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WEST Lab are recruiting undergraduate, masters & PhD researchers!
WEST Lab conducts orthopaedic engineering and biomechanics research in collaboration with the 100 orthopaedic trauma and spine surgeons from the Schulich School of Dentistry and Medicine's Department of Surgery at the Victoria Hospital (London, ON, Canada) at the Univeristy of Western Ontario. The team depicted here are the key research faculty from engineering and orthopaedic surgery working together at WEST Lab, and with specific mention of their research expertise and supervisory capacity.
Irene Yang, BEng (Hons I)/BMedSci, DPhil MSK (Oxon) (she, her)
Head of Western Engineering for Spine and Trauma (WEST) Lab at University of Western Ontario
Assistant Professor: Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty of Engineering
Endowed Chair in Spine and Trauma Biomechanics
E: irene.yang@uwo.ca
Research Interests / Specializations: Biomechanics of the hip, knee and spine; bone fracture; Implant design, development and testing; in silico modelling; in-vivo testing
Dr. Irene Yang is an Assistant Professor and Endowed Chair in Spine and Trauma Biomechanics in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME), Faculty of Engineering and the Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at University of Western Ontario (UWO).
Dr. Yang leads the Western Engineering for Spine and Trauma (WEST) Lab located at Victoria Hospital (London, Ontario, Canada). Her research interests include experimental and computational biomechanics of the human musculoskeletal system particularly bone fractures, medical implant design and development and the application of machine learning for medical image analysis. Her group conducts orthopaedic engineering and biomechanics research in collaboration with the orthopaedic trauma and spine surgeons from the Schulich School of Dentistry and Medicine's Department of Surgery at the Victoria Hospital (London, ON, Canada).
Dr. Yang is a specialty editor for the Bone and Joint Research Journal, an Officer for the International Section for Fracture Repair (ISFR) society, a former British Orthopaedic Research Society/Bone Joint Research (BORS/BJR) travelling fellow, where she visited leading orthopaedic research labs across the USA (University of Denver, Colorado Joint Replacement, University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Hospital for Special Surgery (NY), Northeastern University in Boston) and in Canada (University of Ottawa). Her work has been published in Nature Scientific Reports, The Knee, and the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS). She is also co-inventor of a novel orthopaedic technology (bone implant) for pediatric coronal plane angular deformities of the lower limb (genu varum & genu valgum) and a wrist arthrodesis implant for fixed flexion deformity in Cerebral Palsy patients (University of Sydney & Westmead Children's Hospital, Australia; OrthoPediatrics Corp., USA).
Originally from South Africa, Dr. Yang read a Bachelor of Mechanical (Biomedical) Engineering and Bachelor of Medical Science from the University of Sydney (Australia), and a DPhil as a Clarendon Scholar at The University of Oxford (United Kingdom), where she worked on reducing mobile bearing dislocations with the Oxford Knee implant (Oxford University, UK; Zimmer Biomet) in the lateral compartment of the knee. She completed her postdoctoral research training and independent academic research fellowship at the University of Edinburgh focused on developing ultrasound for orthopaedic surgery.
Paul (Pawel) Brzozowski, MSc, EIT (he/him)
Research Associate/Lab Manager
E: pawel.brzozowski@lhsc.on.ca | pbrzozow@uwo.ca
Research Interests / Specializations: Stress-testing orthopaedics implants; Biomechanical design optimizations; Biomaterial analysis
Paul is a biomedical engineering researcher and lab manager at WEST Lab with expertise in stress-testing orthopaedics implants, biomechanical design optimizations, and biomaterial analysis. He is available to assist you throughout your research: completing ethics forms, evaluating CAD files, designing the testing sequence, building testing jigs, setting up and running tests. Additionally, Paul is also available to assist with day-to-day operations at WEST Lab including placing orders, requesting quotes, equipment maintenance, safety inspections, and scheduling research.
Paul holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Biomedical Engineering and a Bachelor of Engineering Science (BESc) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Western Ontario.
Radovan Zdero, PhD, CEng, MIMechE (he/him)
Consultant engineer | Write/Editor
Research Interests / Specializations: biomechanical and biomaterials engineering
Dr. Radovan Zdero is a consultant engineer at WEST Lab with substantial research expertise in biomechanical and biomaterials engineering. He is available for planning/supervising projects, writing/editing journal articles and grant applications. He has a PhD in mechanical engineering (Queen’s University, Canada), as well as being a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (MIMechE). He has taught courses at universities, conducted research in hospitals, worked as a freelance engineer, and received over $1 million in research funding from academia (e.g. MITACS Canada), government (e.g. NSERC Canada), and industry (e.g. Stryker USA). He has authored hundreds of scientific peer-reviewed journal articles (e.g. Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, Journal of Biomechanical Engineering), conference papers (e.g. Canadian Orthopaedic Association, World Congress of Biomechanics), and book chapters. He is also the editor/author of the university textbook Experimental Methods in Orthopaedic Biomechanics (publisher: Elsevier) and the author of the self-help guidebook Practical Career Advice for Engineers (publisher: Taylor & Francis).
