The Helen Marion Walker – Soroptimist Women’s Health Research Scholarship

The successful candidate must present their work at one of the Soroptimists’ monthly meetings (date TBD by candidate and Helen Marion Walker Soroptimist president) and submit a written report to Soroptimist International of Toronto at the end of the award year describing the research undertaken during the year and any other such information as the candidate may judge to be of interest. Renewed awardees will be expected to submit a written report each year.

1. The candidate must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, and a resident of Ontario.
2. The candidate must be a graduate student or Post-Doctoral fellow conducting research in the area of women’s health.
3. The candidate must be supervised by a researcher appointed at the Women’s College Research and Innovation Institute at Women’s College Hospital.

*Preference will be given to students whose supervisor is a scientist with primary appointment at Women’s College Hospital (WCH) and to those students who are based at WCH, or those who have made significant contributions to research at WCH.

The application package must include:

1. Completed Application Form for the Helen Marion Walker—Soroptimist Award
2. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
3. An up-to-date curriculum vitae
4. Two (2) letters of support, including one from the candidate’s current supervisor
5. A 1-2 page description of the candidate’s research, including details of:
   • Specific hypothesis of research on women’s health and description of your role on the project
   • An overview of each part of the research plan, specific project aims and the methodology
   • How your work advances knowledge of women’s health
   • How being associated with the Women’s College Research and Innovation Institute will contribute to their research

The subject line of the email application must state the name of the award “Helen Marion Walker—Soroptimist Women’s Health Research Scholarship,” and should be sent to Monica Bustos at Monica.Bustos@wchospital.ca by 4 pm on October 11, 2024.

The submission must include:

1. Two letters of support, including one from the candidate’s department head and one from the candidate’s advisory committee, both confirming that the candidate’s research is progressing on a timely basis and that the candidate is continuing to demonstrate excellence in pursuing the advancement of knowledge through research in women’s health.
2. A copy of the student’s written report to the Soroptomists of the research conducted while they held the award.
3. An updated CV.
4. A copy of proof of an acknowledgement of support from WCRI in their publications.

Please submit applications via email as a PDF attachment. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. All files in the application package should be clearly identified using the applicant’s last name, first name and the name of the document. (ex: Smith, John – CV 2019).

The subject line of the email application must state the name of the award “Helen Marion Walker—Soroptimist Women’s Health Research Scholarship,” and should be sent to Monica Bustos at Monica.Bustos@wchospital.ca by 4pm on October 11, 2024.

Current Recipient

The 2024-2025 recipients of the Helen Marion Soroptimist Women’s Health Research Scholarship are Neesha Hussain-Shamsy, supervised by Dr. Simone Vigod, Peter Hoang, supervised by Dr. Paula Rochon, and Steven Dang, supervised by Dr. Lihi Eder.

Past Recipients

The 2022-2023 recipient of the Helen Marion Soroptomist Women’s Health Research Scholarship is Rhonelle Bruder, supervised by Dr. Janice Du Mont.

The 2021-22 recipient of the Helen Marion Sorotomist Women’s Health Research Scholarship was Dr. Christina Reppas-Rindlisbacher, supervised by Dr. Paula Rochon.

The 2020-2021 recipient of the Helen Marion Soroptomist Women’s Health Research Scholarship was Dominika Bhatia, supervised by Dr. Lorraine Lipscombe.

The 2019-2020 recipient of the Helen Marion Soroptomist Women’s Health Research Scholarship was David Lim, supervised by Kelly Metcalfe.

The 2018-2019 recipient of the Helen Marion Soroptomist Women’s Health Research Scholarship was Jeanna McCuaig, supervised by Kelly Metcalfe.

The 2017-2018 recipient of the Helen Marion Soroptomist Women’s Health Research Scholarship was Lucy Barker supervised by Dr. Simone Vigod.

The 2016-2017 recipient of the Helen Marion Soroptomist Women’s Health Research Scholarship was Lindsay Carlsson (PhD student, Nursing) supervised by Kelly Metcalfe.

The 2015-2016 recipient of the Helen Marion Soroptomist Women’s Health Research Scholarship was Ramanjeet Sohal (PhD student, IHPME) supervised by Dr. Onil Bhattacharyya.

The 2014-2015 recipient of the Helen Marion Soroptimist Women’s Health Research Scholarship was Javaid Iqbal.

The 2013-2014 recipient of the Helen Marion Soroptimist Women’s Health Research Scholarship was Vasily Giannakeas.

The 2012-2013 recipient of the Helen Marion Soroptimist Women’s Health Research Scholarship was Lesley Tarasoff.

The 2011-2012 recipient of the Helen Marion Soroptimist Women’s Health Research Scholarship was Cory Borkoff.

The 2010-2011 recipient of the Helen Marion Soroptimist Women’s Health Research Scholarship was Celeste Hamilton.

The 2009-2010 recipient of the Helen Marion Soroptimist Women’s Health Research Scholarship was Azza Eissa.