The Translational Biology Program’s annual holiday party (supplied image).

A student-led initiative that champions collaboration, inclusion, and professional growth has just earned campus-wide recognition. The Translational Biology and Engineering Program (TBEP) Education Committee – currently co-chaired by graduate students Kate MacQuarrie from biomedical engineering and Mary-Jo Hatem from laboratory medicine and pathobiology, and advised by TBEP Operations and Research Officer Elizabeth Chiu – has received the inaugural Spotlight Award at the University of Toronto.

Presented by the Healthy Research Teams & Labs initiative, the Spotlight Awards recognize activities that improve U of T’s research culture by creating environments that are welcoming, creative, and collaborative. Nominators praised the Education Committee for fostering a welcoming, vibrant, and healthy culture for all over the past five years. Their work embodies the core facets of a healthy research environment including equity and belonging, group collaboration, leadership, and professional development.

In his nomination letter, Professor Craig Simmons from the department of mechanical and industrial engineering and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, and scientific director of TBEP, notes that “it is the EC’s [Education Committee’s] impact on creating an authentic community built on belonging and well-being that has had the greatest impact on TBEP.”

First launched in 2015, the Translational Biology and Engineering Program (TBEP) brings together ten laboratories across six departments at U of T to create a shared research centre focused on cardiovascular sciences and engineering. TBEP constitutes U of T’s contribution to the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, a tri-partner institute focused on solving heart failure.

The Education Committee grew organically in 2021 in response to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Entirely trainee-led, the Committee comprises two co-chairs and three sub-committees – professional development, research and collaboration, and social. Community-building activities including professional development workshops, networking nights, lab chats, a mini-conference, and themed events positively shape the day-to-day experience of all members of TBEP.

Milos Popovic, director of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, notes in his nomination letter that, “These initiatives bring together trainees, staff, researchers, PIs, collaborators, and partners in ways that promote connection and shared purpose.…This ultimately creates an environment that is conducive to measurable and immeasurable success.”

A clear benefit of this healthy research culture is the number of trainees who then serve in leadership roles within the Committee – 16 over the past five years.

As nominator Professor Neda Latifi, a former postdoctoral researcher in TBEP, Education Committee member, and now assistant professor of medical engineering at the University of South Florida, states: “Serving on the TBEP Education Committee provided me with invaluable leadership and management experience while reinforcing the importance of collective responsibility in cultivating healthy research environments.”

In recognition of the award, the TBEP Education Committee will receive $1,000 from the School of Graduate Studies to be used toward activities that support trainees.

“Fostering positive, supportive team environments is central to graduate student success, which is why I am delighted to recognize the Translational Biology and Engineering Program (TBEP) Education Committee as our first Spotlight Award recipient. Its commitment to building an inclusive and welcoming culture shows how thoughtful efforts can strengthen research environments across the university.” – Joshua Barker, Dean, School of Graduate Studies and Vice-Provost, Graduate Research & Education

Congratulations to the Translational Biology and Engineering Program Education Committee!

Learn more about the Healthy Research Teams and Labs initiative at U of T.