personal photo of Sayed Naseel Mohamed Thangal, PhD

Sayed Naseel Mohamed Thangal, PhD

Tagline:Scientist and Engineer

Vancouver, BC, Canada

About Me

I am a researcher and engineer with expertise in gait biomechanics, computational modeling and rehabilitation engineering. I am presently working on a postdoctoral research project at MAKE+, BCIT, evaluating the feasibility of 3D printing (plastic, metal, carbon fiber) for customized assistive technology. For my doctoral research in the Locomotion Lab at Simon Fraser University, I used computational modeling to understand how size affects the neural control of movement in animals. At the Gait Lab of Moss Rehab Hospital, I used computational modeling to estimate stability of walking and fall risk in patients with locomotor deficits. At Moss Rehab, I also worked with stroke patients, gaining experience in analyzing gait data, testing medical devices and managing research studies. I enjoy teaching and mentoring, and have instructed undergraduate courses in physics, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and human performance measurement.

Research Projects

  • Fabrication techniques facilitated by 3D printing for low volume assistive technology manufacturing and customization

    date: 2023

    Organization:MAKE+, BCIT

    Description:

    • Mitacs fellowship in partnership with PDG Mobility, Vancouver, BC.
    • Researched 3D printing (plastic, metal, and carbon fiber) applications for both directly manufacturing wheelchair parts, and indirectly for developing tools and molds for wheelchair components.
    • Designed and participated in aspects of the new product development cycle, from product specification through to production support.
    • Collaborated with PDG and MAKE+ R&D teams to improve PDG’s designs, prototyping and fabrication capabilities.

  • Scaling of control with sensorimotor delays in terrestrial mammals

    date: 2018

    Organization:Simon Fraser University

    Description:

    • Developed feedforward and feedback control models to represent perturbation responses.
    • Scaled models to span size range from shrews to elephants by parametrizing based on literature.
    • Determined fastest response times by optimization of numerical simulations.
    • Compared two limiting factors: muscle force capacity (actuator saturation), and sensorimotor delays in the nervous system (transmission and processing time delays).

    • FBC fig 3-FF and FB block v11 DelaysFF, PD
  • Scaling of inertial delays in terrestrial mammals

    date: 2016

    Organization:Simon Fraser University

    Description:

    • Developed biomechanical models to evaluate inertial delay (movement time required to reposition body segments).
    • Analytically derived equations for inertial delay and compared results based on geometric vs. dynamic similarity.
    • Numerically simulated models in MATLAB, used Monte Carlo simulations to determine confidence intervals.
    • Compared inertial delays to sensorimotor delays and characteristic movement times of animals.

  • Continuous-time modeling of ground contact can approximate inelastic collision events in simulated bipedal walking

    date: 2014

    Organization:Simon Fraser University

    Description:

    • Developed passive dynamic walking simulations in Simulink Multibody (Mathworks Inc.).
    • Compared gait behaviour of continuous time (spring-damper) ground contact vs. hybrid ground contact models.
    • Evaluated effect of changing floor compliance on gait.
    • Modified model to represent split-belt treadmill walking.

  • Comparison of functional walking outcomes of two settings of the Ultraflex Systems Inc. ankle foot orthosis in adult stroke patients

    date: 2011

    Organization:Moss Rehab Hospital

    Description:

    • Measured mechanical support provided by Ultraflex Systems’ Adjustable Dynamic Response ankle foot braces using Biodex 3 dynamometer.
    • Compared support provided by brace in the hard stop vs. soft stop conditions.
    • Managed research study to evaluate brace function in stroke patients.
    • Reviewed medical records, recruited volunteers, obtained consent, coordinated brace casting, collected and analyzed gait data.
    • Project sponsored by Ultraflex Systems Inc., Pottstown, PA, USA.

  • Accuracy testing of Bertec NIH force-line vector visualization software

    date: 2011

    Organization:Moss Rehab Hospital

    Description:

    • Designed testing protocol to measure error in vector generated by Bertec NIH force-line visualization software.
    • Prepared reports for Bertec corporation to check accuracy of algorithms used to generate force line.
    • Conducted literature review of prosthetic alignment vs. amputee function.

  • Assessment of Gait Sensitivity Norm as a predictor of risk of falling during walking in a neuromusculoskeletal model

    date: 2009

    Organization:Moss Rehab Hospital

    Description:

    • Refined gait behaviour of central pattern generator controlled neuromusculoskeletal walking model to match human gait data.
    • Implemented simulated annealing to optimize model parameters.
    • Evaluated the ability of a novel stability measure, the Gait Sensitivity Norm, to predict risk of falling in clinical populations using model.
    • Analyzed sensitivity of Gait Sensitivity Norm to input parameters.

