PHOTO-MEDICINE LAB UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
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The Team

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Principal Investigator & Director

Prof. Parsin H. Reza 
​Professor Parsin Haji Reza, a teacher, award-winning researcher, entrepreneur, and published novelist, has been named one of Canada’s Innovation Leaders due to his pioneering work in biomedical optics and medical imaging.
By integrating fundamental physics with advanced optical and photonic engineering, Dr. Haji Reza has pioneered groundbreaking diagnostic tools that enhance precision medicine, disease detection, and therapeutic assessment. With a strategic, interdisciplinary approach to leadership, he has fostered a collaborative environment by forging partnerships across academic, industrial, and clinical sectors. Since 2018, his work as the Principal Investigator has secured over $30 million in funding (~$12 million pending), underscoring his impact across both scientific and industry sectors.
He is one of only sixteen applicants nationwide to receive the prestigious NSERC Horizon grant and has earned multiple CFI and NFRF (National Tri-agency New Frontiers in Research Fund) awards—grants known for their approximately 4% success rate. Notably, his most recent CIHR grant for ophthalmology research was ranked #1 in its biomedical engineering committee. Dr. Haji Reza has authored over 50 peer-reviewed papers and secured more than 16 patent families (with over 60 patents awarded or pending globally). His excellence in research and teaching has garnered prestigious awards, such as the Faculty of Engineering Distinguished Performance Award, the Engineering Research Excellence Award, and the Outstanding Performance Award. Additionally, his dedication to supporting student mental health was recognized with the Engineering Society Friend of Natalie Award during the pandemic.
Dr. Haji Reza actively chairs various international conferences and serves as a standing member and occasional interim chair of the CIHR Medical Imaging Committee. Beyond academia, Dr. Haji Reza has been instrumental in the tech industry, playing pivotal roles in several startups within the hardware, software, and AI sectors. His positions as Founder, Chairman, CEO, CTO, and strategic advisor underscore his deep understanding of technology transfer and commercialization.
Since 2022, Dr. Haji Reza has served as a Research Chair in Biomedical Imaging at the University of Waterloo and as translational medical staff at Wills Eye Hospital. He currently leads the development of the new Center of Imaging and Precision Photomedicine at Waterloo, which has received institutional approval for $12 million in initial funding.
To read more click here!

Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Very open minded when it comes to ice-cream but generally fruity ice creams especially Mango!

Current Team


Mitra Seyedahmad- Administrative Assistant
Past: University of Waterloo
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She is a certified Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) with over six years of experience as an administrative assistant at the University of Waterloo. In this role, she supported faculty members and their research teams. Additionally, as a Financial Coordinator for the Systems Design department, she has developed strong expertise in financial record-keeping and payroll management. When she’s not working, she enjoys exploring new tech tools, cooking, and gardening.
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Lemon Mango Gelato


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M. Mohsin Qureshi - Lab Manager & Safety Officer 
Past: University Health Network (UHN)
M. Mohsin Qureshi earned his Ph.D. from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), South Korea, in 2021, and a Master's in Photonics Engineering from Chosun University in 2016. Previously, he conducted research as a Postdoctoral Associate at Princess Margaret Cancer Research Institute in Toronto, Canada. His research interests include optical systems, biophotonics, and imaging processing. 
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Mango Ice Cream ​

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Danielle Gelinas - Research Assistant
Past: Hospital For Sick Children
Danielle Gelinas earned her Ph.D. in Biology, with a concentration in Neuroendocrinology from Boston University. She went on to conduct postdoctoral research at Northwestern University and Genetics Institute and has worked in the Developmental, Stem Cell & Cancer Biology Department at Sickkids in Toronto, Canada. Danielle provides biological laboratory support to her teammates in the PhotoMedicine Labs.
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Maple Walnut

