Current Members

Former Postdoctoral Researchers

• Mahboubeh Zareijalalabadi (Sep 2025 – Sep 2026). Next position: Technical Officer, Carleton University.
• Houman Masnavi (May 2024–May 2025). Next position: Research Fellow in Robotics, University of Freiburg.
• Sina Sajjadi (May 2023–Dec. 2023). Next position: Associate Researcher, National Research Council Canada.
• Amir Jalali (Nov. 2019–Aug. 2023). Next position: Senior Mechanical Engineer, MineSense Technologies Ltd., Canada.
• Ali Mehrkish (Dec. 2021–May 2022).
• Seyed Ali Emami (Aug. 2018–Apr. 2019). Next position: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Bologna, Italy.
• Amir Lotfavar (Nov. 2017–Aug. 2018).
• Mohammad Ghahramani (Oct. 2016–Feb. 2020). Next position: Senior Computer Vision Scientist, Altius Analytics Labs, Canada.
• Abdul Afram (Mar. 2016–Oct. 2016). Next position: Hardware/Firmware Developer, IRIS Power LP, Canada.
• Shahir Hasanzadeh (Nov. 2015–Sep. 2016). Next position: Instructor, Sheridan College, Canada.
• Akbar Assa (Nov. 2014–Nov. 2015). Next position: Instructor, Sheridan College, Canada.
• Mohammed Jahirul Islam (May 2014–Jan. 2015). Next position: Assistant Professor, University of South Alabama, USA.
• Aleksandar Vakanski (2013–2014). Next position: Assistant Professor, University of Idaho, USA.
• Qinghong Guo (Oct. 2012–Mar. 2013). Next position: Software Developer, Transoft Solutions Inc., Canada.
• Guangyi Chen (Dec. 2012–Apr. 2013).
• Saba Mirza (Oct. 2012–Aug. 2013). Next position: Senior Technical Engineer, Ontario Power Generation, Canada.
• Abdelkader Abdessameud (Aug. 2012–Aug. 2013). Next position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Western University, Canada.
• Howard Yuanhao Hoang (2010–2011).
• Sureyya Sahin (2009–2010).
• Eissa Nematollahi (2008). Next position: Postdoctoral Fellow, York University, Canada.
• Iraj Hassanzadeh (2004–2006). Next position: Assistant Professor, University of Tabriz, Iran.
• Lingfeng Deng (Apr. 2004–Sep. 2004). Next position: Scientist, MDA, Canada.
• Guomin Li (2001–2006). Next position: Senior Scientist, Axiomatic Inc., Canada.
• Borys Shchokin (2001–2006). Next position: Research Consultant, Magna International Inc., Canada.
• Farzad Rayegani (2001–2003). Next position: Professor, Sheridan College, Canada.
• Jian Fan (1998–2001). Next position: Senior Scientist, Quad Engineering Inc., Canada.
• Dmitry E. Pelinovski (1998–1999). Next position: Assistant Professor, McMaster University, Canada.
• A. Amar (1998–1999).

