Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Summer program inspires Indigenous youth to consider careers in health care

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:33:40 +0000

Summer program inspires Indigenous youth to consider careers in health care

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 01/16/2025 - 10:33

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Students in the ZKA’AN NI-BMIWDOOWIN GCHI-KINOOMAADWINAN (ZNBGK) program participate in a simulation session with Ryan Giroux, centre, Indigenous health lead for postgraduate medical education (supplied image)

Erin Howe

Topic

Our Community

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

��߲ݴ�ý

Indigenous

Women's College Hospital

Subheadline

The ZNBGK program is a collaboration between Ganawishkadawe – the Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health at Women’s College Hospital and U of T's Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Charli Mackay wouldn't have pictured a career for herself in medical imaging – that is until a unique program at the ��߲ݴ�ý brought the idea into sharper focus.

The Grade 10 student was one of several students, including her sister, who took part in the ZKA’AN NI-BMIWDOOWIN GCHI-KINOOMAADWINAN (ZNBGK) program at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

Also known as “Building the Fire, Walking with Medicine,” the program runs for one week each summer in collaboration with Ganawishkadawe – the Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health at Women’s College Hospital.

“ZNBGK really opened my eyes to pursuing a career in the medical sciences,” says Mackay. “It was exciting to see just how broad the field is. There are so many more options available than I had realized.

“I’m really drawn to research and imaging.”

Launched as a pilot in 2021, ZNBGK aims to increase Indigenous participation in health-care professions. It provides students in Grades 9 and 10 with culturally appropriate programming that includes land-based learning experiences, opportunities to build relationships with mentors and one another, and exposure to Indigenous leadership, knowledges, governance systems and healing practices.

This year, Temerty Medicine’s office of Indigenous health and office of access and outreach leveraged relationships between the organizations to provide participants with more varied clinical experiences and programming.

“The proportion of Indigenous faculty members is small, so it’s critical to think and collaborate across institutions,” says Ryan Giroux, a pediatrician at St. Michael’s hospital, Unity Health Toronto, and the Inner City Health Associates, who is also Indigenous health lead for postgraduate medical education at Temerty Medicine.

“If this program only operated within a single organization, that [means] we would risk not being able to provide the community what they need.”

Associate Professor Doug Campbell speaks to ZNBGK students during a simulation session (supplied image)

This year’s session included: a lab tour at the MaRS Discovery District; drop-in chats with Women’s College Hospital CEO Heather McPherson, Temerty Medicine Assistant Professors Dana Ross and Jason Pennington, as well as current Indigenous medical students; an image-based journaling workshop with postdoctoral researcher Lisa Boivin; and a holistic healing session with Assistant Professor Chase McMurren.

Students also took part in simulation activities at Unity Health Toronto’s La Ki Shing Knowledge Institute.

“Simulation in health care is often thought of as a way to teach someone how to do a task, but it offers far more than that,” says Doug Campbell, an associate professor of pediatrics at Temerty Medicine who co-led the simulation session with Giroux. “We’ve always kept in mind that we can advocate and share educational experiences with the community.”

After a short lecture about the work pediatricians or neonatologists do, students had the opportunity to don gloves and gowns and see what it’s like to insert an umbilical vein catheter and ventilate – and possibly intubate – a mannequin of a newborn.

“I believe we have an obligation to open doors to historically marginalized communities. As we open our eyes to what's happened in the past, we also need to think about how we interact day-to-day with people in the future, says Campbell, who is also director of the Allan Waters Patient Simulation Centre at Unity Health. “Our duty to care needs to continually evolve. We have an obligation to move forward on the path of reconciliation.”

Students also toured First Nations House, visited the Earth Sciences courtyard, learned about the supports and resources available to Indigenous learners and took part in drumming, songs and smudging.

The program was led by Ganawishkadawe Elder-in-Residence Kawennanoron Cindy White, who offered traditional teachings and spiritual guidance throughout the week.

Mackay says she was particularly inspired by White, who described some of her own struggles after college and how she became more involved with traditional teachings and became an Elder.

“She really emphasized that better is always possible.”

U of T to host new national hub to advance life sciences breakthroughs

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 17:20:31 +0000

U of T to host new national hub to advance life sciences breakthroughs

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 01/15/2025 - 12:20

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The new health hub will build on the university's track record of supporting research commercialization including events such as AcceleratorFest (pictured above), held in September 2024 (photo by Alyssa K. Faoro)

Betty Zou

Topic

Our Community

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Entrepreneurship

Health Innovation Hub

Subheadline

The hub will be hosted at the Health Innovation Hub (H2i) accelerator based in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine

The ��߲ݴ�ý and its partners are receiving $4.25 million over the next five years to establish a national hub aimed at accelerating the commercialization of life sciences discoveries.

The funding is part of a $32-million grant awarded to Dalhousie University by the Government of Canada through the Lab to Market program, administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

The grant will expand Lab2Market – Canada’s national network for innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurship skills training – through the creation of a national health hub based at U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine and six regional hubs.

“This funding support will play a critical part in our drive to translate research for the public good,” says Justin Nodwell, vice dean, research and health science education at Temerty Medicine. “There is an incredible wealth of important science happening at Temerty Medicine and we are committed to seeing as much of it as possible incorporated into new diagnostics, therapies and other technologies that can be scaled and distributed globally.

