The data science and AI community was aglow on January 22 as a standing room only crowd of industry leaders, researchers and top data science and AI talent gathered for the Talent Showcase at the University of Toronto Data Sciences Institute (DSI).
The Data Sciences & AI Talent Showcase is a unique opportunity for companies and organizations to build new connections with emerging data researchers equipped with cutting-edge skills. This is a way to engage with talent beyond resumes and interviews – companies can see talent in action.
Representatives from organizations across a range of sectors engaged with DSI scholars trained in data sciences, and AI methods and tools that align with industry needs. Industry Partner AstraZeneca Canada, sponsors BMO and Global Affairs Canada brought with them opportunities to recruit, collaborate and connect, and shared perspectives and opportunities.
The poster session showcased applied research from undergraduate and doctoral students, and postdoctoral fellows. Drawn from across the U of T and research institute partners, their projects spanned AI and ML, health and genomics, environment and sustainability, policy and governance, and the physical sciences.
For Sejal Bhalla, a DSI Doctoral Student Fellow who presented Utilizing Speech as a Biosignal for Monitoring Respiratory Health and Beyond, the Showcase was an opportunity to learn from peers and multiple industry perspectives. “I work a lot on health monitoring, and I wanted to learn what kind of career options AstraZeneca Canada offers, what kind of research, what kind of R&D they are invested in right now, and find where there’s an overlap. And it was also interesting to see Global Affairs Canada and see both an industry and government perspective, see what kind of things the government is doing within the data science and AI space.”
Noor Khan, a Summer Undergraduate Data Science (SUDS) Scholar, prepared her poster, Examining the Impact of Built Environment Factors on Breast Cancer Risk among BRCA Mutation Carriers in Canada by applying the skills she developed through SUDS.
“Through SUDS I learned a lot about programming, Python, different languages that I could use. I also learned a lot about machine learning and different data science elements that apply to my own research at Women’s College Hospital.”
Dr. Nardin Samuel delivered the keynote, reflecting on the transition from academic research to real-world application, with a focus on identifying meaningful research gaps and translating scientific insight into practical tools. Dr. Samuel is a physician-scientist, neurology resident, and the visionary CEO & Co-founder of Cove Neurosciences, a groundbreaking software venture transforming how brain data is analyzed. Drawing on her experience working at the intersection of neuroscience, data science, and technology, she discussed the lessons learned from navigating commercialization without formal business training.
The Showcase featured Daniel Smedley, Vice President, Innovation & Business Excellence and IT at AstraZeneca Canada, a DSI Industry Partner. AstraZeneca Canada is collaborating with — and investing in — emerging talent who share their vision of using data to transform science and deliver life-changing medicines.
“Partnering with the DSI enables AstraZeneca to create greater patient impact through pharmaceutical innovation shaped by data, AI, and advanced analytics. Through this partnership, AstraZeneca plays a key role in the DSI Talent Showcase, Industry Speaker Series and as a partner for collaboration.
Leadership from sponsors BMO Canada and Global Affairs Canada were also looking to recruit from among DSI-affiliated undergraduate and doctoral students, and postdoctoral fellows.
Madeleine Bonsma-Fisher, a DSI Postdoctoral Fellow whose poster, Bicycle route choice modelling in Toronto, won the Showcase prize for Outstanding Research Question and Impact, reflected on what it meant to be part of the showcase after her win.
“It’s so nice to be at an event like this where there’s people from all different sectors, like industry, government, research, across so many disciplines. It’s a really energizing space and it’s just great to be a part of it. It’s a pleasure to talk about my research and talk to curious people who are doing so many cool things.”
Lisa Strug, Director, Data Sciences Institute, reflects on the Showcase’s impact. “The inspirational Showcase is a testament to DSI’s mandate to help shape the evolution of the data science field and the University of Toronto’s leadership role bringing data science and AI training to new domains and organizations.”
The Data Sciences Institute welcomes industry leaders ready to be part of future collaborations. Our Industry Partnership model connects industry leaders with top-tier data science, fostering collaboration through industry engagement and trainee development opportunities. Organizations gain direct access to exceptional students and researchers, strengthening their presence in the next generation of data-driven talent. See our Industry Partnership Model and contact parterships.dsi@utoronto.ca to get started.
Thank you to our
Industry Partner
Thank you to our sponsors
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