Binh Nguyen, a former iBEST trainee, pursued his academic training in biomedical, electrical, and computer engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University. His graduate studies at the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science progressed from a master’s program into an accelerated PhD under the supervision of Dr. Sri Krishnan.
Reflecting on his experience at iBEST, Binh shared:
“My time at iBEST played a key role in shaping my interdisciplinary approach to research and engineering. Working at the intersection of mental health, engineering, and the sciences helped me develop the collaborative mindset I now apply as Lead AI Engineer at ManagingLife. The opportunities to present research and engage with students and researchers at iBEST also strengthened my ability to communicate complex ideas—skills that are essential in building and deploying AI systems for real-world mental health applications.”
His research centred on digital approaches to mental health, combining data-driven methods, machine learning, and immersive technologies to examine behavioural and physiological patterns associated with stress and anxiety. Binh has since transitioned into the industry and now works as a Lead AI Engineer at ManagingLife, where he develops scalable AI systems to support mental health and pain psychology services.
Source: TMU FEAS Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Are you a former iBEST trainee or affiliate? We’d love to stay in touch! Please register through our Alumni Formor share it with past iBEST members.
Have an alumni success story to share? Contact us at ibest@torontomu.ca.
This term, iBEST welcomed over 150 high school students from across the GTA through the SciXchange outreach program at Toronto Metropolitan University. Participating schools included Unionville High School, St. Joseph’s College School, Madonna Catholic Secondary School, and John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School. The tours were led by iBEST trainees Kimiya Raeissamie, Neha Nassir, Daron Savaya, and Steven Tran, who developed and delivered engaging, hands-on activities introducing students to real-world research environments and pathways into STEM and graduate studies. We sincerely thank the trainee volunteers for their time, dedication, and commitment to making these experiences meaningful and inspiring for visiting students.
Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with hands-on components consistently highlighted as a key strength of the experience. Lab tours for high school students are an important outreach activity, helping to build early awareness of research careers by exposing students to active research environments. For trainees, these tours also provide valuable professional development opportunities, including strengthening leadership and public-speaking skills while showcasing the research conducted in their labs. We are grateful to all contributors, including our partners at the Biomedical Zone, and look forward to hosting more lab tours later this year.
Dr. Eno Hysi was awarded the TMU Isadore Sharp Outstanding Recent Graduate Award, which recognizes alumni who have achieved distinction within ten years of graduation. The award highlights his leadership and impact in biomedical imaging research and innovation. Read More
ECG Stress Classification Using Transformer Models
Drs. Zeeshan Ahmad and Naimul Khan published a recent IEEE study introducing a Vision Transformer–based approach for ECG-based stress classification, achieving up to 88.3% accuracy in binary stress detection. This work was supported by NSERC and the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF). Read More
Mitacs Startup Innovator of the Year 2025
Dr. Allahrabbi received the Mitacs Canadian Start-Up Innovator of the Year Award for work on a novel sperm enhancement device that offers a more affordable and accessible alternative to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Her Toronto-based startup, Fertilead, is currently developing clinical and at-home versions of the technology. Read More
OpenPore Tool Release
Molecular science graduate student Thomas Nesmith has released the design for OpenPore, a low-cost, 3D-printable electroporation device, on an open-access platform. Developed with supervisors Dr. Gagan Gupta and Dr. Darius Rackus, the tool significantly reduces the cost of essential molecular biology equipment. Read More
iBEST Featured in Ontario Life Sciences Report
iBEST was featured in a newly published life sciences report by the Council of Ontario Universities, highlighting its contributions to biomedical research, innovation, and talent development. Read More
New Study Advances Laser-Fabricated Microfluidic Systems
In a recent paper in Nature Scientific Reports, Dr. Darius Rackus and Dr. Virgilio Valente present a new laser-based approach for fabricating microfluidic systems with integrated porous membranes in a single glass device. This work simplifies fabrication and supports more reliable platforms for diagnostics and organ-on-chip research. Read More
Niloofar Ghasemzaie, PhD candidate at TMU, was awarded the Ontario Graduate Scholarship twice during her doctoral studies, receiving $15,000 CAD per award in recognition of her interdisciplinary research achievements fostered through the iBEST community. Read More
Advancing Research on SANS
Dr. Yeni Yucel recently published a study titled "Intraocular Pressure and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Changes in a Microgravity Mouse Model and Relevance to Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome," which examines microgravity-related changes in ocular health. Read More
Dr. Eno Hysi and Dr. Warren Lee Win 2025 Angel’s Den
Dr. Eno Hysi and Dr. Warren Lee received the $200,000 Keenan Award for Medical Discovery at the 2025 Angel’s Den for their invention "Instant Insight: Bedside Imaging for Lung Injury" on radiation-free lung imaging. Read More
Wearable Microfluidic Cortisol Monitoring
Dr.Shaghayegh Shajari recently published her work in Nature Sensors (Nature Portfolio), presenting a wearable, paper-based microfluidic platform for non-invasive, time-sequenced cortisol monitoring in human sweat using electrochromic timers. Read More
Recipients of Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarships
Alex Chen and Chris Faeth, master's students in the Translational Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Imaging Laboratory (TUPIL), were awarded 2025-26 Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarships in Science and Technology at the University of Toronto.
