Trainees recognized for research, leadership and impact
Our trainees continue to make an impact through their research, leadership and commitment to improving child health. Over the past several months, they have received national awards and fellowships, shared their work at conferences and events and been recognized as emerging leaders in the field.
Recent highlights include Catherine Stratton and Fareha Nishat presenting their research at the Connaught PhDs for Public Impact Fellowship Showcase, Natasha Henriques being named a 2026-27 Connaught PhDs for Public Impact Fellow, Erica Wennberg receiving two awards for excellence in child and youth mental health research, Sarah Silverberg serving as a panelist at the 2026 SickKids Paediatrics Research Symposium, and Fatemeh Khorramrouz receiving an award for her poster presentation at the International Behavioural Trials Network Conference.
Please join us in celebrating these trainees and their outstanding achievements in child health research.
Knowledge Mobilization and Community Engagement Specialist, Priscilla Medeiros, attended the Connaught PhDs for Public Impact Fellowship Showcase on June 3, where several Centre trainees were recognized for their approaches to community-engaged research and knowledge mobilization.
Leong Studentship Award recipients Fareha Nishat and Catherine Stratton, PhD candidates in Epidemiology at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, showcased projects supported through their 2025-26 Connaught Fellowships. Their work focuses on advancing patient-led rare disease registries and amplifying the voices of youth with disabilities through accessible, co-created knowledge mobilization initiatives.
The Centre is also pleased to congratulate Natasha Henriques, a Leong Scholar, on being named a 2026-27 Connaught PhDs for Public Impact Fellow. Natasha's project will mobilize research on the transition from paediatric to adult care for youth with medical complexity through co-designed knowledge tools and a national workshop developed in partnership with families and health system leaders. You can read more about her proposed project on the Connaught PhDs for Public Impact Fellows webpage.
Erica Wennberg, a Leong Scholar and Studentship Award recipient, received two awards recognizing her research in child and youth mental health.
At the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation's Research & Impact Day last month, Erica received the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre Child Health Equity Award for her research exploring patient and provider perspectives on virtual mental health care for youth and young adults. Supported by a Leong Centre Studentship Award, the project engaged a youth advisory group and identified key equity considerations shaping experiences of care.
Erica also received the Pat Martens Student Memorial Prize from the Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research (CAHSPR) Perinatal, Child and Adolescent Health Theme Group for the top doctoral student abstract in child and adolescent health. The award recognized her research comparing virtual and in-person follow-up care for youth receiving mental health services.
Dr. Sarah Silverberg is a Leong Scholar and PhD student in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. She joined a panel of experts as the trainee representative at the 2026 SickKids Paediatrics Research Symposium on May 13.
Alongside fellow panelists, Sarah discussed her experiences navigating a clinician-scientist career path, the importance of mentorship and the value of community engagement and partnerships in conducting impactful research. She completed her medical degree at the University of Toronto and her pediatric residency at the University of British Columbia.
“I had the opportunity to participate in the panel and share my experiences about my thesis work, in which I have engaged with public health and government decision makers to design my planned research and how I plan to continue working with them as we generate results.”
Fatemeh Khorramrouz, a Leong Scholar and Studentship Award recipient, attended the International Behavioural Trials Network Summer School and Conference in Montreal from May 3-9.
The summer school provided advanced training in behavioural trial methodologies and strategies to expand the impact of behavioural medicine research. At the conference, which brought together behavioural scientists from more than 80 countries, Fatemeh presented her research study, "Supporting Parents to Promote Healthy Behaviors in Children (Parents Together)". The study evaluates a virtual parenting program delivered by public health nurses to promote healthy behaviours among children and families. In recognition of her work, Fatemeh received the Cardiometabolic Health, Diabetes and Obesity Research Network Award of Merit for Outstanding Poster Presentation.