Dr. Siba Haykal, through her clinical and research work on reconstructive surgery, has transformed and improved the lives of countless individuals recovering from cancer and severe injury. (Photo: Courtesy Siba Haykal)
Dr. Siba Haykal, affiliate scientist at Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, has been named a recipient of “Canada’s Top 40 Under 40” for 2021.
The annual award was founded by Caldwell and recognizes 40 outstanding Canadian leaders under the age of 40 who inspire others, are visionaries and creative problem-solvers, and give back to their communities.
Dr. Haykal and her peers were selected from hundreds of nominees by a respected and independent advisory board, comprising 30 diverse leaders from across Canada. Four key criteria were assessed to select the recipients: vision and innovation, leadership, impact and influence and social responsibility.
Upon hearing about the award, Dr. Haykal was thankful.
“It’s such a huge honour. It is one of the few times where I was speechless,” she quipped.
“This was thanks to the inspiration of my mentors over the years.”
Dr. Haykal is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at University Health Network with a subspecialty in microsurgery. She is also an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto (U of T) and the Director of Senior Resident Education in the university’s Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.
She received her MD training from the University of Ottawa and residency training at the U of T. During her residency, she also obtained a PhD in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and immunology with a focus on the reconstruction of non-solid organs such as the trachea. Dr. Haykal then pursued fellowship training in microsurgical reconstruction at the Albany Medical Center in New York where she was subsequently appointed as an Assistant Professor.
Dr. Haykal joined UHN in 2018. Her clinical practice focuses on complex cancer reconstruction and microsurgical reconstruction of the breast, head and neck, and extremities. Her research centres on two areas: tissue-engineered techniques for tracheal reconstruction, and the body’s immune response to the transplantation of multiple tissues in individuals with cancers and severe injuries.
Through her clinical practice and research, she is able to improve the quality of life of patients who often have no other options.
Congratulations Dr. Haykal!