The Pursuit Award in Childhood Disability Competition showcases the work of PhD students whose ideas and discoveries are shaping the future of childhood disability research.

“This year’s finalists demonstrate the level of curiosity, collaboration and scientific excellence that drives our field forward,” said Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, vice-president of research and director of the Bloorview Research Institute (BRI). “Their work highlights both the diversity of questions being explored and the global commitment to improving the lives of children and families.”

Sponsored by the Ward Family, the annual award recognizes PhD students and recent doctoral graduates from around the world whose research shows exceptional promise for advancing inclusive, evidence-informed practices. Finalists are selected based on academic excellence, research impact, innovation, knowledge translation and collaborative engagement.

For the 15th edition of the competition, the BRI received applications from emerging scholars across multiple disciplines and regions. After a thorough review process by a panel of scientists, staff and family leaders, three finalists were invited to share their research at the BRI Symposium on Nov. 25 and 26. Judges then determined the final rankings.

Pursuit Award finalist presentations

1st place: Dr. Caitlin Edgar, PhD, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College London

Thesis Title: Design and development of a pediatric prosthetic knee joint for children in low-resource environments: a user-centred biomechanical approach

Caitlin Edgar, a postdoctoral research associate in the department of bioengineering at Imperial College London, received first place for her work designing an affordable, adaptable prosthetic knee joint for children living in low-resource and humanitarian contexts.

Her project applies a user-led design process shaped by caregivers, clinicians and children in Cambodia and the U.K. Through an internationally adaptable research toolkit, Edgar developed a clear hierarchy of user needs to guide engineering decisions rooted in musculoskeletal modelling. She presented a novel knee design alongside insights from the first U.K.-based trial with children aged eight to 12.

At a time when conflict and disasters are leading to increasing cases of childhood limb loss, her work proposes practical, scalable solutions to improve stability, comfort and long-term fit for pediatric prosthetic users.

2nd place: Élyse Comeau, PhD candidate in planning, Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto

Thesis Title: Navigating ableism and inaccessibility in school transportation for disabled students: family efforts, practitioner perspectives and systemic barriers to access

Élyse Comeau, a PhD candidate in planning at the University of Toronto, was awarded second place for her research examining persistent gaps in accessible school transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Her dissertation weaves together a scoping review, interviews with families living with childhood disability, and an in-depth look at how education professionals plan and deliver school transportation services. Findings show that families often take on significant “access work” — from managing complex morning routines to navigating administrative processes — to secure transportation that meets their child’s needs. Meanwhile, practitioners identified structural and operational barriers that contribute to persistent challenges in delivering truly accessible school transportation services.

This research offers concrete opportunities to redesign transportation systems in ways that better support student inclusion and reduce the inequitable labour placed on families.

3rd place: Dr. Stephanie Lung, C.Psych. (supervised practice), PhD, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University

Thesis Title: Restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests of autism: functions and mapping 

Dr. Stephanie Lung, psychologist in supervised practice, received third place for her doctoral work exploring the functions and mapping processes of restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests (RRBIs) of autism.

Using a scoping review and an integrated sensory–cognitive paradigm, Dr. Lung identified several adaptive roles that RRBIs can play — from supporting sensory regulation to providing predictability and facilitating “flow.” Her work also highlights emerging relationships between cognitive flexibility, sensory processing and specific RRBI subtypes.

By focusing on regulatory and constructive functions, her research contributes to a growing movement toward neurodiversity-affirming understanding and improved diagnostic approaches that more accurately capture autistic experience.

Celebrating the next generation of leaders in childhood disability research

The winners were announced during the Pursuit Award ceremony at the annual BRI Symposium, where attendees gathered to recognize their achievements and discuss opportunities for future collaboration.

The Pursuit Awards continue to reflect Holland Bloorview’s commitment to nurturing early-career talent and advancing research that supports children, youth and families. Through this international competition, finalists gain a platform to share their work, connect with peers and contribute to the evolving landscape of childhood disability research. The call for applications for the 2026 Pursuit Award will open in summer 2026 and will be available here.

Congratulations to the winners!

By Priyanka Shah