Celebrating leadership in robotics, AI and surgical science
SOURCE: Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute)
December 16, 2025
Building on a year of progress in surgical innovation, trainees from the Surgical and Interventional Sciences (SIS) Program have distinguished themselves through major fellowships, competitive scholarships and national research awards. Their achievements reflect the program's commitment to excellence in surgical science and its strong culture of mentorship across the Institute.
These recognitions highlight the impact of SIS trainees in shaping the future of surgery, including advances in robotics, imaging technologies and AI-driven performance assessment. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research environments such as the Surgical Performance Enhancement and Robotics (SuPER) Centre, SIS trainees continue to push the boundaries of surgical education and patient care.
Jonathan Hubermann, MSc trainee supervised by Liane Feldman, MD and Amir Hooshiar, PhD, received the T.H.P. Molson Fellowship from the Montreal General Hospital Foundation. This fellowship supports his work at the SuPER Centre, where he contributes to AI-driven tools designed to enhance surgical training and improve patient outcomes.
Marzie Saghar Lafouti, PhD candidate supervised by Liane Feldman, MD and Amir Hooshiar, PhD received the Mimi Dupuis Benjamin Award and the Nesbitt–McMaster Award for Excellence in Medicine and Surgery from the Montreal General Hospital Foundation. She also earned First Place for Best Oral Presentation at RISEx 2025 for her paper on accelerated video-based surgical skills assessment.
Larissa Chiu, PhD trainee under Prof. Hooshiar and Gregory Berry, MD, received the SSP/SIS Graduate Scholarship for her project advancing ultrasound-based navigation models for robot-assisted tibia fracture reduction.
Varsha Reddy Durgempudi, PhD trainee supervised by Anie Philip, PhD received the SSP/SIS Graduate Scholarship for her work on soluble CD109 as a regulator of Head and Neck cancer progression. She also earned the SSP Travel Award to present at CCRC 2025 and delivered a podium presentation at the McGill Plastic Surgery Winter Visiting Professor Day.
Together, these achievements demonstrate the strength and diversity of surgical innovation across SIS. Through mentorship, collaboration and research excellence, SIS trainees are advancing next-generation tools and knowledge that support safer surgery and improved patient care.
"The leadership our trainees demonstrate, both in the lab and in clinical setting, is remarkable. Their success speaks not only to their individual dedication but to the vibrant culture of collaboration, mentorship and excellence we foster within SIS," explains SIS program manager Anne Mathiot, M.Sc. "Their achievements reflect the strength of our program and the future impact they will have on improving patient care."
Congratulations to all SIS trainees for their continued leadership in surgical research and innovation.