Occupational Therapy

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Diversity and Inclusion

Alumni

For years, occupational therapist Tina Singh felt frustrated when trying to find helmets that would fit her three active young sons – they wear a patka, or cloth head covering, that is smaller than a turban but still covers their long hair – as they began to ride bicycles and play team sports such as hockey.

“As an occupational therapist, of course it was important that my kids had to have a helmet,” Singh says. “But when I tried to put helmets on them and they didn’t fit, my husband and I tried to tie their hair a different way – we tried a bunch of things and still nothing quite fit right.

Tina Singh

“I wanted an option for Sikh kids and other children who needed a properly fitted helmet, and I decided that it was going to be a real goal to get it designed.”

A therapist whose work focused on patients with acquired brain injuries, Singh dove into the process of designing a proper helmet that includes a small domed section on the top to accommodate a child’s hair – and found herself thinking back to her master’s studies at the University of Toronto.

Singh graduated in 2007 from the occupational science and occupational therapy program in what is now the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. She says the program’s holistic, comprehensive approach made her realize she could use her skills in many different ways.

“I felt there was a lot of practical application in everything we were studying,” Singh says from her home in Brampton, Ont. “Occupational therapy is such a broad area and we got a little taste of everything in the program. I knew that I would always have the opportunity to do different things within the field, such as universal design, product development and business – all of which I ended up doing for my current project.”

Singh's unique helmet design

After having an engineer produce renderings of her design, Singh found a manufacturer to produce a prototype that could be tested. A few iterations later, the helmet – which is designed for kids aged five and up and can be used for skateboarding, kick-scootering or rollerblading – passed the required safety testing and is now available for preorders in Canada

Singh, who worked as a rehab coach during her undergraduate years, says she chose to do a master’s degree at U of T after deciding to become an occupational therapist.

“The program really felt like the ideal fit. It’s the foundational skills I still find useful to this day, such as looking at the whole person and how we look at everyday life. That way of thinking just sticks with you – and it doesn’t just apply to your work, but to everything around you,” she says.

The teachings and encouragement of one professor in particular has stayed with Singh many years after graduation.

“Andrea Duncan really helped guide me and it felt like I always had someone to look to when I needed advice on how to move forward. I feel like even if I saw her today, I could have those same open conversations with her about my career.”

Duncan, an assistant professor in the department of occupational science and occupational therapy, says she’s delighted to have made an impact on one of her former students – and to hear how Singh used her learnings in the program to innovate.

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A post shared by Tina Singh (@thetinasingh)

“Tina took my professional practice course, which is dedicated to developing systems thinking and business skills for occupational therapy students. Tina definitely stood out amongst her peers, and I am not surprised that she has gone on to become an ‘OTpreneur,’” Duncan says. “We are very proud of her and all her endeavours.”

Singh’s helmet design has attracted attention from media all around the world, including in some of India’s top publications – which has been gratifying but also challenging.

“I’m so glad it had such a big reach, but when something gains so much traction, along with the positive also comes critiques,” Singh says, adding that she ended up changing the original name of her helmet company from “Sikh Helmets” to “Bold Helmets” after pushback from some in the Sikh community.

“I fully acknowledge that not every parent is going to want this for their child. Some people feel very strongly that they don’t want anything covering up the patka or a turban,” Singh says. “But my main message is that for those already using helmets, let’s give them one that works better for them.”

For Singh, seeing her own kids wear the helmet for the first time underscored why she had set out to create it in the first place.

“I honestly didn’t even want to admit how good it felt because I was worried that something was going to go wrong,” she says. “But to see them put it on was amazing – it was a really overwhelming experience.

“I’ve heard from so many parents that are faced with a choice between their faith or culture and trying to participate in sports and other activities. We should be making options for kids so that they never have to choose – they shouldn’t have to think twice about it.”

Watch an interview with Tina Singh at India Today

National platform to prepare researchers to lead digital health solutions for older adults

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 14:40:19 +0000

National platform to prepare researchers to lead digital health solutions for older adults

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 04/04/2022 - 10:40

Cutline

Alex Mihailidis, a U of T professor and UHN researcher, was the principal applicant for a federally funded training platform that aims to accelerate digital health solutions for older adults (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Margaret Polanyi

Topic

Institutional Strategic Initiatives

Research & Innovation

A federally funded training platform hosted at the University of Toronto will equip students and early career researchers across Canada to accelerate digital health solutions for older adults with complex health needs.

The Early Professionals, Inspired Careers in AgeTech (EPIC-AT) Health Research Training Platform, powered by Canada’s technology and aging network AGE-WELL, is led by researchers from 11 universities and research hospitals across six Canadian provinces

EPIC-AT is being funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, while will provide the platform with $2.4 million over six years, while 41 collaborating institutions will provide more than $6.1 million in cash and almost $4.5 million of in-kind support for graduate students, fellows and newly established scientists.

“This exciting initiative will boost the number of highly qualified future leaders in research, government, industry and community organizations – people who can get digital health solutions more quickly into the hands of older Canadians with complex health needs and their caregivers in home, community and long-term care settings,” said Alex Mihailidis, a professor of occupational science and occupational therapy at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and U of T’s associate vice-president for international partnerships.

The principal applicant for EPIC-AT, Mihailidis is also scientific director and CEO of AGE-WELL, and holds the Barbara G. Stymiest Research Chair in Rehabilitation Technology at KITE Research Institute, University Health Network.

The new platform is an extension of AGE-WELL’s globally leading EPIC training program and will provide one-year fellowships to at least 127 graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and early career researchers at Canadian institutions.

Participants will be equipped to develop, implement and evaluate digital technology solutions across areas such as information and communication technologies, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, sensors, smart environments and wearables. These solutions will help older Canadians age safely, independently and with dignity in the setting of their choice.

“The pandemic has highlighted the potential of digital health solutions– such as the rapid expansion of telehealth – to meet the needs of older adults, as well as the need for further work in this sector,” Mihailidis said.

He welcomed the funding for EPIC-AT and the involvement of so many partners, which include public, not-for-profit and private sector organizations that will support participant salaries, share expertise, host interns, develop online courses and more.

