Life at 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.

Inspired by Her Grandmother’s Stroke, Aisha Raji is Changing the Future of Rehabilitation

February 11, 2025

First 48 Hours: Documentary spotlights the journey of international students

October 22, 2024

Cecil Chikezie, a PhD student at BME, has been featured in a 22-min University of Toronto documentary from the perspective of international students. It documents what life has been like within the first 48 hours of arriving on campus.

Meet the incoming class of 2024

September 26, 2024

In September, BME welcomed 100+ students into our graduate programs. We asked some of these students what they are looking forward to in graduate school, and why they chose our programs. Here’s what they have to say.

Meet the 2024 Leadership of Biomedical Engineering Students’ Association

September 11, 2024

Introducing the Movers and Shakers of the Biomedical Engineering Students’ Association (BESA)! Meet the leadership team that will spearhead graduate student related extracurricular activities this year.

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.

Reflections on NSBE’s 50th annual convention

July 22, 2024

Reflections on NSBE’s 50th annual convention by Aisha Raji My experience at the 50th National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Annual Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, was truly transformative. As a Black […]

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.

Empowering future biomedical engineers 

July 16, 2024

This summer, the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the University of Toronto (U of T) hosted a series of hands-on workshops (iBEAM) in collaboration with the U of T Enrichment Academy’s outreach initiative. This University-wide initiative aims to enrich the educational experiences of historically underrepresented high school students and guide them toward successful post-secondary education.

Grads to Watch – Maneesha Rajora (BME MASc 1T3, BME PhD 2T4)

June 18, 2024

Having enriched the U of T Engineering community as undergraduate and graduate students, they will join our vibrant, global network of Skule™ alumni, where they will continue to address pressing challenges around the world and inspire the next generation. This year’s 14 Grads to Watch — selected by their home departments and institutes — embody the spirit of U of T Engineering. Their stories illustrate the creativity, innovation and global impact that define our community. Watch their next steps!

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.

UT BIOME: pioneering innovation at the intersection of biomedical engineering

May 29, 2024

University of Toronto Biomedical Engineering design team, led by Luka Zigomanis (4th year EngSci) and Rubaina Farin (4th year Life Sci), provided undergraduate students with a unique platform to explore the convergence of medicine and engineering

Celebrating the 40th Student Research Conference (ToBE)

May 15, 2024

This year’s event featured keynote addresses from Nobel Prize winner Dr. Jennifer Doudna, Dr. John-Ross Rizzo from NYU Langone Health, and Dr. Andrew Pelling from the University of Ottawa, all renowned for their groundbreaking work. The conference showcased student research, fostering academic discourse and networking, and included workshops on communication and entrepreneurship.

Club for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Awarded the University of Toronto Student Life “Program of the Year” for Promoting Innovation and Collaboration 

April 19, 2024

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.

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.

Meet the 2023 Leadership of Biomedical Engineering Students’ Association

September 22, 2023

Introducing the Movers and Shakers of the Biomedical Engineering Students’ Association (BESA)! Meet the visionary leaders steering the Biomedical Engineering Students’ Association towards a brighter, healthier future in 2023.

Meet the incoming class of 2023

September 20, 2023

In September, BME welcomed 100+ students into our graduate programs. We asked some of these students why they chose our programs, and what they are looking forward to in this unusual year. Here’s what they have to say.