Sam Blades, Phd Email & Phone Number

Technical product lead, and product (hardware and algorithm) owner overseeing and ensuring product delivery and product success. Oversee algorithm development, testing and integration.

British Columbia, Canada

As the lead consultant, I oversee and lead, algorithm development, project management, research investigations, product validation and product development for a diverse group of clients in the health, sport and fitness space.

Operated in an executive capacity (Senior Director of SSAR, Feb 2021 - May 2022, and VP SSAR, May 2022 - November 2022) for a high-growth sport-tech start-up developing world-leading research grade sensor technology to be used for a broad range of sports and performance applications.• Led a team of biomechanists and computer scientists responsible for overseeing all human performance factors of the hardware form factor design decisions, sensor selection, sensor layout, algorithm development, and algorithm validation for an innovative sensorized insole (stewarding product evolution from prototype to MVP)• Led the development and validation of biomechanical algorithms, data-integrity algorithms, quality-check algorithms, and post-processing toolsets• Developed several web apps to enable cross-functional team data processing and result generation; establishment of post-processing pipelines and web tools for data processing enabled interdepartmental collaboration and accurate reporting on product readiness• Worked cross-functionally with the engineering hardware team to use a science-based approach to improve critical elements of the hardware and sensor designs; contributions resulted in significant improvements to overall sensor accuracy• Spearheaded the development of custom testing and calibration equipment (mechanical hardware design specification, sensor selection, and software/ UI programming) to assess sensor and metric validity and determine accuracies of the device in a controlled environment (including wear testing and sensor accuracy quantification)• Initiated and led 6 external research engagements through the securement of multiple Government of Canada grants with partnerships across multiple Canadian universities; as project-manager, ensured each project met its deliverables and subsequently worked with the product and engineering teams to productionalize the results of the research engagements

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

• As one of the three original founders of the tech start-up, oversaw the sensor development, testing, and validation resulting in the successful development of a viable sensor technology prototype• Strategized product conceptualization, product market fit, and core value proposition (product market traction); developed and delivered presentations to venture capitalist groups which secured $3.1M funding

Victoria Bc

Victoria Bc Canada

• Founded advanced sport measurement solutions company (wearable data collection systems including IMUs and GPS) and oversaw operations from inception (2014) to acquisition (by Kinetyx in 2021); led team in the design and development of wearable systems (Technik Tracker) that is still in use by the Canadian Olympic Nation Sprint Relay• Established multidisciplinary team comprised of software developer, mechanical engineer, and sports researcher to advance product from concept to commercialization• Oversaw hardware design (and subsequent in-house assembly), contributed to the design of a fully waterproof enclosure, and oversaw the development of desktop software for detailed video analysis• Secured business development opportunities and fostered profitable partnerships with nationally recognized sport organizations

Victoria Bc, Canada

• Oversaw design considerations and product modifications of Orpyx’s core technology, Surrosense, for use in sport and fitness applications• Responsible for foundation gait analysis algorithms and algorithm validation

Calgary, Canada Area

• Provided Biomechanist Consulting to Orpyx ® Medical Technologies Inc. from 2015 - 2018 through fully funded industry partner collaboration as part of PhD; was appointed the permanent Director of Biomechanism and Sport Science in 2019• Established research protocols, laboratory equipment set-up, coordinated research, and completed data collection across 4 major research objections including algorithm validation, sensor validation, and identification of biomechanical differences amongst different running groups

Victoria Canada

Teaching on Sport and Technology

• Worked 1:1 with Olympic and national level athletes to optimize performance through use of sensor systems and data analytics; highlighted projects included full-scope development of first of their kind custom measurement systems for use in Rowing, Canoe Kayak, Luge, and Ski Cross

• Responsible for support, product development and sales

• National team coach for the senior men’s gymnasts and the junior nation-level development gymnasts

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Biomechanics

Bachelor Of Arts, Psychology, Specialization In Sports Psychology