A new “hub” that will help drive health innovation at Simon Fraser University will be headed by recent SFU PhD graduate Maryam Sadeghi, an entrepreneur whose own health-tech company recently won an award in the 2013 BCIC-New Ventures Competition.

A computer scientist and engineer noted for her dynamic approach to both research and business, Sadeghi will head up the new Digital Health Hub (DHH).

The DHH represents an initiative to accelerate health innovations through SFU's partnership with Fraser Health, City of Surrey and many others within Surrey’s emerging Innovation Boulevard.

Innovation Boulevard, which is in its exciting development stage, encompasses a broad-based partnership of academic and health-tech industry players in the region.

SFU's DHH is a key asset within Innovation Boulevard, furthering future health innovations through advances in computing and information management.

“This will open many doors for SFU students and researchers to develop their research in a real-world environment with a close connection to industry and clinical end-users,” says Sadeghi.

She has created a website that will enable innovators to share resources and facilitate collaborations.

Sadeghi is working with SFU neuroscientist Ryan D’Arcy, who holds the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation BC Leadership Chair in Multimodal Technology for Healthcare Innovations. D'Arcy is leading the Innovation Boulevard initiative together with Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts. 

“The Digital Health Hub is a critical component of developing health technologies and will help drive innovation in health care,” says D’Arcy.

“Advanced computing is absolutely fundamental and a key part of what we do in advanced health technologies. SFU, City of Surrey, and Fraser Health are quickly being recognized as leading the world in bringing new solutions to the health and economic challenges we face.

“The Digital Health Hub will serve as a major asset within the emerging health technology ecosystem for Innovation Boulevard.”

D’Arcy says Sadeghi’s high-level entrepreneurial and innovation talents are well suited to heading up the hub.

“We’re extremely fortunate to have such a talented and vibrant leader, who represents the very spirit of top talent from SFU.”

Meanwhile Sadeghi’s company, MetaOptima Technology Inc., was one of 10 companies shortlisted (out of 146 entrants) for the 2013 BCIC New Ventures Competition. The company won a $40,000 Wavefront Wireless prize package at the awards ceremony on Sept. 25^th.

MetaOptima's product, Molescope, is an innovative app that helps users detect the onset of skin cancer. It provides a professional self-screening imaging device that comes with educational software, online consulting and local referrals to bring peace of mind for users, and save lives.

The company is currently a resident client at the Venture Connection incubator offices at SFU-Surrey.

Story credit/ SFU News

See also: "Digital Health Hub launched, headed by SFU grad" (Vancouver Sun)