Frederick Zeiler, BSc, MD, PhD, CIP, FRCSC

Cross-appointments

Research achievements

Dr. Zeiler leads the Multi-omic Analytics and Integrative Neuroinformatics in the HUman Brain (MAIN-HUB) Lab at UM. Independently funded, the lab focuses on bridging knowledge gaps in cerebral physiological relationships in humans and large mammals. It advances natural science and engineering fields using innovative biosignal analytics, mathematical modeling, and network analytic approaches to high-frequency multi-modal data streams.

Research focus: The lab aims to improve understanding of cerebral pressure-flow and nutrient delivery dynamics in multi-variate space, in both healthy states and under biomechanical strain. It generates high-resolution physiological trajectory state-space models and develops new metrics and devices for continuous evaluation of cerebral physiological processes in real-time, benefiting humans and large mammals.

Key objectives: The overarching goal is to enhance whole-brain capacity to characterize continuous cerebral physiology, predict physiological events, and understand fundamental physiological relations. Long-term objectives include uncovering mechanisms of impaired cerebrovascular function in various health and disease states, particularly biomechanical neural injury, to identify potential therapeutic targets.

Interdisciplinary approach: The lab operates at the intersection of biomedical engineering, complex statistical methodologies, data science techniques, biosignal processing and analytics, novel metric/device development, and multi-variate state-space trajectory modeling.

Collaborative networks: Maintaining strong collaborative ties with international centers such as the University of Cambridge, Karolinska Institute, University of Helsinki, and Maastricht University, the lab engages in multi-center research initiatives focusing on big data approaches in multi-dimensional multi-omics to deepen understanding of cerebral physiological responses in health and disease.

Funding support: The program receives support from various local and federal sources, including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

Research themes

  • Advanced bio-signal analytics
  • Big data approaches
  • Biomedical engineering
  • Cranial neurotrauma
  • Integrated omics
  • Time-series methodologies

Research interests

  • Application of machine learning to cerebral physiological data
  • Cerebrovascular reactivity monitoring
  • Complex 'omics' integration
  • Compensatory reserve monitoring
  • Novel instrument development
  • Personalized medicine in neurotrauma
  • Subject-specific physiologic metric development

Research affiliations

  • Endowed Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) Chair in Neuroscience, University of Manitoba
  • Chair, Canadian High Resolution Traumatic Brain Injury Research Collaborative
  • Director and principal investigator, Multi-omic Analytics and Integrative Neuroinformatics in the HUman Brain (MAIN-HUB) Lab, University of Manitoba
  • Director of research – Neurosurgery, University of Manitoba
  • Research affiliate, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
  • Research affiliate, Centre on Aging, University of Manitoba

Biography

Frederick Zeiler, a Canadian neurosurgeon, joined the University of Manitoba as a clinician-scientist in 2019. He earned his BSc from the University of Manitoba, focusing on applied mathematics and physical chemistry. During this time, he received Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) summer research awards.

Medical education and residency: Zeiler completed his medical school and neurosurgery residency at the University of Manitoba, obtaining certification in neurosurgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada.

Specialized fellowships: Furthering his expertise, Zeiler pursued fellowship training in neurocritical care at the Montreal Neurological Institute and participated in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) clinician investigator program at the University of Manitoba.

PhD studies at University of Cambridge: Zeiler pursued his PhD at the University of Cambridge, focusing on advanced multi-modal cerebral physiologic monitoring, biosignal analytics, and machine learning approaches in acute biomechanical traumatic neural injury. He worked under the supervision of Professors David Menon and Marek Czosnyka, renowned experts in acute neural injury research.

Achievements and publications: During his time at Cambridge, Zeiler was recognized as a Royal College of Surgeons of Canada Traveling Fellow in Surgery and a University of Cambridge International Trust Scholar. He has authored over 400 peer-reviewed manuscripts, abstracts, and textbook chapters and has received numerous awards for his academic accomplishments.

Current positions and honours: Currently, Zeiler holds the position of Full Professor and Director of Neurosurgery Research within the Section of Neurosurgery at the University of Manitoba. He has been awarded the Rudy Falk Clinician-Scientist Professorship (2019-2022), the Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) Professorship in Neuroscience (2022-2023), and the Endowed MPI Chair in Neuroscience (2023-Present) at the University of Manitoba. Additionally, he holds an affiliate researcher appointment at the Karolinska Institutet (Dept of Clinical Neuroscience).

  • Education

    PhD (cerebral physiology and biosignal analytics), University of Cambridge

    Certification (clinician-investigator), Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

    Fellowship (clinician-investigator), University of Manitoba

    Certification/Fellowship (neurosurgery), Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

    Fellowship (neurocritical care), Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University

    Residency (neurosurgery), University of Manitoba

    Medical Doctorate, University of Manitoba

    Primary Care Paramedic, CritCare Paramedic Academy

    Bachelor of Science, University of Manitoba

  • Awards

     

    2023:

    • Endowed Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) Chair in Neuroscience, University of Manitoba

    2022-2023:

    • Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) Professor in Neuroscience, University of Manitoba

    2019-2022:

    • Rudy Falk Clinician-Scientist Professorship, University of Manitoba

    2020:

    • Falconer Rh Award, Winnipeg Rh Institute Foundation, University of Manitoba
    • Centre on Aging Fellowship, University of Manitoba

    2016-2019:

    • Cambridge International Trust Scholar, University of Cambridge

    2016-2017; 2017-2018:

    • Harry S. Morton Travelling Fellow in Surgery, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

    2016:

    • R. Samuel McLaughlin Fellowship, Manitoba Medical Service Foundation/University of Manitoba

Contact us

Surgery
Max Rady College of Medicine
AE101-820 Sherbrook Street
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9 Canada

204-787-4587
204-787-1485
204-787-4884