“As the new home for the national health hub, we look forward to building on the university’s stellar track record in research commercialization and working with our partners to strengthen the life sciences innovation economy across the country.”

The hub will develop and deliver programs to help students and faculty bring breakthrough ideas to market, with a focus on addressing regulatory challenges facing health and medical startups.

It will be hosted at Temerty Medicine’s Health Innovation Hub (H2i), a campus-based accelerator that helps early-stage entrepreneurs turn their discoveries and innovations into problem-solving designs, products and services. Since 2014, H2i has supported more than 750 ventures along the commercialization pathway. Collectively, these startups have generated over $520 million in investments, sales and other revenue sources.

“With a comprehensive scope from ideation all the way to regulatory validation, H2i will bring unparalleled expertise and experience to support life sciences entrepreneurs through the national health hub,” says Paul Santerre, co-founder and director of H2i and a professor of biomedical engineering and dentistry at U of T.

Leveraging H2i’s network of 118 partner organizations and over 130 industry mentors, the hub will provide opportunities for students to build their entrepreneurship and business acumen while strengthening Canada’s innovation sector through the development of highly skilled workers and life sciences startups.

“Our trainees understand that they don’t only want to do outstanding research, but they also want their research to impact society,” says Santerre.

“I hope that this new funding will be culture-changing because if we want to keep those young people in Canada, we need a thriving innovation ecosystem where they can apply their knowledge, and we need to give students opportunities to expose themselves to the commercial innovation sector while they are still training.”

Over five years, Lab2Market will scale nationally, growing its network of 150 partners and collaborators including more than 50 universities, colleges and research hospitals, which collectively generated nearly $7.8 billion in research funding income in 2022–23.

The national health hub includes 38 university, hospital and organizational partners and will be guided by a steering committee comprising representatives of the eight university partners – Dalhousie University, McGill University, McMaster University, Toronto Metropolitan University, Université de Montréal, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary and U of T.

Researchers develop biodegradable electrodes that may help repair damaged brain tissue

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 14:57:52 +0000

Researchers develop biodegradable electrodes that may help repair damaged brain tissue

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 01/13/2025 - 09:57

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From left: Professor Cindi Morshead, PhD student Tianhao Chen and Professor Hani Naguib led research to develop a flexible, biodegradable electrode capable of stimulating neural precursor cells in the brain (supplied images, Chen by Qin Dai)

Qin Dai

Topic

Breaking Research

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Graduate Students

Research & Innovation

Subheadline

“Our plan is to further develop this technology by creating multimodal, biodegradable electrodes that can deliver drugs and gene therapies to the injured brain”

��߲ݴ�ý researchers have developed a flexible, biodegradable electrode capable of stimulating neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the brain – a device capable of delivering targeted electrical stimulation for up to seven days before it dissolves naturally.

By harnessing the body’s innate repair mechanisms, the researchers’ approach represents a potential step forward in the treatment of neurological disorders that are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While neurological disorders often result in irreversible cell loss, stimulating NPCs – rare cells capable of repairing neural tissue – has shown promise when it comes to expanding limited treatment options.

However, existing methods such as transcranial direct current stimulation lack precision and can damage tissue. The electrode developed by U of T researchers, on the other hand, provides precise, safe and temporary stimulation without requiring subsequent surgical interventions.

“Our findings demonstrate that this electrode can stimulate neural repair in a controlled, temporary manner, which is crucial for avoiding complications associated with permanent implants,” says Tianhao Chen, a PhD student in biomedical engineering who is the study’s lead author.

The research, published in a recent issue of Biomaterials, was led by Hani Naguib, a professor in the departments of materials science and engineering and mechanical and industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, and Cindi Morshead, a professor of surgery in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine who is cross-appointed to the Institute of Biomedical Engineering.

“Neural precursor cells hold significant potential for repairing damaged brain tissue, but existing methods for activating these cells can be invasive or imprecise,” Morshead says.

“Our biodegradable electrode provides a solution by combining effective stimulation with reduced patient risk.”

To design the biodegradable neural probe, the team focused on materials that provided both biocompatibility and tunable degradation rates.

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA), a flexible material approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, was chosen for the substrate and insulation layer due to its predictable degradation based on monomer ratios and minimal inflammatory effects.

Molybdenum was selected for the electrode itself due to its durability and slow dissolution – both qualities essential for maintaining structural integrity during the intended one-week stimulation period.

The electrodes were implanted in pre-clinical models and demonstrated the ability to stimulate NPCs effectively, increasing their numbers and activity without causing significant tissue damage or inflammation. This testing ensured the electrodes’ safety and efficacy for neural repair stimulation within the targeted time frame.

“Our plan is to further develop this technology by creating multimodal, biodegradable electrodes that can deliver drugs and gene therapies to the injured brain,” says Morshead.

“We have exciting data to show that activating brain stem cells with our electrical stimulation devices improves functional outcomes in a preclinical model of stroke.”

