About me:
I received my B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran,Iran, in 2016 and 2019, respectively. I am currently a Ph.D. student at the Neuromuscular Control and Biomechanics Lab, University of Alberta.
Supervisors:
· Dr. Hossein Rouhani
Research Interests:
Surgical skill assessment
Spine biomechanics
Gait analysis
System identification
Machine learning
Dynamics and control
PROJECTS
During my B.Sc. at Sharif University of Technology, I simulated a quadcopter robot in Simulink. I implemented its 6D Newton-Euler dynamics and then, I designed several PID controllers in order to satisfy both attitude and position control which involved both simulation and theoretical aspects to achieve a 6D control for the robot which has 4 control inputs.
During my M.Sc. at Sharif University of Technology, I conducted research in biomechanics. I developed artificial neural networks to estimate human posture during load handling. The artificial neural networks (ANN) were employed to estimate various markers’ position and body segments Euler angles. Moreover, with the aid of two other ANNs, L5-S1 external moment and lumbar discs compression forces were approximated which can be used to assess the risk level of load handling tasks. In this study, motion capture technology was exploited to derive markers’ position.
I am currently working on objective surgical skill assessment and training that is combined with system identification techniques which sheds light on human arm dynamics and central nervous system roles on surgical skill assessment and training. Equipment that will be used in my study:
Motion Capture System to investigate the kinematics of the body segments and instruments obtained by infrared cameras and reflective markers
Eye-tracker to measure gaze position and pupil diameter
Electromyography (EMG) electrodes to measure the activity of the muscles during various arm movements
AWARDS and honors
Selected as one of the best ASI (Autonomous Systems Initiative) student poster (2021)
University of Alberta RR Gilpin Memorial Scholarship (2020)
University of Alberta Graduate Student Teaching Award (2020)
University of Alberta Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship (2019)
McGill University Entrance Scholarship (declined) (2019)
University of Ottawa International Admission Scholarship (declined) (2019)
Member of “National Elites Foundation” and financially supported by this foundation (2012-2018)
Exempted from MSc entrance exam in Iran as an exceptionally talented undergraduate student (2016)
Certified for design and implementation of embedded control systems by model-based design (2016)
Ranked 56th among more than 250,000 participants in the nationwide university entrance exam (2012)
PUBLICATIONS
Journal Article:
Aghazadeh, F.; Zheng, B.; Tavakoli, M.; Rouhani, H. Motion Smoothness-Based Assessment of Surgical Expertise: The Importance of Selecting Proper Metrics. Sensors 2023, 23, 3146. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23063146
M Mohseni, F Aghazadeh, N Arjmand (2021), Improved artificial neural networks for 3D body posture and lumbosacral moment predictions during manual material handling activities, Journal of biomechanics
F Aghazadeh, N Arjmand, AM Nasrabadi (2020), Coupled artificial neural networks to estimate 3D whole-body posture, lumbosacral moments, and spinal loads during load-handling activities, Journal of biomechanics, 109332
Conference Posters:
Experts Employ a Target-Locking Behaviour in Laparoscopic Surgery, Farzad Aghazadeh, Ramin Fathian, Bin Zheng, Mahdi Tavakoli, Hossein Rouhani, Proceedings of the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering International Congress 2022, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Tool Motion Differences Between Experts and Novices in Laparoscopic Surgery, Farzad Aghazadeh, Bin Zheng, Mahdi Tavakoli, Hossein Rouhani, 2022, North American Congress on Biomechanics, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Mahdi Mohseni, Navid Arjmand, Farzad Aghazadeh, Majid Zahedian, Amin Mohammadi Nasrabadi (2021), An Improved Artificial Neural Network to Predict Three-Dimensional Position of Body Joints During Various Static Load-Handling, 17th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Bonn, Germany
Aghazadeh F, Arjmand N, Mohammadi A, Soufi AM (2019), Coupled artificial neural networks to predict whole body posture, lumbosacral moments, trunk muscle forces, and lumbar disc loads during three-dimensional material handling activities, the 3rd international conference on spine loading and deformation, Berlin, Germany