About the Research Training Centre (RTC)

The Research Training Centre (RTC) is part of the larger Research Institute at St. Michael’s Hospital, which is comprised of the Keenan Research Centre for Basic Science (KRCBS) and the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (LKSKI). The RTC seeks to provide a stimulating research training program and to create a nationally and internationally recognized training environment for future scientists. By bringing together expertise in translational scientific and applied health services research, the RTC works with trainees and the broader research community to support and advance their research training experiences. What kind of trainees is the RTC supporting? We provide support for individuals conducting research at St Michael’s Hospital  as a graduate student (at either the Master’s or Doctoral level) or as a Postdoctoral Fellow, and under the supervision of a St. Michael’s Hospital scientist; as well we also provide support to supervisors who participate in research training.

• A graduate student is an individual enrolled in a graduate program pursuing a Masters or PhD degree which is focused on research.
  • MSc Trainee: any student with a bachelor’s degree, pursuing additional education typically within 2 years.
  • PhD Trainee: any student with a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree pursing additional education typically within 5-7 years.
• A postdoctoral fellow or PDF: an individual with a PhD or MD degree who is engaged in a temporary (usually 2-3 years) research activity under the mentorship of a scientist. The individual must have obtained either a PhD or Medical degree within the previous six (6) years in order to qualify as a post-doctoral fellow.

The RTC supports graduate students and postdoctoral fellows by:

• Organizing RTC events such as, workshops, activities, and seminars that will enhance professional training and career development
• Providing internal scholarships and awards to recognize excellence in research
• Informs trainees about external funding opportunities
• Connecting SMH trainees with other hospital-based Research Training Centres across the GTA to share resources and opportunities, and to promote innovative partnerships across specialties, programs, and services
• Providing a point of contact or office to support trainees in the Research Institute on a day to day basis
• Maintaining a trainee registry
• Representing research trainee interests and advocating for research trainees within the institution and beyond.
• Supporting the SRSA
• On-board new graduate trainees

Please send your ideas, questions or concerns to rtc@smh.ca. Visit our getting started page for detailed instructions of the registration process.

Our Team

KATALIN SZASZI (RTC CO-DIRECTOR)

Dr. Katalin Szaszi MD, PhD is a scientist at the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael’s Hospital and a member of iBEST—the Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology, that is part of a partnership between St. Michael’s and Ryerson University. She’s also an associate professor with the University of Toronto’s Department of Surgery. She obtained MD and PhD degrees at the Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary and completed postdoctoral trainings at the Hospital for Sick Children and Toronto General Hospital. She was appointed as a scientist with the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science in 2005. Dr. Szaszi is a cell biologist studying epithelial biology and pathophysiology of inflammation and fibrosis. Her lab uses cultured epithelial cells and animal models of kidney disease to explore molecular pathways. They receive funding from CIHR, NSERC and the Kidney Foundation of Canada. She was a recipient of a Krescent New Investigator award from KFoC and CIHR (2007-2010) and an Early Researcher award from the Ontario Ministry of Innovation. She has more than 60 peer-reviewed, well-cited publications. Dr. Szaszi is involved in training undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows as a member of the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto. She was a member of the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science’s Research Training Centre committee for nearly 10 years. To learn more, visit: http://bit.ly/KatalinSzaszi

JANET PARSONS (RTC CO-DIRECTOR)

Dr. Janet Parsons (PhD, MSc, BScPT, BA) is a Research Scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital and an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto. She is cross-appointed to the Institute of Medical Science and is an Academic Fellow at the Centre for Critical Qualitative Health Research, Dalla Lana School of Public Health. She obtained both her PhD and MSc degrees in Medical Science from the University of Toronto. She completed postdoctoral training at the Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital, specializing in urban health and the health of marginalized populations. Dr. Parsons was appointed as a scientist at the LKSKI in 2009, and is based at the Applied Health Research Centre.  A qualitative methodologist, her program of research focuses on the development and application of arts-based visual and narrative methodologies to a wide range of health research topics. Substantive interests are health equity and health services research. She has employed photography, film, drawing and storytelling in her work. Dr. Parsons has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications, and is involved in training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

KRISTINE ANTONY (RTC PROGRAM COORDINATOR)

Kristine Antony (BSc) is the Research Training Centre (RTC) Coordinator at St. Michael’s Hospital. She obtained her BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Waterloo. Prior to joining the Research Training Centre, Kristine has worked with undergraduate and medical students as the Keenan Research Summer Student (KRSS) Program Coordinator, in the Office of Research Administration at St. Michael’s Hospital.