One in four Canadian women unaware of folic acid's importance during pregnancy: Study

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 20:10:40 +0000

One in four Canadian women unaware of folic acid's importance during pregnancy: Study

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 01/07/2025 - 15:10

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(photo by Oscar Wong/Getty Images)

Matthew Tierney

Topic

Breaking Research

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Research & Innovation

Subheadline

“We are currently experiencing a crisis of family doctors in the country. The shortage makes me worry about what may happen to awareness levels in the coming years”

Approximately one in four women in Canada are unaware of the benefits of taking folic acid before and during pregnancy to prevent certain birth defects – a percentage that has not improved in more than a decade.

In a recent paper published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, researchers at Sinai Health and the ��߲ݴ�ý analyzed data from the Canadian Community Health Survey conducted by Statistics Canada in 2017 and 2018.

“We compare this data to the last national study on prevalence of folic acid supplementation awareness in 2006–2007, which utilized data from the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey,” says Vrati Mehra, a fourth-year medical student in U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

“We see almost no change in awareness levels from then till now. The numbers have essentially remained the same.”

Mehra is lead author of the paper along with Ellen Greenblatt, John Snelgrove and Claire Jones – all clinicians in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Mount Sinai Hospital and faculty members in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology in U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. Professor Hala Tamim from York University also contributed to the study.

Researchers Claire Jones, left, and medical student Vrati Mehra are study co-authors (supplied images)

“Vrati had worked on a previous project of ours, a prenatal program design that involved interviewing pregnant participants,” says Jones, who is also the program director for gynecologic reproductive endocrinology and infertility residency at U of T.

“Hearing many admit they did not know about supplementing with folic acid inspired her to look further into it – a good example of how anecdotal evidence can suggest fruitful research paths.”

In the early 1990s, researchers showed that folic acid could prevent open neural tube defects. The neural tube is formed in the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy and develops into the nervous system: the spinal cord and brain. Defects lead to higher incidence of miscarriages, or debilitating conditions such as spina bifida or anencephaly at birth.

“Although we typically get enough folic acid for daily functioning, the requirement increases significantly during pregnancy to support the development of a growing baby,” says Mehra. “So, in the early 2000s, the government mandated that companies fortify pasta, breads, cereal and other grain foods with folic acid.”

The folic acid fortification came with targeted public ad campaigns that successfully raised awareness levels among Canadian females from between 25 and 50 per cent in the early 2000s to between 70 and 75 per cent in 2007.

“However, since then, the public campaigns have become more passive,” says Mehra. “Posters by the Public Health Agency of Canada are available online for those seeking information about folic acid. However, to my knowledge, there are no active campaigns targeting people who might be completely unaware of its importance.”

The study also found that certain socioeconomic patterns had persisted over the decade. People who were younger were more likely to be unaware of folic acid, as were people with lower income or less education. Landed immigrants were three times more likely to be unaware, on average.

Some of the disparities may be explained by how health information circulates, says Mehra.

“People get info from their family doctors, or from a public campaign poster in a health-care provider’s office. Those who only see a doctor after finding out that they are pregnant, or don’t have regular follow-up, have fewer chances to learn about folic acid,” she says.

“We are currently experiencing a crisis of family doctors in the country. The shortage makes me worry about what may happen to awareness levels in the coming years.”

Possible solutions include incorporating information about folic acid’s benefits before and during pregnancy to the high school sexual health curriculum, which already covers content on contraception and pregnancy. The addition would emphasize the importance of folic acid for pregnant individuals and advise those planning to become pregnant to begin taking supplements at least three months prior to conception and during their pregnancy.

The researchers say it may also be beneficial to target newcomers to Canada.

“I was once an immigrant,” says Mehra. “I remember accompanying my parents to the ServiceOntario Centre to get our health cards. Including a simple line in multiple languages about folic acid, either in the paperwork or displayed on posters, could help.

“We also visited other public spaces like libraries and community centres, which are ideal for informative posters.

“A collective effort from the government, health-care providers, the education system and the immigration system would make a big difference.”

U of T community members recognized with Order of Canada

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:01:38 +0000

U of T community members recognized with Order of Canada

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 12/19/2024 - 11:01

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(photo by Sgt Johanie Maheu)

Adam Elliott Segal

Topic

Our Community

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

Alumni

Anthropology

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

Faculty of Arts & Science

Faculty of Dentistry

Faculty of Law

Hospital for Sick Children

Institute of Medical Science

Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology

Subheadline

"Each in their own way, they broaden the realm of possibilities and inspire others to continue pushing its boundaries"

A pediatric surgeon who pioneered techniques to keep children’s hearts pumping. An anthropologist whose work has explored how land development shapes communities. A leading mathematician also renowned for scholarship on Indian philosophy.

These are a few of the ��߲ݴ�ý community members who were recently recognized by the Order of Canada.

The Governor General announced 88 new appointments to the Order of Canada on Dec 18, including three promotions. They include George Trusler, former head of cardiac surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children and a professor emeritus in the department of surgery in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine; Tania Li, a University Professor in the department of anthropology in the Faculty of Arts & Science; and Vijaya Kumar Murty, a professor in the department of mathematics in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

“Members of the Order of Canada are builders of hope for a better future,” Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said in a statement. “Each in their own way, they broaden the realm of possibilities and inspire others to continue pushing its boundaries. Thank you for your perseverance, fearless leadership and visionary spirit, and welcome to the Order of Canada.”

