Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship recipient: Amanda Dy, Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD student
Amanda Dy is developing AI tools to improve breast cancer management, focusing on Ki67 biomarker evaluation. Her goal is to integrate clinically robust AI tools into hospitals across Canada to assist pathologists in generating accurate and standardized biomarker scores. This will enable more personalized breast cancer treatment planning and support evidence-based change management in pathology workflows.
Working under the supervision of Dr. April Khademi, Canada Research Chair in AI for Medical Imaging, Dy’s research spans clinical ideation and design, AI model development, technical integration and interoperability, and regulatory work to ensure AI systems improve workflow efficiency, diagnostic consistency and patient outcomes.
Dy is passionate about expanding access to STEM education and serves on TMU’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committee and is Toronto’s Community Outreach Executive with the Canadian Cancer Society’s Research Information Outreach Team.
What inspires your research?
I wake up every day loving what I do and feel inspired by the global community committed to advancing precision and personalized medicine. I’ve seen firsthand how variability in medical assessments can influence treatment decisions and patient outcomes, which motivated me to pursue a career in health care. I am driven by the belief that for technology to serve both clinicians and patients, it must be implemented thoughtfully, safely and equitably to truly make a meaningful impact. I remind myself of this every day.
What does it mean to be named a Vanier Scholar?
Being named a Vanier Scholar is an incredible honour. Vanier recognizes academic achievement, research excellence and leadership; these are values I have been privileged to pursue through the guidance of exceptional mentors, colleagues and collaborators who continue to shape my approach to responsible and impactful research. This support will be instrumental in helping me develop and translate clinically meaningful AI tools throughout my PhD.
“TMU has provided an innovative and supportive environment to grow as a researcher working at the intersection of engineering and medicine.”
What advice do you have for Vanier Scholarship applicants?
Be honest about who you are and what drives your work. Writing the Vanier application was genuinely fun; it gave me the chance to show how my technical skills, research vision, leadership and values all connect. Remember that your unique path and perspective are your strengths.
How is your TMU graduate education preparing you to be career-ready?
My supervisor, Dr. April Khademi, is an incredible mentor who introduced me to the field of AI-assisted health care, which has since become the core of my academic and professional life. Through my research at TMU, I’ve had the opportunity to build clinical partnerships across North America and present my research on international stages. I am humbled to be gaining credibility in both the medical and AI communities this early in my career. TMU has provided an innovative and supportive environment to grow as a researcher working at the intersection of engineering and medicine.
What advice do you have for graduate students?
Be curious and explore beyond your core discipline. Some of the most exciting and impactful ideas come from cross-disciplinary collaboration. Read papers, take courses and talk to peers outside your main field of research; you’ll be surprised by how much it shapes your thinking. And don’t forget to enjoy grad school; it’s tough, but it’s also a perfect opportunity to explore, learn and build something meaningful.