Biomedical Zone Awards $20K to Top Life Sciences Student Researchers at TMU, iBEST, and Unity Health Toronto
The Biomedical Zone is proud to celebrate the success of the inaugural iBEST Symposium Power Pitch Competition. This high-impact event showcased the excellence, creativity, and research-driven innovation of student researchers at Toronto Metropolitan University, the Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), and Unity Health Toronto.
What Happened
The iBEST Symposium Power Pitch Competition brought the future of health innovation out of the lab and onto the stage. The event gave student researchers and trainees a dynamic platform to pitch their work to a panel of industry experts and a live audience made up of researchers, faculty, healthcare professionals, and community leaders.
From over a dozen applications, eight finalists were selected through a competitive internal review process. Each finalist had 7 minutes to pitch their project and 5 minutes for Q&A with the judges. The format challenged students to distill complex biomedical research into compelling, real-world narratives, showcasing how their innovations could make a tangible impact on healthcare systems and patient outcomes.
Projects tackled some of the most urgent challenges in the healthcare system, including:
- Non-Invasive Diagnostics
- AI-Driven Precision Medicine
- Affordable At-Home Healthcare Solutions
- Real-Time Disease Monitoring
- Breakthrough Imaging Technologies
- Personalized Cancer Treatment
- Innovations in Kidney & Dialysis Care
- Infectious Disease Detection
Winners were awarded $10,000 and two $5,000 cash prizes, sponsored by the Biomedical Zone, to support the further development and validation of their work.
Why It Happened
This competition was born from a shared commitment to advance health innovation through research excellence, and to create pathways for students and faculty to translate their ideas into real-world solutions. At its core, the iBEST Symposium Power Pitch Competition embodies the belief that great innovation starts with great research and that students should have access to platforms that elevate their work and connect them with decision-makers who can help them scale it.
The initiative also reflects the energy and strategic direction of the Biomedical Zone as a catalyst for medtech entrepreneurship, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and activating researchers who can help shape the future of health systems.
Who Was There
The iBEST SymposiumPower Pitch Competition was powered by cross-institutional and cross-Zone collaboration. Students and faculty from Toronto Metropolitan University, iBEST, and Unity Health Toronto participated with support from innovation leaders across the Biomedical Zone, the Science Discovery Zone, the Innovation Boost Zone, and the Brampton Venture Zone.
The judging panel featured an esteemed group of leaders from across the life sciences and innovation sectors:
- Charles Boulakia, Principal at Smart & Biggar
- Mayisha Sultana, Senior Manager of Health Partnerships at MaRS Discovery District
- Andrew Opala, Co-Founder of Brampton Angels
- Peter Bloch, CEO of Wembley Advisors
This year’s iBEST Symposium Power Pitch Competition marked a powerful moment for life science innovation as emerging leaders demonstrated the depth of expertise and possibility within the ecosystem. As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue building opportunities that support emerging innovators and strengthen Toronto Metropolitan University’s reputation as a national leader in applied health research and entrepreneurship.
$10,000 Grand Prize Winner: Tiange Li
Research Title: FrED: A Dual Suction-Irrigation Sheath to Improve Stone-Free Rates in Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy
Representing: Unity Health Toronto
Tiange is redefining the future of kidney stone care by creating a suction-irrigation device that dramatically improves stone removal, using a precision-engineered system to prevent painful recurrences, eliminate repeat surgeries, and transform outcomes for millions of patients worldwide.
$5,000 Runner Up Winner: Farshad Moradikashkooli
Research Title: Ultrasound-Triggered Drug-Loaded Gold Nanoparticles: A Non-Invasive Precision Drug Delivery Platform for Cancer Therapy
Representing: Toronto Metropolitan University - Faculty of Science
Farshad is pioneering a non-invasive drug delivery platform that uses low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and green-synthesized gold nanoparticles to enhance tumor-targeted drug release. This innovative system reduces toxicity, improves drug penetration, and offers a cost-effective solution for personalized cancer treatment.
$5,000 Runner Up Winner: Rajiv Sanwal
Research Title: No more radiation - A new way to image the injured lung
Representing: iBEST, Unity Health Toronto
Rajiv is developing photoacoustic imaging as a groundbreaking, radiation-free method for monitoring acute respiratory distress syndrome. Unlike CT scans, photoacoustic imaging provides real-time, continuous feedback on lung structure and oxygenation, enhancing clinical decision-making. Preclinical studies show its potential to improve acute respiratory distress syndrome outcomes by enabling faster, more precise interventions, reducing mortality in critically ill patients.