Carlos Hernandez Castillo

Carlos R. Hernandez Castillo is an Assistant Professor at Dalhousie University's Faculty of Computer Science and holds a Canada Research Chair Tier 2 position. He also serves as a Scientist at Nova Scotia Health Authority. His work bridges computer science, neuroscience, and clinical medicine with a focus on understanding brain function and developing AI-based diagnostic tools for neurological disorders.

Dr. Hernandez Castillo earned his MSc in Artificial Intelligence and PhD in Neuroethology from Universidad Veracruzana in Mexico. During his doctoral studies, he conducted research at the Biomedical Research Imaging Center at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. His postdoctoral training spanned multiple institutions including UNAM in Mexico City, Queen's University in Kingston, and Western University in London.

His research focuses on two interconnected areas: understanding the human brain with particular emphasis on the cerebellum and its interactions with the neocortex, and applying artificial intelligence algorithms to improve diagnostic tools for clinical assessment, primarily using magnetic resonance imaging. His lab conducts multidisciplinary research spanning neuroimaging, movement disorders, neuroscience, and computer vision, with a special interest in spinocerebellar ataxias and other neurodegenerative conditions.

His publication record demonstrates a strong trajectory in cerebellar imaging and neurodegenerative disorders, with numerous high-impact papers in neurology and neuroimaging journals. His work often involves large-scale collaborative efforts through the ENIGMA-Ataxia Working Group, reflecting his leadership in international neuroscience research consortia.

• Canada Research Chair Tier 2

Dr. Hernandez Castillo actively mentors graduate students and postdocs, with current lab members working on diverse projects including fMRI biomarker discovery, neurodevelopment toolboxes, and brain network modeling. His research is supported by multiple funding agencies, enabling cutting-edge work at the intersection of AI and neuroscience. He collaborates with researchers at UNAM, Western University, Monash University, and UCLA|Cedars Sinai, demonstrating the international scope of his work.

His lab, CSBrain, maintains active development of computational tools and resources including GitHub repositories, code tutorials, and educational materials. Dr. Hernandez Castillo teaches courses in Computer Vision and MRI analysis, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical applications in medical imaging.