The Government of Canada has announced the latest round of funding for the Canada Research Chair (CRC) program. Over $198 million will support 259 new and renewed CRCs.
Congratulations to the following UHN researchers who have received new or renewed funding through the CRC program:
● Dr. Mohit Kapoor, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in the Mechanisms of Joint Degeneration (renewal). Dr. Kapoor is a Senior Scientist at UHN’s Schroeder Arthritis Institute and a Professor in the Departments of Surgery and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto (U of T). His research focuses on understanding osteoarthritis and how it damages joints, finding biomarkers for early identification of disease, and developing treatments to prevent or reverse the disease.
● Dr. Rama Khokha, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Adult Tissue Stem Cell Niches (renewal). Dr. Khokha is a Senior Scientist at UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a Professor in the Departments of Medical Biophysics and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at U of T. Funding from this Chair will support research on tumour microenvironments and adult stem cell populations, their role in cancer, and the development of advanced lab models and genetic tools to study human cancers.
● Dr. Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan, Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Cardio-Oncology (renewal). Dr. Thavendiranathan is a Senior Scientist at UHN and a Professor in the Department of Medicine at U of T. Funding from this Chair will support his research in improving prediction, prevention, and care for patients with cancer who are at risk of cardiovascular disease.
● Dr. Walter Swardfager, Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Clinical Pharmacology of Cognitive Neurovascular Disorders (renewal). Dr. Swardfager is an Affiliate Scientist at UHN’s KITE Research Institute, a Scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute, and Associate Professor and Associate Chair in Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at U of T. His research focuses on the key molecules underlying how type 2 diabetes damages small blood vessels in the brain, increasing the risk of dementia. He is also studying whether new diabetes drugs can help protect brain health.
● Dr. Goldie Nejat, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Intelligent Assistive and Collaborative Robots (new). Dr. Nejat is an Affiliate Scientist at UHN’s KITE Research Institute and a Professor in the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering. Funding from this Chair will support the development of a new generation of intelligent, collaborative robots to assist people who are living with dementia and other chronic conditions.
The CRC Program is a national initiative designed to make Canada a global leader in research. Through this program, the federal government has invested approximately $311 million annually to support world-class researchers across disciplines, enhancing academic excellence, competitiveness, and the training of future skilled professionals.
See here for a full list of results and here for the press release.
Health care workers are facing increasing levels of violence, aggression, and harassment in the workplace, including discriminatory refusals of care based on race, religion, and other markers of difference. UHN Bioethicists affiliated with The Institute for Education Research (TIER) have developed a decision-making tool to help health care workers respond to discriminatory patient requests—supporting staff while maintaining patient-centred, ethical care.
Although these discriminatory incidents are becoming more common, many hospitals lack clear, consistent guidance on how to respond. UHN’s Caregiver Preference Guidelines, developed in 2007, helped leaders assess whether patient requests conflicted with institutional policies. However, the health care system has since expanded to include more diverse care settings, such as rehabilitation and complex continuing care. In addition, the sociopolitical landscape has shifted, with increased awareness of systemic racism and the need for greater attention to workplace safety. The original guideline no longer addresses the complexity or urgency of today’s challenges.
In response to this need, UHN’s Department of Clinical and Organizational Ethics revised the original guideline through a rigorous quality improvement project. The revised guidelines, called the Patient Bias and Preferences Guideline, are a more robust and legally grounded framework tailored to UHN’s clinical context. Informed by interviews with 27 clinicians, policy reviews, and consultations with clinical and organization groups—such as Legal Affairs, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Antiracism (IDEAA), and patient partners—the five-page decision-making tool guides health care workers through six key decision points:
● Does the patient have urgent medical needs, and are they capable of making treatment decisions?
● Are there reasonable, non-discriminatory reasons for the request (e.g., religious, cultural, or trauma-related)?
● Is the request based on the clinician’s trainee status?
● Does the request violate the Ontario Human Rights Code?
