Event recap
The inaugural Temerty Faculty of Medicine Research Showcase was held in July 2023 at the Bahen Centre for Information Technology, hosting more than 300 undergraduate and graduate students, medical students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and staff. It stands as the only platform that brings together all Temerty Medicine research and clinical departments for a day dedicated to collaboration and learning. Beyond refining their presentation skills, the showcase provided students with a unique chance to network and connect with fellow researchers across the diverse disciplines within Temerty Medicine.
Keynote and Endnote Presentations
The commencing keynote speech was given by the esteemed Dr. Nadia Minian, Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Assistant Professor at the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, on the importance of implementation science in bridging the gap between research and patient care, particularly with an equity perspective. Implementation science focuses on developing methods to integrate evidence-based practices into routine healthcare to enhance quality and effectiveness, ultimately aiming to improve population health.
The closing speech was given by the distinguished Dr. Temorah Lewis, Associate Professor at Temerty Medicine and Staff Neonatologist at SickKids, on the complexities of neonatal pharmacology, particularly in treating conditions like patent ductus arteriosus, where current approaches yield highly variable outcomes. In her presentation, Dr. Lewis highlighted the efforts that have been underway in developing individualized dosing tools and techniques, and identifying pharmacometabolomic signatures to improve drug efficacy and safety in preterm infants.
Keynote by Dr. Nadia Minian on “Reaching the finish line: Implementation science’s role in closing the gap for evidence-based practices”.
Career Coffee Chats
Trainees and postdoctoral fellows also had a unique opportunity at our Career Coffee Chats to engage with academic and industry professionals and learn about their experiences and their diverse career paths, gaining valuable insights and establishing meaningful connections.
Eager attendees interacting with Colin Arrowsmith during a round of the Career Coffee Chats.
Research Symposia
After a morning of networking and interactive discussions, attendees diverged for symposia presented by incredibly talented researchers at Temerty Medicine. Each of the four rooms featured four presentations given by trainees, offering them the opportunity to share their findings with a diverse audience, expand their collaborative possibilities, foster professional growth and vie for a prize given to the best presenters. These presentations, followed by Q&A sessions, allowed speakers to demonstrate a thorough understanding of their research.
Presentation by Shehab Eid, PhD Candidate at the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology.
Research Forums
Our research forums session featured presentations on noteworthy topics, such as “Tools for Improving Inclusivity, Equity, and Patient Engagement” and “New Technologies in Imaging & Microscopy.” The presentations aimed to captivate an audience with diverse levels of expertise, encouraging discussions and enriching their understanding. While notably unique, this session offered a more intimate setting for trainees to learn, ask questions, and delve into research topics.
Research Forum by Dr. Alexandre Hardy on 3D Imaging.
Lunch and Refreshments
A brief intermission with complementary lunch provided attendees a moment to refresh and network.
Attendees during lunch.
Awards Ceremony
The showcase concluded with closing remarks by the organizing committee and the announcement of the recipients of our awards. The well-deserved winners of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine Research Showcase 2023, recognized for their outstanding contributions and achievements, were as follows:
- Research Forums:
- First place: Kristyn Fournier – Animal Research Ethics Specialist at CAMH
- Runner-up: Kimberly Crasta – MHSc Candidate in Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology
- Research Symposia:
- First place: Laura Wheeler – MASc Candidate in Institute of Biomedical Engineering
- Runner-up: Douglas Chung – PhD Candidate in Immunology
The Temerty Faculty of Medicine Research Showcase 2023 Organizing Committee with Award Recipients Kimberly Crasta and Douglas Chung.
Conclusion
The inaugural Temerty Faculty of Medicine Research Showcase in 2023 was a resounding success, bringing together a diverse array of researchers, students, and industry professionals for a day of collaboration and learning. From insightful keynote speeches by esteemed experts like Dr. Minian and Dr. Lewis to engaging research forums and career coffee chats, attendees had valuable opportunities to network, share knowledge, and foster meaningful connections. As we reflect on the achievements of 2023, we eagerly anticipate the upcoming conference in 2024, poised to continue showcasing the groundbreaking research and innovation within the Temerty Medicine community.