The 2024 iBEST Symposium theme is the impact of COVID-19 on our academic and broad community and the multifaceted, lasting effects we are still facing today. We invite you to join us for a day of insightful presentations, engaging discussions and networking opportunities.
The annual iBEST Symposium is hosted by the Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), a collaborative effort between Toronto Metropolitan University and St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, May 30, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, 209 Victoria St, Toronto, ON
Contact: ibest@torontomu.ca
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Angela Cheung
Senior Physician Scientist, University Health Network and Professor of Medicine and KY and Betty Ho Chair of Integrative Medicine, University of Toronto
Biography
Dr. Angela Man-Wei Cheung is a leading Canadian internal medicine specialist with a notable presence in osteoporosis, postmenopausal health, and the study of Post-COVID Condition (PCC) or Long COVID. Her extensive work has significantly contributed to the understanding and treatment of skeletal health issues, notably through founding the University of Toronto Center for Excellence in Skeletal Health Assessment and the Osteoporosis Program at the University Health Network.
Dr. Cheung’s career has been marked by numerous awards and recognitions, including a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Musculoskeletal and Postmenopausal Health in 2016. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Cheung played a key role in tracking the effects of Long COVID on Canadians, leading the Ontario COVID-19 prospective cohort study funded by the Toronto COVID-19 Action Fund in April 2020. She is also the nominated principal investigator of several CIHR-funded COVID-related projects, including CANCOV, a Canadian COVID-19 Prospective Cohort Study, and RECLAIM, Recovering from COVID-19 Lingering Symptoms Adaptive Integrative Medicine Trial.
Dr. John Marshall
Scientist, Unity Health Toronto and Professor of General Surgery, University of Toronto
Biography
John Marshall is a distinguished figure in the fields of surgery, critical care and trauma. In 1989, he received the Royal College Medal for Surgery for his contributions to the field of critical care surgery. Dr. Marshall served for 15 years at the Toronto General Hospital as a critical care surgeon and intensivist before transitioning to St. Michael’s Hospital in 2005. At St. Michael’s, he not only continued his work in critical care and surgery but also reignited his interest in trauma.
Currently, Dr. Marshall leads a CIHR-funded laboratory at St. Michael’s Hospital, focusing on understanding the mechanisms of prolonged neutrophil survival in sepsis. He is also the founding chair of the International Forum of Acute Care Trialists (InFACT), past Secretary-General of the World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and has co-chaired the WHO R&D Working Group on the Clinical Characterization and Management of COVID-19.
Panel Discussion
The Full Spectrum: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on the Impact of COVID-19
To explore the comprehensive impact of COVID-19 on our communities, examine the ongoing effects of post-COVID conditions, and discuss strategies from various disciplines for managing long-term consequences and preventing future crises.
Panel Moderator - Dr. Natasha Rajah, PhD
Professor, Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University
Biography
Professor M. Natasha Rajah is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and has more than 20 years of experience in cognitive neuroscience and psychology. She holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Sex, Gender and Diversity in Brain Health, Memory, and Aging. Beyond her primary affiliation, she contributes her expertise as an Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University, an Adjunct Scientist at the Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, and holds the CIHR Sex and Gender Research Chair in Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Addiction.
Dr. John Marshall
Scientist, Unity Health Toronto and Professor of General Surgery, University of Toronto
Biography
Dr. John Marshall’s academic interests include sepsis, trauma and the innate immune response. Dr. Marshall co-chairs the WHO R&D Working Group on the Clinical Characterization and Management of COVID-19. He has published 440 manuscripts and 85 book chapters and is the editor of 2 books.
Dr. Simon Graham
Senior Scientist, Physical Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
Biography
Dr. Simon Graham’s research focuses on the development of MRI technology for clinical applications, specifically for the brain. Through his NeuroCOVID19 project, he is studying COVID-19 survivors’ brain structure and function.
Dr. Jude Kong
Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health and Mathematics Department, University of Toronto
Biography
Dr. Jude Kong’s principal research program focuses on designing and deploying AI, data science and technologies to build equitable, resilient governance strategies and increase societal preparedness for future global pandemics and climate disasters. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kong led a team of 52+ researchers across nine African countries, using AI to help contain and manage the virus.
Further panelists will be announced shortly.
2024 iBEST Symposium Agenda
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Welcome
9:15 a.m – 9:30 a.m
Opening Remarks
9:30 a.m – 10:30 a.m.
Keynote Speaker 1
Dr. John Marshall, MD, FRCSC, FACS, FCAHS
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m
Panel Discussion
The Full Spectrum: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on the Impact of COVID-19
Break
11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
iBEST Trainee Poster Competition/ Lunch
Break
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Keynote Speaker 2
Dr. Angela Cheung, PhD, MD, FRCPC
Break
2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Power Pitches – Faculty and Trainee Research Overviews
3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks
View Past iBEST Symposia
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