Thanks to the generosity of the Kimel Family and other donors, the Bloorview Research Institute awards six annual scholarships to outstanding graduate students at the University of Toronto who demonstrate both research excellence and personal passion in pediatric rehabilitation and disability research.

Meet this year’s recipients and what these scholarships mean to them as they work to transform care for children and youth with disabilities through the power of research:

Kimel Family Graduate Student Scholarship in Paediatric Rehabilitation

Katrina Meng

Second year, Master of Applied Science, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto

Supervisor: Jan Andrysek, senior scientist, Paediatrics, Rehabilitation, Orthotics, Prosthetics, Engineering, Locomotion Lab

Project Title: Parametric and Image-based Digital Upper-Limb Prosthesis Design Workflow

"Receiving the Kimel Family Graduate Student Scholarship is an incredible honor that reinforces the importance of my research in pediatric rehabilitation. This support enables me to continue exploring the use of 3D scanners, 3D modelling software and 3D printing in order to develop digital methods of designing custom transradial prostheses, making these essential devices more accessible. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to pediatric rehabilitation and to continue exploring innovations that can enhance the independence of children and youth with limb differences."

Kimel Family Graduate Student Scholarship in Paediatric Rehabilitation

Vishal Pendse

Third year, PhD in biomedical engineering, University of Toronto

Supervisor: Jan Andrysek, senior scientist, Paediatrics, Rehabilitation, Orthotics, Prosthetics, Engineering, Locomotion Lab

Project Title: Partial automation of upper-limb prosthesis socket design using machine learning

“Receiving this award marks a significant milestone in my career as a pediatric health researcher. It recognizes the importance of my work in automating prosthesis socket design, which has the potential to transform rehabilitation outcomes for children with limb differences. The support will enable me to advance my research and deliver practical solutions to underserved communities. With this award, I am empowered to push the boundaries of what is possible in pediatric rehabilitation, ultimately aiming to enable children with limb differences live their best lives worldwide.”

Kimel Family Graduate Student Scholarship in Pediatric Disability Research

Amanda Chan

Second year, PhD in rehabilitation sciences at the University of Toronto

Supervisor: Timothy Ross, scientist, Engagement & Planning for Inclusive Communities Lab

Project Title: Redefining Recess: A Study of Autistic Students’ Schoolyard Experiences

"Thanks to the Kimel family, this award will contribute to my second PhD project which entails arts-based interviews with autistic children and youth as well as their families to determine their schoolyard preferences/needs. As a sibling of (and caregiver to) an autistic individual, I have seen first-hand the challenges that many disabled students and their families face as they navigate the education system. Through this research, my hope is that it will help to uncover the ways in which the material conditions of schoolyards (including their normalized ableist elements) come to be the way they are, and advance meaningful changes for autism inclusion in our education environments."

Kimel Family Graduate Student Scholarship in Pediatric Disability Research

Thierry Dugas

Second year, Master of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto

Supervisor: Jan Andrysek, senior scientist, Paediatrics, Rehabilitation, Orthotics, Prosthetics, Engineering, Locomotion Lab

Project Title: Development and Validation of a Textile-Based Prosthetic Socket Pressure Sensing System

"I am truly grateful for the Kimel Family's support, which allows me to continue developing technologies to improve prosthetic fit for children, making a meaningful impact on their daily lives. This scholarship also enables me to further develop the skills and knowledge essential for a career focused on creating solutions that bring about lasting positive change."

Kimel Family Graduate Student Scholarship in Pediatric Disability Research

Michael Lam

First year, Master of Applied Science in clinical engineering, University of Toronto

Supervisor: Elaine Biddiss, senior scientist, Bloorview Childrens Hospital Foundation Chair in Pediatric Rehabilitation, Possibility Engineering And Research Lab

Project Title: Measuring Player Engagement Across Difficulty Adjustment Methods in a Video Game for Teaching Music-Making to Children with Diverse Abilities

“Being honored with this award is deeply personal and transformative for me as a pediatric health researcher. Having once been a pediatric patient myself, the opportunity to help children who were like me is incredibly meaningful. This recognition not only gives me confidence in the importance of my research but also provides the resources needed to push the boundaries of what we can achieve for children's health and development. I am so grateful for the chance to realize my passions and create meaningful change in the lives of children and their families.”

Whipper Watson Graduate Research Scholarship

Humna Siddiqui

First year, Master of Science in the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto

Supervisor: Melanie Penner, senior clinician scientist and developmental pediatrician, Bloorview Childrens Hospital Foundation Research Chair in Developmental Pediatrics, Autism Research Centre – ACCEPT (Autism Community Capacity and Evaluation of Programs and Training) Lab

Project Title: Evaluating the effectiveness of the ENS pilot in Ontario in reducing utilization of emergency department services among children with extensive behavioural needs

"Receiving this award is both an honor and a pivotal milestone in my journey as a pediatric health researcher. This award will advance my research career by empowering me to contribute meaningfully to disability and rehabilitation research, helping to create long-lasting and positive impacts on the lives of children with disabilities and their families."