Do you ever think about nanofibers and what they can do to make our lives better? Nassim does. All the time.
Nassim’s name means “a gentle breeze, fresh air” in Persian language. She grew up with three siblings and caring parents in the city of Hamadan, the population of which is over two times larger than that of Kelowna.
Ever since she began to study at the Isfahan University of Technology in Iran, her passion has been in researching the amazing qualities of nanofibers and applying her knowledge in developing innovative products in the health care field.
What are Nanofibers?
Nanofibers are fibers that are so thin, their diameter is 1,000 times thinner than a human hair. They are used in cell therapy, cancer treatment, tissue engineering and much more.
“Remarkably, one square metre of nanofiber consists of nano-extended fibers with an approximate length of 44,000 kilometers – roughly the circumference of the Earth,” shares Nassim with excitement.
“They add high-efficiency value to air filtration in various industrial and household applications, such as vacuum cleaners. Nanofibers can also be used as sensitive, lightweight detectors for monitoring water quality. In wine and food industries, nanofibers serve as sensors for detecting and measuring various chemical and physical parameters during production, or in monitoring the quality and safety of food and beverages.”
While working on her BSc and MSc in Textile Engineering, she was running her own business, Nanotar Pak, producing nanofiber products for tissue engineering, medical implants, biomaterials and wound dressings. Her father left the hometown to help Nassim with her business in Isfahan.
First Success
But when her father suddenly, Nassim’s friend (and now life partner), Mahmood, who is a mechanical engineer, stepped in to support her and help with the business. Nanotar Pak Co. became a very successful business in Iran. During the pandemic, the company produced large numbers of medical-grade face masks with a special protective layer made of nanofibers.
“We became the first company in our country to use nanofibers as a strong protective layer in masks against pollutants, bacteria and even viruses,” she shares proudly.
“We had a nice, stable family life. We loved going hiking and mountain climbing with our friends, but we wanted a new adventure, new challenge. I think that challenges help us develop our minds, become better people,” continues Nassim. “We also wanted our four-year-old son Kiarash [“Brave King”] grow up to be someone who is useful to other people.”
Spirit of Adventure
This adventurous spirit brought the family to Penticton. They chose Penticton for many reasons, including the natural beauty, the weather, which is very similar to the one in Hamadan, relatives living in Kelowna, and of course, the opportunity to establish a business.
The BC Provincial Nominee Pilot Program at the City of Penticton allows innovative business owners from around the world to create new lives in Canada and contribute to the community both economically – by creating businesses – and socially, by adding to the diversity and rich culture of our community.
The NTP Research Company, established by Nassim, holds a Patent Cooperation Treaty for supplement skin patches that bypass the stomach and deliver vitamins through the skin.
“This is an excellent option for people with sensitive stomachs due to excessive medication use, who want to avoid taking oral medicine and the discomfort of injections. This invention is also being registered in Canada. In addition, we have a skincare product that uses nanofibers to deliver the antioxidant Q10 to the skin under the eyes, which reduces darkness by over 30% and helps reduce wrinkles by 50%. We are in the process of obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for sale in the Canadian and American markets.”
The family have been participating in various programs and services offered by the South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services (SOICS), such as the English language lessons, First Aid and Food Safe certification workshops, social gatherings and learning sessions offered by the Syilx knowledge keeper, Anona Kampe.
“We love this city. My husband works as a mechanical designer in one of the local industries, and my son has made many friends in daycare and is very happy. People here are very nice and friendly. We appreciate them for sharing their beautiful place with us, and we strive to contribute, even in a small way, to the safety and health of our community,” concludes Nassim.
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Are you new to Canada? Find out more about SOICS.
This profile is a part of the Community Champions campaign of the South Okanagan-Similkameen Local Immigration Partnership (SOSLIP). The Partnership project is led by the South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services (SOICS), which provides a range of services for newcomers to the region. This article, written by Elmira Galiyeva, was previously published on Castanet. Updates have been made since original publishing.