Amir Hooshiar, McGill University

Research

surgical robots soft robots soft sensors learning-based control autonomous surgical robots

Latest papers

Editorial: Foundation models for robot design.
Frontiers in robotics and AI · 2026
Neural Minimum-Distance Estimation for Collision-Aware Operation of Multi-Arm Laparoscopy Surgical Robots Through Learning-from-Simulation.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026 · senior author
Mixed Reality for Remote Procedural Training and Assessment: A Feasibility Study.
Journal of surgical education · 2025 · senior author

All 11 publications

Latest funding

Advancing Neurosurgery Training: A Realistic Simulation Platform with Sensorless Force Feedback Tutoring
CIHR · 2024 · Co-investigator
$493,426
Intelligent Robotics for the Future of Surgery
NSERC · 2024 · Principal investigator
$12,500
Intelligent Robotics for the Future of Surgery
NSERC · 2024 · Principal investigator
$35,000

All 4 grants and awards

11 publications.

01

Editorial: Foundation models for robot design.

Tavakoli M, Vander Poorten EB, Dogramadzi S, Carriere J, Hooshiar A, Arami A, Kasaei H

Frontiers in robotics and AI2026

DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2026.1927761 PMID: 42787003

02

Neural Minimum-Distance Estimation for Collision-Aware Operation of Multi-Arm Laparoscopy Surgical Robots Through Learning-from-Simulation.

Ghiasi S, Roshanfar M, Barralet J, Feldman LS, Hooshiar A

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)2026Senior author

DOI: 10.3390/s26123744 PMID: 42356717

03

Mixed Reality for Remote Procedural Training and Assessment: A Feasibility Study.

Tokuno J, Fried GM, Kaneva P, Sayadi A, Caron C, Jastaniah A, Cecere R, Deckelbaum DL, Hooshiar A

Journal of surgical education2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2025.103504 PMID: 40267879

04

A universal calibration framework for mixed-reality assisted surgery.

Madani S, Sayadi A, Turcotte R, Cecere R, Aoude A, Hooshiar A

Computer methods and programs in biomedicine2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2024.108470 PMID: 39602987

05

Design and Evaluation of Augmented Reality-Enhanced Robotic System for Epidural Interventions.

Sayadi A, Cecere R, Barralet J, Feldman LS, Hooshiar A

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)2024Senior author

DOI: 10.3390/s24247959 PMID: 39771696

06

A usability analysis of augmented reality and haptics for surgical planning.

Kazemipour N, Hooshiar A, Kersten-Oertel M

International journal of computer assisted radiology and surgery2024

DOI: 10.1007/s11548-024-03207-x PMID: 38942947

07

Design Optimization of a Hybrid-Driven Soft Surgical Robot with Biomimetic Constraints.

Roshanfar M, Dargahi J, Hooshiar A

Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)2024Senior author

DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9010059 PMID: 38275456

08

Hyperelastic Modeling and Validation of Hybrid-Actuated Soft Robot with Pressure-Stiffening.

Roshanfar M, Taki S, Sayadi A, Cecere R, Dargahi J, Hooshiar A

Micromachines2023Senior author

DOI: 10.3390/mi14050900 PMID: 37241524

09

Toward Task Autonomy in Robotic Cardiac Ablation: Learning-Based Kinematic Control of Soft Tendon-Driven Catheters.

Jolaei M, Hooshiar A, Dargahi J, Packirisamy M

Soft robotics2021

DOI: 10.1089/soro.2020.0006 PMID: 32678722

10

Development and assessment of a stiffness display system for minimally invasive surgery based on smart magneto-rheological elastomers.

Hooshiar A, Alkhalaf A, Dargahi J

Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications2020First author

DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.110409 PMID: 31924050

Advancing Neurosurgery Training: A Realistic Simulation Platform with Sensorless Force Feedback Tutoring

Co-investigatorCIHR2024Project Grant

Principal investigators: Gueziri, Houssem-Eddine

Keywords: Computer Vision; Force Feedback; Neurosurgical Education; Simulation; Visualization

$493,426

Intelligent Robotics for the Future of Surgery

Principal investigatorNSERC2024Discovery Launch Supplement

Principal investigators: Hooshiar, Amir

Keywords: surgical robots; soft robots; soft sensors; learning-based control; autonomous surgical robots

$12,500

Intelligent Robotics for the Future of Surgery

Principal investigatorNSERC2024Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Hooshiar, Amir

Keywords: surgical robots; soft robots; soft sensors; learning-based control; autonomous surgical robots

$35,000

Biomimetic 3D (bio)printed pulmonary heart valves for pediatric patients

Co-investigatorSSHRC2023New Frontiers in Research Fund - Exploration

Principal investigators: Savoji, Houman

$250,000

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Frequent collaborators

Head Office
Mechanica, Industrial, and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty of Medicine
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Electrical and Software Engineering
Electrical and electronic engineering

Co-authors at McGill University, colored by department. Thicker lines mean more shared papers; select anyone to open their profile and their own map.

Javad Dargahi

Mechanica, Industrial, and Aerospace Engineering

5 shared papers, latest 2024

Jake Barralet

Faculty of Medicine

2 shared papers, latest 2026

Muthukumaran Packirisamy

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

2 shared papers, latest 2021

Mahdi Tavakoli

Electrical and electronic engineering

1 shared papers, latest 2026

Arash Arami

Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering

1 shared papers, latest 2026

Jay Carriere

Electrical and Software Engineering

1 shared papers, latest 2026

Write to this professor

A short, specific email works best. This draft uses one of their recent papers; replace the parts in brackets with your own details before sending.

Applying for

Paper to mentionMention their NSERC grant from 2024

Subject: Prospective PhD student: surgical robots Dear Professor Hooshiar, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Editorial: Foundation models for robot design." (2026), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your NSERC-funded project "Intelligent Robotics for the Future of Surgery" (2024), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]