Parham Rasoulinejad MD, FRCSC, MSC (he/him)
Program Director Orthopaedics Surgery
Associate professor of surgery, Western University
E: parham.rasoulinejad@lhsc.on.ca
Research Interests / Specializations: biomechanical testing of orthopaedics implants; Design and manufacturing of implants for spinal surgery
Dr. Parham Rasoulinejad is a clinical collaborator at WEST Lab with research expertise in biomechanical testing of orthopaedics implants as well design and manufacturing of implants used in spinal surgery. He is available to co-supervise projects with Dr. Yang focused on clinical and biomechanical assessment of spine surgery implants and procedures.
Dr. Rasoulinejad received his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Ottawa and a Masters in Biomedical engineering from Western University after completing his residency in Orthopaedics. He has also completed three fellowships in spinal surgery at Western University, University of British Columbia and University of Calgary.
Supriya Singh MSc, FRCSC (she/her)
Program Director Orthopaedics Surgery
Assistant professor of surgery, Western University
E: supriya.singh@lhsc.on.ca
Research Interests / Specializations: pediatric and adult spinal deformity; degenerative spinal disease particularly cervical myelopathy
Dr. Supriya Singh is a clinical collaborator at WEST Lab with research interest in pediatric and adult spinal deformity and degenerative spinal disease particularly cervical myelopathy. She is affiliated with CSORN (Canadian Spine Outcomes Research Network) and CSS (Canadian Spine Society). She is able to co-supervise projects with Dr. Yang focused on clinical and biomechanical assessment of spine surgery procedures particularly in relation to spinal deformity surgery.
Dr. Singh received her MD and Master's at Western University, completed her orthopedic surgery residency program here as well. She then completed two spine fellowships, one in adult spine and one in pediatric spine, through the University of British Columbia.
Jonathan Lin, BSc, MSc, MD (he/him)
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident (2024 - 2029)
University of Western Ontario
London Health Science Center
E: jonathan.lin@lhsc.on.ca
Jonathan joined the West Lab research group in September 2024. He is supervised by Dr. Irene Yang, and his research is focused on orthopeadic fixation devices and clinical outcomes. Jonathan graduated from the University of McGill in 2019 with a BSc and MSc in Applied Physical Therapy. He received his MD from l'Université de Sherbrooke in 2024.
Reese Wilkins, BSc (She/Her)
Masters of Science in Clinical Anatomy (2025-2027)
University of Western Ontario
Department of Anatomy, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
E: rwilki26@uwo.ca
Reese joined the WEST lab research group in October 2025 as a master student, she is supervised by Dr Irene Yang. Reese’s research is focused on spine anatomy and modelling. Reese graduated from a Bachelor of Science, double majoring in Anatomy and Cell Biology and General Biology, from Western University in 2025.
Alexandra Wu, BEng (She/Her)
Master of Engineering Science (2026-2028)
University of Western Ontario
Faculty of Engineering
E: awu296@uwo.ca
Alexandra joined the WEST lab research group in May 2026 as a master student. Alexandra is supervised by Dr Irene Yang and Dr Emil Schemitsch. Alexandra’s research is focused on the use of ultrasound for fracture healing. Alexandra graduated from a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering from McMaster University in 2026.
Philip Daniel Skorzewski, BSc (Hons. Co-op) - Life Science (he/him)
Doctor of Medicine (2025-2027)
University of Western Ontario
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Windsor Campus
E: pskorzewski2027@uwo.ca
Philip joined the WEST Lab research group in January, 2025 as a research associate, supervised by Dr. Irene Yang. Philip's research is focused on the use of ultrasound in fracture management. Philip graduated from McMaster with a BSc (Hons. Co-op) in Life Science in 2022. Philip is the recipient of the Edward G. Hall Accessibility Award in Medicine and has previously produced research with the McMaster Dept. of Surgery and the Mouse Imagine Centre (MICe) at SickKids.
Moad Alsefaou, BSc (Hons) (he/him)
Doctor of Medicine (2024-2028)
University of Western Ontario
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Windsor Campus
E: malsefao@uwo.ca
Moad Alsefaou joined WEST Lab in February 2025 as a medical student researcher under the supervision of Dr. Irene Yang. His research focuses on orthopaedic innovation, particularly on the mechanical integrity of bone.
