News
TRANSFORM HF awarded Institutional Strategic Initiatives (ISI) Stage II Funding
TRANSFORM HF was recently awarded Stage II competition funding from U of T’s Institutional Strategic Initiatives portfolio to continue building on the momentum of their first five years – and grow in new directions that reflects the community’s insights and priorities. In the next chapter, TRANSFORM HF 2.0, The initiative will continue to be led by Craig Simmons (Professor, Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering and Institute of Biomedical Engineering) and Heather Ross (Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and Clinician Scientist in the Division of Cardiology at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre), advancing collaborative, patient-driven, and technology-powered approaches to heart failure care.
Bioeconomy and Sustainable Materials Institute (BSMI) has received funding from the Access Programs University Fund (APUF)
The BSMI team proposes an interdisciplinary pathway program connecting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) youth in Northern Ontario with post-secondary opportunities in digital construction, sustainability, and forestry. This program brings together faculty from Engineering, UTM, Architecture, Rotman, and UTSC alongside Seven Generations Education Institute, Northern College, and industry and community partners, projected to unfold over 2 years.
BSMI associate director Shashi Kant receives Paul W. Fox Award, recognizing nearly 30 years of distinguished voluntary service to the university
Shashi Kant says this award is especially meaningful because it recognizes his impact on people. “The other awards were for my academic achievements. This award is closest to my heart because it’s an acknowledgement of how I treat people and the way I’ve influenced their thinking and their lives.” Reflecting on the award, Kant emphasizes the collective nature of his work: “We achieved everything together. I lead from behind because if you treat human beings as human beings, they can do wonders."
Bioeconomy and Sustainable Materials Institute (BSMI) awarded Institutional Strategic Initiatives (ISI) Stage II Funding
The Bioeconomy and Sustainable Materials Institute (BSMI) has been awarded five years of funding from the Institutional Strategic Initiatives (ISI) Stage II Funding Program. BSMI will provide a pan-Canadian platform to advance research in the bioeconomy by building decision frameworks to realize the advantages of sustainable natural resources; studying policy options that can enhance Canadian competitiveness in the green economy; examining cross-industry business models that enable private enterprises to innovate and deliver new value to consumers and the community at large.
DSI to lead initiative awarding $1M in Anthropic Claude AI credits to accelerate AI-enabled research
A gift from AI company Anthropic will provide $1 million in Claude API credits to support research and education at the Data Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto. The initiative will equip researchers with access to cutting-edge AI tools that can support discovery, analysis, software development, and innovation across disciplines. “U of T has a strong history of leadership in artificial intelligence. This new initiative with the Data Sciences Institute, will provide access to cutting-edge AI tools to researchers and will open new possibilities for discovery, analysis, and innovation across the university,” highlights Leah Cowen, VPRI and Strategic Initiatives, U of T
DSI to partner in major Canadian collaboration for AI and real-time health data
This week, Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon, announced the launch of Vital — a national initiative that will connect health data across Canada for research and innovation — in one of the largest investments in Canadian history for health data innovation. As part of the newly announced national initiative, the Data Sciences Institute will lead the development of statistical methods and software tools to enable advanced analytics in federated environments for healthcare.
IHEP-supported work sparks new NFRF-funded project advancing response to health misinformation
Interdisciplinary collaboration supported by the Institute of Health Emergencies & Pandemics (IHEP) has helped catalyze a new interdisciplinary project that has received funding through the Exploration stream of the Government of Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF). The program supports high-risk, high-reward research that brings novel approaches to complex challenges.
Heart health begins with community: An Arts-Based Report on the Experiences of Heart Health in the Moosonee Community
A novel study led by Sahr Wali, PhD, TRANSFORM HF, conducted among Indigenous communities in Canada, utilizing sharing circles as the primary method of qualitative data collection shows that heart health is shaped by emotional, spiritual, social, and systemic factors, with trauma strongly influencing how care is accessed and trusted. The research highlights the need for interventions that extend beyond clinical management to include culturally grounded nutrition programming, relationship-centered care pathways, and models that combine Indigenous and Western knowledge systems.
SLFNHA, SLMHC, and UHN announce landmark partnership to strengthen cardiovascular care in Northwestern Ontario
Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA), Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC), and University Health Network (UHN) are proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formalizes a collaborative partnership to enhance cardiovascular care for First Nations communities in the Sioux Lookout region. "This means earlier diagnosis, better managed heart failure, and a meaningful and ongoing relationship with First Nations peoples, SLFNHA, SLMHC, and providers in the region." Says Dr. Heather Ross of TRANSFORM HF.
Michael Hutchison appointed next director of TISS
Professor Michael Hutchison has been appointed director of the Tanenbaum Institute for Science in Sport (TISS). An internationally recognized expert in sport-related concussion research, Hutchison has secured more than $10 million in research funding and built a distinguished publication record. His research on sport-related concussion has had a meaningful impact on policy and practice in […]
New startup MaaTRx offers early warning system for drug shortages
A new U of T platform, MaaTRx, aims to help predict and manage drug shortages by giving health leaders a clearer view of these risks before they escalate. MaaTRx was developed by Mina Tadrous, associate professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and an Institute of Health Emergencies and Pandemics (IHEP) member, together with co‑lead Shanzeh Chaudhry, alum of the Faculty who now plays a leading role in advancing the platform.
Data scientist says field is crucial to the success of AI boom: The Logic
The artificial intelligence boom won't deliver on its promise without greater investment in data science, says Lisa Strug, a senior scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and and a professor in U of T’s departments of statistical sciences and computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science.