Created in 1967, the Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honours. It recognizes individuals whose achievements and service have had an impact on communities across Canada and beyond.

Here is a list of U of T faculty, alumni, supporters and friends who were appointed to, or promoted within, the Order of Canada in the latest round:

Current and former faculty

Steve Arshinoff, a professor in the department of ophthalmology and vision sciences in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named an Officer of the Order for his contributions to eye care, pioneering now-standard practices. Co-founder of the Eye Foundation of Canada, he also serves as a medical director of Eye Van, providing care to remote northern Ontario communities. He completed his ophthalmology residency at U of T.

Sylvia Bashevkin, a professor emerita in the department of political science in the Faculty of Arts & Science, was named an Officer of the Order for her contributions as a leading scholar of gender and politics. A former principal of University College and a senior fellow of Massey College, she pioneered research on the barriers faced by women in public life and has worked to expand opportunities for diverse political engagement.

Zulfiqar Bhutta, a professor in the department of nutritional sciences in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named an Officer of the Order for his contributions as one of the world’s foremost authorities on maternal and child health, shaping public health strategies that have reduced mortality and improved the well-being of women and children worldwide.

Sandy Buchman, medical director of the Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care at North York General Hospital and associate professor in the department of family and community medicine in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named a Member of the Order for contributions to palliative medicine. A former president of the Canadian Medical Association, Buchman has advocated for palliative care, MAID and equitable access to compassionate care. He completed his residency in family medicine at U of T.

David Chitayat, head of the prenatal diagnosis and medical genetics program at Mount Sinai Hospital, physician at SickKids and professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s departments of paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, laboratory medicine and pathobiology, and molecular genetics, was named a Member of the Order for his globally acclaimed work identifying genes associated with fetal abnormalities and postnatal newborns.

Stacy Churchill, a professor emeritus in the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, was named a Member of the Order for his expertise in education and linguistic rights for Francophone minorities. Churchill has advised the federal and provincial government on language policy and consulted on UNICEF and UNESCO education missions.

Dafna Gladman, a senior scientist at the Toronto Western Research Institute and a professor in the Institute of Medical Science in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named an Officer of the Order for her contributions to the psoriatic arthritis field. Her research advanced the understanding of the chronic disease, and her advocacy has improved the treatment and care. She earned her medical degree from U of T.

Daniel Haas, a professor and former dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, was appointed a Member of the Order for his expertise in dental anesthesiology and pharmacology. The former head of the faculty’s graduate dental anaesthesia speciality program, Haas has influenced dental training and practices worldwide. He earned his bachelor of science, doctor of dental surgery and PhD at U of T.

Tania Li, a University Professor in the department of anthropology in the Faculty of Arts & Science, was named an Officer of the Order for her contributions as one of Canada’s leading anthropologists. Her research – including groundbreaking work in understanding how international land development and corporate agriculture generate unintended poverty – has had a profound interdisciplinary impact, shaping policy and advancing human rights and sustainability initiatives.

Vijaya Kumar Murty, a professor in the department of mathematics in the Faculty of Arts & Science, was named a Member of the Order for his contributions as one of Canada’s leading mathematicians. A former director of the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences at U of T, he has advanced knowledge in various mathematical fields, including analytic number theory. He is also a renowned scholar of Indian philosophy.

Greg Ryan, a perinatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital, head of the fetal medicine unit at Sinai Health and professor in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named a Member of the Order for his groundbreaking contributions to fetal medicine. A senior clinician scientist in the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, he has revolutionized in-utero treatment and care, improving outcomes for mothers and their unborn children globally.

Valerie Sue Tarasuk, a professor emerita in the department of nutritional sciences in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine with a cross-appointment to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, was named a Member of the Order for her expertise on food insecurity in Canada. Tarasuk has worked to reduce food insecurity with policy intervention through PROOF, an interdisciplinary research program. She earned her master of science and PhD at U of T.  

George Trusler, former head of cardiac surgery at SickKids and a professor emeritus in the department of surgery in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named an Officer of the Order in recognition of innovations in pediatric and cardiac surgery. His innovations have saved thousands of lives, including his groundbreaking invention to preserve the aortic valve and his design of an algorithm to control excess blood flow to the lungs of infants suffering heart failure.

Alumni and Friends

J. Anthony Boeckh, who earned a bachelor of commerce in 1960 as a member of Trinity College, was named a Member of the Order in recognition of contributions to youth mental health through the Graham Boeckh Foundation, which he founded in honour of his late son. Boeckh has worked with leading global experts to establish strategies to transform Canada’s mental health care system. He is also a founding trustee of the Fraser Institute.

Carol Cowan-Levine, who earned her master’s in social work from U of T, was recognized with the Order of Canada for her leadership role in social work and the establishment of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Her extensive volunteer work has impacted government, health care institutions and the non-profit sector in Ontario.

Stan Douglas, a renowned multimedia artist, was named an Officer of the Order for his body of work that explores history, technology and memory. His work has been exhibited internationally, including at the 2022 Venice Biennale. His donated piece, Maritime Workers Hall, Vancouver, hangs in the halls of U of T’s Hart House as part of the Hart House Permanent Collection.

