Leading innovation: Amin Madani

In the most recent U.S. News & World Report – Best Global Universities Rankings, the University of Toronto ranked 16th in the world, tied with Cornell, Princeton and the University of California San Francisco.

The report ranked U of T the world’s fourth best university for surgery and number one in Canada.

Dr. Amin Madani is an Assistant Professor and Surgeon-Investigator at the Temerty Medicine’s Department of Surgery, with cross-appointments in the Department of Computer Science and Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto. He runs the Surgical Artificial Intelligence Research Academy (SARA) with a focus in advancing surgical excellence through research and innovation. He is also a member of the Temerty Centre for AI Research and Education in Medicine and the Institute of Medical Science.

At the University Health Network (UHN), Madani is an endocrine and acute care surgeon and specializes in endocrine oncology at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. He is also an education investigator at The Institute for Education Research.

Through his research, Dr. Madani works to improve surgeon performance and patient safety through artificial intelligence and machine learning, and to develop tools that support surgeons in the operating room and enhance patient outcomes.

Recently, Dr. Madani reflected on the culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and discovery that drives progress across Temerty Medicine.

What makes Temerty Medicine a great place for you to do this work?

Temerty Medicine sits at the center of a downtown biomedical hub that’s ideal for innovation. It’s a multidisciplinary environment where surgeons, engineers and computer scientists collaborate closely. My work depends on that kind of intersection, combining clinical expertise with technical expertise in engineering and computer science to develop new innovations.

Being able to walk across campus and engage directly with experts in AI, computer science, and biomedical engineering allows for truly collaborative research. Having cross-appointments with the Department of Computer Science and the Faculty of Engineering enables me to innovate effectively with the colleagues and create technologies that directly improve patient safety and surgical outcomes.

UHN and Temerty Medicine also have a strong tradition of supporting innovation in surgery and medicine. This culture translates into support and infrastructure that encourages us to push boundaries and advancing what’s possible makes it an exceptional place to work.

How has mentorship helped you get to where you are?

Mentorship has been absolutely essential in my career. From getting into medical school to developing my research and academic skills, I’ve benefited from guidance and support at every stage.

During my residency, Prof. Liane Feldman, now Chair of Surgery at McGill University, was my PhD supervisor and a key mentor. She not only guided me academically but also sponsored me for leadership positions in surgical societies. She taught me how to think critically, evaluate problems systematically, and approach research with the right methodology.

Another mentor, Prof. Adnan Alseidi now Associate Dean at the University of California, San Francisco, has also been a strong supporter over the years.

How are you mentoring or supporting the next generation?

I try to give back the same way my mentors supported me. It’s easy to become absorbed in your own work, but it’s important to take the time to help others the way others once helped you.

I make a point of mentoring trainees and early-career surgeons. Reviewing grants, providing feedback, and helping them develop their own research paths. It takes commitment, but seeing mentees grow and succeed is incredibly rewarding. Some of my earlier mentees have now become faculty members, started their own labs, and launched independent careers. Watching that progression is gratifying.

Mentorship requires genuine passion. It’s not something you do for recognition. It’s about seeing others succeed and knowing you played a small part in that journey.

What’s the most fulfilling part of your role at U of T?

Seeing the impact of my work on patients. Research takes years of effort, and it can be slow to see the results translate into patient care. But now, we’re at a stage where the technologies we’ve developed are being deployed in the operating room.

We’ve gone from defining what makes an expert surgeon, to building AI systems that replicate that expertise, to running the first clinical trials showing that these tools can improve surgical performance. Seeing that full arc, from research to real patient impact, is deeply gratifying.

Beyond research, the day-to-day patient interactions are also a major source of fulfillment. When patients thank you for their care, it’s a reminder of why we went into this field in the first place. And combining that clinical gratification with the broader, long-term impact of research makes this work incredibly meaningful.