Meet the 2025 Team

Program: PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Leigh Gabel 

Erin is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering studying how physical activity interventions, such as robot-assisted walking, can improve bone and muscle health in children and youth with chronic conditions.

As President of BMEG, Erin is dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and connected graduate student community. She’s always happy to hear your ideas, concerns, or suggestions. Feel free to reach out!

Program: PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Roman Krawetz

Dora is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering researching the glycoprotein Prg4, which is best known for its protective role in the knee joint. Her work explores Prg4’s potential roles in the liver, particularly its involvement in inflammation regulation and immune modulation, using both in vivo and in vitro models.

As Co-VP Academic, Dora is committed to supporting the academic success and professional development of BME graduate students. She’s always open to feedback and ideas. Feel free to connect!

Program: PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Supervisors: Dr. Elena Di Martino & Dr. Taisiya Sigaeva

Tudor is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering researching aortic aneurysms—a life-threatening condition involving the weakening and ballooning of the aortic wall. His work investigates the role of aortic calcifications, rock-like intrusions in the vessel wall, and how they might contribute to tissue stress and rupture risk. By uncovering how these calcifications impact aneurysm mechanics, Tudor hopes to support more accurate rupture prediction methods beyond current size-based assessments.

As Co-VP Academic, Tudor is passionate about advocating for students' academic needs and creating opportunities for professional growth across the BME grad community.

Program: MSc in Biomedical Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Alim Mitha

Emma is a MSc student in the Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Specialization whose research focuses on improving existing treatments for brain aneurysms. Brain aneurysms are weakened, balloon-like bulges in the brain’s blood vessels. When these bulges “pop”, they can cause deadly strokes. Emma's research investigates techniques for combining flow diverting stents—tiny, finger-trap-like devices that redirect blood flow—with cellular therapy to improve aneurysm healing.

Through her EDI role, she hopes to continue uplifting the diverse student population of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

Program: MSc in Biomedical Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Walter Herzog
 

Abel is a Master’s student in Biomedical Engineering researching how a high inherent aerobic capacity—with or without exercise interventions—can help protect the musculoskeletal system from degeneration caused by a high-fat, high-sucrose diet. His work bridges physiology and biomechanics with a focus on preventive health.

As Co-VP Finance, Abel is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment for all students in the BME community.

Outside the lab, Abel loves playing soccer and has even completed a half-marathon!

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Program: Biomedical Engineering
Program: Biomedical Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Danielle Whittier

Camryn is a master’s student in Biomedical Engineering whose research uses advanced imaging techniques to investigate paediatric bone health. Specifically, looking at how childhood obesity may affect bone structure and remodelling through growth, as well as how it may affect the fracture healing process. Her goal is to have an overall better understanding of paediatric bone health through growth and fracture healing to hopefully improve clinical outcomes.

As Co-VP Events, Camryn’s role is to act as a representative for first-year students in the Biomedical Engineering program, as well as to support BMEG and its members on initiatives throughout the year.

Program: MEng in Biomedical Engineering

Hanna is a Master’s student in Biomedical Engineering with interests in healthcare systems optimization and data-driven decision making. Her current graduate work focuses on applying machine learning approaches to predict transitions in patient care pathways based on clinical and social factors.

As Co-VP Events, Hanna is excited to bring students together through engaging social, professional, and wellness-oriented events. She aims to support an inclusive environment where students from diverse backgrounds and interests can connect, build lasting relationships, and enjoy memorable experiences.

Program: MSc in Biomedical Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Koren Roach

Breanna is a Master’s student in Biomedical Engineering exploring musculoskeletal joint health. Her research focuses on developing a magnetic resonance image analysis pipeline for the holistic evaluation of joint tissues (including cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and muscles) to advance understanding of joint structure and degeneration.

As Co-VP Industry Relations, Breanna is passionate about fostering meaningful connections between students and industry professionals to create opportunities for mentorship and career development within the BME community.

