Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA | 2024 – Present
M.Sc., Biomedical Engineering, Seraj University, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran | 2020 – 2022
B.Sc., Biomedical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran | 2010 – 2014
Summer Intern: Pathology Lab Research & Early Development, Roche (Ventana Medical System), Tucson, USA | Summer 2026
Graduate Research Assistant: Telkes Lab, BME & Neurosurgery Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA | 2025 – Present
[1] Project [Co-Op: Medtronic & UZ Brussels]: STARGATE (2026 – Present)
My role is in multimodal data analysis, where I focus on data strategy and analytical execution to characterize physiological signals in chronic pain. I perform integrated analyses of multimodal biosignals, including EEG, ECG, and ECAPs, across varying clinical conditions and body positions. My work focuses on developing robust analytical frameworks that translate complex neural and cardiac signals into actionable clinical insights.
[2] Project [NINDS: R00NS119672]: Post-Op SCS for Discovering Neuromarkers of Chronic Pain (2025 – 2026)
My role involved developing end-to-end MATLAB pipelines for neurophysiological signal processing and machine learning to quantify oscillatory pain neuromarkers and cortical dynamics during Long- and Short-Term spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Developed EEG acquisition and analysis frameworks to extract spectral and connectivity metrics, and analyzed motor–sensory and brain–spine interactions to identify connectivity patterns linked to SCS efficacy.
Graduate Research Assistant: VSI Lab, ECE Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA | 2024 – 2025
My role involved designing and implementing deep learning pipelines for medical object detection and multimodal sensor fusion, incorporating triple adaptive mechanisms and a self-supervised pretraining framework that leverages contrastive learning, adaptive layer weighting, and token-level attention initialized in Python (TensorFlow & Keras) workflows.
Supervisor, Clinical Engineer: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, East Azerbaijan, Tabriz, Iran | 2014 – 2024
My role involved implementing machine learning frameworks incorporating feature extraction and ensemble methods for multimodal clinical data analysis, while leading clinical engineering teams in overseeing capital and disposable medical device management, operational training, preventive maintenance, statistical analysis, clinical readiness, and collaboration with the WHO on COVID-19 response to ensure safe, efficient, and effective healthcare operations.
Department Assistant: Dean's Office, BME Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA | Summer 2025
My role involved managing alumni records, supporting student orientation events, and guiding program resources, research opportunities, and departmental activities.
Project Assistant: Iran COVID-19 Emergency Response Project, World Health Organization | 2020 – 2021
My role involved managing medical equipment across hospitals and analyzing electronic health records to inform data-driven decisions and optimize patient care during the pandemic.
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant: East Azerbaijan, Tabriz, Iran
- [BME 090] Introduction to Clinical Engineering, Tabriz University – Dr. Sebelan Danishvar | 2016 – 2017
- [BME 020] Equipment of Hospitals & Medical Centers, Islamic Azad University of Tabriz – Dr. Hashemiaghdam | 2013 – 2014
- [BME 006-8] Computer Programming & Algorithm Calculus, Islamic Azad University of Tabriz – Dr. Rajabioun | 2012 – 2013
- Saraei, M., & Telkes, I. (2026). Preliminary EEG Connectivity Signatures of Long-Term Spinal Cord Stimulation in Chronic Pain. NYC Neuromodulation Conference (Neuromodec), New York, NY, USA.
- Saraei, M., Pousseu, L., DiMarzio, M., Pilitsis, J. G., & Telkes, I. (2026). Altered Alpha–Theta Network Connectivity During Spinal Cord Stimulation in Chronic Pain. 17th World Congress of the International Neuromodulation Society (INS), Lisbon, Portugal.
- Saraei, M., Swickley, T., Tevelev, S., Gopal, J., Khazen, O., DiMarzio, M., & Telkes, I, (2026). Long-Term Spinal Cord Stimulation Modulates Cortical EEG Dynamics: An Observational Study. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface.
- Saraei, M., Lee, E.J., & Lalinia, M. (2025). Deep Learning-Based Medical Object Detection: A Survey. IEEE Access (EMBS), 13, 53019–53038. 🔗 DOI
- Saraei, M., & Liu, S. (2023). Attention-Based Deep Learning Approaches in Brain Tumor Image Analysis: A Mini Review. Front. Health Inform., 12, 164. 🔗 DOI
- Saraei, M., Rahmani, S., Rajebi, S., & Danishvar, S. (2023). A Different Traditional Approach for Automatic Comparative Machine Learning in Multimodal COVID-19 Severity Recognition<. Int. J. Innov. Eng., 3(1), 1–12. 🔗 DOI
Peer-Reviewer:
- IEEE Access, New York, NY, USA | 2025 – Present
- Medical Image Understanding and Analysis (MIUA), Dublin, Ireland | 2026
[Research Assistantship]: Supported by the Telkes Lab, University of Arizona ($71,158) | 2025 - Present
[Herbold Fellowship]: Awarded by the College of Engineering, University of Arizona ($58,470) | 2024 - 2025
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📧 mrsaraei@arizona.edu | mrsaraei@yahoo.com