Bridging Research and Industry: GRIP 2025 highlights innovation and real-world impact

2025 Graduate Research in Progress (GRIP) co-chairs Stephanie Skalitsky and Ariel Corsano (front) with GRIP Committee members

On June 10, 2025, the 2025 Graduate Research in Progress (GRIP) symposium brought together more than 200 attendees from academia, health care, and industry to explore the theme “Bridging Research and Industry.” This student-led event highlighted the many ways graduate research in pharmaceutical sciences can create meaningful, real-world impact.

Held at the University of Toronto’s Victoria College, the symposium offered a full day of knowledge-sharing, idea exchange, and inspiration—giving graduate trainees the chance to present their work and learn from experts whose careers span multiple disciplines and sectors.

The day opened with a keynote address from Muhammad Mamdani, Vice President of Data Science and Advanced Analytics at Unity Health Toronto and Director of the Temerty Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Education in Medicine (T-CAIREM). Mamdani shared insights from his career at the intersection of research, data science, and healthcare systems, highlighting the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics in shaping the future of medicine.

The importance of communication and versatility in shaping a meaningful career in pharmaceutical sciences was the focus of the panel discussion, “Diverse Career Paths in PharmSci.”

Moderated by Assistant Professor Mina Tadrous, the panel featured professionals from across industry and government: Nishani Rajakulendran (Edesa Biotech Inc.), Sarah Farr (Genesys Capital), Mary Shan (Hoffmann-La Roche), and Giovanna Schver (Health Canada). Together, the panellists shared thoughtful perspectives on navigating career transitions, embracing uncertainty, and cultivating networks that support both personal and professional growth. They encouraged students to remain curious, explore opportunities beyond conventional roles, and reflect early on how their unique skills might shape their future paths. One clear takeaway from Schver, “the Faculty provides a wealth of opportunities [...] students are encouraged to make the most of them.”

In the afternoon, alum Ayman Chit, Head of Medical Affairs (North America) at Sanofi Vaccines and Assistant Professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, led a presentation on RSV vaccine research, policy, and evaluation. Chit emphasized the importance of grounding research in public health needs, maintaining objectivity, and continually refining one’s craft. The session also provided a meaningful moment to recognize Chit with a long-overdue Alumni Award from the Faculty, originally granted in 2022.

At the core of GRIP 2025 were the graduate student presentations.

Through student seminars, poster sessions, Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) talks, and Lightning Talks, students shared research spanning molecular pharmacology, health systems, drug development, and data analytics. Selected by their peers for their outstanding scientific communication skills, each presenter brought clarity, insight, and energy to their sessions. The diversity of the work highlighted the range of research led at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and offered meaningful opportunities for students to network and learn from one another and celebrate.

“The graduate student presentations stood out as a highlight. Each student was chosen to present by their peers based on their exceptional scientific communication skills,” said Ariel Corsano, GRIP co-chair. “The diversity and often interdisciplinary nature of research in our department makes GRIP a unique platform to learn about the work of students and celebrate their successes.”

See photos from GRIP 2025

Thank you GRIP Organizing Committee

Behind the scenes, the symposium's success was made possible by the dedication and hard work of the GRIP 2025 organizing committee.

GRIP 2025 Co-Chairs:

• Ariel Corsano
• Stephanie Skalitsky

GRIP 2025 Committee:

• Alexa Muir
• Diane Woo
• Ricky Chang
• Alexia Chiodo
• Francine He
• Shenthuraan Tharmarajah
• Amanda Yee
• Ivy Liu
• Simon Qu
• Amir Afsharpour
• Luis Perez Davalos
• Somin Park
• Angela Liang
• Martin Ho
• Suman Birdee
• Araniy Santhireswaran
• Matthew Cai
• Yuna Choi
• Arthur Chu
• Missy Kim
• Betty Li
• Mohammed Ayan Chhipa