Are you looking to get into the fields of research (PhD), public health, biomedical engineering, STEM after graduation? Connect with young professionals from various geographical areas and gain insight in the fields of research (PhD), public health, biomedical engineering, STEM in North and South America. The alumni panel will be able to share with you their experiences living in their chosen country of residence, how they community build, and how they stay connected to their home countries.
The panel will consist of:
- Carlos A. Coral Gualotuna (BASC 2018)
- Isdora Bonaventure Msigwa (MEng 2024)
- Jessica Kumah (MPH 2024)
- Sofia Melliou (PhD 2023)
Panellist bios can be found on Folio.
Wednesday, March 12, 5 pm to 7 pm (EST) (Zoom links will be provided closer to the date)
The annual University of Toronto Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research Day returns on May 26th and 27th, 2025.
Join us on May 26 for trainee talks, and keynote and faculty talks on May 27. We wrap up the two-day event with a poster session featuring our trainees’ exciting research.
Registration opens on March 17th, 2025
Call for abstract submissions opens on April 10th, 2025
Stay tuned for more details as we finalize the agenda and abstract submission guidelines.
The event is free and open for all to attend.
This event is organized by the Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium in collaboration with the Division of Infectious Diseases at U of T’s Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases at SickKids, Institute for Pandemics and U of T’s postgraduate medical and clinical microbiology programs.
Apply Now: Summer Residence
Spend your summer in the city and stay with S&E Residences!
Applications for summer residence at Chestnut Residence, Knox Residence and Graduate House are now open.
What we offer:
- Flexible stays, from 30 days to full summer
- Easy payments with all-inclusive fees
- Reduced early bird rates at Chestnut and Knox Residence when you apply before March 31st
All undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply.
For more information and to submit your application, visit uoft.me/se-summer-residence
You can also find us on social at @UofTSEResidences
FemSTEM 2025 is underway with a lineup of esteemed guest speakers from the health innovation space! The third Fireside at FemSTEM, taking place on March 4th as part of University of Toronto’s Entrepreneurship Week, will feature Joella Almeida, Co-Founder and CEO of MedEssist.
From empowering small businesses to revolutionizing healthcare delivery, Joella Almeida’s career is a dynamic tapestry of innovation, strategic leadership, and community impact.
As the CEO of MedEssist, Joella is transforming healthcare delivery through a cutting-edge platform that bridges pharmacies, digital health, and pharmaceutical companies. Her journey is a testament to the power of cross-functional expertise and entrepreneurial spirit.
The Fireside will be moderated by Kimberly Crasta. All are welcome to attend, and audience questions will be highly encouraged! Register now to join H2i on March 4th and hear more about Almeida’s impressive career, learnings to date, advice for founders, and more.
Stress management is a critical skill for everyone, including entrepreneurs. Since many entrepreneurs are juggling school, work, family and starting their own businesses, we want them to know early on in their careers that it is important to understand the difference between good and bad stress and learn ways to support their own mental health and that of their team. The session will kick off with a Keynote from Dr. Lauren Brown, which will explore how entrepreneurs can harness their intuition and disrupt the ‘stress status quo!’ A panel discussion and audience Q&A will follow, with reflections and insights from a panel of remarkable founders. Join H2i on March 3rd and give your brain a break before a busy Entrepreneurship Week!
Upcoming March offerings for Graduate Students from the Centre for Learning Strategy Support Workshops
Project Management for Grad Students
Tuesday, March 4, 4:00-5:30 pm
Academic Success Strategies for Grad Courses
Friday, March 7, 3:30-4:45 pm
Tuesday, March 11, 4–5:15 pm
Talking About Comps Themed Discussion
Wednesday, March 12, 3:00-4:00 pm
Digital Detox for Graduate Students
Thursday, March 13, 4:00-5:00 pm
Managing Procrastination as a Graduate Student
Tuesday, March 18, 4:00-5:15 pm
Time Management Reset for Grads: Clarify and Plan Priorities
Monday, March 24, 3:00-4:30 pm
Ongoing Weekly
Writing Groups and Productivity Groups
All grad students in all disciplines are welcome in these supportive, positive, popular sessions.
Links in program titles are active.
Join a weekly group. Groups run 7 days a week. See the schedule.
Email gwg@utoronto.ca to register.
Grad Productivity Groups – Actually Work From Home!
Log in using this link to browse and register for any group, anytime.
Accessibility Sections: GWG-A & GPG-A – inquire at as.learning@utoronto.ca.
Individual Learning Strategy Appointments
Meet with a Learning Strategist to improve your learning and academic experience. Book in Folio.
Booking assistance: clss@utoronto.ca, 416-978-7970.
Join our Listserv!
Graduate students, staff and faculty are invited to join Grad Student Success to receive regular, advanced notice of workshops and programming designed specifically for graduate and second-entry professional students.
Grad Programming Inquiries: Dr. Andrea Graham ak.graham@utoronto.ca
Folio (Registration System) Inquiries: folio@utoronto.ca.
