Leadership
Mahshid Naghashzadeh
ROLE: Course Leader, curriculum development, tutor
Email: m.naghashzadeh@wustl.edu
I am Mahshid Naghashzadeh, a PhD student in Imaging Science (2022 cohort) at Dr. Cyrus Raji’s lab. My research is centered on developing AI-driven solutions for clinical MRI imaging challenges, with a particular focus on linear algebra and deep learning techniques. I earned both my MSc and BSc in Electrical Engineering in Iran, where mathematics was a foundation of my coursework and research. By developing and tutoring the Math Crash course, I actively engage with incoming students and various communities at WashU, creating a collaborative environment where we all benefit from shared knowledge and insights. Connect with me on LinkedIn!
Suraj Khochare
ROLE: Course Leader, Curriculum Development, Tutor
Email: k.surajdeepak@wustl.edu
I am Suraj Khochare, a PhD student in the Imaging Science program (2023 cohort), and I am working on single molecule imaging in Dr. Matthew Lew’s lab. I did my undergrad and my master’s in Electrical Engineering in India and USA respectively. My past research/work involved microscopy, image analysis, machine learning and software development. I briefly participated in the Math Crash Course 2023 and found it very helpful for new graduate students in multiple fields. I’m happy and excited to meet new students, exchange thoughts on graduate programs/curriculum/student life at WashU and help them get rolling with the Math Crash Course 2024. Please feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn with any questions or discussions that you may have!
Course Organizer
Sanskar Thakur
ROLE: Course organizer, Curriculum Development, tutor
email: s.s.thakur@wustl.edu
I am Sanskar Thakur, second year Imaging science PhD student in Dr. Quing Zhu’s lab. I work on Optical and Ultrasound imaging tools for Cancer management. My undergraduate studies were in Production Engineering and I have a master’s in Mechanical Engineering from IUPUI. I also worked at MGH as a research engineer for the Tearney lab which got me interested in Imaging science. Math crash course helped me refresh my math skills in 2022, and it was so helpful to me that I decided to join the team to develop it further. I hope to connect with incoming students and help them transition at WashU. Connect with me on instagram- not_a_sanskar or LinkedIn.
Wiete Fehner
Role: COURSE FOUNDER, Course organizer
Email: f.wiete@wustl.edu
I am Wiete Fehner, an Imaging Science PhD candidate (2021 cohort) in Dr. Culver’s lab. My research focuses on using high-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT) for human brain mapping in naturalistic settings. Before joining the PhD program, I lived in Finland, where I finished my MSc in neuroscience. Challenges I experienced during my transition into the field of engineering motivated me to develop a math crash course, which introduces students to math concepts that will be encountered during core classes. I enjoy interacting with incoming students and the WashU community; the Math Crash Course has been a wonderful way to do so. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Sungmin Park
ROLE: COURSE FOUNDER, Course organizer
email: s.park@wustl.edu
My name is Sungmin and I’m a Ph.D student in the Imaging Science Program (2021 cohort), and I work with Dr. Adam Eggebrecht in the Brain Light Laboratory. Before coming to St. Louis, I was an undergraduate research assistant in UW Seattle, and completed my bachelors in Bioconvergence at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. Mathematics of Imaging Science (ESE 570) was my first course in Signals & Systems and the challenges I faced inspired me to help develop this math crash course to help students like me ease into graduate-level math courses. Fun fact about me: I named my five plants after math concepts and mathematicians.
Morgan Fogarty
ROLE: COURSE FOUNDER, Course Organizer
Email: M.fogarty@wustl.edu
Hi! I’m a rising 5th year in the Imaging Science PhD program working on functional brain mapping using diffuse optical tomography in Joe Culver’s lab. I did my undergraduate in BME at the Illinois Institute of Technology where I stumbled through all my math courses before promptly forgetting everything while working as a research assistant at MGH. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, watching trashy reality TV, and obsessing over my dog, Ada. I’m so excited for this course to help students feel more confident going into their first-year courses and I can’t wait to hear all of your feedback!