  • Contribution of prosthetic foot alignment to forward progression during walking

    date: 2008

    Organization:Moss Rehab Hospital

    Description:

    • Reviewed acceleration analysis data from gait of a unilateral transtibial amputee.
    • Tested three alignments of prosthetic foot: 50° ankle dorsiflexion, neutral and 50° plantarflexion.
    • Analyzed contributions of joint moments to forward acceleration of body from gait data.

Conference Presentations (Selected)

  • Scaling of response times under feedfoward and feedback control with sensorimotor delays in terrestrial mammals

    Date: Apr 2023

    Event name: Neural Control of Movement 2023 .Location: Victoria, BC, Canada .

    Description:

    S.N.M. Thangal, H. More, C.D. Remy and M. Donelan, Scaling of response times under feedfoward and feedback control with sensorimotor delays in terrestrial mammals. Neural Control of Movement Annual Meeting, Victoria, BC, Canada, April 2023. [Podium and poster presentation]

  • Effect of delays on the feedback control of movement in animals of different sizes

    Date: Jun 2019

    Event name: Conference on Dynamic Walking 2019 .Location: Canmore, AB, Canada .

    Description:

    S.N.M. Thangal and M. Donelan, Effect of delays on the feedback control of movement in animals of different sizes. Conference on Dynamic Walking, Canmore, Alberta, Canada, June 2019. [Podium presentation]

  • Scaling of inertial delays in terrestrial mammals

    Date: Sep 2018

    Event name: Nike Global Research Symposium 2018 .Location: Beaverton, OR, USA .

    Description:

    S.N.M. Thangal and M. Donelan, Scaling of inertial delays in terrestrial mammals. Nike Global Research Symposium, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, September 2018. [Poster presentation]

  • Scaling of inertial delays in terrestrial mammals

    Date: Jun 2017

    Event name: Conference on Dynamic Walking 2017 .Location: Mariehamn, Aland, Finland .

    Description:

    S.N.M. Thangal and M. Donelan, Scaling of inertial delays in terrestrial mammals. Conference on Dynamic Walking, Mariehamn, Åland, Finland, June 2017. [Podium presentation]

  • Continuous-time modeling of ground contact can approximate inelastic collision events in simulated bipedal walking

    Date: Jul 2016

    Event name: Canadian Society of Biomechanics Conference 2016 .Location: Hamilton, ON, Canada .

    Description:

    S.N.M. Thangal, J. Wong and M. Donelan, Continuous-time modeling of ground contact can approximate inelastic collision events in simulated bipedal walking. Canadian Society of Biomechanics Conference, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, July 2016. [Poster presentation]

Publications

  • Scaling of inertial delays in terrestrial mammals

    Journal ArticlePublisher:PLOS ONEDate:2020
    Authors:
    Sayed Naseel Mohamed ThangalJ. Maxwell Donelan
  • Assessment of gait sensitivity norm as a predictor of risk of falling during walking in a neuromusculoskeletal model

    Journal ArticlePublisher:Medical Engineering & PhysicsDate:2013
    Authors:
    Sayed Naseel Mohamed ThangalMukul TalatySriram Balasubramanian

Education

  • Doctor of Philosopy

    from: 2014, until: 2022

    Field of study:Biomedical Physiology and KinesiologySchool:Simon Fraser UniversityLocation:Vancouver, BC

  • Master of Science

    from: 2008, until: 2011

    Field of study:Biomedical EngineeringSchool:Drexel UniversityLocation:Philadelphia, PA

  • Bachelor of Technology

    from: 2003, until: 2007

    Field of study:Mechanical EngineeringSchool:SASTRA UniversityLocation:Tanjore, TN, India

Teaching History

  • BPK 105C–Fundamentals of Human Structure and Function

    From: 2018, Until: 2021

    Organization:Simon Fraser UniversityField:Kinesiology

    Description:

    Tutor Marker, BPK 105C–Fundamentals of Human Structure and Function. Department of Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University
    • Online course with 50 students designed for students minoring in kinesiology.
    • Tutored students, graded coursework and invigilated exams.
    Terms: Spring 2021, Summer 2020, Spring 2020, Summer 2019, Summer 2018

  • BPK 142-Introduction to Kinesiology

    From: 2015, Until: 2022

    Organization:Simon Fraser UniversityField:Kinesiology

    Description:

    Teaching Assistant, BPK 142–Introduction to Kinesiology. Department of Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University
    Terms: Fall 2022, Fall 2019, Spring 2019, Spring 2015
    • Supervised three to four sections of labs with 20 students each.
    • Instructed lab experiments in human anatomy and performance measurement.
    • Tutored students, graded coursework and invigilated exams.

© 2024 Sayed Naseel Mohamed Thangal, PhD