Harold Kalant Award

Joey is a PhD student in the Swardfager lab, studying clinical outcomes of glucose-lowering medications for type 2 diabetes in a real-world setting. Diabetes can lead to a variety of complications that threaten quality of life. Although there have been multiple classes of glucose-lowering medications in the market, they lower blood sugar via different mechanisms and may confer differential benefits and harms to patients. Joey's research compares different glucose-lowering medications using large administrative databases, and aims to provide real-world evidence that facilitates risk-benefit assessment and clinical decision making.

Joey is honoured to receive the 2023 Harold Kalant award for his paper published in Diabetes Care in December 2022. This award serves as a significant a significant recognition of Joey's accomplishments, motivating Joey to pursue further research in the field. Joey hopes to pursue a career in academia, continuing research that maximizes patients' benefits and improves patients' care.

Natasha is a PhD student in the Swardfager lab, studying depression and cognitive changes in people with Type 2 diabetes. She joined the Department as an undergraduate student and she quickly developed an appreciation for neuropsychopharmacology, seeking different research positions at the university and affiliated hospitals. Individuals with diabetes often experience depressive and cognitive symptoms, and current treatments do not prevent these complications. Natasha investigates novel biomarkers as an avenue to uncover potential new therapeutic targets.

Natasha is honoured to receive the 2022 Harold Kalant award for her paper published in Psychoneuroendocrinology in January 2021. This prestigious award serves as a powerful motivator for Natasha, inspiring her to continue to strike towards meaningful contributions to her field. Her ultimate aspiration is to pursue a career in academia and establish her own research group, where she can continue to advance the field and make a positive impact on patients' lives.

Jonathan is a fourth year PhD student in the Salmena lab studying the role of microRNA in prostate cancer. His interest in microRNA and cancer research started in his undergraduate studies and has continues to grow. Cancer is a complex disease akin to a near-unsolvable puzzle. Jonathan hopes to contribute to the solution to this puzzle through his current PhD studies and beyond.

Jonathan is honoured to receive the 2021 Harold Kalant award for his paper published in Genes in August 2020. The late Dr. Kalant set a precedence for research excellence and positive contributions to society through research. This award in his name is a reminder of this legacy. For Jonathan, this award is a reminder of the privilege that we all have, to follow in Dr. Kalant’s footsteps and make positive impacts on those around us through our daily work. Jonathan hopes to have his research group one day to continue pursuing meaningful research questions and inspire the next generation of scientists.

David is a 4th year PhD student in the Andreazza lab studying mitochondrial biogenesis in bipolar disorder, as well as developing novel approaches for autologous mitochondrial transplantation in patients with mitochondrial disease. He is passionate about research in mental health as a result of his own personal experiences, and those of family members and friends. He believes this intersection between patient advocate and researcher allows him to have a unique perspective in his studies. David joined the department as an undergraduate student in 2012 and never left.

David is honoured to receive the inaugural Harold Kalant award for his paper published in npj Schizophrenia in December 2019. This award serves as a reminder to him of the importance of mental health research and the need to continue pushing forward with his work and research. David hopes to continue his career in academia and one day have a lab of his own.