RSI Research Day – 2021 Recap

Download the complete 2021 RSI Abstract booklet

Thursday, May 27, 2021 marked this year’s historic Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (RSI) Research Day event which took place virtually for the second time ever!

Due to public health rules preventing large gatherings during the pandemic, the University of Toronto had all but cancelled in-person events for a second year in a row – however this did not waver the will of Co-Chairs Sara Hanafy and Wade Michaelchuk, along with the rest of the Research Day Committee, who were determined to keep the annual research showcase alive.

“This year marked the second consecutive virtual Research Day event. We felt it was incredibly important and were pleased to continue to offer a platform for RSI students, faculty, staff, and alumni to interact & engage with colleagues and academic scholars, and showcase all of the tremendous hard work that has been undertaken in our department over the past year, especially in the face of considerable adversity. We truly commend the perseverance of the entire RSI community – Congratulations on your achievements!” – Sara Hanafy & Wade Michaelchuk

Every year, RSI Research Day highlights and celebrates the research being conducted by the bright and talented graduate students of RSI via poster and oral presentations and this year was no exception! With over 100 attendees, the event drew the masses despite its online format. The central theme to this year’s event was Research to Practice.

The day began with some inspiring opening remarks recorded by none other than the Vice-Provost of Graduate Research & Education and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Dr. Joshua Barker and RSI’s Acting Director, Dr. Yana Yunusova who gave a warm welcome to all.

Next, we heard from this year's keynote speaker, Nina G (comedian, disability activist, author, and educator) who not only shared her own deeply personal disability journey but also promoted allyship for marginalized communities by sparking the conversation with the question, "How will you advocate/engage in allyship to the communities you will be working with?"

With the online platform came a new format to the program which focused on the 3-minute and 7-minute student oral presentations, as well as online poster sessions whereby RSI graduate students presented their work through breakout rooms on Zoom. Notably, this year the organizing committee worked to incorporate a focus on mental health and principles of mindfulness, mastery, movement and meaningful engagement by including mindful meditation, stretching, and networking breaks.

During the midday program, guests were able to participate in not one, but TWO alumni panels focused on Working in Academia vs. Working in Industry. Special thanks go out to Laura Desveaux, Mika Nonoyama, Rosalie Wang, Diana Frasca, Bimal Lakhani, and Heather McPherson for their shared wisdom and insight resulting in such engaging discussions.

The day came to a fitting close by celebrating the achievements of the RSI community by means of the RSI Recognition Awards Ceremony.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

Students:
 

Faculty/Staff:
 

Alumni:
 

Presentations:
 

Posters:
 

All told, more than 35 posters and oral presentations were made and several faculty, staff, students and family members attended the event online to celebrate the excellent scholarship taking place at RSI. Thank you to all those who attended, to the RSI Research Day Committee and staff for making this year’s event an even greater success!

As always, thank you to our valued sponsors:

• Heart & Stroke Foundation – Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery
• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• AGE-WELL
• The KITE Research Institute – UHN
• Brain Canada Foundation 

For those of you who were unable to join us, we look forward to seeing you in 2022 at our next innovative, informative and inspiring day of research at RSI!