The 21st Annual BRI Symposium
The Bloorview Research Institute is pleased to host its 21st Annual BRI Symposium on Thursday, Nov. 5 and Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Conference Centre. This year's symposium will be offered in a hybrid format, with opportunities to participate either in person or online.
The theme is From Ideas to Action: Advancing Transformational Care and Support in Childhood-Onset Disability.
This two-day event will feature:
- Keynote presentations
- Student trainee oral and poster competitions
- The Pursuit Award competition
- Research talks and breakout sessions
- Exhibits showcasing innovation
- Networking opportunities, including a reception
- Awards recognizing excellence in research and impact
Join researchers, clinicians, industry, trainees, and families as we share new knowledge and strengthen collaborations in childhood disability research.
Please note that while in-person spots are now sold out, you can still join us by registering to attend virtually.
| From Ideas to Action: Advancing Transformational Care and Support in Childhood-Onset Disability | |
| 8:30 – 9:00 AM | Registration and Networking Breakfast |
9:00 – 9:10 AM
| Meeting Opening Co-Hosts: Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, Vice President, Research and Director, Bloorview Research Institute Juliana Farias Contreras, Youth Mentor, Disability Advocate Mukti Reddy, Family Advocate |
| 9:10 – 9:15 AM | Welcome Remarks Presented by: Bruce Squires, President and CEO, Holland Bloorview |
| 9:15 – 10:15 AM | Keynote Presentation: Mickey Milner International Professorship Lecture Building Care That Learns: Pediatric Concussion Research Embedded in Practice Presented by: Dr. Isabelle Gagnon, Associate Dean and Director, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Associate Member, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Montreal Children's Hospital |
| 10:15 – 10:30 AM | Refreshment and Networking Break Refreshments are sponsored by Empowered Kids Ontario (EKO) |
| 10:30 – 11:20 AM | Welcome Remarks and Introduction to Trainee Research Talks Introduced by: Dr. Yana Yunusova, Professor, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine University of Toronto Each year, more than 100 graduate and doctoral students join the Bloorview Research Institute to train alongside internationally recognized scientists and contribute to cutting-edge research in childhood disability. The annual BRI Symposium provides an opportunity for these trainees to showcase their work and connect with colleagues, collaborators and community partners. Examining the Application of Deep Clustering for Identifying Brain-Based Subgroups Across Neurodevelopmental Conditions Advancing Schoolyard Inclusion for Autistic Children and their Families: Preliminary Findings from a Qualitative Study Occupational Therapy Goal-Setting in Pediatric Concussion Rehabilitation: Understanding Priorities to Inform Care |
11:20 AM – 12:00 PM
| Strengthening Family Engagement in Research: Progress and Priorities at Holland Bloorview This session will highlight the notable accomplishments of Holland Bloorview’s Research Family Engagement Committee and the work underway to boldly reimagine the role of the committee in advancing research for all children with disabilities. Dr. Tim Ross, Senior Scientist, Bloorview Research Institute, Co-Chair, Research Family Engagement Committee, Holland Bloorview |
| 12:00 – 1:15 PM | Networking Lunch, Poster and Exhibit Showcase Lunch is sponsored by KYE Pharmaceuticals Poster session is sponsored by Autism Science Foundation (ASF) |
| 1:15 – 2:15 PM | Breakout Sessions Session 1: From Participants to Partners: Meaningful Communication of Research Findings Session 2: Science and Trust: Confronting Misinformation Together |
| 2:20 – 3:20 PM | Research Talks Engaged and person-centred listening in rehabilitation and healthcare conversations A Framework for Transforming Care in Rare Disease: Lessons from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy |
| 3:20 – 3:30 PM | Refreshment and Networking Break Refreshments are sponsored by Empowered Kids Ontario (EKO) |
| 3:20 – 4:00 PM | Research Family Engagement Committee Awards Presentation |
| 4:00 – 4:10 PM | Closing Remarks and Adjournment to Evening Reception Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, Vice President, Research and Director, Bloorview Research Institute |
| 4:15 – 6:00 PM | Evening Reception In partnership with Brain Canada Foundation |
Breakout Session #1 - From Participants to Partners: Meaningful Communication of Research Findings (Note: this session will be live streamed. Venue: Conference centre)
- Moderator – Professor Isabelle Gagnon, associate dean and director, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, associate member, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Montreal Children's Hospital
- Panelists:
- Dr. Danielle Baribeau, Clinician Scientist, Psychiatrist, Bloorview Research Institute
- Dolly Menna-Dack, Senior Bioethicist, Vice-Chair (Interim), Research Ethics Board, Manager, Bioethics & Spiritual Care, Manager, Youth Engagement Strategy
- Emily Cooper, Co-Chair, Research Family Engagement Committee
- Amy Whittard, Outreach Committee Chair, Ontario Rett Syndrome Association of Canada
Breakout session #1 sponsored by Acadia Pharmaceuticals.
Breakout Session #2 - Science and Trust: Confronting Misinformation Together(Note: this session will be live streamed. Venue: High Performance Hub on Level 5)
- Moderator – Avis Favaro, Health Journalist, Host, Canadian Health Information Podcast, Contributor CTV National News
- Panelists:
- Stewart Wong, Vice President, Communications, Strategy and Sustainability, Holland Bloorview Rehabilitation Hospital
- Stephanie Telesca, Family Advocate, Genetic Counsellor, Co-founder of The KCNC1 Foundation
- Dr. Krishana Sankar, Science Advisor and Community Impact Manager, Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC)
- Dr. Melanie Penner, Senior Clinician Scientist and Developmental Pediatrician, Bloorview
Government leaders congratulates the 21st annual BRI Symposium
The Honourable Rob Oliphant congratulates the 21st annual BRI Symposium
The symposium is generously sponsored by
Gold sponsors
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Kye is a growing speciality pharmaceutical company that identifies areas of significant clinical unmet need and seeks to provide innovative high-value medicines to improve or extend the lives of patients across Canada. | Acadia Pharmaceuticals is advancing breakthroughs in neuroscience and rare disease to improve quality of life. With more than 600 employees based in San Diego, CA, Princeton, NJ, and around the world, Acadia is dedicated to fighting diseases and helping brighter moments shine through for patients and their loved ones. |
Silver sponsor
Kids Brain Health (KBH+) is a national platform with a mission to scale practical, evidence-based programs, products, and services—proven solutions that improve the lives of children, youth, and families living with neurodisabilities.
Bronze sponsors
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Empowered Kids Ontario represents organizations providing developmental healthcare to 200,000+ kids with disabilities and developmental needs every year. We promote smart investments, policies, and innovative approaches grounded in evidence and based on the best research and thought leadership from around the world, so kids with disabilities and developmental needs and their families live their best lives. | The Autism Science Foundation (ASF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Its mission is to fund breakthrough research that will improve the lives of people with autism. To learn more about the Autism Science Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.autismsciencefoundation.org.
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The Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) is a provincially funded, not-for-profit organization that accelerates discovery and innovation, benefiting both patients and the economy. Since 2010, OBI has worked to position Ontario as a global leader in brain health. Learn more at https://braininstitute.ca/. | |
