From left to right, top to bottom: Computer Engineering student Saarah Erfany, Biomedical Science student Catherine Arguello, Biomedical Science student Yustyna Hankevych and Computer Science student Aswah Butt.
iBEST is pleased to welcome the fifth cohort of trainees participating in the Women in STEM Summer Internship program. This initiative provides third year female identifying undergraduate students from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science at Toronto Metropolitan University with hands-on research experience in interdisciplinary environments, while building the technical and professional skills required for careers in science, technology, engineering, and medicine.
The 2026 cohort reflects a strong mix of academic backgrounds and research interests across computer science, biomedical sciences, and engineering. Each trainee will be embedded within leading research labs across the iBEST network, contributing to active projects while gaining exposure to real-world research challenges.
Meet the 2026 Cohort
Aswah Butt is an undergraduate student in Computer Science, with interests in software engineering, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interaction. She will be working with Dr. Glaucia Melo and Dr. Benita Hosseini on a project examining how large language models interpret health-related data and generate explanations for patients and clinicians. Her work will focus on evaluating accuracy, bias, and loss of nuance in AI-generated summaries, with an emphasis on reliability and equity in automated health communication.
Yustyna Hankevych is a third-year Biomedical Sciences student with experience in both laboratory and clinical research settings. She will be working with Dr. Darius Rackus and Dr. Rajeev Muni on optimizing point-of-care sensors for ophthalmology. The project focuses on improving biomarker detection by refining sensor performance in complex sample environments.
Catherine Arguello is a second-year Biomedical Science student. She will be working under Dr. Marc Adler and Dr. Warren Lee on developing methods to synthesize deuterated cholesterol and track its transport across endothelial cells using Raman spectroscopy. This work contributes to understanding mechanisms linked to cardiovascular disease. Catherine is interested in pursuing a career in forensic science and views this opportunity as a key step in that direction.
Saarah Erfany is a Computer Engineering student who will be working with Dr. Naimul Khan and Dr. Jane Topolevec-Vranic on an AI-driven digital transformation of a patient care needs assessment tool. The project involves developing a secure web application and applying data science methods to better align patient care needs with healthcare staffing models.
This year’s cohort builds on the momentum of previous years, further strengthening iBEST’s commitment to advancing and supporting emerging talent in STEM. In addition to their research, trainees will participate in structured programming focused on professional development, mentorship, and community building.
With this fifth cohort, iBEST and the Leacross Foundation reaffirm their shared commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. These internships provide students with more than research experience by expanding access to professional networks, exposing them to advanced methodologies, and positioning them as emerging contributors to the future of healthcare.
