News & Stories
Explore the latest news, stories, and groundbreaking research happening at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. Stay updated on innovative projects, impactful discoveries, and the achievements of our talented students, faculty, and alumni shaping the future of biomedical science and engineering.
Quick Navigation
Researchers highlight “regenerative healing” as a holistic framework for future health innovations
A new paper by Professors Michael V. Sefton (University of Toronto) and Malcolm King and Alexandra King (University of Saskatchewan) introduces the term “regenerative healing” as a complementary, more holistic concept to regenerative medicine. The authors suggest the framework may better reflect Indigenous perspectives on health and wellness and support more inclusive conversations about emerging biomedical therapies.
Inaugural BESA 3-Minute Thesis Competition Highlights Research Excellence and Communication
The Biomedical Engineering Students Association (BESA) proudly hosted its inaugural 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, celebrating graduate research excellence and the ability to communicate complex scientific ideas to a broad audience. The competition was held over two stages, with the semi-final round taking place on November 14, 2025, followed by the final round on November 28, 2025, bringing together graduate students from across the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
U of T researchers show that fractal geometry can help kidney cells grow in a more mature form
Researchers at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto have developed a new way to grow specialized kidney cells in the lab so that they look and behave more like they do in the body.
Imaging, Microfluidics, and Diabetes Studies | Jonathan Rocheleau Lab
Discover how the Rocheleau lab investigates communication between pancreatic islets, beta cells, and vascular endothelial cells, and how these interactions are altered in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Research approaches include two-photon and confocal microscopy, microfluidics, and live-cell fluorescence imaging to study islet metabolism and tissue function.
University of Toronto Professor Paul Santerre elected fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
Professor Paul Santerre has been elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), the highest professional distinction awarded to academic inventors. This honour recognizes individuals whose patented innovations have made a significant and lasting impact on quality of life, economic development, and the advancement of society.
Ashley Miles Honoured with 2025 BME Unsung Hero Award
The Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) is proud to announce that Ashley Miles, Project Coordinator, has been named the recipient of the 2025 BME Unsung Hero Award.
Decoding the brain’s hidden rhythms | Berj Bardakjian Lab
Discover how Professor Berj Bardakjian and the Neural Systems Lab at the University of Toronto are uncovering the electrical “alphabet” of the brain. This research explores the hidden rhythms behind how we think and move, with a focus on predicting seizures, improving diagnosis, and advancing machine learning tools for brain disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and depression.
Exploring brain signals for rehabilitation | Ammara Faiyaz | Student Spotlight
Ammara Faiyaz moved from Canada to Saudi Arabia at age five, where limited opportunities for women and personal challenges shaped her determination to pursue science. She is now a second-year PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto, researching neurotechnology to improve rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy.
Engineering the future of heart health | Craig Simmons Lab
The Craig Simmons Lab at the University of Toronto investigates how biomechanical forces shape the behavior of cells, driving regeneration, repair, and disease in cardiovascular tissues. By integrating experimental and computational cell mechanics with state-of-the-art molecular biology, the lab uncovers how heart valve calcification develops, how stem cells can be guided to rebuild tissue, and how lab-on-a-chip technologies can accelerate drug testing. Their work is redefining the future of cardiovascular medicine through mechanobiology and engineering innovation.
Vrushali Guruji’s PhD journey: Advancing heart research & championing STEM outreach
Vrushali Guruji is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto, where she studies how aortic valve disease influences blood flow and molecular changes in the aorta. Her work spans fundamental research and collaborations aimed at developing new treatments, while her commitment to STEM outreach supports programs that mentor and inspire future scientists. Discover how her research and advocacy are contributing to a more inclusive and innovative scientific community.
IBET Momentum Fellow Paige McFarlane aims to use microfluidics to design faster, more accurate medical tests
Paige McFarlane, a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto, has been awarded the 2025 Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology (IBET) Momentum Fellowship. This prestigious fellowship supports her direct entry into a PhD program, bypassing a master’s degree, and provides her with financial aid, mentorship, and research opportunities.
Building artificial tissues to personalize medicine | Alison McGuigan Lab
In Professor Alison McGuigan’s lab at the University of Toronto, researchers are creating artificial tissues that mimic the complexity of the human body. These engineered tissues help scientists discover new drugs, predict how patients might respond to treatment, and even reveal who might be at higher risk for certain diseases. By combining tools from biomaterials, microfabrication, and synthetic biology, the McGuigan Lab is pioneering a new frontier in regenerative medicine and personalized health care.
