Student Ambassadors
Meet Kyla and Valentina — IMS Student Ambassadors and senior PhD students — who are enthusiastic advisors for prospective and current students, both before and throughout graduate school. They serve as liaisons between the Institute of Medical Science, our current student body, prospective and incoming students.
Whether you're considering applying to IMS, adjusting to graduate school, exploring UofT resources and initiatives, or just need someone to talk to, Kyla and Valentina are here to connect and support you throughout your journey.
Do you have questions about what life is like as an IMS graduate student? Looking for advice in your search for a supervisor? Want to discuss an MSc-to-PhD Transfer? Our Student Ambassadors are experienced graduate peers who offer guidance, encouragement, and practical support to help you thrive academically and personally.
Please feel free to connect with them at pa.medscience@utoronto.ca or via the contact form below. They'd love to hear from you! They also run weekly virtual office hours on Tuesdays at 10:00 am. See the IMS Weekly Digest for further details.
Kyla Demkiv
My name is Kyla and I am a senior PhD candidate. I began my journey at IMS in 2021 as an MSc student and transferred to the PhD program in 2023. I also completed my undergraduate Honours Bachelor of Science at UofT, majoring in Health and Disease and minoring in Psychology and Immunology. My current research takes place at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and investigates the mechanism of action of novel targeted therapies for blood cancer, particularly Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Outside of my research, I have been an active member of the IMS community. I have served as a Student Co-Lead for IMS Scientific Day, IMS Students' Association (IMSSA) Princess Margaret Site Director, mentor for the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Mentorship Program, and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the IMS Magazine. I have also been a member of the IMS Recruitment Committee and have attended several recruitment fairs across the GTA on behalf of IMS.
In my free time, I enjoy exploring new restaurants, hiking trails, and nature reserves within and outside of Toronto. I’m an avid traveler and love to go the distance with my husband to wander around somewhere new or to see one of our favourite bands perform live. My time at IMS has been incredibly fulfilling, and I am eager to help other students maximize their graduate school experience as well. I look forward to connecting with you as you navigate this exciting chapter!
Valentina Tamayo Velasquez
My name is Valentina and I am a senior PhD candidate and trainee at CAMH and Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care. I started at IMS as an MSc student and transferred to the PhD in my second year. I also completed my undergraduate degree, an Honours Bachelor of Science, at the University of Toronto (in Neuroscience, Psychology, and French Literature and Language Studies). My research focuses on development, implementation, and adoption strategies for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology in mental healthcare settings, with a particular emphasis on patient safety and outcomes.
Throughout my graduate studies I been involved in a variety of IMS initiatives. Within the IMS Students' Association (IMSSA), I have been the director of community outreach and EDI, a co-president, and senior advisor. I am currently a volunteer with Pueblo Science, an organization targeted at increasing STEM education in underprivileged communities. I am also a research collaborator with Dr. Pamela Plant, Director for Graduate Professional Development (GPD) at IMS, where we evaluate the impact of GPD courses on IMS students’ career development education and skills.
Beyond research, I enjoy travelling and exploring, trying new restaurants, and biking through trails in the summer. I am here to help you transition into graduate school and support you with any questions about IMS and graduate student life. I look forward to meeting you all!