St. Michael's Hospital

Sharon Straus, physician-in-chief at St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, director of the knowledge translation program at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, and professor in the department of medicine in �鶹��Ƶ's Temerty Faculty of Medicine, has received an honorary doctorate from the Université de Montréal.

The university awards honorary doctorates to distinguished individuals whose outstanding achievements have earned them esteem at home and abroad.

Straus, who completed her doctor of medicine and master of science degrees at �鶹��Ƶ, has carried out influential research focusing on promoting the application of scientific knowledge, improving systematic review methods, optimizing patient care and geriatric medicine.

The author of three medical textbooks and over 650 publications, she holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Translation and Quality of Care, and is set to assume the position of executive vice-president, clinical and chief medical officer at Unity Health Toronto effective Sept. 1, 2024.

Straus received her honorary doctorate at the Université de Montréal Faculty of Medicine's convocation ceremony on Aug. 24.

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20 �鶹��Ƶ researchers awarded new or renewed Canada Research Chairs

rahul.kalvapalle — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 13:09:09 +0000

20 �鶹��Ƶ researchers awarded new or renewed Canada Research Chairs

Research & Innovation

rahul.kalvapalle Wed, 03/13/2024 - 09:09

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

IHPME

Institute of Biomedical Engineering

Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

Rotman School of Management

St. Michael's Hospital

Sunnybrook Research Institute

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

�鶹��Ƶ Mississauga

Unity Health

landscape

Twenty faculty members from the University of Toronto have been awarded Canada Research Chairs in support of their research in areas ranging from LGBTQ2S+ youth mental health to quantum photonic technologies and sustainable suburban housing.

Awarded by the Government of Canada, Canada Research Chair positions are designed to reinforce academic research and training excellence with a view to improving depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthening Canada’s international competitiveness and helping train the next generation of highly skilled people.

“I would like to congratulate all the University of Toronto scholars who have newly been appointed Canada Research Chairs or had their positions renewed in this latest cohort,” said Leah Cowen, �鶹��Ƶ’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives. “From cognitive neurobiology to household finance and urban environmental science, these researchers are furthering knowledge and spurring innovation in areas of critical importance.”

The latest cycle of Canada Research Chair appointees from �鶹��Ƶ includes eight new and 12 renewed positions:

New Canada Research Chairs

Alex Abramovich at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health and department of psychiatry in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Tier 2 in 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness and Mental Health

Claire Célérier in the Rotman School of Management – Tier 2 in Household Finance

Natalie Coburn at the Sunnybrook Research Institute and the department of surgery in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Tier 1 in Cancer Outcomes

Li Qian in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Tier 1 in Quantum Photonic Technologies

Alison McGuigan in the department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Tier 1 in Tissue Engineering and Disease Modelling

Zahra Shakeri Hossein Abad in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health – Tier 2 in Health Informatics and Precision (Public) Health

Mina Tadrous in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy – Tier 2 in Real-World Evidence and Pharmaceutical Policy

Marianne Touchie in the department of civil and mineral engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Tier 2 in Sustainable Urban Housing

Renewed Canada Research Chairs

Rachel Barney in the departments of classics and philosophy at the Faculty of Arts & Science – Tier 1 in Ancient Philosophy

Marie-Josée Fortin in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology at the Faculty of Arts & Science – Tier 1 in Spatial Ecology

Paul Frankland at the SickKids Research Institute, the department of psychology in the Faculty of Arts & Science, and the department of physiology and Institute of Medical Science in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Tier 1 in Cognitive Neurobiology

Anne-Claude Gingras at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health and the department of molecular genetics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Tier 1 in Functional Proteomics

Tara Gomes at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto and the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy – Tier 2 in Drug Policy and Substance Use

Daniel Grace in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health – Tier 2 in Sexual and Gender Minority Health

Marc Johnson in the department of biology at �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga – Tier 2 in Urban Environmental Science

Sheena Josselyn at the SickKids Research Institute, the department of psychology in the Faculty of Arts & Science and the department of physiology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine – Tier 1 in Memory Function and Dysfunction

Carmen Logie at Women's College Research Institute and the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work – Tier 2 in Global Health Equity & Social Justice with Marginalized Populations

Ito Peng in the department of sociology in the Faculty of Arts & Science – Tier 1 in Global Social Policy

Navindra Persaud at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, the department of family and community medicine in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health – Tier 2 in Health Justice

Martine Puts in the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing – Tier 2 in Care of Frail Older Adults

Read the Government of Canada announcement

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Frank Gu and David Wong receive NSERC's Brockhouse Prize

rahul.kalvapalle — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 15:18:06 +0000

Frank Gu and David Wong receive NSERC's Brockhouse Prize

Research & Innovation

rahul.kalvapalle Mon, 11/20/2023 - 10:18

Faculty

St. George

Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering

Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

NSERC

St. Michael's Hospital

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

landscape

Frank Gu and David Wong (supplied images)

The University of Toronto's Frank Gu and David Wong are part of a research group that has been awarded the Brockhouse Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

The prize recognizes Canadian teams of researchers who combine their expertise to produce outstanding achievements in the natural sciences and engineering, and is accompanied by a team research grant of $250,000. The C20/20 Innovation Hub – led by scientific director Heather Sheardown, dean of the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University – was recognized for leading the development of novel treatment methods for eye diseases like glaucoma, retinal neovascular disease and myopia.

