Core Team Staff @Project neuroArm - UCalgary
Garnette Sutherland, CM, MD, FRCS - PROJECT LEAD | Professor of Neurosurgery
Eminent neurosurgeon, renowned for his inventions and innovative edge, Dr. Sutherland continues to disrupt the norm in advancing technological solutions for various neurosurgical disease. Embracing digital advances while merging machines with microsurgery, Sutherland, a revered Professor of Neurosurgery, cultivates a deep commitment to mentoring future generation of neurosurgeons, alongside smart surgical technology enthusiasts.
Fangwei Yang, MD – Chief Robot Technician, Prototyping and Microsurgical Skills
Through years of experience and an intuitive flair for device prototyping, robot operations and fine microsurgical skills, Dr. Yang has been a cherished pillar of this team throughout its evolution over time. A most reliable, artful and resourceful team player, Yang ensures consistent assistance for technical processes in rapid prototyping, assembly, integration, and testing in the operating room.
Diego Ospina, PhD - Research Associate, Engineering Lead – Systems/Mechatronics
With a dream, training and motivation towards helping patients through robotic technology, Dr. Ospina leads the engineering activities at Project neuroArm. A natural Roboticist and Mechatronics aficionado, Ospina nurtures and oversees all engineering aspects while fostering a collegial multi-disciplinary environment of innovation, learning and realizing ambitious project goals, together.
Andrea Becking, BSc., RN, Charge Nurse (Clinician) – Neurosurgery Operating Room, iMRI & neuroArm
Lead neurosurgery operating room Nurse Clinician, Becking provides end-user feedback and OR safety standards and workflow guidance for ongoing innovations and device integration. As a Charge Nurse for 3.0T intra-operative MRI/neuroArm OR suite at Foothills Hospital, she oversees smooth operations of all equipments in the environment, including periodic education for all OR nurses and support team.
Amir Baghdadi, PhD - Research Associate, Data Science – Ai Co-Lead
With a natural talent and commitment to Data Science and Machine Learning, Dr. Baghdadi, provides a meaningful interpretation to big data generated from sensorized medical systems. Through advanced analytics, data-driven user-interfacing and custom-developing unique algorithms, Baghdadi is able to create, share and foster a novel platform for digital innovation.
Rahul Singh, BSc. - Research Associate| Computer Science, Data Science – Ai Co-Lead
With a background in finances and data protection/security, Mr. Singh shares a personal motivation and commitment to apply his knowledge to the digital innovation facing neuroArm and its multiple offspring technologies. Introducing unique levels and layers of security to data protection and access, Singh streamlines a secure end-to-end pipeline of digital solutions in the operating rooms, both locally and globally.
Nigam Lad, MSc. (BME Yr. 1) | Resident Associate - Data Science & Ai
Reaching for a star career in Ai and machine learning, Mr. Lad is a cautious, committed coder-developer at heart. Exploring his talent and application to sensorized surgical device systems and secure digital highway in medicine, Lad has been a key support in developing, implementing, streamlining code pieces to various aspects of evolving technologies at Project neuroArm.
Homer Riva-Cambrin, BSc. (Computer Sc. Yr. 2) | Resident Associate - Software Engineering & Ai
A gifted computer scientist, Mr. Riva-Cambrin is committed to software engineering amidst the rapidly evolving complex field of machines, AI and human factor. By merging creative design skills with large language models and novel database architecture, Riva-Cambrin is shaping Project neuroArm's next frontier of human-machine interface in robotics and intelligent surgical systems - the IoT-OR paradigm for global connectivity.
Sanju Lama, MD, PhD – CLINICAL INTEGRATION | OPERATIONS | Assoc. Director Medical Robotics
Uniquely trained and committed to technological solutions in neurosurgery/health care, Dr. Lama, provides a necessary bridge from idea to operating room (OR) and vice versa. Her knowledge, empathy and ability to oversee complex projects and collaborations ensure innovation from this world class robotics program are aptly translated to patient care in the neurosurgery OR.
CURRENT TRAINEE ASSOCIATES :
Project neuroArm welcomes and mentors a cadre of graduate/undergraduate students conducting their Honours’ projects, Masters or PhD studies. Multiple MD candidates and neurosurgery/surgery residents remain involved in various research projects, typically focused around surgical skill development, technology innovation/creation or interrogating various neurosurgical pathology.
Mojtaba Esfandiari, MSc (PhD Student at Johns Hopkins Unv. , MD, USA) | Current Project: Continuum Robotics for Neurosurgery, Control Theory & Mechanics
McNiel-Inyani Keri, MD Candidate 2023 | Engineer (MSc. Mechanical | BSc. Electrical-Comp.Sc) | Current Project: Intelligent Device Position Tracking, Image Processing
Rachael L'Orsa, PhD Candidate | Current Project: Space Robotics for Remote Surgery, Haptics, Control and Automation
Randy Moore | BSc. Electrical-Mechatronics Engineering, MSc student (UBC) | Current project: Software innovation and development, programming, and control in tele-robotics
Eddie Guo, MD Candidate UofCalgary | Current Project: Machine learning for intelligent surgical device-systems, translational research towards evidence-based medicine/clinical trials
Brij Karmur (PGY 4 Neurosurgery), MD, MSc
Miwa Shibuya, Administrative Support & Assistance
Ms. Shibuya has been an important part of Project neuroArm offering administrative support for smooth maintenance of Dr. Sutherland’s multiple grant and project activities, and help liaisoning team relations.
“Project neuroArm thanks all PAST Team Members for their time and efforts to the advancement of projects/technologies.”