“The time is now for Canada to emerge as a global leader for digital solutions in the AgeTech sector,” Mihailidis said. “Canadians are ready and willing to use digital health innovations, and their wide-scale use would have an immense positive impact on the lives of older adults, their caregivers and on the health-care system.”

Quick facts about EPIC-AT:

The call for fellowship applications will open this spring and will include focused calls for BIPOC awards.
Successful graduate students and post-doctoral fellows will receive a minimum $8,000 of salary support, while early career researchers will receive a minimum of $10,000.
Exceptional internships, mentorship and experiential education opportunities will abound, thanks to wide-ranging partnerships.
Stakeholder engagement is key; platform participants will co-create solutions with older adults, caregivers, health professionals and others.

The 11 researchers and institutions collaborating to lead EPIC-AT are: nominated principal applicant Mihailidis and principal applicants: Nathalie Bier, Université de Montréal; Mohamed-Amine Choukou, University of Manitoba; Shannon Freeman, University of Northern British Columbia; Thomas Hadjistavropoulos, University of Regina; Karen Kobayashi, University of Victoria; Bianca Stern, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care; Heidi Sveistrup, Bruyère Research Institute; Robyn Tamblyn, McGill University; Grace Warner, Dalhousie University; Azadeh Yadollahi, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network.

Researcher discusses brain injury and 'shadow pandemic' of intimate partner violence

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 19:30:41 +0000

Researcher discusses brain injury and 'shadow pandemic' of intimate partner violence

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 02/01/2022 - 14:30

Cutline

(Photo courtesy of Temerty Faculty of Medicine)

Jim Oldfield

Topic

Toronto Rehabilitation Institute

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

People who live with brain injury from intimate partner violence (IPV) face massive chasms in health care and support systems, says University of Toronto researcher Angela Colantonio, a researcher at the University of Toronto and University Health Network (UHN).

Most of these injuries go unreported. Service providers may not have the training to recognize brain injuries, and survivors themselves are often unaware they have a brain injury – instead attributing symptoms to mental health conditions or personal failure.

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened their suffering. Physical abuse has increased, and access to support services has withered. To help address this immediate crisis, and the long-standing problem of brain injury from intimate partner violence, Colantonio – director of the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute and a professor of occupational science and occupational therapy at U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine and a senior scientist at KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, UHN – recently co-edited a special issue of the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.

Colantonio is cross-appointed to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and her work is supported by a Canada Research Chair in traumatic brain injury in underserved populations.

She recently spoke with writer Jim Oldfield about intimate partner violence, and how research is raising awareness of brain injury and providing new tools for social workers, health professionals and patients.

How common is brain injury from intimate partner violence?

We don’t have great prevalence estimates. About one in three women globally will experience intimate partner violence at some point, and physical abuse is a common form of this violence. Yet it has been found that fewer than 25 per cent of women seek care at the time of injury, according to some studies. Hits to the head, face and neck account for over 90 per cent of physical abuse by some estimates, which leaves women at high risk for a brain injury. So, this is a huge population that requires a specific approach in care and about whom we have very little information.

What are the most immediate needs to address this situation?

The needs are many, but education among front-line service providers is a big one. That said, the gender-based violence sector has been so receptive to work in this area, and we’ve had great partnerships with organizations such as WomenatthecentrE, the Cridge Centre for the Family and others. Just great collaboration to address this major gap in education, practice and knowledge. At the same time, the need for education among health care providers in brain injury is huge. That requires a tailored and sensitive approach to avoid putting people at further risk, or creating more harm and stigma. And of course, we need more research to guide care.

How was the experience of editing this special issue of the journal?

We had a great response from the research community. We received more submissions than we could consider, and I was really impressed by the willingness of researchers around the world to share their work and ideas. We ended up with a varied suite of articles and topics, from strangulation outcomes to neuroimaging correlates on IPV related brain injury and new data about prevalence. We had prevalence estimates in understudied populations that include refugees, and some of the first qualitative reports on the impact of the pandemic and brain injury among service users and providers. One paper found that persistent post-concussive symptoms significantly predicted IPV perpetration, highlighting the need to address brain injury in perpetrators as well. So there’s a real breadth to this issue, which is encouraging, although we’re just scratching the surface compared to research on brain injury among athletes, for example.

What can you say about the COVID-19 pandemic, relative to physical abuse and brain injury?

We’re seeing more reports of new cases and more severe injuries, so the problem has escalated in Canada and worldwide. Many providers now refer to IPV as a “shadow pandemic.” Through our consultations and research, we heard about a quiet period at the start of the pandemic, then a surge of calls to service providers. They reported more frequent and serious injuries, but also more barriers to accessing services, in part because shelters had reduced capacity and resorted to more online formats. Many survivors face challenges accessing technology safely and confidentially, and people with brain injury may find it hard to be on a screen and navigate resources. This is on top of pre-existing barriers, which we know are pronounced for persons who are Black, Indigenous and in rural or remote communities, among others.

How do you keep your morale up, working in this area?

It’s absolutely a difficult area. But I’m just so humbled by those with lived experience who are willing to share, talk to us and lead efforts to address this issue. They have told us what it’s like to live with cognitive difficulties attributed to poor mental health or personal failure. They’ve told us they want to identify and label their experiences, so they can get help and not feel it’s all their fault. Similarly with service providers, we’ve heard of many aha moments when clients have missed appointments, for example, and providers later realize it was a memory issue. I also have the privilege of working with the most dedicated and talented staff and trainees in our lab who are making major collaborative contributions.

How effective are treatments for brain injuries?

Rehabilitation is critical for successful recovery and to maximize meaningful participation in everyday life and work. A multidisciplinary team approach can work very well at the individual level to build upon strengths and abilities, compensatory strategies and also to adapt the environment. We include information on care guidelines in our Abused and Brain Injured Toolkit.

Is that tool kit available to the public?

Yes, it’s an educational resource that includes screening considerations, links between brain injury and mental health, and fundamentals on brain injury and care along with personal stories. We co-created it with service providers and survivors, and that’s reflected in the content. It’s been accessed by over 8,000 users on four continents, and referenced in websites, clinical programs and fact sheets. So we’re having an impact, as are our colleagues. Our special issue includes an evaluation of a health-advocacy intervention developed by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, which has helped survivors increase their knowledge and agency, and a letter from Katherine Snedaker of Pink Concussions, with updates on a Partner Inflicted Brain Injury task force. Maybe most gratifying is the cross-pollination we’re seeing between brain injury and gender-based violence organizations. They are working together in new ways, and that really is essential to moving us forward.

