Meet the incoming class of 2026
In September, BME welcomed 120+ 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.
September 14, 2026
Mahmoud Abdelkarim
PhD Program
I'm looking forward to advancing my research in organ-on-a-chip technologies and nanoparticle drug delivery, particularly for pregnancy-associated breast cancer. I'm also excited to collaborate with researchers across different disciplines and contribute to meaningful biomedical innovations that can improve patient care.
Abdelrahman Abouzid
PhD Program
I look forward to collaborating with BME's interdisciplinary community and developing personalized human placenta and fetal heart models using induced pluripotent stem cells and organ-on-a-chip technologies. Through this research, I hope to better understand congenital diseases, improve drug-safety testing during pregnancy, and contribute to developing safer, more personalized treatments for mothers and babies. I am also excited to learn from leading researchers, build meaningful collaborations, and grow as a researcher within BME's innovative and supportive environment.
Seren Acikalin
MEng Program
I’m looking forward to turning a lot of “wait, how does that work?” moments into actual answers. I’m excited to explore everything from AI and medical imaging to the technology behind healthcare, meet people who are just as curious as I am, and hopefully figure out exactly where I fit in the very big world of biomedical engineering. Mostly, I’m excited to learn a lot, ask way too many questions, and see where they take me!
Shruti Anand
PhD Program
I am looking forward to take part in cutting-edge research and be a part of a community of passionate peers and mentors.
Job Atubigah
MEng Program
I hope to learn, collaborate and share ideas that can build me confidently to achieve my goals.
Karen Ramos Bogarin
MEng Program
I expect to gain advanced knowledge and practical skills in biomedical engineering. I hope to work on real-world projects, improve my technical and research abilities, and learn from experienced professionals. I also want to expand my career opportunities in Canada and contribute o the development of innovative medical technologies.
Benjamin Caesar
MASc Program
I am looking forward to building relationships with new peers and mentors across the biomedical engineering community, as well as expanding my scientific knowledge to develop real-world clinical solutions that improve patient outcomes.
Orrin Dahanaggamaarachchi
MASc Program
I'm looking forward to joining a vibrant engineering community while working at the forefront of pediatric neuromodulation.
Hanaa Diab
MEng Program
During my time in BME, I look forward to strengthening my technical skills, gaining more hands-on experience, exploring new areas of engineering, and working on new projects. I also look forward to meeting people with similar interests, learning from experienced researchers and professors, and discovering the area I want to pursue professionally.
Thomas Ganley
MASc Program
I'm looking forward to diving into the world of magnetic resonance imaging and advancing new techniques. There's such an opportunity here to explore these ideas and I can't wait to see where it takes me.
Julia Green
PhD Program
I'm looking forward to meeting new people and being part of BME's collaborative community, connecting with others working at the intersection of engineering and medicine. I'm also excited to dive into my research in the Maikawa lab, developing biomaterials for targeted drug delivery to treat inflammatory bowel disease.
Kaito Hara-Lee
PhD Program
I am most excited about the clinical integration from my lab and the collaborative effort between different research groups. I am also super excited to build new connections and meet fun people in BME!
Jonathan Hua
MASc Program
I am really looking forward to learning new knowledge and techniques and getting to know everyone in the department.
Mostafa Ibrahim
PhD Program
As a doctoral student, I aspire to cultivate the scientific rigor, innovative mindset, and leadership qualities required to become a distinguished scientist in molecular bioengineering. I see BME at U of T as an exceptional environment to challenge my thinking, strengthen my interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, and collaborate with brilliant minds from around the world. Beyond scientific discovery, I am driven to translate research into meaningful, tangible solutions that improve human health and quality of life. Ultimately, I aim to become not only an accomplished researcher, but a scientist whose work creates lasting impact.
Korain Jamal
MEng Program
I'm looking forward to building a deeper understanding of how engineering can address complex challenges in medicine. I'm particularly excited about meeting new people, and learning alongside passionate individuals like myself! I'm excited to step outside my comfort zone, take on new challenges, and explore the many possibilities within biomedical engineering. Most importantly, I'm looking forward to enjoying the journey, making meaningful connections.
Devin Johnson
PhD Program
I'm most looking forward to becoming part of such a strong research community filled with people who are genuinely passionate about pushing their fields forward. There's something energizing about being surrounded by like-minded individuals who care deeply about being at the forefront of their research, and I'm excited to learn from and contribute to that environment as well as grow alongside people who share that same drive. BME at U of T feels like a place where that kind of collective curiosity and ambition is the norm rather than the exception, and I can't wait to be part of it!
