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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Judy Gilligan, Operations Assistant, Retires After 16 Years of Dedicated Service at BME
The Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) proudly announces the retirement of Judy Gilligan, Operations Assistant, after 16 years of dedicated service. Judy joined BME in 2008 under the supervision of then Operations Manager Sandra Walker. As one of the longest-serving staff members at the Institute, she has observed major transformations through the transition of 4 directors. Her contributions have been pivotal in maintaining the smooth operations of the Institute.
New imaging technique to improve the study of heart valve disease in mice
Researchers from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the University of Toronto and the Translational Biology and Engineering Program in the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research have developed an ultrasound imaging protocol that promises to transform how congenital heart valve diseases are studied in mice. This new technique allows scientists to identify structural abnormalities in the aortic valve of juvenile mice as young as four weeks old, paving the way for more efficient, cost-effective, and humane research practices.
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.
Pioneering the future of Textile Computing™
In an era where wearables are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, Myant stands at the forefront of innovation, revolutionizing the healthcare landscape with their cutting-edge Textile Computing™ technology. At the helm of this groundbreaking endeavour is Milad Alizadeh-Meghrazi (PhD), Vice President of Research, Development, and Partner Integration at Myant.
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.
Show your pride – Angelico Obille
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.
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.
Show your pride – Shivam Chadha
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.
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.
UT BIOME: pioneering innovation at the intersection of biomedical engineering
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
Enhancing Neurostimulation
Researchers at UHN’s KITE Research Institute have recently leveraged the power of deep learning to improve nerve signalling interpretation, paving the way for more effective neuroprosthetic devices and offering new hope for those with impaired motor function.
New Models for Eye Disease
A research team at UHN’s Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute in collaboration with the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto (U of T) has discovered that transplanted retinal cells can share essential materials with host cells in the lab, offering a promising avenue for delivering therapies directly to damaged areas of the eye.
Celebrating the 40th Student Research Conference (ToBE)
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.
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.
Canadian Hub for Health Intelligence and Innovation in Infectious Diseases awarded $72 million to strengthen talent development and health intelligence
One of the CBRF-funded programs is the Biomanufacturing Hub Network, an immersive talent development program based at the University of Toronto led by U of T University Professor Molly Shoichet (ChemE, BME) along with Darius Rackus, an assistant professor of chemistry and biology at Toronto Metropolitan University, and Gilbert Walker, a professor of chemistry at U of T.
From brain-computer interfaces to commercial AI
Dr. Alborz Rezazadeh graduated from Dr. Tom Chau’s lab in 2018 with a specialization in electrical and biomedical engineering. Since then, Alborz delved deep into the AI field and assumed various roles in multinational companies such as Samsung, LG, and Recursion. Now working as a senior applied scientist at Amazon, Alborz reflects on his journey throughout his graduate experience and how his diverse set of experiences shaped his understanding of artificial intelligence (AI).
Computational model unveils dynamics of Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been a longstanding adjunctive therapy for movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, yet its precise mechanisms of action have remained elusive. In a recent study published in the journal Neuromodulation, Dr. Milad Lankarany and his team have introduced a computational model that accurately predicts the dynamics of neuronal activity during DBS across various frequencies.
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.
New research aimed to improve early childhood music education
Researchers from the University of Toronto have unveiled a new technological breakthrough that promises to transform early childhood music education. The study addresses a critical gap in musical instrument classification, particularly concerning non-pitched percussion instruments. The findings are published in a recent issue of PLOS one.
Accelerate Seed Grant recipient aims to improve delivery of drugs that treat brain diseases using self-driving lab technology
Professor Leo Chou have received Acceleration Consortium Seed Grant funding for his research on building DNA origami as a delivery vehicle for therapeutic agents
Dr. Omar F. Khan honoured with the McCharles Prize for early career research distinction
Professor Omar F. Khan has been awarded the prestigious McCharles Prize for Early Career Research Distinction for his contributions to the fields of biomedical and immune engineering.
Enhancing Balance Rehabilitation
Researchers from UHN’s KITE Research Institute have investigated a new affordable and clinically accessible training system for improving the standing balance of spinal cord injury patients. The team led by Dr. Kei Masani, KITE Senior Scientist and senior author of the study, investigated the integration of low-cost and portable sensors like a depth camera and pressure mat, which use motion tracking and distribution of pressure, respectively, to analyze movement.