It is my pleasure to announce that Professor Azadeh Yadollahi has been appointed to the position of Scientific Director of the Translational Biology and Engineering Program (TBEP), a component of the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research. Azadeh’s five-year appointment began on July 1, 2026.
The Translational Biology and Engineering Program (TBEP) is a highly interdisciplinary research program at the University of Toronto and serves as the university arm of the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research (TRCHR). TBEP brings together engineering, medicine, and the biological sciences to uncover disease mechanisms, develop early diagnostic technologies, and advance therapeutic strategies, including biomaterial, molecular, and cellular approaches, with a particular focus on heart regeneration and heart failure.
Azadeh joined the University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor (Affiliated Scientist) in the Institute of Biomedical Engineering in 2015 and was promoted to Associate Professor (Affiliated Scientist) in 2021. She is a Senior Scientist at University Health Network’s KITE Research Institute. She holds a Canada Research Chair in Cardiorespiratory Engineering.
Azadeh’s international reputation as a biomedical engineer and cardiorespiratory scientist, and her interdisciplinary research advances sleep and cardiorespiratory medicine through the integration of cardiorespiratory physiology, digital health, AI, speech and sound analysis, smart textiles, health equity, and community-based research.
We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Craig Simmons for his eleven years of dedicated service as Scientific Director of TBEP.
Please join us in congratulating Azadeh on her new appointment and thanking Craig for his vision and leadership.
Following the circulation of the recent membership announcement, I am pleased to announce that Professor Dawn Kilkenny’s term as Vice-Dean, First Year has been extended to June 30, 2027. She has served as Vice Dean, First Year since November 1, 2021.
The extension will bring the appointment in line with the academic year. The Advisory Committee will continue to meet and review the portfolio as part of its ongoing work. The process will proceed in accordance with the Policy on Appointment of Academic Administrators, and further updates will be shared with the community in the upcoming months.
I would like to thank the members of the Advisory Committee for their ongoing engagement and thoughtful contributions.
Following the circulation of the recent membership announcement, I am pleased to announce that Professor Heather MacLean’s term as Vice-Dean, Strategic has been extended to June 30, 2027. She has served as Vice Dean, Strategic since November 1, 2021.
The extension will bring the appointment in line with the academic year. The Advisory Committee will continue to meet and review the portfolio as part of its ongoing work. The process will proceed in accordance with the Policy on Appointment of Academic Administrators, and further updates will be shared with the community in the upcoming months.
I would like to thank the members of the Advisory Committee for their ongoing engagement and thoughtful contributions