About | UofC NanoGroup

ABOUT US

The University of Calgary nanoGroup is a student-led organization founded in 2013 with one central focus: to cultivate and support the nanotechnology community at the University of Calgary Campus. We strive to engage students in a variety of nano-related activities – design projects, outreach programs, academic research, entrepreneurial pursuits and networking with local industry.

We exist to inform the public of the opportunities and benefits that nanotechnology holds for Alberta and alerting students to avenues for technology commercialization are additional objectives. We are a Graduate Research Network (GRN) under the Graduate Students' Association (GSA) at the University of Calgary. We are an initiative from nanoAlberta, the nanotechnology branch of Alberta Innovate Technology Futures (AITF).

Executive Team

Amirreza Panahi

President

Amirreza is a second-year Ph.D. student at the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. His research focuses on the motion of small particles in a polymeric medium under the effect of a temperature gradient, which has possible applications in targeted drug delivery and enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR). Acting as VP communication over the last year helped him use his knowledge to engage effectively with the academic side of the Alberta nanotechnology community while excelling in his professional development skills and improving teamwork and communications expertise by running the NanoNexus 2022, hosting nanotalks, hosting a panel discussion, and advertising group’s events. He is currently collaborating with the UofC nanogroup to increase public awareness of this branch of science.

Pantea Ghahremani

VP Operations

Pantea is a second-year Ph.D. student at the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. Her Ph.D. thesis is about developing a novel solid polymer electrolyte with proper ionic conductivity and mechanical/electrical properties for Li-ion battery application. She has collaborated in various volunteer works during her undergraduate and M.Sc. at the Amirkabir University of Technology. She was the VP of finance of the Scientific Association and the editor of the Polymer Department student journal. As an active volunteer of the Iranian Graduate Student Association (IGSA), she collaborated in holding several events at the University of Calgary. In addition, she was a volunteer in some other events including the convocation ceremonies held by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) of the University of Calgary. She is hoping to continue a decent and prosperous performance in the nanogroup group by holding useful, interesting, and new events.

SeyedMasoud Vahedi

VP Finance

Masoud’s foray into research began as a graduate student, pursuing an MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering, working on modeling blood flow and studying the drug pharmacokinetics in the application of Drug-Elutiong Stents. After completing his MSc, he was frequently hired by Iran's National Elites Foundation to collaborate with research groups in various topics. These collaborations exposed him first-hand to various engineering problems ranging from heat and mass transfer in porous media to multi-phase flow, iron ore reduction, and rheological studies of nano-lubricants, thus inspiring him to pursue a PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Calgary. Here, he is working on Programmable Drug-Eluting Stents with more elaborations on chemical reactions participating in degradation of polymer as drug carrier and resorbability of stent struts as a scaffold. More specifically, he is developing toolkits to anticipate the formation of Neointimal Hyperplasia in the site of stent implantation, while focusing on biodegradation kinetics of polymer as a promising approach for encouraging re-endothelialization and attenuate chronic inflammation. Away from research, you can find him playing badminton, practicing in volunteering activities, hanging out in parks with family and friends.

Ali Bakhshi Zadeh

VP Communication

Ali is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department, and his research focuses on soil remediation. He obtained his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Materials Engineering from the Sharif University of Technology. During his undergraduate studies, he was a member of the Science Council of Materials Science and Engineering Department for a year, working with other members to hold workshops and arrange lectures on different subjects related to Materials Science and Engineering.

Milad Rezaei

VP Academic

Milad Rezaei is a graduate student in the chemical and petroleum engineering department. His research at the University of Calgary focuses on micro-scale ions transportation at ion-selective interfaces. More specifically, his research focuses on electrokinetic phenomena and their application in water desalination and purification technology using microfluidics. He also worked on the theory of open microfluidics and capillary flow in microchannels. Milad has an MSc degree in geotechnical engineering mainly focused on geo-environmental engineering. He has extensive experience in the field of soil pollution and remediation as well as electrokinetic soil remediation. He is drawn to tackling difficult technical challenges and most fulfilled when collaborating with a skilled team to deliver innovative solutions to said challenges. Besides his diverse research background which ended up in several publications in different fields, Milad has a great passion/experience in volunteer positions including, GSA newcomer subcommittee member, CPEGA event coordinator, CPEGA conference moderator, and recently joined nano group as VP academic to coordinate and organize interesting nanotalks.

Mehdi Eisapour Darzi

VP Outreach

Mehdi received his M.Sc. degree in the field of Mechanical Engineering at the Mazandaran University of Science and Technology in 2015. Currently, he is working as a Ph.D. student on hydrogen production from biomass with the use of photocatalyic at the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. This position is related to the volunteering activities that he has done in the past, and he is hoping to engage with the nano community effectively.

Saeid Ghasemalizadeh

Member at Large

Saeid is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Civil Engineering, with a specialization of materials engineering. His research interest is nano-modification of the cementitious binder. He was the vice president of Student Relations at the civil engineering graduate society (CEGS) and the representative of the civil engineering department in the graduate representative council for the past year. He is enthusiastic about being an executive member of U of C nanoGroup to improve his leadership and teamwork skills in a dynamic environment and cooperate with professionals in the nanotechnology field.

Maria Molina

Member at Large

Maria is a graduate student in the Chemistry Department at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on the development of sustainable nanomaterials for environmental purposes, more specifically, synthesizing MOFs for CO2 conversion. Not only does Maria volunteer with NanoGroup as a Member at Large, but her other current volunteer activities include Crohn’s and Colitis Canada as well as CGSA Mentorship at the UofC. Maria is excited to work with her colleagues in the group to organize new and promote scientific and networking events, facilitating good relationships between students and the industry.

Advisory Faculty Member: Dr. Colin Dalton, Adjunct Professor, Schulich School of Engineering

Partners

(Co-)President

The President is responsible for the overall direction and management of the Group and for promoting the Group among both undergraduate, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty. The primary role of the President is to provide guidance and cohesion for the Group as well as to further its vision and mission through his activities and leadership. The President is further responsible for the scheduling of the year’s events and priorities, as well as working with the VP Finance to secure the Group’s annual funding. The President also has signing authority over the Group’s bank account. The president sets executive meetings as required, and is ultimately responsible for ensuring equitable division of labour between members of the Senior Executive.

VP Operations

The VP Operations (VPO) is responsible for the routine functions of the Group, oversees VP Academic, and contributes to the organization of events. The VPO must ensure that these VPs have the resources and direction they require to carry out their duties, and is ultimately responsible for ensuring smooth operation of their designated events.
Additionally, they are responsible for coordinating and promoting the larger, irregular nanoGroup events throughout the year. These include, but are not limited to, speaker events and workshops aimed at educating membership. Also, the VPO spearheads initiatives to organize symposia, competitions, and/or conferences.
The VPO works closely with and oversees the VP Academic in the planning and organization of events.

VP Finance

In their capacity as financial officer, the VPF is responsible for all monies received and disbursed by the University of Calgary Nanotechnology Group, and shall account for them according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, monitoring and recording each transaction from the Group’s bank account. They are also responsible for ensuring that a regular audits and financial reports are completed to the satisfaction of funding sources, that all accounts receivable are collected, and that all bylaws pertaining to finances are upheld. It is also the job of the VPF, alongside the President, to secure funding for the financial commitments of the Group, seeking out appropriate funding bodies and preparing proposals as required. At the conclusion of each event, the VPF is further responsible for compiling a report on the event’s financials with a detailed budget, as well as any follow-up documentation requested by the funding bodies. Portions of this responsibility may be shared with other executives, and details should be collected from the associate VP directly responsible for the event. The VPF is also given signing authority over the Group’s bank account.

VP Communication

The VP Communication (VPC) is broadly responsible for both intra-group communication and for promotion of events outside the Group. The VPC is responsible for managing the member lists, drafting and/or editing internal nanoGroup communications such as emails to members and advisors, and ensuring impartiality, factuality and objectivity in all communications. Additional responsibilities include design and maintenance of the nanoGroup’s website, as well as email-based promotion of the Group’s events – emails and announcements sent out will be based on material provided by the VP responsible for the event.
As part of their responsibilities, the VP Communication is further responsible for the Group’s outreach efforts, overseeing the VP Outreach in his organization of events aimed at groups off campus. Similarly, the VPC is responsible for carrying out the Groups mandate of moving toward a province-wide student nanotechnology presence.

VP Academic

The VP Academic (VPA) is responsible for planning nanoTalk events and is responsible for engaging the academic side of the Alberta nanotechnology community. nanoTalks are regular lectures on recent nano academic accomplishments in the Alberta nanotechnology community. The VPA is responsible for: inviting speakers, establishing a budget for each event with the VPF, room booking, promotion and advertising the event with the VPC, purchasing refreshments for the event, making event posters and facilitate poster distribution, and other planning details. The VPA reports to the VPO.

VP Outreach

The VP Outreach (VPOR) is responsible for coordinating the Group’s outreach efforts to the community, with focus on planning and organizing events for grade school, middle school, high school students and undergraduates. This includes organizing general nanotechnology presentations, demonstrations, and tours, as well as collaborating with other groups interested in nanotechnology education and outreach such as Let’s Talk Science.

Members at Large

Members at Large (MAL) provide support to the executive. Roles that MAL may provide include support on various projects or committees, and they may substitute for other executives where appropriate.