Two BME professors receive 2026 Connaught Innovation Awards

Two professors from the University of Toronto Institute of Biomedical Engineering have received 2026 Connaught Innovation Awards, a competitive internal research funding program. Professors Paul Yoo and Daniel Franklin are among 14 award recipients selected this year for innovations with strong potential for societal impact. 

The Connaught Innovation Award accelerates the development of promising technologies while supporting commercialization and knowledge transfer arising from University of Toronto research. Funded projects must be based on existing invention disclosures filed with U of T’s Innovations and Partnerships Office. Each award provides one time seed funding to help move discoveries closer to real world application. 

Professor Paul Yoo received the award for his project titled A Data Driven System and Prediction Model for Personalized Management of Lower Urinary Dysfunction.  

An expert in neural engineering, Yoo’s research focuses on the development of electrical neuromodulation therapies for chronic medical disorders. His research aims to improve diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies for lower urinary tract dysfunction through data driven modelling, addressing a major and often under treated health challenge. 

Yoo brings extensive experience in academic and industrial collaboration, having worked with medical technology companies including Imthera Medical, Microtransponder, Ethicon Endosurgery, Boston Scientific Corporation, and Nuviant Medical. 

Professor Daniel Franklin received the award for his project titled Development of Novel Wearable Sensor for Standardized Endothelial Dysfunction Assessment.  

Franklin’s research includes wearable health technologies for advanced hemodynamic monitoring such as blood pressure, cardiac output, and vascular function, as well as wireless implants and novel bioresorbable materials. His Connaught funded project focuses on creating a wearable sensor to enable standardized assessment of endothelial dysfunction, a key early indicator of cardiovascular disease. 

“We are proud to see Professors Yoo and Franklin recognized with Connaught Innovation Awards,” said Professor Milos Popovic, Director of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. “Their work exemplifies the Institute’s commitment to translating world class research into technologies that address real health challenges and improve outcomes for patients and communities.”