U of T ENGINEERING

Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME)

We have an exciting conference coming up in January and would appreciate if you could share within your networks. This is one of the largest student-run conferences at U of T, from the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology Student Union.

Byte-Sized Biology: How Artificial Intelligence Decodes Human Health Bit-by-Bit

Join us as we take a deep dive into the innovative research conducted by world-renowned researchers on artificial intelligence and human health. This conference will shed light on the most recent developments in the fields of AI, machine learning and bioinformatics, inspiring our attendees to explore their cutting-edge, untapped potential for human health. The event will conclude with a panel discussion where attendees can directly engage with the experts on their thoughts regarding the field’s future trajectory.

Saturday, January 11, 2025

9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Auditorium (MY150)

55 St George St

Toronto, ON M5S 0C9

This conference is free and open to all!

Find out more and register: https://lmp.utoronto.ca/ai-healthcare-lmpsu-conference

Social media posts:

Join the IEEE UofT Student Branch and AWS Toronto for a one-day hackathon aimed at improving student life on campus. Participants will tackle challenges posed by U of T faculty and use AWS technologies to build efficient, innovative solutions. Winning projects may even be turned into proof-of-concepts with the potential for real implementation at U of T!

This event is exclusively for U of T students and will take place on Friday, November 29th, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the AWS Toronto Office (18 York St, Downtown near Union). Check out more information on Instagram @ieee_uoft

Sign up here: hackstudentlife.ca

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MSE1022H – Special Topics in Materials Science I: Quantum Transport

Instructor: Prof. Harry Ruda

LEC: Mondays 10 am  – 12 pm

Course Description: 

The course is concerned with quantum transport and focuses on semiconductor nanostructures. Applications of this concepts are relevant to next generation electronics and quantum computing. The course will provide an introduction to important relevant concepts in solid state physics as well as to the fabrication of such nanostructures. The course will cover structures for electron transmission, tunnelling, and interference. Students will be responsible for preparing a critical review on the current relevant literature, presented as a term paper and a class presentation.

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MSE1023H – Special Topics in Materials Science II: Bio-inspired materials and design

Instructor: Prof. B. Hatton

LEC: Wednesdays 1  – 3 pm

Course Description: 

Biological materials and systems provide a vast resource for those in applied science and design to find new, innovative solutions to technical problems associated with materials science and design in general. There is a growing list of successful applications; self-healing and -cleaning materials, sustainable product packaging, gecko-inspired adhesives, soft robotics, medical prosthetic devices, energy efficient buildings, smart and adaptive materials/structures, and fracture resistant composites.

This interdisciplinary course will focus on materials design primarily, over length scales from bonding, crystal structures and nanoparticles (10^-10 to 10^-7 m), to microstructure (10^-6 to 10^-4 m), mesostructure (10^-4 to 10^-3 m), and macroscale (mm, cm, m). But also on ‘continuum’ (mechanical engineering) scale design of products and devices, architectural designs for buildings, and system/network optimization. Topics and mechanisms may include solid state mechanical properties, optical properties, thermal heat conduction, mass transport, surface wetting and adhesion, and bio-medical mechanisms. While the interdisciplinary range of this course may be high, we invite students from a wide range of backgrounds, and will provide resources for reviewing basic theory.

The course will focus on; (1) reviewing the scientific understanding of certain important biological materials and mechanisms, (2) developing a process to define the translation of these mechanisms to engineering design (bio-inspired design), and (3) reviewing case studies from the scientific literature and technological history of successful bio-inspired design.

Students will also propose, collaborate on, and present original bioinspired design projects (including some potential for prototype fabrication). In addition to lectures on bio-inspired design, and the challenges of applying biological mechanisms (scaling, robustness, multiple functions), guest speakers will be contributing to the course.