Braden Yang
ROLE: Course Organizer, CurriCulum Development, Tutor
Email: b.y.yang@wustl.edu
I’m Braden, currently a 3rd year PhD student in Imaging Science. I work in the Medical Imaging and Data Science (MINDS) lab with Dr. Aris Sotiras. My project focuses on adapting and developing machine learning techniques to predict longitudinal risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease from neuroimaging data. I am also interested in data harmonization topics to address inter-scanner and inter-site variability in PET biomarkers. During my undergraduate studies, my all time favorite class that I took was intro to linear algebra. This eventually led to an interest in medical imaging and machine learning, where I had multiple opportunities to get involved in research related to these fields in my undergrad and postbacc experiences. Looking back at it, intro to linear algebra was also the most useful course that I had ever taken, since I am continuing to apply that knowledge to this day in my current research. I hope to share my excitement about math and to show its importance in imaging research through the Math Crash Course!
Kweku Enninful
ROLE: Course Organizer
Email: e.kweku@wustl.edu
My name is Kweku. I am Biomedical Engineering PhD student (2022 cohort) in Dr. Abhinav Jha’s lab. Before joining the PhD program I did my undergraduate in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Ghana and worked as a research assistant at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research after graduating. I was part of the first cohort of students in the Math crash course in 2022. Having experienced how helpful the crash course is, especially for the first year imaging science courses, I am motivated to organize the course to help make handling graduate level math easier. Let’s get through this math maze together and have a fantastic time! Connect with me on LinkedIn!
Calvin Foss
ROLE: Course Organizer
Email: c.foss@wustl.edu
My name is Calvin. I am a second year Imaging Science PhD in Dr. Adam Bauer’s lab working on wide field imaging of mouse cortex. I did my undergrad in Physics at Loyola Marymount University and worked as a research assistant doing molecular biophysics under Dr. Zahra Alavi. I then worked in auditory neuroscience at University of California, San Francisco as a lab manager for Dr. Andrea Hasenstaub. I participated in the Math crash course in summer 2023, and I’m excited to help new incoming students! Feel free to reach out to me by email at c.foss@wustl.edu or social media @calvinfoss
Tutors
Katie Duncan
ROLE: Course Organizer, CurriCulum Development, Tutor
Email: kmduncan@wustl.edu
Hi! I’m Katie, a second year Imaging Science PhD student in Dr. Sencan-Egilmez’s Biomedical Optics and Neurovascular Imaging Lab where we visualize neurovascular dynamics in neurodegenerative disease non-invasively through the retina with 2-photon microscopy & OCT. I did my undergrad at Tulane University in Neuroscience & Cognitive Philosophy and made my way back to St. Louis to Wash U’s Biophotonics Research Center and Molecular Imaging Core (MIC) with Dr. Monica Shokeen and Dr. Sam Achilefu. Which all led me to the Imaging Sciences program, and 2023 Math Crash Course was a great introduction and I’m excited to meet and help incoming students and others in the Wash U community! I’m always a bit too willing to talk about cycling or St. Louis food recommendations, reach out about anything via email at kmduncan@wustl.edu, social media, or LinkedIn!
Yuanxin Qiu
ROLE: Curriuclum Development, Tutor
Email: q.yuanxin@wustl.edu
Hi! I am Yuanxin Qiu, a third year PhD in Imaging Science. I am currently working in the LewLab led by Dr. Matthew Lew. Our lab focuses on developing optical microscopy to resolve nano scale structures in biological systems. My interests in research involves developing multi-dimensional microscopic system and applying them on interesting scientific questions. I spent my undergrad in Southern University of Science and Technology in China studying Biomedical Engineering and earned my Master’s degree in Bioengineering at Temple University. I participated in Math crash course 2022 as a student, and I am extremely excited to be a part of this community again. Hope to spend this great summer with you.
