Results of the 2026 Inspire Summer Studentships competition
The Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC) is an integrated network for researchers, trainees and partners working to confront infectious disease challenges. We unite members across the University of Toronto and its hospital partners to accelerate cross-disciplinary work in the understanding and development of new countermeasures against pathogens. A key pillar of EPIC’s work is training the next generation of infectious disease research leaders that will help stop future pandemics and reduce the societal burdens of infectious disease.
The EPIC Inspire Summer Studentships aim to foster inclusive excellence by providing third-year Black and Indigenous undergraduate students with opportunities to engage in infectious disease research with and receive mentorship from EPIC’s faculty members. These awards support Black and Indigenous students interested in infectious diseases and create a more diverse talent pool for the next generation of infectious disease research leaders.
We are pleased to share the 2026 Inspire Summer Studentships competition results.
Meet our 2026 Inspire Summer Studentship recipients
Henrie Asante
Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, St. George Campus
Project title: Durable protection against respiratory virus infection via oral vaccination
Supervisor: Jennifer Gommerman (Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto)
Alicia Machava
Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, St. George Campus
Project title: Black women’s experiences of structural racism in accessing HIV services in Toronto
Supervisor: Daniel Grace (Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto)
William Malzar
Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, St. George Campus
Project title: Prospecting for phage
Supervisor: Alexander Ensminger (Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto)
Khalid Osman
Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, St. George Campus
Project title: Oxidative stress and barrier integrity during respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A virus co-infection in human airway models
Supervisor: Amy Wong (The Hospital for Sick Children)
Enuka Saint Jacques
Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, St. George Campus
Project title: Equity, social responsibility, and determinants of health surrounding prophylactic doxycycline use to prevent bacterial STI among diverse sexual minority men and gender diverse people in Canada
Supervisor: Tin Vo (Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto)