Drs. Eno Hysi, Michael Kolios & Darren Yuen awarded Patent
Drs. Eno Hysi, Michael Kolios, and Darren Yuen were awarded a patent for their work on photoacoustic imaging of tissue and organ fibrosis, supporting non-invasive approaches to fibrosis assessment. Read more.
2025 E. & G. Odette Momentum Award Winner
Dr. Katharine Dunlop received the E. & G. Odette Momentum Award at the 2025 Angel’s Den for Precision Psychedelics: Getting Treatment Right the First Time, an AI-driven approach to personalizing psychedelic treatments for chronic pain and depression. Read More
New CIHR-Funded Project Advances Responsible AI in PTSD Care
Drs. Venkat Bhat and Sri Krishnan are part of a newly funded CIHR Project Grant for TRAUMIRA, a pan-Canadian initiative advancing responsible AI in PTSD care. The project will develop trauma-informed AI tools that complement clinical care, with safety, ethics, and equity at its core. Read More
🔗 New Trainee Registration Are you interested in joining iBEST as a new trainee? Register here: New Trainee Registration Form
🔗 Existing Trainee Updates Already part of iBEST and need to update your expected graduation date or other information? Submit your updates through this form: Trainee Update Form
🔗 Suggestions for the Visiting Lecturer Series Share your ideas for future topics or speakers for the Visiting Lecturer Series: Suggestion Form
We are planning an event to bring together TMU Science and Engineering researchers and UHT physicians with the goal of sparking new collaborations. More details to follow soon.
If you have an event or accomplishment you would like included in the quarterly iBEST Newsletter, please forward your request to ibest@torontomu.ca
Menga L., Docci M., Brochard L. Intrathoracic effects of PEEP: beyond oxygenation (2026) Intensive Care Medicine, Cited 0 times. Read More
Wongtirawit N., Cominesi D.R., Brochard L. Alveolar gas equation and its clinical implications (2026) Intensive Care Medicine, Cited 0 times. Read More
Janssen-Aguilar R., Vije T., Peera M., Al-Shamali H.F., Meshkat S., Lin Q., Lou W., Laviada-Molina H., Phillips M.L., Bhat V. Ketogenic Diets and Depression and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2026) JAMA Psychiatry, 83 (1), pp. 13 - 22, Cited 1 times. Read More
Li B., Eisenberg N., Beaton D., Lee D.S., Al-Omran L., Wijeysundera D.N., Hussain M.A., Rotstein O.D., Greco E., de Mestral C., Mamdani M., Roche-Nagle G., Al-Omran M. Predicting 1-year successful clinical use of an arteriovenous access for hemodialysis using machine learning (2026) npj Digital Medicine, 9 (1), art. no. 15, Cited 0 times. Read More
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Technology, 209 Victoria Street, Li Ka-Shing Knowledge Institute, 7th Floor, LKS 735, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
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