Dr. Parsin Haji Reza has been awarded the Engineering Medal for Entrepreneurship by the Ontario Professional Engineers Association (OPEA), recognizing his outstanding success in translating pioneering technology into a thriving company.

Reza is a professor of Systems Design Engineering and the Engineering Research Chair in Biomedical Imaging.
Reza is the inventor of revolutionary medical imaging technologies: Photon-Absorption Remote Sensing AKA photoacoustic remote sensing (PARS®) and the Molecular Sensory Intelligence Platform (MSIP). These innovations are transforming clinical approaches to detecting and diagnosing cancer, unraveling molecular intricacies, and advancing the understanding and treatment of vision-related diseases.
“This award represents the collective effort of an exceptional team committed to transforming groundbreaking scientific discoveries into impactful technologies that significantly enhance patient care and outcomes,” said Reza, a professor of Systems Design Engineering (SYDE) and the Engineering Research Chair in Biomedical Imaging at the University of ݮƵ.
At the forefront of his achievements is PARS®, a first-of-its-kind optical imaging technology that enables real-time, high-resolution molecular imaging of tissues during surgical procedures and clinical evaluations. This innovation allows for precise cancer detection and diagnosis of blinding diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Reza founded for the commercialization of PARS®. While serving as Chief Technology Officer (2014–2024), the company secured significant investment, forged strategic global partnerships, and attracted top talent from leading institutions such as Apple and Leica, helping to position Ontario as a global hub for biomedical optics.
His other innovative research, MSIP, combines magnetic field enhancement, quantum imaging, and AI-driven analytics in a multisensory platform that simulates how humans “see,” “hear,” “smell,” and “touch” at a molecular level. MSIP goes beyond conventional imaging by establishing new sensory standards for non-invasive, label-free diagnostics in biomedical, environmental, and materials science fields.
“Innovations in imaging and sensing technologies are fundamentally reshaping the future of healthcare by enabling earlier detection, more precise diagnoses, minimally invasive procedures, and personalized treatments—ultimately improving patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency,” added Reza.
Reza continues to drive innovation as the head of theat the University of ݮƵ. There, he mentors the next generation of engineers and leads interdisciplinary projects backed by nearly $10 million in research grants. Collaborative efforts with industry leaders underscore the lab’s influence in advancing medical imaging and diagnostics.
Reza will be formally presented with the Engineering Medal for Entrepreneurship at the OPEA Gala in November 2025, celebrating his continued commitment to bridging cutting‑edge research and commercial impact.
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Example of PARS imaging in thin sections of preserved human (a) skin and (b) breast tissues, compared to the same section stained with H&E. The PARS total absorption image where red shows the 266 nm non-radiative relaxation, blue shows 266 nm radiative relaxation, and green shows the maximum of the 532 nm non-radiative or radiative relaxation. Corresponding ground truth chemically stained brightfield microscope images are presented from the same tissue section. Scale bar: (a-i) 500 μm, (iii) 50 μm, (v) 50 μm, (viii) 20 μm, (ix) 5 μm, (b-i) 500 μm, (iii) 100 μm.