Nhu Trieu
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick
Board Member
Nhu Trieu is Director of the Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility (MMF) at the University of New Brunswick — one of Canada's longest-standing centralized imaging platforms, established in 1966. As the fourth-generation director, she leads facility operations, strategic development, and national and international collaborations, supporting over 950 internal clients across nine departments and three faculties, as well as 400+ external partners spanning academia, government, and industry.
A bioimaging and sample preparation generalist, Nhu brings over 15 years of research experience and deep expertise in histology, confocal, and electron microscopy. She is recognized as a national leader in the research infrastructure community, serving as Counsellor at Large for the Microscopy Society of Canada, Executive Board member for Canada BioImaging, Eastern Canada Representative for the Canadian Network of Scientific Platforms, and inaugural Canadian Intern on the BioImaging North America Executive Board.
Member Scientific Platforms
