Assistant Professor
University of Waterloo

Can you tell us about your academic journey and what led you to your current field of research?
I began my academic journey at St. Joseph’s Hospital at Western University, where I served as a Research Engineer and Graduate Trainee at the Hand and Upper Limb Clinic. After completing my graduate degrees, I transitioned to industry, working with Research and Development teams at NuVasive and Paragon 28, focusing on the preclinical assessments of orthopaedic implants prior to commercialization. Recently, I accepted a faculty position at the University of Waterloo, where I aim to lead biomechanics research initiatives that enhance patient outcomes to optimize functionality and longevity of medical devices that facilitate movement.

Was there a defining moment that sparked your interest in your research area?
On one of my initial days in the lab, I had the opportunity to be exposed to cadaveric evaluations. While I may have lost my appetite for a few days after seeing a cadaveric arm for the first time as an engineer, this area has always fascinated me.

How does your current research contribute to your field or to solving real-world problems?
As we continue to accelerate technological innovations in the orthopedic field, the tools for evaluating these advancements have often taken a backseat. Currently, my primary research focus is on enhancing preclinical assessment strategies for orthopaedic implants by integrating traditional mechanical testing with full-field imaging to directly measure subsurface strains throughout the musculoskeletal joint and load transfer at bone-implant interfaces. This approach aims to deepen our understanding of the load transfer mechanisms of implants and medical devices, ultimately leading to better pre-clinical assessment strategies and improved patient-specific solutions in this area.

What do you enjoy most about mentoring the next generation of scientists?
The curiosity of the next generation.

What do you enjoy doing outside of your work?
With two littles ones keeping me on my toes outside of work, anything outdoors is always welcomed!