Melanie Morrison, PhD •  Neuroimaging Scientist

Section Styles spotlight-header

 

I am a

Neuroimaging Scientist

Melanie Morrison, PhD

Presented by Superhuman Body + IF/THEN
Featured
Poetry.

Poetry has become a meaningful hobby of mine—both reading and writing it. While living in the UK, a friend gave me my first poetry book by Yrsa Daley-Ward. Her work is raw and deeply personal, and it completely drew me in. Since then, I’ve started writing my own collection. What I love most about poetry is the freedom—it’s a space where you can ignore the rules and express yourself however feels right.

Surfing.

I didn’t grow up near the ocean, so when I came to California, I felt drawn to it. The ocean can be very scary and powerful, but I wanted to try something different and surfing seemed like a fun challenge. I’m not a great surfer, but I’ve gotten really into it and have now surfed all around the world. I actually started a WhatsApp group to connect to other San Francisco surfer girls.

Movement & Yoga.

I grew up dancing and have even taken ballet classes as an adult. Yoga is also a big part of my routine—especially stretching-based practices that help me stay grounded. I live near the beautiful Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, which is also right by the coast. I’m often out running through the park or heading down to the beach just to walk along the shore. It’s my form of wandering— enjoying the experience of moving my body in different ways and finding new ways to connect with myself.

Cooking & Baking.

My dad is Jamaican and he moved to Canada in his twenties with two particularly impressive skills: cutting hair and cooking. Every Sunday he made big family meals and my mom would bake. It rubbed off on me. Although shepherd's pie is my specialty (I’m a vegetarian, so I use meat alternatives), I love to prepare nourishing dishes like papaya boats, and bake cakes! I’ll even try triple decker cakes with lots of different layers and filings. It's kind of like a science project trying to get it right!

Traveling.

Traveling is a huge part of my life and something I’ve worked hard to prioritize, even after becoming faculty. I don’t just visit places; I explore them—whether it’s searching for vegan restaurants, reading in parks, or surfing unfamiliar waves. It’s also a way to connect with old friends, meeting somewhere new instead of returning to the same spaces. I plan yearly trips with my high school girlfriends, and whenever I’m solo, I love joining surf camps to challenge myself in new waters.

A Little About Me

  • I'm definitely a social person and love going on adventures with friends.

    I love going on adventures and making memories with the people around me. Whether it’s planning trips with my high school friends, exploring new restaurants, or discovering new surf spots, being around good people recharges me and keeps life exciting.

  • I welcome a good challenge.

    I don’t shy away from high pressure situations, which is something I got more comfortable with over time. I love pushing myself, whether it’s baking an epic triple layer cake for a friend’s birthday, surfing along a new coastline, or taking on an ambitious research project. There’s something about being in unknown territory that excites me, even if it is a little stressful!

  • I have a deep commitment to supporting others.

    I didn’t have the easiest start in life, and that experience drives me to help others find their own path. One of my favorite ways to do that is through summer student programs, where I get to mentor and support individuals from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. It’s incredibly rewarding to see students grow, gain confidence, and discover opportunities they may not have thought were possible.

  • I feel personal connections to my research.

    My family has several people impacted by Parkinson’s disease, which is a brain disease. My dad also went through a serious health crisis that affected his brain. My neurosurgery research mentor is his neurosurgeon who follows up on his brain. Knowing how these diseases can impact people keeps me motivated and committed to helping us find better treatments.

Audio Block
Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more

MY ADVICE

“People think you have to morph into one type of scientist to be successful. It's not true.”

Audio Block
Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more
Audio Block
Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more

WHO I AM

People describe me as..

  • Resourceful

    I learned resourcefulness from my mom, who always found a way to make things work, even when times were tough. That’s a skill I carry with me—whether it’s figuring out how to secure funding for my lab or cold-calling people to create new opportunities. When you don’t have everything handed to you, you learn how to get creative and make things happen.

  • Goofy

    I’m definitely a goofy person at heart. When I’m comfortable around someone, I let loose—doing funny impressions or just collapsing into laughter with my sister and friends. It’s all about not taking myself too seriously and having a great time, even if we’re just hanging out at home.

  • Adventurous

    Whether I’m in the lab or out exploring the world, I love stepping into the unknown and saying 'yes' to experiences that take me somewhere unexpected. I seek adventure in every part of my life.

  • Particular

    The people who know me well would say I have a clear sense of how I like things to be done. In the lab, that means paying attention to every detail to make sure our work is precise. At home, it’s things like making papaya boats just right—it’s the little things that matter to me.

  • Authentic

    I didn’t want to have to change who I am to become a scientist—and you don’t have to. Staying true to yourself really matters.

My Accomplishments:

PhD, Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto

BS, Integrated Sciences, Carleton University

The Basics:

Pronouns: She/Her

Title: Assistant Professor of Radiology

Institution: University of California, San Francisco

Expertise: Deep Brain Stimulation, Clinical Neuroscience, MRI, Biophysics

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO

Where to Follow Me:

LINKEDIN →
TWITTER →

“Lead with passion. Passion will trump everything, because if you're consistently passionate about something, you will get to wherever you need to be.”

— Melanie Morrison

Looking for teacher resources?

PHOTOGRAPHER: Zinah Abraha • Illustrator: Erik Suswanto

© 2024 THE PLENARY, CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TERMS. PRIVACY.

This is a brand new site! See an issue? Let us know.