We bring together global experts in:
Spasticity and movement disorders, neurorehabilitation, muscle physiology, imaging and electrophysiology, clinical research and methodology, medical education, health systems and implementation science and technology and innovation.
Our team
Charmaine Lai, HBSC
Research Coordinator
Charmaine is a Research Coordinator at SPECTRA LV Institute and holds an HBSc from the University of Toronto. She also serves as Executive Assistant to Dr. Rajiv Reebye, supporting the coordination of clinical and research initiatives across the lab. Her current research focuses on developing and assessing the effectiveness of an augmented reality-integrated ultrasound teaching model, working with medical students and residents to build and evaluate their hands-on ultrasound skills. She also plays an active role in fostering international collaborations with colleagues in spasticity management and is committed to advancing research that translates directly into better training and care.
Fatima Nadeem, Bsc
Research Coordinator
Fatima is the Research Coordinator at SPECTRA LV Institute and an incoming MSc student in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on improving rehabilitation systems through clinical workflow evaluation, implementation science, and international comparative collaborations in spasticity management. She is passionate about developing transferable frameworks that improve care for both patients and healthcare providers.
Roberto Albarella, MD
Roberto is a final-year Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine resident at the University of Rome. He is currently completing his residency thesis project in Vancouver, where he is involved in clinical research on ultrasound imaging in spasticity. His current project focuses on the sonographic identification, characterization and reliability of “hypoechoic pockets” in spastic muscles following acquired brain injury to improve the accuracy of ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injections.
lEXIA bAO, md
Lexia is a first-year Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation resident at the University of British Columbia, where she also completed her medical degree. She is currently involved in a research project exploring the role of creative expression in neurorehabilitation and spasticity management. In her free time, she enjoys creating digital artwork on her iPad.
Chris bHATLA, MD
Aryan is a 4th-year medical student at St. George's University pursuing a career in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. He gained hands-on ultrasound research experience examining the effects of stressors and relaxation techniques on arterial diameter, and deepened his interest in rehabilitation medicine at the Spectra Lab Summer School at UBC, collaborating with physiatrists worldwide on spasticity management and musculoskeletal ultrasound. He's passionate about combining procedural care with long-term patient relationships and hopes to pursue a career in sports rehabilitation medicine.
Aryan Chauhan, BSC
Christopher Dong, BSC
Chris is an MSI3 medical student at UBC with a background in microbiology and immunology, passionate about physiatry and accessible, patient-centred rehabilitation. Drawing on his interests in visual arts, photography, painting, and outdoor rock climbing, he explores how creative and movement-based practices can be thoughtfully incorporated into neurological rehabilitation to support function and quality of life.
Modjgan Ebrahimi, MD
Modjgan Ebrahimi is a Canadian IMG Physiatrist with clinical experience primarily in Musculoskeletal disease management and Rehabilitation, as well as Electrodiagnostic studies.
Carl Ganzert, MSC
Carl is a Canadian Certified Orthotist with an MSc in Rehabilitation Science from McMaster University. He integrates research-guided practice, technology, and traditional techniques to advance patient care, focusing on clinical algorithm design, 3D printing, smart bracing technology, spinal bracing, and complex limb management. He serves on SFU's Mechatronics Industry Advisory Board.
Farris Kassam, MD
Farris is a current Family Medicine Resident at the University of British Columbia, where he also completed his medical degree. He has published numerous manuscripts in the field of spasticity and has co-authored a textbook chapter on spasticity of the lower limbs. His academic interests include rehabilitation medicine, spasticity management, and brain injury. He hopes to continue integrating clinical practice, research, and education throughout his career.
Esha Kaul, Msc
Esha is a third-year medical student with an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and a master's degree in Immunology. When she's not studying or in the clinic, she enjoys sewing, embroidery, and painting.
Ethan Lee
Caydn Leung
Cadyn Leung is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia, studying Neuroscience. She is currently conducting research on the applications of art in medicine, as well as more accessible robotic options for Multiple Sclerosis rehabilitation.
Pauline Pavard, RN
Pauline is a French registered nurse from Raymond Poincaré University Hospital, specializing in neuro-orthopedic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and spasticity management. She is currently based in Vancouver as a visiting researcher, leading an international project on clinical decision-making in spasticity management to support more consistent, evidence-informed rehabilitation care.
Naam completed his Bachelor of Science degree at Simon Fraser University, majoring in Biological Sciences. He is involved in research on AI dictation and high-yield abstracts from the Inaugural SPECTRA Summer School for Spasticity Education and Clinical Translation.
Qaiser Taha
Nisha Sanghera
Nisha is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a degree in Cellular, Anatomical and Physiological Sciences. She is involved in research on ergonomics in clinical workflows and practice, with a focus on improving care for wheelchair users.
Naam dev Seehra, bsc
Gurkaran is a fourth-year medical student at UBC with a background in rehabilitation science and public health. His research has focused on spinal cord injury, stroke, assistive technologies, and patient-centred approaches to improving function and quality of life. He is currently studying patient expectations and experiences with ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injections for spasticity, exploring how patient perspectives can inform care. Outside research, he enjoys soccer and strength training.
Gurkaran Singh, MSC, MPH
Kent Winsborrow, HBsc
Kent is a University of Toronto Bachelor of Science graduate and an aspiring medical student. His research focuses on comparing botulinum toxin research across different etiologies and advancing ultrasound-guided approaches to spasticity management.
Vivian Zhang, Bsc
Vivian is a fourth-year medical student at UBC. She loves trail running and watercolour painting. She is interested in brain and spine rehab.
Chris is a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation resident at the University of Toronto. He previously studied engineering and medicine at the University of British Columbia. His research with SPECTRA involves exploring the use of Hip Flexion Assist Orthoses among people with Multiple Sclerosis, with the aim of developing prescription guidelines and informing improved orthosis design.