Former PhD Students

• Ali A. Nazari (2020–2025), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Dissertation: “Tendon-Driven Medical Continuum Robots: Design, Development, and Control in Teleoperation and Visual Servoing Systems.” Co-supervisor: Dr. Kourosh Zareinia. First position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).
• Sina Sajjadi (2018–2023), Industrial Systems Engineering, University of Regina. Dissertation: “Stochastic Visual Predictive Control of Robots.” Co-supervisor: Dr. Mehran Mehrandezh. First position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Mechanical, Industrial, and Mechatronics Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University.
• Yasser Ali (2021), Electrical Engineering.
• Mostafa Mohammad Hossein Fallah (2021), Mechanical Engineering.
• Zahra Samadikhoshkho (2021), Mechanical Engineering.
• Patrick Keenan (2020), Mechanical Engineering.
• Ali Mehrkish (2017–2021), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Dissertation: “Grasp Taxonomy and Grasp Synthesis of Continuum Robots.” First position: MITACS Elevate Postdoctoral Fellow, Mechanical, Industrial, and Mechatronics Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University.
• Somayeh Norouzi (2016–2021), Biomedical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Dissertation: “Modeling and Visual Servoing of Single and Cooperative Continuum Robots.” First position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta.
• Hossein Bonyan (2014–2018), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Dissertation: “Estimation and Control of a Manipulating Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.” First position: Research Engineer, General Motors.
• Ata Taghipour (2013–2017), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Dissertation: “Design and Development of a Catheter-Based Tunable Device for Percutaneous Mitral Repair Through Coronary Sinus.”
• Minoo Kouhsoltani (2013–2016), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Exchange student from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Tabriz. First position: Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Tabriz.
• Abdul Afram (2012–2016), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Dissertation: “Modeling and Control Design of Residential HVAC Systems for Operating Cost Reduction.” First position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Subsequent position: Hardware/Firmware Development Lead Engineer, Iris Power Engineering Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
• Shahir Hasanzadeh (2011–2015), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Dissertation: “Modeling, Force Estimation, and Control of Steerable Catheters for Robot-Assisted Intracardiac Navigation.” First position: Senior Systems Engineer, Honeywell Aerospace, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
• Akbar Assa (2009–2014), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Dissertation: “Robust Robotic Visual Servoing for Uncertain Systems.” First position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Toronto Metropolitan University. Subsequent positions: Engineering Consultant and Lecturer, School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering & Technology, Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning; Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Toronto; CTO, Surface Measurements Inc.; and Research Algorithm Engineer, Magna.
• Aleksandar Vakanski (2008–2013), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Dissertation: “Statistical Modeling, Planning, and Control of Vision-Based Robot Programming by Demonstration.” First position: Assistant Professor, University of Idaho–Idaho Falls, beginning in July 2014; joined the tenure stream in September 2017.
• Hamed Kharrati (2011–2012), Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Tabriz. Dissertation: “Fuzzy Control with Parallel Distribution for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).” First position: Assistant Professor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Tabriz, Iran.
• Fariborz Rahimi (2004–2010), Electrical Engineering, University of Waterloo. Dissertation: “Tremor in Parkinson’s Disease: Loading and Trends in Tremor Characteristics.” Co-supervisor: Dr. D. Wang, University of Waterloo. First position: Postdoctoral Fellow, London Health Sciences Centre/University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Subsequent position: Associate Professor, University of Bonab, Iran.
• Yusof Ganji (2004–2009), Electrical Engineering, University of Waterloo. Dissertation: “A Platform for Robot-Assisted Intracardiac Catheter Navigation.” Co-supervisor: Dr. Safavi-Naeini. First position: Senior Software Engineer, RIM, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Subsequent position: Amazon, Seattle, Washington, USA.
• Lingfeng Deng (1999–2004), Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo. Dissertation: “Comparison of Image-Based and Position-Based Robot Visual Servoing Methods and Improvements.” Co-supervisor: Dr. W. J. Wilson. First position: Scientist, MD Robotics–Space Mission (now MDA).