Donald Dippo, who earned a master of education and PhD from U of T, was named a Member of the Order for increasing educational access for children and teachers in Canada and internationally. He co-founded the Borderless Higher Education for Refugees program, based in the Dadaab refugee camps of Kenya.

R. Douglas Elliott was named a Member of the Order for his advancement and protection of 2SLGBTQI+ rights under Canadian law. An alumnus of the Faculty of Law, he has been involved in landmark constitutional cases and class actions, notably serving as lead counsel in the LGBT Purge class action.

Aura Kagan, a speech language pathologist who earned a PhD from U of T, was named an Officer of the Order for contributions that profoundly shaped care for people living with aphasia – a disorder that disrupts the ability to speak, understand, read, and write – including groundbreaking methods to help individuals communicate more effectively.

Jeffrey J. McDonnell, who earned a bachelor of science from U of T Scarborough in 1984, was named an Officer of the Order for his seminal scientific impact on the field of hydrology. A professor at the University of Saskatchewan, he has transformed the understanding of streamflow generation and the water cycle.

Maureen Jennings, who earned a master’s degree at U of T in 1967, was named a Member of the Order for her achievements as an historical crime author, most notably for the creation of the Detective Murdoch series – which inspired the long-running TV show Murdoch Mysteries – and for her contributions to Canadian history regarding women's roles during the Second World War.

Karen Levine, who earned a bachelor of arts as a member of University College in 1977, was named a Member of the Order in recognition of her decades-long career at CBC Radio. She is also honoured for her book Hana’s Suitcase, which has educated young readers worldwide about the Holocaust.

Sam Shemie, who completed his pediatric cardiology fellowship at U of T, was named a Member of the Order for shaping new ethical standards surrounding organ donation, creating new protocols for hospital culture and mentoring hundreds of clinical care physicians in Canada and abroad. He is medical director of the pediatric intensive care unit at Montreal Children's Hospital.

Walter Schneider, who earned a degree in literary arts from U of T Mississauga, was named a Member of the Order for contributions to business, entrepreneurship and philanthropy. As president and co-founder of RE/MAX INTEGRA, he transformed Canadian real estate, building the company into the nation’s top-selling organization.

– With files from Mariam Matti

Read about more U of T community members recognized with the Order of Canada in recent years

Researchers at U of T, partner hospitals receive $35 million in provincial support

lanthierj — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:57:47 +0000

Researchers at U of T, partner hospitals receive $35 million in provincial support

lanthierj Wed, 12/11/2024 - 13:57

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The performance of lithium ion batteries that power electric vehicles, like the ones plugged into these chargers, can be degraded by temperature fluctuations – a limitation researchers at U of T Engineering are working to change (photo by koiguo/Getty Images)

Tyler Irving

Topic

Our Community

Institute of Biomedical Engineering

Leah Cowen

Sinai Health

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Unity Health

Cell and Systems Biology

Anthropology

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Biochemistry

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Chemistry

Computer Science

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Hospital for Sick Children

Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Mathematics

Physics

Psychology

Research & Innovation

University Health Network

UTIAS

Subheadline

From better batteries to preventing memory loss, nearly four dozen projects at U of T and its partner hospitals are being supported by the Ontario Research Fund

Researchers in the ��߲ݴ�ý’s Thermal Management Systems (TMS) Laboratory are working to improve the way battery systems handle heat and develop structural battery pack components. 

“Whether they are being used for electric vehicles or for stationary energy storage systems that reduce strain on the grid, lithium-ion batteries are transforming the way we use electricity,” said Carlos Da Silva, senior research associate at the TMS Lab in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering and executive director of U of T’s Electrification Hub.

“Unfortunately, today’s batteries are still sensitive to temperature: if they get too cold or too hot, it can degrade their performance and even present safety risks. We are working on new technologies that make batteries more resilient to thermal fluctuations.”

The battery-related research is among nearly four dozen projects at U of T and its partner hospitals that are receiving almost $35 million in support through the Ontario Research Fund – Research Excellence (ORF-RE) and the Ontario Research Fund – Small Infrastructure (ORF-SIF). (See the full list of projects and their principal researchers below).

"Research at the ��߲ݴ�ý and at all universities and colleges across Ontario is the foundation of the province’s competitiveness now and in the future,” said Leah Cowen, U of T’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives.

“This investment protects and advances cutting-edge, made-in-Ontario research in important economic sectors and helps ensure universities can continue to train, attract and retain the world’s top talent."

At U of T Engineering’s TMS Lab, researchers led by Cristina Amon, a University Professor in the department of mechanical and industrial engineering, are working on two funded projects. They are developing advanced computational modelling and digital twin methodologies that predict and optimize how heat flows through battery packs. The methodologies are carefully calibrated and validated through industry-relevant experiments in the lab.

Senior Research Associate Carlos Da Silva, left, and University Professor Cristina Amon, right, chat in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering's Thermal Management Systems Laboratory (photo by Aaron Demeter)

These methodologies will help battery designers anticipate and prevent thermal management challenges before they arise. It can also enable them to optimize the design and deployment of fire mitigation measures, such as ultra-thin heat barriers, within their battery systems.

