Student IMPACT Award Winners

Stefan Aguiar is a third-year PhD Candidate in the Department of Supportive Care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. He conducts research in the area of psychosocial oncology and investigates decision-making in patients with advanced cancer considering medical assistance in dying (MAiD). Stefan is the current IMS Students' Association Co-President and UofT Talks Co-Lead. Through these roles, he has worked with amazing faculty and students to create conferences, plan outreach initiatives, and participate in social or sporting events.

Ilakkiah Chandran (she/her) is a PhD candidate pursuing research in the Adult Genetic Epilepsy Program at Toronto Western Hospital, supervised by Dr. Danielle Andrade. Her research explores the genotype and phenotype of rare genetic epilepsies in adults, focusing on how their features evolve with age. Ilakkiah serves as an executive for the Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program, is an IMS EDIIA Committee member, and an IMS Connects Planning Committee member. She is one of the student leads for the new IMS ChatGPD podcast. As a first-generation doctoral student who finds value in building a community, she is committed to fostering a supportive and reciprocal learning environment that empowers students to thrive at IMS and beyond. 

Nafia Mirza is a PhD student at CAMH, supervised by Dr. Bernard Le Foll and Dr. Colin Hawco. Her research focuses on multimodal neuroimaging of brain abnormalities in substance use disorders. Nafia has been actively involved in the Institute of Medical Science Student Association, serving as the 2024-2025 Director of Academic Affairs. In this role, she launched the IMS Students' Association Academics Peer Review Program, and a collaborative workshop series with the Peer-to-Peer Mentorship program focusing on academic and professional development. Nafia is also part of the IMS Connects team, a Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program Mentor, and a member of Pueblo Science, a UofT based non-profit organization that aims to advance science education across the world. 

Nayaab Punjani is a fifth year PhD candidate in Dr. Michael Fehlings’ lab, examining a neuroprotective drug therapy for cervical traumatic spinal cord injury. Nayaab has been an active member of the IMS community–fostering connections, planning events, and providing opportunities for professional development. She is a member of the SAFE Committee and the IMS Connects career panel planning committee. Nayaab is the Program Director for the Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program, as well as an Executive Editor (and incoming Editor-in-Chief) for the IMS Magazine. She also serves as the Head TA for MSC1010/1011H supporting over 300 first- and second-year students each year, helping junior students build foundational research skills and scientific communication. 

Kyla is a 4th-year PhD candidate supervised by Dr. Armand Keating, Dr. John Kuruvilla, and Dr. Rob Laister at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Her research focuses on studying the mechanism of action of novel cancer therapies so they can be strategically used in the clinic. Kyla has been involved with the IMS Magazine since 2021, serving as Co-Editor-in-Chief since 2023, where she has focused on increasing productivity of the magazine while integrating the student group into the IMS community. She has led the magazine to receiving its highest-ever levels of viewership, and has also overseen the expansion of the group to allow for the creation of in-person and virtual events. Kyla has also been involved with other student groups such as IMSSA and Peer-to-Peer Mentorship. 

Emily Shi-Hui Yeung is an MSc student supervised by Dr. Andrew Advani at St. Michael’s Hospital. Her research explores a new treatment target with the potential to improve kidney outcomes in diabetes by reducing inflammation and fibrosis. Emily started her IMS involvement as an IMS Students' Association (IMSSA) general member, contributing to events in the Community & Outreach and Academics subcommittees. She then joined the IMSSA Executive team as the Director of External Communications. Notably, she created the innovative video series called IMSSA Asks U. Emily is also a Peer-2-Peer mentor, an IMS photographer, and the technical lead specialist for the ChatGPD podcast series.