The MBPCDA is excited to host our first career seminar of the 2024-2025 year featuring Michael Slobodyanyuk, Data Scientist at Deep Genomics. The career seminar will be held on Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 from 5:30-6:30pm in person at the Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower (101 College Street, Room 4-204). Pizza will be provided. We kindly ask those interested in attending to register and state any dietary restrictions here or by using the following link: https://forms.gle/b7HKzxho7RzSHFRr9 

Ripple Therapeutics Corporation is a clinical stage, privately held company that is focused on ophthalmic therapeutics with controllable, sustainable drug delivery. The core feature of Ripple’s Epidel™ technology is the ability to engineer sustained-release pharmaceuticals with zero-order release kinetics without the use of polymers. Ripple has a full product pipeline in development. www.rippletherapeutics.com

I.    ROLE OVERVIEW:

The Research Scientist/Engineer will apply their education and experience in material science, engineering, prototype development, manufacturing and chemistry, to develop new technologies, products, and processes for drug product development (e.g., implants), technology transfer, scale up, and production. They will support science and engineering functions from early discovery through later clinical stages, working on moderately complex projects that require initiative, planning, accountability, and judgment.

II.    RESPONSIBILITIES:

Experimental Design and Execution:

  • Design and execute experiments for material property characterization, the development of drug material manufacturing processes for sustained drug delivery implants, and in support of medical device development.
    • Utilize strong laboratory and technical skills to prepare samples for testing, and develop test methods for evaluating new characterization techniques, manufacturing methods and equipment.
    • Maintain a clean and safe laboratory work environment. Data Analysis and Planning:
    • Analyze data to guide next steps in experimental design.
    • Develop new scientific hypotheses and conduct confirmatory experiments to explain unanticipated results.
    • Evaluate prototype fixtures, processing equipment, and delivery devices to inform engineering design improvements
    • Identify and evaluate material processing techniques and for implant prototyping. Innovation and Critical Thinking:
    • Contribute ideas to advance knowledge related to company technologies, products, or processes.

Documentation and Quality:

  • Prepare batch records, reports, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and presentations as required, and maintain proper documentation.
    • Support compliance with the company’s quality management, documentation, and

established procedures.

Communication and Presentation:

  • Present experimental findings clearly to team members and management.
    • Interact with suppliers and contract testing facilities as necessary.
  • Conduct literature searches to find information to address scientific challenges and stay updated on new developments in related areas and fields.
    • Support the company’s core values in fostering a culture of cooperation between teams and individuals.

III.  EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Master’s Degree + 1-3 years industry experience or Ph.D. + 0-2 years industry experience
    • Expertise in Materials/Biomaterials Science or Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, , Polymer Science, or Pharmaceutical Science
    • 4-5 total years of research and experimental design experience, either in academia or industry
    • Strong practical knowledge of experimental design, material processing, polymer science, biomaterials, drug delivery concepts, or pharmaceutical formulation chemistry
    • Practical knowledge and experience in a breadth of analytical tools, materials testing techniques, prototyping/equipment types, and manufacturing
    • Laboratory safety training and experience including safe handling of chemicals, drugs, compressed gases.
    • Demonstrated experience with material processing and material testing
    • Working knowledge of quality systems
    • Working knowledge of literature reviews

IV.  SKILLS AND CORE COMPETENCIES:

Accountability:

  • Demonstrates a high level of ownership and commitment to achieving results.
    • Works both independently and as part of a team to meet team and project needs. Communication:
    • Listens, speaks, and writes clearly and concisely. Critical Thinking:
    • Able to break down a situation and organize parts of the problem systematically.
    • Identifies cause and effect relationships to solve issues. Planning and Initiative:
    • Uses an effective system to determine priorities, set goals, and create a plan.
    • Takes action, measures results, and thinks ahead for future needs and opportunities.
    • Able to take direction from managers and team members to help with priority setting. Self-Development:
    • Recognizes own capabilities, seeks feedback, and responds positively to improve performance. Collaboration and Teamwork:
    • Works collaboratively with cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives.
    • Shares knowledge and expertise. Problem Solving:
    • Takes a systematic approach to solving problems.
    • Utilizes data and resources to identify root causes and develops hypotheses to solve problems.