Program: MSc in Biomedical Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Emily Rogers-Bradley and Dr. Koren Roach
 

Jaylon is a Master's student in Biomedical Engineering who focuses on the fields of Biomechanics and Orthotics. Her current research includes studying the effects of powered knee-ankle-foot-orthoses, also known as exoskeletons, on individuals who have limited knee function. To do so, she uses tools such as marker motion capture and ground reaction forces. 

As Co-VP Industry Relations, Jaylon is eager to help students foster relationships with industry professionals to increase networking and career opportunities. She hopes that this will help open different future pathways for students and allow them to explore different options.

Program: MSc in Biomedical Engineering
Supervisors: Dr. Ryan Peters & Dr. Jeremy Wong

Chanel is a MSc student in Biomedical Engineering, specializing in Computational Neuroscience. Her research investigates AI-driven, marker-less motion capture systems and electrical vestibular stimulation techniques to assess and enhance gait and balance recovery in individuals with concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries. 

As VP Outreach and one of the First-Year Representatives, Chanel focuses on amplifying student voices beyond the lab by promoting BMEG initiatives through community engagement and public-facing events. She aims to build connections between students, industry, and the broader public. 

Outside the lab, you’ll likely find Chanel logging early-morning marathon miles or volunteering in adapted physical activity and neurorehabilitation programs.

Program: MSc in Biomedical Engineering
Supervisors: Dr. Sayeh Bayat

Maahika is a Master’s student in Biomedical Engineering researching sensor-driven approaches for gait and frailty monitoring. Her project is at the intersection of biomechanics, wearable technology, and advanced data analytics in collaboration with Orpyx® Medical Technologies. 

As one of the First Year Representatives and a Commissioner, Maahika is excited to leverage student voices and impact to build a stronger, holistic experience for incoming Biomedical Engineering students and undergraduate students through supporting the VP Academic role. 

Outside the lab, Maahika loves hiking in the mountains, running, biking and climbing!

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Program: PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Pierre LeVan

Mohammadreza is a PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering, focusing on motion estimation and correction in MRI. His research aims to enhance MRI image quality by using EEG signals to estimate motion during image acquisition. 

As a Commissioner, Mohammadreza is committed to representing students’ academic and industry interests and helping them find the best opportunities to shape their future careers in academia or industry. Mohammadreza will be supporting the VP Industries role. 

Program: MSc in Biomedical Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Ethan MacDonald

Abhari is pursuing a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering with a specialization in Medical Imaging. Her research focuses on developing MRI-based models to generate Tau-PET images/scans for the study and early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

As the Social Media Coordinator and a Commissioner, Abhari manages the team’s Instagram presence and contributes to maintaining and updating the website, helping share BMEG highlights and community initiatives.

Outside of academia, Abhari enjoys baking and cooking, playing soccer, and working as a certified lifeguard and swim instructor

Program: MSc in Biomedical Engineering
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Stephen is an MSc student in Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on improving deep learning-based neonatal MRI reconstruction. Specifically, he is using data augmentation and domain generalizing methods to improve the performance of MRI reconstruction models developed using adult data on neonatal data.

Program:PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Salvatore Federico & Dr. Amir Sanati-Nezhad

Leila is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering researching osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that affects millions worldwide. Her work focuses on early diagnosis of cartilage degeneration by developing a biosensor capable of detecting osteoarthritis-related biomarkers. By uncovering subtle biochemical and mechanical changes in cartilage before major tissue damage occurs, Leila aims to help shift osteoarthritis care toward earlier, more effective intervention.

As Chair of the Alberta Biomedical Conference, Leila is committed to fostering collaboration, supporting trainee research, and strengthening the biomedical engineering community across Alberta.

Program: PhD in Biomedical Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Mark Gillrie

Zahra is a first-year PhD student in Biomedical Engineering. Her research focuses on developing an immune-competent lung-on-a-chip by adding bone marrow-derived immune cells. This model will help study immune responses during lung injury and support the development of new treatments for lung inflammation.

As Chair of the Alberta Biomedical Conference, Zahra is deeply committed to fostering meaningful connections and making sure every student feels supported. She believes that collaboration and kindness strengthen our community, and through this role, she wants to create opportunities for students to share ideas, learn from one another, and feel a genuine sense of belonging in our department.