Who are we?

Professor

Dr. Qingguo Li is a Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) at Queen’s University, where he leads research focused on wearable robotics, human movement monitoring, and energy harvesting technologies. His work develops advanced exoskeletons and sensors aimed at enhancing human mobility, preventing injuries, and supporting human augmentation. Dr. Li's work has been published in high-impact journals, including two articles featured in Science. Dr. Li has been a visiting professor at Zhejiang University (2015–2016) in China and at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (2023–2024) in India. He was honored with the Governor General’s Gold Medal in 2006 for outstanding academic achievement. He holds several US and Canadian patents and has co-founded Bionic Power Inc., a company specializing in energy harvesting and exoskeleton systems. Outside work, Dr. Li likes gardening, reading, and swiming.

Ph.D. Student

Samuel Brost is a PhD student in the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department. Sam began working in the BMRL lab as an undergraduate researcher with an NSERC USRA in 2020. His research focuses on collaboration with workers in an effort to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Part of his research has focused on analyzing biomechanics factors for injuries of weavers in Burkina Faso. His master’s research focused on the development of a novel wearable system for modelling spinal loading during healthcare procedures. His current work looks at the development of a multi-faceted intervention for reducing loading in healthcare workers wearing lead aprons including wearable feedback, soft exoskeleton garments, and a passive lead apron weight distribution system. Outside of the lab, you can find Sam playing volleyball, reading, or enjoying the outdoors.

Ph.D. Student

Paul Quinlan is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at Queen’s University, co-supervised by Dr. Qingguo Li and Dr. Xiaodan Zhu. His research focuses on the development of large multimodal language models, particularly in the context of time-series analysis. With a strong background in artificial intelligence, he has worked extensively on integrating language and reasoning into time-series applications, contributing to cutting-edge advancements in machine learning and AI. Paul has published multiple research papers and presented at esteemed conferences, showcasing his expertise in AI for sensor data and multimodal learning. His expertise extends to machine learning, deep learning, and practical applications in both research and industry settings. Outside of his academic pursuits, Paul is passionate about sports, particularly hockey and golf.

MASc Student

Natasha Anderson is a Master student specializing in the Biomechanical sub-plan at Queen’s University. Her research focuses on understanding the relationship between skin pressure and strap tension for the control of rehabilitative devices. Specifically, she aims to characterize the relationship between pressure distribution on the skin and strap tension and determine whether this relationship remains consistent across individuals. The findings from this study will be used to inform the design of automatically controlled rehabilitative devices, such as knee braces that regulate pressure and compression based on the type and severity of an injury. Outside of academics, Natasha enjoys reading and doing puzzles.

Undergraduate Student

Jialin Luo is a 2nd-year electrical engineering student currently conducting design work under Dr. Qingguo Li. Her past projects include illustrating proposal figures of surgical ergonomics and textiles, redesigning diagrams on operating postural risks, and creating the Bio-Mechatronics and Robotics Laboratory logo. She is passionate about applying engineering and design to healthcare challenges, with a growing interest in embedded systems for medical devices and wearable technology. Beyond engineering, Jialin is a provincial award-winning pianist, a Canada-Wide Science Fair bronze medalist, and a freelance artist commissioned by clients across Canada, the US, and New Zealand.

Undergraduate Student

Sophie Lau is a third-year Mechanical Engineering student at Queen’s University specializing in the Biomechanical option. Her research aims to simplify human motion capture analysis using open-source platforms like OpenCap and OpenSim, while collaborating with international researchers to expand access to these technologies in resource-constrained settings. Other projects include assisting in national-level grant proposals and organizing the upcoming research symposium IDEAS-2026, to be hosted at Queen’s University. Outside of academics, Sophie enjoys playing tennis, running with her friends and sewing clothes.

Undergraduate Student (2026)

Lua Camargos is a fifth-year Mechanical Engineering student specializing in the Biomechanics sub-plan at Queen’s University. Her research examines postural differences and spatiotemporal gait variability between head-supported and back-supported load carriage. Using accelerometer data collected at the Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, she analyzes signals from sensors placed on the head, neck, lower back, and ankles. Through MATLAB-based analysis of this multi-sensor dataset, she investigates how different load carriage strategies influence balance and gait dynamics, with the goal of identifying potential biomechanical mechanisms that may contribute to injury risk or long-term musculoskeletal health outcomes. Outside of academics, Lua enjoys staying active by going to the gym, as well as cooking, sewing, and crocheting. With a strong interest in human body mechanics and clothing design and manufacturing, she hopes to pursue a career in sports and outdoor wear design and development.