V.  TO APPLY:

Scientist or Engineer- Materials Science and Engineering” in the subject line.

  • Ripple Therapeutics welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
    • Compensation, including benefits and equity, is competitive and commensurate with experience.
    • This is a great opportunity to work with engaged, committed and dedicated colleagues in an innovative and progressive environment.
    • We thank you for your interest. Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
[2024-2025] CGEN Scholarships Call for NomineesDownload

These scholarships are designed to support the academic pursuits of exceptional MASc and Ph.D. candidates:

  • Paul Cadario Doctoral Fellowship in Global Engineering
  • Metcalfe Family Graduate Fellowship for Sustainable Energy Research
  • The C.W. Bowman Graduate Scholarship in Energy Research

Scholarship awards range from $4,000 to $10,000, designed to recognize and aid academic & research excellence in fields pertinent to global engineering challenges.

We are currently accepting applications for this year’s CGEN Graduate Scholarship program. Please find the application details and eligibility criteria attached.

To Apply:

  1. Complete the application form using the link: https://forms.office.com/r/fDVLZqZCJb
  2. Ensure a letter of recommendation is sent by your immediate supervisor directly to cgen@utoronto.ca  

Application Deadline: The application form and recommendation letter must be submitted by November 20, 2024, by 11:59 PM EST. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

We would be very grateful if you could disseminate this information within your department and encourage qualified students to apply. 

Should you or your students require further information or clarification on the scholarships or application procedures, please do not hesitate to contact me at njyu.chen@utoronto.ca or cgen@utoronto.ca.

November 13 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

First and second-year PhDs are welcome to attend to learn more from upper-year PhDs!

  • Are you a MASc student considering a direct PhD transfer or pursuing a PhD after you finish? 
  • Wondering why might you finish the MASc or opt for the direct PhD transfer? 

In this session, you will meet a panel of graduate students who made a transition from the MASc to the PhD and have an opportunity to ask them questions to learn more about their decision-making process as to why they chose to, alongside strategies that helped them determine transferring to the program.  

Our featured panellists are:

Moderated by Aanshi Gandhi from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. 

Jesse Macht, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Jesse Macht is a PhD student working on problems related to walking biomechanics and neurological control of gait at the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto. He completed his MASc at the same department in 2023, studying anomalous gait patterns and developing algorithms for their detection. He spent five years working in industry after completing his undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia before commencing his graduate studies. Jesse loves to teach and engage in scientific outreach, and is interested in finding creative ways to build community through his volunteer efforts. 

Jiayi Sun, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

My name is Jiayi Sun, and I am currently a PhD student at FORCOLAB under the supervision of Prof. Zhou in the ECE department at the University of Toronto. My main area of research is software engineering, with a focus on the sustainability of open-source and scientific software. My work involves applying mixed methods to explore sustainability challenges in scientific software from both social and technical perspectives, particularly within open-source ecosystems. Additionally, I aim to design tools that can improve the collaboration among scientists while developing scientific software and help them write code more efficiently. 

Liz DaMaren, Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

Liz DaMaren is currently a PhD student with the Ready Lab in Mechanical & Industrial engineering. Her research investigates learner engagement in Computer-Aided Design education, particularly focusing on group learning settings and equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations. She completed a Bachelor of Engineering & Society in Mechatronics Engineering at McMaster University and worked for a year as a project manager for a national initiative with Engineering Deans Canada before beginning as an MASc student at U of T in 2021. She made the decision to fast-track to the PhD program in 2022 to further engage with her research area.  

Patrick Deng, Institute for Aerospace Studies

Patrick Deng is a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS), specializing in Computational Fluid Dynamics and Computational Aeroacoustics. His research focuses on fluid flow dynamics and noise generation mechanisms of airfoils. Currently, he is working on advanced modeling techniques to predict aeroacoustics noise and improve the efficiency of noise control strategies. He is also passionate about teaching and mentoring, actively engaging in workshops and seminars. His work integrates advanced computational methods and machine learning techniques to improve understanding and control of turbulent flow behaviors in engineering systems. 