“To say that we are honoured would be an understatement. We are electrified, inspired and immensely grateful for this recognition,” said Gu, a professor in the department of chemical engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering whose research includes engineering nanomedicines to achieve long-lasting delivery of therapeutic agents used in eye drops to treat glaucoma.

Gu says the funding will enable his lab to deepen their understanding of nanostructured materials that can be customized for drug delivery applications. “The ultimate goal of my contribution to the team research is to lead to the development of novel therapeutics to delay or prevent irreversible blindness caused by glaucoma.”

Wong, ophthalmologist in chief at St. Michael’s Hospital at Unity Health Toronto and associate professor in the department of ophthalmology and vision sciences in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, said it was “a true honour” for the C20/20 Innovation Hub to be recognized by NSERC.

“I am very proud of our team led by Dr. Heather Sheardown,” said Wong. “The interdisciplinary approach has been key to building useful ocular biomaterials. It is the art of the possible: a need defined by clinicians with engineers and scientists determining what is possible to make.

“The trans-pollination of information between our disciplines gives us solutions, but also raises new questions and destinies to discover. More collaboration and less silos will further benefit mankind – and the Brockhouse award will help foster this.”

NSERC also recognized two �鶹��Ƶ researchers with Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships – Associate Professor Karen Maxwell from Temerty's department of biochemistry, and Assistant Professor Chelsea Rochman from the department of ecology & evolutionary biology in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Read the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering story

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11 �鶹��Ƶ faculty named Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

lanthierj — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:45:02 +0000

11 �鶹��Ƶ faculty named Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Wed, 09/07/2022 - 10:45

Faculty

St. George

Royal Society of Canada

Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Arts & Science

Hospital for Sick Children

St. Michael's Hospital

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

landscape

Eleven faculty from across the University of Toronto have been appointed Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada – a recognition awarded to the country’s most distinguished scholars, artists and scientists.

“These remarkable researchers from an array of disciplines have made extraordinary contributions to their respective fields, helping to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time,” says Leah Cowen, �鶹��Ƶ’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives.

“The University of Toronto congratulates them on this important recognition of their research, leadership and impact.”

The new Fellows are:

Laurent Brochard, of the interdepartmental division of critical care in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and St. Michael’s Hospital
Miriam Diamond, of the department of earth sciences in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Joel Kamnitzer, of the department of mathematics in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Yong Baek Kim, of the department of physics in the Faculty of Arts & Science
David Malkin, of the department of paediatrics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Steven Miller, formerly of the department of paediatrics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Ue-Li Pen, of the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Ito Peng, of the department of sociology in the Faculty of Arts & Science
David Sinton, of the department of mechanical and industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Janet Smylie, of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and St. Michael’s Hospital
Igor Stagljar, of the department of biochemistry in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine

They join 405 members of the �鶹��Ƶ community who currently hold the designation.

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Sidney Kennedy recognized with President’s Impact Award

lanthierj — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 22:07:09 +0000

Sidney Kennedy recognized with President’s Impact Award

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Wed, 03/31/2021 - 18:07

Faculty

St. George

President's Impact Award

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Department of Psychiatry

St. Michael's Hospital

UHN

landscape

For his contributions to the treatment of people with major mood disorders in Canada and around the world, Sidney Kennedy has received a President’s Impact Award.

“I am extremely grateful to have received the President’s Impact Award,” says Kennedy, a professor in the department of psychiatry in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and a physician with St. Michael's Hospital and UHN. “This honour brings greater attention to the burden and adversity faced by people with depression and their families.”

The founding chair of the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatment, Kennedy has focused much of his scholarship on making better treatments available for people with depression and for those with bipolar disorder and has performed world-leading research on the application of deep brain stimulation to treat depression. To ensure research discoveries reach patients, he founded and leads the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression.

“Although depression remains a leading cause of disability worldwide, there has been a significant shift in public awareness and reduction in stigma associated with depression, suicide and related conditions,” Kennedy says. “For me, the importance of studying the psychosocial and biological underpinnings of depression and working to create new treatment options lies in the translation of these findings to real-world clinical practice.

“The University of Toronto is a global leader in psychiatry research and has provided me with a great opportunity to build and maintain interdisciplinary teams with diverse expertise to achieve these goals.”

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Curtis Handford named Ontario Family Physician of the Year

lanthierj — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 17:42:26 +0000

Curtis Handford named Ontario Family Physician of the Year

Community

lanthierj Fri, 12/04/2020 - 12:42

Faculty

St. George

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Department of Family and Community Medicine

St. Michael's Hospital

landscape

Associate Professor Curtis Handford of the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine and St. Michael’s Hospital is Ontario’s Family Physician of the Year.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada's Reg L. Perkin Family Physician of the Year Award recognizes family physicians who provide exceptional patient care and improve the health of communities and well-being of society.

