Ali Arab, MASc RA, is a PCHT research assistant and a Ph.D. candidate at Simon Fraser University with particular interests in Data Mining and Machine Learning. He holds a master’s degree in Computer Science from SFU and a B.Sc. in software engineering from Sharif University of Technology. His current project aims to provide solutions to improve the treatment plan for patients with brain stroke using analyzing their clinical data. In his free time, Ali loves playing piano and singing.

Shaun Bourgeois, MASc RA, is currently a Master of Applied Science student in the School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering at Simon Fraser University. His research focuses on assistive wearable robotic systems, or exoskeletons, for people with physical disabilities affecting mobility. A prototype of one such exoskeleton developed by Shaun and his colleagues from SFU’s Laboratory for Assistive Robotic Systems was featured at the BC Tech Summit in both 2016 and 2017.

Greg Christie, PhD RA, is a PCHT research assistant and research associate at the STAR (Science and Technology for Aging Research) Institute. He has a PhD in Psychology from Simon Fraser University where he studied under the supervision of Dr. John McDonald. He also holds degrees in Neuroscience and New Media from the University of Lethbridge, and studied at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience. His research is centered on the brain processes controlling cognition, with a focus on how we pay attention to certain stimuli, prioritize information, and ultimately make decisions. Currently, Greg spearheads the development of mobile applications at the Digital Health Hub that can improve the cognitive health of children and older adults.

Karam Elabd, is a Master's student at the School of Engineering at Simon Fraser University. Karam’s research project focuses on the design, development and application of an articulated falling dummy that is controlled to mimic the falling behaviour of humans, allowing for the measurement of internal and external contact forces to the body. He will also develop a series of postural stability experiments, utilizing the IPML’s perturbation platform, in order to examine how humans learn and adapt to known perturbations and to understand how this learning transfers to unexpected perturbations.Karam's research interests include Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, Biomechanics, Dynamics, Control, Robotics, Human Balance and Mobility, Computer Modelling and Simulation, Sensors and Actuators

Shaun Fickling, is a PhD Candidate in the Surrey NeuroTech Lab at Simon Fraser University. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechatronics Engineering (with Honours) and a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Cape Town (UCT). Shaun’s passion is for developing medical technologies that address real-world health issues. At UCT he was part of a group that developed a low-cost, automated fluorescence microscope for rapid tuberculosis detection. He also designed a kinematic prediction algorithm for ACL Injuries in athletes. His current research is focused on creating portable brain scanning applications to advance the diagnosis and monitoring of concussions.

Sujoy Ghosh Hajra, P.Eng., is currently pursuing his PhD in biomedical engineering at Simon Fraser University developing diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for various brain diseases and disorders such as traumatic brain injury, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, as the Chief Technology Officer for Surrey NeuroTech Lab, Sujoy is involved in research capacity building, creation of collaborative linkages with industry and academic partners and mentoring of highly qualified personnel. Mr. Ghosh Hajra has authored several peer-reviewed publications and received many awards including the Spirit of Canada 150, Top Twenty 20-somethings in Nova Scotia, and Computer World Canada’s IT Leadership Award.

Shervin Jannesar, PhD Candidate, is a Point of Care Health Technologies trainee and a PhD candidate in the Surrey NeuroSpine Lab at Simon Fraser University. Shervin’s research focuses on developing patient-specific technologies, individualized health care and injury protection equipment. His current work is on single patient spinal cord injury modelling and analysis. His early experience on computational modelling, numerical simulation and analysis of soft tissues and ergonomics, has motivated him to integrate his knowledge with extensive animal experiments to establish individualized biomechanical models of spinal cord injury to prevent, diagnose and treat the injury in a cost effective method. Other than being a PCHT research assistant, Shervin is an active trainee at ICORD (International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries) and collaborates with a research team at California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC) at UC Davis.

Anastasia Korol, BSc, is as a research assistant at the STAR institute and is a Point of Care Health Technologies (PCHT) trainee at Simon Fraser University. She is currently involved in a literature review that investigates the aging populations relationship with e-health, with consideration of socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors. She will also be part of a research project inspecting various Innovation Hubs, and how they operate, in the future. Anastasia graduated with a BSc in Psychology from the University of British Columbia with focus on neurochemical, neurophysiological, and psychosocial content with an emphasis on motivation, learning, development, and aging. Her interests include the resources and opportunities provided to aging populations.

Mohammad Mahdavian, MASc RA, is a M.A.Sc student of Mechatronic Systems Engineering at SFU and he is working on “Balancing of Lower Limb Exoskeletons”. Mohammad studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tehran (listed in the Best-Ranked universities of Iran). He worked as a Research Assistant at Center of Advanced Systems and Technologies (CAST), which is an advanced robotic laboratory in Iran for over 4 years, and participated in different industrial Robotic, Biorobotic and Control System Design projects. Currently Mohammad is working on rehabilitation Exoskeleton Robots which will help elderly people to walk easier and also can be used for people with spinal cord injuries to walk highly equal to other people. 

Kohle Merry, MASc RA, completed his Bachelors of Applied Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (Biomedical Option) in 2015 before starting his Masters of Applied Science working under Dr. Carolyn Sparrey at Simon Fraser University. Kohle’s research focuses on activity differentiation through plantar pressure and the effects different activities have on degenerative foot pathologies. Working in conjunction with Kintec Footwear and Orthotics, Kohle also works on the development of a novel activity differentiation tool. In his spare time, Kohle enjoys fitness and exploring the beautiful wilderness BC offers.

Mohammad Miri, Undergrad RA, is currently at the end of his second year of undergraduate studies of Mechatronic Systems Engineering at Simon Fraser University. He is originally from Iran and has been to school both in Iran and Vancouver. Mohammad's lab is focused on making an exsoskeleton which can help patiants walk normally. Mohammad assists with the control portion of the project, as well as programming.

Natalie Shishov, MPT, is a PhD student in the Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology Department in Simon Fraser University. She holds an undergrad and masters degree in Physiotherapy from the Ben-Gurion University in Israel. Her current research in the Injury Prevention and Mobility Lab under the mentorship of Prof. Steven Robinovitch integrates analyses of real-life video footages of falls in older adults in long-term care collected by the Technology for Injury Prevention in Seniors (TIPS) program, and laboratory experiments with young adults, to explore sensory contribution to falling behavior, and mechanisms associated with increased risk for fall-related injuries.

Refayet Siam, Undergrad RA, is currently in his last year of his undergraduate studies in Mechatronic Systems Engineering at Simon Fraser University. Refayet is currently working with Dr. Carolyn Sparrey on two different projects. One of the projects is to engineer a high precision 3-Axis Surgical Tool positioning system. He is also working towards a smart insole as a means to help prevent Plantar Fasciitis. Apart from Refayet's technical work, he has been working with the Mechatronic Systems Engineering Student Society with the President and Technovus (student club at SFU), as Co-President focusing towards using technology to form a sustainable community.

Ellie Siden, BSc, assists Mei Lan Feng and Dr. Sixmith with their research and publication projects. Among others projects, this has involved conducting an overview of strategic priorities of ageing organizations as well as a literary review looking at quantitative research about e-health technology for older people that takes into account socioeconomic dimensions. Ellie is particularly interested in how we communicate about ageing and the end of life, and graduated with a BA in comparative literature and musicology.