From Dr. Brad Wouters on Behalf of UHN's Research Institute Directors.
Welcome to our annual Research Report, Charting the Path. As we reflect on the strides made in our journey toward health research excellence at UHN, we are immensely proud of our progress since the launch of our Strategic Research Plan (2019–2023). Guided by our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the needs of our patients, we have continued to transform health care through game-changing research and scientific discovery. This past year is no exception as we push forward to address the challenges of tomorrow.
Over the past year, patient-centred research has remained a cornerstone of our work. Our Pride in Patient Engagement in Research (PiPER) program, featured in this report, demonstrates how patients are more than participants—they are partners in shaping research that directly impacts care. Engaging patients at every stage helps to strengthen our learning health system and ensures that our discoveries translate into real-world improvements.
Collaboration remains key to our success. With six research institutes and five hospitals, UHN fosters teams of scientists, clinicians, and patients working together to drive breakthroughs in research. This year’s report features a remarkable story in regenerative medicine, where interdisciplinary teams are accelerating stem cell research from the lab to patient care, offering new hope for treating complex diseases.
One of UHN’s strengths is accelerating the translation of discovery to practice. By prioritizing the journey from research to implementation, we bring innovations to patients faster. This year, through our commercialization efforts, we supported innovations like the Penta Guide—a small, advanced tool developed at UHN—now a vital part of radiation therapy, ensuring accurate cancer treatment worldwide.
Our leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health is redefining the possibilities in patient care. We are proud to have appointed Canada’s first Chief AI Scientist at a hospital, whose work is advancing AI-driven solutions that transform how we diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. This report highlights milestones in AI, machine learning, and robotics—technologies that are personalizing treatment and making health care more efficient and effective.
As we grow our research programs, financial sustainability remains essential. We continue to build robust structures that ensure our innovations thrive while meeting the needs of diverse communities. With support from our foundations and partnerships, we are expanding our capacity to fund research that will shape the future of health care.
Through programs like STEM Pathways and the Office of Research Trainees, we are investing in the next generation of scientists. These initiatives ensure UHN remains a hub for discovery and prepares future leaders to address tomorrow’s health challenges.
Our scientific achievements would not have been possible without our academic partner, the University of Toronto, our foundations—The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and UHN Foundation—and support from all levels of government, the private sector and many nonprofits. We also share our success with our patient partners, who inspire us to make a difference.
As we continue charting the path forward, we are committed to driving excellence in discovery and innovation. Thank you for being part of this journey. We invite you to explore this year’s report and see how we continue to turn today’s research into tomorrow’s health solutions. We are truly In It Together for A Healthier World.
(L-R, clockwise) Dr. Myron Cybulsky, Director of Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Dr. Nicole Woods, Director of The Institute for Education Research, Dr. Gordon Keller, Director of McEwen Stem Cell Institute, Dr. Jaideep Bains, Director of Krembil Research Institute, Dr. Milos Popovic, Director of Kite Research Institute, and Dr. Aaron Schimmer, Director of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.