Isabella Jun
MASc Program
I'm looking forward to learning about current and ongoing research in BME, making meaningful connections, and creating a positive impact in the community!
Diane (Daeun) Kim
PhD Program
I am looking forward to developing my research skills and becoming an expert in my area of research, with the hope of contributing to the fields of MRI and cardiovascular diseases. Beyond research, I am excited to become involved in the BME community and participate in meaningful extracurricular activities. Through my PhD in BME, I hope to grow both as a researcher and as a person, while learning from and contributing to the community around me.
Ela Krajcuskova
PhD Program
I'm excited to start my research, learn from the people around me, and grow both as a researcher and as a person. I'm especially looking forward to meeting and collaborating with others across BME, exploring new ideas, and being part of a supportive research community.
Carolyn Lee
MASc Program
I'm excited to learn more and conduct cool research! 🙂
Jason Leung
PhD Program
I'm looking forward to starting my own research and making new memories with the BME community.
Sabrina Lo
MEng Program
I'm looking forward to expanding my breadth of knowledge and learning through hands-on experience. Coming from a life sciences background, I'm especially excited to explore areas biomedical engineering to see how different concepts can be applied to solve real-world healthcare problems.
Sophia Ly
PhD Program
I am looking forward to fostering a strong community within my cohort. I am also excited to contribute to innovative and impactful research.
Kenny Man
PhD Program
I look forward to exploring the unknown.
Sephora Mathivathanan
MASc Program
As a scientist, I'm interested in finding ways to improve healthcare and facilitate patient care. My experiences working with people with disabilities and in hospital settings have inspired my interest in developing technologies that can address problems in healthcare. I'm intrigued by medical technology and neuroengineering and look forward to exploring how these fields can be used to improve the lives of patients. I'm also excited to learn from my lab colleagues and connect with the broader BME community at UofT. I'm grateful to be part of the program and look forward to growing as a biomedical engineer.
Chelsea Mok
MASc Program
I'm looking forward to exploring research opportunities in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. My undergraduate thesis experience in BME sparked my interest in the field and inspired me to pursue graduate studies in tissue engineering. During my time in BME, I'm excited to deepen my understanding through hands-on research and contribute to the development of regenerative medicine approaches through my work. I hope to learn from and collaborate with researchers across different areas of biomedical engineering, gain new perspectives and expand my skills through the interdisciplinary environment in BME.
Ifeanyi Oguamanam
MASc Program
I'm super excited to get connected with the graduate network of professors, researchers and clinicians here at the IBBME. I hope that these collaborations will inform the design choices I make, and I can help to build solutions that target relevant medical needs.
Jason Okpere
MASc Program
I look forward to learning and growing.
Maria Ferriz Pojer
PhD Program
I am looking forward to working at the intersection of engineering and clinical medicine within BME (U of T) and UHN, particularly in cardiovascular research, where computational tools can help address real clinical challenges. I am especially excited to collaborate closely with engineers and clinicians, learn from their different perspectives, and see how research can move from modeling and experimentation toward meaningful clinical application. Most of all, I look forward to helping improve clinical decision-making through engineering and computational tools, ultimately helping increase donor heart utilization for transplantation.
Nada Shaath
MASc Program
I'm excited to be part of BME at U of T because of how much the research program encourages collaboration across different backgrounds and expertise. What drew me to U of T is its connected research community, both within the university and across its affiliated hospitals and institutions. I'm coming into the program with a background in neuroscience and I look forward to building on that foundation while exploring other areas like neuromodulation and neural engineering. I'm especially excited to see how these collaborations bring new perspectives to my work and shape the direction of my research throughout graduate school.
Ghada Shahin
MEng Program
I'm extremely excited to transition my career path into engineering, watching a goal I've been working toward since my first year of undergrad finally come to life. I'm looking forward to taking on entirely new types of courses that bridge so many of my interests. Most of all, I can't wait to connect and collaborate with like-minded people!
Asma Siddiqi
MEng Program
As an MEng student interested in cardiac research and regenerative medicine, I am most excited about the opportunities BME offers to deepen my understanding of the field. From exploring new areas through coursework and hands-on experiences to learning from researchers, mentors and peers with diverse perspectives, I am looking forward to building on my existing interests while discovering new ones. I hope to use my time in BME to explore the many facets of biomedical engineering and gain a better understanding of how different engineering approaches can shape the future of cardiovascular research and regenerative medicine.
