Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Graduate Students

Innis College

McCall MacBain Scholarships

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Al-Amin Ahamed (supplied photo)

Al-Amin Ahamed, a doctor of pharmacy candidate at the University of Toronto's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, has been named a 2024 McCall MacBain Scholar, joining the fourth cohort of recipients of the scholarship.

McCall MacBain Scholars are selected based on evidence of exceptional character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength and intellectual curiosity. They are provided access to a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill University, mentorship and a comprehensive leadership program.

Ahamed will pursue a master of public policy in the hopes of advancing health equity in drug policy.

As an undergraduate student at ��ֱ��, Ahamed served as social innovation ambassador, orientation co-ordinator and residence don at Innis College. Upon returning to ��ֱ�� for their second degree, they continued to gain leadership and governance experience, serving as vice-president, professional faculties of the ��ֱ�� Students’ Union and president of the Undergraduate Pharmacy Society. They also served as president of the PharmaPride club, working to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in health care.

“Words alone cannot articulate what this scholarship means to me. Growing up in a first-generation immigrant household, I never felt that these types of opportunities were meant for people like me,” Ahamed said. “Becoming a McCall MacBain Scholar has transformed my life by making graduate education an accessible reality for me and my family.”

Four other ��ֱ�� students and one alum received McCall MacBain Awards:

McCall MacBain Finalist Award for use at McGill University

Tamara Altarac (Woodsworth College)
William Lloyd (Trinity College)
Jacob Kates Rose (University College, 2020)

McCall MacBain Regional Award for use at a Canadian public university

Muhammad Ansar (��ֱ�� Scarborough)
Yomni Makonnen Tesfaye (��ֱ�� Scarborough)

Read the University Registrar’s Office story about Al-Amin Ahamed

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Mina Tadrous receives support from CFI’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 14:59:11 +0000

Mina Tadrous receives support from CFI’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 03/19/2024 - 10:59

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Assistant Professor Mina Tadrous (photo by Steve Southon)

Mina Tadrous, an assistant professor in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, is receiving $110,000 in research infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)'s John R. Evans Leaders Fund.

The fund aims to support universities’ research infrastructure and help them compete in recruiting and retaining exceptional researchers.

Tadrous was selected for his efforts to develop a centre for real-world evidence in prescription drug research that aims to expand understanding of how drugs perform outside controlled trials and help improve the use of medications for Canadians.

The centre will allow researchers in computer science, statistics, medicine and pharmacy to scan health databases across Canada and analyze how diverse populations respond to a particular drug. It will host national and local health datasets and start a researcher training program, with the goal of generating analysis to guide policy-makers in reducing healthcare costs.

Tadrous was recently appointed a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Real World Evidence and Pharmaceutical Policy – one of 20 ��ֱ�� researchers recognized with new or renewed Canada Research Chairs. The CFI collaborates with the Canada Research Chairs program to bolster support for research and training excellence.

Note: This ��ֱ�� Celebrates announcement replaces an earlier version that was published in error.

Read the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy story on Mina Tadrous’s research

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Jaris Swidrovich receives Connaught Community Partnership Research Program award

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 20:22:07 +0000

Jaris Swidrovich receives Connaught Community Partnership Research Program award

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 03/14/2024 - 16:22

Connaught Community Partnership Research Award

Indigenous

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Assistant Professor Jaris Swidrovich, right, is pictured with master's student Timothy Lim (photo by Steve Southon)

Jaris Swidrovich, an assistant professor, teaching stream in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, has received an award from the Connaught Community Partnership Research Program for his project exploring barriers and opportunities involved in accessing HIV prevention drugs among urban Indigenous Peoples.

Many people in Canada at high risk of HIV are able to access highly effective preventive care with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), but Indigenous Peoples face more barriers in getting the care they need.

To examine the issue, Swidrovich has partnered with community organizations in the Greater Toronto Area, including the 2-Spirited Peoples of the 1st Nations and Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction, to host Talking Circles with Indigenous Peoples.

“We want to ensure that any folks who prescribe, suggest, dispense, monitor or follow patients on PrEP know why they’re not seeing Indigenous folks, or why they are seeing the ones who they are seeing,” Swidrovich said. “Hopefully we can provide some strategies for better knowledge, awareness, and uptake of PrEP.”

The Connaught Community Partnership Research Program aims to help create and nurture partnerships between ��ֱ�� scholars and community partners that support community-driven research.

Swidrovich is one of four ��ֱ�� scholars to receive awards from the program this year. The others are Ishtiaque Ahmed in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Amaya Perez-Brumer at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and Alicia Hawkins at ��ֱ�� Mississauga.

