TMU undergraduate research shines at 2026 Ontario Biology Day

Listening to Khansa Mahia Sayyada talk about her area of specialty in cholesterol research, it becomes clear why the judges at Ontario Biology Day (OBD) thought she brought something special to her presentation. Both the energy in her voice and the clarity with which she describes the complexities of her project make it clear that she has a talent for science communication. 

For Sayyada, the opportunity was one of her first to present about her research. She’d previously showcased research posters at past symposia, but her supervisor, TMU Biology professor Roberto Botelho, and mentor, PhD candidate Nicala Jenkins, encouraged her to try levelling up to an oral presentation. Ontario Biology Day is an annual research-sharing event that brings together senior undergraduate students from across Ontario universities to present their capstone research projects, held this year at Laurentian University in March.  

Sayyada was one of several students from the Faculty of Science at TMU who had the opportunity to attend the conference to network and build their science communication skills. Studying diverse disciplines from molecular biology to ecology, they shared their research by delivering 15-minute talks or by presenting informational posters. Nine participants received awards across presentation categories, with Sayyada receiving the overall Best Oral Presentation award.

Initially, her goal was just to participate and complete the presentation, but Sayyada found herself enjoying the whole experience. “I was nervous going into it, so being able to present my work clearly felt like a win to me. The entire experience was really rewarding. I learned a lot, met many students, and had the chance to hear about research topics ranging from aquatic biology to cancer biology,” she says. Besides the formal elements, Sayyada says she also enjoyed the informal moments that helped her connect with fellow students, which made the day feel welcoming and memorable.

Following her own presentation, which focused on her research into how cholesterol is trafficked within cells and how small disruptions can lead to disease, she says the judges were very enthusiastic. “It was daunting, since I’d not presented to a research-focused audience in that kind of setting before,” she says, noting that she was pleased both to convey her ideas effectively within the presentation timeframe and to respond to researcher questions, which helped her see her project from different perspectives and gave her more confidence in her work. 

“I think one of the most memorable parts of the day was receiving such encouraging feedback after my presentation. I did not expect that, especially since many of the other presenters were fourth- or fifth-year students presenting their thesis work. Hearing positive feedback from the judges and organizers was very reassuring, and it made me feel more confident about continuing to grow in research.”

For Sayyada, the experience also helped her see the field as collegial rather than adversarial. “In science, it can be easy to feel like you are behind or that you need to constantly catch up. But this experience reminded me that research is also about learning from the people around you. I’ve always tried to challenge myself by stepping into new opportunities, even when they feel uncomfortable at first, because that is often how you learn what you enjoy and where you want to grow.”

Sayyada adds that she valued meeting students from other universities, but equally enjoyed getting to know her own colleagues from TMU. “I felt very supported by students from the Faculty of Science Biomedical Research Facility at the MaRS Discovery District, including my own lab, the Botelho Lab (external link) . Having that sense of community made the experience even more meaningful,” she says.

Professor Botelho says that Sayyada fits right in with her peers at the lab. "Khansa is a very smart student. I've taught her in courses, and she does phenomenally well. She works well with graduate students too, and she's very intelligent and motivated. I'm so glad to have her on the team."

With her success, Sayyada has a ready answer when advising others on the difference between a poster competition and a formal presentation. “With a poster, the audience has a visual overview in front of them, and you guide them through the project. With an oral presentation, you become the storyteller. You’re introducing the audience to your project step by step, so delivery, structure and clarity become really important,” she says.

As she looks forward to her fourth year, Sayyada is eager to begin her thesis work in the Botelho lab, building on her current research on cholesterol. As she looks back on her undergraduate experience, she’s glad she also pushed herself in other realms; for example, she’s currently Vice President of Community Development for the Women in Science (external link)  student group at TMU. She was also part of Hemoglobal TMU (external link) , a student chapter of a group that raises awareness for blood disorders in underprivileged communities. As an international student herself, she says these experiences helped her find community in a new place while also giving her opportunities to contribute to causes she cares about.

Similarly, presenting her work helped Sayyada reflect on the importance of creating welcoming spaces in science. “Representation matters to me, but so does belonging. Through my involvement in research and student initiatives, I hope to help other students feel that there is space for them in science too.”