● Who is the requester (e.g. the patient, a family member, or another party?)
● Is the clinician willing to continue providing care?
Based on how these questions are answered, the guideline outlines next steps such as initiating a manager-led discussion with the patient, assessing the need for accommodations, determining whether the clinician should be reassigned, or escalating the situation through institutional supports. This structured approach ensures that responses are consistent, respectful, and aligned with human rights and workplace safety standards.
By integrating ethical, legal, and psychosocial principles, the revised framework provides practical guidance that balances patient needs with the rights and well-being of health care workers and trainees. This framework offers a timely and actionable resource for fostering safer, more inclusive care environments.
Dr. Claudia Barned, project lead and corresponding author of the article, is an Education Investigator at The Institute for Education Research and a Bioethicist in the Department of Clinical and Organizational Ethics at UHN. At the University of Toronto, Dr. Barned is an Assistant Professor and an Affiliate Scientist at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, an Associate Member of the School of Graduate Studies, and a Member of the Joint Centre for Bioethics.
This work was supported by UHN’s Department of Clinical and Organizational Ethics, with operational support provided by UHN Foundation.
Barned C, Nwafor A, Heesters AM. Navigating discriminatory requests and refusals of healthcare workers: A Canadian-based inpatient hospital algorithm. Nurs Ethics. 2025 Sep 6. doi: 10.1177/09697330251374153.
Advancements in lung and kidney transplantation are helping overcome one of the greatest challenges in organ donation: the shortage of viable donor organs.
Two new studies from UHN’s Ajmera Transplant Centre showcase innovative techniques that aim to expand the donor pool and improve access to life-saving transplants. These findings mark major steps forward in transplant medicine, offering hope to patients awaiting critical procedures.
A study led by Dr. Shaf Keshavjee, Senior Scientist and Chief of Innovation at UHN, evaluated the impact of ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) in the largest single-center study of EVLP outcomes to date. EVLP is a technique developed by Dr. Keshavjee and colleagues at UHN that enables donor lungs to be assessed and treated outside the body before transplant.
Having recently marked the 1,000th procedure of EVLP, the team conducted a retrospective study of the first 1,000 consecutive EVLP procedures performed at Toronto General Hospital between September 2008 and March 2024. They analyzed donor and recipient demographics, procedural characteristics, transplant rates, and post-transplant outcomes.
Of the 1,000 ex vivo lung perfusion procedures, approximately 65% of lungs were accepted for transplant. EVLP volume grew over time and contributed to an overall increase in transplantations, including the use of moderate- and high-risk donor lungs. Post-transplant outcomes, including intensive care unit duration and overall survival, did not differ significantly between EVLP and non-EVLP lungs.
Overall, these results show that EVLP is a safe and scalable approach that has expanded the donor pool, supported program growth, and set the stage for further innovation in lung transplantation
In another study focused on kidney transplantation and done in collaboration with SickKids Research Institute, researchers explored a novel method to extend the preservation time of donor kidneys—another promising approach to increasing organ availability. This study, co-led by Drs. Markus Selzner, Lisa Robinson, and Francisco Calderon Novoa, describes a new approach that could extend the viability of donor kidneys before transplant.
A shortage of donor organs continues to limit the number of kidney transplants performed worldwide. Typically, donor kidneys are cooled to 4°C prior to transplant and can be kept cold for up to 30 hours before the organ needs to be warmed and blood supply restored. Cooling a donor kidney below zero degrees Celsius without freezing (subzero preservation) could potentially expand organ sharing and even lead to organ banking.
In this study, the team tested a subzero preservation technique (subzero storage without freezing), designed to keep kidneys colder for longer without the damaging effects of freeze-thawing and ice crystal formation. Using research models, they compared kidneys stored for up to 48 hours using the subzero method against those kept in standard cold storage.
