Congratulations to  Atousa Parsaei (MSc student, top left), Reza Ahmadi (PhD Student, top right), Hamid Heidary (PhD student, bottom left), and Reza Deabae (PhD student, bottom right), for being selected for Lab2Market Validate 2024 program. It’s exciting that four members of our lab were selected in the 2024 cohort. Through interviews with stakeholders, we are seeking to understand their perspectives on the technologies we are developing in iHadlab.

Congratulations to Reza Deabae (PhD student) and Atousa Parsaei (MSc student) for receiving the Elizabeth Cannon Graduate Scholarship in Entrepreneurial Thinking. It’s exciting that two members of our lab have received this award, showcasing their innovative approach to developing creative solutions for real-world challenges. https://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/award-opportunities/elizabeth-cannon-graduate-scholarship-entrepreneurial-thinking

Congratulations to Atousa Parsaei (MSc student) for receiving the CSB travel award.

Congratulations to Reza Ahmadi (on the right) and Peyman Tahghighi (on the left), both PhD students, for receiving the Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES). This award recognizes their outstanding research and the significant impact it has made in their respective fields.

Congratulations to Atousa Parsaei and Reza Ahmadi. Reza Ahmadi and Atousa Parsaei have both been recognized with prestigious accolades from the SSE: Reza with the SSE Research Excellence Award and Teaching Assistant Award, Atousa with the SSE Teaching Assistant Award. Within iHADLab, we take immense pride in nurturing individuals who exemplify not only a commitment to groundbreaking research but also a dedication to guiding and supporting undergraduate students in their academic journeys. During the W24 semester, I had the privilege of collaborating with Reza and Atousa in delivering ENME317. Throughout this time, I witnessed their unwavering dedication in conducting labs, meticulously assessing student submissions, and contributing to various aspects of course facilitation. Their exceptional efforts did not go unnoticed, as echoed by the resoundingly positive feedback from students at the semester’s conclusion. As such, it is with great pride that we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Reza and Atousa on their well-deserved recognition. Their passion for both research and teaching serves as an inspiration to us all, and we are confident that they will continue to positively impact the academic community for years to come. On behalf of iHADLab and the department, we express our sincerest gratitude to Reza and Atousa for their invaluable contributions and unwavering commitment to excellence. PS: Reza’s body in the photo belongs to someone else (adopted with permission).

A team of engineering students from the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering, guided by their academic advisor Dr. Amin Komeili, has achieved remarkable success, securing second place at the engineering capstone fair. Their project, titled “Developing a Biosensor to Detect Cortisol Levels In The Human Body,” earned them a well-deserved silver medal in the electrical engineering department. This innovative project highlights the interdisciplinary approach to tackling real-world health monitoring challenges. Over nine months, the team, consisting of Mitchell Rhead, Ahmed Asiff, Vyshnavi Devarakonda, Carter Fuchs, and Thanusha Veeraperumal, worked diligently to develop a biosensor capable of monitoring cortisol, a key stress indicator. The development of a potentiostat circuit and a user-friendly software application for cortisol level monitoring stands out as a major achievement of this project. Acknowledgments were made to Dr. Amir Sanati Nezhad and his team for their support and contributions, which were vital to the project’s success. The project, spearheaded by students and supported by their academic and industry mentors, exemplifies the potential of collaborative engineering efforts in advancing health monitoring technologies. As the team looks forward to making further contributions in engineering, their project serves as an inspiration for future innovations in the field of health technology.

The iHADLab is proud to announce that PhD candidate Reza Kakavand has been awarded the prestigious Eyes High International Doctoral Scholarship. This esteemed scholarship is part of the University of Calgary’s ambitious Eyes High vision, aiming to position the university among the top five research institutions in Canada. The award recognizes exceptional doctoral students from around the globe, emphasizing the university’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and competitive research environment. Reza Kakavand’s groundbreaking research focuses on enhancing the efficiency of subject-specific knee joint biomechanical simulations. His work has significant implications for the understanding and treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), a condition affecting millions worldwide. By improving simulation accuracy and efficiency, Kakavand’s research promises to advance personalized medicine approaches in orthopedics, offering new hope for individuals suffering from OA. The Eyes High International Doctoral Scholarship is awarded to doctoral students who demonstrate outstanding academic and research achievements. Recipients are selected for their potential to contribute to the university’s research excellence and to the broader field of their study. Kakavand’s selection for this award underscores his exceptional contributions to biomechanical research and his potential to impact the field significantly. The iHADLab community congratulates Reza Kakavand on this remarkable achievement. His work exemplifies the lab’s dedication to advancing research that addresses critical health challenges and improves lives. The Eyes High International Doctoral Scholarship will support Kakavand’s continued research, empowering him to push the boundaries of knowledge in biomechanical simulations and osteoarthritis treatment. This award not only highlights Kakavand’s individual excellence but also reinforces the University of Calgary’s status as a leading center for research and innovation. The iHADLab remains committed to contributing to the university’s Eyes High vision by conducting high-impact research and training the next generation of leaders in biomechanics.

Date: 2023-03-28 Another good news from Peyman. He won 3rd place in the University of Guelph CEPTS 3 Minutes Thesis competition. I wish I could be there to listen to his presentation and support him. Having seen him present the problem he is attempting to address in his PhD program, I am grateful for his enthusiasm in doing so. You can read more about this competition in the UoG website https://www.uoguelph.ca/ceps/news/2023/03/u-g-ceps-3mt%C2%AE   Left: Peyman Tahghighi, Middle: Regan Sheppard, Right: Eamonn Corrigan. (https://www.uoguelph.ca/ceps/news/2023/03/u-g-ceps-3mt%C2%AE)  

I am delighted to hear the news that Peyman won the 2nd place award in 3 minutes thesis presentation competition at the 2022 CEPS Graduate Student Research Day. Peyman ability to connect with others and communicate his idea in a clear, engaging, and easy-to-understand way is superior. It is hard to get distracted when he presents the story of his PhD program journey. I apologize that I did not record his presentation, but I will next time. The following is his slide presentation. On behalf of the team, I thank Peyman for presenting the iHADLab and Veterinary AI lab at 2022 CEPS Graduate Student Research Day.

Congratulations to Team#23 (Anna Koevoet, Kieran Roberts, Jake Ruschkowski, Eddie Kuhnlein) for winning first place in Capstone Fair 2022  at the University of Calgary. Their project was focused on creating a device that can be used to capture knee angle by performance athletes, clinicians, and physiotherapists as an alternative to motion capture. It was a pleasure working with motivated and talented students. I am sure we will be hearing more great news from their achievements in the near future.