The team is also collaborating with Ford Canada and several other companies in the energy storage space. For example, they have worked with Jule (powered by eCAMION) on the development of direct current electric vehicle fast chargers with integrated battery energy storage systems, one of which was recently unveiled on the U of T campus.

“We are grateful for this ORF-RE funding, which will accelerate our research and help us further expand our partnerships, ensuring that battery thermal innovations have a seamless transition from the lab to the marketplace,” Amon said.

“As a result of this work, the next generation of batteries will be safer and more resilient than ever before, which is especially important in colder climates like ours here in Ontario.” 

Ontario Research Fund – Research Excellence:

Cristina Amon in the department of mechanical & industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Powering Ontario’s grid transformation and electric vehicle fast charging with thermally resilient battery energy storage & Next-gen electric vehicle battery systems: Lightweight, thermally performant and fire safe for all climates
Morgan Barense in the department of psychology in the Faculty of Arts & Science – HippoCamera: Digital memory rehabilitation to combat memory loss
Aimy Bazylak in the department of mechanical & industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering – RECYCLEAN: Critical minerals recycling & re-manufacturing for the energy transition
Ian Connell at University Health Network and the department of medical biophysics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – MRI-compatible innovations for neuromodulation
Simon Graham at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the department of medical biophysics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Technological innovations for clinical MRI of the brain at 7 tesla
Clinton Groth in the Institute for Aerospace Studies in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Hydrogen as a sustainable aviation fuel – combustion research to remove impediments to adoption in gas turbine engines
James Kennedy at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the department of psychiatry in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Clinical utility and enhancements of a pharmacogenomic decision support tool for mental health patients
Shaf Keshavjee at University Health Network and the department of surgery in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Advanced solutions to human lung preservation and assessment using artificial intelligence
Aviad Levis in the department of computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science – AI and quantum enhanced astronomy
JoAnne McLaurin at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the department of laboratory medicine & pathobiology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Conversion of astrocytes to neurons to treat neurodegenerative diseases of the brain and the eye
R. J. Dwayne Miller in the department of chemistry in the Faculty of Arts & Science – PicoSecond InfraRed Laser (PIRL) “cancer knife” with complete biodiagnostics via spatial imaging mass spectrometry
Javad Mostaghimi in the department of mechanical & industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – A new generation of compact, transportable mass spectrometers for rapid, in-field sample analysi
Xiao Yu (Shirley) Wu in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy – Molecular dynamics modeling and screening of excipients for designing amorphous solid dispersion formulations of poorly–soluble drugs

Ontario Research Fund – Small Infrastructure Fund:

Celina Baines in the department of ecology & evolutionary biology in the Faculty of Arts & Science – Impacts of environmental change on organismal movement
Sergio de la Barrera in the department of physics in the Faculty of Arts & Science – Facility for quantum materials and device assembly from atomically thin van der Waals layers
Michelle Bendeck in the department of laboratory medicine & pathobiology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – 4D quantitative cardiovascular physiology centre
Laurent Bozec in the department of laboratory medicine & pathobiology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – 21st Century challenge for Dentistry: Breaking the cycle of irreversible dental tissue loss
Mark Chiew at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the department of medical biophysics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Next generation computational MRI for rapid neuroimaging and image-guided therapy
Haissi Cui in the department of chemistry in the Faculty of Arts & Science – A molecule to mouse approach to study the intracellular localization of genetic code interpretation in mammalian cells
Andy Kin On DeVeale at the University Health Network and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health – Sarcopenia and musculoskeletal interactions (sami) collaborative hub
Ali Dolatabadi in the department of mechanical & industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Advanced cold spray facility
Spencer Freeman at the Hospital for Sick Children and the department of biochemistry in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Imaging biophysical determinants of the innate immune response
Liisa Galea at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Institute of Medical Science in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Sex and sex-specific factors influencing brain health across the lifespan
Maged Goubran at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the department of medical biophysics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – AI platform for mapping, tracking and predicting circuit alterations in Alzheimer’s disease
Eitan Grinspun in the departments of computer science and department of mathematics in the Faculty of Arts & Science – A computer graphics perspective on entanglement of slender structures
Levon Halabelian in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Enabling a high-throughput drug discovery pipeline for targeting disease-related human proteins
Ziqing Hong in the department of physics in the Faculty of Arts & Science – Ultra-sensitive cryogenic detector development for dark matter and neutrino experiments
Eno Hysi at the Unity Health Toronto and the department of medical biophysics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Structural and functional assessments of diabetic skin microvasculature using photoacoustic imaging
Lewis Kay in the department of biochemistry in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Helium recovery system for the biomolecular NMR facility
Xiang Li in the department of chemistry and the department of physic in the Faculty of Arts & Science – Real-time multi-faceted probes of quantum materials
Qian Lin in the department of cell & systems biology in the Faculty of Arts & Science – 2p-RAM for whole-brain single-neuron imaging of behaving zebrafish to study neural mechanisms of cognitive behaviours
Xilin Liu in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Integrated circuits for wireless brain implants with multi-modal neural interfaces
Stephen Lye at the Sinai Health System and the department of physiology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI) analytics platform
Caitlin Maikawa in the Institute of Biomedical Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Biointerfacing materials for drug delivery lab
Emma Master in the department of chemical engineering & applied chemistry in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Accelerating biomanufacturing innovation through enhanced capacity for scale-up and downstream bioprocess engineering
Roman Melnyk at the Hospital for Sick Children and the department of biochemistry in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – The H-SCREEN: A platform for high throughput and high content imaging-based small molecule screens for disease modulation
Juan Mena-Parra in the department of astronomy & astrophysics in the Faculty of Arts & Science – An advanced laboratory to enable novel radio telescopes for cosmology and time-domain astrophysics
Seyed Mohamad Moosavi in the department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Machine learning for nanoporous materials design
Enid Montague in the department of mechanical & industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Automation and equity in healthcare laboratory
Michael Norris in the department of biochemistry in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Infrastructure for structural and functional virology research hub
Amaya Perez-Brumer in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health – 3P lab: Centering power, privilege and positionality for health equity research
Monica Ramsey in the department of anthropology at the ��߲ݴ�ý Mississauga – Ramsey Laboratory for Environmental Archaeology (RLEA): How human-environment interactions shaped plant-food
Arneet Saltzman in the department of cell & systems biology in the in the Faculty of Arts & Science – Heterochromatin regulation in development and inheritance
Mina Tadrous in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy – Developing a centre for real-world evidence to improve the use of medications for Canadians
Shurui Zhou in the department of electrical & computer engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Improving collaboration efficiency for fork-based software development
Olena Zhulyn at the Hospital for Sick Children and the department of molecular genetics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Targeting translation for tissue regeneration and repair
Christoph Zrenner at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Next-generation real-time closed-loop personalized neurostimulation

