Message from the Chair

Dr. Laurie Ailles
Dr. Laurie Ailles, MBP Chair

Welcome to the Department of Medical Biophysics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Toronto.

Within the pages of this website, you will find information about the department, our research, faculty, students, undergraduate research opportunities and graduate programs.

Before discussing the department, I wish to acknowledge the land on which we operate. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and the department is grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.

Throughout our 50-year history, the Department of Medical Biophysics has addressed important problems in medicine through the application of research disciplines spanning the biological and physical sciences, with an emphasis on basic and translational research. Traditionally, much of our research has been focused on the detection, prevention, and treatment of Cancer, but more recently our faculty are also applying Medical Biophysics research principles to the fields of Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Sciences.

Through our department-wide collaborations, we bring together researchers from diverse scientific areas working on multi-disciplinary projects. In our labs, you will find faculty and students with backgrounds in Molecular and Cell Biology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science and beyond. I encourage you to view the exciting collaborative research being conducted in the department by our amazing faculty and graduate students, defined by ten distinct research themes.

Medical Biophysics students receive training in some of Canada’s top medical research facilities, including the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Research Institute, the Hospital for Sick Children, Techna Institute, Toronto General Hospital and Rotman Research Institute. These institutes provide the department with access to some of the most sophisticated, state-of-the-art research infrastructure in the country.

If you are interested in pursuing studies within our department, we provide learning opportunities in the form of our Summer Student and Graduate programs. I would encourage you to explore the Summer Student Program and Graduate Studies sections of our website to learn more about these programs, including information about program requirements and how to apply. Our staff is dedicated to assisting you throughout the entire admissions process, so if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

MBP values equity and diversity and is continually striving toward building a more inclusive environment for each and every one of our students, staff and faculty. I invite you to share your insights into how we can best promote the equity, diversity, and inclusion goals of the department.

I am extremely proud to serve as Chair of the Department of Medical Biophysics and I invite you to explore all the department has to offer and look forward to meeting you at one of our upcoming open houses.

Laurie Ailles
Professor and Chair
Department of Medical Biophysics
University of Toronto
Email Laurie Ailles
Phone: (416) 581-7868