Sara Ahmed (BME PhD/MD candidate) is the recipient of the 2023 Adel S. Sedra Distinguished Graduate Award.  

The award, which is part of the University of Toronto’s Awards of Excellence program, provides a fellowship of up to $25,000 annually to a doctoral student who demonstrates outstanding academic and extracurricular leadership. Ahmed was recognized for her exceptional achievements and dedication to academic pursuits, research and outreach initiatives. 

Ahmed’s PhD is focused on investigating the applications of nanomedicine in cancer treatment. Her research aims to enhance drug delivery to tumours, with the goal of improving patient outcomes and quality of life.  

In addition to her academic pursuits, Ahmed has shown a deep commitment to outreach initiatives that aim to increase underrepresented student demographics in medicine and academia.  

She works closely with the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s Community of Support to develop programs that build student competencies for pursuing research opportunities, graduate school and professional programs. She is especially dedicated to increasing the representation of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds in medicine. 

“Sara’s passion for her research and outreach initiatives is truly inspiring, and her impact on the academic and wider community is undeniable,” says Warren Chan, Director of U of T’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering. 

“We are delighted to see her recognized as the winner of this year’s Adel S. Sedra Distinguished Graduate Award. We are confident that she will continue to make meaningful contributions to her field and society.”