Three U of T biomedical engineers awarded Canada Research Chairs for innovations in synthetic biology, neurodiversity health, and nanobioengineering

Reposted from Discover BME (Institute of Biomedical Engineering).

Three faculty members at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) have been awarded Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). Professors Michael Garton, Azadeh Kushki, and Warren Chan have each received CRC funding to drive forward-thinking research in synthetic biology, personalized neurodevelopmental health, and nanotechnology.

The official announcement can be found here. A complete list of recipients can be found here.

Professor Michael Garton‘s Tier 2 CRC in Synthetic Biology had been renewed by CIHR. As an assistant professor of molecular engineering at BME, Garton is pioneering new methods to design synthetic cells capable of unique biological functions. His lab is integrating computational protein design with high-throughput experimental techniques to create modular receptor systems. This cutting-edge system allows synthetic cells to detect and respond to disease-associated molecules in ways that natural cells cannot. Garton’s ultimate goal is to engineer “smart” living cell devices that could provide precise, therapeutic responses to disease, laying the groundwork for innovations in cell-based treatments for complex illnesses. 

Professor Azadeh Kushki has been named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Neurodiversity and Personalized Health, a new chair awarded by CIHR. An associate professor at BME and the senior scientist at the Holland Bloorview Kid’s Rehabilitation Institute, Kushki is dedicated to advancing personalized health for neurodivergent children, particularly those with autism and ADHD. By harnessing data science and neuroimaging, her research is uncovering biological and behavioral markers that define neurodevelopmental diversity. Her team is working to create tailored interventions for neurodivergent children, aiming to support individualized health outcomes and improve long-term quality of life. 

Kushki’s Holland Bloorview announcement can be found here. 

Professor Warren Chan, a Tier 1 CRC Renewal in Nanobioengineering by NSERC, continues to advance his work in the application of nanotechnology to biomedical challenges. As a professor at BME, Dr. Chan’s research focuses on utilizing nanotechnology and microtechnology to map the proteomic and genomic changes in abnormal cells, such as cancer or virally-infected cells. His lab aims to uncover new molecular mechanisms through engineered nanostructures and advanced instrumentation. This fundamental research has the potential to transform diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, leading to breakthroughs in disease detection and treatment. 

These Canada Research Chairs reflect the exceptional work taking place at the University of Toronto and underscore the university’s role as a global leader in biomedical research.