U of T faculty, alumni and supporters named to Order of Canada

mattimar — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:19:16 +0000

U of T faculty, alumni and supporters named to Order of Canada

mattimar Tue, 01/04/2022 - 11:19

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(Photo by Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall, OSGG-BSGG)

Mariam Matti

Topic

Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation

Alumni

Awards

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Faculty of Information

Rotman School of Management

St. Michael's College

University College

Victoria College

After making their mark in spheres ranging from health care to social justice, more than two dozen members of the University of Toronto community have been honoured with a new appointment to – or promotion within – the Order of Canada.

Among the U of T community members most recently named to the Order are: Professor Eleanor Fish, who has done groundbreaking work in the use of interferon-alpha in the treatment of disease; University Professor Emeritus Michael Patrick Collins, a world-renowned expert in concrete and structural engineering; Professor Gregory Marchildon, an expert in health-care policy; Professor Sharon Straus, who heads the knowledge translation program at St. Michael’s Hospital; and Professor Emerita Helene Polatajko, an internationally respected occupational therapy scholar.

Also named to the Order is U of T honorary degree recipient Murray Sinclair, a former judge, senator and chief commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission whose work informed U of T’s own Truth and Reconciliation steering committee.

Created in 1967, the Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honours. It recognizes people whose service, innovations and compassion shape Canadian society, foster imagination and unite people and communities.

A total of 135 appointments and promotions were announced on Dec. 29 by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon.

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

Michael Patrick Collins

Michael Patrick Collins, a University Professor Emeritus in the department of civil and mineral engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, was named a Member of the Order for his research involving reinforced concrete. A world-renowned expert in his field, he addresses how engineers can prevent the collapse of buildings by using new approaches in design to better assess and repair structures.

Eleanor N. Fish, a professor in the department of immunology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and a senior scientist at University Health Network’s Toronto General Research Institute, was named a Member of the Order for her groundbreaking studies on the use of interferon-alpha in the treatment of disease. A U of T alumna, Fish is an expert in several infectious diseases including SARS, H1N1 and Ebola.

Gregory Marchildon

Gregory Marchildon, a professor at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and an Ontario Research Chair in Health Policy and System Design, was named a Member of the Order for his contributions to health-care policy in Canada and mentorship of the next generation of policy-oriented researchers.

Helene Polatajko, a professor emerita in the department of occupational science and occupational therapy in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named an Officer of the Order for her work in significantly advancing the understanding of developmental co-ordination disorder in children. Polatajko, who earned her master’s degree and PhD from U of T’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) is an internationally recognized scholar of occupational therapy.

Sharon Straus

Sharon Straus, a professor in the department of medicine in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine with a cross appointment at IHPME who is director of the knowledge translation program and physician-in-chief at St. Michael’s Hospital, was named a Member of the Order for her academic contributions in the field of knowledge translation and mentorship in epidemiology. A U of T alumna, she has also conducted research on the transmission of COVID-19 in long-term care.

Alumni and friends

Liona Boyd
(photo by Marta Iwanek/
Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Liona Boyd is known as Canada’s “first lady of guitar.” Boyd was promoted to the rank of Officer in recognition of her contributions to music. The classical guitarist and five-time Juno Award winner graduated from the Faculty of Music and received an honorary degree in 2004. She has released 28 albums of classical, folk and world music and has composed and arranged hundreds of pieces for guitar.

Sandra Chapnik was named a Member for her leadership in the community and the legal sector. Chapnik, who graduated from U of T as a member of University College, is a former judge of the Superior Court of Justice for Ontario who has held many leadership roles in the community and is widely recognized for her efforts to promote the advancement of women and encourage best practices in the field.

Robert Eisenberg was named a Member for his commitment to the revitalization of Toronto’s architectural heritage, as well as his community service benefiting the environment and youth. Eisenberg, who graduated from U of T as a member of University College, is co-founder of York Heritage Properties, which known for its innovative and sustainable work in areas such as Liberty Village in Toronto.

Patricia Feheley, director of the Feheley Fine Arts and board member of the Cultural Human Resources Council and Canadian Eskimo Arts Council, was named a Member for her long-standing contributions to the country’s art scene, and for her promotion of Inuit art and culture. A former curator of the Ontario Science Centre and consultant with the Smithsonian Institute, Feheley earned a master’s degree in museum studies from U of T’s Faculty of Information.

Evelyn L. Forget, known for her work advancing anti-poverty initiatives in Canada and around the world as a leading health economics researcher, was named an Officer of the Order. Forget received her master’s degree and PhD from U of T. She is a professor of economics in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba.

Gerald Friesen, an author and professor of Canadian history with specialties in western Canada, Manitoba, labour and communication, was named a Member for his contributions to Canadian historical discourse through his inclusive and comprehensive research on Indigenous and ethnic groups in western regions. Friesen earned a PhD from U of T’s department of history in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Janice Fukakusa was named a Member for her leadership and mentorship in banking, and for her boundless community engagement – notably in education and health care. Fukakusa, who earned a bachelor of arts degree from U of T as a member of Victoria College, is a former chief administrative officer and chief financial officer at RBC. She was also the first female chancellor of Ryerson University.

Nona Macdonald Heaslip, a retired public relations executive, was named a Member for her ongoing philanthropic contributions to Canada’s arts sector and for supporting academic scholarships across the country. Heaslip, who was the inaugural manager of public relations at U of T, earned a bachelor’s degree from U of T as a member of St. Michael’s College and an honorary degree in 2009. Heaslip has served on the boards of major theatres and, with her late husband, established the William and Nona Heaslip Scholarships to support education projects at 10 Canadian universities.

Tomson Highway: The acclaimed playwright and novelist was promoted to the rank of Officer in recognition of his distinguished contributions to theatre and Canadian culture. Renowned for such works as Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing, The Rez Sisters, The Sage, and The Dancer and the Fool Highway is a former writer-in-residence and received an honorary degree from U of T in 2007.

