May 5, 2025

Riskin doesn’t just talk science – he lives it. A world-renowned expert on bat biomechanics, Riskin earned his PhD from Cornell University and conducted research at Brown University before stepping away from a faculty position to focus on science outreach. Today, Riskin appears on television and radio more than a dozen times each week, except when he’s leading wildlife tours in far-flung places like Borneo, the Amazon, or the Galapagos Islands. He’s often featured on CP24 and CTV National News, and has hosted documentaries for National Geographic, The Science Channel, CBC, W5, and more. 

Renowned for his infectious humour and charismatic presence, Riskin has been interviewed about science by Anderson Cooper, Gayle King, Lisa LaFlamme, Don Lemon, Jay Leno, Charlie Rose, Peter Sagal, and many others. Craig Ferguson, who had Riskin as a guest on The Late Late Show eight times, once called him "my favourite scientist.” Riskin is also the author of two bestselling books, Mother Nature is Trying to Kill You and the beloved children’s book, Fiona the Fruit Bat. He also publishes a popular science newsletter, The Bat Signal. 

By stoking a childlike passion, Riskin gives audiences so much more than scientific “wow” facts. His keynotes, like his television shows, help individuals see their own curiosity in a new light, pursue their interests with more vigour, and tap into a deeper sense of inspiration. He will spark your audience's passions, leaving them invigorated to embark on their own journeys of exploration and discovery. 

In recent years, the landscape of higher education has undergone significant changes, presenting staff at all levels with new challenges—managing and collaborating with diverse teams, adapting to evolving institutional expectations, embracing transformation, and navigating heightened pressures. In this captivating session, Calissa introduces the Oxygen Mask Mindset as a transformative approach to building resilience. By prioritizing self-care, fostering mental strength, and leading by example, you can cultivate an environment where adaptability, engagement, and productivity thrive—empowering you to navigate challenges with confidence and strength.

Speaker

Calissa Ngozi 
Professor, Community Access and Engagement, Mohawk College and Resilience & Burnout Speaker 

Calissa Ngozi is an award-winning inspirational speaker and tv and media guest expert-as seen on CP24, Global News, Breakfast Television, The Social, CHCH and more. She has had a remarkable career spanning over two decades. Calissa’s passion for supporting individuals in need has been evident throughout her journey. With a diverse background in mental health, hospital care, education, acquired brain injury rehabilitation, and private practice, Calissa has made significant strides in providing essential mental health and behaviour support services. 

The rise of generative AI systems and their increasing accessibility are poised to impact all areas of work within the university. In this illuminating session, we will explore these transformative technologies, ensuring that we, as a community, develop a shared literacy around them. We will engage in informed conversations about how generative AI will shape your daily work and broader university activities. Additionally, Susan will share how our institution is responding to these emerging technologies and how we can collaboratively address the opportunities and challenges they present.

Speaker

Susan McCahan 
Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost, Digital Strategies and Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education 

Professor Susan McCahan is Special Advisor to the Provost on Artificial Intelligence. Her Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost roles include providing strategic leadership on IT and data systems; and leading key pedagogical initiatives such as experiential learning. Her current research projects include analyzing technology use in Active Learning Classrooms and investigating the impact of emerging AI technologies on curricula. 

Explore the vital role of emotional intelligence and the human touch in a world increasingly shaped by AI. Emotional intelligence—the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and those of others—is a uniquely human skill that fosters strong relationships, effective leadership, and collaborative environments. In this people-first session, Anjana will walk us through the concept and dive into practical tools and strategies designed to help you leverage emotional intelligence in everyday situations, enhancing your personal and professional interactions. 

Speaker

Anjana Moitra-Ohri 
Vice President and Head of Human Resources, Roots 

Anjana Moitra-Ohri is a senior HR executive with 20+ years of experience driving people strategy, DEEI and culture transformation across sectors. As VP and Head of HR at Roots, she leads enterprise-wide HR strategy for the iconic Canadian brand. Anjana is a sought-after speaker and passionate advocate for inclusive leadership and employee experience. She holds a BA from UBC, a CPHR designation, and will complete her Executive MBA at Ivey Business School in 2025. 

In the fast-paced and dynamic environment of our medical school, effective project management skills are essential for success. Whether you're driving research initiatives, advancing medical education or optimizing operations, the ability to organize, prioritize, and execute projects efficiently can make all the difference. Melissa and Ann-Marie from our PM Community of Practice will walk us through the fundamentals of project management, offering valuable insights into continuing education, and presenting real-world examples of ongoing projects within the faculty. Join them as they provide essential project management tools and strategies to help you streamline workflows and enhance collaboration.

Speakers

Melissa Aldham
Policy and Projects Advisor, Clinical Affairs 

Ann-Marie Rasiawan 
Administrative Assistant, Faculty Development, Department of Psychiatry 

Core members of the Temerty Medicine Project Management Community of Practice, Melissa and Ann-Marie are instrumental in driving the success of key initiatives across the faculty within their respective portfolios. With a combined experience of over 25 years, they offer a wealth of project management expertise drawn from diverse industries, including hospital redevelopment, publishing and real estate management.

Moderator 

• Joanna King - Manager, Business and Research Administration, Office of the Vice Dean, Research and Health Science Education 

 Panelists 

• Renée Brost – Chief Administrative Officer, Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation 

• Philip Chung - Associate Director, Applications and Data Architecture, MedIT 

• Hana Lee - Director, Enrolment Services & Faculty Registrar, Enrolment Services - Undergraduate Medical Education 

• Nelson Cabral - Director, Business & Administration, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology