Dr. Ethan MacDonald
Positions
Associate Professor
Schulich School of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Associate Professor
Schulich School of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Software Engineering
Adjunct Associate Professor
Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Radiology | Image Science
Full Member
Hotchkiss Brain Institute
Full Member
Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Owerko Centre
Contact information
Web presence
Location
Office: ICT452
Preferred method of communication
Preferred method of Communication: Email
Background
Educational Background
Postdoctoral Fellowship Radiology, University of Calgary, 2020
PhD Biomedical Engineering, University of Calgary, 2014
MSc Biomedical Engineering, University of Calgary, 2010
BEng Electrical Engineering, Lakehead University, 2008
Technologist Diploma Electronics Engineering, Nova Scotia Community College, 2006
Technician Diploma Electronics Engineering, Nova Scotia Community College, 2005
Biography
Ethan MacDonald is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical & Software Engineering in the Schulich School of Engineering, with an adjunct appointment in Radiology (Cumming School of Medicine). He is a full member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (Owerko Centre).
His research develops MRI acquisition and reconstruction methods, machine learning, and big data approaches for neuroimaging — with applications in brain aging, stroke, dementia, and pediatric brain health. Active projects span low-field portable MRI hardware, MRI-to-biomarker image translation for Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular reactivity mapping, and AI-guided stroke diagnosis. His team has published over 25 journal articles and 145 conference proceedings, and holds over $6.5M in active research funding from NSERC, CIHR, Brain Canada, Heart & Stroke, Alberta Innovates, and others.
MacDonald was a founding member of the Department of Biomedical Engineering in 2021. He is the recipient of the 2024 ASTech Change Maker Award, the 2025 Graduate Students' Association Excellence in Supervision Award, and the 2024 Schulich Early Career Researcher Award. He holds a PhD and MSc in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Calgary and a BEng in Electrical Engineering from Lakehead University, where he received the Dean Braun Medal and the PEO Medal for Academic Achievement. He is a registered Professional Engineer and Senior Member of IEEE.
Research
Participation in university strategic initiatives
Courses
| Course number | Course title | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| BMEN 509 | Introduction to Biomedical Imaging and Applications | W2023 to W2026 |
| BMEN 623 | Medical Imaging | W2025 to W2026 |
| MDSC 689.02 | Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Guest Lecturer) | W2021 to W2026 |
| ENSF 620 | Advanced Data Analytics | F2021 to F2026 |
| BMEN 415 | Sensor Systems & Data Analytics | W2021 to W2025 |
| ENEL 419 | Probability Theory | F2025 |
Awards
- 2024 Early Career Researcher Award, Schulich School of Engineering. 2025
- 2025 Excellence in Supervision Award, Graduate Student’s Association. 2025
- Change Maker Award, Alberta Science and Technology (ASTech). 2024
More Information
Graduate and Postdoctoral Opportunities:
The Brain Image Team is recruiting MSc, PhD, and postdoctoral trainees to work on MRI technology development, medical image analysis, and machine learning for neuroimaging. Current projects include low-field portable MRI scanner design, MRI-based biomarker estimation for Alzheimer's disease and stroke, cerebrovascular imaging, brain age and genetic modelling, and related projects.
Strong candidates typically have a background in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field. Experience with programming (Python, MATLAB), image processing, machine learning, agentic engineering, or MRI physics is an asset, though motivated applicants from other quantitative disciplines will be considered.
To apply, email Dr. MacDonald with your CV, transcripts, and a short statement describing your research interests and how they connect to the lab's work.
Our lab emphasizes skill development in programming, scientific writing, and presentation. Trainees have collectively earned over >$1M in scholarships and awards in the last 5 years, and alumni hold faculty positions in academia (e.g., Assistant Professor), clinical research, medicine and industry. We foster a collaborative, inclusive environment with a healthy work-life balance.
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