DR. STEPHEN LYE'S LABORATORY
News
September 2, 2026
Sophie Liu, MSc student in the lab received the Ontario Women's Health Scholars Awards
Using patient-derived stem cells, Sophie Liu’s research aims to advance understanding of pre-eclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication that remains a major cause of maternal illness, preterm birth, and long-term cardiovascular disease. She is investigating how the condition develops and whether its underlying cellular defects can be reversed.
July 21, 2026
Matthieu Chassagne, summer student in the lab presented his research study at a Poster Session
Eduardo A., Matthieu C., Oksana S., Sharanya S. and Lubna N.
May 2, 2026
Anuradha Baishnob, MSc student in the lab won the Best Paper Award
From April 29 to May 3, 2026, the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) Annual Meeting was held in Montreal, Canada. During the meeting, a member of the Lye Lab, Anuradha Baishnob, received the Best Paper Award in the Best Paper Research Competition, which features presentations of the top-rated and most impactful research abstracts submitted that year. Presenters competed for the title of SOAP Annual Meeting Best Paper through oral presentations followed by a question-and-answer session.
May 1, 2026
Sharanya Shankar, MSc student in the lab won the "J.W. Knox Ritchie Research Awards"
On May 1, 2026, the University of Toronto’s Research Day—an annual forum showcasing departmental research in Obstetrics and Gynaecology—was held. One of the Lye Lab members, Sharanya Shankar, received the “J.W. Knox Ritchie Research Award” for Best Trainee Presentation in OB/GYN 2026 in the graduate student category. Congratulations, Sharanya!
Sharanya presenting her research study
Lab members at Research Day 2026
Mar 12, 2026
Dr. Oksana Shynlova: Preventing Preterm Births and Supporting Pelvic Health
Dr. Shynlova is advancing women’s health across the lifespan by addressing two major challenges: preventing preterm birth and treating pelvic floor disorders. Her research explores uterine function during pregnancy and labour, the biological triggers of preterm births and age- and hormone-related tissue changes affecting pelvic health. By investigating hormone-based therapies and regenerative approaches, including patient-specific stem cells, her work aims to repair and strengthen pelvic tissues and enhance quality of life for women.
Aug 30, 2025
The 27th Medical Developmental Biology exchange course between Karolinska Institutet and University of Toronto
has come to an end. A fantastic week with great science, talented students and friends! Thanks to all the speakers and study visit instructors for taking the time and contributing to the course!
July 24, 2025
Summer Students at a Poster Session
Isabella Celik
Sophie Liu
Sharanya Shankar
Jun 24, 2025
LTRI researchers secure $2M grant to advance global study on cardiometabolic health in women and children
A team of researchers at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI), part of Sinai Health, have received a funding boost for a groundbreaking global study targeting the prevention of cardiometabolic disease in women and their children.
Now a team led by Dr. Ravi Retnakaran, a Clinician Scientist at LTRI, Drs. Stephen Lye and Rayjean Hung, both Senior Investigators at LTRI, has received a $ 2 million Team Grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to investigate the diversity of responses in the HeLTI South Africa study.
Jun 10, 2025
Improving health at the earliest possible stage – before life begins
LTRI researchers are leading a groundbreaking international study to intervene in human health, starting at preconception.
HeLTI Research Committee members in 2023 with WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the South African Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla and representatives from the South African Medical Research Council.
Oct 25, 2024
Bringing together the world’s future health science leaders
Students, Education, Faculty & Staff, Giving, Partnerships
The U of T-Karolinska Institutet’s International Exchange in Developmental and Perinatal Biology
By Emma Jones and Emily Kulin