Expression of Interest for MSc or PhD starting September 2026
Funded positions are available for domestic (Canadian) MSc and domestic or international PhD students. Interested students should complete this form in lieu of emailing Dr. Kirkham. Only the top candidates will be contacted for an interview. Apply before November 15, 2025 for the best chance of receiving an interview.
Selected candidates will then be asked to apply to the University of Toronto for admission. Deadlines for applications for admission are January/February 2026 for September 2026 start.
The Kirkham Lab
Students would receive training in the Kirkham Lab and the centre for Cardiometabolic, Oncology, Diet and Exercise research in Women (CODE-W) within the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education at the University of Toronto.
The Kirkham lab and CODE-W offers exceptional training opportunities focused on multi-disciplinary women’s health. We are interested in understanding, treating and improving the cardiometabolic health of women with or at risk for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, or metabolic diseases. All graduate trainees will contribute to a primary project that will comprise their thesis while also contributing to ongoing projects in the lab, including multi-year, multi-site clinical trials. This approach ensures the timely completion of degree requirements and exceptional clinical research learning opportunities. Assessment techniques include magnetic resonance imaging (heart, brain, vessels, ectopic adipose tissue), ultrasound imaging (resting and exercise echocardiography, vascular, muscle, cerebrovascular), cardiopulmonary exercise testing, blood biomarker assessment, body composition assessment, and real-time biosensors (e.g., physical activity or sleep trackers or smart scales, continuous glucose monitors). Interventional approaches include acute and chronic exercise, novel nutritional strategies (e.g., time-restricted eating/intermittent fasting), traditional healthy eating practices, and multimodal cardiac rehabilitation. Our research approaches include gold standard clinical trials, observational, and epidemiology. All projects in the lab follow a strong “team science” approach, involving various trainees (from undergraduate to doctoral levels) and both clinical (especially in oncology and cardiology) and academic collaborators. Significant opportunities will be provided within this environment to both receive and give mentorship to others.
Thesis projects will be developed in concert with the student and their interests but within the scope of ongoing funded work in the lab. The following topics are available for thesis projects with the associated major project name in brackets:
- The short and long-term effects of aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer on ultrasound-based assessment of cardiac function [STRIVE short & long-term].
- Characterization of the cardiometabolic health and associated lifestyle behaviours among endometrial cancer survivors [RESILIENCE].
- The effect of time-restricted eating timing on breakfast postprandial glycemic response with evaluation of interactions based on diabetes status and sex [ESTABLISH].
- Ethnic and social determinants of health-related variations in cardiometabolic health among women at risk for chronic disease [Ms. FIT].
- The implementation of novel, remote, metabolic health interventions for women with breast cancer [IMPACT, TEST]
- Demographic, menopausal and disease status determinants of hepatic (liver) health among women [Ms. FIT, IMPACT, TEST].
Part of the funding package includes teaching assistant roles in undergraduate courses. Manuscript writing and academic presentations are expected outputs throughout the degree.
The University of Toronto
Located in Canada’s most vibrant and culturally diverse city, the University of Toronto is consistently ranked among the world’s best research universities. The location, size and diversity provide unique opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
The Kirkham lab is located in the Goldring Centre for High Performance (building to the right of the track above). This award-winning building was completed in 2014 and houses cutting-edge research and teaching labs, a strength and conditioning centre, a state-of-the-art sports medicine clinic and a 2000-seat basketball and volleyball field house.
More information about the graduate program can be found here: https://kpe.utoronto.ca/academics-research/graduate-studies
Requirements:
- Deep-seated passion and values that align with the core tenets of the lab, including research topics and team science approach
- Candidates at the PhD level require human research experience and a thesis-based Master’s degree.
- Undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology, Human Physiology, Rehabilitation Sciences, or a closely related discipline involving Human Nutrition, Health Sciences, or Public Health.
- Experience (research, volunteer, or work) with clinical populations or older adults.
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Ability to take initiative and work independently, while also working well as part of a collaborative team.
- An academic standing equivalent of a University of Toronto A- (80-84%) in the master’s degree completed for PhD candidates or B+ (76-79%) in the last five full-course equivalents of relevant, senior-level courses for MSc applicants.
- Candidates without degrees in English must meet the U of T English language proficiency requirements.
Assets (not required but will strengthen the application):
- Exercise professional designation (R.Kin, CEP etc) or registered dietitian credentials.
- Experience and skill in academic writing and statistical analyses.
- Leadership or mentorship experience.
- Experience with one or more data collection techniques listed above.
- Expertise in Python (preferred) and/or R.
- Direct experience or education in cancer or cardiometabolic disease.