Our Mission & Vision

Project Chrysalis is a transformative research education initiative that emerged at Princess Margaret, and seeks to advance Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and accessibility (IDEA) across the research ecosystem. With a focus on both local and global impact, the project’s core objective is to connect and mobilize a community of researchers, leaders, and staff, enabling them to make meaningful changes that will ripple out to create a broader impact.

Through a comprehensive, evidence-based learning program, Project Chrysalis empowers individuals at every level of the research community to integrate IDEA principles into their daily practices. The program supports participants in making research more inclusive, diverse, and accessible by equipping them with the tools and knowledge necessary to transform research methodologies, leadership styles, and organizational culture. By fostering collaboration through consultation, co-design, and continuous reflection, the initiative encourages a culture of innovation and inclusivity that is essential to achieving research excellence.

The Story of Project Chrysalis

Like many innovations in research, Project Chrysalis started with a question. Frustrated with research that unknowingly worsens existing health inequities, the future project team wondered out loud together, “what if we could create a school within a health network, that could educate people on how to deepen their understanding and practice of social justice in health research?”

  • Background on how the initiative was conceived, its evolution, and the rationale for focusing on UHN research.
  • Vision for long-term systemic change in research practices at UHN.

  • Forming the project team committed to co-designing a solution, Natasha Ross, Maggie Kinyanjui, Patti Leake, Dr. Nikki Woods, Maria Tassone, and Dr. Stella Ng got to work. Starting in Fall 2024, the team spent the next seven months engaging the research community at Princess Margaret Research Institute. An interdisciplinary advisory group was assembled that consisted of a diversity of identities, roles and functions, levels of leadership, and relationships to research. 

    In total 20 staff and volunteers participated from across research teams, research support services, Foundation, Finance, Quality and Safety, and other critical areas across the Institute.

    The project team started by inviting the advisory group to share past frustrations, hopes and expectations, and ideas for how to foster a more equitable approach to and practice of health research at UHN. A series of frank discussions and design sessions were held to collaboratively develop the course’s purpose, goals, and ambitious curriculum. The Institute for Education Research (TIER) provided project leadership and facilitation throughout the design stages. 

  • Each voice and perspective helped stitch together a program vision that aimed to push the boundaries of IDEA in research, while remaining committed to the spirt of authentic practice, courageous experimentation, and an optimism that a better research system was not just possible, but urgently necessary.

    The project team challenges us to think about Project Chrysalis as the beginning of a new type of school. Project manager Natasha Ross says the team’s collective aim is for the school to eventually “transform UHN Research to routinely pose new questions, adopt new methods, and reach for ambitious outcomes that fill the many research gaps that lead to health inequities”.

Advisory Group Members

Nikki Woods

Project Chrysalis Principal Investigator

Maria Tassone

Project Chrysalis Co-Investigator

Maggie Kinyanjui

Sr. Manager, Research Strategy & Development

Jess Cockburn

Scientific Associate

Neil Fleshner

Surgeon and PM Principal Investigator

Aman Sium

Lead, Strategic Initiatives, TIER

Sumaiyah Rehman

Scientific Associate at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Kirstin Ling

Director, Major Gifts

Hanae Davis

Manager, Cancer Experience Program

Natasha Ross

TIER Project Manager

Stella Ng

Project Chrysalis Co-Investigator

Patti Leake

UHN Research IDEA Educator

Tulin Cil

Surgeon and PM Principal Investigator

Emma Reel

Research Coordinator

Anna Gordon

Director P&C

Lorraine Baladjay

REB, RSS Staff, PhD at OISE

Maha Mohamed Tageldein

PhD Candidate, Biological Chemistry

Shabbir Alibhai

Medical Director of the Geriatric Oncology Program at PM and Sr. Scientist on the NUANCE study

Martine Puts

Professor, University of Toronto, and Scientist on the NUANCE study

Sara Durbano

Research Coordinator on the NUANCE study

  • A Note on Community Members

    The Project Chrysalis course and community of practice are open to all UHN researchers, non-research staff, and patient and family partners who share a commitment to transforming the way research is conceived of and conducted. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and roles across the organization who have a strong interest in advancing IDEA in health research.

    Before enrolling, we ask that applicants demonstrate a clear commitment to the goals of the project and be available to engage fully in the course and its associated activities. This is an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across disciplines, learn together, and contribute to the meaningful transformation of research practices.

    Some program cohorts may reserve spots for Princess Margaret staff.

UHN’s IDEA and Social Justice Environment

Project Chrysalis exists as part of UHN Research’s broader commitment to advancing equity in all that we do. Visit the Research IDEA website for more information and resources.