Should you eat soy after menopause? U of T researchers dispel myth about soy and cancer

rahul.kalvapalle — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:53:18 +0000

Should you eat soy after menopause? U of T researchers dispel myth about soy and cancer

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 12/03/2024 - 19:53

Cutline

A study led by researchers at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine's department of nutritional sciences found that soy isoflavones – estrogen-like compounds – had no effect on key markers of estrogen-related cancers (photo by Yagi Studio/Getty Images)

Betty Zou

Topic

Breaking Research

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Unity Health

Nutritional Sciences

St. Michael's Hospital

Subheadline

“We hope our study will help people feel more comfortable including soy foods in their diet"

A study led by experts at the ��߲ݴ�ý's Temerty Faculty of Medicine is providing reassuring evidence on consumption of soy foods during postmenopause.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis of 40 trials in over 3,000 participants, U of T researchers gathered results on the effects of soy isoflavones – estrogen-like compounds naturally found in plants – on biological outcomes related to risk of endometrial and other female-related cancers.

Their results, published in Advances in Nutrition, found that isoflavones had no effect on key markers of estrogen-related cancers, supporting the safety of soy as a food as well as potential therapy.

“The risk of cardiovascular disease increases substantially as women* go through menopause, so soy can offer dual benefits during this particular phase of life,” says the study’s senior author Laura Chiavaroli, an assistant professor in Temerty's department of nutritional sciences and affiliate scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto.

Assistant Professor Laura Chiavaroli (left) and PhD student Gabrielle Viscardi (supplied images)

Yet, Chiavaroli notes many people are hesitant to eat soy foods because they contain isoflavones, which have a similar structure to estrogen. In animal studies, large doses of isoflavones have been linked to a higher risk of cancer.

“Something we hear very often is that people have a lot of concern about consuming soy because there are so many conflicting messages out there,” says Gabrielle Viscardi, a second-year PhD student in the department of nutritional sciences and the study’s lead author.

This is despite the fact that several health advocacy groups, including the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, already recommend soy foods as part of a healthy diet. Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have both recognized soy – a high-quality and complete source of protein – as effective in reducing the risk of heart disease

Soy foods have also been shown to alleviate hot flashes associated with menopause, which affect many women and impact their quality of life.

The trials considered for the U of T study followed postmenopausal women from around the world who had consumed either soy isoflavones or a non-isoflavone control for at least three months.

The researchers concluded that consumption of soy isoflavones did not affect the four key estrogen-related markers, namely: thickness of uterus lining, vaginal maturation index (a measure of estrogen status) and levels of circulating estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone.

Their findings support the idea that soy isoflavones behave differently from human estrogen, particularly when it comes to cancers that depend on estrogen to develop. “We have estrogen receptors throughout our bodies but, contrary to the hormone estrogen, isoflavones from soy don’t bind to all the estrogen receptors equally,” says Viscardi, who is also a registered dietitian. “That’s why we see a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system and no effect on the female reproductive system.”

This difference in biological activity explains why soy isoflavones have been considered as a possible alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is used to treat menopause symptoms by replacing the estrogen that the body stops producing during this period.

Chiavaroli notes some people don’t want to take HRTs and are seeking alternative options.

Further, HRTs may also not be a good option for people at an increased risk of estrogen-sensitive cancers like breast cancer, as well as those with a history of heart disease and stroke. For these individuals, consuming soy foods as part of a balanced diet could help manage their menopausal symptoms while also reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Chiavaroli says the study's findings also align with Health Canada’s dietary guidelines that encourage people to choose plant-based proteins more often, a move that would also convey benefits for the environment.

