Eno Hysi  MSc, Biomedical Physics

Research interest:

Eno’s research into red blood aggregation and photoacoustic imaging for cancer detection has been described by one senior researcher in the field as “one of the most innovative approaches seen in decades.” 

Why Ryerson?

I took a gamble six years ago when I came to Ryerson’s for its then brand new and not yet established undergraduate medical physics program. It was the best decision I ever made. As Ryerson grew to enjoy the reputation it maintains today, so did the program. And in that program I found everything I was looking for. When it came time to make the decision to enrol in the graduate program, it was an easy one. I knew I would find excellent research, excellent training and the privilege to be mentored by excellent faculty.

Advice for prospective grad students?

As you search for the right supervisor and the right project, realize that it is the people you will be working with that will impact your future. Your project can rarely advance without the support and encouragement of the individuals around you. At Ryerson’s Biomedical Physics program I found the perfect niche where I was exposed to cutting-edge research and a group of faculty and students who truly wanted to see me succeed. Take the time to observe the environment where you might spend the next 4-5 years of your life. It makes a big difference. 

Where Ryerson will lead him next:

The MD/PhD program at Louisiana State University School of Medicine 

More about Eno here.

Wai Yeung Yan PhD, Civil Engineering

Research interests:

Yan’s doctoral research is bringing increased precision and accuracy to a remote sensing laser technology that scans large topographic areas and has wide-ranging impact on a number of industries from forestry assessment and 3D-city modelling to topographic mapping and disaster management. During his doctoral course work, Yan’s outstanding record of scholarship and research garnered him the prestigious Governor General of Canada’s Gold Medal.

Why Ryerson?

I chose Ryerson because of its highly regarded geomatics engineering graduate program. I wanted to work with and learn from Professor Ahmed Shaker, who is recognized internationally for his satellite sensor modelling and remote sensing applications.

Advice for incoming graduate students?

My advice is simple: arrive to your lab or office on time and put in a full day’s work. Sometimes the solitary nature of research may make you feel isolated but be patient and treasure every opportunity to participate in competitions, give presentations and network with colleagues and other researchers.

Where Ryerson will lead him next:

A post-doctoral fellowship at Ryerson University’s Department of Civil Engineering.

Meera Paleja PhD, Psychology

Research interest:

Meera’s dissertation, Neural networks involved in spatial and temporal pattern separation, provides new direction and perspective into our current understanding of how different regions of the brain interact to support memory formation. Her research may be used to further examine the nature of memory impairment in clinical populations, such as those with Alzheimer’s disease.

Why Ryerson?

There’s a buzz around the new psychological science program and the research that’s happening in the brain imaging and memory lab. The research culture is very open and students are encouraged to pursue a diverse range of research opportunities.

Advice for successfully defending a PhD thesis?

Focus on one thing at a time. To prepare, try to anticipate all the questions that may be asked by your examination committee. I kept a notebook for months to jot down potential questions. Immediately before the presentation, I actually felt quite relaxed. I felt that I had done all I could do to prepare, and had practised the presentation enough to be completely comfortable.

Where Ryerson will lead her next:

A post-doctoral fellowship at McGill University’s Montreal Neurological Institute

More about Meera here and here.
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