Ayman ElAli

Prof. ElAli obtained his PhD in neuroscience from the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany, in cotutelle with the University of Zurich in Switzerland. He specialized in studying the cerebrovascular system in the context of cerebrovascular diseases and vascular dementia, by pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of vascular neurology at the research center of University Hospital of Essen in Germany. He then completed another postdoctoral fellowship to deepen his knowledge in neuroimmunology at the research center of CHU de Québec – Université Laval. In July 2015, Prof. ElAli joined the Department of psychiatry and neuroscience of the Faculty of Medicine at Université Laval as assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor in July 2020. Prof. ElAli holds the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in molecular and cellular neurovascular interactions since July 2020. He is the recipient of several career fellowships, including from the Fonds de recherche du Québec-Santé (FRQS), the German Research Fund “Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)” and the Dr. Werner Jackstaedt-Stiftung in Germany. He is the recipient of several awards and distinctions, including the Louise Rousselle Trottier prize from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Quebec for the excellence of his research in the field of cerebrovascular health.

Cerebrovascular diseases comprise mainly stroke and cerebral small vessel disease and constitute a major cause of death and disability among adults in Canada. These diseases are associated with a variety of risk factors and increase the risk of other neurological complications, including depression and vascular dementia. Currently, there is no efficient therapy to treat these neurological conditions. Cerebral homeostasis depends on the interaction between the various components that form the interface between the brain and the periphery. This interface is composed of endothelial cells that form the blood-brain barrier, perivascular cells such as pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, and neurons. Recent studies, including those conducted by Prof. ElAli, have demonstrated that this cellular network reacts to adapt and reorganize itself under pathological conditions, affecting communication with the periphery. This remodeling directly influences the pathobiology of these neurological conditions; therefore, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms would enable the development of new therapeutic interventions.

Prof. ElAli is developing an innovative and multidisciplinary research program that aims at exploring the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the remodeling of the neurovascular interactions in cerebrovascular diseases and dementia. He is particularly interested in the responses of endothelial cells and pericytes that form the core of the neurovascular interface, and their role in modulating the inflammatory response. His strategy aims to identify and target specialized mechanisms in these cells to restore neurovascular functions and promote brain regeneration. Prof. ElAli’s research program is funded by major governmental funding agencies, including CIHR, NSERC, FRQS, as well as various foundations, including the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.