Fifth annual Research Month Awards celebrate those who ‘have left a lasting imprint’ on Research at Unity Health

By Ana Gajic

(December 1, 2020) – The fifth annual Research Awards honoured eight outstanding members of the Research and Innovation community at Unity Health Toronto.

“These awards recognize people who have gone above and beyond,” said Dr. Ori Rotstein, vice-president of Research and Innovation at Unity Health Toronto. “These members of our community are people who have contributed in a meaningful way within the institute and left a lasting imprint on Research at our organization.”

Hosted virtually to conclude Research Month, the ceremony highlighted the work of trainees, researchers, and staff from the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (LKSKI) and the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science (the Keenan). The Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute award categories were also for staff and researchers from across Unity Health who do not have a formal appointment in Research.

Dr. Tom Schweizer, interim director of the Keenan, handed out the Keenan Awards.

“This has been an extraordinarily challenging year,” Dr. Schweizer said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way we live and work. Despite a series of setbacks, the research community has done exemplary work. The Keenan Research Centre as a whole has risen to the challenge this year has presented.”

This year’s awards and recipients winners are:

• The Keenan Research Excellence Awards recognize a student and a post-doctoral fellow who possess significant potential as scientists.
  • Chuanbin Shen, post-doctoral fellow
  • Thenuka Thanabalasingam, graduate student

• The Keenan Culture of Discovery Award honours a staff member working with one or more Keenan scientist(s) who is committed to investing in the future of research by supporting the development of staff, students and trainees.
  • Songhui Jia, Critical Care Research Coordinator

• The Keenan Legacy Award goes to a scientist who enhances the reputation of biomedical or translational research and their actions lead to a rich tradition of developing the next wave of great scientists.
  • Jane Batt, Scientist at the Keenan and Critical Care Physician

Dr. Pat O’Campo, interim executive director of the LKSKI, awarded the recipients of the Li Ka Shing Research Awards.

“Through the work of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, our organization has become a leader in health services and policy, as well as the home to clinical trials that continue to reshape the face of our health-care system,” Dr. O’Campo said.

The awards and winders include:

• The Li Ka Shing Excellence Award recognizes a student and a post-doctoral fellow studying in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute or at Providence or St. Joseph’s.
  • Robinson Truong, graduate student
  • Farah Mawani, post-doctoral fellow

• The Li Ka Shing Culture of Discovery Award is given to a staff member who works with one or more Li Ka Shing appointed scientist(s), or in research at Providence and St. Joseph’s. Candidates must be committed to the constant strengthening of our network.
  • Christina Salmon, Research Program Manager, Knowledge Translation Program

Dr. Rotstein presented this year’s Li Ka Shing Legacy Award, which is given to a senior scientist within the LKSKI. Dr. O’Campo, the interim Executive Director of the LKSKI is the recipient of this year’s Legacy Award.

“Not only is this year’s recipient a world-renowned scientist who you all know well, she is a compassionate and insightful leader whose guidance is of immense value to all of us,” Dr. Rotstein said. “Congratulations Pat, and thank you for all you do for our institute.”

Thirty-eight people were nominated by their colleagues, peers, classmates, supervisors and students for the Research Awards. Congratulations to all our Rising Stars and Unsung Heroes who were nominated this year: