Toronto Metropolitan University faculty secure Early Researcher Awards
Professors Linda Rothman (top right), Dafna Sussman (bottom left) and Ian Young (bottom right) have been selected for prestigious Early Researcher Awards.
Three faculty members from Toronto Metropolitan University will build research teams and examine topics that improve health and safety with the support of the prestigious Ontario-wide Early Researcher Awards program. The highly competitive provincial program advances innovative projects being undertaken by early career scholars while providing opportunities for student training.
Two of the awards went to researchers from the School of Occupational and Public Health, professors Linda Rothman and Ian Young. Professor Dafna Sussman from the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering was the third award recipient from the university.
“I’m pleased to congratulate professors Rothman, Sussman and Young on achieving this recognition as emerging leaders in their disciplines,” said Steven N. Liss, vice-president, research and innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University. “These funding successes will propel impactful research that will benefit Ontarians by building resilience and improving health and well-being across the province.”
Professor Rothman will lead several interrelated studies addressing recent trends in active transportation and motor vehicle collisions with pedestrians and cyclists. Her team will investigate the risk factors involved in vehicle collisions with child pedestrians and evaluate the effectiveness of road environment safety interventions. They will also examine issues of equity as well as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on transportation.
Professor Sussman and her team will use machine learning tools and medical imaging to improve the diagnosis and prognosis of maternal fetal conditions such as placenta accreta spectrum disorders, with the aim of reducing health-care costs while improving health outcomes. The tools will be applied to a framework for use as part of a comprehensive gestational prognostication package.
As extreme weather events occur more frequently due to climate change, the risks of food and water-borne illnesses may increase due to events like flooding or power outages. Professor Young and his team will evaluate and enhance Ontario residents’ preparedness with regard to food and water safety at home and in emergencies.
Learn more about the Early Researcher Awards program. (external link, opens in new window)
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