Yash Thacker
ROLE: Curriuclum Development, Tutor
Email: YThacker@wustl.edu
Hi Guys! My name is Yash, and I’m part of the Imaging Sciences PhD Program (2024 cohort). I earned degrees in Biology and Computer Science during my undergraduate studies. My passion lies in using AI and ML to improve medical diagnostics. After graduating, I worked as a research developer at Labs at WASHU. Currently, I’m part of the Medical AI Lab (MAIL Lab), where I’m working on AI and ML applications for medical diagnostics. My interests include data fusion and building Imaging models that can combine different types of data for better diagnostics. When I’m not working, I enjoy watching football and basketball, sipping on coffee, and taking pictures. Feel free to connect with me via email or LinkedIn. I hope this crash course not only helps you learn math but also introduces you to the program, connects you with other people in the program and your cohort, and creates a welcoming atmosphere.
Jiantao Zhu
ROLE: Curriuclum Development, Tutor
Email: jiantao@wustl.edu
Hi everyone! My name is Jiantao, and I’m a PhD student in the Imaging Sciences Program at WashU. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering, completing my master’s degree here at WashU. My current research is focused on functional brain optical imaging, particularly exploring how conditions like brain tumors treatment and hydrocephalus affect brain networks. I am passionate about leveraging advanced imaging and analytical techniques to improve our understanding of neurological diseases and enhance diagnostic accuracy. My technical interests also include designing mobile applications for non-invasive health monitoring. Outside of my research, I enjoy playing basketball and traveling. I’m thrilled to support you through this Math Crash Course, aiming not only to enhance your mathematical skills but also to foster connections and ease your integration into our vibrant academic community. Feel free to reach out via email or LinkedIn—I look forward to working with all of you!
Sanjida Ali
ROLE: Curriuclum Development, Tutor
Email: a.sanjida@wustl.edu
Hi everyone! My name is Sanjida Ali, and I’m a PhD student in the Imaging Science Program at WashU. I joined the program in Fall 2024, after earning my Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Islamic University of Technology. Before coming to WashU, I worked as a lecturer in the same department at my alma mater from 2021 to 2024. My research interests lie in optical imaging, with a focus on neuroscience and women’s health. Outside of academics, I love exploring parks and new neighborhoods, hiking, hosting tea parties for family, and trying out new cuisines with my husband. I’m looking forward to being part of your journey in the Math Crash Course and helping you feel more at home in our academic community.
Ahmad Shafiullah
ROLE: Curriuclum Development, Tutor
Email: a.shafiullah@wustl.edu
Hello! I am Shofi, and I joined the imaging science PhD program at WashU in Fall’24. My research explores the optical properties of short-wave infrared (SWIR) light and its application in medical imaging. At this wavelength, light is not visible to human eyes, but they do interact with the environment in a different way. “Try to imagine a new color”—always intrigued me, and exploring the world in SWIR is maybe something closest to that. I have a strong passion for teaching. After completing my undergraduate studies in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, I worked as a lecturer four a couple of years. While we all have learned to do math in a traditional way, it is wonderful to discover how math comes into play when shaping the laws of physics into something practical, say, designing a medical imaging device. With the Math Crash Course, we will start on that journey!
Puja Ghosh
ROLE: Tutor
Email: g.puja@wustl.edu
Hi everyone! My name is Puja Ghosh, and I’m a PhD student in the Imaging Science Program at WashU. I completed my undergraduate studies at United International University in Bangladesh. My research focuses on electrophysiological imaging systems and signal analysis related to labor contractions in pregnant women. I love to cook, sing, and travel in my free time. Last year, I attended the Math Crash Course and found it to be informative, enjoyable, and a truly enriching experience. This year, I’m excited to return as a tutor! I’m thrilled to kick off this year’s course and can’t wait to learn and grow together with all of you.
