Frontiers in Biophysics 2026 was brought to life by Simon Fraser University graduate students Hendrik Boog, Luke Everard, Cathlin J. Han, Nasim Nozarnejad, Andrea Quintanilla, Kassandra Richard, and Shefali Vishwakarma. The team sincerely thanks Dr. Nancy Forde for her patient and essential support and guidance in helping bring about FiB 2026.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the FiB 2026 team at: frontier.biophysics@gmail.com.
My PhD research focuses on in-situ mechanical stimuli of skeletal muscle and modelling muscle cell signalling in response to resistance exercise to understand causative relationships between training variables and muscular adaptations. My research goals are to use quantitative methods to efficiently optimize resistance training variables and fitness adaptations.
Luke Everard
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Nasim is a PhD candidate in Biophysics with a focus on neuroscience under the supervision of Prof. Emberly. My research combines physics-based models and machine learning techniques to unravel the complexities of brain networks. I am passionate about bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks and computational tools to advance our understanding of neural systems.
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Hendrik studies how an RNA based Origin of Life might have persisted and evolved as part of his PhD in the Unrau Lab at Simon Fraser University. He received a Masters of Science from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, for his work at the Max-Planck Institute for Medical Research on nucleic acid based force sensors. Hendrik is an Frontiers in Biophysics veteran, winning an outstanding talk award at FiB last year. As part of the FiB 2026 organizing committee he helps with registration and coordinating potential speakers and sponsors. If you see him at the conference tell him about your own project.
Hendrik Boog
Cathlin J. Han is a PhD student supervised by Dr. Randy McIntosh in the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University. Her research centers on the use of the brain simulation platform The Virtual Brain to examine the consequences of neuronal senescence on brain network dynamics in Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of work, Cathlin indulges in good food and all things music.
Cathlin J. Han
Nasim Nozarnejad
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Andrea is a master’s student in the Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology program. Her research focuses on developing a scalable, low-cost platform using induced pluripotent stem cells in a spinner flask system to produce neural organoids for modeling genetic neonatal epilepsy. Her work integrates stem cell biology with advanced electrophysiology platforms such as Multi-Electrode Arrays and automated patch-clamping. Outside of the lab, she finds balance by gardening and going on long walks in the park with her dog.
Andrea Quintanilla
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Kassandra Richard is a PhD student in Dr. Nancy Forde’s lab at Simon Fraser University. She uses atomic force microscopy to image collagen at the single-molecule level, with a focus on improving imaging resolution.
Kassandra Richard
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I am a Master’s Candidate in Dr. Thomas Claydon’s lab in the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology. I am inspired by the complexity of living systems, especially ion channels and how their dysfunction can lead to disease.
Shefali Vishwakarma