Chris Backhouse

Chris Backhouse
Adjunct Professor Emeritus

Biography

Chris Backhouse is an Adjunct Professor Emeritus in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on nano-biological technology-based quantum devices, medical diagnostics, and the development of miniaturized, microfluidic lab-on-a-chip systems.

After earning his degree from the University of British Columbia, Professor Backhouse pursued academic and industrial fellowships in electrochemistry at the university and in non-invasive medical imaging with CTF Systems. He collaborated with Applied Biosystems, a life sciences company, to develop large-scale microchips and fabrication technologies for the Human Genome Project. Additionally, he led a research team that created genetic analysis instruments now sold internationally.

Professor Backhouse’s work has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Summit Award for Project Achievement from the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta in 2008, and the National Award for an Engineering Project of 2009 from Engineers Canada. He has also published numerous articles in IEEE journals and other professional publications.

Research Interests

  • Quantum devices, Biomedical engineering, MEMS/MOEMS and CMOS integration, Lab on chip, Medical diagnostic devices, Microfluidic devices, Radio astronomy, Sensors, Microfabrication, Remote sensing, MEMS/NEMS, Nanotechnology

Education

  • 1992, Doctorate Electrical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada
  • 1987, Master of Science Physics/Radio Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Canada
  • 1985, Bachelor of Science (BSc) Physics, University of Alberta, Canada

Teaching*

  • NE 455B - Nano-instrumentation Laboratory 2
    • Taught in 2019
  • NE 479 - Special Topics in Nanoelectronics
    • Taught in 2019

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

Graduate studies