As we enter 2019, the new graduates from our lab reflect upon their past experiences and time at the University of Toronto. They also share their outlook on the field of biomedical sciences and their future plans.
Jennifer Chan
I had an extremely rewarding experience working in the Santerre Lab alongside so many talented individuals. Going forward, I hope to be able to use the knowledge I have gained throughout my Master’s project to make a meaningful impact in the world and help people in need. The field of biomedical engineering is definitely growing rapidly in Toronto and hopefully we will see more translation of research projects in the lab to clinical use in the near future. I wanted to thank Dr. Santerre for his continuous support and guidance throughout my project, as well as everyone in the Santerre Lab for making my time in the lab so memorable.
Yasaman Delaviz
UofT has been a second home to me for over a decade. During my studies at UofT, I had the opportunity of being intellectually challenged with current problems in the biomedical field while pursuing solutions with real-life applications. In addition to research, the supportive environment in the Santerre lab enabled me to explore different facets of academia including mentoring undergraduate students, teaching, and course development.
I hope to be actively involved in academia in the capacities of research and education. I am currently a sessional instructor at OCAD University, teaching the course Introduction to Material Science. I am also a curriculum developer at Seneca, working with Chairs and Faculty members on the design and development of new programs and degrees.
Devika Jain
My time at UofT provided me with opportunities, experiences, and skills that are unique and far-reaching and I've enjoyed the vibrant and diverse graduate scientific community. TBEP has been such an exciting and supportive place to learn and grow, with my lab mates being some of the kindest colleagues I've ever had. I hope to use my knowledge to better our healthcare system and the care and treatments we provide, and to encourage accessible healthcare for all. My prediction for the life science field is that Toronto will continue to grow and flourish as a hub for healthcare innovation and industry.
Michael Lagowski
UofT has been a remarkable institution for me, as I’ve seen that one can build not only on their academic and technical knowledge here, but also positively build on their social and cultural facets as well. I consider my graduate experience namely to be a time where I developed a thorough understanding of both the academic and R&D landscape, while also determining my career goals. Entering the MASc program with the intention of changing industries, UofT did well to provide me with the resources to execute this transition effectively.
Predicting the future of life sciences, it appears that the field as a whole is shifting towards practical discovery with an intent to commercialize those discoveries. However, I think the real explosion in life science commercialization will occur once the processes behind the commercialization pathway become standardized and those new processes become widely adopted. A primary driver of this shift will be due to the work of effective leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs who will define this path forward, leading to a substantial benefit to the overall society, and I hope to be one of those individuals that will help make that shift a reality.