Contacts

Computational Metastasis Lab is focused on developing predictive tools that enable personalized cancer treatments. The lab uses advanced computational mechanics algorithms in conjunction with clinical image processing in creation of the predictive tools. We measure data in vitro and in vivo in human and animals to validate our mathematical models of tumor-cell circulation, intravasation and extravasation using advanced optical methods and using clinical modalities.

I am working on developing a patient-specific computational models of brain metastasis by combining vascular network modeling, circulating tumor cell biomechanics, and medical imaging. My work bridges cellular-scale dynamics with organ-level prediction to improve the understanding of metastatic progression.

Currently looking into matrix stiffness-mediated drug delivery, 3D GelMA-based cancer models, extracellular matrix engineering, tumor mechanobiology, and drug penetration in biomimetic hydrogels.

Nahid Rahmati graduated with Msc and Bsc in mechanical engineering from Amir Kabir University of Technolgy (Tehran Polytechnic) in 2016 and 2014, respectively. Her research during master period was focused on heat transfer, turbulence, and CFD. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in System Design Engineering department at University of Waterloo, and her research is on numerical simulation of blood flow, matastasis, and Covid-19. 

Pouyan Keshavarz has received his BSc in Mechanical engineering and MASc in Aerospace engineering. He is a research assistant in the Systems Design Engineering Department at the University of Waterloo. His mission in the computational metastasis lab is to develop numerical models in order to quantify the deformability of circulating tumor cells (CTC). As a matter of fact, CTCs deformability plays an important role in the metastasis process because of entrapment of CTCs in capillaries and their penetration into the endothelial cell-cell junctions during intravasation and extravasation highly depend on their drastic deformation. However, our knowledge about the deformation behaviour of CTCs remains limited. By developing a numerical model which replicate the experiment of cancer cell passing through the microchannel, detailed insight into how CTC responds to physical forces can be acquired. As such, we will step forward to reach elaborate in silico models of CTCs behaviour in their microenvironment that can be used as predictive tools for cancer diagnosis purposes in near future.

Research in Computational Metastasis Lab:

Identifying the Mechanical Properties of Circulating Tumor Cells

I am a MASc student and research assistant in the Systems Design Engineering Department at the University of Waterloo. I have a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. My research in the Computational Metastasis Lab focuses on numerical and computational models of Cancer Metastasis and circulating tumor cells. Our current objective is to analyze the role of platelets on cancer metastasis and to propose new targeted treatments based on the role of platelets in cancer metastasis.

Research Interests:

• Biomedical Software Development

• Computational Modeling of Cancer and Cancer Metastasis

• Cell Mechanics and Computational Modeling of Cell

• AI in Medical Imaging

• Microfluidics and Soft-lithography

• Experimental (in vivo) Models of Physiological Processes

• Targeted Therapy for Cancer

Research in Computational Metastasis Lab:

Role of Platelets in Cancer Metastasis

 

Research in Computational Metastasis Lab:

Application of Image Search Using AI for Medical Images

Research in Computational Metastasis Lab:

Application of Image Search Using AI for Medical Images