Undergraduate Student (2026)

Mackenzie Conway is a fourth year Biomechanical Engineering student at Queen's University who is interested in how engineering can improve human movement and health. Her work focuses on biomechanics and prosthetic design. She is currently involved in research studying the biomechanics of a rowing exercise machine used to strengthen Burkina Faso weavers. She analyzes motion data using OpenCap, OpenSIm, and MATLAB. Mackenzie also works on the design of an air-based precise foot measurement system to help improve prosthetic and orthotic fitting in developing regions. In addition to research, she's an active member in Queen's Biomechatronic Design Team (QBMET) and enjoys mentoring students as a teaching assistant and tutor. Outside of academics she enjoys reading, theatre, dancing, and painting.

Undergraduate Student (2026)

Sebastian Currie is a fifth-year Biomechanical Engineering student at Queen’s University. He is currently conducting undergraduate research co-supervised by Dr. Qingguo Li and Professor Pouya Amiri. His research focuses on developing and validating a physics-based torque estimation model for a powered ankle prosthesis using onboard sensing, including force sensors and joint angle encoders, to accurately estimate joint torque across different ankle positions. By modeling the prosthesis mechanics and validating the system through experiments and MATLAB simulations, this work aims to improve the reliability of torque estimation and support the development of closed-loop control strategies for prosthetic devices. These advancements could contribute to more responsive and adaptive lower-limb prostheses, ultimately improving mobility and gait assistance for individuals with limb loss. Outside of his research, Sebastian enjoys staying active through snowboarding, and playing basketball. After completing his undergraduate degree, he hopes to continue his academic journey by pursuing a master’s degree.

Undergraduate Student (2026)

Sharath Nandan is a final-year Mechanical Engineering student specializing in biomechanics. His research focuses on quantifying phase-specific and cumulative musculoskeletal exposure during traditional handloom weaving using markerless pose estimation from video data obtained in Burkina Faso. He is developing a workflow to track upper-body landmarks and compute ergonomic exposure metrics that identify which parts of the weaving cycle contribute to most cumulative injury risk. This work supports accessible, video-based ergonomics assessment for occupations in rural communities. Outside of the lab, he enjoys strength training and watching sports, looking to explore biomechanics applications in sports and occupational healthcare following his graduation.

Undergraduate Student (2026)

Jaiden Relouw is a fifth-year General Option Mechanical Engineering student at Queen’s University. She recently completed a 12-month internship where she worked on the mechanical design of aseptic solutions for clean-room environments. At Queen’s, Jaiden’s research focuses on the application of metamaterials in the development of smart textiles, exploring how engineered material structures can be integrated into fabrics to create responsive or enhanced mechanical properties. More specifically, her work aims to characterize how optimized lattice geometries influence energy absorption and mechanical response. This research has potential applications in areas such as wearable technologies, soft robotics, and high-performance industries. Outside of academics, Jaiden enjoys knitting, sports and travelling. After completing her degree, she will continue her studies with a MSc in Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark.

Undergraduate Student (2026)

Emma is a fifth-year Mechanical engineering student in the biomechanics stream and an Assistant Captain on the Queen’s Women’s Hockey team. Her research focuses on assessing the performance and consistency of airbag vests as a method of fall protection. She is investigating the S-Airbag Intelligent Vest to evaluate how effectively it reduces impact forces during ground contact after a fall, with the goal of determining its potential use in hospital settings to help prevent fall-related injuries in older adults. Outside of academics, she enjoys playing and watching sports, as well as playing the guitar. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to pursue a career that combines her engineering background with the sports industry.

Undergraduate Student (2026)

Vanessa Yeung is a fifth-year Mechanical Engineering undergraduate in the Biomechanical specialization. She is returning from a 16-month internship as a Sustainable Infrastructure Co-op with Sanofi Pasteur. Her research in MECH 461 explores the effectiveness and reliability of airbag vests for fall protection in potential clinical use. Her work analyzes the S-Airbag Intelligent Vest and evaluates its effectiveness in reducing the impact force experienced by patients upon ground contact following a fall. The study will be performed alongside Providence Healthcare Professional Practice as this research will assess the feasibility of implementing the airbag vest in a hospital setting to reduce fall-related injuries in the elderly population. Outside of academics, Vanessa enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and playing soccer. Vanessa aspires to pursue future opportunities in mechanical engineering that intersect with the healthcare sector.

