GRADTalks

Zone Learning at TMU is an innovative model that goes beyond the classroom, giving graduate students from all disciplines the chance to apply their knowledge in practical, real-world settings. Through TMU’s network of Zones — innovative, incubator-style communities focused on everything from health and tech to social innovation and the arts — you can develop new skills, build your portfolio, collaborate across fields, take Zone elective courses, and explore career paths both within and beyond academia!

Panel:

• Tarek Sadek, PhD, Executive Director, Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Sasha Saunders LLB, PhD, Director, Legal Innovation Zone
• JP Silva, Education Experience Navigator and Instructor, Zone Learning
• Ryid Gilani, PhD candidate, Door 24
• Monica Brighton, PhD student and Education Director, SMPTE
• Amir Fard, PhD, Co-founder and CEO, CityOptima

Bios:

Dr. Tarek Sadek is the Executive Director of the Innovation Boost Zone (IBZ) at TMU. With over 18 years of experience, he is a passionate leader in technology and innovation, specializing in entrepreneurship education and new venture creation. He holds a PhD from McMaster University, where his research focused on university-based entrepreneurship, complementing his background in engineering. He is dedicated to supporting students as their instructor, advisor, mentor and cheerleader.

Dr. Sasha Saunders is the Director of the Legal Innovation Zone (LIZ) at TMU. She has over 12 years of experience in higher education in Canada and Scotland. Over the last decade, Sasha has built and led the delivery of university-based entrepreneurial education and venture creation programs, including initiatives to help graduate students explore research commercialization. She joined TMU in 2024 from the University of Stirling where she was Head of Enterprise and responsible for the strategic development and management of the institution’s startup service. Sasha is passionate about empowering innovators to develop the mindset, skills and solutions to create impact.

JP Silva serves as Associate Director of Zone Learning at TMU, where he develops courses and programs that combine self-directed, multidisciplinary, project-based and work-integrated learning with real-world application. He encourages students to cultivate autonomy, explore their purpose, pursue their passions, and build the skills and networks needed to thrive in their future endeavors.

Ryid Gilani is a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at TMU, where his research focuses on Computational Fluid Dynamics of respiratory flows. He recently completed his MASc at TMU, where he began exploring his passion for drone technology through the ZON100/DG8116 course. Now leading drone operations for Door 24, Gilani’s work has been featured at major Toronto venues and events.

Monica Brighton is an award-winning television host, producer and PhD student whose work bridges media, technology and education. She has hosted for TVOntario and TVOkids and serves as Education Director at SMPTE, the global society for motion picture and television engineers. Her research explores how storytelling and emerging production technologies can help advance the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals by inspiring creativity, accessibility and global collaboration in media.

Amir Fard, PhD, is the Co-founder and CEO of CityOptima, a Toronto-based startup helping municipalities make smarter infrastructure decisions through AI and data analytics. He has developed innovative data-driven frameworks for optimizing infrastructure maintenance and investment planning. His work bridges research and real-world application, empowering cities to become more sustainable, efficient and resilient.