EPIC Researcher Mobility Awards offer financial support to doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows to travel outside Toronto to undertake research training or complete collaborative fieldwork. Up to $4,000 is available for travel to a North American destination and up to $6,000 is available for travel outside North America.
Proposals are evaluated as we receive them. Please apply now to secure support for your research travel in 2025!
For full eligibility and application materials, please visit our website.
Full Scholarships for Aspiring Community Leaders
Interested in mentorship, leadership skills development, and funding to start your next degree?
The McCall MacBain Scholarships are Canada’s largest leadership-based scholarships for master’s and professional studies. The program brings together students who strive to engage in positive change by taking on meaningful leadership roles.
The scholarship covers:
- Tuition and fees for 150+ eligible programs at McGill University
- A living stipend of $2,300 per month during academic terms
- Summer funding options and a relocation grant
- Mentors and coaching
- A leadership curriculum
Up to 30 full scholarships and 100 one-time awards, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 each, will be offered for 2026 admission. Two-thirds of the scholarships are available for Canadian students, and one-third are for international students in Canada and abroad.
Criteria: Character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.
Timeline: Applications will open in June 2025 for Summer/Fall 2026 entry.
Information Session:
University of Toronto students and recent graduates are invited to join us online on March 5th, 1-2 PM, for a brief presentation and Q&A. The session will feature two University of Toronto finalists.
RSVP: https://apply.mccallmacbainscholars.org/register/uoft
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2025 Summer School on Neurorehabilitation (SSNR2025)
Baiona, Spain
June 8-13, 2025
https://2025.summerschoolneurorehabilitation.org
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Dear colleagues,
On behalf of the organizers, we have the pleasure to invite you to the 13th edition of the 2025 SUMMER SCHOOL ON NEUROREHABILITATION (SSNR2025) that will take place in Baiona, Spain from June 8 to 13, 2025. The objective of SSNR2025 is to provide in-depth education on advanced procedures for neurorehabilitation of motor cognitive dysfunction following neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and amputation, covering practical applications based on innovative neuroprosthetic systems, robotic interfaces, personalized rehabilitation/neurorehabilitation, and other combinational approaches.
At this time, we would like to announce that SSNR2025 workshop descriptions are posted! As a reminder, the Early Registration deadline is March 7, 2025; please see the website for more details and to apply.
If you are a senior researcher or professor, we would like to ask you to please forward this information to students who could be interested in attending. If you are a student, please forward this message to your colleagues.
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WORKSHOPS
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Hands-on workshops and interactive activities are held throughout SSNR2025 where students will team up to address key issues in neurorehabilitation.
WS1 – Synergy-based multichannel functional electrical stimulation (FES) in gait rehabilitation
This workshop will introduce the application of multichannel functional electrical stimulation (FES) for gait rehabilitation. Students will learn how muscle synergy quantification can be used to drive FES and assess rehabilitation outcomes. The workshop will also introduce methods for designing a personalized synergy-based FES strategy. Through hands-on activities, Students will record and process electromyography (EMG) signals, compute muscle synergies, and reconstruct activation profiles targeting specific muscle synergies. They will also gain practical experience applying synergy-based FES using advanced devices provided by the organizers. Additionally, the workshop will provide clinical perspectives on the use of synergy-based FES, including its potential and challenges for improving gait rehabilitation in individuals with neurological disorders.
WS2 – Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling Pipeline Training Workshop
This hands-on workshop will introduce the Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling (NMSM) Pipeline (https://nmsm.rice.edu), which is open source Matlab-based software that adds Model Personalization and Treatment Optimization toolsets to the OpenSim musculoskeletal modeling software. Attendees will learn how to use the four tools available in the Model Personalization toolset and the three tools available in the Treatment Optimization toolset. Starting with a scaled generic OpenSim model and experimental motion capture, ground reaction, and EMG data, the Model Personalization toolset allows users to personalize 1) joint functional axes, 2) muscle-tendon model properties, 3) neural control model properties using muscle synergies, and 4) foot-ground contact model properties. Next, starting with this personalized model and the same experimental data, the Treatment Optimization toolset allows users to perform: 1) a Tracking Optimization that closely reproduces experimental joint motion, ground reaction, joint moment, and EMG data simultaneously using muscle synergy controls, 2) a Verification Optimization that verifies the muscle synergy controls found by Tracking Optimization can reproduce all available experimental data without tracking it, and finally, 3) a Design Optimization that performs predictive simulations to design a clinical intervention. Students will also have the opportunity to test and complete mini-simulation projects.
WS3 – Control of lower limb rehabilitation robotics
This workshop will involve the external control and data feedback of ankle rehabilitation devices and the interconnection and parameter sharing between wearable and non-wearable robotics.
