The Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences Program has awarded its graduate awards for the 2024 convocation season. Each recipient represents a substantial contribution to our program in community through their academic accomplishments, commitment to community impact or innovative thinking.
Here are this year’s winners. Sheridan Fong made history this year as the iBioMed Program’s very first valedictorian. Read her profile to learn more about her accomplishments.
Top Academic Award
Graham Buchan, BME Engineering Physics
What’s next: I will be attending medical school at NOSM University.
Mathieu Chenier, BME Engineering Physics
Fave memory: When Dr. Carol Bassim had a pizza party for our IBEHS 4C03 class and I got to share a meal with a couple of my lifelong iBioMed friends – that was a slice of heaven (no pun intended).
Evelyn Cudmore, BME Chemical Engineering
Final thoughts: I really appreciate the way this program allows for the tandem exploration of biomedical engineering while gaining skills in parallel engineering disciplines, and fosters unique perspectives in biomedical innovation as a result!
Siyuan Huang, HESE
What does this award mean to you: This award represents a validation of my effort and dedication to my studies, and I am deeply grateful for the recognition.
Matthew Ho, HESE
Fave memory: Spending afternoons and evenings at Thode studying for IBEHS courses and finishing our design studio projects! It was great fun working with like-minded, driven individuals who all shared a passion for biomedical engineering and innovation.
Diane Kim, HESE
Fave memory: Going into operating rooms at the Hamilton General Hospital to watch various operations. Seeing and interacting with surgeons, nurses, other healthcare professionals and patients in a real-world setting really sparked my interest in medicine.
Alvin Lee, BME Engineering Physics
Fave memory: All the hours studying and working with my friends in the program, especially at Denny’s. Couldn’t have made it through without them!
Olga Vishnyakova, HESE
What does this award mean to you: I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by incredible and talented peers, teachers and friends, and this award is a reflection of their support.
Community Impact Award
Emily Burley, HESE
Fave memory:
Meetings with Dr. Yip and my Innovators in Scrubs group. Dr. Yip was so enthusiastic and excited to teach us about Interventional Radiology, and I really enjoyed getting to work with him and my group members.
Shayna Earle, BME Chemical Engineering
Final thoughts: A HUGE thank you to iBio and McMaster for the support over the past 6 years!
Shayna also received the President’s Award of Excellence in Student Leadership this year!
Leadership Award Award
Yasemin Al-Banna, BME Electrical Engineering
What’s next: Pursuing a Master’s in Translational Biomedical Engineering at McGill University.
Poonam Saha, HESE
Fave memory: The first neurosurgery I got to witness in the Innovators in Scrubs course was a beyond amazing and humbling experience.
Innovation Award
Albert Wang, HESE
What does this award mean to you: It’s motivating to be recognized for the innovative spirit we strive for in iBioMed. I’m glad to have taken the scenic route!
What’s next: Continuing to build Comend (joincomend.com) – we’re hiring!