Awards & Achievements
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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BME welcomes the 2024 MasterCard Scholar cohort
Jennifer Akaade and Theophilus Ofori are two MasterCard Scholars who joined the Master of Engineering program at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering in September 2024. As a part of the MasterCard Foundation initiative, this Scholarship aims to further education, leadership, and skill development for young people from Africa, while working to address systemic barriers in higher education.
BME Director elected as fellow of Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
Dr. Milos Popovic was elected as one of the 49 fellows to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). CAHS brings together Canada’s top-ranked health and biomedical scientists and scholars to make a positive impact on the urgent health concerns of Canadians.
BME welcomes Lucy Zuo as Operations Assistant & Events Coordinator
The Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) welcomes Lucy Zuo (they/them) as the Operations Assistant & Events Coordinator, starting on September 9th, 2025. In this role, Lucy will serve as the first point of contact for general inquiries, supporting the administration team, including the Director, Manager of Operations, and Project Manager.
BME alumnus Dr. Jeffrey Karp honoured with Distinguished Alumni Award
This top accolade is bestowed upon U of T Engineering graduates whose exceptional leadership and professional achievements have significantly benefited society, often on a global scale.
BME alumnus Dr. Amir Manbachi honoured with Research & Innovation Award
This prestigious accolade recognizes U of T engineering graduates who have developed, implemented, or discovered an innovative research program, process, or product that has made a significant impact on the profession, community, or society.
Three BME faculty members awarded Connaught New Researcher Fund
Professors Aereas Aung, Daniel Franklin, and Caitlin Maikawa were awarded the Connaught New Researcher Awards, which support early-career faculty members in establishing their research programs. They are among 8 researchers from the U of T Engineering who received support in the latest round.
2024 Dorrington Award recognizes graduate students innovating myopathy research, mapping the liver and advancing personalized medicine
Heta Lad, a PhD candidate conducting research under the supervision of Professor Penney Gilbert, is one of the recipients of the award.
Five BME faculty members & collaborators receive a combined $2.6mil+ funding from CIHR
Professors Hai-Ling Margaret Cheng, Leo Chou, Daniel Franklin, Naomi Matsuura, and Cari Whyne and their collaborators have received a combined funding of $2.6mil+ from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) as a part of the 2024 Spring CIHR Project Grant. The CIHR Project Grant program funds innovative health research projects with the potential to significantly advance health knowledge, healthcare, health systems, and health outcomes.
Eight BME graduate students receive a combined funding of $227,500 from CIHR
Eight graduate students from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the University of Toronto have been awarded a combined funding of $227,500 through the Canada Graduate Scholarship program for doctoral and master’s students. This prestigious scholarship program, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), supports and promotes research excellence across a wide range of disciplines, including health, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities.
Dr. Lindsey Fiddes joins BME as Teaching Lab and Design Studio Coordinator
Dr. Lindsey Fiddes will join the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) as the Teaching Lab and Design Studio Coordinator on July 8, 2024. Dr. Fiddes, who previously served as the Teaching Lab Coordinator in 2017, brings extensive experience in lab protocols, health and safety, and supply management. She holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Toronto, where she also worked as a Technology Specialist and Lab Manager, gaining expertise in microscopy, CAD, and prototyping. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Fiddes back to BME.
Three BME graduate students awarded Connaught PhDs for Public Impact Fellowship
Three graduate students from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) have been awarded the prestigious Connaught PhDs for Public Impact Fellowship for the 2024-2025 cohort. Mohammadamir (Amir) Moghaddam, Nicolas Ivanov, and Lily Takeuchi have each received this honour in recognition of their projects aimed at bridging the gap between academic research and public engagement.
Professor Alison McGuigan awarded Senior Scientist Award at 7th TERMIS World Congress
Professor Alison McGuigan has been honored with the prestigious Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society Americas Chapters (TERMIS-AM) Senior Scientist Award. This esteemed award was presented to Professor McGuigan on the final day of the 7th TERMIS World Congress Conference, held from June 25-28 in Seattle, Washington. The Senior Scientist Award is conferred upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
BME alumna promoted to Chief of St. John’s Rehab Program
Dr. Amanda Mayo will be promoted to the new Chief of the St. John’s Rehab Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, effective July 1, 2024. Dr. Mayo is a graduate of the University of Toronto. She completed five years of residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Toronto. Prior to entering medical school, Dr. Mayo obtained MSc in Clinical Engineering, Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto.