Moad is currently pursuing his Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Western University. He previously earned his MSc in Global Health from McMaster University and an Honours BSc in Health Studies (Co-operative Program) from the University of Waterloo. His work has been presented at national conferences, including The Canadian Association on Gerontology Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting and the Society for the Study of Addiction.
Yifanna Wu (She/Her)
Undergraduate Research Project Student - Bachelor of Medical Sciences - Honours Specialization in Medical Biophysics (2023-2027)
University of Western Ontario
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
E: ywu2735@uwo.ca
Yifanna joined the WEST lab research group in September, 2025 as a third year medical biophysics research project student supervised by Dr. Irene Yang. Yifanna's research is focused on assessing clinical ultrasound images.
Malaina Choy (She/Her)
Undergraduate student - Bachelor of Engineering Science in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering (2022-2027)
University of Western Ontario
Faculty of Engineering
E: mchoy24@uwo.ca
Malaina joined the WEST lab research group in October, 2025 as an undergraduate student researcher, Malaina is supervised by Dr. Irene Yang. Malaina's research is focused on synchronized imaging and motion-tracking data for medical image analysis.
Jana Almajali (She/Her)
Summer Intern
Undergraduate Student - Bachelor of Engineering Science in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering (2024-2029)
University of Western Ontario
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
E: jalmajal@uwo.ca
Jana joined the WEST lab research group in May 2026 as a summer intern, Jana is supervised by Dr. Irene Yang. Jana's research is focused on spine biomechanical testing and load analysis to support spinal fusion research..
Peyton Reid (She/Her)
Summer Intern
Undergraduate Student - - Bachelor of Engineering Science in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering (2022-2027)
University of Western Ontario
Faculty of Engineering
E: preid25@uwo.ca
Peyton joined the WEST lab research group in December, 2025 as a undergraduate student researcher. Peyton is supervised by Dr Irene Yang. Peyton's research is focused on finite element analysis of the human spine.
Alanah Chopra (She/Her)
Summer Intern
Undergraduate Student - - Bachelor of Engineering Science in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering (2022-2027)
University of Western Ontario
Faculty of Engineering
E: achopr47@uwo.ca
Alanah joined the WEST lab research group in May, 2026 as an undergraduate student researcher, Alanah is supervised by Dr. Irene Yang. Alanah's research is focused on creating spinal models to study spinal fusion rates following anterior cervical decompression fusion (ACDF) surgery.
Arham Aziz (He/Him)
Summer Intern
Undergraduate Student - Bachelor of Engineering Science in Software Engineering
University of Western Ontario
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
E: aaziz87@uwo.ca
Arham joined the WEST lab research group in May, 2026 as a Summer Intern student, Arham is supervised by Dr. Irene Yang and Dr. Aaron Fenster. Arham's research is focused on bone fracture imaging.
Diego Oswaldo Rodriguez Collantes (He/Him)
Summer Intern
University of Western Ontario
Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
E: rwilki26@uwo.ca
Diego joined the WEST Lab research group in May 2026 as a Summer Intern student. He is supervised by Dr. Irene Yang. His research is focused on medical image analysis of bone fracture healing.
Diego is currently pursuing a dual degree in Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering at Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP). Prior to joining WEST Lab, he received the Gold Medal in the Health and Wellness category at the 2023 Canada-Wide Science Fair. He also earned a 70% merit-based scholarship at both Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP) and UDLAP starting in 2023.
Former WEST Lab research team members
Jennifer Wang, Summer Intern (she/her)
Undergraduate student - Bachelor of Engineering (2022 - 2026)
University of Western Ontario
Faculty of Engineering
E: jwan2934@uwo.ca
Jennifer joined the WEST lab research group in May 2025 as a USRI student. Jennifer’s research focused on spine biomechanics using CAD modelling, 3D printing and mechanical testing.
Clayton McCormack, Summer Intern, (he/him)
Undergraduate student - Bachelor of Engineering Science in Software Engineering (2022 - 2026)
University of Western Ontario
Faculty of Engineering
E: cmccor25@uwo.ca
Clayton McCormack joined the WEST Lab research group in May 2025 as a Summer Intern student. Clayton's research focused on computer vision and deep learning for medical image analysis.
Nadia Aghili, BEng (Electrical), MSc (she/her)
Research Assistant (2024)
Informatics Forum, University of Edinburgh
Completion date: September, 2024
Project: Evaluating the impact of AI in orthopaedics: a systematic scoping review of current evidence and gaps in the knee joint.
Minghuan (Tina) Xu (She/Her)
Undergraduate student - Mechanical & Materials Engineering
Summer intern 2025, UG Thesis 2026
University of Western Ontario
Faculty of Engineering
Completion date: April, 2026
E: mxu466@uwo.ca
Project: FEA of the tibia, and is extending her summer work to an undergraduate engineering thesis.
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