• On-boarding New Trainees
• Orientation Package

About RTC Seminars The LKSKI (dry bench) seminars take place on Wednesdays from 12 – 1 pm. The KRCBS-RTC (wet bench) seminars will be part of the unified KRCBS seminar series, which consists of weekly seminars on Fridays at 1 – 2pm, featuring KRCBS and iBEST PIs and trainees (1/month), and visiting scientists. All trainees are encouraged to attend these seminars that provide an excellent learning and networking opportunity. Trainees can showcase their research and get feedback from experienced scientists, research staff and peers. We are currently inviting trainees to present at the 2020/21 seminar series. If you are interested, please send us an email indicating your name, supervisor, a topic (a full title can be provided later) and any preferred dates. We are asking presenters to prepare a 20 min presentation aimed at a wider audience (please don’t make it so specialized that those outside your discipline cannot follow). Why present at RTC seminars and why attend these presentations? Attending and presenting at research seminars is an important part of your training, developing useful skills that are portable, regardless of career path. The seminars also increase the visibility of your work to the broader St. Michael’s community, enhancing your networking with other researchers. Who knows – your next employer, supervisor, or co-investigator could be in the audience! AND you can also list your presentation on your CV. The seminars are NOT intended to put you under extra pressure and we do not require fully finished, polished or published works. We do ask that presenters have some data to present (for graduate students, second year or later is the ideal time to do this presentation). Presentations are NOT graded or ranked. Rather, the seminars are a forum where graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and PIs can help and teach each other, and discuss cutting-edge scientific research. For advice on preparing presentations, check out our presentation resources page. We will be sending out reminders to all trainees and upcoming seminars will be advertised through our website, the RTC Express, and on the screens throughout the KRC and LKSKI. How to Earn Credits We have had several high quality RTC seminars on both sides, with lively discussion. However, attendance by trainees remains low. We would like to encourage you to come to these excellent seminars and offer rewards to those who present and regularly attend. Therefore, we have started taking attendance as of the March 22^nd, 2019 seminar. You will be able to earn credits for presenting and/or attending seminars/events. In order to earn credits for attending, you must be present for the entire seminar. To be eligible to apply for an RTC travel award or receive additional points on your RTC Scholarship application you must earn at least 5 credits during the academic year. 0.5 credit = 0.5 credit for facilitating a seminar 1 credit = 1 credit for seminar attendance 1 credit = 1 credit for presenting at a seminar 1 credit = Attendance or participation in the  Trainee Research Day Period to collect credits: 1 year (September 2020 – June 2021) for Spring 2021 academic year competitions.

Basic Science (wet bench) research seminars

Clinical (dry bench) research seminars

St. Michael’s Hospital Research Training Centre Scholarship  The Research Training Center is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships to support research trainees at the LKSKI and KRCBS. The aim of these awards is to provide a partial salary support to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows registered with the RTC in order to help them to perform research and obtain a degree through their work. The successful applicant will be provided with a one-time award that will provide a top-up to the trainee’s stipend and (if applicable) reimburse the supervisor’s research fund used to pay the trainee’s stipend. We also encourage applicants to seek external funding. Learn more. RTC Travel Award Due to COVID-19, we will not be awarding travel awards this academic year.  The aim of the RTC Travel Award is to provide funding to support travel of trainees in order to enhance their research training experience in the area of knowledge dissemination and sharing. All trainees who receive the RTC Travel Award will present their project at a monthly seminar. There are 12 travel awards available annually; 6 for the period of April 1st – September 30th and 6 for the period of October 1st – March 30th. Learn more.  Holmes McInnes Award Drs. Beverly Holmes and Roderick McInnes dedicated their time and expertise as external reviewers of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute and Keenan Research Centre of Unity Health Toronto in December 2019.  Both have dedicated their honoraria to research at Unity Health Toronto.  In recognition of this, a graduate student award is proposed to honor a student’s activities which have helped support other research trainees and/or our local research community more broadly. Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral Program The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS D) program is a federal program of scholarships awarded through national competitions by the granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Learn more.   

U of T resources

Please visit the University of Toronto Safety page Community Safety Office: 416-978-1485 Health and Wellness Centre Workshops: https://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/hwc/workshops Graduate Conflict Resolution Center: http://gradcrc.utoronto.ca/ Graduate Counselling Services: http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/currentstudents/Pages/Graduate-Counselling-Services.aspx  Sports and Recreation: https://kpe.utoronto.ca/sports-and-rec Sport facilities: https://kpe.utoronto.ca/facilities-memberships U of T: How are you feeling today? https://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/hwc/feeling  

Ontario resources

Ontario Mental health help line: http://www.connexontario.ca/  1-866-531-2600 (help with mental health issues, substance addiction, problem gambling) Mood disorders association Ontario: http://www.mooddisorders.ca/program/check-up-from-the-neck-up This site lists support programs that help with a wide range of issues including social anxiety, mood swings

Canadian resources

Canadian workplace mental health website: http://thinkmentalhealth.ca/ Mental health commission of Canada: https://www.mhfa.ca/en/workplace-programs

Tips to help you optimize your mental health and cope with stress

https://www.stressstrategies.ca/ https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/stress.html http://callaway/web-assets/posters/work-stress-releasers.pdf http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/wellness-modules Bell’s Let talk toolkit: https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/toolkit Antidepressant skills site: http://www.comh.ca/antidepressant-skills/work/index.cfm

Helping a co-worker: an Australian mental health site containing an extensive guide on how to help someone with issues

https://mhfa.com.au/sites/default/files/mhfa_workplace_guidelines.pdf  

Additional Student Resources