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Milena Galaszewicz - Research Assistant 
Past: University of Waterloo
Milena graduated from the Biomedical Engineering program at the University of Waterloo. Through internships at companies like Apple and Intellijoint Surgical, she has gained industry experience in mechanical design and validation as well as product development and optimization. She is passionate about user centred design, aiming to refine the human experience.  In her free time, she loves playing various sports and travelling. 
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Sicilian Pistachio and Dark Chocolate 

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Benjamin Ecclestone - PhD Student 
Past: University of Guelph 
Ben completed his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Guelph. Following this, he joined the PhotoMedicine Labs in May 2020 as a M.A.Sc student, but has since moved on to his Ph.D student under Prof. Parsin Haji Reza. His research interests include optical systems, data processing methods, image reconstruction techniques and the development of histological imaging techniques. 
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Vanilla Bean from Haagen-Dazs 
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Alex Tummon Simmons - PhD Student ​ 
Past: University of Waterloo 
Alex was a Biomedical Engineering student at the University of Waterloo (Class of 2021) and completed an 8-month co-op term with the PhotoMedicine Labs. He has significant prior research experience in other fields including focused ultrasound and materials testing. His current research focus is around the design and implementation of novel functional imaging devices.
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Gooey Mooey from Cows PEI

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James Tweel - PhD Student  
Past: University of Waterloo 
James was a Biomedical Engineering student at the University of Waterloo (Class of 2021). James has industry experience in software development and research experience in signal processing for remote monitoring of vital signs. His research interests include biomedical signal and image processing, medical imaging, and optical systems.
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Häagen-Dazs Belgian Chocolate

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Aria Hajiahmadi - PhD Student 
Past:  Iran University of Science and Technology
Aria completed both his undergraduate and master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Iran University of Science and Technology. His main research interests lied in acoustics, ultrasonics, wave-matter interaction. Developing interest in optics and photoacoustics, he joined Photomedicine lab Sep 2022. Aside from research, Aria enjoys reading and learning about the stories of real people as well as cooking and exploring nature.
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Persian Saffron Ice Cream

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Umar Ali - PhD Student 
Past:  University of British Columbia 
Umar completed his undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia in Biomedical Engineering concentrating in bioinformatics. Umar has experience in research, investigating medical imaging and machine learning, as well as experience in industry through various co-ops at start up companies. His current research interests include: translational research, deep learning, and optical systems. 
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Badam Kulfi and Coffee flavour

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Jodh Dhillon - Masters Student 
Past: University of Waterloo
Jodh completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo, studying Biomedical Engineering. Through his previous co-op placements, as well as school courses, he has gained a wealth of experience in optical systems as well as artificial intelligence. His interest in these fields encouraged him to pursue his Master's degree with the PhotoMedicine Labs. Outside of school, Jodh enjoys staying active by playing sports such as hockey and soccer, as well as travelling. 
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Cookies & Cream

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Qiankai (Kevin) Wang - Masters Student 
Past: Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications
co-supervised by Dr. Anita Layton
​Qiankai completed his bachelor's degree in Computer Science at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications. During his past internships in the industry, he gained a strong ability in high-performance programming and artificial intelligent algorithm design. With the goal of applying his computer science knowledge to the field of medical imaging, he joined PhotoMedical Labs as a master's student. He is currently being co-supervised by Prof. Parsin H. Reza and Prof. Anita T. Layton.
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Dark Chocolate 
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Andrei Perez - Masters Student 
Past: University of Waterloo
Andrei Completed his undergraduate degree in Nanotechnology Engineering with specialization in Life Sciences and Computing at the University of Waterloo. His industry experience in Medical Device Design and Silicon Architecture Engineering was gained through internships at companies like Siemens Healthineers, NXP, Sterasure, Leadoptik, and the Wireless and Sensors Devices Lab at the University of Waterloo. In his free time, Andrei enjoys playing soccer and volleyball, and pretending he knows how to dance salsa.
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Tajin Mango

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Cody Raycraft - Masters Student 
Past: University of Waterloo
Cody completed his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. During his undergrad, he completed a Biomaterials and Tissues specialization, and his final design project assisted in screening for skin melanomas. Beyond research, Cody enjoys reading, cooking, making and playing board games.
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: London Fog​

Current Co-op Students: ​
Current Undergraduate Research Assistants: ​​

Past Members:
Our lab has been privileged to host exceptional individuals whose dedication and innovation significantly advanced our research efforts. 