William Humber, an author, journalist, environmentalist and educator, was named a Member for his contributions as Canada’s premier baseball historian, highlighting the many ways in which the sport’s history is linked to the nation. Humber, a selector for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Clarington Sports Hall of Fame, earned a bachelor’s degree from U of T.

Barbara Landau, a lawyer, psychologist and author, was named a Member for her contributions to dispute resolution and family law reform, and for her advocacy of interfaith initiatives. Landau, who earned her bachelor of arts and law degrees from U of T, is lauded for her leadership in family mediation, justice and dispute resolution in Canada.

Patricia Livingston was named an Officer for her contributions to global health and anesthesia safety, as well as her commitment to improving medical education in underserved communities around the world. Livingston, who completed post-graduate medical training at U of T, is an associate professor at Dalhousie University.

Pradeep Merchant was named a Member for longstanding contributions to his community, including his philanthropy and leadership in the promotion of bilateral ties between Canada and India. Now serving as site chief of the Division of Neonatology at The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic Campus, Merchant previously completed a post-graduate neonatology fellowship with U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

Lynn Posluns was named a Member for her contributions to research on women’s cognitive health and aging. Posluns, a philanthropist who is the founder and president of the Women’s Brain Health Initiative, earned an undergraduate degree in commerce and finance and a master’s degree in business administration at U of T before embarking on a career that included senior roles within the retail, fashion and private equity sectors.

Alexander Reford, a historian with a master’s degree in history from U of T, was named a Member in recognition of his leadership in the Canadian horticultural community, for bolstering regional tourism, and for promoting both heritage and environmental conservation. A former dean of St. Michael’s College and author of many books and articles on the history of Canada, Reford is the director of Jardins de Métis/Reford Gardens, a 200-acre national historic site on the St. Lawrence River created by his great-grandmother Elsie Reford.

Graham Sher was named an Officer for his contributions to public health, including his role in the development of Canada’s largest blood system operator. Sher, who completed post-graduate medical training at U of T, served as vice-president of medical, scientific and clinical management of Canadian Blood Services when it launched in 1998, and has been CEO since 2001.

Murray Sinclair (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)

Murray Sinclair, the former senator and former chief commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, was named a Companion of the Order – the highest rank – in recognition of his commitment to Indigenous legal issues and his dedication to reconciliation. Sinclair, whose Ojibway name Mizanay Gheezhik means “the one who speaks of pictures in the sky,” was the first Indigenous judge in Manitoba and the second in Canada. He received an honorary degree from U of T in 2017.

Carol Tator was named an Officer for her advocacy of social justice and commitment to identifying and dismantling systemic racism in Canadian society. Tator, who graduated from U of T as a member of University College, is a professor at York University and the co-author, with Frances Henry, of such books as The Colour of Democracy: Racism in Canadian Society.

Peter Vaughan, who received post-graduate medical training at U of T, was named a Member of the Order for his contributions to Canada’s health-care system, and for his pioneering leadership in the establishment and advancement of digital health. He was the deputy minister of health and wellness for Nova Scotia, CEO of the Canadian Medical Association and a Royal Canadian Air Force special operation flight surgeon and colonel commandant of the Royal Canadian Medical Services during the war in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2010.

Other new additions to the Order included: U of T supporters Graham Farquharson, Ralph Chiodo, Leo Goldhar, Vaikuntam Iyer Lakshmanan and Barbara Stymiest; former U of T professors Roderick McInnes and Peter Zandstra; and leaders from the public and private sectors such as Lawson Hunter, who attended the directors’ education program at U of T’s Rotman School of Management.

Did we miss anybody? If you know of an Order of Canada honouree with ties to U of T who was announced on Dec. 29, 2021 but isn't mentioned above, please let us know at uoftnews@utoronto.ca.

'A distinctly Canadian legacy': Frederick Banting helped pioneer aviation medicine during the Second World War

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 14:28:45 +0000

'A distinctly Canadian legacy': Frederick Banting helped pioneer aviation medicine during the Second World War

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 11/11/2021 - 09:28

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Left: Flight deck, ink and pencil on tracing paper, by Hubert Reginald Rogers. Right: Frederick Banting, oil on board, by Tibor Polya.

Jim Oldfield

Topic

Doctor and researcher. Inventor and Nobel laureate. Painter and war hero.

Frederick Banting is widely recognized for achievements in many fields – including, famously, the discovery of insulin with colleagues at the University of Toronto and partner hospitals a century ago.

His contributions in the First World War are also well-known – as a physician on the front lines and at the Battle of Canal du Nord, where he was injured by shrapnel yet kept working and ultimately received the Military Cross.

But often overlooked are Banting’s efforts before and during the Second World War on medical aspects of aviation. Planes had reached new levels of altitude and speed, creating harsh conditions for aircrews and health problems such as low oxygen and G-force induced blackout.

Banting used his national influence to restart and grow research on this vital aspect of the war. His efforts helped establish the field of aviation medicine in Canada and built the foundation for advances in Canadian aerospace medicine that continue today.

Frederick Banting in 1941 (University of Toronto Archives)

“Banting was absolutely instrumental to aviation medicine in Canada,” says Jordan Bimm, a post-doctoral researcher and instructor at the University of Chicago who studies the history of science, technology and medicine with a focus on human aspects of space exploration.

“The field would not have developed without him – at least not in the same way, largely because he was such a powerful medical celebrity. He got things done that others could not.”

In 1938, Banting, as a veteran, saw the threat of war was again real, says Bimm, who completed his undergraduate degree in history at U of T. He was persuaded to focus on aviation research by Maj. A.A. James of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, who had been arguing for Canada to urgently invest in this field – as Germany had done for years.

Banting in turn lobbied for federal support and his efforts led to creation of the Associate Committee on Aviation Medical Research of the National Research Council in 1939. Banting chaired the committee, which funded aviation research and equipment across the country in universities and military units.

When war came in fall 1939, Canada already had the nucleus of a multi-disciplinary aviation medical research team with equipment available or in construction, according to Chester Stewart, a professor and later dean of medicine at Dalhousie University who had worked with Banting to document the state of medical research and training in Canada.

