Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

“You may be confronted with opportunities that are different from what you were expecting... but the uncertainties that I have pushed through have resulted in some of the most rewarding experiences of my career.”

As convocation speaker, Dimitris Polygenis, U of T Pharmacy alum and president of McKesson Canada, encouraged graduates to embrace unexpected opportunities and remain open to where their careers may lead.

Drawing on a career that has spanned pharmacy, health care consulting, and executive leadership, Dimitris shared how the curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, and problem-solving skills developed through pharmacy education can create impact across the profession.

To conclude our 2026 convocation series, we're reflecting on his message to the Class of 2026: embrace uncertainty, stay curious, and trust that unexpected opportunities can lead to meaningful impact.

Read more: https://www.pharmacy.utoronto.ca/news-announcements/convocation-speaker-dimitris-polygenis-encourages-graduates-embrace-unexpected-opportunities

Convocation speaker Dimitris Polygenis encourages graduates to embrace unexpected opportunities McKesson Canada president and U of T pharmacy alum shared how pharmacists can apply learnings and values across the profession.

Earlier this month, our faculty welcomed four visiting pharmacist fellows from Hong Kong for a two-week exchange focused on pharmacy practice, education, and research: Gladys Daphne Cheung, pharmacist at The University of Hong Kong; P*k Yu Priscilla Chuen, pharmacist at 基督教靈實協會 Haven of Hope Christian Service; Ching Yee Junie Ko, pharmacist at Aberdeen Kai-Fong Welfare Association Ltd; and Ka Shing Mak, pharmacy services manager at 醫護行社區藥房 Health In Action Community Pharmacy.

During their visit, the fellows participated in activities at the Discovery Pharmacy, visited community and clinical pharmacy sites, met with faculty members, and observed courses in our Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program.

As part of their visit, the fellows delivered a presentation on the development of primary care pharmacy services in Hong Kong, sharing insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the profession. They discussed efforts to strengthen primary health care through expanded pharmacist-led services, innovative community pharmacy models, medication management programs, immunization training, and partnerships between the University of Hong Kong and non-governmental organizations.

The presentation sparked meaningful discussion about the evolving role of pharmacists in primary care and the value of collaboration among health care providers, community organizations, educators, and policymakers in improving access to care.

“On behalf of the HKU Primary Care Fellowship team, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy members who contributed to and participated in the program over the past two weeks. The visits, discussions, and teaching sessions provided our team with valuable insights into models of primary care, pharmacist-led services and approaches to education that will inform our work in Hong Kong. We look forward to staying connected and exploring future opportunities for collaboration and exchange.”

Thank you to our visiting fellows for sharing their experiences and perspectives. We are grateful for the opportunity to meet and learn from colleagues who are helping shape the future of primary care pharmacy.

“This research demonstrates the feasibility of a multi-objective AI model – the first of its kind in the mRNA delivery and mRNA medicine fields.”

Published in Nature Biotechnology, Assistant Professor Bowen Li and his research team introduced MOLEA, a multi-objective AI platform designed to engineer more selective lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery.

As a proof of concept, the team used MOLEA to identify a lipid nanoparticle capable of delivering mRNA gene editing tools to cartilage cells in the knee while minimizing uptake by the liver, highlighting the platform’s potential to address multiple objectives in mRNA medicine and delivery.

Read more:

New multi-objective AI platform advances targeted delivery of mRNA therapies Tool developed in Bowen Li’s lab designs lipid nanoparticles that are delivered to specific cartilage cells and not taken up by liver, minimizing off-target effects.

Featured in the Canadian Cancer Society's Eldorado Gold Daffodil Moment, Professor Raymond Reilly shares his research on the use of gold nanoparticles to improve cancer treatment alongside the story of triple-negative breast cancer survivor and University of Toronto Pharmacy alumna, Ruth Ackerman.

Watch:

How Dr Reilly Is Using Gold Nanoparticles To Improve Cancer Treatment The Eldorado Gold Daffodil Moment features Dr. Raymond Reilly who i...

Associate Professor Keith Pardee joined CBC/Radio-Canada Yukon Morning to discuss how on-site biomanufacturing could improve access to research tools and support innovation and education in remote communities, including the Yukon.

By enabling biomanufacturing outside traditional laboratory infrastructure, there is greater potential for scientific discovery and hands-on learning in resource-limited and remote environments.

Listen: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-393-yukon-morning/clip/16219622-we-learn-project-making-laboratory-research-cost-effective-rural

Associate Professor Mina Tadrous co-authored a new viewpoint in JAMA Internal Medicine examining how Canada’s early approval of generic semaglutide could inform drug competition and policy in the United States.

Read more: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2850103

“It was very fitting that life took me down this journey in maternal and prenatal health research and that I could come to Toronto to study and make an impact in a field that is so important to me.”

Inspired by his family's experience, PhD graduate Shenthuraan Tharmarajah dedicated his research to improving pregnancy outcomes for people with rheumatic conditions.

Using real-world evidence from Ontario, his research found that exposure to antirheumatic therapy before and during pregnancy was not associated with adverse outcomes for mothers and babies, providing important evidence to help guide treatment decisions during pregnancy.

Continuing our 2026 convocation series, we're celebrating Shenthuraan's contributions to maternal and prenatal health research and the impact of his work on patient care.

Read more: https://www.pharmacy.utoronto.ca/news-announcements/pharmsci-graduates-research-provides-evidence-guide-maternal-health-care

PharmSci graduate’s research provides evidence to guide maternal health care Shenthuraan Tharmarajah’s family experience inspired his research to improve pregnancy outcomes for people with rheumatic conditions.