CURRENT MEMBERS

Dr. rer.nat. Veronika Magdanz, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering

Veronika Magdanz is biotechnologist and Assistant Professor in Systems Design Engineering since 2022. She obtained her Diplom-Biotechnology degree (MASc equivalent) from TU Braunschweig in 2010, and doctorate from the University of Dresden in 2016 for the development of sperm-driven microrobots performed at the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research, IFW Dresden in Germany. Subsequently, she conducted research in metabolic and kinetic studies of sperm as well as sperm-templated microrobots at the Applied Zoology department of the TU Dresden. During her time as Humboldt Fellow at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia she explored medical applications of flexible magnetic small scale robots and the 3D bioprinting of muscle tissue. Her main research interest is in magnetic microrobotics for medical applications, which includes biohybrid and bioinspired approaches for innovative solutions in medicine. Further, she studies collaborative behaviour of sperm and novel sperm diagnostics. In her spare time, Dr. Magdanz loves gardening, hiking, running, baking and backcountry camping.

Sarah Mae Sparkes, MASc Student, Systems Design Engineering

Sarah completed her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Waterloo in 2023. She has previous industry experience in software development as well as the design and validation of biomedical devices, including microfluidic chips and optical systems. Her current research involves the fabrication of biocompatible millimeter-scale robots for blood clot removal. 

 

 

Motahareh Dargah Shabani, PhD student, Systems Design Engineering

Motahareh is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering, specializing in biomaterials. She holds a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Amirkabir University. Her current research focuses on the quantum sensing of free radicals produced in sperm cells using nano-diamonds, as well as developing biohybrid microrobots for drug delivery applications. Outside the lab, she enjoys watching movies, reading books, and practicing Pilates.

 

 

Noah Franco, MASc student, Systems Design Engineering

Graduating from the University of Waterloo with a BSc, he is currently continuing his research career at the university to dive into medical micro-robotics, drug delivery, and 3D printing at the Medical Microrobotics Lab. He’s had the privilege of working in a range of different industries through co-op, including cancer therapeutics, bioremediation, clinical research, and biotechnology. In that time, he published his first research article in the Journal of Biological Chemistry and developed a CRISPR electrochemical strategy for microbial fuel cells. He enjoys playing intramural soccer at the university and collecting sneakers.

 

Caitlyn Luck

Caitlyn is currently working on observing sperm bundling occurrence and behaviour in different viscoelastic media. She is in her 2A term of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Waterloo and is excited for a career in science. Outside of research, she leads a crafts group at a retirement home, is a volunteer tutor for high school students for United for Literacy and is a faculty committee member of student appeals at the university. In her spare time, she enjoys running and baking.

 

 

Rahul Menon, PhD student, Biomedical Engineering

Rahul has a masters in Physics with a specialization in Quantum Technology from the University of Waterloo. He worked for 2 years as a research assistant under Prof. David Cory where he studied nitrogen vacancy centres and phosphorus defects in silicon. His current work focuses on exploring the use of quantum sensing for detecting the build up of reactive oxygen species in sperm cells using nano-diamonds and electron spin resonance. Outside of the lab, he is an amateur magician and have put up a few shows. He also love calisthenics, playing and listening to music, swimming, videography, writing, and cooking.

 

Mu Yun Zhang, PhD Student, Biomedical Engineering

Mu Yun completed undergraduate study life science from the University of Toronto, double majoring in human biology and physiology. Her previous research focused on understanding the physiology of oocyte survival and death in mice models. Her current research interests focus on leveraging microrobots in assistive reproductive technology. Outside the lab, she enjoys cooking and baking to destress and enjoy food.

ALUMNI

Edward Nian Zhang, Senior honours thesis project (BIOL 499) student, Biology

Josiah Lodewyk, Research Associate, Mitacs Intern

Afarin Khabbazian, MASc Student, Mechanical Engineering

Arnima Shrestha, BASc student, Biomedical Engineering

Lauren Kwong, BASc student, Biomedical Engineering

Ava Natali Carli, BASc student, Biomedical Science

Lydia Griffiths, BASc student, Biomedical Engineering

Mathilda LaBrash-White, BASc student, Biomedical Engineering

Noura Abdelrazec, BASc student, Biomedical Engineering

Samantha Schwartz, BASc student, Nanotechnology Engineering

Vicente Garrido Portilla, BASc student, Nanotechnology Engineering

Yasaman Rahimidarestani, Research Associate, Chemical Engineering

Lena Kunert, Visiting scholar from TU Braunschweig

Laura Daniela Serrano, Visiting scholar from Colombia

Andrew Fata, BASc student, Biomedical Engineering

Megheti M. Bekmezian, BASc student, Biomedical Engineering

Salma Abdelfattah, BASc student, Biomedical Engineering

Catie Balasubramanian, BASc student, Biomedical Engineering

Erica Liu, Co-op student spring 2023, Biomedical Engineering student

Yusra Pervez, Co-op student spring 2023, Biomedical Engineering student

Lee Cheng, Co-op student spring 2023, Biomedical Engineering student

Aaron Lewis, Co-op student winter 2023, Chemistry student, University of Waterloo

Paula Morcillo i Soler, TFG student, University of Girona, Bsc in Biology

Guillem Lopez-Grado i Salinas, PhD student, Bsc in Human Biology, Msc in Biomedical Research

Clara Ridzewski, Research Assistant, Biotechnology Bachelor Student.

Johannes Gebauer,  Research Assistant, Biology Bachelor Student

Samar Eltoukhy, Master Student in Nanobiophysics. Graduated 09/2018