“Some of this equipment was of totally new design and permitted investigation of problems hitherto almost untouched,” Stewart later wrote for the journal Public Affairs in a seminal article that details the committee’s impact on Canadian aviation research during the war.

A combined cold room and low-pressure chamber at the Canadian military’s No. 1 clinical investigation unit, on the grounds of the former Eglinton Hunt Club on Avenue Road in Toronto, became the first on the continent to replicate conditions for the study of high-altitude illnesses.

A human centrifuge in Toronto

Researchers from U of T used the unit to design the first oxygen mask that did not freeze at low temperatures. Additional work by U of T physicists led to the discovery of dry oxygen that further improved mask design, and an oxygen demand valve that automated oxygen intake based on the individual needs of aircrew.

British and U.S. researchers also used the unit and other Canadian facilities, according to Stewart, who wrote that medical aviation scientists in this country were ahead of their American counterparts in some areas even before the war began, and published prolifically throughout the conflict.

Toronto’s No. 1 unit also became home to the first human centrifuge in any country outside Germany. This large and expensive machine replicated the human effects of gravitational force at high speeds, which included blurred vision and blackouts.

Wilbur Franks, professor in the Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, poses with the Franks Flying Suit – the worlds first G-suit, which allowed Allied fighter pilots to remain conscious when executing sharp turns at high speeds (Jack Marshall Photography/University of Toronto Archives)

Wilbur Franks, a U of T alumnus and cancer researcher working under Banting, used the centrifuge to develop one of the world’s first anti-gravity suits. The Franks Flying Suit, made of fluid-filled rubber, saw combat action over North Africa as early as 1942 and informed later designs of U.S. aviation and aerospace suits.

More advances came from the work in Toronto and by other Canadian teams, including non-fogging, wide-vision goggles, methods to detect carbon monoxide, better communications equipment and noise-reduction helmets.

Some historians have questioned the value of this output and wondered if Banting’s unparalleled power to direct research funding was always in the best interest of science. But most agree the work was significant, and that it created a lasting interest in aviation medicine in Canada.

“Unlike insulin, the individual discoveries matter less than the slow, incremental story about an influx of attention and focus for a niche field, which has left a distinctly Canadian legacy in aviation and aerospace medicine,” says Bimm. “That’s Banting’s real contribution here.”

The equipment and research teams that Banting helped set up produced advances after the war, though at reduced speed. Canada became the third nation in space in 1962 with the launch of the Alouette-1 satellite, and later made advances on the vestibular system and balance during space flight, and a type of motion sickness called space adaptation syndrome.

David Saint-Jacques on a spacewalk (photo courtesy of CSA and NASA)

A disproportionately large number of Canadian astronauts have come from medical or health-science backgrounds, relative to other countries – another example of aviation medicine’s lasting influence, Bimm says. They include Roberta Bondar, David Williams, Robert Thirsk, David Saint-Jacques and Ken Money.

The military No. 1 unit on Avenue Road evolved and in 1994 moved to Downsview, which remains an important centre for research on technology and human performance through Defence Research and Development Canada.

Joan Saary is an occupational medicine specialist and associate professor in U of T’s department of medicine, who is also a consultant physician and flight surgeon working with the Canadian Forces Environmental Medicine Establishment and the Canadian Space Agency.

She says Canada is uniquely positioned to play a role in aerospace medicine through medical and other technological expertise. She plans to help build that potential with a new fellowship program at U of T, which will offer interdisciplinary and experiential training in aerospace medicine.

“Unlike traditional medical training programs, fellows will participate in unique experiences such as flight school to understand the aviation environment,” says Saary. “We have a cadre of experts in this country who can teach and mentor another generation to solve the health challenges of space travel, which is increasingly a civilian activity.”

Training and research in aerospace medicine often centres on enabling health and safety in extreme environments, and here Canada has an edge due to geography. “Canada is an interesting analogue for space,” says Saary. “In space environments there are issues of distance, delayed communications and an inability to evacuate in harsh, remote conditions, which are similar concerns in the Canadian North.”

Technologies developed to mitigate risk in aerospace environments can also be applied to terrestrial medicine, says Saary, who began her Canadian Forces work with divers. Recent examples include satellite tracking of COVID-19 and other pandemics, clinical use of miniature cameras initially designed for space and cardiac monitors now used in intensive care.

A key goal of the fellowship program is to prepare graduates who can foster knowledge exchange and contribute in academic, military and civilian organizations.

“Canada has quietly changed the world through aviation and aerospace medicine innovations for decades,” Saary says. “I think we can do a lot more of that.”

U of T researchers lead effort to understand short- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on patients, caregivers

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 19:34:59 +0000

U of T researchers lead effort to understand short- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on patients, caregivers

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 11/05/2021 - 15:34

Cutline

The Canadian COVID-19 Prospective Cohort study, led by U of T researchers, looks at how genomics, demographics, social factors and other variables influence disease progression and severity (photo by Marko Geber/Getty Images)

Topic

Toronto General Hospital

Research and Innovation

Toronto Rehabilitation Institute

Many people who contract COVID-19 get better on their own at home, but more serious cases can involve hospitalization and months of recovery – or more.

Angela Cheung and Margaret Herridge, both professors in the University of Toronto's department of medicine in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, are co-leading an interdisciplinary team of more than 100 researchers who are studying short- and long-term outcomes for COVID-19 patients. The Canadian COVID-19 Prospective Cohort study (CanCOV) looks at how genomics, demographics, social factors and other variables influence disease progression and severity.

Angela Cheung (photo by Jessica Chang)

Several factors influence COVID-19 patient recovery, including age, general health and pre-existing medical conditions. Ventilation, sedative drugs and other interventions in the intensive care unit may be crucial and life-saving, but can also have consequences.

“The majority of patients who require mechanical ventilation for a week or more are unable to walk at the time of their ICU discharge, and it may take them months or up to one year or longer to recover,” says Herridge, a professor in the department of medicine and the Institute of Medical Science in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

Critically ill patients may require mechanical ventilation weeks or months, which may lead to lung injury and compromise respiratory muscles. Rapid muscle breakdown and immobility may further aggravate muscle loss and cause profound weakness.

