Laura Curiel

Laura Curiel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, and serves as a Full Member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute.

Her educational background includes:

• B. Eng. in Electronic Systems from Monterrey Institut Technology & Higher Education (1995)
• Ph.D. in Imaging and Systems from Institut National Sciences Appliquees de Lyon (2001)

Dr. Curiel's primary research focuses on High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapy development and clinical translation. She creates pre-clinical and experimental platforms for HIFU, with active collaboration on MRI-guided HIFU applications. Her work extends to investigating ultrasound bio-effects, designing therapeutic devices, and developing monitoring tools to optimize treatment safety and efficacy. Previous research includes designing HIFU probes for prostate cancer, using modeling to improve clinical outcomes, and evaluating elastographic imaging techniques for treatment assessment.

Her professional affiliations and recognitions include:

• Professional Engineer registration with APEGA (Alberta) and PEO (Ontario)
• IEEE Senior Membership
• Active participation in Ultrasonics Ferroelectric and Frequency Control society
• IEEE Women in Engineering membership
• International Society of Therapeutic Ultrasound membership
• European Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology membership

Dr. Curiel teaches foundational courses in biomedical engineering including BMEN 401 (Fundamental Bio Medical Device & Technology) and BMEN 509 (Introduction to Biomedical Engineering Imaging & Applications), along with special problems courses (ENEL 61985) related to her imaging and therapeutic expertise.