Jamie Wu wins 2024 Jennifer Comyn Graduate Award for Cancer Research
The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research recognizes outstanding graduate students conducting cancer research in its labs with the Jennifer Comyn Graduate Award for Cancer Research. The inaugural recipient of the award is Jamie Wu, a recent PhD graduate in biomedical engineering at the University of Toronto.
11 BME faculty members receive a combined $500,000+ funding from NSERC
The Discovery Grant program is dedicated to supporting researchers as they venture into new territories to find solutions to pressing issues such as environmental protection, food security, and sustainable construction in cold climates. It aims to promote and maintain a diverse and high-quality research capability in the natural sciences and engineering at Canadian universities, foster research excellence, and provide a stimulating environment for research training.
Molly Shoichet named inaugural Pamela and Paul Austin Chair in Precision and Regenerative Medicine
University Professor Molly Shoichet (ChemE, BME) has been named the inaugural Pamela and Paul Austin Chair in Precision and Regenerative Medicine. The chair, situated within the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, was created in November 2023 via a gift from the The P. Austin Family Foundation.
Seven BME members receive Joint Seed Program funding for interdivisional research
Initiated in 2015, the Joint Seed Program is an interdivisional research funding program designed to promote multi-disciplinary research and catalyze new innovative partnerships between researchers from the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering and those from outside of Engineering. The recipients for this year will undertake unique and innovative research initiatives ranging from developing bioinoculant strategies to equitable healthcare and advanced imaging techniques.
CIHR awards grant to training program integrating sex, gender, and intersectionality in health research
A team of researchers has been awarded an operating grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The team, led by Dr. Tatyana Mollayeva, Dr. Milos Popovic, and Dr. France Légaré, is set to improve the landscape of health research by integrating sex, gender, and intersectionality into scientific inquiry.
Dr. José Zariffa appointed KITE Chair in spinal cord injury research at UHN
Dr. José Zariffa will be the holder of the KITE Chair in Spinal Cord Injury Research at UHN, a joint Hospital-University Named Chair between the University Health Network and the University of Toronto (UofT), for a five-year term, effective April 1, 2024. The KITE Chair in Spinal Cord Injury Research was initially established in December 2007 thanks to the kind and thoughtful generosity of a variety of donors to Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.
BME student receives 2024 Teaching Assistant Teaching Excellence Award
Shaghayegh (Shay) Chavoshian has won a 2024 TA Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Toronto’s Teaching Assistant Training Program (TATP). Shay, a PhD student at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME), is one of the five recipients this year. This prestigious award acknowledges the remarkable contributions of teaching assistants who inspire and challenge undergraduate students, significantly enhancing their learning experience.
Two Institute of Biomedical Engineering graduate students awarded prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships in 2024
The Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the University of Toronto is proud to announce that two of its doctoral candidates, David Li and Erica Floreani, have been awarded the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships for the 2024 cycle.
U of T Engineering Dean, professor and alumni elected to the Canadian Academy of Engineering
U of T Engineering Dean Christopher Yip and Professor Natalie Enright Jerger (ECE) have been elected fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE). Alumni Benoit Boulet (ElecE PhD 9T6), Susan Doniz (IndE 9T3) and Alfred Yu (BME MASc 0T4, PhD 0T7) are also among the CAE’s 54 new fellows.
U of T Engineering professor and alumni receive 2024 Ontario Professional Engineers Awards
Serena Mandla (EngSci 1T7, BME MASc 1T9) received the Young Engineer Award for an engineer no older than 35 years old who has demonstrated excellence in their career, community and professional service.
Club for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Awarded the University of Toronto Student Life “Program of the Year” for Promoting Innovation and Collaboration
The Club for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering (CUBE) at the University of Toronto continues to garner recognition for its exceptional achievements and contributions to the university community. Recently, CUBE was honoured to receive the 2024 “Program of the Year” Award from U of T Student Life for its commitment to excellence and innovation in promoting biomedical engineering at the campus. In 2023 – 2024 academic year, CUBE hosted a total of 10 events and 11 workshops.