Results showed that kidney function and tissue health were comparable across all groups, and there were no signs of freeze-related injury. These findings provide evidence, for the first time in transplantation models, that subzero storage could be a safe and feasible way to extend organ preservation time. Future studies are needed to refine protocols further for improved outcomes.
Together, these studies show how technologies like EVLP and subzero kidney preservation can safely expand donor organ availability and improve access to life-saving transplants.
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery manuscript
Dr. Shaf Keshavjee is the first and corresponding author of the study. He is a Senior Scientist and Chief of Innovation at UHN. He is also a Professor of Thoracic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, and Vice Chair for Innovation in the Department of Surgery the University of Toronto.
Dr. Shaf Keshavjee and several other co-authors are shareholders in Traferox Technologies Inc. Dr. Keshavjee serves as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of the company. He and other co-authors also receive consulting fees from Lung Bioengineering and are listed as inventors on patents relevant to this work.
For a full account of competing interests, see the manuscript.
American Journal of Transplantation manuscript
Dr. Francisco Calderon Novoa is the first and corresponding author of the study. He is a Postdoctoral Researcher at UHN.
Dr. Markus Selzner is the co-senior author of the study. He is a Scientist at UHN and a Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Lisa Robinson is the co-senior author of the study. She is a Senior Scientist in the Cell and Systems Biology program at the SickKids Research Institute, Professor in the Departments of Paediatrics and Biochemistry, and Institute of Medical Science, and Dean of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
For a list of competing interests, please see the manuscripts.
These works were supported by UHN Foundation.
Keshavjee S, Sage AT, Borrillo T, Yeung JC, Piyasena D, Wakeam E, Donahoe L, Waddell TK, de Perrot M, Pierre A, Balachandran S, Ghany R, Ali A, Yasufuku K, Cypel M. One thousand cases of ex vivo lung perfusion for lung transplantation: A single-center experience. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2025 Sep 3:S0022-5223(25)00738-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2025.08.036. Epub ahead of print.
Calderon Novoa F, Chu TP, Lees K, Ganesh S, Martinez-Arenas L, Pollman N, Parmentier C, Kawamura M, Hobeika C, Ray S, Nogueira E, John R, Gupta A, Loizides P, Allen T, Reichman T, Robinson L, Selzner M. Kidney storage at subzero temperature is safe for porcine kidney autotransplantation: A world first in vivo study. Am J Transplant. 2025 Sep 9:S1600-6135(25)02947-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajt.2025.08.033. Epub ahead of print.
Researchers from UHN’s KITE Research Institute (KITE), in collaboration with the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, have found that, when all patients receive optimal care, biological sex does not significantly influence recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury. These findings reinforce the importance of ensuring equitable access to evidence-based treatment protocols to support consistent outcomes.
Traumatic spinal cord injury can lead to long-term disability and complex health care needs. Males are more likely to experience these injuries, often due to greater exposure to high-risk activities. However, biological differences between sexes, such as the influence of hormones, have raised questions about sex-based differences in recovery. Age-related hormonal changes, particularly in females, may also play a role in differences in recovery outcomes.
Previous studies have suggested that sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, may help protect nerve cells and reduce inflammation, but clinical findings have been inconsistent.
To explore this further, a research team led by Dr. Julio Furlan, a KITE Scientist, analyzed health data from 1,968 individuals in a Canadian spinal cord injury registry (the Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry). The study explored access to care and recovery outcomes between males and females, grouping participants by biological sex, age, and injury severity. Age categories were designed to reflect female hormonal stages: premenopausal (up to 40 years), perimenopausal (41–50 years), and postmenopausal (over 50 years).
The study found that males and females had comparable access to standard treatments, including rehabilitation services, specialized spine centres, and clinical assessments to measure neurological function and nerve recovery. Across all age groups, there were no significant differences in survival rates, neurological recovery, or the ability to regain independence.
Interestingly, females up to the age of 40 years were more likely to undergo surgical treatment than males with similar injury severity. While this did not lead to differences in recovery outcomes, further research is needed to understand whether non-clinical factors, such as unconscious bias, may influence treatment decisions.