​Staff:
Stephanie Clarke: Admin Assistant (2020-2025)
Hager Gaouda: Biology technician and safety officer  (2021-2025)
Sabeena Giri: Biology technician  (2024)

Postdocs:
Channprit Kaur: Postdoctoral Fellow (April 2022-2024)
Kevan Bell: Postdoctoral Fellow (Jan 2020-Jan 2023)
Shahid Haider: Postdoctoral Fellow (Sept 2019-Sept 2020)

Graduate Students: 
Alkris Warren - MASc Student (Graduated Jan 2025)
Sarah Werezak - MASc Student (Graduated Jan 2025)
Jenna Veugen - MASc Student (Graduated Aug 2024)
Marian Boktor - PhD Student (Graduated Sept 2023)
Nicholas Pellegrino - MASc Student (Graduated Apr 2022)

Lyazzat Mukhangaliyeva - MASc Student (Graduated Aug 2022)
Zohreh Hosseinaee - PhD Student (Graduated Sept 2021)
Saad Rasheed Abbasi - MASc Student (Graduated Sept 2020)
Jasmine Chan - MASc Student (Graduated Sept 2020)
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​Co-op Students:
Gloria So (Jan 2024-Apr 2024)
​Nancy Zhou (Jan 2024-Apr 2024)
Chelsea Huang (May 2023-Aug 2023) 
Rhys Cornelious (May 2023-Aug 2023) 
Eileen Zhang (Jan 2023-Apr 2023)
Lixin Chu (May 2022-Aug 2022)
Krystal Li 
 (Jan 2022-Aug 2022 & May 2021-Aug 2021)
Sarah Sparkes (May 2021-Aug 2021)
Taylor Pearce (May 2021-Aug 2021)
Alex Tummon Simmons (Jan 2020-Aug 2020)
Martin Le (Sept 2018- Jan 2020) 

Benjamin Ecclestone (Sept 2019-Dec 2019) 
Chandu Subramaniam (Sept 2019-Dec 2019) 
Serene Abu-Sardanah (Sept 2019-Dec 2019) 

Aysegul Alpay (Sept 2018-Jan 2019)
Bazil Lorenzo Sonier (Sept 2018-May 2019)

Undergraduate Research Assistants
Joseph Mitchell 
Nancy Zhou
Andrei Perez
Rhys Cornelious
​Chelsea Huang
Krystal Li
​Michael Lam
Muiz Sohani 
Karla Pizon-Corral
Lixin Chu

Sean D'Mello 
Simon Frew
Zoey Zhang 
Eileen Zhang 
Amir Roshankar 
Vyshna Krishnakumar 
Kevin (Kaiwen) Xue
Alex Fricke 
Katie Chen 
Inaara Amed-Fazal 
Matthew Lee
Avery Ryoo
Auguste Koh
Aarzoo Chennan
Faraz Ali
Anne Mei
Furqan Syed
YanYan Tran 

Muhammad Mohsin
Amanda Hope
Maggie Zhang
Sheen Thusoo
Karam Danial

James Tweel
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​Serene Abu-Sardanah
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​Chandu Subramaniam
​Daniel Javaheri-Zadeh
Moujan Saderi 

Natasha Willis
John Quinto​
Cassandra Maxwell
Mikaela Macmanhon 
Yun Kim

Visiting Scholars:
Amir Mohammad Farzaneh

​Visiting Scholar (May 2019-Aug 2019)
Ranked second in Iran National Exam ( more than 500,000 participants)
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