Nicholas Sinclair
MASc Program
I look forward to diving deeper into biomedical engineering and researching how digital twin technologies can be applied to engineering education. I am excited to explore how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence can be safely, responsibly, and effectively incorporated into engineering training. I am eager to collaborate with U of T’s extensive network of educators, research labs, and teaching labs to build new tools and implement these advanced technologies in pedagogical practice.
Riya Sood
MEng Program
I'm looking forward to discovering how biomedical engineering can be applied across healthcare, particularly in medical technology and clinical innovation. I'm excited to take courses that challenge me to approach healthcare problems in new ways while building practical skills I can carry into my career. I'm also looking forward to working with peers and experts across the field and learning from their perspectives. What excites me most is seeing how engineering and medicine can come together to develop new solutions that improve patient care.
Caroline Switkowski
PhD Program
I am most looking forward to refining my skills as a researcher and learning how to leverage my work towards meaningful contributions to cancer biology through a biomedical engineering lens. I feel incredibly privileged to do this alongside ambitious and talented individuals who will challenge me to think more critically and approach research from new perspectives. I am especially excited to experience firsthand the value of scientific collaboration and community, and to grow within an environment where curiosity and shared knowledge can drive meaningful scientific progress.
Callum Tetro
MEng Program
I can't wait to meet like minded individuals and work together in solving the current problems that exist within the biomedical industry.
Alisha Varty-Higgs
PhD Program
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to pursue research at the intersection of biological science and technology, while learning alongside accomplished and driven students, researchers, and mentors. I am eager to continue deepening my passion for cancer research while learning invaluable skills that will allow me to excel in the future!
Mahlet Berhane Woldegabriel
MEng Program
I'm looking forward to exploring the field of biomedical engineering from a new perspective and understanding how my engineering background can contribute to healthcare. I'm excited to learn from people with different experiences, challenge myself academically, and discover areas of BME that I want to pursue further. I'm also looking forward to building meaningful connections, experiencing life in Toronto, and making the most of this new chapter.
Xinchi Yan
MASc Program
I am looking forward to making the most of my time in BME by learning from the incredible community of researchers and leaders around me and connecting with people who share my curiosity and passion. I am excited to immerse myself in the BME community at UofT and contribute to a dynamic environment where ideas can grow. I hope to take every opportunity to challenge myself, build meaningful connections, and make the most of this incredible journey.
Xiaoou Yang
PhD Program
What excites me most about biomedical engineering is the chance to bring an idea to life and watch it make a real difference for someone. Before studying engineering, many of my ideas felt more like dreams; they are meaningful, but difficult to realize. BME has given me the knowledge and tools to turn those possibilities into designs that people can use and benefit from. Yet what makes this field especially meaningful to me is that technology is never the final goal as in BME, humanity always guides technology.
Sador Yemane
MEng Program
I look forward to strengthening my foundation in medical imaging and signal processing while expanding my understanding of physiological modelling. I'm especially interested in how biomedical technologies progress from laboratory concepts to devices used in clinical care. The program's industry connections will offer valuable insight into that translation through development, validation, and implementation. Just as important, I'm looking forward to the people I'll learn from along the way
Lu (Kelly) Yin
PhD Program
I'm looking forward to further my research skills while meeting like-minded people and engaging in collaborative projects. By joining the biomedical engineering community, I am excited to accelerate my personal and professional growth.
Daniel Yu
MASc Program
Coming from a background in Electrical and Computer Engineering, I'm excited to bring my ECE experience into biomedical engineering research and explore the intersection of technology and healthcare. I'm particularly looking forward to pursuing research in adaptive closed-loop deep brain stimulation, developing novel technologies to better understand and modulate neural circuits for the treatment of neurological diseases. Beyond my research, I'm excited to meet new people, learn from the diverse perspectives within BME, and contribute to a lasting and supportive BME community!
Safa Imtiyaz
MEng Program
During my time in BME, I’m most looking forward to exploring how biomedical engineering can make healthcare more accessible, innovative, and responsive to real patient needs. I hope to better understand where my interests in engineering, global health, and equitable care intersect, while gaining the skills to help design products and develop solutions to healthcare challenges. I’m especially excited by the possibility of contributing to advances that expand what is possible in patient care, and to grow into an engineer who approaches those challenges with creativity, curiosity, and purpose.