Moderated by Aanshi Gandhi, Institute of Biomedical Engineering

Aanshi is a fifth-year PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto, working in the Garton Lab. Her research focuses on redesigning proteins to prevent graft-related arrhythmias following the transplantation of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. With a background in Integrated Sciences, specializing in Biomedical Physics from McMaster University, Aanshi brings a multidisciplinary perspective to tackling challenges in cardiovascular health. Passionate about mentoring, she encourages the next generation to explore science through creative and innovative approaches. 

Special Seminar

Date: Monday November 18, 2024 Time: 10:00am – 11:00am Location: Donnelly Centre

160 College Street, 2nd Floor, Red Seminar Room

Dr. Heather Sheardown, PhD McMaster University

“There has to be a Better Way to Treat Eye Conditions!”

A trip to the optometrist or ophthalmologist often means a prescription for some sort of eyedrop. While well accepted, eyedrops are difficult to put in, particularly for elderly patients, children and pets, and, because less than 5% of the drug instilled actually gets to the target tissue, they must be put in frequently and at concentrations that are often painfully high. Getting drugs to the back of the eye is even more difficult and typically requires a frequent, painful injection that, while effective, has a high incidence of complications and is inconvenient for the patient. A major focus of the work in the Sheardown lab has involved shifting delivery paradigms and developing delivery methods for treating ocular conditions that are more patient friendly and more efficacious. The work takes advantage of established methods of getting drugs to the ocular tissue, while exploiting ocular biology to maximize impact. Well accepted eyedrops have been modified to minimize the need for frequent dosing through incorporation of polymers which can bind with the mucosal layer on the surface of the cornea. New methods of incorporating drugs into contact lenses can be used to take advantage of these lenses to deliver drugs to the eye. Injections into the back of the eye using polymer delivery vehicles have the potential to minimize the number of injections and improve the efficacy of treatments. The potential to use the state of the disease to control release will make these systems even more powerful. Several of these delivery systems will be discussed during this presentation, highlighting the role of engineering in changing healthcare delivery.

Biography

Heather Sheardown is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University with a cross appointment to the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and an adjunct appointment with the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo. She holds a two term Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Ophthalmic Biomaterials and Drug Delivery and has published more than 160 peer reviewed papers on this subject. She is currently the Scientific Director of

C20/20+, an ORF funded incubator aimed at the commercialization of ophthalmic biotechnologies. Sheardown was previously the Scientific Director of C20/20 and prior to that the 20/20 NSERC Ophthalmic Materials Research Network. These initiatives brought together researchers and companies with a goal of creating and commercializing materials based treatments for ophthalmic conditions. She holds more than 20 patents or provisional patents for work in her lab, many in collaboration with company partners. She currently serves as the Chief Scientific Officer of 20/20 OptimEyes, a McMaster based spin out focused on developing and commercializing a micelle based technology developed in her laboratory.

Researcher Mobility Awards support high-calibre doctoral students or postdoctoral fellows to develop new skillsets and strengthen global linkages by providing financial support for them to undertake infectious disease-related research training or complete collaborative field work outside of Toronto. Through these opportunities, Researcher Mobility Award recipients will bring back new knowledge and techniques to our local infectious disease research community and strengthen our research network’s ties to national and international research partners. The value of these awards for training or field work undertaken at North American host institutions/sites is up to 4,000 CAD, and 6,000 CAD for training or field work undertaken at international research institutions/sites. 

EPIC Doctoral Awards are designed to support a cohort of multi/interdisciplinary trainees engaged in collaborative research with an infectious disease focus. These competitive $10,000/year awards support excellent graduate students supervised by a faculty member whose primary affiliation is at the University of Toronto or one of EPIC’s partner research institutes (The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Sinai Health, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Unity Health Toronto, and the University Health Network).

To be eligible, candidates must have completed their PhD qualification or reclassification exams between January 2023 and December 2024 or have finished their second or third year of a direct entry PhD program.

The application deadline is Friday, November 8th, 11:59 pm ET!

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