Alejandra Sierra Lopez

Alejandra Sierra Lopez is a Research Director at the A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Health Sciences. Her work focuses on neuroimaging, traumatic brain injury, and epileptogenesis using advanced MRI and electron microscopy techniques.

Research Highlights:

• Developed multiscale imaging frameworks combining MRI and EM for CNS analysis
• Validated white matter metrics through 3D ultrastructural correlation
• Explored lysosomal dysfunction in neuroinflammation from air pollution
• Created gACSON/DeepACSON software for automated axon segmentation

Methodological Innovations:

• Nonparametric diffusion-relaxation modeling
• Orientation-selective DBS for circuit modulation
• SWIFT MRI for calcification detection
• Steerable3D ImageJ plugin for neurovascular segmentation

Key Collaborations:

• Coordinated Neuro-Innovation (2021–2026) and NOVEL (2024–2029) projects
• Collaborated with University of Oulu, University of Helsinki, and University of Iowa researchers
• Contributed to MRI-histology correlations in epilepsy and TBI
• Integrated Fourier-based analysis and Multimodal MRI approaches