AmacaThera enters global licensing agreement with Pacira BioSciences for non-opioid post-surgical pain therapy
AmacaThera Inc. (co-founded by Prof. Molly Shoichet), a biotechnology company focused on hydrogel-based drug delivery systems, has entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Pacira BioSciences, Inc. for the development and commercialization of AMT-143, an investigational long-acting non-opioid anesthetic intended for post-operative pain management.
Leveraging MEng degree to create clinical solutions | Abigail Cave
Meet Abigail Cave, a 2025 graduate of the Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering program at the University of Toronto. She recently participated in the Medventions fellowship at Sunnybrook Research Institute, where her multidisciplinary team focused on improving code blue response in interventional cardiology. Their solution integrates real-time guidance and data-driven insights to enhance clinical workflows and documentation. Currently, Abigail is a Fulbright Student at Georgia Tech, pursuing a thesis-based master’s in biomedical engineering. She continues her research at Emory University’s Candace Fleischer Lab, studying brain temperature in healthy individuals to support future neurological studies.
A BME MEng’s journey from research to industry
Meet Alex Schneider, a recent graduate of the University of Toronto’s Biomedical Engineering MEng program, now working full-time as a biomedical applications scientist. Here, Alex shares how the program helped her pivot from academic research to industry, build a broader skill set, and discover a passion for optomechanics and biomodulation.
Wummy Meng | MEng Biomedical Engineering Student Spotlight
Wummy Meng shares her journey through the Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering program. From a formative research experience at the KITE Rehabilitation Institute to an internship at a medical device start-up, Wummy highlights the program’s academic strengths and hands-on opportunities. She also offers advice to future students on making the most of their time in the program.
Meet the 2025 ToBE organizers
The 2025 Toronto Biomedical Engineering (ToBE) Conference is organized by a team of graduate and undergraduate students from the University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering, who are responsible for planning and executing Canada’s longest-running student-led biomedical engineering conference.
Meet the BESA Leadership Team of 2025-2026
Meet members of the leadership team from the Biomedical Engineering Student Association (BESA) at the University of Toronto. BESA oversees student engagement within the graduate biomedical engineering community, organizing extracurricular activities, professional development opportunities, and events that support academic and career growth.
Discover how cells heal and build tissues | Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalez Lab
Professor Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalez and his team study how cells coordinate to shape and repair tissues. Using live imaging and bioengineering tools in fruit fly embryos, they uncover how cells move, communicate, and generate forces to heal wounds and form organs like the heart. Their discoveries could lead to new ways to promote healing and improve regenerative medicine.
Professor Milica Radisic featured in CBC news
Professor Milica Radisic has recently been featured in CBC News for her pioneering work in bioengineering and personalized medicine. With a focus on organ on a chip, these lab-grown models using a patient’s own cells to simulate organ function and tumor response. These devices offer a promising alternative to traditional drug testing methods, potentially improving the accuracy of cancer treatment predictions and reducing reliance on animal testing.
Two BME Professors Awarded Canadian Foundation for Innovation Funding
Professors Aereas Aung and Freeman Lan from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering have been awarded funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund in recognition of their innovative research in vaccine development and microbiome analysis.
Professor Tom Chau inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame
Professor Tom Chau, a leading innovator in pediatric rehabilitation and assistive technology, has been inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame in the Builder category at the 32nd Annual Induction Luncheon held in Toronto today.
Using nature to guide engineering | Eli Sone Lab
Professor Eli Sone and his team study how nature builds and bonds, from the way bones form to how mussels stick to surfaces, to inspire new technologies for healthcare and the environment. Their research spans bone-regenerating biomaterials, next-generation medical adhesives, and innovative ways to protect ecosystems.
Promoting female voices in STEM | Ana-Maria Oproescu & Meghan Rothenbroker
Mia and Meghan are two BME PhD students on a mission to amplify women’s voices in science. With support from the Acceleration Consortium’s EDI Grant, they created Driving Diversity, a video series spotlighting women at the forefront of AI, robotics, and self-driving labs. In this video, they share what inspired the project, how they made it happen, and why female perspectives are vital to the future of research.