About me
I began my career path at the prestigious Sharif University of Technology, where I earned my BSc in Engineering, and an MSc in Material Science and Engineering with a major in metal forming and welding engineering. My Master’s Thesis was in close collaboration with Peugeot France which resulted in a position with Industrial & Scientific Services (ISS), a division of Supplying Automotive Parts Company (SAPCO) in Iran at a time when the automotive sector was flourishing in the region. This experience not only enhanced my practical skills in engineering, it expanded my understanding of project flow over supply chains of various sizes and complexities. Professional recognition resulted in a number of opportunities to present my work, both nationally and internationally.
At a technical conference in Graz, Austria, I was fortunate enough to meet the distinguished research professor, Dr. John Goldak, a pioneer in computational welding mechanics (CWM) which led to a Ph.D. position at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. Under Dr. Goldak’s supervision, my activities expanded beyond academic development into actual workflow and partnership between academia and industry in his dynamic company, Goldak Technologies Inc. (GTi). I integrated CWM into the design, control and optimization of a number of engineering structures.
I was also fortunate to receive the highest research grant awarded by Carleton for every year of my studies. I was nominated by my examination board for the University Medal Award for the most outstanding Ph.D. thesis of the year, and received an immediate Post Doctoral grant from the PostDoc Fund (FedDev-Ontario) to continue my work at the University of Ottawa
At the University of Ottawa, I joined the outstanding fracture group led by Dr. Arnaud Weck, performing computational and experimental work in fracture mechanics. I gained valuable experience in fatigue performance, and creep life assessment while employing a number of experimental methods. Working with the National Research Council Canada (NRC), Life Prediction Technologies (LPTi) and a number of industrial partners, I acquired an in-depth understanding of fracture mechanics. My time at LPTi exposed me to the most advanced projects in fracture prediction and control, in addition to a wealth of practical experience, thanks to Dr. Ashok Koul.
I later won the national Canadian scholarship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC-PDF) and began work on multi-scale fracture analysis in the bioengineering field at the University of British Columbia with Dr. Rizhi Wang, President of the Canadian Biomaterials Society.
My career path was drawn to a broader application of the expertise I had gained during my time with John Goldak: high profile computational engineering and modern data analysis, with a specific focus on manufacturing and welding. More importantly, I had learned how to apply this science as a bridge to solutions for industrial clients during my many business-scale projects at GTi. I was delivering a post-conference workshop on modeling and simulation in Vancouver, B.C. with John Goldak when I met Dr. Mathew Smith, President of SKC Engineering. We opened a discussion of business development on the topic of offering high-end services of modeling and simulation. A few months later, my family was preparing our move to beautiful Vancouver, where I joined SKC Engineering. I was given the chance to flex my entrepreneurial talents by establishing a business outside of my field of expertise – a unique and potentially prosperous career opportunity. My first major project was with Babcock Canada and the Canadian Department of National Defense. This contract evolved into a very critical project for our clients and my team soon became Fitness-For-Service professionals, providing complex technical solutions within tight delivery times. The reputation and size of my team grew and led us to become Canadian representatives of the Zencrack software suite for fracture mechanics problems. We are now recognized for advanced FFS through API579 and BS7910 standards – a core competency that is a highlight in my work experience.
SKC Engineering was later acquired by Applus+, an international group of companies headquartered in Spain and operating in more than 70 countries. This exciting expansion offered me numerous opportunities to expand my work to different regions of Canada, the United States, Europe and India.
During this time, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) were rapidly gaining international attention. These emerging technologies recalled my mathematical talents and I directed my team and projects toward the application of AI and ML in my field. I secured major funding from the Built-In Canada Innovation Program (BCIP) to develop high-performance computing (HPC) for welding simulation that can perform without being explicitly programmed. AI experts joined our team and developed a signature hybrid digital twin platform that combines simulation tools with machine learning algorithms using limited data for welding (in contrast to typical big data.) Our approach attracted significant clients, and businesses, to Applus+.
As part of my responsibilities in Vancouver, I participated in a welding demo of a Spool Welding Robot (SWR) where I met Soroush Karimzadeh, CEO and Co-Founder of the host company, Novarc Technologies Inc., a rapidly growing start-up with a brilliant vision. Soroush and I had common ground as we had both studied at Sharif University and our friendship grew. Seven years later, I became Vice President of Innovation at Novarc joining the mission to create intelligent welding robots that work alongside humans to automate some of the world’s toughest welding jobs. We soon closed a major series of fundraising to lead the innovation of AI and Automation in welding. We introduced a game-changing product, NovAI, to the welding autonomy market, adding Perception and Cognition to any welding robot. I stepped into the role of Deputy Chief Technology Officer, working with a talented team of experts to deliver more cutting-edge solutions and drive innovation in AI and automation for industrial welding.
While expanding my engineering experience has always been paramount, I take great pride in my several roles as an educator in both academia and industry. The most widely recognized example of my passion for training and educating is my blended course on weld modeling and simulation developed while I was at the University of Ottawa. This course received excellent evaluations from both students and the department, and was also featured in the Canadian Welding Association Journal, which honored me with a lifetime educator membership in the Canadian Welding Association. After moving to Vancouver, I was offered a position as Adjunct Professor by Dr. Warren Poole, Head of the Materials Department at the University of British Columbia School of Engineering, which allows me to deliver my signature course to Materials Engineering students.
I have always felt that learning is a lifelong journey and my academic path through different universities has without doubt enriched my career in outstanding, innovative companies. The success I have experienced in the professional world has allowed me to make significant and meaningful contributions.
In closing, I would like to express my profound gratitude to those who made this journey possible. My wife, Sharareh, for her constant encouragement and support in every part of my life. Her role in my achievements is indispensable, and cherished. My daughters, Jana and Viana, who define my life and future. My parents, Pouran and Hashem, who gave me their limitless and unconditional support. And of course my parents-in-law, Zahra and Hossein, my brothers Mazyar and Kamyar, and my sister-in-law Shahrzad. I am eternally grateful to you all.
There is no more important foundation than a great family to achieve success.
