Appointments & Awards: May 2026

Appointments

Antonio Strafella appointed Program Medical Director, Krembil Brain Institute

Mark Boulos appointed Medical Director of the North & East GTA Regional Stroke Program

Awards

Division of Critical Care

Chris Yarnell, National Sanitarium Association Scholar grant ($400,000/4 years) to support a research program investigating best treatments for respiratory failure, aimed at an investigator within first 3 years of their appointment

Dominique Piquette, PSI Mid-Career Knowledge Translation Fellowship application ($120,000 over 3 years) 

Division of Geriatric Medicine 

Kristina Kokorelias and Luxey Sirisegaram, Breaking New Ground grant for "Co-designing and Implementing a Novel Peer-Support Program for Older Adults Living with HIV", The Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) and Breaking New Ground grant for "Harnessing Naturally Occurring Communities to Enhance Wellbeing, Adherence, and Social Connection in the Context of Ageing with HIV", The Ontario HIV Treatment Network

Division of Hematology

Vikas Gupta, Dr. Armand Keating Award for Best Research Paper, University of Toronto

Ieta Shams, Dr. Armand Keating Award for Best Research Paper, University of Toronto and Leadership, Humanism, and Professionalism Award, University of Toronto

Talya Wittmann Dayagi, Best Abstract in Clinical Research - Classical Hematology, University of Toronto

Sergio Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Best Abstract in Clinical Research - Malignant Hematology, University of Toronto

Clarissa Skorupski, Best Abstract in Quality Improvement/Health Outcomes, University of Toronto and Dr. Dom Pantalony Award for Clinical Excellence, University of Toronto

Danyal Ladha, Best Abstract in Education Research, University of Toronto

Vanessa Giuliano, Best Abstract - Case Report, University of Toronto

Mithunan Ravindran, Resident Award for Scholarly Excellence, University of Toronto

Lauren Arena and Danielle Meschino, Hematology Fellow Award for Clinical Excellence, University of Toronto

Tabea Sutter, Hematology Fellow Award for Leadership, Humanism, and Professionalism, University of Toronto

Nihar Desai, Hematology Fellow Award for Scholarly Excellence, University of Toronto

Anne McLeod, Dr. Michael Baker Mentorship Award, University of Toronto

Ismail Raslan, Dr. Jerry Scott Faculty Teacher of the Year Award, University of Toronto

Michael Scott, Early Career Teaching Award, University of Toronto

Lisa Chodirker, Mid-Later Career Teaching Award, University of Toronto

Rita Selby, Hematology Laboratory Medicine Teaching Award, University of Toronto

Vishal Kukreti, Quality Improvement and Innovation Award, University of Toronto

Lee Mozessohn, Early Career Investigator Award, University of Toronto

Steve Chan, Mid-Later Career Investigator Award, University of Toronto

Vanessa Guiliano, Presentation of Best Poster Award #1 – by voting, University of Toronto

Abdullah Alhusaini, Presentation of Best Poster Award #2 – by voting, University of Toronto

Eduardo Felicio De Campos, Presentation of Best Poster Award #3 – by voting, University of Toronto

Division of Infectious Diseases

Sharmistha Mishra, Temerty Research Excellence Award, Mid Career Clinical Stream, Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Alice Zhabokritsky, Breaking New Ground grant for "Co-designing and Implementing a Novel Peer-Support Program for Older Adults Living with HIV", The Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) and Breaking New Ground grant for "Harnessing Naturally Occurring Communities to Enhance Wellbeing, Adherence, and Social Connection in the Context of Ageing with HIV", The Ontario HIV Treatment Network

Division of Nephrology

Ron Wald, J. Michael Lazarus Distinguished Award, National Kidney Foundation

• This is a prestigious national honour recognizing outstanding contributions to dialysis research and patient care. Dr. Wald is internationally recognized for his leadership in critical care nephrology and maintenance dialysis, including co–leading landmark international trials such as STARRT‑AKI and ongoing studies addressing fluid management, dialysis dosing, and cardiovascular outcomes in dialysis patients. This award reflects his exceptional clinical leadership, research excellence, and sustained impact on improving the care of patients with kidney disease. Dr. Wald will receive the award at the upcoming annual NKF meeting in New Orleans in May.

Division of Neurology

Anthony Lang, 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award for Clinically-relevant Research, American Academy of Neurology

Division of Rheumatology

Robert Inman, 2026 President’s Impact Award, University of Toronto