![]() Onaizah OnaizahAssistant Professor Dr. Onaizah received her BSc in Physics from the University of Toronto in 2013, her MSc in Medical Biophysics from Western University in 2015 and her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto in 2019. From 2020 – 2022, she was a Research Fellow in Surgical Robotics at the University of Leeds working in the STORM Lab. She was the recipient of the NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2020 and was featured as one of nine women to watch from the University of Toronto Engineering’s class of 2020. Her research interests include small-scale and soft robotics incorporating both fabrication and control strategies. |
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Graduate Students

Colton Gleason
MASc Biomedical Engineering
Colton graduated with an Honours degree in Life Sciences from McMaster University. He has a strong academic interest in health, medicine, and surgery, with a particular focus on the research and development of robotic surgical interventions. Outside of academics, Colton enjoys designing and playing video games, volunteering, staying active through sports, and practicing carpentry.

Siwen Xie
PhD Software Engineering
She graduated with Distinction in Healthcare Technologies from King’s College London. She is interested in the development of surgical robotics, micro medical devices, and automated manufacturing technology, including structural, system, and interactive design. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, taking photos, and walking in nature.

Xiangyu Shen
MEng Computing and Software
He graduated from a joint Computer Science program between Southwest Jiaotong University in China and the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. He is particularly interested in software development and improving algorithms for robotic control systems. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities with friends, swimming, and table tennis.

Kaitlyn Clancy
MASc Biomedical Engineering
Kaitlyn graduated with a degree in mechanical biomedical engineering from McMaster University. Her interests are in building and testing biomedical devices. She is specifically working on designing and building fabrication systems for printing magnetic microrobots. She likes to spend her time with friends and family, playing board games, running, and reading.

Griffin Smith
MASc Biomedical Engineering
He graduated with Honours in Biomedical Engineering from The University of Guelph. He is interested in medical device design with particular focus on mechatronics, cell biology, and surgical intervention. He likes spending his spare time in nature, travelling, and watching movies.

Shivam Gupta
MASc Software Engineering
He graduated with Honours in Mechanical Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University, India. He is interested in developing novel robotic technologies for healthcare. He completed a Mitacs Globalink Research Internship at Western University. He likes tutoring, volunteering, talking to people, playing & watching all kinds of sports.
Undergraduate Students

Hamna Saleem
Undergraduate Research Assistant (MITACS)
Hamna is a final year undergraduate student in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore. She has a strong academic interest in biomechanics, biomedical robotics, motion analysis, and the application of machine learning in rehabilitation and healthcare. Outside of academics, Hamna enjoys volunteering, photography, observing and living in nature.

Indrani Pillai
Undergraduate Research Assistant (MITACS)
Indrani Pillai is a Biomedical and Healthcare Engineering student at City St George’s, University of London, having completed her second year. She is interested in medical technologies and innovation, particularly in the design and development of healthcare solutions. Indrani also serves as President of the Women in Engineering Society, where she supports outreach and engagement to empower women in STEM. Outside of academics, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and practising Bharatanatyam dance.

Rawaan Abu-Shaera
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Rawaan is entering her fifth year of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University. She is a proud member of the Golden Key International Honour Society, recognized for her academic achievement. She has a strong interest in hands-on design and creative problem-solving. On her own time, she volunteers by running STEAM programs at inner-city elementary schools in Hamilton to help spark innovation in young students. Beyond academics, she enjoys sewing and creating detailed scratch art pieces.

Fouzia Anser
Undergraduate Research Assistant (MITACS)
Fouzia is currently pursuing a BEng in Biomedical and Healthcare Engineering at City St. Georges, University of London. With a strong interest in biomedical devices, I enjoy applying my skills in electronics and CAD design to create innovative healthcare technologies. I’m particularly passionate about integrating engineering principles with medical applications to improve patient care and accessibility. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time outdoors with friends, swimming, and reading.

Razan Abu-Shaera
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Razan is in her final year of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University. She is keen on working in interdisciplinary teams to forge innovative health solutions. Razan is creative and particularly enjoys the ideation stage of engineering design. Outside of academics, she pursues entrepreneurial projects including starting a small business creating children’s activity books and founding a health technology startup.

Min Yi Liu
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Min Yi is currently in her second year of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering at Mcmaster. She is interested in the integration of mechanical, electrical, and software components for novel biorobotics applications and to increase accessibility. She enjoys creating digital and traditional art, writing, foraging, and reading in her free time.

Sonia Parekh
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Sonia is entering her third year in the Electrical and Biomedical Engineering program at McMaster University. She is passionate about exploring the intersection of electrical design and health-related technologies to create innovative tools that improve healthcare outcomes. Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys reading, playing volleyball, and traveling.
Lab Alumni
Graduate Researchers:
Shivam Gupta, MASc 2025, Award: MITACS Globalink Graduate Fellowship
Reyhaneh Norouziani, MASc 2025
Undergraduate Researchers:
Ryan Seyedan, 2025
Jessica Anziano, 2025
Sanna Tayabali, 2024 – 2025
Mackenzie Keeler, 2024 – 2025
Karolina Teresinska, 2024, Award: NSERC USRA
Jackson Sholdice, 2023 – 2024
Obianuju Ebeze, 2024, Award: International USRA
Charles Hong, 2024, Award: MITACS GRI
Amisha Packiareginauld, 2023 – 2024