Summer Student - Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research
Company Description
UHN is Canada's No. 1 hospital and the world's No. 1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members. UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.
UHN's vision is to build A Healthier World and its only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.
Job Description
Summer student position to support the following study: Single Best Estimation of Right Ventricular Function in Advanced Heart Failure
Union: Non-Union
Site: Toronto General Hospital
Department: Cardiology
Reports to: Dr. Dr. Susanna Mak
Work Model: Hybrid
Grade: A0:90
Hours: 35
Salary: 17.20 - $20.30 per hour. Start rate non-negotiable. (To commensurate with experience and consistent with UHN compensation policy)
Shifts: Monday to Friday
Status: Temporary Full-time
Closing Date: March 3rd, 2025
Job Details:
This studentship experience takes place in the Cardiac Catheterization Clinical Research Laboratory at Sinai Health/University Health Network. The overriding objective is to improve physiology based tools to predict right ventricular failure in patients with heart failure, undergoing advanced therapies. The tools can be utilized with data obtained from clinically indicated right heart catheterization RHC. Thus a clinical goal is to increase the diagnostic utility of the pre-transplant RHC.
The student joins an ongoing project recruiting patients referred for RHC for evaluation for candidacy of advanced HF therapies. We administered a vasodilator challenge under a revised threshold of PH, indicated by the World Symposium for Pulmonary Hypertension as mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) > 20mmHg10. Signals collected included hemodynamic parameters, including right atrial, right ventricular, and pulmonary artery pressure waveforms that were continuously recorded and are stored for offline analysis. These data are employed for the calculation of RV:PA coupling using a single beat method. The student will join the team that includes a mechanical engineering graduate student to post process the hemodynamic signals acquired. We are collaborating with Dr. Alba at UHN to identify the outcomes of these patients, and have 2 general internal medical residents conducting that aspect of the project. We have been recruiting patients since 2021. As such, the cohort of patients has reached our target sample size of 74 patients, with approximately 70% with at least 1 year follow up.
The student will have access to office space, signals, programs for data analysis and regular meetings with the aforementioned team. The student will also gain exposure to a clinical environment with multidisciplinary personnel. The student's role will be to assist in programming, signal processing and data analysis.
Educational Objectives:
Gain a detailed understanding of the clinical syndrome of heart failure, including the pathophysiology of heart chamber dysfunction, the effect on patients including their journey of care, the determinants of prognosis, and the evaluation of patients who may benefit from advanced therapies, including heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support.
Learn the principles of pressure volume loop analysis as they apply to cardiac chamber function.
Work with a multidisciplinary team both for clinical and research goals.
Understand the application of signal processing to clinical cardiovascular research.
Proposed deliverables at the end of the placement:
The student will analyze pressure-time signals stored for off line analysis.
The student will participate in collating the physiological signals with clinical endpoints, guided by the graduate students and medical residents on the project.
The student will have the opportunity to prepare an abstract both for the student showcase, as well as for submission to a national or international scientific meeting.
The student will earn authorship for manuscripts arising from this project.
Qualifications
Undergraduate student in a STEM program with a good cumulative GPA. A program in biomedical engineering is preferred, with previous experience in working with health care technology, devices, or signal processing. We are looking for students with previous experience working in a team environment, experience with scientific writing, who demonstrates excellent communication skills and who have career goals aligned with the project objectives.
Student must be legally able to work in Canada full time during the position
Additional Information
Why join UHN?
In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.
- Competitive offer packages
- Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
- Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
- A flexible work environment
- Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
- Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)
Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.
Vaccines (COVID and others) are a requirement of the job unless you have an exemption on a medical ground pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.
UHN is a respectful, caring, and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity and equal opportunity. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known in advance. Any information received related to an accommodation will be addressed confidentially.
University Health Network thanks all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.
UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.
Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.
UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.