Insights in Light: SPIE UWO Guest Lecture Series

This fall we are delighted to feature Dr. Parsin Haji Reza for the annual SPIE UWO Student Chapter lecture series! This lecture is open to all students, faculty, and staff interested in learning more aboout optical imaging and networking with colleagues over light refreshments.

Date: Thursday, November 27th, 2025

Time: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Location: Medical Science Building, Room 148

If you are interested in this lecture but cannot attend in person, please contact us for alternatives: spie.uwo.chapter@gmail.com

Lecture Description

Light offers a unique window into the hidden structures and functions of life. In this talk, Dr. Haji Reza will show how new forms of optical imaging are pushing the boundaries of what we can see, capturing tissues and materials in vivid detail without dyes or physical contact. Beyond the laboratory, these advances are now moving toward real-world applications, from guiding surgeons and diagnosing eye disease to enabling safer, faster, and more precise medical decisions. This presentation will not only explore the science behind these innovations but also the translational journey of bringing discoveries from research benches into hospitals, clinics, and industry.

Biography

Dr. Parsin Haji Reza is an Associate Professor of Biomedical and Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo, where he directs the PhotoMedicine Labs. His research focuses on developing next-generation optical imaging methods that allow scientists and clinicians to visualize tissues in unprecedented detail without dyes or contact. Since establishing his lab in 2018, Dr. Haji Reza has secured more than $10 million in research funding, published widely, and filed over sixty patents. He has been recognized with several distinctions, including the Ontario Professional Engineers Gold Medal in Entrepreneurship, for his contributions to science, innovation, and translation. His work is advancing toward real-world applications in cancer diagnostics, ophthalmology, and surgical guidance. Beyond research, he is a dedicated teacher and mentor, training the next generation of engineers and scientists at the intersection of medicine and technology.