MASc Student (2023-2025)

Will Bonin is a second-year MASc student in the Mechanical & Materials Engineering Department at Queen’s University, supervised by Dr. Qingguo Li. His research focuses on investigating work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSK) in healthcare workers within surgical environments. His work aims to assess the prevalence of these disorders in the operating room, identifying key biomechanical risk factors that contribute to strain and injury. By integrating motion analysis techniques and wearable sensor technology, he explores how Exo-Sensory devices can reduce physical demands on healthcare professionals, ultimately improving workplace ergonomics and long-term health outcomes. Beyond his research, Will has contributed to engineering education through Reimagine Engineering by Smith Engineering, where he helped develop hands-on content for fourth-year biomechanical engineering students. He has served as a teaching assistant in MECH496 (Musculoskeletal Biomechanics) and as a teaching fellow in MECH350 (Automatic Controls), furthering student engagement in applied biomechanics and control systems. Will is passionate about wearable devices, competitive sailing and hockey.

Undergraduate Student (2025)

Sydney Novecosky is a Mechanical Engineering student specializing in the Biomechanical sub-plan at Queen’s University. She recently completed a 16-month internship focused on automating manufacturing processes in autonomy and positioning, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge industrial technologies. Sydney’s research focuses on comparing the kinematic measurements of joint and trunk angles between two motion capture systems—Xsens and OpenSim—during handloom weaving. Through data collection with weavers from the Kingston Handloom Weavers & Spinners Guild, she aims to assess the accuracy and reliability of these systems using statistical analysis, including Bland-Altman and correlation analyses. Her findings will help validate the use of cost-effective, accessible tools like OpenSim in resource-limited settings, such as Burkina Faso, where musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among weavers are prevalent. This research contributes to improving biomechanical assessment methods and developing ergonomic interventions to enhance worker safety. Outside of academics, Sydney enjoys staying active and embracing the outdoors. Whether it’s going for a run along scenic trails, hiking through rugged landscapes, or simply spending time in nature, she finds inspiration and balance in physical activity. Her love for movement extends beyond her studies, as she is always eager to explore new environments and challenge herself through outdoor adventures. Upon completion of her degree, she is looking to work in the medical device manufacturing field.

Undergraduate Student (2025)

Emily Peetsma is a Mechanical Engineering student in the BioMechanical sub-plan at Queen’s University. Returning from a 16 month internship as a Process Engineer she is currently in her final year of undergraduate studies. Her research looks at using machine learning techniques to process OpenSim data to classify movements and predict the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Emily’s study proposes integrating supervised & unsupervised learning algorithms to classify repetitive weaving motions, identify high-risk postures and predict MSD risks. By leveraging machine learning, her aim is to enhance the ability to extract meaningful results from motion capture data, supporting ergonomic interventions for injury prevention in weavers. Her goal is to provide valuable insights into the application of low-cost, accessible motion analysis tools for studying human movement and predicting MSDs in resources limited settings. Aside from academics Emily enjoys playing golf, skiing, swimming, and knitting. Upon completion of her degree, she is looking to work in the medical device manufacturing field.

Undergraduate Student (2025)

Hilary Bassi is a fifth-year Biomechanical Engineering student at Queen’s University. Her research focuses on developing a motion classification and repetition tracking system using wearable motion sensors and machine learning. This system has the potential to be used in the future for at-home rehabilitation, particularly for patients with cognitive impairments who struggle with exercise adherence. Existing rehabilitation methods often lack real-time feedback outside of clinical settings, making at-home recovery more challenging. By refining the accuracy and reliability of motion tracking, Hilary’s work lays the groundwork for future applications in rehabilitation technology. With a strong interest in the medical field, Hilary aspires to integrate engineering expertise with patient care by designing medical devices that enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Outside of academics, Hilary enjoys going to the gym, cooking, reading, and spending time with dogs.

Undergraduate Student (2025)

Eden Duffy is a Mechanical Engineering student specializing in the BioMechanical sub-plan Queen’s University. Her research focuses on leveraging OpenSim software to capture and analyze repetitive movements in traditional handloom weaving. Through force and kinematic analysis, she aims to identify movement patterns that may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Her findings, along with an evaluation of OpenSim’s limitations, will be shared with researchers in Burkina Faso to support the development of preventative measures for MSDs. Outside of her research, Eden enjoys crocheting, playing sports, and going to the gym.

Undergraduate Student (2025)

Jonah is a 5th year General Option Mechanical Engineering student at Queen’s University. His research focuses on applying DeepLabCut™, an adaptive biomarker pose estimation software, to track the motion of weavers in Burkina Faso. This information is being used to identify specific positions that give high RULA scores and thus have increased potential for musculoskeletal damage. Prior to this research project, Jonah worked as a data analyst at both Labatt and RBC, applying machine learning regression models to derive insights from consumer and financial datapoints. Outside of academics, Jonah is passionate about music and sports, particularly guitar and water skiing. Upon completion of his degree, he will be working in the UK as a commercial data analyst.