Siba Haykal
Dr. Haykal graduated from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine in 2007 as class valedictorian and silver medalist, and subsequently completed her residency training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto in 2016. During her residency, she completed a four-year Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and immunology with a focus on tracheal reconstruction. She obtained numerous grants and awards including a CIHR Vanier Scholarship. Dr. Haykal then pursued fellowship training in microsurgical reconstruction at the Albany Medical Centre in New York.
Dr. Haykal joined the University Health Network and the Toronto General Hospital in 2018. Her clinical focus is on complex oncological reconstruction and microsurgical reconstruction of the breast, head and neck and extremity. She started a lymphedema program in 2019 where she offers microsurgical techniques for the treatment of lymphedema. Her research focuses on tissue-engineered techniques for tracheal reconstruction and the immunology of vascularized composite allotransplantation as well as long term outcomes of lymphedema surgery.
Dr. Haykal has been the recipient of numerous grants (most recently NFRF and CIHR) and awards for her clinical, academic and research work, and is the author of several peer-reviewed publications. In 2021, Dr. Haykal was named as an honoree of Canada's Top 40 under 40. She was also recently awarded Top 40 under 40 by the Association of Women Surgeons.
The future application of designer cells and bioengineered tissues in clinical settings holds immense promise for revolutionizing regenerative medicine and transplantation, yet it also confronts significant feasibility challenges. The ability to precisely tailor cells and tissues for therapeutic purposes can have significant impact in transplantation opening avenues for personalized medicine and access to ‘off-the-shelf’ tissues and organs. However, the translation of these cutting-edge technologies from the laboratory to clinical practice requires overcoming formidable hurdles, including safety concerns, ethical considerations, community acceptance and the need for robust regulatory frameworks. Technical challenges such as the scalability and cost-effectiveness of producing designer cells and tissues also present major logistical challenges. As research continues to push the boundaries of synthetic biology and tissue engineering, the ultimate success and integration of designer cells and bioengineered tissues in the medical landscape will require close collaboration from scientists, clinicians, and policymakers; and importantly communication with patient communities, some of whom, will be future recipients of these new therapeutic modalities.
This session is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
Session Chairs:
- Dr. Golnaz Karoubi (Senior Chair) – University Health Network, University of Toronto
- Ms. Aisha Adil (Junior Chair) – University Health Network, University of Toronto
Panelists:
- Dr. Siba Haykal - University Health Network/University of Toronto
- Dr. Ian Rogers – Sinai Health Systems/University of Toronto
- Dr. Braulio Marfil-Garza – University of Alberta
- Mr. Sean Delaney – University of Alberta
Speakers: Siba Haykal, Golnaz Karoubi, Aisha Adil, Braulio Marfil-Garza, Sean Delaney, Ian Rogers
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