Team
Healthy City Lab / Team
The Healthy City Lab is growing! We are looking for motivated candidates at all career levels. Interested in joining the team? Please reach out for more information: sayeh.bayat[at]ucalgary.ca
Lab Director
Sayeh Bayat, PhD
Assistant Professor in Biomedical and Geomatics Engineering
Schulich School of Engineering, UCalgary
I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary, where I hold joint appointments in the Departments of Geomatics Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. My research centers on leveraging digital health, machine learning, and geographic information science to create context-aware solutions for healthcare. This cross-disciplinary effort, to this date, has resulted in innovative techniques to study people in the context of their everyday environments and new insights into the relationship between mobility behaviours and cognitive functions. One of my key goals is to explore how a human-centric approach to machine learning can improve the detection, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of health issues, including dementia. In particular, my current research interests include investigating the role of automobile technology and driving behaviours in older adults and individuals with dementia. Prior to joining the University of Calgary, I obtained my PhD in Biomedical Engineering and my bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science (Aerospace Minor) from the University of Toronto.
Affiliations:
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Full Member, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary
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Member, O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary
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Investigator, The Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), Team 16
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Member, AGE-WELL NCE
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Member, Wearable Technology Program, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary
Education:
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BASc in Engineering Science (Aerospace Minor), University of Toronto
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PhD in Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto
MSc Students
Raya Hafezifar
MSc Student, Geomatics Engineering
I joined the Healthy City Lab as a Geomatics Engineering MSc student in January 2022. I have experience in Geospatial Intelligent System (GIS), databases and data mining methods. Throughout my studies, I have been involved in various projects on Spatial Data Science, ranging from analyzing trajectory data for developing a web mapping application to mining frequent patterns for trip purpose prediction. In the summer of 2021, through the Mitacs Accelerate Explore program, I worked on creating smart forms for immigration applications by applying Artificial intelligence methods.
Education:
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BSc in Surveying and Geomatics Engineering, University of Tehran
Kelly Long
MSc Student, Biomedical Engineering
After graduating from the University of Calgary’s Geomatics Engineering program in 2021 with a minor in Data Science, I joined a Land Surveying company as a Party Chief and Engineer in Training. I am passionate about the field of Geomatics for the technical applications as they relate to my hobbies and interests. These include outdoor activities such as rock climbing and skiing, as well as programming and exploring the uses of spatial data in a health context. Joining HCL as a Biomedical Engineering MSc student felt like a natural progression given my background and interests and I am grateful to be a part of the team.
Education:
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BSc in Geomatics Engineering, University of Calgary
Reihaneh Derafshi
MSc Student, Biomedical Engineering
Wearable Technology Program
I am a biomedical Engineering MSc student, specializing in Wearable Technology. Prior to joining HCL, I graduated from the University of Tehran with a bachelor's in Computer Science. I am fascinated by Machine Learning and AI applications in wearable technology and hope to have an impact on human life, environmental and health technology.
Education:
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BSc in Computer Science, University of Tehran
Undergraduate Students
Emily Dittmer
Summer Research Student
My name is Emily Dittmer, and I am currently entering my third year of studies at the University of Calgary from the Faculty of Kinesiology pursuing a BSc in Biomechanics with a minor in Computer Science. I am particularly interested in technological applications in health solutions and am fascinated by the possibilities as to what can be achieved using technology to help better human health. As a Calgary native, I love to go skiing, mountain biking, and hiking.
Maria Law
Summer Research Student
My name is Maria and I am a biomedical engineering (BSc) student at UofC. My hobbies range from cooking and biking to music and biomechanics.
I also have interests in multiple fields of engineering, including geomatics, so I am excited to be joining Dr. Bayat's team this summer to explore the link between driving patterns, human behaviour and health.
Noel Thomas
Thesis Student
During my time pursuing my B.Sc. in Software Engineering (Minor in Biomedical Engineering), I became enthralled by the applications of artificial intelligence in today’s world. Over time, I got to know how machine learning methods were being used to reveal some of the well-kept secrets of nature. To me this new paradigm enables us to solve complex problems that are not possible through more traditional approaches.
Outside of school/work I like to read books (esp. philosophy), volunteer for causes I believe in, explore art galleries, try out new cooking recipes, and play sports with friends.
Muhammad (Faeez) Ansari
Undergraduate Research Student
My name is Muhammad Ansari and I am in my second-year of mechanical engineering, minoring in biomedical engineering.
My research interests include the development and clinical application of neuro-motor technologies and better understanding of the pathophysiology of different neurological disorders. Beyond school, I love biking, playing soccer, and spending time with friends and family.
Lab Alumni
Noel Thomas | Undergrad Thesis Student | 2023 |
Emily Dittmer | Summer Research Intern | 2022 |
Maria Law | Summer Research Intern | 2022 |