The IMS Magazine’s Fall Issue Launch Party: Celebrating the Accomplishments of Our IMS Community Members

By Suraiya Mangra, Kyla Trkulja, & Kristen Ashworth

Graphic design by Lauren Jones

Since its founding in 2011, the IMS Magazine has focused on the publication of quarterly issues that highlight the achievements of IMS students, faculty, and alumni. Upon publication, the articles are shared in print and online—but an in-person element to celebrate the individuals highlighted in the issue was missing. This year, the IMS Magazine leadership team had a vision to change that with the first-ever launch party, which brought the Hart House Music Room to life on November 21st, 2024, as students and faculty gathered to meet the IMS Magazine team members, designers, and those featured in the Fall 2024 issue of the magazine focused on Cardiovascular Health. The party marked a massive milestone in our team’s journey by bringing the IMS community to showcase the combined efforts that brought this recent issue together.

The front of the Hart House Music Room was organized to create a warm and welcoming space for introductory remarks and the panel discussion

While the aim of the IMS Magazine has always been to bring research within IMS to a wider audience, the magazine’s goal going into this academic year was to also be recognized as a student group outside of the seasonal issues we produce by getting directly involved in the IMS community. The launch party provided a pivotal opportunity to do this, especially in the midst of the largest team growth the magazine has ever experienced.

The evening began with some opening remarks from IMS Director Dr. Mingyao Liu, an enthusiastic supporter of the magazine since its founding. Dr. Liu emphasized the significance of this event, bringing people together in-person to showcase the work being done both by the IMS Magazine team and those highlighted in the most recent issue. After a warm reflection on how far the magazine has come over the last 13 years, Dr. Liu expressed his gratitude towards the community at IMS, and how events that bring everyone together are what make the program stand out among others.

Dr. Mingyao Liu providing the opening remarks for the launch party

Following his statement, us editors-in-chief gave a brief overview on the founding, evolution, and goals of the magazine before introducing the members of this year’s executive and design teams. Despite many of the members of both teams stepping into their roles in September, they have worked tirelessly to ensure the successful release of this Fall 2024 issue. The editors then gave an overview of the articles and IMS students, faculty, and alumni featured in this most recent issue—which was also significant due to it revisiting Cardiovascular Health, a topic covered 10 years ago in 2014. It was inspiring to see the changes in perspective and new developments in the field since then.

The 2024/2025 IMS Magazine leadership team: Lizabeth Teshler, Nayaab Punjani, Kyla Trkulja, Suraiya Mangra, Kristen Ashworth, Kevan Clifford, and Kiko Huang

Of course, this evolution from the previous edition to now would not have been possible if not for the hard work of our faculty, student, and alumni contributors, some of which kindly agreed to join us for a panel discussion to share their insights and perspectives. Dr. Osami Honjo and Dr. Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan, two IMS faculty members whose research was featured, as well as our alumni and faculty spotlights, Dr. Aadil Ali and Dr. Tony George, engaged in an insightful discussion about the challenges to research and scientific careers, future directions in the field, and provided their advice to budding scientists and trainees in the IMS community. The discussions were filled with interesting topics such as the strategic use (and cautionary tales) of artificial intelligence (AI) in research, planning the next steps in our careers after graduating from IMS and whether students should consider remaining in Canada or relocating elsewhere, and the importance of having dedicated mentors that will allow us to achieve our potential. Attendees were filled with hope and optimism in the end, enthused by a conversation that was educational and stimulating, which set the tone for the rest of the evening.

IMS Director and Associate Director, Dr. Mingyao Liu and Dr. Lucy Osborne, with the IMS Magazine editors-in-chief and panelists featured in the Fall 2024 issue, Dr. Osami Honjo, Dr. Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan, Dr. Aadil Ali, and Dr. Tony George

After the panel discussion, microphones were turned off, music was turned on, and the room was buzzing with people networking and socializing with the panelists and other IMS community members over hors d’oeuvres. Conversation and laughter filled the room as attendees got to know the IMS Magazine journalists, designers, and executives, as well as those featured in the Fall 2024 issue and others involved in IMS leadership. Connections were made between many members of the IMS community, making the event a huge success, and one that will be continued every Fall in the years to come.