The KITE Research Institute

03/17/2026

Join us on March 24th for an inspiring in-person event at KITE's Innovations Gallery!

Presented by the Fabric Based Research Platform (FIBRE), the EMBS Toronto Chapter, and KITE Creates, this gathering brings together an exciting blend of science, technology, design, and healthcare innovation.

We are thrilled to welcome Professor Kai Yang and Gillian Lake-Thompson from the Wi******er School of Art’s E‑Textiles in Healthcare Innovation Lab (University of Southampton, UK). They will share insights into their groundbreaking lab, current research, and emerging opportunities at the intersection of fashion, textiles, and health technologies.

This informal talk and open discussion is a fantastic opportunity for our community—scientists, healthcare professionals, textile innovators, and fashion creatives—to meet, exchange ideas, and spark new collaborations.
Come connect, be inspired, and explore what’s possible when disciplines weave together.

Learn more and register here: https://hubs.li/Q0471RtW0

03/03/2026

We're excited to announce three new researchers at UHN's KITE Research Institute hired through the University Health Network's Canada Leads program.

Canada Leads is an ambitious effort to attract 100 of the world’s most promising early-career researchers to UHN—thanks to generous support from UHN Foundation and The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

The first postdoctoral scientists joining KITE through the program are:
• Dr. Omid Aghababaei Tafreshi, who is refining a custom‑fitted oral device that senses airway collapse during sleep and uses painless functional electrical stimulation to restore breathing;
• Dr. Michael Ryne Horn, who is studying how specific electrical signals influence nerve activity, which could help reduce chronic pain and improve function;
• and Dr. Ambika Bansal, PhD, who is studying how to reduce motion sickness in virtual environments and driving under challenging conditions.

“KITE is committed to developing and commercializing groundbreaking medical technology here in Canada,” said Dr. Milos R. Popovic, Director of the KITE Research Institute. “We are delighted to welcome three Canada Leads researchers and look forward to more brilliant minds joining us.”

Read the full story at https://hubs.li/Q045f-PC0

02/26/2026

We are proud to announce the launch of the Adaptive Fashion Alliance, Canada (afac)—a new initiative dedicated to strengthening national coordination and accelerating innovation in adaptive fashion. The Alliance aims to build a connected ecosystem that brings evidence, design, and lived experience together to drive meaningful, scalable impact.

The Alliance’s inaugural event on March 6 includes a keynote address and a panel discussion presented by Kite Creates (KITE), Fabric Based Research Platform (FIBRE), and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).

The panel will be moderated by Caron Bitter‑Phinney, Assistant Professor of Design, Technology, and Diversity at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Fashion. It includes panellists who bring perspectives from design, retail, start‑up innovation, academia, and lived experience:
- Izzy Camilleri, a celebrated Canadian fashion designer and pioneer in adaptive clothing
- Mellissa Kuforiji, founder and CEO of XYZips
- Andrea Wurster, Vice President, Silverts Adaptive Clothing & Footwear
- Anthony Lue, accessibility advocate and keynote speaker known for his message of inclusion and perseverance

Find all the details and secure your tickets at https://hubs.li/Q044NDZY0.

11/19/2025

What makes one fabric drape beautifully while another feels structured and strong?

This session takes participants into the world of fabric engineering with hands-on swatches to feel and compare. We’ll explore the properties of woven and knitted fabrics, how construction impacts stretch, durability, and comfort, and even uncover the real-world considerations of cost and longevity in bulk production.

Join us on November 26 as KITE Creates teams up with Dr. Saiful Hoque to share how the science of fabric structure plays a role in engineering comfort.

Attendees can enjoy tea, coffee, and light snacks throughout the events, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for learning and connection! 🍪 ☕

Reserve your free ticket here: https://hubs.li/Q03V3Ttf0

11/18/2025

We’re thrilled to share that UHN’s KITE Research Institute is a member of the World Health Organization’s new Disability Health Equity Network!

This global network brings together 147 organizations that are leaders in the disability space and committed to advancing WHO’s mission to reduce health inequities for the 1.3 billion people worldwide living with disabilities.

Last week, Anthony Palma, KITE’s Director of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives, and Dr. Azadeh Yadollahi, Senior Scientist at KITE and leader of FIBRE, represented KITE at the network’s kick-off meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

“We’re honoured to be part of this initiative,” says Palma. “It was inspiring to collaborate with others who share our vision for a more equitable world for people with disabilities and to begin to work together to amplify our impact. We’re excited for KITE to help drive meaningful global change through this network.”

11/12/2025

What’s the secret to turning groundbreaking research into innovations that truly make an impact?

Great design.

Join us on November 19 as KITE Creates teams up with award-winning product design firm TriMech Design Solutions (formerly MAKO) to share how thoughtful design can bridge the gap between discoveries and real-world solutions.

This immersive talk will include:
- A compelling case study from rehabilitation research
- Behind-the-scenes insights into every stage of product development, from concept to manufacturing
- A showcase of real prototypes and discussion around their design choices
- Networking opportunities with peers and experts (plus tea, coffee and cookies! 🫖☕🍪🍪)

Reserve your free ticket today: https://hubs.li/Q03SGCcW0

11/10/2025

Driving Discovery, Delivering Impact.

We are proud to share UHN’s latest Research Report, a reflection of bold ideas, collaborative science, and real-world impact.

We are honoured to be a part of the research that is transforming the future of health care. ➡️ Read the report: https://hubs.li/Q03SqJcz0

11/07/2025

11/06/2025

Trainees and postdoctoral researchers are essential to the work we do here at KITE. Every year, about 200 join us at the KITE Research Institute. Their curiosity, creativity, and drive are a huge part of our success.

Three of our trainees—Chris Kwon, Lewa Babalola, and Lianna Montanari—share why they decided to come to KITE and what they hope to accomplish during their time here at https://hubs.ly/Q03S2pv10.

10/31/2025

We're honoured to have been featured in Life Sciences Ontario's (LSO) 2025 Success Stories Magazine! The magazine covered KITE being named to the Forbes’ Accessibility 100 list.

KITE was recognized as an innovative organization, alongside leading institutions such as the University of Toronto, the Ontario Brain Institute, and Pfizer.

Learn more about it here:

10/27/2025

Congratulations to Cindy Nguyen and Jillian Scandiffio, trainees at the University Health Network's KITE Research Institute and recipients of the 2025 TD Graduate Scholarship for Students with Disabilities.

The award is given to two outstanding KITE trainees with disabilities who are pursuing a rehabilitation-related graduate program. It provides each recipient with $20,000 to support their studies and covers some additional expenses, such as disability-related aids.

“This award allows me to further my research skills and fuel my passion for physical activity research by engaging with incredible scientists at KITE,” says Scandiffio. “I was excited to receive it not only because it allows me to devote the necessary time to my project, but also because it recognizes and honours the ability of students with disabilities to conduct meaningful and successful research.”

Read the full story at https://hubs.li/Q03QdZyg0

10/14/2025

How does dementia affect mobility—and what can movement tell us about diagnosis and care?

In this Research Rounds from UHN's KITE Research Institute, Dr. Ríona Mc Ardle, a Senior Research Fellow at Newcastle University in the U.K., shares her work on whether lab-based and real-world walking behaviours can reveal early signs of dementia, and how greater awareness of movement issues can help patients and caregivers.

Watch now to learn how science is moving forward:

In this Research Rounds from UHN's KITE Research Institute, Dr. Ríona Mc Ardle, a Senior Research Fellow at Newcastle University in the U.K., shares her insi...