Read the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy story

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Shirley Wu recognized with Connaught Innovation Award

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 17:31:24 +0000

Shirley Wu recognized with Connaught Innovation Award

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 03/31/2022 - 13:31

Connaught Innovation Award

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Professor Shirley Wu of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy has received a Connaught Innovation Award for her team’s development of a “smart” microneedle patch to detect and treat hypoglycemia in diabetics.

Leah Cowen, ��ֱ��’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives, praised Wu for the potential impact of her innovative research.

“Professor Wu and her team are actively working to improve the lives of future generations,” she says. “The pain-free design of this first-of-its-kind smart technology will revolutionize how we treat and care for those who have diabetes.”

With support from the Connaught Fund, the Connaught Innovation Awards recognize research that helps accelerate the development and commercialization of promising technologies. Projects were selected for their strong socio-economic and commercial potential, and because they are expected to make a positive impact on society.

There are 12 additional Connaught Innovation Award recipients across the university – nine from the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, and one each from ��ֱ�� Mississauga, the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing.

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15 ��ֱ�� researchers named Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

lanthierj — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 14:17:23 +0000

15 ��ֱ�� researchers named Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

lanthierj Mon, 09/13/2021 - 10:17

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

Women in STEM

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Fifteen University of Toronto researchers have been named Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in recognition of their “dedication and excellence.”

One of three national academies that make up the Council of Canadian Academies, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences leverages the expertise of Canada’s leading health sciences researchers to evaluate Canada's most urgent and complex health challenges and recommend strategic, actionable solutions.

“The University of Toronto congratulates these faculty members on receiving one of the highest distinctions for academics in the health sciences field,” said Leah Cowen, ��ֱ��’s associate vice-president, research. “Their scientific leadership and research are making a real impact on the lives of Canadians – and people around the world.

“This is also an important recognition of our hospital and health-system partners. They help make this impact possible.”

The new fellows are:

Reina Bendayan of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
Gillian Booth of the department of medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and St. Michael’s Hospital
Adalsteinn Brown of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Catharine Craven of the department of medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and University Health Network
David Fisman of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Margaret Herridge of the department of medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and University Health Network
Mansoor Husain of the department of medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and University Health Network
David Jenkins of the department of nutritional sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and St. Michael’s Hospital
Alex Mihailidis of the department of occupational science and occupational therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and University Health Network
Amit Oza of the department of medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and University Health Network
Vincent Piguet of the department of medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Women’s College Hospital
Aaron Schimmer of the department of medical biophysics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and University Health Network
Anna Taddio of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
Ming-Sound Tsao of the department of laboratory medicine and pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and University Health Network
Sharon Walmsley of the department of medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and University Health Network

Read the Dalla Lana School of Public Health story

See the complete list of new Fellows

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Nine ��ֱ�� professors named Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

lanthierj — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 20:54:53 +0000

Nine ��ֱ�� professors named Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

lanthierj Tue, 09/07/2021 - 16:54

Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

Scarborough

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Arts & Science

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

CITA

��ֱ�� Scarborough

The Hospital for Sick Children

St. Michael’s Hospital

CAMH

Sunnybrook Research Institute

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Top row (from left): Alexie Tcheuyap, Marlene Goldman, Derek van der Kooy; Middle row: Shana Kelley, Mohini Sain, Sharon Straus; Bottom row: Martin Yaffe, Peter Szatmari, Norman W. Murray

Nine professors from across the University of Toronto have been appointed as Fellows to the Royal Society of Canada – a recognition awarded to the country’s most distinguished scholars, artists and scientists.

“Driven by deep curiosity, creativity and a determination to embrace some of society’s biggest challenges, these extraordinary researchers are having a profound impact across a diverse range of disciplines,” said Professor Leah Cowen, ��ֱ��'s associate vice-president, research.

“The University of Toronto congratulates them on this important recognition of their leadership and commitment to promoting knowledge and understanding.”

The new Fellows are:

Marlene Goldman of the department of English at ��ֱ�� Scarborough
Shana Kelley of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
Norman W. Murray of the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Mohini Sain of the department of mechanical and industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Sharon Straus of the department of medicine in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and St. Michael’s Hospital
Peter Szatmari of the department of psychiatry in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Alexie Tcheuyap of the department of French in the Faculty of Arts and Science and associate vice-president and vice-provost, international student experience
Derek van der Kooy of the department of molecular genetics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Martin Yaffe of the department of medical biophysics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Sunnybrook Research Institute

“I'm grateful to receive this recognition for my work,” Murray said. “Of course, it also reflects all the support I've gotten over my career – from my teachers, mentors and colleagues.