WS4 – Natural Integration of Bionic Limbs via Spinal Interfacing
Natural BionicS aims to create a fully integrated, symbiotic replacement for missing or damaged parts of the human body with artificial limbs that the user will feel and command as a true part of their body. This is achieved by the breakthrough concept of surgically creating bio-connectors to bidirectionally access the spinal cord circuitries. The bio-connector enables to extract information from spinal motor neurons, unravelling the neural code for movement, and to deliver information into the spinal circuitries by stimulating transplanted biological organs. The deciphered neural code provides the ability to replicate the movement of the missing limb on revolutionary robotic limbs that are designed for soft and natural mechanical interaction with the environment. The encoded stimulation will re-establish sensory input as occurring during natural movement, thereby closing the sensory-motor loop. This workshop will discuss mechatronic design and interfacing, covering topics such as variable stiffness, control of assistive devices based on residual motion capabilities, haptic feedback, SoftFoot Pro, SoftHand X, and more.
WS5 – How to use ROS and ROS-Neuro with a brain-computer interface (BCI) system to connect external devices for rehabilitation and assistance
In this workshop, we want to present the steps in order to build a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) that allows users to control an external device. This technology can be used in the rehabilitation field using the EEG signals. We will use our open-source framework based on ROS called ROSNeuro, which facilitates the building of a BCI system. The workshop will be subdivided into three days to provide examples of BCI and the knowledge of a motor imagery BCI (MI-BCI) system.
WS6 – Sensorless Assessment of Motor Function
MOVE 4D is a 4D scanning tool for biomechanics and functional assessment. It allows dynamic analysis of shape in movements and provides insightful clinical information. It can be used as a reliable markerless device for human movement analysis. It can also be used as a contactless system to monitor muscle activation for the assessment of pathologies and rehabilitation. The workshop will provide applications for the analysis of gait in people with cerebral palsy and stroke.
WS7 – Collecting and interpreting end-user feedback: Introduction to methods in design and implementation science
Many innovative devices go unused—how can you ensure yours is adopted by end-users? This workshop explores the intersection of Implementation Science and User-centered design, focusing on the critical role of end-user feedback on device development. Participants will learn practical methods for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting end-user feedback to refine their designs. Each session will begin with a didactic overview of feedback methodologies, including surveys, focus groups, interviews, and think-aloud or near-live testing. Following the introduction to each method, we will conduct interactive exercises where students will apply these techniques in real-time, and conclude with hands-on introduction to data analysis and interpretation to inform device improvements. Throughout the workshop, participants will engage in discussions, hands-on activities, and expert guidance to deepen their understanding of user-centered development. Break out of the research silo and discover how to effectively integrate end-user feedback to create devices that truly meet user needs.
More workshop details will be updated here:
https://2025.summerschoolneurorehabilitation.org/workshops/
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SPEAKERS
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Sunil Agrawal, Columbia University, USA – “Rehabilitation Robotics: Improving Everyday Human Functions”
Emilia Ambrosini, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Vincent C. K. Cheung, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China – “Motor Modularity as a Theory of Neuromotor Control and its Relevance to Neuro-rehabilitation”
R. James Cotton, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, USA – “Clinically Accessible, AI-Powered Movement Analysis”
Julius Dewald, Northwestern University, USA
Dario Farina, Imperial College London, United Kingdom – “Neural Interfacing in Bionics: Separation of Neural Drives to Muscles from Transferred Polyfunctional Nerves Using Implanted Micro-Electrode Arrays”
Oskar C. Aszmann, Medical University of Vienna, Austria – “Reconstructing limbs at the border of biology and technology- possibilities and limitations”
Antonio Bicchi, University of Pisa, Italy – “New directions in prosthetic research”
B.J. Fregly, Rice University, USA – “Designing Optimized Treatments for Movement Impairments using Personalized Neuromusculosketal Models”
Olivier Lambercy, ETH Zurich, Switzerland – “Neurorehabilitation robotics: Unsupervised robot-assisted therapy along the continuum of care”
Maarten Lansberg, Stanford University, USA – “Neurorehabilitation From the Perspective of a Stroke Neurologist”
Natalie Mrachaz-Kersting, Albert–Ludwigs–Universität Freiburg, Germany
James Patton, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA – “Methods for mechanically inducing beneficial neuroplasticy for recovery”
Miriam Rafferty, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, USA – “Accelerating technology adoption: Connecting engineering and design to clinical implementation”
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CONTRIBUTIONS
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Students are encouraged to submit contributions to SSNR2025! 2 page abstracts can be submitted to be considered for oral presentation and/or included in the Proceedings. Students can also display posters throughout SSNR.
For further and up-to-date information, please visit the conference website:
https://2025.summerschoolneurorehabilitation.org
We are looking forward to welcoming you in Baiona, Spain in June 2025!
Best regards,
The SSNR Organization Committee
e: info@summerschoolneurorehabilitation.org
w: https://2025.summerschoolneurorehabilitation.org
This term’s research ethics information session for health sciences research involving human participants.
The session will be held online on February 18, 2025 from 10:00-11:30am and will include a presentation with opportunity for questions and discussion. Topics will include:
- History and principles behind research ethics review
- Procedures under the Tri-council Policy Statement 2 (TCPS2 2022)
- U of T’s risk matrix for assessing participant vulnerability and research risk
- Free & informed consent, privacy & confidentiality, conflict of interest
- Preparing a research ethics protocol