iBEST Visiting Lecturer Series with Dr. Yeganeh Bahoo, 9 AM-5 PM (EST) | Information here
Exploring Group Differences & Associations Using SPSS: A Practical Guide to T-Tests, Chi-Square, and Correlational Analysis Using SPSS, All Day (EST) | Information here
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Stephanie Buryk, a former graduate student in biomedical engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University and iBEST trainee under Dr. Scott Tsai, transformed her interdisciplinary research training into an entrepreneurial venture in health technology. Drawing on the scientific, technical, and entrepreneurial skills developed through her time at iBEST, Stephanie founded Sparked Inc., a health technology start-up focused on improving cardiovascular disease screening.
As founder, Stephanie recruited leaders in cardiology, salivary diagnostics, and engineering to build a multidisciplinary team and develop a handheld device capable of screening for heart disease using a saliva sample, with results available in under 10 minutes. Sparked Inc. has since achieved significant recognition through the University of Toronto’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, including being named the number one female company by U of T’s health incubator, H2i, recognized as the number one early-stage company by U of T Entrepreneurship, and later listed among its top late-stage companies. Her work has also been featured by U of T media, highlighting the development of Sparked Inc. and the motivation behind its cardiovascular screening technology.
Reflecting on the role of iBEST in her entrepreneurial journey, Stephanie highlighted the importance of the institute’s entrepreneurial opportunities, collaborative research environment, and mentorship from Dr. Scott Tsai. Through iBEST’s entrepreneurial grant opportunities, she was first exposed to the possibility of pursuing a start-up, while her laboratory environment connected her with scientists interested in translating research into entrepreneurial ventures. Her training under Dr. Tsai provided her with the scientific knowledge, systems, skills, and confidence to conduct rigorous research while pursuing innovative discoveries.
Although Stephanie has since transitioned from being a student at TMU and iBEST, she continues to engage with iBEST as an industry partner, maintaining a connection with the institute and contributing to its broader research and innovation ecosystem.
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.
iBEST kicked off the Trainee Advisory Group (TAG) 2026-2027 year with a Welcome Breakfast, bringing together roughly 35 to 40 trainees from across the network for a morning of connection and conversation. The event marked the first formal gathering for TAG, giving trainees from biomedical physics, engineering, clinical science, and data science a chance to meet one another, share their research journeys, and talk openly about what they need to thrive as members of the iBEST community.
Over breakfast, trainees discussed their experiences navigating interdisciplinary research, their professional development needs, and ideas for building a more connected trainee community going forward. The conversation set the tone for TAG's mandate: creating a dedicated space where trainee voices help shape iBEST's programming and priorities.
The turnout reflected strong early enthusiasm for the initiative, and TAG plans to build on this momentum with future events throughout the year. As iBEST continues to grow its network, TAG stands as a reminder that the strength of the institute lies not just in its research, but in the community of trainees driving that research forward.
In August, iBEST partnered with TMU's Career, Co-op & Student Success Centre to host a Networking Workshop for trainees, led by Career Education Specialist Ambar Bin-Soekardji. The interactive session was designed to demystify networking and build practical, transferable skills that trainees can carry into conferences, career fairs, and everyday professional interactions.
The workshop opened by reframing what networking actually means: not asking for a job, not being pushy or aggressive, and not a contest to win. Instead, trainees learned to think of networking as a two-way exchange of information and advice, a process of developing genuine connections, and an opportunity to show up as their authentic, curious selves.
From there, the session moved into practical territory, walking trainees through the difference between prepared and on-the-spot networking. For prepared situations, like coffee chats or reaching out to a keynote speaker ahead of time, trainees learned how to do their research in advance. For on-the-spot encounters, such as first meetings at conferences, trade shows, or career fairs, they practiced thinking on their feet. Trainees then applied these lessons through hands-on scenario exercises covering conferences, career fairs and trade shows, and networking with peers, giving them real practice in a low-stakes, supportive environment.
The workshop also doubled as a lead-in to iBEST's upcoming Welcome Event on September 15, with attendees invited to share feedback on what they'd like to see included, from resources and groups to specific topics of interest, helping shape the next chapter of iBEST's trainee programming.
Congratulations to Dr. Glaucia Melo’s team for being awarded a New Frontiers in Research Fund - Exploration Grant for their project, “Disrupting Digital Risk Narratives: Co-Designing Inclusive AI Sexuality Guidelines with Disabled Youth.” Dr. Melo is a co-applicant on this project. Read More
Professor April Khademi awarded $100K from Breast Cancer Canada
Congratulations to Professor April Khademi for being awarded $100K in funding from Breast Cancer Canada. The funding will go towards supporting her project, “AI-driven tools to better assess risk and guide treatment decisions for patients with HER2-/HR+ breast cancer.” The research from this project will help researchers and clinicians better understand breast cancer to help inform better solutions for treatment. Read More
Professor Natasha Rajah elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
Congratulations to Professor Natasha Rajah for being elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. This fellowship is considered a high honour in Canada’s academic, health-care and research communities. Rajah’s work as a researcher and neuroscientist has helped improve understanding of cognitive and brain aging.Read More
Dr. John Marshall elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
Congratulations to Dr. John Marshall for being among the 105 scholars, artists, and scientists appointed Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada. The Royal Society of Canada announced its 2026 class on September 9 and the recipients of this prestigious distinction will be inducted at its celebration in Ottawa on November 13. This is Canada’s highest honour in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences.Read More
Dr. Kim Connelly awarded Spirit of Philanthropy Award
Congratulations to Dr. Kim Connelly for receiving the 2026 Spirit of Philanthropy Award. Dr. Connelly leads one of the country’s top cardiology programs as St. Michael’s Head of Cardiology. He is also the Keenan Chair in Research Leadership.
Dr. Steve Lin awarded Emergency Physician of the Year
Congratulations to Dr. Steve Lin for receiving the 2026 Emergency Physician of the Year Award from the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. As chief of emergency medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital, this award recognizes Dr. Lin’s excellence and outstanding contributions to emergency medicine. Read More
Seraphim Fahmy presented at the 2026 World Congress of Biomechanics
Congratulations to Seraphim Fahmy for presenting his poster on volume meshing algorithms applied to deep-learning segmented blood vessels for CFD at the World Congress of Biomechanics. Fahmy was able to connect with world leading researchers as one of less than 50 undergraduate students who attended the prestigious biomechanics conference in Vancouver.
Dr. John Marshall elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
Congratulations to Dr. Hagar Labouta on your run of publications in respected journals spanning bioengineering, drug delivery, and food science. Dr. Labouta appeared in Nature Reviews Bioengineering, Food Chemistry, and Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews.
Professor Naimul Khan awarded Canada Foundation for Innovation researchgrant
Congratulations to Professor Naimul Khan for receiving the John R. Evans Leaders Fund from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The funding will go towards supporting Khan develop AI that can detect stress and provide personalized support. He is one of five TMU researchers to be awarded a grant.Read More
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🔗 Suggestions for the Visiting Lecturer Series Share your ideas for future topics or speakers for the Visiting Lecturer Series: Suggestion Form
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