At the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, we are excited to spotlight the accomplishments of one of our part-time Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) students, Omid Bagheri.
Omid, a PhD candidate in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and an Entrepreneurial PhD Fellow in the MBET program, has been making waves in both the scientific and entrepreneurial communities with his pioneering research on metasurface-enhanced radar biosensors for non-invasive, real-time glucose monitoring.
Omid's work aims to revolutionize health monitoring, particularly for people with diabetes, by addressing the limitations of existing wearable technologies. His research promises to bring highly accurate, needle-free glucose monitoring to next-generation smartwatches, which could significantly improve the quality of life for millions of individuals around the world.
Ground-breaking Research and Prestigious Awards
Omid’s research has already reached significant milestones, attracting global attention and earning numerous prestigious accolades. One of his key publications, Radar Near-Field Sensing Using Metasurface for Biomedical Applications, was featured in the journal Nature Communications. His innovative work was also recently spotlighted in the media, with a feature on CTV News, where he shared his vision for the future of non-invasive health technology.
But the recognition doesn’t stop there. Omid has received a series of awards that underscore the impact of his research:
- IEEE MTTS PhD Student Initiative Award: Presented at the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Biomedical Conference in Belgium.
- IEEE APS Honorable Mention Student Paper Award: Awarded at the AP-S/URSI 2024 conference in Florence, Italy, for his paper on Metasurface-Enhanced Bio-Sensing Radar for Advanced Health Monitoring.
- IEEE MTT-S Best Student Paper Award: For his work presented at the NEMO 2024 conference in Montreal.
- Gold Medal at iCAN 2024: Omid’s project on non-invasive glucose monitoring was recognized at the International Invention Innovation Competition in Toronto, securing a Gold Medal along with special awards from international companies.
In addition to these accolades, Omid's research has led to the successful filing of a US patent for his innovative Metasurface for Enhancing Radar Sensing, which holds great promise for future clinical applications.
From Research to Commercialization: An Entrepreneurial Journey
While Omid’s academic and scientific achievements are impressive, his entrepreneurial journey is equally remarkable. As a finalist in Velocity’s pitch competition, Omid has refined the commercial potential of his research with the guidance of experts. This journey led him to be awarded the Entrepreneurial PhD Fellowship, granting him the opportunity to join the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program.
The fellowship, along with bi-weekly meetings with Velocity advisors, has been instrumental in helping Omid navigate the commercial aspects of his research. His work is now positioned for future success in the health technology industry, with the potential to disrupt the current landscape of glucose monitoring.
Looking to the Future
Omid’s research has not only attracted attention from academia and the scientific community but also from the health tech industry, which is eager to incorporate his ground-breaking radar biosensing technology into future wearable devices. With the backing of the Engineer of the Future Fund from the University of Waterloo, Omid is preparing to move forward with clinical trials on human subjects, following successful pre-clinical test results.
Through his innovative research and entrepreneurial spirit, Omid Bagheri is paving the way for the next generation of health monitoring technologies. As he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, his work exemplifies the intersection of cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial vision.
Way to go, Omid! We are excited to be a part of your entrepreneurial journey.
