Faces of BME

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.

Faces of BME – Aisha Raji

February 27, 2025

Faces of BME – Aisha Raji Growing up in Nigeria, Aisha Raji witnessed firsthand the challenges posed by limited healthcare resources, sparking her passion for biomedical engineering as a bridge […]

Faces of BME – Solumtobechukwu Ayadiuno

February 24, 2025

Faces of BME – Solumtobechukwu Ayadiuno Tochukwu Ayadiuno is a biomedical engineer with a passion for improving quality of life through advancements in medicine. Currently pursuing a PhD in Professor […]

Faces of BME – Theophilus Ofori

February 20, 2025

Faces of BME – Theophilus Ofori Theophilus Ofori, an MEng student at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, is an accomplished biomedical engineer specializing in medical equipment management, planning, and clinical […]

Faces of BME – Jennifer Akaade

February 18, 2025

Faces of BME – Jennifer Akaade Jennifer Akaade, a Mastercard Scholar pursuing her MEng at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, has built an impressive foundation in computer engineering. As the […]

Faces of BME – Lucy Ma

September 3, 2024

Lucy Ma, a biomedical engineering graduate student, is developing iPSC-derived skeletal muscle tissues to create a sustainable cure for chronic genetic diseases like hemophilia, under the supervision of Dr. Michael Garton and Dr. Penney Gilbert. As captain of the Gold boat for the SKULE Iron Dragons, she draws on the teamwork and discipline of dragon boat racing to fuel her research and stay connected to her Asian heritage.

Faces of BME – Ashley Miles

July 17, 2024

Ashley Miles has been an integral part of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering since joining as the project manager in September 2019. In her role, she supports the Institute’s various initiatives and the Director through operational and project administrative support, and effective communication.

Show your pride – Angelico Obille

June 4, 2024

Meet Angelico Obille (he/they): a queer, Filipino-Canadian scientist and pianist who is currently pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering at the University of Toronto. Also known on social media as @ScientistAnjo, Angelico takes any chance to share their insights on nature and the role of humans in the global ecosystem. Born in Mississauga, Ontario from architects who immigrated from the Philippines, Angelico has been uniquely positioned to develop his skills and to build his life with authentic Queer Filipino excellence at the core.

Show your pride – Shivam Chadha

May 29, 2024

Meet Shivam (they/them): a nonbinary scientist currently pursuing their PhD at BME. They grew up in Mississauga and come from a diverse background of community health, exercise physiology, and occupational health policy, along with doing their MSc work in epigenetics exploring aging and frailty. They love sharing and teaching folks about science and tech in accessible ways to cultivate health, wellness, and natural curiosity in their communities. When not in the lab or crocheting at home, they like to stay active by adventuring through the city in their bike.

Faces of BME – Amy Huang

April 12, 2024

Meet Amy Huang: a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in biomedical engineering and currently undertaking her thesis work in Professor Cristina Amon’s lab. Amy’s journey into engineering was sparked by her passion for hands-on projects and her innate ability to turn abstract concepts into real-world solutions. Excelling in her academic pursuits, Amy was one of the recipients of the University of Toronto Student Leadership Award in 2024. In her spare time, Amy has been deeply involved in the Club for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering (CUBE) and has served as its co-president, fostering unity and providing invaluable opportunities for fellow students.

Faces of BME – Angelico Obille

April 10, 2024

As a graduate student navigating the complexities of bioadhesion research, Angelico Obille recognizes the importance of effective communication, both within the scientific community and to the broader public. Beyond his academic endeavors, Angelico’s love for music, cultivated since childhood, serves as both a creative outlet and a metaphorical lens through which he views the scientific process.

Faces of BME – Ferdinand (Reke) Avikpe

February 29, 2024

Ferdinand (Reke) Avikpe, originally from Warri, Nigeria, came to Canada at 15 to pursue undergraduate degrees at the University of Winnipeg. Now he is pursuing AI research, focusing on computational models of stem cell differentiation under Dr. Cristina Amon at the University of Toronto.

Faces of BME – Isdora Msigwa

February 28, 2024

Meet Isdora Msigwa, a Mastercard Foundation scholar hailing from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, currently pursuing her MEng degree at the University of Toronto. Upon completing her studies, Isdora envisions herself thriving in the dynamic field of healthcare consulting, leveraging her expertise as both an R&D engineer and a Business Development Specialist within pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

Faces of BME – Jemila Abdulai

February 27, 2024

Meet Jemila Abdulai, a vibrant member of the biomedical engineering community at the University of Toronto. Her aspirations upon graduating from the MEng program include venturing into the medical device industry, where she aims to apply her skills and knowledge for meaningful contributions.

Faces of BME – Cecil Chikezie

February 26, 2024

Meet Cecil Chikezie, a dedicated PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto, driven by a passion for improving healthcare outcomes globally.

Faces of BME – Danielle Serra & Janice Pang

January 30, 2024

Meet Danielle Serra and Janice Pang, two exceptional individuals seamlessly balancing the demands of academia and their passion for curling. In this profile Q&A, the duo shares their unique journeys into the world of curling, from a chance encounter at a university event to becoming members of the University Varsity Curling team.

Faces of BME – Ana-Maria Oproescu

December 6, 2023

Meet Ana-Maria, a PhD student in Dr. Omar Khan’s lab. Ana-Maria’s journey seamlessly weaves together her love for art, her dedication to advancing scientific frontiers, and her commitment to breaking barriers in the medical field.

Faces of BME – Soowan Choi

November 25, 2022

Inspired by the need to help others, MASc candidate Soowan Choi is developing tools that incentivize children’s rehabilitation through video games. Ultimately, he wants to make these technologies more accessible to people, regardless of their background.

Faces of BME – Ali Howidi

October 13, 2022

Working as a MASc student in Dr. Paul Yoo’s lab, Ali is researching a novel method of recording continuous blood pressure through AI and machine learning. In his downtime, he finds solace in vinyl records.

Faces of BME – Shaurya Gupta

August 17, 2022

For his research, Shaurya Gupta aims to develop imaging and robotic technology to facilitate the regeneration of severed nerve fibres. In his spare time, he pursues his passion for sailing.

Faces of BME – Amber Xue

July 14, 2022

Having exposure to biomedical sciences at a young age, Amber Xue continued her passion for clinical research at Molly Shoichet’s lab. She is also actively engaged in knowledge translation from academia to industry.

Faces of BME – Amin Kamaleddin Ezabadi

June 9, 2022

As a recent graduate from Steven Prescott’s lab, Amin Kamaleddin Ezabadi developed therapeutics for neurological diseases. Meanwhile, Amin took on a leadership role as Graduate Student Governor at UofT.

Faces of BME – Doris Adao

August 25, 2021

Originally from the Philippines, Doris Adao strives to help others through outreach and mentorship opportunities. By day she finds cures to cardiovascular diseases, by night she finds creativity in cooking.

Faces of BME – Marta O.

April 14, 2021

Faces of BME – Marta O. I grew up in Ukraine in a family of artists, so it seemed natural that I too would become an artist. At the age […]

Faces of BME – Amalia G.

March 25, 2021

Faces of BME – Marta O. Communication is an important skill for all engineers to develop because it doesn’t matter if you have the best idea out there, if you […]