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

Xiangyu Shen
MEng Computing and Software
Xiangyu 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, as well as swimming and playing table tennis.

Shamera Chatheechan
PhD Biomedical Engineering
Shamera is in her final year of Engineering Physics and Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University. She is passionate about developing innovative medical technologies, with a particular interest in surgical robotics. In her free time, she enjoys classical dancing, reading, and watching movies.

Rawaan Abu-Shaera
PhD Biomedical Engineering
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.

Razan Abu-Shaera
PhD Biomedical Engineering
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.

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.

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.
Undergraduate Students

Sherry Liang
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Sherry is in her second year studying Biomedical Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, specializing in Sports Science and Technology stream. She is eager to explore more about healthcare design, biomechanism and related fields. In her spare time, she enjoys Kpop & urban dancing, singing, hiking and watching films.

Shaw Atherton
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Shaw is a final-year Biomedical Engineering student at the University of Guelph, specializing in biomechanics and biomedical signal processing for prosthetic applications. He likes to spend his free time hiking, going to the gym, and listening to music.

Murad Ammar
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Murad is in his 5th year of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering. He hopes to utilize his skills towards making advancements in healthcare. Outside of school, Murad loves volunteering and going on long walks with a good pair of headphones

Matthew Siracusa
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Matthew is currently studying in his 5th year of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering at McMaster. He has a strong interest in medical robotics and the way technologies can be used to improve health, especially at the intersection of different disciplines. In his spare time, he enjoys hockey, running, reading and video games.

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:
Veerash Palanichamy, MASc 2025
Shivam Gupta, MASc 2025, Award: MITACS Globalink Graduate Fellowship
Reyhaneh Norouziani, MASc 2025
Undergraduate Researchers:
Ursula Chui, 2026
Sophia Aslanidis, 2025 – 2026
Jocelyn Xu, 2025 – 2026
Shamera Chatheechan, 2025 – 2026
Min Yi Liu, 2025, Award: NSERC USRA
Christian Canlas, 2025
Sonia Parekh, 2025, Award: Engineering Research Experience Award
Fouzia Anser, 2025, Award: MITACS GRI
Indrani Pillai, 2025, Award: MITACS GRI
Hamna Saleem, 2025, Award: MITACS GRI
Razan Abu-Shaera, 2025
Rawaan Abu-Shaera, 2025
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






