Cynthia Goh lecture: Surfaces in biosensors

Join us for a lecture from Cynthia Goh, University of Toronto Professor and founding director of University of Toronto Entrepreneurship and the Impact Centre. Her presentation is titled "Surfaces in biosensors: From fundamental issues to launching a medical diagnostics company."

Disease detection is still an important application area that needs new approaches. We invented the technique of diffraction based biosensing, turned it into a medical diagnostics company that grew to 70+ employees. From the start, I realized that, while the technique is potentially powerful, issues regarding control and manipulation of the surfaces involved will be key in its success. In this presentation I will present the surface issues, how we tackled them, and our current interest: I still dream of one day creating the inexpensive diagnostics for remote, rural and under-resourced communities – and based on solid science!

Dr. Cynthia Goh is an NSERC Scholar - Entrepreneur in Residence. She is a professor at the University of Toronto Department of Chemistry, cross-appointed to the Departments of Materials Science & Engineering and Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, the Institute for Management and Innovation, and the Institute of Medical Science, and the founding director of University of Toronto Entrepreneurship and the Impact Centre. Her research focus is on complex systems, biomaterials and nanoscience, investigating interactions, properties, the role of surfaces/interfaces, including the development of instruments for these studies. She has expertise in the translation of scientific discovery to technology/products that benefit society, and in the training of scientist-entrepreneurs. Her research has led to 100+ publications, 70+ patents and 8+ science-based companies – from medical diagnostics to nanotechnology – that she co-founded with her students. She has created successful training programs for scientist-entrepreneurs, including Entrepreneurship101@MaRS (which expanded to thousands registered annually) and Techno (which nucleated and nurtured 140+ student-led, science-based startups). She also works on building community-based innovation systems in Canada and in the Philippines, which includes leading a project on lighting up remote villages and developing a virtual library system for remote communities. She is a recipient of the 2022 NSERC Synergy Award for Innovation.

February 11 is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. We are thrilled to host multiple events that recognize the amazing accomplishments of women, girls, and gender-diverse people in science. We also recognize that there is still a significant gender gap when it comes to equity in science. We strive to empower people of all genders to participate in science, and remove barriers to gender equity. We encourage you to register for our other events this week:

• February 11 - screening of "Picture a Scientist"
• February 13 - Public lecture and workshop by Cynthia Goh

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