Principal Investigator
Professor Parsin H. Reza
Professor Parsin Haji Reza (Ph.D. and P. Eng.) is an award-winning teacher, researcher, entrepreneur, published novelist, and the inventor of photoacoustic/photon-absorption remote sensing (PARS®) microscopy. He is a co-founder of illumiSonics Inc. Dr. Haji Reza Joined the University of Waterloo in April 2018 as an assistant professor and promoted to associate professor in July 2023. He received the Faculty of Engineering Distinguished Performance Award (2020), Engineering Research Excellence Award (2021), and Outstanding Performance Award (2022). In addition, for the work he has done to support the mental health of the students during the pandemic, he received the Engineering Society Friend of Natalie Award. Since October 2022, Dr. Haji Reza has been appointed as a Research Chair in Biomedical Imaging at the University of Waterloo.
For his contribution to the field of ophthalmology, he has been appointed as a translational medical staff at the Wills Eye hospital. Wills Eye Hospital is ranked as one of the top three ophthalmology hospitals in the United States. It was established in 1832 and is the oldest continually operating eye-care facility in the United States. He has established PhotoMedicine Labs at the University of Waterloo (2019), which has attracted, trained, and retained top biomedical engineering students from across Canada and internationally. PhotoMedicine Labs is funded by industry collaborators and top granting agencies in Canada (e.g., New Frontiers Exploration grant, CIHR project grant, NSERC Discovery Horizons) and has garnered ~$6 M since 2019 (with ~1M expected annually in the next five years). Dr. Haji Reza ‘s current research focuses on developing the first real-time cancer surgical microscope to enable immediate tissue biopsy and full tumour resection during surgery, as well as the first clinical ophthalmic imaging tool capable of pre-diagnosing eye-blinding diseases before they become symptomatic (this is not currently possible). Since 2019, the lab has published numerous high-impact peer-reviewed articles, reporting breakthroughs in histological, oncological, ophthalmological and endoscopic imaging that could revolutionize the way the world looks at tissues.
In general, Dr. Haji Reza and his team are interested in designing and developing novel hardware and software methods for clinical and pre-clinical biomedical applications. These new technologies aim to provide clinicians and researchers with novel capabilities and information that is presently difficult to obtain with existing techniques. He invented and pioneered several new technologies/concepts including, Photoacoustic Remote Sensing (PARS®) microscopy, a novel absorption-based, non-contact, non-invasive, label-free imaging technique.
Dr. Haji Reza and his team continually strive to maintain an extremely dynamic, respectful, intellectual, fun, and creative environment. The team is working on cutting-edge research in biomedical engineering and biophotonics, including non-invasive non-contact optical imaging methods, micro-endoscopy designs, handheld, and portable medical imaging techniques, design, and fabrication of nano-structured sensors, image processing, Machine Learning methods, Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers, and novel deep optical imaging tomography methods. The team pursues applications in ophthalmology, oncology, dermatology, neurology, cardiology, dentistry, pharmaceutical, and pre-clinical research.
The research philosophy of PhotoMedicine labs is transitional research from bench to the bedside. We are always looking to collaborate with talented students, faculties, researchers, clinicians, and industry.
Professor Parsin Haji Reza (Ph.D. and P. Eng.) is an award-winning teacher, researcher, entrepreneur, published novelist, and the inventor of photoacoustic/photon-absorption remote sensing (PARS®) microscopy. He is a co-founder of illumiSonics Inc. Dr. Haji Reza Joined the University of Waterloo in April 2018 as an assistant professor and promoted to associate professor in July 2023. He received the Faculty of Engineering Distinguished Performance Award (2020), Engineering Research Excellence Award (2021), and Outstanding Performance Award (2022). In addition, for the work he has done to support the mental health of the students during the pandemic, he received the Engineering Society Friend of Natalie Award. Since October 2022, Dr. Haji Reza has been appointed as a Research Chair in Biomedical Imaging at the University of Waterloo.
For his contribution to the field of ophthalmology, he has been appointed as a translational medical staff at the Wills Eye hospital. Wills Eye Hospital is ranked as one of the top three ophthalmology hospitals in the United States. It was established in 1832 and is the oldest continually operating eye-care facility in the United States. He has established PhotoMedicine Labs at the University of Waterloo (2019), which has attracted, trained, and retained top biomedical engineering students from across Canada and internationally. PhotoMedicine Labs is funded by industry collaborators and top granting agencies in Canada (e.g., New Frontiers Exploration grant, CIHR project grant, NSERC Discovery Horizons) and has garnered ~$6 M since 2019 (with ~1M expected annually in the next five years). Dr. Haji Reza ‘s current research focuses on developing the first real-time cancer surgical microscope to enable immediate tissue biopsy and full tumour resection during surgery, as well as the first clinical ophthalmic imaging tool capable of pre-diagnosing eye-blinding diseases before they become symptomatic (this is not currently possible). Since 2019, the lab has published numerous high-impact peer-reviewed articles, reporting breakthroughs in histological, oncological, ophthalmological and endoscopic imaging that could revolutionize the way the world looks at tissues.
In general, Dr. Haji Reza and his team are interested in designing and developing novel hardware and software methods for clinical and pre-clinical biomedical applications. These new technologies aim to provide clinicians and researchers with novel capabilities and information that is presently difficult to obtain with existing techniques. He invented and pioneered several new technologies/concepts including, Photoacoustic Remote Sensing (PARS®) microscopy, a novel absorption-based, non-contact, non-invasive, label-free imaging technique.
Dr. Haji Reza and his team continually strive to maintain an extremely dynamic, respectful, intellectual, fun, and creative environment. The team is working on cutting-edge research in biomedical engineering and biophotonics, including non-invasive non-contact optical imaging methods, micro-endoscopy designs, handheld, and portable medical imaging techniques, design, and fabrication of nano-structured sensors, image processing, Machine Learning methods, Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers, and novel deep optical imaging tomography methods. The team pursues applications in ophthalmology, oncology, dermatology, neurology, cardiology, dentistry, pharmaceutical, and pre-clinical research.
The research philosophy of PhotoMedicine labs is transitional research from bench to the bedside. We are always looking to collaborate with talented students, faculties, researchers, clinicians, and industry.
Hobbies
WRITING
Parsin HajiReza, the Mirror, (Haghshenas Publication, 2005, in Persian). ISBN: 978-964-5784-81-0
Parsin HajiReza, Super Star, in preparation, (in English)... everyone should become a superstar in his/her own life story.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
illumiSonics Inc. 2014- present
SPORTS & NATURE
Parsin HajiReza, the Mirror, (Haghshenas Publication, 2005, in Persian). ISBN: 978-964-5784-81-0
Parsin HajiReza, Super Star, in preparation, (in English)... everyone should become a superstar in his/her own life story.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
illumiSonics Inc. 2014- present
SPORTS & NATURE