Nafiseh Rafiei
East York,Canada
Summary
Experienced microscopy specialist trained as a physicist, with a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto, and over a decade of hands-on expertise in advanced imaging techniques, including widefield, TIRF, confocal, light-sheet, super-resolution, two-photon microscopy, and Imaging Mass Cytometry. Demonstrated success in research, teaching, and technical troubleshooting across both academic and industry settings. A passionate educator with a proven track record in mentoring, TAing, and tutoring at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Highly skilled in clearly and effectively communicating complex scientific concepts, supported by a solid record of publications and conference presentations.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Verification and Validation Scientist
Standard BioTools
Markham, ON
07.2023 - Current
- Conducted verification and validation testing on the IMC (XTi1.5) platform in compliance with ISO 13485, optimizing imaging performance, and documenting findings in over 10 technical reports.
- Designed and executed modularity assessments across eight optical modules, analyzing performance data, and recommending system improvements.
- Diagnosed and resolved installation and calibration issues related to new slide loader products, improving system reliability.
- Collaborated closely with the software development team, providing structured feedback to enhance CyTOF software functionality.
- Performed over 100 high-throughput imaging runs for internal stakeholders and external clients, contributing critical data for scientific presentations.
Medical Writer
Actalent
07.2022 - 12.2022
- Supported the quality control (QC) of regulatory documents, and gained hands-on experience with international medical device submission standards.
- Authored clinical and post-market evaluation reports in alignment with client specifications, regulatory requirements, and internal SOPs.
- Streamlined systematic literature reviews, and critically evaluated over 400 publications to assess the safety and efficacy of medical devices.
Application Scientist
Bliq Photonics
Quebec City, QC
07.2021 - 04.2022
- Conducted testing and troubleshooting of firmware and software for scientific imaging instruments to ensure product performance and reliability.
- Delivered technical support and designed customized imaging workflows to meet diverse client research needs.
- Led product demonstrations for prospective clients, aligning presentations with strategic marketing objectives.
- Created weekly promotional content, including microscopy visuals, and technical posts for digital platforms.
- Authored a white paper on light-sheet imaging, translating complex scientific concepts for a broader, technical audience.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute
Toronto, ON
01.2019 - 06.2021
- Led a multidisciplinary team to develop a microfluidic device for live imaging of precision-cut tissue slices, compatible with SPIM and confocal microscopy, published in Biofabrication, 2022.
- Conducted research using human pancreas tissue, pancreatic Langerhans islets, and murine models to advance translational imaging applications.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Toronto, Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Mississauga, ON
09.2013 - 12.2018
- Supported two undergraduate courses, Introductory Physics I and II, through leading weekly tutorial sessions and preparing and delivering assignments for 20–35 students.
- Assisted with weekly laboratory demonstrations for a group of 15–20 students and graded lab reports.
- Streamlined exam grading for up to 300 students, held office hours for consultations, and provided exam invigilation.
Research Assistant (PhD)
University of Toronto, Institute of Biomedical Engineering
Mississauga, ON
09.2013 - 11.2018
- Completed a PhD dissertation titled, "Super-Resolved Microscopy as a Tool to Unveil Intracellular Structures in Biological Systems."
- Designed and built custom optical setups for single-molecule localization microscopy (dSTORM, PALM), resulting in four peer-reviewed publications.
- Developed high-throughput image analysis pipelines using MATLAB and ImageJ for quantitative microscopy.
- Authored grant proposals and abstracts, securing $25K in funding, including a $15K Ontario Graduate Scholarship, and $10K in travel awards.
Graduate Course Tutor
Standard BioTools
Muizenberg
02.2013 - 07.2013
- Tutored four master's-level courses in Analytical Techniques in Mathematical Biology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, and Systems Biology by preparing and delivering course materials, grading assignments, and supporting classroom learning for 30–50 students.
- Mentored six graduate students through thesis development and final oral defense.
Education
PhD - Biomedical Engineering
University of Toronto
Toronto, Canada11.2018
MSc - Systems Biology
University of Evry Val d'Essonne
Evry, FranceMSc - Physics
Amirkabir University of Technology
Tehran, IranBSc - Physics
Shahid Beheshti University
Tehran, IranSkills
- Research and product development
- Software and firmware testing
- Verification and validation testing (V&V)
- Fluorescence microscopy systems
- Biological imaging
- Image analysis and processing
- Data analysis
- MATLAB
- ImageJ
- Scientific and regulatory writing
- Technical documentation
- University-level instruction
- Lab demonstrations
- Student mentoring
- Assignments
- Exam design
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Written and oral communication
- Customer training and application support
- Attention to detail
- Organizational skills
Publications
- Design of a versatile microfluidic device for imaging precision-cut-tissue slices., Biofabrication, 2022, Rafiei N. et al.
- Sensitive Detection of Broad-Spectrum Bacteria with Small-Molecule Fluorescent Excimer Chemosensors., ACS Sensors, 2020, Cabral AD, Rafiei N. et al.
- Growth phase-dependent chromosome condensation and heat-stable nucleoid-structuring protein redistribution in Escherichia coli under osmotic stress., J Bacteriol, 2019, Rafiei N. et al.
- Molecular Counting with Localization Microscopy: A Bayesian Estimate Based on Fluorophore Statistics., Biophys J, 2017, Nino D, Rafiei N., Wang Y, Zilman A, Milstein JN.
- Resolving Biology Beyond the Diffraction Limit with Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy., Phys Canada, 2017, Rafiei N. et al.
- The layout of a bacterial genome., FEBS Lett, 2012, Képès F, Jester BC, Lepage T, Rafiei N., Rosu B, Junier I.
- Spatial Distribution of H-NS in E. coli under Environmental Stress., Biophys J., 2018, Rafiei N, et al.
- Combining dSTORM with Proximity Ligation Assays for Multi-Color Colocalization., Biophys J., 2016, Rafiei N. et al.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Verification and Validation Scientist
Standard BioTools
07.2023 - Current
Medical Writer
Actalent
07.2022 - 12.2022
Application Scientist
Bliq Photonics
07.2021 - 04.2022
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute
01.2019 - 06.2021
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Toronto, Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences
09.2013 - 12.2018
Research Assistant (PhD)
University of Toronto, Institute of Biomedical Engineering
09.2013 - 11.2018
Graduate Course Tutor
Standard BioTools
02.2013 - 07.2013
PhD - Biomedical Engineering
University of Toronto
MSc - Systems Biology
University of Evry Val d'Essonne
MSc - Physics
Amirkabir University of Technology
BSc - Physics
Shahid Beheshti University
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