Seeing a future in medical imaging
Competitive figure skater and student Kaitlyn Sims embraces medical physics pathway
How does a high school student develop an interest so specific that they seek out a specialized medical physics program? For Kaitlyn Sims, personal experience with medical imaging on her ankle as a provincially ranked competitive figure skater tweaked a curiosity that is quickly becoming a career.
Naturally, Sims’ favourite course was third-year PCS 405 Medical Imaging because it focused on the physics behind imaging devices like X-rays, CT and MRI machines. Other undergraduate highlights include taking on research assistantships funded by the National Engineering and Science Research Council (NSERC) with physics professor Jesse Tanguay, who she also worked with on her fourth-year thesis project. “We spent a lot of time together; I truly do look up to him as a mentor,” says Sims.
As a commuter student, Sims made a point of getting involved with her faculty. She was part of the medical physics course union, a member of TMU's Women in Physics student group, and a student representative on the department's undergraduate standing affairs committee. She also figure skated with the TMU Bold varsity team!
Before her first year in TMU’s master’s program in physics, Sims spent the summer working in the medical physics department at the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton under the Harold E. Johns Studentship program of Cancer Care Ontario. Her next steps include applying to medical school. Already, Sims has been recognized with the 2022/23 Alumni Award for Women in Physics, an NSERC award and the inaugural Concord Scholarship for Elite Women in Physics.
“The awards definitely encouraged me to keep going. I used the money to help apply for graduate school, so that little push showed me that what I'm doing is working, encouraged me to keep pursuing excellence in physics research, and that I should keep spreading awareness of women in physics and stay involved within the department and the community.”
In her high school competitive figure skating career, Sims rose to 9th in Ontario and among the top 20 figure skaters in Canada.