About ClotGuard
Founded with a mission to eliminate preventable deaths caused by uncontrolled bleeding.
Isavella Tsoulias on the left, Sophia Dhami on the right
Innovation at the Intersection of Healthcare and Technology
ClotGuard was founded with a mission to eliminate preventable deaths caused by uncontrolled bleeding. What began as an innovation project has evolved into a growing initiative focused on transforming emergency care through biotechnology and engineering.
We are a team of student innovators passionate about solving real-world problems at the intersection of healthcare and technology.
From a Moonshot Challenge to a Mission
ClotGuard was born out of the Moonshot Challenge at TKS (The Knowledge Society), where we were challenged to create a mock-company leveraging emerging technologies and pitch it. As a team of three -- Isavella Tsoulias, Sophia Dhami, and Arissai Filleul -- we dove deep into the intersection of nanotechnology, biosensors, and emergency medicine, driven by a shared passion for innovation and saving lives.
After we pitched, ClotGuard gained significant traction based on the depth of our research. We received outstanding feedback from biomedical experts who recognized the real-world potential of what we had built. The response was far beyond what we had imagined for a mock-company project.
Inspired by the momentum, Sophia Dhami and Isavella Tsoulias decided to continue the project and build ClotGuard into what it is today -- a genuine initiative to create an autonomous, wearable bleeding control system.
Through research, testing, and refinement, we have developed a technology that we believe will transform trauma care worldwide. Our journey has been marked by challenges and breakthroughs, each step bringing us closer to our vision of a world where preventable bleeding no longer claims lives.
We have combined expertise from multiple disciplines, leveraging the latest advances in nanotechnology, materials science, and medical research. As we continue to develop and refine ClotGuard, we remain committed to our founding principles: innovation, accessibility, and above all, saving lives.
Meet the Founders
Sophia Dhami
Regenerative Medicine Expert
Sophia Dhami has a strong interest in regenerative medicine and biotechnology. She has worked on a number of innovative projects, such as creating a pill that uses cutting-edge drug delivery systems to dissolve kidney stones caused by uric acid. Sophia's love of biotechnology is evident in her studies of CAR-T therapy, where she investigates how tailored approaches could transform cancer treatment. The difficulties of improving T-cell customization and expanding the patient base for whom CAR-T treatments are available are of special interest to her. Sophia is also engaged in a Super CAR-T therapy project. She is dedicated to creating novel solutions that push the limits of medical science because she has a strong interest in biotechnology and how it can revolutionize healthcare.
Isavella Tsoulias
Biotechnology Innovator
A rising star in the biotechnology field, Isavella Tsoulias is particularly interested in phage therapy and the development of antimicrobial therapies. She is a member of The Knowledge Society (TKS) and an exceptional Grade 9 student who is working at the cutting edge of synthetic biology, creating bacteriophages to combat drug-resistant, deadly infections that pose a threat to world health. Isavella is not merely studying the science; she is reimagining what is possible thanks to her profound understanding of molecular biology, which is far beyond her years. Her efforts are intended to push the limits of contemporary medicine, prevent medical collapse in dire situations, and create the foundation for scalable, life-saving solutions.
Our Values
Impact First
Every decision is guided by our potential to save lives.
Innovation
We push boundaries in biosensing and delivery systems.
Collaboration
We work with mentors, researchers, and innovation programs.
Accessibility
Making instant bleeding response available anywhere, anytime.
"To make instant bleeding response accessible anywhere, anytime."
Backed by a Growing Network
ClotGuard is supported by incredible partners and institutions that believe in our mission. We have recently received $5,000 CAD from the University of Calgary to continue developing ClotGuard. Our journey through TKS and various innovation events has connected us with a network of researchers, mentors, and organizations passionate about advancing emergency care.
Advisors & Supporters
ClotGuard is guided by an incredible group of advisors spanning academia, industry, and government -- each bringing invaluable expertise to help us build a life-saving technology.
Michael Serpe
Professor, University of Alberta
Led us through the Gunning/Lemieux Chemistry Centre and advises on dissolvable microneedle and PLGA nanoparticle technologies. Our earliest validator and future collaborator for active testing.
View LinkedIn
Ejaife Agbani
Assistant Professor, University of Calgary
Provided expert guidance on the hemostasis and platelet components of ClotGuard, including direction on future testing approaches and key literature to inform our research.
View LinkedIn
Sara Akbarzadeh
Medical Wearables Reviewer, FDA
Reviewed ClotGuard from an FDA perspective, validated the concept, provided an overview of the approval process for combination devices, and gave us a rough regulatory timeline.
View LinkedIn
Noah Smith
Patent Analyst, Calyx Law
Advised on intellectual property strategy and provided a roadmap for the IP process. Also discussed future collaboration with Front Row Ventures once we are eligible for funding.
View LinkedIn
Jeff Ryzner
Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, U of C
Connected us with lab opportunities for testing and is a dedicated advisor helping us secure connections and resources. His enthusiasm for ClotGuard has opened many doors.
View LinkedIn
Paula Berton
Researcher, University of Calgary
Guides us through the direct testing process -- planning phases, protocols, and helping secure resources like lab space, funding, and institutional support for ClotGuard testing.
View LinkedIn
Pablo Guzman
Material Science, Texas A&M
Validates the material science components of ClotGuard and assists with mechanism design including storage and delivery methods. Confirmed the process is logically sound and scientifically feasible.
View LinkedIn
Alexandra Ramadan
X, The Moonshot Factory
First judged ClotGuard at TKS Moonshots Presentations and has stayed involved since. Recently reconnected to support our progress and explore potential lab access for the team.
View LinkedIn
Cindy Hui
Senior Account Executive, AtlaML
Discovered ClotGuard through LinkedIn and facilitated our connection with Microsoft to explore hardware development support. Actively helping us secure labs and resources.
View LinkedIn
Greg Carnie
Microsoft
Leading the Microsoft collaboration to support ClotGuard in developing our patch and sensor hardware. Exploring the extent of fabrication and design support Microsoft can provide.
View LinkedIn
Cody Church
Microsoft
Working alongside Greg Carnie on the Microsoft collaboration, helping evaluate how Microsoft can support ClotGuard in fabrication, design, and sensor development.
View LinkedIn
John Westworth
Microsoft
A strong internal champion for ClotGuard at Microsoft, working to accelerate the collaboration and secure the support we need as quickly as possible.
View LinkedIn
Azar Chatur
Director, The Knowledge Society (TKS)
Our director at TKS who has been instrumental in securing speaking opportunities, pursuing funding, and putting ClotGuard in the spotlight whenever we need support.
View LinkedIn
Brendan Samek
Build Canada / University of Alberta
Sees strong potential for ClotGuard in the military market and is providing connections to military contacts and wearables experts to explore pathways beyond traditional FDA approval.
View LinkedIn