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.
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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.
Professor Milos Popovic honoured with Dejan B. Popovic award at IFESS conference
On September 17th, Professor Milos Popovic has been awarded the prestigious Dejan B. Popovic Award at the annual conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society (IFESS), held in Vienna. This award recognizes exceptional contributions to the field of electrical stimulation technologies, with a particular emphasis on translating research into clinical practice and industry impact.
Engineering stem cell therapies for diseases | Michael Garton Lab
Dr. Michael Garton leads a research lab integrating generative AI, protein design, and stem cell biology to develop new gene and cell therapies. His team is engineering stem cell-derived tissues with enhanced survival and therapeutic functions, with the long-term goal of creating curative treatments for thousands of currently untreatable diseases.
Meet the incoming class of 2025
Every January and September, BME welcomes over 100 graduate students into our Master of Engineering, Master of Applied Science, and Doctor of Philosophy programs. Check out their profiles below.
Five Mastercard Foundation Scholars Join University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering This Fall
Five Mastercard Foundation Scholars Join University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering This Fall The University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) is proud to welcome five exceptional Mastercard […]
Engineering cells for space: Lucy Ma’s journey from grad school to the stars
Lucy Ma shares her path from undergrad to PhD, and how her curiosity about biology and space led her to research gene therapies for astronauts. She talks about her early experiences with the Canadian Space Agency, her current work engineering stem cells, and the challenges of advocating for innovation in space health.
2025 Orientation + BBQ
We held an orientation today for incoming graduate students in the MEng, MASc, and PhD programs, followed by our annual BBQ to foster connections between new and current students. Looking forward to a productive and engaging academic year.
Droplet microfluidics and microbiome research at the Lan lab
At the Lan Lab, led by Professor Freeman Lan, tiny droplets are unlocking big breakthroughs. Using ultrahigh-throughput droplet microfluidics, the team can run millions of experiments in parallel, transforming how we study cells, microbes, and the human microbiome.
Dr. Noor Abu Jarad awarded a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship
Dr. Noor Abu Jarad awarded a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship Dr. Noor Abu Jarad has been awarded a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, one of Canada’s most prestigious postdoctoral awards. The Banting Postdoctoral […]
How boutIQ is improving cell culture media with AI
boutIQ Solutions, a Toronto-based biotech startup, is transforming cell therapy by using AI and machine learning to optimize cell culture media formulations. Their innovative approach tackles one of regenerative medicine’s toughest challenges: keeping lab-grown cells healthy, functional, and clinically ready.
Professor Milica Radisic elected fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
Professor Milica Radisic (BME, ChemE) has been elected a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS), one of Canada’s three national academies. The CAHS leverages the expertise of Canada’s leading health sciences researchers to evaluate our most urgent and complex health challenges and recommend solutions. To be named a CAHS Fellow is considered one of the highest distinctions for academics in the health sciences in Canada.
Shaping the future of robotics surgery | Professor Lueder Kahrs research highlight
At the University of Toronto Mississauga, Professor Lueder Kahrs and his team are pioneering the intersection of robotics, computer vision, and augmented reality to transform surgery. From teaching robots to assist in real-time surgical tasks to developing augmented reality tools for facial reconstruction, the Medical Computer Vision and Robotics Lab is building technology that empowers surgeons and improves patient outcomes.
Nanoparticles, internships, and a mission to cure cancer | Student Spotlight
Meet Alyssa Apilan, a MASc student in Professor Gang Zheng’s lab, where she’s pioneering nanoparticle formulations to combat liver cancer. Here, Alyssa shares her academic journey and how international internships in Italy and Singapore helped her grow both professionally and personally.