These changes can result in functional dependency and compromise a person’s ability to carry out regular daily activities or return to work. “Many patients are left with life-long functional disability, cognitive and mood disorders,” says Herridge, who is also a senior scientist at Toronto General Hospital Research Institute (TGHRI) and a respiratory and critical care physician at University Health Network.

For the study, CanCOV researchers planned to recruit 2,000 patients and 500 family caregivers from the four hardest hit provinces: Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and B.C. The research team includes experts in respiratory medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, critical care, occupational therapy, genetics and basic sciences.

“We see patients and caregivers as a dyad. How people recover from illness is often tied to how they’re cared for,” says Cheung, who is also the KY and Betty Ho Chair of Integrative Medicine, and is a senior scientist at TGHRI and the Schroeder Arthritis Institute.

Margaret Herridge and Jill Cameron

“And we’ve learned from other conditions, including acute respiratory distress syndrome and SARS, that caregivers may acquire new mood disorders including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder,” Cheung says.

In the first 14 months of the pandemic, there were more than 42,000 hospital stays averaging two weeks each for people with a COVID-19 diagnosis, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Of that group, roughly 8,400 were admitted to intensive care.

A recent publication by the Ontario Science Table suggests as many as 78,000 people in this province may have had or currently live with “long COVID,” a condition that can include fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, muscle and chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Kelly O'Brien, a physiotherapist and U of T associate professor in the department of physical therapy and the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, sees parallels between long COVID and her previous work on disability related to HIV/AIDS.

Kelly O'Brien

O’Brien recently co-authored a commentary in BMJ Global Health on conceptualizing long COVID as an episodic condition.

“Health-related challenges or symptoms experienced by adults living with long COVID can overlap, relapse, remit and change over time,” says O'Brien, who holds a Canada Research Chair in Episodic Disability and Rehabilitation. “These characteristics resemble episodic disability, a concept derived from the context of HIV, where health challenges are multidimensional in nature affecting physical, cognitive, mental and social health domains.”

Those challenges can fluctuate – sometimes unpredictably – daily or over longer periods of time, O’Brien says.

She is also part of a team working on a Canadian Institutes of Health Research-funded study, which will establish a patient-reported outcome measure to capture the nature and extent of episodic disability in people living with long COVID. The work will help guide access to rehabilitation, evaluate interventions and inform workplace policies.

In addition to her research, O’Brien is a member of Long COVID Physio, an international patient-led association of physiotherapists who live with long COVID and allies, which collaborated with World Physiotherapy to develop a briefing paper on rehabilitation approaches, including physical activity.

Jill Cameron, an associate professor in the department of occupational science and occupational therapy, studies caregiving and its impact on family members who assume this critical role.

She says the impact of COVID-19 on caregivers will prove to be intense, based what she and her colleagues have learned in the context of other conditions like dementia and stroke.

“Caregivers have to do more with less support,” says Cameron, who is also involved in the CanCOV study. “Throughout the pandemic, friends and family members haven’t been as able to come help as they might have prior to COVID.”

Professional services that would typically provide home visits have been limited, Cameron notes. “Public health measures have reduced the number of visits, and factors like cleaning protocols result in longer turnaround time between visits, which means workers can’t see the same caseloads,” Cameron says.

Early data from other studies and jurisdictions show increased caregiver stress and poorer mental health outcomes during the pandemic, as well as more restrictions on caregivers’ other work, leisure activities and care for other family members.

These impacts on caregivers are also likely to affect the well-being of COVID-19 patients. Research into these consequences is an emerging field, Cameron says, but she notes that, in the context of stroke, there is a connection between caregiver depression and patients who are more likely to be hospitalized in the year following their stroke.

Cameron says she is pleased to be contributing to research that may shed light on the impact of the ongoing pandemic.

“We’re doing great things, and we’re learning a lot here,” she says.

Terry Fox to be celebrated on U of T’s Rehabilitation Sciences Building with one of five mural designs

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 15:54:07 +0000

Terry Fox to be celebrated on U of T’s Rehabilitation Sciences Building with one of five mural designs

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 10/20/2021 - 11:54

Cutline

Five proposals for a mural on the Rehabilitation Sciences Building feature art, as seen in this composite, by: Alexander Bacon and Que Rock; Emmanuel Jarus; Keitha Keeshig-Tobias Biizindam; Christiano De Araujo; and Jason Pinney.

Scott Anderson

Topic

City & Culture

Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture

Mount Sinai Hospital

Research & Innovation

The University of Toronto has teamed up with the City of Toronto and the Legacy Art Project to commemorate Terry Fox, the Canadian hero who – with one leg amputated due to cancer – embarked on a quest to run across Canada in 1980 to raise money for cancer research.

The city recently unveiled five shortlisted designs – submitted by local artists – for a giant mural of Fox on the north side of the university’s Rehabilitation Sciences Building at 500 University Avenue.

When it’s finished, the mural will overlook part of the route where people gathered to cheer on Fox as he made his way to Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto on July 11, 1980.

Darrell Fox, senior adviser to the Terry Fox Research Institute and Terry’s younger brother, says the Fox family was especially pleased to find a location for the mural on University Avenue with a connection to the university.

“It was Terry’s vision to support cancer research,” Fox told U of T News. “So, a University of Toronto building is a fitting place for it.”

Fox added that his older brother probably would have felt sheepish about the towering mural of himself.

Artists participating in the mural project, including (from left) Alexander Bacon, Que Rock, Christiano De Araujo and Jason Pinney, as well as representatives for Keitha Keeshig-Tobias Biizindam and Emmanuel Jarus, pose for a picture with Darrell Fox (photo by Johnny Guatto)

“Terry would be quite embarrassed and uncomfortable with the recognition. He was always about raising one more dollar [for research]. But the mural will be in a location – on University Avenue and on a University of Toronto building where research is happening – that will inspire others. He would have been happy about that.”

Barbara Fischer, executive director and chief curator of the U of T Art Centre and a member of the mural advisory committee, echoed Fox’s comments, noting that the mural’s location among several U of T partner hospitals “underscores and perhaps makes newly visible the role that hospitals, research centres and universities play in research that is very much at the heart of Terry Fox’s heroic achievement.”

Fischer, who is also a professor in the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, added that the mural will be “a wonderful marker … of the university’s dedication to contribute to and improve the health and well-being of the city and region.”

