Translational Research Program

What if breast cancer patients could safely have fewer heart scans during their treatment? 2nd-year student Shanuga Thavarajah's 3-Minute Thesis titled "From Paper to Practice: Exploring Oncology Prescribers' Perspectives on a New Cardiac Imaging Strategy" highlights research that could help breast cancer patients whose treatment could affect their heart receive more comfortable, life-saving care.

She won 2nd place at the LMP 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition last month, which took place at the LMP Research Conference.

There are many routes to making an impact in healthcare, as we demonstrate here at the TRP. We believe developing better healthcare solutions also means developing better healthcare leaders - people who can bridge disciplines, navigate complexity, and turn ideas into meaningful change.

Learn more at trp.utoronto.ca

Transforming healthcare requires more than discovery; it demands the ability to turn ideas into action. Our program is designed for those ready to move beyond theory and into impact.

Through interdisciplinary collaboration, real-world problem solving, and an entrepreneurial mindset, students learn to bridge the gap between research, innovation, and implementation, developing solutions that can be tested, scaled, and sustained within complex healthcare systems.

For graduates like Jamie Block (Class of ’24), that approach translates directly into venture creation and system change. With a background in genetics and a drive to challenge the status quo, Block leveraged his TRP experience to build a startup improving care for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, addressing fragmentation through a digital platform that connects providers and streamlines patient journeys.

His path reflects TRP’s core strength: empowering students to think entrepreneurially, experiment boldly, and turn innovative ideas into real-world healthcare impact.

Applications for the program are closing soon!

⏰ International application deadline: Friday, May 8, 2026 11:59 PM EST
⏰ Domestic application deadline: Friday, June 5, 2026 11:59 PM EST

Apply today for your opportunity to advance healthcare through innovation.

Meet Capstone Team SPARK2!💡

Second-year MHSc in Translational Research students Kareem, Karina and Pardaman are on a mission to bring improved access to MRIs to remote communities in Canada.

Their project aims to address barriers related to scaling access to portable MRIs in remote communities in Canada. Using a mixed methods, implementation science approach grounded in Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research CFIR, they aim to generate evidence informed guidance to support equitable, sustainable scaling of portable MRI in underserved Canadian health systems.

“I’m most excited to research the experiences of the staff in the hospital” notes Kareem.

Ultimately, the team eager to face the challenge of bridging this gap and making an impact in the lives of the people in these communities.

🔗You can learn more about their project at trp.utoronto.ca/capstone-portable-brain-mri
or via the link in our bio.

How well do TRP capstone groups know each other? 🤔

We got team MOMentum to ask and answer some questions as a team bonding activity. Watch the video to see how well they answered and maybe add some of their favourite study spots to your list!

🔗 You can learn more about MOMentum and their research via the link in our bio and by watching our interview with them 🎥

This Earth Day, we’re spotlighting how innovation in healthcare can also mean impact beyond research and clinical settings. 🌍

Mohammed, a student in the Translational Research Program (TRP), is using what he’s learned to turn ideas into action, both in healthcare and in the community.

As co-founder of a youth-led environmental non-profit, he’s helped mobilize over 10,000 youth across 25 countries in environmental education, action, and community initiatives, from cleanups to climate-focused programming.

His work has also been recognized through several awards, including the Canada Graduate Scholarship, a U of T Sustainable Action Award, and a U of T Leadership Award .

Through TRP, students aren’t just learning, they’re identifying gaps, building solutions, and making meaningful change where it matters most.

🎥 Watch to learn how TRP is helping shape the next generation of changemakers.

Meet Capstone Team MOMentum!💡

Second-year MHSc in Translational Research students Angelina, Ally, Emili and Sheryl are on a mission to addresses the need to help new mothers be more confident in their care decision-making with their newborns.

Their study aims to identify key stressors experienced by first-time mothers who have visited the SickKids Emergency Department within the 90-days postpartum period, specifically when making care decisions when their infant is exhibiting new or unfamiliar symptoms. They are also trying to understand how these stressors influence care-seeking behaviours.

The group has done a great job at defining key roles for each team member to ensure their project moves forward.

“One of the things I’m most excited to do is our co-design phase,” notes Sheryl. “We’ll be conversing with mothers and seeing what kinds of ideas matter most to them.”

🔗 Watch the video to learn more and learn more about their capstone through the link in our bio!