by Kristen Ashworth, Kyla Trkulja, Suraiya Mangra, and Nayaab Punjani

Summer 2025 is here, and so is the newest issue of the IMS Magazine! 

This issue is dedicated to the complex and evolving world of reproductive health. Our viewpoint articles offer a versatile array of perspectives highlighting some of the most pressing and pertinent challenges in the field. From the “morality tax” of emergency contraception, to the global crisis in abortion accessibility, to the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of women’s reproductive conditions, and the past and current landscape of embryonic stem cell research–all topics encompass both the tensions and breakthroughs changing reproductive science as we know it.

We also explore research in reproductive health currently underway here at the Institute of Medical Science. For this issue, we feature the research of Dr. Mrinalini Balki, an obstetric anesthesiologist at Mount Sinai Hospital, who is exploring the use of oxytocin to train myometrial contractility and ultimately improve maternal outcomes during childbirth. In addition, we highlight the work of Dr. Keith Jarvi, Chief of Urology at Mount Sinai Hospital, whose research is transforming the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility by uncovering its genetic foundations.

Meanwhile, the start of the summer in graduate school is often signalled by thesis defenses and some bittersweet goodbyes to graduating lab mates. At the IMS Magazine, we too must say some longing farewells. Suraiya Mangra, Co-Editor-in-Chief for 2024–2025, and Kiko Huang, Executive Editor, will both be dearly missed as they go on to defend their Master’s this summer. We wish them the absolute best as they embark on exciting new chapters.

As the outgoing Editor-in-Chief, Suraiya leaves behind an enduring legacy at the IMS Magazine–one shaped by dedicated leadership and a deep passion for the work we do. Suraiya had some heartfelt parting words to share:

“At the beginning of my graduate school journey, I never imagined I would have the privilege of sharing my passion for science communication and leading such a talented team of journalists, editors, and designers as IMS Magazine‘s Editor-in-Chief. From our record-breaking student and reader engagement to our first successful Fall launch party and OGS workshop, I am thrilled to have contributed to the magazine’s most exciting and impactful year thus far. Most of all, I want to express my gratitude directly to my fellow Co-Editors-in-Chief, Kyla and Kristen, our executive team, contributors, event collaborators, and our IMS faculty: we’ve built such a strong sense of community, and working with you all has all truly been the highlight of my IMS experience. Although it feels bittersweet to be closing this chapter as both a graduate student and as an Editor-in-Chief, I’m proud of everything our team has accomplished and I’m excited to see how the IMS Magazine flourishes going forward!” – Suraiya Mangra 

With some departures comes an exciting addition to the Editor-in-Chief team: we’re thrilled to welcome Nayaab Punjani, who has been a key member of the IMS Magazine for the past several years. She had some words to share as she steps into this new role:

“When I joined the Institute of Medical Science back in 2020, it was the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—an era of scientific miscommunication and confusion. The IMS Magazine provide an opportunity for me to contribute towards enhancing the lay delivery of research, while also building my scientific writing skills. Starting off as a copy editor, then journalist for feature and spotlight articles, it has been an amazing journey. Watching the IMS Magazine team grow, while also being able to connect with faculty and students and learn about the amazing, diverse translational research we have here at the IMS has been invaluable. I joined the executive team as the Features Executive Editor last year in 2024, having had a taste for the work that goes on behind the scenes to produce each magazine issue. I am excited to be joining Kyla and Kristen as a Co-Editor-in-Chief for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year and I look forward to seeing the team continue to flourish and grow!” – Nayaab Punjani

Good luck Suraiya! We will miss you so much, but your future is so bright. And welcome Nayaab to the EIC team, we are so lucky to have you. 

As always, thank you to all of our journalists and editors for their unwavering hard work on the Summer issue, and to our Design team, for their creativity and care in bringing it to life. We hope you enjoy this issue!

Sincerely,

Kristen Ashworth

Kristen is a PhD student studying the use of a human-based retinal organoid model to investigate cell therapies for genetic eye disease under the supervision of Dr. Brian Ballios at the Krembil Research Institute.

Twitter: @K_Ashworth01

Kyla Trkulja

Kyla is a PhD student studying the mechanism of action of novel therapies for lymphoma under the supervision of Dr. Armand Keating, Dr. John Kuruvilla, and Dr. Rob Laister.

Twitter: @kylatrkulja_

Suraiya Mangra

Suraiya is a 2^nd year MSc student investigating the effects of neuromodulation interventions on brain morphology in patients with neurodegenerative disorders at the Krembil Research Institute under the supervision of Dr. Andres Lozano.

Nayaab Punjani

Nayaab is a PhD student examining a neuroprotective drug therapy for cervical-level traumatic spinal cord injury at the Krembil Research Institute under the supervision of Dr. Michael Fehings.

Twitter: @nayaab_punjani