A faculty member of the department of family and community medicine at �鶹��Ƶ for 15 years, Handford has mentored students from across Canada in a highly-sought elective course on inner city family medicine, influencing many to choose a career in family medicine.

“Dr. Handford treats his patients with equal respect and dignity,” says Dr. Lauren Welsh, a former trainee and now colleague. “His ability to build relationships with his patients is core to his ability to deliver compassionate and patient-centred care.”

Renowned for his collaborations with primary care providers, community partners and acute care stakeholders to improve care systems for patients and their caregivers, Handford also led the development of a clinical practice guideline for the use of buprenorphine/naloxone as an opioid maintenance treatment, the first of its kind in Canada. Despite his many accomplishments, says Dr. Karen Weyman, the site chief at St. Michael’s Hospital Department of Family and Community Medicine, “Dr. Handford remains a humble and generous colleague who consistently demonstrates an exemplary level of thoughtfulness, collegiality and professionalism to which we can all aspire.”

Read the Temerty Faculty of Medicine story

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

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Nine �鶹��Ƶ researchers named fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

lanthierj — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 17:48:04 +0000

Nine �鶹��Ƶ researchers named fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Fri, 10/09/2020 - 13:48

Faculty

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Hospital for Sick Children

Unity Health

St. Michael's Hospital

Toronto Western Hospital

Mount Sinai Hospital

Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

University Health Network

Toronto Rehabilitation Institute

Women in STEM

landscape

Nine University of Toronto researchers have been named fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in recognition of their “vision, innovation and sustained excellence.”

One of three national academies that make up the Council of Canadian Academies, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences leverages the expertise of Canada’s leading health sciences researchers to examine the most pressing and complex health challenges of the day, share assessments and recommend actionable solutions.

“This honour is one of the highest distinctions for academics in the health sciences field and the University of Toronto congratulates these faculty members on this important recognition of their research accomplishments, scientific leadership and creativity – and their contributions to the public good,” said University Professor Ted Sargent, vice-president research and innovation, and strategic initiatives.

“It’s also a testament to the vital importance of our hospital and health-system partners who help make those contributions possible.”

The new fellows are:

David Chitayat, professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and head of the prenatal diagnosis and medical genetics program, Mount Sinai Hospital
Dafna Gladman, professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and senior scientist, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital
Katherine S. McGilton, associate professor in the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing and senior scientist, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network
Heyu Ni, professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and senior scientist and platform director, Canadian Blood Services Centre for Innovation at St. Michael’s Hospital
Ravi Retnakaran, professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and clinician-scientist, Mount Sinai Hospital, Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes
Norman Rosenblum, professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and senior scientist, The Hospital for Sick Children
Janet Smylie, professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Research Chair, St. Michael’s Hospital and staff physician, Unity Health Toronto
Ross Upshur, professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and associate director, Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health
Lu-Yang Wang, professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and senior scientist, The Hospital For Sick Children Research Institute

“Your induction is a reflection of your vision, innovation and sustained excellence in your field,” said Dr. Proton Rahman, the chair of the CAHS fellowship committee. “Undoubtedly, your expertise will further enrich our Academy.”

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10 �鶹��Ƶ researchers named fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

lanthierj — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:50:20 +0000

10 �鶹��Ƶ researchers named fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Fri, 09/20/2019 - 16:50

Faculty

St. George

Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Faculty of Medicine

Hospital for Sick Children

CAMH

St. Michael's Hospital

Women in STEM

landscape

L-R: Christine Allen, Heather Boon and Fang Liu

Ten researchers from the University of Toronto have been named fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences – one of the most esteemed honours for academics in the field.

“The University of Toronto would like to congratulate these 10 faculty members from our health sciences community on this most deserved recognition of their scholarship and research accomplishments,” said Vivek Goel, �鶹��Ƶ’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives.

“Their election to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences is a testament to �鶹��Ƶ’s strengths in areas of health sciences that run the gamut from bench to bedside and molecule to population.”

The new fellows are:

Christine Allen of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
Heather Boon of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
Jocalyn Clark of the department of medicine in the Faculty of Medicine and The Lancet
Ronald Cohn of the department of paediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine and president of The Hospital for Sick Children
Linda Johnston of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
Lawrence Leiter of the department of medicine in the Faculty of Medicine and associate scientist of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael’s Hospital
Fang Liu of the department of psychiatry in the Faculty of Medicine and senior scientist of molecular neuroscience in the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Stephen Matthews of the department of physiology in the Faculty of Medicine
Carles Muntaner of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
Antonio Strafella of the department of medicine in the Faculty of Medicine and senior scientist of the Research Imaging Centre at the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Read the �鶹��Ƶ News story

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