Overall, the study highlights that when access to care is equitable, recovery outcomes are consistent across sexes. These findings support ongoing efforts to improve access to high-quality care and promote inclusive research that reflects the diversity of individuals affected by spinal cord injury.
Dr. Julio Furlan, Scientist at UHN’s KITE Research Institute, is the lead author of the study. Dr. Furlan is also an Associate Professor at the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
This work was supported by the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, with operational support provided by UHN Foundation to the KITE Research Institute.
Furlan JC, Shen T, Kurban D. Effects of Biological Sex on Access to Care and Outcomes After Acute Spinal Cord Injury: A Series of Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Studies. Neurology. 2025 Sep 9. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000213996.
Hand function is central to independence and quality of life, yet current rehabilitation and clinical assessments rarely capture the complexity and variability of real-world hand use. Researchers at UHN’s KITE Research Institute are using AI to assess hand movements in individuals with spinal cord injury—an approach that could lead to tailored rehabilitation strategies with real-world applications.
The research team analyzed hand movements in 19 individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries using home-based video recordings. Participants wore small cameras while performing everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, or getting dressed. These point-of-view videos showed how people used their hands in natural settings. AI was then used to study the footage and group similar hand movements together.
Unlike traditional assessments conducted in controlled clinical settings with standardized objects, this approach used deep learning models—a type of AI capable of recognizing complex patterns—to identify each person’s unique grasping styles. The AI looked at both posture data (how the hand is shaped) and appearance data (what the hand is interacting with) to identify common grasping patterns. The model was able to group similar movements with 68% accuracy, showing how people adapt their hand use after injury.
This personalized analysis provides clinicians and rehabilitation specialists a better understanding of how individuals adjust their hand movements in daily life. It could help design rehabilitation programs and technologies that focus on hand function used at home. This method may also be useful in fields such as robotics, sports science, and ergonomics, where understanding hand movement is essential.
Dr. Mehdy Dousty, first author of the study, was a former PhD candidate in the labs of Drs. Jose Zariffa and David Fleet.
Dr. Jose Zariffa, senior author of the study, is a Senior Scientist at UHN’s KITE Research Institute (KITE) and holds the KITE Chair in Spinal Cord Injury Research. At the University of Toronto, Dr. Zariffa is an Associate Professor in the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, a Faculty Member of the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, and a Cross-Appointed Professor in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering.
This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, the Ontario Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, Healthcare Robotics (HeRo), the NVIDIA Corporation, and UHN Foundation.
Dousty M, Fleet DJ, Zariffa J. Personalized Video-Based Hand Taxonomy Using Egocentric Video in the Wild. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform. 2025 Sep. doi: 10.1109/JBHI.2024.3495699.
A team led by Dr. Philippe Monnier at UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute (KBI) has uncovered a promising new target that could help limit brain injury following an ischemic stroke—a type of stroke caused by a blood clot.
In a healthy brain, the blood-brain barrier acts like a filter, controlling which substances can enter or leave the brain, thereby protecting the brain from harmful substances. After a stroke, some proteins—like one called RGMa—can change the structure of blood vessel walls in the brain. These changes compromise the vessels’ integrity and make them more permeable, or “leaky”, allowing harmful substances in the blood to enter the brain where they cause damage.
The proteins responsible for these changes must first be activated by enzymes such as pro-protein convertases (PPCs). These enzymes act like a switch to turn on other proteins. While PPC inhibitors have been used in other diseases, and blocking RGMa has shown benefits in stroke models, scientists still don’t fully understand how PPCs affect stroke. Among PPCs, subtilisin kexin isozyme-1 (SKI-1) is one of the least understood, but it may play a key role in how blood vessels respond after stroke.
