The next generation of researchers: graduating MSc and PhD students reflect on discovery and growth

Sajeevan Sujanthan
PhD, Institute of Medical Science

What inspired you to pursue research on stroke outcomes and was there a moment when you knew you’d chosen the right path?

Throughout my undergraduate training, I explored a variety of research experiences ranging from working with spiders to carrying out western blots to identify tumor proteins. The defining moment came when I began working in stroke research with Dr. Richard Swartz, who later became my PhD supervisor, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

For the first time, I had the opportunity to directly interact with patients and hear their stories. The research acknowledged and incorporated the voices and experiences of people who faced cognitive challenges following stroke.

This is when I realized I wanted to pursue research that was scientifically meaningful, directly connected to patient care and aimed at improving people’s lives.

Tell us about a turning point during your graduate journey.  What did it change for you?

One of the biggest turning points during my graduate journey was my decision to transfer from the MSc program into the PhD program. This decision changed the way I see myself.

When I started graduate school, I had no intention of pursuing a PhD. Coming from an immigrant family, higher education felt unfamiliar and the idea of pursuing a doctorate was intimidating.

However, the more involved I became in my research project, the more I realized the potential impact of the work, so I decided to continue as a PhD student. Throughout my PhD training, I gradually gained confidence in my abilities as a researcher. No longer was I simply a student completing a degree, but I was a capable researcher helping to shape future directions in stroke research.

What’s something about graduate school that surprised you and what would you want new students to know before they start?

One thing that surprised me about graduate school is that some of the most meaningful growth happens outside of your research.

Becoming involved in student-led initiatives, science communication and mentorship opportunities allowed me to grow in unexpected ways. For example, being an IMS Student Ambassador and being involved with IMSSA, U of T Talks, and the Ori Rotstein Lecture Series helped me develop confidence in my communication and leadership skills.

Graduate school is an opportunity to explore the kind of researcher and person you want to become. My advice would be to say yes to opportunities that genuinely excite you. Some of the most valuable parts of graduate school come from the communities you build and the experiences you never expected to have.

What’s next for you after graduation and how do you hope to carry forward what you’ve learned here?

After graduation, I will be continuing my research as a postdoctoral fellow at Sunnybrook. I hope to use clinical studies to continue validating and implementing an inclusive and accessible framework to assess cognition in stroke survivors.

Beyond the research, I hope to carry forward the importance of intellectual humility, collaboration and patient-centered research. My graduate training taught me the value of listening to patients, learning from mentors and collaborators, and ensuring that the questions we ask are guided by the communities we hope to serve.

Jennifer Onuora
PhD, Nutritional Sciences

What inspired your focus on women and children’s health and was there a moment when you knew you’d chosen the right path?

Growing up in Nigeria, I was drawn to research that advances health equity, especially for underserved women and children in low- and middle-income countries. This led me to the Centre for Global Child Health at The Hospital for Sick Children and to my supervisor, Dr. Daniel Roth at the University of Toronto, where I completed my PhD.

My research took place in Bangladesh and examined factors that shape the infant gut microbiome. I knew I was on the right path when my findings began to challenge long-held assumptions in the field. Seeing my research shift how we think about protecting infants in low- and middle-income countries made everything feel worthwhile.

Tell us about a turning point during your graduate journey. What did it change for you?

One of the most meaningful breakthroughs in my graduate journey was receiving the Robert Suskind and Leslie Lewinter-Suskind Pediatric Nutrition Student Award and being selected as a finalist for the Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Sciences Award, both from the American Society of Nutrition.

These recognitions came during the final stretch of my PhD when I was balancing writing, research and significant personal challenges. They reminded me that my research mattered and they gave me the strength to push through to my thesis defense.

What’s something about graduate school that surprised you and what would you want new students to know before they start?

I was surprised at how dynamic a PhD program is. Your core goals may remain the same, but your methods and scope will evolve over time. I would advise new students to stay open-minded and not to worry about having every detail figured out at the start.

I would also encourage new students to stay involved in their communities. The connections you make during this time are almost as valuable as the research itself.

What’s next for you after graduation and how do you hope to carry forward what you’ve learned here?

I am channelling the skills and experiences gained from my PhD into work that ensures science reaches the people who need it most.

After graduation I will continue my work at Ellveris which is an accessible and evidence-based women's health platform that I founded. I plan to continue my mentorship program for female students in Nigeria as well.

I also work as a consultant for mission-driven organizations and as a research and development scientist at a biotech company.

In the long term, I hope to advance science for women and children and make science communication more inclusive and accessible.

Fabian Doktor
MSc, Institute of Medical Science

What inspired you to pursue medical sciences?

During my surgical residency training in Germany, I saw neonatal patients diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), who could not be saved despite advanced surgical treatment and state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care.

I began exploring experimental therapies aimed at improving outcomes for patients with CDH and came across the work of Dr. Augusto Zani at Temerty Medicine and The Hospital for Sick Children.

I was fortunate to work with Dr. Zani as a graduate student at the Institute of Medical Science. It was an extraordinary opportunity for me to study stem cell-based therapy designed to improve in utero lung growth, while being immersed in the outstanding scientific community at the University of Toronto.

Do you have a memorable moment from your time at U of T? 

Yes, too many to count! From the various activities offered by IMS throughout the year, such as the opening ceremony and the Scientific Day, to presenting my research at national and international conferences, my time at IMS has been one of the most formative and rewarding experiences of my life so far.

What advice would you give to your first-year self? 

My advice to my younger self would be to stay open to new opportunities and connect with like-minded people early. When I came to Canada, I could not have imagined how many opportunities would lie ahead, especially within the vibrant biomedical community at the University of Toronto.  

What are your future plans?

I have accepted a position as a General Surgery resident at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where I will have the opportunity to train in a world-class surgical and scientific environment.

I look forward to gaining experience as a surgeon while also advancing research on stem cell-based therapies for congenital malformations such as CDH. In the future, I aim to pursue additional fellowship training in pediatric surgery with the goal of becoming a surgeon-scientist.