Virtual Briefing – November 2023
A virtual briefing for Chancellors’ Circle of Benefactors members on November 28, 2023 included a presentation on innovating health care with robotics and artificial intelligence. It was delivered by Professor Goldie Nejat, a professor of mechanical engineering and the Canada Research Chair in Robots for Society. Prof. Nejat’s keynote presentation included, among other topics, discussion on how robotics can strengthen elder care and help address the needs of an aging population.
This year marks the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’s 150th anniversary and, in addition to Professor Nejat’s talk, Dean Christopher Yip provided greetings from the faculty. The members’ briefing also included updates about U of T and the Defy Gravity campaign from President Meric Gertler and Vice-President, Advancement David Palmer.
Virtual Briefing – November 2022
An online briefing for Chancellors’ Circle of Benefactors members on November 24, 2022 included discussion of an exciting initiative to fight infectious disease and future pandemics. The Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC), based at U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was launched to coordinate the expertise and resources of the University and its hospital partners. EPIC Director Scott Gray-Owen led the presentation, which included discussion of the Toronto High Containment Facility (THCF), which houses the only Combined Containment Level 3 Unit in the GTA. A vital biosafety lab, it was one of the first in the world to isolate the coronavirus.
In addition to the keynote presentation by Professor Gray-Owen, the members’ briefing also included updates about U of T and the Defy Gravity campaign from President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten and Vice-President, Advancement David Palmer.
Virtual Briefing – March 2022
A virtual briefing for Chancellors’ Circle of Benefactors members on March 9, 2022 featured a keynote presentation by Professor Ron Deibert entitled Behind the Citizen Lab: Digital Accountability Research from a Human Rights Perspective. The Citizen Lab, which was founded by Professor Deibert and is based in the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, is recognized globally for its investigations into cyber security issues and their impact on human rights. The briefing also included institutional updates from President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten and Vice-President, Advancement David Palmer.
Virtual Briefing – September 2021
The University of Toronto remains committed to informing members of the Chancellors’ Circle of Benefactors about the latest news, breakthroughs and cutting-edge thinking at U of T. A virtual briefing on September 28, 2021 included remarks from President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten and Vice-President, Advancement David Palmer. The event also featured a keynote presentation entitled Healthy Communities, Connected: The Future of Diabetes Prevention and Care. The captivating talk, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin at U of T, was presented by Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe, a leading diabetes researcher, physician, and public health advocate. She is the inaugural director of the University of Toronto Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations, which takes a population-based approach to examine the root causes of diabetes and other serious chronic diseases.
Virtual Briefing – November 2020
Liberating Health Data in a Digital World is one in a series of “Virtual Briefings” organized exclusively for Chancellors’ Circle of Benefactors members. This timely and fascinating talk by Professor Gillian K. Hadfield explores the critical topic of data governance and the use of machine learning for health. A world-leader in AI and its social impact, Prof. Hadfield is a professor of law and strategic management at the University of Toronto and the inaugural director of the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society.