Core Team
Academic Administrators
Director
Dr. Mingyao Liu
Tel: 416-946-8286
Email: mingyao.liu@utoronto.ca
The Director reports in all academic matters to the Deans of SGS and the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. The Director is ultimately responsible for all academic and administrative aspects of the IMS graduate program (including faculty and students), in accordance with University of Toronto policies and procedures. He is assisted by the Graduate Coordinators, IMS Committees, and the administrative staff, each of whom have special designated responsibilities.
Graduate Coordinators
The Graduate Coordinators are responsible for administration of the graduate program, including:
- applications, admissions and enrollment procedures
- approval of faculty on program and defense committees
- nomination of students for awards, maintenance of current student award status and notification of award opportunities
- dissemination of policy and procedures to students and faculty
- meet with students as required on request
Graduate Coordinator and Lead, Strategic Priorities
Dr. Lucy Osborne
Tel: 416-978-5012
Email: lucy.osborne@utoronto.ca
Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Isabella Caniggia
Tel: 416-978-5012
Email: caniggia@lunenfeld.ca
Graduate Coordinator
Dr. John Vincent
Tel: 416-978-5012
Email: john.vincent@camh.ca
Chair, Admissions Committee
Dr. Eyal Grunebaum
Email: eyal.grunebaum@sickkids.ca
Dr. Grunebaum is the chair of the Admissions Committee, which reviews IMS graduate student applications, makes recommendations for admission, and oversees admission policies.
Chair, Faculty Appointments Committee
Dr. Karen Gordon
Email: karen.gordon@utoronto.ca
Dr. Karen Gordon is the Chair of the Faculty Appointments Committee in IMS. She is responsible for the review and processing of all applications for graduate faculty appointments and re-appointments to the Institute, making recommendations to the IMS Executive Committee and the Director.
Director, SURP
Dr. Ted Brown
Email: ted.brown@utoronto.ca
The Director of the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is responsible for the development and implementation of the program. In collaboration with members of the IMS faculty, the summer research program provides both domestic and international undergraduate students with the opportunity to experience a summer in a laboratory, working on a project in biomedical research.
Director, Professional Development and Alumni Engagement
Dr. Reinhart Reithmeier
Email: r.reithmeier@utoronto.ca
Dr. Reithmeier is leading on the development of graduate professional development (GPD) course modules. These modules will provide graduate students with transferable skills, professional network and experiential learning opportunities to facilitate their transition from school to work. He is also developing initiatives to expand alumni engagement in the IMS.
Director, International Development
Dr. Zhong-Ping Feng
Email: zp.feng@utoronto.ca
Dr. Feng’s portfolio includes promoting international experiences to IMS graduate students, leading on international recruitment initiatives and developing international programs and partnerships with leading academic institutions.
Director, Curriculum
Prof. Nicole Harnett
Email: Nicole.Harnett@rmp.uhn.ca
Prof. Harnett’s portfolio includes chairing the IMS Curriculum Committee, overseeing curriculum development and evaluation and working with course directors and instructors.
Director, MScBMC Program
Dr. Jodie Jenkinson
Tel: 905-569-4263
Email: j.jenkinson@utoronto.ca
The Master of Science in Biomedical Communication (MScBMC), unique in Canada, is one of only four internationally accredited programs of its kind. The MScBMC Program engages students in the creation and evaluation of a range of visual tools, including medical illustration, media and user experience design, animation, and virtual simulations.
Director, Graduate Diploma in Health Research (GDipHR) Program
Dr. Catharine Walsh
Email: catharine.walsh@utoronto.ca
GDipHR provides selected 1st-year medical students an opportunity to participate in the continuum of research – from idea creation to data collection to scientific publication and/or presentation at a scholarly meeting – via a consecutive 20-month longitudinal research program. Students are also exposed to course work in a broad range of research concepts, topics, methodologies, and applications to health care.
Chair, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Dr. Sunit Das
Email: sunit.das@utoronto.ca
Dr. Das is leading efforts to improve the equity, diversity and inclusion of underrepresented and historically marginalized groups in the IMS and ensure diversity in all the IMS communities.
Chair, Awards Committee
Dr. Chung-Wai Chow
Email: cw.chow@utoronto.ca
Dr. Chow's portfolio includes chairing the Awards committee, which establishes policies, reviews, and processes applications for student financial awards by the IMS.
Chair, SAFE Committee
Dr. Samantha Anthony
Email: samantha.anthony@sickkids.ca
Dr. Anthony aims to increase engagement and connectivity between students, faculty and alumni. As the Chair of the Student, Staff, Alumni and Faculty Engagement (SAFE) Committee, she supports student groups, oversees student-led initiatives, and implements new tools and resources to support faculty and alumni engagement.
Administrative Staff
The Administrative Staff manage the day-to-day running of the IMS.
Kamila Lear
Business Officer
Tel: 416-978-8886
Email: kamila.lear@utoronto.ca
Human resources, finance, payroll, office management and special issues.
Hazel Pollard
Admissions Officer
Tel: 416-978-5012
Email: adm.medscience@utoronto.ca
Student recruitment, admissions, registration and GEMS Agreement for incoming students.
Sarah Topa
International Program & Partnerships Officer
Email: int.medscience@utoronto.ca
International programs and activities, International Visiting Graduate Students (IVGS), student group support, communications, website, Co-Chair SAFE Committee and International Development Committee, Career Mentorship Program Manager, alumni engagement and Temerty Medicine Connect.
Sobiga Vyravanathan
Curriculum & Education Administrator
Email: cc.medscience@utoronto.ca
Course and program requirements, course enrollment, MSC1010-1011Y/H course coordination, Teaching Assistant recruitment, Curriculum Committee support, IMS Scientific Day and Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP).
Emilie DesRosiers
Graduate Program Assistant, MSc
Tel: 416-978-6696
Email: msc.medscience@utoronto.ca
Program Advisory Committee (PAC), Registration and GEMS Agreement for continuing students, Leave of Absence, Program Extension, Transfer Examination, MSc Thesis Guidelines, MSc Final Oral Examination and Program Completion.
Joanne Lee
Graduate Program & Awards Assistant, PhD
Email: phd.medscience@utoronto.ca
External Awards, Program Advisory Committee (PAC), Registration and GEMS Agreement for continuing students, Candidacy, Leave of Absence, Program Extension, Qualifying Examination, PhD Thesis Guidelines, PhD Final Oral Examination and Program Completion.
Alicia Sam
Executive Assistant and Faculty Affairs Administrator
Email: sf.medscience@utoronto.ca
Executive Assistant to IMS Director, Faculty Appointments, Internal Awards, Executive Committee, Awards Committee and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee support.