Members of the TRP community
We're currently populating this list!
Come back soon for a more comprehensive list.
One of the most important parts of the TRP is the diversity of the people you will meet. From your cohort to committee members, mentors and patients, one of the key skills you will build will be the ability to network and collaborate with people from very diverse backgrounds.
Some of the people you may meet while in the program are listed below. These are all people who have played a role in the website such as discussants, who come in to talk to students and discuss ideas, to mentors and those who play a role in capstone research projects. We also list, where able, our alumni.
Sally Moy
Graduated 2022
Director, Humber River Health & North Western Toronto OHT
Co-Founder, Innovo Labs Consulting
Read Sally's Alumni feature: From health innovation to community leadership: changing the trajectory of a career
Sam Neumark
Graduated 2023
Sam is a medical student and a graduate of the Master of Health Science in Translational Research program at the University of Toronto. He is also an alumnus of the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at McMaster University. Throughout his undergraduate degree, Sam worked as a Disability Support Worker providing care for adults with developmental disabilities. In the summers, Sam has worked as a Counsellor and Head Staff at an overnight summer camp. He has been involved with numerous research projects focusing on evidence synthesis in the areas of substance use, chronic pain, telemedicine, and pharmacogenomics. As a volunteer with Hamilton Health Sciences in the Michael G. DeGroote Pain Clinic, Sam led the implementation of telemedicine services to improve clinical operations. He is very passionate about virtual healthcare and finding new ways to enhance the patient experience. In his spare time, he enjoys playing sports, guitar, and travelling.
Read about Sam's impact at the TRP:
Sarah Diaz
Graduated 2022
Sarah graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honour's Bachelor of Science degree in 2019, majoring in neuroscience and molecular biology, and minoring in physiology. Throughout her academic career, she has had the privilege to see what research and patient care entail through professional and volunteering experiences. Some of these places include William Osler Hospital, a private pharmacy, and a small biotech company called Meditech International Inc.
Sarah thought that her passion for medicine and patient care was going to lead her directly into pursuing a career as a medical doctor. Although this is something that she is still considering, she would like to see where her growing interest in neuroscience research takes her after experiencing the role of a student researcher in the Kim Lab at UofT. Sarah's current research interests include the pathophysiology of human neurodegenerative diseases and mental health/illness.
With her insightful professional experience, she is motivated to ask and explore real questions that will hopefully improve patient care and advance medicine. Sarah is now looking forward to embarking on a journey of professional and personal development with the TRP program to become equipped with the tools necessary to help re-shape healthcare and positively impact the field of medicine.
In her free time, Sarah enjoys learning instruments, running with her dog, painting, and playing competitive indoor/beach volleyball.
Setareh Aghamohammadi
TRP cohort 2023 - 2025
I'm Setareh Aghamohammadi, a University of Toronto grad with a background in Biochemistry and Physiology. My time at the Mucsi lab opened my eyes to the deep connections between healthcare and people's lives, sparking my interest in the legal side of medicine.
After a year as an optometrist assistant, doing clinical tests and helping patients, I realized my passion isn't just in medicine but in making sure patients are treated fairly and understand their rights. That's why I'm excited about diving into medical and health law.
Away from work and studies, I recharge by playing tennis, where I relish the challenge and strategy of the game. I also explore my artistic side through digital drawing and keep active with regular gym sessions to stay sharp and healthy.
Joining the Translational Research Program is a big step for me. I'm looking forward to learning new things, meeting inspiring people, and using this experience to make a difference in medical and health law.
Capstone project
Shayan Novin
2023 - 2025 cohort
Shayan is an alumnus of the Translational Research Program (TRP) at the University of Toronto and graduate of the Bachelor of Health Science Program at McMaster University. Shayan is now a medical student at McMaster University.
While in the TRP, Shayan received the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS; 2023-2024 competition year) and Canada Graduate Scholarship - Master's (CGS-M; 2024-2025 competition year). Following his passion for promoting BIPoC-2S/LGBTQ+ health, Shayan was also part of the third annual cohort of trainees at the CIHR 2S/LGBTQ+ Health Hub.
He is also a sessional instructor at the Bachelor of Health Science Program. Shayan is interested in improving HIV/AIDS treatments through system-level changes to care.
Awards and initiatives
- Research Fellow at the CIHR 2S/LGBTQ+ Health Hub
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Champion at the CIHR Digital Research Alliance
- Founder of the Narrative Therapy Program at the AIDS Committee of Toronto
- Canada Graduate Scholarship Recipient 2024, National Scholarship awarded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship Recipient 2023, Provincial Scholarship awarded by the University of Toronto
Research interests
- Improving access to HIV/AIDS treatment
- Use of narrative medicine in deepening empathy
Tala Lumbu
2023 - 2025 cohort
Vedant Shukla
2023 - 2025 cohort
Vida Maksimosa
Graduated 2022
Life has taken me down an exciting and winding road — and I wouldn’t have it any other way! My journey has spanned clinical research, digital marketing, and hands-on lab work for my doctoral studies. Each step has shaped my passion for innovation, problem-solving, and making meaningful contributions to both science and business.
With over 8 years of scientific research experience, I’ve collaborated on developing solutions to patient challenges while tackling key scientific questions. The fast-paced, energetic environment of research has fuelled my curiosity and drive to push boundaries. On the marketing side, I’ve learned to think strategically about client needs, crafting solutions that align with business goals while delivering value. It’s a creative, dynamic space that complements my problem-solving mindset.
I’m always excited about opportunities that blend science, strategy, and innovation. If you're passionate about solving tough problems or building creative solutions, let's connect!
Zoe Lambert
2023 - 2025 cohort
Zoe Lambert is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto, where she studied Physiology, Evolutionary Anthropology, and Medical Anthropology.
Her interests include health equity and sociocultural determinants of health, as well as how varying conceptions of health and wellness can be integrated to improve patient experiences in healthcare.
Her prior experiences have included research on morphological variation between populations, relationship changes between dementia patients and caregivers, and sociocultural determinants of metabolic health in archeological populations.
In her free time, she enjoys knitting, baking, and spending time with family and friends.