To study SKI-1’s role, the team used preclinical stroke models and blocked the enzyme with a drug called PF-429242. The results were promising: genes that help keep blood vessels strong became more active, while those linked to damage were turned off. Inhibition of SKI-1 also resulted in reduced cell death and smaller areas of brain tissue damage. Importantly, these changes led to better brain function in models.
Building on these findings, the team also discovered that removing a protein called Neogenin had similar protective effects as blocking SKI-1. Without Neogenin, RGMa couldn’t make the blood vessels leaky.
These findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms that contribute to brain damage after ischemic stroke, specifically the role of RGMa, Neogenin, and SKI-1 in compromising blood-brain barrier integrity. By identifying SKI-1 and Neogenin as potential therapeutic targets, this research opens the door to new treatment strategies aimed at protecting brain tissue and improving cognitive outcomes. With further validation in human studies, these discoveries could pave the way for more effective, targeted therapies that transform stroke recovery and reduce long-term disability.
Dr. Alireza Shabanzadeh is the first author of this study. He is a scientific associate in the Monnier Lab at UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute.
The senior author of this study is Dr. Philippe Monnier, a Senior Scientist at UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute and a Professor in the Department of Physiology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and UHN Foundation.
The authors declare no competing interests.
Shabanzadeh AP, Ringuette D, Syonov M, Wu Q, Tassew NG, Mun EK, Meek A, Lively S, Suntharalingham SE, Mojica M, Olijnyk L, Qiang B, Foltz WD, Reed M, Moya I, Brown C, Feng J, Qin X, Akula PS, Wälchli T, Carlen PL, Alcaide-Leon P, Monnier PP. Inhibition of proprotein convertase SKI-1 prevents blood vessel alteration after stroke. Nat Cardiovasc Res. 2025 Sep;4(9):1094-1113. Epub 2025 Aug 26.
Dr. David Kirsch, Director of the Radiation Medicine Program, Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology, and Senior and Allan Slaight Scientist at UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine—one of the highest honours in health and medicine.
Dr. Kirsch was elected as a member for his contributions to advancing the understanding and treatment of sarcomas, a rare and complex group of bone and soft tissue cancers. His research has helped reveal how these tumours develop, spread, and respond to therapies—work that has directly influenced care for patients around the world.
Using sophisticated genetically engineered lab models and human sarcoma cell lines, Dr. Kirsch’s team studies the biological mechanisms of cancer and tests new therapeutic approaches. His research has informed international clinical trials that combine radiation therapy and immunotherapy to improve patient outcomes.
“It’s a privilege to work with such a talented and dedicated team of scientists and researchers, whose accomplishments are recognized by this award.” said Dr. Kirsch. “At UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, we have an extraordinary environment where research, education, and patient care come together to advance cancer treatment and to make a difference for patients globally.”
Since joining UHN in 2023, Dr. Kirsch has strengthened the integration of discovery research with clinical care in radiation oncology. Supported by UHN’s collaborative research ecosystem and state-of-the-art infrastructure, his work continues to build bridges between laboratory discoveries and better outcomes for patients.
Peter and Shelagh Godsoe Chair in Radiation Medicine, Dr. Kirsch is recognized internationally as a leader in sarcoma research and clinical care. Over his career, he has mentored more than 60 trainees and received multiple awards for research excellence and mentorship.
The National Academy of Medicine elected 90 regular members and 10 international members this year, bringing its total membership to more than 2,500. Members are chosen by their peers for exceptional professional achievement and commitment to advancing health and medicine.
Dr. Kirsch’s election reflects not only his personal accomplishments, but also UHN’s global leadership in cancer research, innovation, and care.
Read the full announcement here.
Research at UHN takes place across its research institutes, clinical programs, and collaborative centres. Each of these has specific areas of focus in human health and disease, and work together to advance shared areas of research interest. UHN's research spans the full breadth of the research pipeline, including basic, translational, clinical, policy, and education.
See some of our research areas below:
Research at UHN is conducted under the umbrella of the following research institutes. Click below to learn more:
