Open Position

We are actively seeking postdoctoral candidates with extensive experience in biosensing and expertise in microfluidics, biosensors (including electrochemical, chemiluminescence, and electrochemiluminescence), and advanced materials/molecules for biosensors (e.g., molecularly imprinted polymers, aptamers, stable antibodies, and nanobodies). We also seek candidates with deep expertise in organ on chip and tissue engineering to support our cancer on chip and gut on chip projects. Postdoctoral fellows with relevant skills are welcome to contact Dr. Sanati-Nezhad to inquire about other possibilities and also to apply for postdoc fellowships.

The Sanati-Nezhad's lab is also looking for MSc or Ph.D. students with a background in Biomedical Engineering or Biological Science for the development of organ on-chip projects. Experience in microfluidics, cell biology, microscopy, tissue engineering and biomaterial is an asset. Candidates should send their CV to Dr. Sanati at amir.sanatinezhad@ucalgary.ca. Find more information here. Information about funding opportunities can be found here. 

Internships at all levels are possible in the Sanati's lab. Please contact Dr. Sanati-Nezhad to inquire about details. Information about funding opportunities can be found here, Mitacs.

Undergraduate students are welcome to have their BMEN 500/501 or capstone biomedical engineering research thesis or their biomedical engineering research project in Dr. Sanati's lab. 

Our laboratory specializes in the design, fabrication, and translation of micro- and nano-engineered systems for biomedical, biological, and industrial applications. Core research areas include biomicrofluidics and lab-on-chip technologies, with deep expertise in capillary-driven, droplet-based, and digital microfluidic platforms integrated with microelectronics, electrochemical transducers, and AI-enabled design tools.

We develop advanced biosensing and bioanalytical systems for the detection of low-abundance biomarkers, pathogens, and metabolites, spanning electrochemical, electrochemiluminescent, and multimodal sensing modalities. Our work covers single-cell and rare-cell analysis, high-throughput cellular assays, droplet microfluidics for compartmentalized biology, and microfluidic platforms for sperm and rare immune cell isolation.

A major focus of the lab is organ-on-chip and tissue-engineered physiological models, including gut–microbiome-on-chip, cancer-on-chip, brain- and neuron-injury-on-chip, and multi-organ interaction platforms. These systems integrate microfabricated scaffolds, nanofibers, hydrogels, and surface-engineered interfaces to recapitulate in vivo-like mechanical, biochemical, and transport cues.

Our expertise in surface chemistry and biointerfaces includes microcontact printing, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), aptamer and antibody functionalization, nanostructured electrodes, and tunable wettability control for robust and scalable biosensing. We also develop nanofiber and nanoparticle synthesis strategies for sensing, diagnostics, and therapeutic delivery.

The lab has strong capabilities in cellular guidance and bioelectric phenomena, including electrochemotaxis and electrotaxis of neural and immune cells, and the study of cell migration, signaling, and mechanobiology under controlled microenvironments.

We actively translate technologies into point-of-care and wearable microdevices, ingestible and capsule-based diagnostic systems, and field-deployable platforms for infectious disease diagnostics, pathogen detection, and environmental monitoring. Our research emphasizes manufacturability, leveraging laser-based fabrication, roll-to-roll processing, and scalable polymer-based manufacturing.

Beyond biomedical applications, the lab also conducts interdisciplinary research in energy and sustainability, including microfluidic and materials-enabled approaches for enhanced oil recovery, advanced polymer design, biomass processing, and chemical sensing for industrial and environmental systems.