Jim Woodgett, the president and scientific director of the Terry Fox Research Institute, says raising funds for cancer research continues to be a priority since one in four Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes – half of whom will die from it.

Over the past decade, the institute has provided tens of millions of dollars to support cancer research at the University Health Network and U of T – primarily to collaborations among small groups of scientists that other funding agencies don’t typically support.

Woodgett, himself a cancer researcher and a professor of medical biophysics at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and a senior investigator at Sinai Health’s Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, says progress is incremental but new cancer therapies are becoming available thanks to ongoing research.

Toronto Mayor John Tory, who spoke at the event, commended the city’s partnership with the Legacy Art Project and U of T – part of the ArtworxTO initiative – as an example of how to bring together people and inspire them through public art.

“What Terry Fox did was so extraordinary, so courageous, so inspirational and so important,” said Tory, adding that the story of a heroic Canadian is an apt subject for a mural.

Mayor John Tory speaks at an event showcasing the mural project at U of T’s Rehabilitation Sciences Building on University Aveneue (Photo by Johnny Guatto)

In addition to the mural, U of T has worked with the city and other partners on a number of projects for ArtworxTO. They include an Indigenous public art installation on tree-protection hoardings in the Hart House Commons; exhibitions and programming at the U of T Art Museum on the St. George campus and at U of T Scarborough; and student-led research through U of T’s School of Cities to evaluate the Year of Public Art initiative that’s currently underway.

Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope in 1980, with the goal of crossing the country from east to west by running at least 42 km a day and raising one dollar from every Canadian to support cancer research. He had completed 143 days and reached as far as Thunder Bay, Ont., when the spread of his cancer forced him to end his quest.

He died in 1981, from cancer, at the age of 22. Since then, Fox’s legacy has inspired millions of Canadians and others around the world to give to the Terry Fox Foundation, which has raised more than $850 million for cancer research.

Katrina Jang, who is pursuing a master’s degree in occupational therapy at U of T, spoke about how Fox’s hope and determination had inspired her.

“I want to be able to help, support and advocate for my future patients of all ages and abilities to engage in activities that are meaningful to them – even in the face of challenge and adversity,” she said at the event. “Terry’s values are something I’ll try to channel.”

The Toronto-based artists who were invited to submit mural designs are: Alexander Bacon and Que Rock, Christiano De Araujo, Keitha Keeshig-Tobias Biizindam, Emmanuel Jarus and Jason Pinney.

Pinney shared his own experience of being treated for childhood cancer at Sick Kids Hospital. “My family and I are grateful to Terry Fox for helping to normalize the conversation about cancer and the importance of early diagnosis,” he said at the event. “We’re grateful for the money he raised for research that helped save my life and so many others through research that continues to save lives today.”

Members of the public can view the mural concepts and share feedback until Oct. 31. A selection committee that includes Darrell Fox, Fischer and Jang will review the designs and consider feedback from the public before selecting a winner.

The mural is scheduled to be painted in the summer of 2022.

'A vital role to play': U of T grad on the growing need for occupational therapists in hospital ERs

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 15:40:26 +0000

'A vital role to play': U of T grad on the growing need for occupational therapists in hospital ERs

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 07/20/2021 - 11:40

Cutline

Nadine Narain, an alumna of the department of occupational science and occupational therapy, belongs to an interdisciplinary team at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre that facilitates the safe discharge of patients (photo courtesy of Nadine Narain)

Erin Howe

Topic

Sunnybrook Health Sciences

Coronavirus

Alumni

Nadine Narain couldn’t have imagined working in an emergency department upon graduating from the University of Toronto’s department of occupational science and occupational therapy in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

Five years later, Narain is now an adjunct lecturer in the department and has a varied career that has included work with children, in home health care, acute care and palliative care.

She’s also part of what she hopes will become a growing trend: occupational therapists who work in the ER to help reduce the length of stay and unnecessary hospital admissions. As well, occupational therapists help facilitate safe discharges and prevent hospital re-admissions by ensuring patients have adequate supports at home and in the community.

Narain recently spoke with writer Erin Howe about her work and how it has been impacted by the pandemic.

What kind of work do you do at the hospital?

I’m part of an interdisciplinary team at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. We facilitate safe discharges into the community. To do this, I conduct functional assessments, especially for patients with functional or cognitive decline. I collaborate with the team to ensure patients are safe to return home. If they’re not, we make the recommendations.

In discharge planning for patients returning home, I provide education and recommendations on resources to optimize their safety, independence and well-being. For example, any equipment they may need – like grab bars for their bathtub or a walker, support for personal care, meal preparation, medication management and other basic daily activities.

As part of my assessment, I also check in with caregivers to ensure they feel supported and have resources to cope with burnout.

As well, I might see people who may have a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury. I help assess them from a cognitive perspective for what kinds of follow up might benefit them, and provide education on managing with their symptoms.

Our goal is to set people up for success at discharge so they’re less likely to return to the hospital.

During the pandemic, I’ve observed an increase in issues like domestic violence, falls, functional decline and failure to cope at home. These were all pre-existing issues, but they came to the forefront as a result of the pandemic.

What kind of demand is there for occupational therapy expertise in emergency departments?

When I was in school, I didn’t imagine this kind of opportunity. But when I saw that posting, I thought it was very exciting.

At this point, there aren’t many occupational therapists working in Canadian emergency departments, but I hope to see that change in the future. There’s no doubt we have a vital role to play in the ED to optimize quality of care.

You’ve worked with people recovering from COVID-19. How can occupational therapy help people through that journey?

I worked in a COVID-designated ICU and field hospital, and had a front-seat view of the impact COVID-19 has on physical and cognitive functioning.

Patients can become so deconditioned that they have difficulty completing basic tasks like personal care, walking and getting out of bed. My role was to help them regain their independence and ensure they were safe enough to be discharged home or to rehab.

Some patients also have difficulty with memory and concentration following their illness. I also often provide education on how to manage post-COVID symptoms and therapy to advance peoples’ functional abilities.

Can you tell me about the work you do in the community and with people experiencing homelessness?

Many of my clients in community are vulnerable. They’re homeless, low-income or frail and manage complex health issues and struggle with psycho-social issues.