Former MASc Students

• Shaswat Garg. (2023-2025), Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo. Thesis: Reinforcement learning based motion planner and trajectory tracker for unmanned aerial systems". First position: Lead ML Engineer, ArenaX Lab.
• Ibrahim Abdulhafiz (2020–2023), Biomedical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Thesis: “Ultrasound-Based Shape Estimation and Control of Catheters.” Accelerated Master’s. First position: PhD Student, University of Waterloo.
• Taha Hashemi (2020–2023), Biomedical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Thesis: “A Haptic Guidance System for Catheter Navigation with Different Kinesthetic Feedback Profiles.” Co-supervisor: Dr. K. Zareinina. First position: PhD Student, McMaster University.
• Behnam Nasirian (2018–2023), Industrial Systems Engineering, University of Regina. Thesis: “Efficient Coverage Path Planning and Navigation of Mobile Farming Robots.” Co-supervisor: Dr. Mehran Mehrandezh.
• Nilou Hashemi (2016–2018), Biomedical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Thesis: “3D Image Construction of Catheters Using Ultrasound Images.” Co-supervisor: Dr. Jahan Tavakkoli. First position: PhD Student, University of Toronto.
• Mojtaba Hedayatpour (2016–2018), Industrial Systems Engineering, University of Regina. Thesis: “Modeling and Control of Multi-Rotor UAVs: Design for Safety and Performance.” Co-supervisor: Dr. Mehran Mehrandezh. First position: AI Systems Manager, Dot Technology Inc., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Subsequent position: CEO, Mojow Autonomous Solutions.
• Lubna Shahid (2014–2017), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Thesis: “Automatic Coverage Measurement of Shot Peened Panels.” First position: Project Manager, QHR Technologies.
• Ata Taghipour (2011–2012), School of Emerging Engineering Technologies, University of Tabriz. Thesis: “Design of Bending Sensor Based on Optical Fiber.” Co-supervisors: A. Rostami and M. Bahrami. Co-advisor: X. Gu. First position: PhD Candidate, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University.
• Anthony Appelmann (2011), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Thesis: “Robot Design for Robotic Catheter Manipulation System for Medical Interventions.” Co-supervisor: Prof. Roland Wilis, Fachhochschule Technikum Wien, Austria.
• Aidin Foroghi (2010–2013), Mechanical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Thesis: “Stochastic Optimal Control with Application in Visual Servoing.” First position: Senior Engineer, ClearVision Technologies, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 2014.
• Troy MacAvelia (2009–2012), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Thesis: “Force and Torque Modeling for the Drilling of Bone for Use in Orthopedic Haptic Simulation Systems.” Co-supervisor: Dr. Ahmad Ghasempour. First position: Engineer, Weptro Machinery Inc., Vernon, British Columbia, Canada.
• Behrooz Alae (2004–2006), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Thesis: “A New Strategy for Kinematic and Dynamic Optimization of Robotic Manipulators with Application to Haptic Interfaces.” First position: Senior Engineer, Atomic Energy of Canada.
• George Jorjani (2003–2006), Electrical and Computer Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Thesis: “A Closed-Loop Computer Simulator for Steel Plant Electric Arc Furnace Regulator.” First position: Senior Engineer, Gerdau Ameristeel, Whitby, Ontario, Canada.
• Behdad Masih-Tehrani (2004–2005), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Thesis: “Kinematic Analysis and Modeling of the Visual and Functional Workspace of the Human Being.” First position: PhD Student, Industrial Engineering, Pennsylvania State University. Subsequent positions: Scientist, Oracle Corp., Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Google Inc., Mountain View, California, USA.
• Azad Shademan (2003–2005), Electrical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Thesis: “Optimal Feature Design for Vision-Guided Manipulation.” First position: PhD Candidate, University of Alberta, Canada. Subsequent position: Surgical Robotics Engineer, Intuitive Surgical Inc.
• Jingrong Liu (1999–2002), Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo. Thesis: “Design and Analysis of Intelligent Fuzzy Tension Controllers for Rolling Mills.” Co-supervisor: Dr. W. J. Wilson. First position: Founder and CEO, Intelligent Control Systems Inc., China.
• Mariano Ficocelli (1997–2000), Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Western Ontario/Toronto Metropolitan University. Thesis: “State Estimation Manager for Visual Servoing.” First position: Lead Engineer, MD Robotics Inc., Ontario, Canada.
• Qiang Wang (1997–2000), Department of Electrical Engineering and Centre for Intelligent Machines, McGill University. Thesis: “Translation of Graphic to Haptic Boundary Representation.” Co-supervisor: Dr. V. Hayward. First position: Engineer, Motorola Canada, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.

Former MEng Students

• Daniel Soto Lopez (2016–2022), Industrial Systems Engineering, University of Regina. Project: “A Sensitivity Analysis to Depth and Camera Intrinsic Parameters Using a Novel 3D Simulation Environment for Image-Based Wheel-Base Measurement in Vehicles.” Co-supervisor: Dr. Mehran Mehrandezh.
• Sarmad Sadik (2012–2013), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Project: “Vision-Based Control of Laparoscopic Tools.”
• Radu Puha (2005–2008), Electrical and Computer Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Project: “Hybrid Vision-Force-Based Control of Robotic Manipulators.”
• Mehrdad Zafari (2001–2005), Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University. Project: “Modeling and Simulation of Human Arm Reach.”