Eight Biomedical Engineering Students Awarded CIHR Master’s Scholarships from the 2025 Competition

Eight students in the University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) have received the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s (CGRS M). The award supports graduate students pursuing research that addresses important challenges in health care and biomedical science. 

This year’s recipients from BME are Aazad Abbas, Sarah Iskin, Vicki Li, Sophie Niculescu, Dharsan Ravindran, Benjamin Tomka, Lauren Toy, and Aden Wong. Their research spans artificial intelligence for hospital operations, neurostimulation therapies, medical imaging, epilepsy care, cardiovascular monitoring, cancer treatment, and surgical planning.  

The list of winners can be found here.

Smart scheduling: integrated machine learning and optimization for comprehensive operating room management 

Working under the supervision of Professor Cari Whyne, Aazad Abbas is developing machine learning and optimization tools to improve operating room scheduling. His research combines predictive models and automated scheduling algorithms to help hospitals reduce surgical wait times, improve efficiency, and support equitable access to care. 

Elucidating the effects of subcallosal cingulate deep brain stimulation on emotional processing and behavioral outcomes 

Supervised by Professor Jurgen Germann, Sarah Iskin is investigating how subcallosal cingulate deep brain stimulation affects emotional processing and behaviour in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Using task-based functional MRI, her work aims to identify biomarkers that could help personalize therapy and improve clinical outcomes.  

Improving sleep in children with epilepsy 

Under the supervision of Professor George Ibrahim, Vicki Li is evaluating a non-invasive sleep intervention designed for children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Her research will assess whether phase-targeted auditory stimulation delivered through a portable home-based system can improve sleep and reduce seizure burden.  

Integration of scanning fiber endoscopy and optical coherence tomography for high-resolution 3D endoscopic imaging 

Working with Professor Robert Weersink, Sophie Niculescu is developing an imaging platform that combines scanning fiber endoscopy and optical coherence tomography. The technology aims to produce high-resolution three-dimensional endoscopic images that can be integrated with CT scans to support cancer treatment planning and surgical decision-making. 

Enhancing trauma care through intelligent surgical volume forecasting and resource optimization 

Supervised by Professor Cari Whyne, Dharsan Ravindran is applying advanced artificial intelligence models to predict surgical trauma volumes. By incorporating factors such as weather, traffic, and population data, his work seeks to improve hospital resource planning, reduce surgical cancellations, and support timely access to emergency care. 

Advancing cuffless blood pressure monitoring through VCSEL-based optical sensing 

Under the supervision of Professor Daniel Franklin, Benjamin Tomka is developing a wearable sensing platform that combines pulse monitoring and blood perfusion measurements using vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). The project aims to improve the accuracy of cuffless blood pressure monitoring and support earlier detection of cardiovascular disease.  

Stereotactic radiotherapy for lumbar spinal metastases: quantifying the temporal impact on musculoskeletal health 

Working with Professor Cari Whyne, Lauren Toy is studying how stereotactic body radiotherapy affects bone and muscle health in patients with spinal metastases. Using automated image analysis and deep learning, her research aims to identify biomarkers associated with fracture risk, treatment response, and patient outcomes.  

Merged MRI and CT imaging for enhanced evaluation of cervical spine foraminal stenosis 

Supervised by Professor Michael Hardisty, Aden Wong is developing a deep-learning-enhanced workflow that combines MRI and CT imaging to improve the assessment of cervical foraminal stenosis. His research seeks to provide more accurate visualization of spinal anatomy and support personalized surgical planning.  

The CIHR CGRS M program supports the development of the next generation of health researchers in Canada. Through their innovative projects, these students are contributing new knowledge and technologies that could improve patient care and strengthen the health-care system.