“We hope our study will help people feel more comfortable including soy foods in their diet without being concerned that it’s going to increase their risk of estrogen-dependent cancer,” says Chiavaroli.

The study was funded by the United Soybean Board (U.S. Department of Agriculture) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research through the Canada-wide Human Nutrition Trialists’ Network.

* Although menopause is sex-specific, the study retains use of the term "women" as it is used conventionally in studies and guidelines on menopause

U of T and Blue Jays sports doc on serving as Taylor Swift's primary care physician in Toronto

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 14:20:45 +0000

U of T and Blue Jays sports doc on serving as Taylor Swift's primary care physician in Toronto

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 12/02/2024 - 09:20

Cutline

David Lawrence, medical director and staff physician at U of T's David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic and assistant professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, attends a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto with his wife (photo courtesy of David Lawrence)

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic

City & Culture

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

Music

Toronto Blue Jays

Subheadline

David Lawrence says the physical and mental demands on Swift are comparable to those of elite athletes

David Lawrence is used to ensuring that high-level performers are healthy and ready to deliver on the big stage. A staff physician and medical director of the ��߲ݴ�ý’s David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic, Lawrence is also lead team primary care physician for the Toronto Blue Jays.

So when the opportunity arose to serve as primary care medical doctor for Taylor Swift during the Toronto stop of her Eras Tour, he approached it like he would caring for high-level athletes and teams.

“Just like in an athletic team, the focus was on ensuring the health and readiness of a high-performing individual – in this case, Taylor Swift – along with her core team and supporting personnel,” says Lawrence, who is also an assistant professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s department of family and community medicine. “The physical and mental demands on her as an artist are comparable to those of elite athletes, with grueling schedules, significant physical exertion and the pressure to perform at peak levels.”

Lawrence was approached by senior front office members of the Rogers Centre and Blue Jays organization for the job. “It’s fairly common for high-profile artists to reach out to local professional sports teams for logistical or medical support during large events,” he says.

His role: provide primary care services on-call for Swift, her crew, support staff, family members and even children traveling with her team.

He says the dynamic of working with a large, well-organized team behind the scenes felt familiar. “Crew members, much like the staff supporting athletes, often face their own physical and mental stresses,” he says. “The overarching goal in both scenarios is the same: to address any issues quickly and efficiently so the performance, whether on stage or on the field, can continue seamlessly.

“The pressure to ensure readiness and a rapid return to performance if anything arose was another parallel, making this experience feel very much in line with my usual work.”

While Lawrence wouldn’t have called himself a Swiftie before this experience, he says he was incredibly impressed by the pop star’s performances. “The production was staggering and Taylor’s ability to perform for over three straight hours was nothing short of remarkable, making it clear how much preparation and effort go into delivering a show of that calibre,” says Lawrence. “It was a true showcase of an incredible combination of talent and hard work. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the dedication and effort behind such performances.”

Lawrence was also struck by the passion of Swift’s adoring fans.

“It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” he says. “The energy in the crowd was electric. With everyone singing every lyric so passionately it felt like the audience was just as much a part of the performance.”

U of T shines a spotlight on exceptional educators at Excellence in Teaching reception

rahul.kalvapalle — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 18:02:53 +0000

U of T shines a spotlight on exceptional educators at Excellence in Teaching reception

rahul.kalvapalle Wed, 11/27/2024 - 13:02

Cutline

U of T Vice-President and Provost Trevor Young (centre) poses with Cheryl Regehr Early Career Teaching Award recipients, from left to right: Jasty Singh, Spyridon Kotsovilis, S. Trimble and Roberta K. Timothy (photo by Polina Teif)

Rahul Kalvapalle

Topic

Our Community

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Trevor Young

Early Career Teaching Award

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Teaching

U of T Mississauga

U of T Scarborough

Women and Gender Studies

At the ��߲ݴ�ý, teaching is about much more than just imparting knowledge – it’s an engaging, dynamic and creative process that expands and enriches the way students think, preparing them for future success in academics and their careers.

The recent Excellence in Teaching reception hosted by U of T’s Office of the Provost recognized the fundamental importance of teaching to the university’s mission. In particular, it honoured five faculty members who received Cheryl Regehr Early Career Teaching Awards, which were recently renamed in honour of Cheryl Regehr – Young’s predecessor as vice-president and provost, a professor in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and a longtime champion of teaching excellence and innovation at U of T.

“These awards recognize burgeoning talent among our most junior faculty. We expect – and we know from experience – that these recipients will continue to lead and excel in teaching,” Trevor Young, U of T’s vice-president and provost said at the Nov. 4 event held at the Faculty Club.

The event also featured the presentation of the Global Educator Award, which recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies U of T’s global mission by incorporating intercultural and international perspectives.

“I’m extremely proud of U of T for many reasons,” Young said, “and one of them is what’s evident here today, which is the immense talent and experience of our faculty as well as their deep commitment to our university, to our students, to knowledge [and] to research. All that you’re doing is really incredible.”

U of T News spoke with all six award winners about their approach to educating students: