Clinician Scientist Training Program Director Announcement
On behalf of the Department of Medicine, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Mamatha Bhat as Director, Clinician Scientist Training Program, effective December 1, 2021. The Department of Medicine is grateful for Dr. Rob Chen's remarkable tenure as the CSTP director for over 10 years. Dr. Chen is not only a role model for our trainees but is a visionary leader who has made tremendous contributions to this foundational program.
Dr. Mamatha Bhat is an Assistant Professor at UofT's Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Dept of Medicine and a staff Hepatologist and clinician-scientist at UHN's Ajmera Transplant Program. She is also a Scientist at Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, and her graduate appointment is with the IMS. Dr. Bhat completed her medical school and residency training, including the Clinician Investigator Program, at McGill University. She then completed a Transplant Hepatology fellowship at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, followed by a CIHR Fellowship for Health Professionals, through which she completed a PhD in Medical Biophysics (U of T).
The paradigm of Dr. Bhat’s research program is an AI-enabled precision medicine approach to long-term complications after liver transplantation, employing a bench-to-bedside paradigm that connects clinical outcomes with basic research. She has been specifically examining hepatocellular carcinoma and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in the context of liver transplantation. Dr. Bhat is an Associate Editor for the American Journal of Transplantation, and has been the recipient of recognitions such as the Polanyi Prize and the AST Basic Science Career Development Award.
Dr. Bhat is very enthusiastic in carrying forward Dr. Chen’s legacy, at the same time enhancing diversity in the trainees and research that we promote. She will work on highlighting bench-to-bedside research and promoting the next generation of scientists in her new role as CSTP Director. Dr. Mike Farkouh, Vice Chair Research in the Department of Medicine believes Dr. Bhat will ensure the program continues to adapt to the changing needs of our clinician scientist trainees, “I am excited for our future as it will be in the hands of a transformative leader committed to the diversity of both research and trainees”
Heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Bhat!
Sincerely,
Dr. Gillian Hawker, Sir John and Lady Eaton Professor and Chair