Name: Alyson Colpitts
Position/Title: Manager - Motion Capture Lab
Education:
- BASc. Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 2020
- MASc. Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, 2023
Research Interests: My research interests include human movement analysis, sensor technology for rehabilitation, and translational engineering. I support general activities in the motion capture lab by providing technical support, ensuring accurate data collection, and facilitating research projects that connect engineering innovations to practical applications for improving human motion and recovery.
Name: Aravind Ravi
Position/Title: PhD Candidate
Education:
- BEng. Electronics and Communication Engineering, PES, VTU, Bengaluru, 2016
- MASc. Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, 2019
Research Interests: My research interests include applied machine learning, deep learning, biosignal analysis, and applications in neural engineering and rehabilitation. I focus on the effects of combined action observation and motor imagery on inducing motor cortical plasticity using EEG, and I am also developing data-driven methods to decode gait phases directly from EEG. I aim to enhance BCIs for motor rehabilitation, leading to real-time systems that improve motor recovery outcomes to benefit post-stroke rehabilitation and inform future BCI designs for clinical use.
Links: LinkedIn
Name: Christian Mele
Position/Title: PhD Candidate
Education:
- BASc. Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 2020
- MASc. Mechanical Engineering - Automation and Control, University of Waterloo, 2023
Research Interests: My research focuses on how people interact with wearable assistive devices, particularly exoskeletons. I investigate models, heuristics, mechanical design, and testing for coupling interfaces to improve their design and effectiveness, with the goal of enhancing the interaction between users and devices. Additionally, I am interested in human motion and training in martial arts, which are uniquely challenging to analyze biomechanically due to the variations in practitioners, schools, and styles. Insights from martial arts may be used to inform methods to improve balance in the elderly or those with impaired mobility, and inspire new balance techniques in humanoid robotics and other wearables.
Name: Dalya Al-Mfarej
Position/Title: PhD Student
Education:
- BEng. Biomedical Engineering, University of Guelph, 2019
- MASc. Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, 2021
Research interests: My research interests lie in the application of engineering principles and computational methods to address current challenges in rehabilitation, movement, and sports sciences. I am interested in the development and advancement of mobility assistive technology, tools for quantitative motor assessment and rehabilitation, and algorithms for utilizing biosignals to control mobility devices.
Links: LinkedIn
Name: Shovon Saha
Position/Title: MASc
Education: BSc. Electrical and Electronics Engineering, North South University, 2020
Research Interests: My research focuses on developing robust, efficient, and scalable mechatronic devices for biomedical and robotic applications, with emphasis on the creation of embedded systems for resource-constrained environments. My work in the end-to-end development of biomedical devices includes designing and implementing advanced algorithms in C++ within the ROS framework for real-time autonomous and assistive devices. I am also interested in the development of algorithms for low-powered, mission-critical systems, in which I integrate IoT capabilities and optimize digital signal processing to improve the precision and functionality of sensors and other embedded components.
Links:
Name: Junsong Li
Position/Title: MASc
Education: BASc. Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, 2023
Research Interests: My current research focuses on developing a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) to control wheelchairs for ALS patients, primarily by using Steady-State Visually Evoked Potentials (SSVEP) to trigger target frequencies in the visual cortex as driving signals. Additionally, I am exploring the feasibility of using heat-fluid-driven Shape Memory Alloy in soft robotics to address joint misalignment and non-standard size issues in rigid exoskeletons.
Name: Erica Rossi
Position/Title: MASc
Education: BASc. Mechanical Engineering, University of Windsor, 2023
Research Interests: My research interests include assistive device technology, and how it pertains to human mobility. My current research is focused on lower limb prosthetic socket modelling, socket interventions, and the relationships between prosthetic sockets and residual limb behaviour.
Name: Harvey Marchant
Position/Title: MASc
Education: BSc. Human Kinetics, University of Guelph, 2024
Research Interests: My research interests lie at the intersection of athletic performance and engineering innovation. I am particularly interested in advancing performance through human movement analysis and enhancing human-device interaction via smart wearables and sensor technology. My goal is to develop accessible and effective solutions that benefit both elite performers and individuals in daily life.
Name: David Choi
Position/Title: Undergraduate Research Assistant
Education: BASc. Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo (in progress)
Research Interests: I am interested in learning more about physical and cognitive human-robot interaction, kinematic and dynamic modeling, contact modeling, and control strategies for robotic prosthetics and active exoskeletons.
Name: Ariel Chan
Position/Title: Undergraduate Research Assistant
Education: BASc. Biomedical Engineering, University of Waterloo (in progress)
Research Interests: I am interested in learning about the development of advanced technologies and exploring engineering principles to solve complicated health problems, primarily through the use of sensors.