Biomedical imaging technologies

Dr. Karim S Karim is the founder and Chief Technology Officer of KA Imaging, a University of Waterloo spinoff that makes innovative X-ray detectors and systems for medical, veterinary, scientific and industrial markets. Dr. Karim has developed novel imaging devices and systems since 1998 and has both supported and founded multiple startups in the past two decades. One of his “color” X-ray innovations is now starting to replace black and white medical X-ray globally while another is used in ultrasonic fingerprint sensors in mobile phones and tablets. 

Parsin Haji Reza runs the PhotoMedicine Lab. His 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. The research philosophy of PhotoMedicine labs is transitional research from bench to the bedside. They are always looking to collaborate with talented students, faculties, researchers, clinicians, and industry. 

Professor Zelek is an Associate Professor and co-director of the VIP (Vision Image Processing) lab. Professor Zelek’s current main research interests include autonomous robotic mapping and localization, 3D scene understanding, manmade infrastructure assessment (e.g., roads, buildings, bridges), eye (fundus, OCT) image understanding for disease, learning 3D models from single-views, athletic sport tracking & biomechanical understanding of play & ability from video feeds to name a few. Some of these projects make use of AI & deep learning techniques. 
Prof. Zelek’s interests in the past have included assistive devices, social engineering, haptics, robot navigation to name a few. 
 
Professor Zelek has been the co-founder of two startup companies: Tactile Sight and Sweep3D. Tactile Sight commercialized a haptic navigation device for people who are cognitively (e.g., dementia) or perceptually (e.g., blind) disabled. Sweep3D commercialized technology that produces 3D models by sweeping a camera around objects or spaces for various applications including clothes fitting, orthotics as well as well as exploring real estate premises remotely.