“The environment at CITA, the Faculty of Arts & Science and the University of Toronto has been and continues to be conducive to doing world-class research with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, something I have been able to take full advantage of.”

The new Fellows join 396 members of the ��ֱ�� community who currently hold the designation.

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Pharmacy faculty recognized for outstanding teaching

lanthierj — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 20:42:07 +0000

Pharmacy faculty recognized for outstanding teaching

Teaching

lanthierj Mon, 08/16/2021 - 16:42

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(L-R) Naomi Steenhof, Sandra Bjelajac Mejia, Scott Walker and Ian Crandall

Naomi Steenhof, Sandra Bjelajac Mejia, Scott Walker and Ian Crandall of the University of Toronto’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy have been named the PharmD 2021 Professors of the Year for their excellent teaching and support.

“Excellent professors deliver the content in an engaging way to students, and link and situate the content within the curriculum and the broader practice of pharmacy,” said Natalie Crown, director of the PharmD program. “They also demonstrate that they are invested in the student experience in their course.”

The awards are student-driven, with students in each year of the program voting for the professor that they want to recognize.

“What’s special about this award is that it’s student-led and chosen,” said Crown. “As a faculty member, it’s really rewarding to be recognized by the students for the effort you’ve put in to developing and delivering the course, and that makes this award so meaningful to faculty members.”

Steenhof, an assistant professor, teaching stream, said she owed much of her improvement as a professor to the advice of previous students..

“Given the value that I place on student feedback, I may be prouder of this award than any other professional achievement!”

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Pharmacy students recognized by American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences

lanthierj — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 20:06:17 +0000

Pharmacy students recognized by American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Community

lanthierj Thu, 08/05/2021 - 16:06

Students

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(L-R) Pharmaceutical sciences PhD students Cigdem Sahin, Hanie Yousefi and Valerie Facca.

Students at the University of Toronto’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy have been recognized by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences (AAPS) for their outstanding service and outreach.

The AAPS student chapter at the faculty received one of the three student chapter awards from the association.

“This is awesome news for our chapter, and the team’s great work was rewarded by getting this award,” said Cigdem Sahin, chair of the AAPS ��ֱ�� student chapter and a fifth-year pharmaceutical sciences PhD student.

A professional organization for pharmaceutical scientists in academia, industry and governments, the AAPS has chapters at universities around the world to help students build connections and access professional development opportunities.

The ��ֱ�� AAPS chapter, which was established in 2004, includes pharmaceutical science graduate students that represent many disciplines within the field. With Professors Ping Lee and Reina Bendayan as faculty advisors, the 17 executive members organize educational and professional development events, including talks from visiting scientists, workshops for students to present their own work and learn from other students, and networking events with industry representatives or alumni. The chapter’s chair-elect is Hanie Yousefi and its former chair is Valerie Facca.

The chapter partners with the Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Students Association to host an alumni career seminar series and has partnered with the ��ֱ�� chapter of Let’s Talk Science to host an event for high school students to learn more about pharmaceutical sciences.

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Jamie Kellar and Jennifer Campbell recognized with President's Teaching Awards

lanthierj — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 19:43:45 +0000

Jamie Kellar and Jennifer Campbell recognized with President's Teaching Awards

Teaching

lanthierj Mon, 06/28/2021 - 15:43

Faculty of Arts & Science

President's Teaching Award

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Jamie Kellar and Jennifer Campbell

For their sustained excellence in teaching and significant contributions in educational leadership, Jennifer Campbell and Jamie Kellar have been awarded the President’s Teaching Award – the highest honour for teaching at the University of Toronto.

Campbell is a professor, teaching stream, and associate chair, undergraduate, in the department of computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science. Kellar is an associate professor, teaching stream, and associate dean, academic, in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.

“Jennifer Campbell and Jamie Kellar have demonstrated outstanding leadership and creativity in re-imagining the student educational experience at the University of Toronto and well beyond,” said ��ֱ�� President Meric Gertler. “On behalf of the university, I would like to thank them for their exemplary contributions”

Winners of the President’s Teaching Award receive $10,000 per year for five years to be used towards professional development, and become members of the Teaching Academy. The academy meets regularly to discuss matters relevant to teaching and offers advice to the president and the vice-president and provost, as well as the director of the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation.

Jamie Kellar receives President's Teaching Award

lanthierj — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 13:58:49 +0000

Jamie Kellar receives President's Teaching Award

Teaching

lanthierj Mon, 06/28/2021 - 09:58