UTDRO & STARS21 Research Day 2025
The UTDRO & STARS21 Research Day returned on May 13, 2025, bringing together nearly 170 participants for a full day of research presentations, discussion, and connection at St. Paul’s on Bloor Street. Now in its third year partnering with the STARS21 Program, the event continues to showcase the future of cancer research and care through the work of our vibrant trainee community.
Co-chaired by David Hodgson (Professor and Vice-chair of Research), Alexander Louie (Associate Professor), Shane Harding (Associate Professor), and Anne Koch (Associate Professor), this year’s event welcomed radiation oncology residents, fellows, medical physics residents, graduate students from Medical Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, and the Institute of Medical Science, STARS21 Scholars from the UK, MD students, and external research fellows from Sunnybrook and UHN.
We were excited to receive 66 abstract submissions this year, resulting in 25 oral presentations and 40 poster presentations. The program featured research across a wide range of areas - from physics innovation to clinical trials and health services research - offering a snapshot of the outstanding, interdisciplinary research projects that our trainees have been involved in over the past year.
A highlight of the day was our keynote speaker, Charles Mayo, Clinical Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology (Physics Division) at the University of Michigan, who shared his expert insights on data-driven discovery in radiation oncology.
We extend our sincere thanks to all faculty, supervisors, moderators, judges, and planning committee members for their contributions to making this day a success. Special thanks to the STARS21 Program and its co-directors, Anne Koch and Shane Harding, for their ongoing support in research excellence and trainee mentorship.
We are also especially grateful to our Platinum Sponsors, Elekta and Varian, for their continued and generous support of UTDRO’s research and education mission.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the work of our trainees, we look forward to another exciting year ahead!
2025 Award Recipients
The UTDRO Research Day Committee had the most challenging task of selecting 10 recipients for these prestigious awards. All trophies for the UTDRO winners will be presented at Post-Grad Graduation Ceremony 2025 this June.
- W. J. Simpson Award: Academic Excellence in Research by a Radiation Oncology Resident
– David Mak (Supervisor: Derek Tsang) - R. S. Bush Award : Academic Excellence in Research by a Radiation Oncology Fellow
– Juliet Maina (Supervisor: Kathy Han) - J. R. Cunningham Award: Academic Excellence in Research by a Physics Resident
– Iymad Mansour (Supervisor: Tony Tadic) - Richard P. Hill Award: Academic Excellence in Research by a Graduate Student
– Aakshi Puri (Supervisor: Scott Bratman) - Best Poster Award for Academic Excellence in Research by a Radiation Oncology Resident
– Inhwa Kim (Supervisor: Derek Tsang) - Best Poster Award for Academic Excellence in Research by a Radiation Oncology Fellow
– Daniel Palhares (Supervisor: Hany Soliman) - Best Poster Award for Academic Excellence in Research by a Physics Resident
– Mark D’Souza (Supervisor: Lee Chin, Brian Keller) - Best Poster Award for Academic Excellence in Research by a Graduate Student
– Tony Yu (Supervisor: Benjamin Lok) - Best Presentation Award for Academic Excellence in Research by a STARS21 Scholar
– Sarah Bowen Jones (Supervisor: Faivre-Finn) - Best Poster Award for Academic Excellence in Research by a STARS21 Scholar
– Michael Maddalena (Supervisor: Catherine Coolens) - Chair’s Award for Academic Excellence in Research
– Kara Ruicci (Supervisor: Rachel Glicksman)