Sometimes, a person may not have a home address, so I’ll meet them in the street or in a place that feels safe and convenient for them.

I've met a client before in a pharmacy. He had an issue with his walker’s handle height not being appropriate for him. So, I arranged to meet him where he picks up his medications and I adjusted the walker and chatted with him to see how things were going.

I also meet clients at their group homes or at a hospice. In those settings, I help provide education on safe functional mobility, determine what a client’s equipment needs are and ensure they receive it.

What sparked your interest in occupational therapy?

I’m inspired by my parents’ compassion and empathy for others – especially when I reflect on the time they spent as caregivers for some of our loved ones.

During my undergrad, I had the privilege of working with Professor Emerita Judith Friedland, an icon in my field. She posted an opportunity to work in her lab and I felt like the stars had aligned. I worked with her on her book, Restoring the Spirit: The Beginnings of Occupational Therapy in Canada, 1890-1930. The experience cemented my interest. She remains an inspiration for her advocacy, leadership and compassion.

As a student, I co-founded a student chapter of a non-profit organization, Global Brigades, which led a project in rural Honduras to build local capacity for rehabilitation care. Deb Cameron, one of my many mentors at U of T and the department of occupational science and occupational therapy’s international field work co-ordinator, was a key support.

Lawrence Loh, an [adjunct] professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health’s Centre for Global Health, provided guidance on sustainable, ethical and responsible volunteering, which opened my eyes to working with vulnerable and multicultural populations here in Canada.

My previous research supervisor and mentor [Assistant Professor] Andrea Duncan continues to be a support to me as well.

What’s the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding element of my work is to be able to remove barriers for my clients in the community to live safely, independently and with dignity. Ultimately, these things help prevent people going to the hospital, which has taken on a new importance during the pandemic.

Working in palliative and end-of-life care within the community has been really meaningful over the last few years.

I help clients adapt to changing goals and relieve distress they may be experiencing at that point in life while dealing with a terminal illness. And I work closely with the Palliative Education and Care for the Homeless (PEACH) team, where I'm able to provide person-centered care to vulnerable populations.

I feel privileged to help clients live with dignity and independence.

AMD’s supercomputing partnerships with U of T, other universities to take centre stage at CES

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 21:32:05 +0000

AMD’s supercomputing partnerships with U of T, other universities to take centre stage at CES

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 01/08/2021 - 16:32

Cutline

(photo by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Rahul Kalvapalle

Topic

Global Lens

Industry Partnerships

Hospital for Sick Children

SciNet

United States

The University of Toronto’s partnership with processor giant AMD, which underpins supercomputing applications for COVID-19 and other health research, is set to be highlighted on one of the world’s biggest technology stages: the annual CES conference.

The four-day conference, held virtually this year because of the pandemic, will kick off next week and includes a keynote from Lisa Su, AMD’s chief executive, on the future of high-performance computing. That includes the company’s partnerships with educational institutions like U of T, which last fall launched a supercomputing platform with AMD focused on health research.

Alex Mihailidis, U of T’s associate vice-president, international partnerships, said the fact that AMD will highlight its partnership with U of T and other universities at CES is testament to U of T’s prowess in the growing area of supercomputing applications in health care as well as its leadership in strategic partnerships.

“Companies like AMD and others are coming to U of T because they know about the capabilities we have as a university and that our faculty members have as researchers, and that we are producing some of the best research globally whether it’s around COVID-19, pandemic-based research or other work that’s happening in the health space,” said Mihailidis, a professor in the department of occupational science and occupational therapy in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

“The fact that AMD wants to feature the partnership with U of T really solidifies what we’ve already known to this point, which is that U of T is a leading global institution when it comes to this area of work.”

U of T’s recent partnership with AMD allows researchers to harness the company’s processing power to foster advancements in vaccine development, drug discovery, mathematical modelling and other areas pertinent to COVID-19 and other health-related research. Dubbed SciNet4Health, the program will operate out of the facilities of SciNet, the U of T-based supercomputing consortium.

Both Mihailidis and Daniel Gruner, chief technology officer at SciNet, will make appearances in Su’s keynote presentation at CES.

SciNet4Health will draw on the experience of HPC4Health, a high-performance computing network established by UHN and the Hospital for Sick Children. The organizations plan to work together to meet the needs of the health sciences research community in and around Toronto.

It is being powered by one petaflop of dedicated processing power, which was provided by AMD and is capable of one quadrillion calculations per second. The company’s donated equipment is scheduled to arrive at U of T in the coming weeks, Mihailidis said.

Mihailidis said the new equipment will make it possible to harness patient data in a way that wasn’t previously possible because of privacy and security considerations.

“This will give U of T researchers working in the area of COVID-19 and other areas of health the ability to conduct research that will allow them to use patient data itself, which is really important – especially for those who are trying to develop various types of models and different approaches related to personalized health,” he said.

“Where COVID-19 is concerned, these resources will aid research trying to model the disease itself and model how the pandemic has impacted various types of demographics in Canada.”

The AMD donation was made through the company’s COVID-19 HPC fund, established to provide leading research institutions with high-performance computing resources to aid research on COVID-19 and other health-care areas.

Some of the other leading research institutions selected to receive support through the fund include MIT, Stanford University, Cambridge University and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

“We’re being featured alongside many other top-tier institutions from around the world,” Mihailidis said.

“The hope is that this partnership, cemented through this CES keynote, will help us develop more partnerships with other leading institutions as well.”

Learn more about industry partnerships at U of T

From astrophysics to literature: 29 researchers at U of T awarded Canada Research Chairs

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 17:15:54 +0000

From astrophysics to literature: 29 researchers at U of T awarded Canada Research Chairs

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 12/16/2020 - 12:15

Cutline

Twenty-nine U of T researchers are among 259 in Canada to receive new or renewed Canada Research Chairs, which support exceptional work across a wide variety of fields (U of T file photo)

Alison Kenzie

Topic

Institute of Biomedical Engineering

Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research

Pediatrics

Cell and Systems Biology

Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Canada Research Chairs

Chemical Engineering

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Electrical & Computer Engineering

English

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

St. Michael's Hospital

Sunnybrook Hospital

Ted Sargent

U of T Mississauga