UBC faculty of medicine student Dr. Rohit Singla has been awarded a 2023 Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) Award for leadership and innovation.
The awards recognize medical students across Canada with an established track record of community leadership, superior communication skills and demonstrated interest in advancing knowledge.
Dr. Singla is currently an MD/PhD candidate in biomedical engineering, who received his PhD in the spring of 2023. He previously completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in computer engineering and Master of Applied Science in biomedical engineering at UBC. His research, under the supervision of UBC professors Dr. Chris Nguan and Dr. Robert Rohling, focuses on intelligent ultrasound systems for chronic kidney disease and transplantation. During his studies, Dr. Singla investigated methods of using artificial intelligence and ultrasound physics to quantify kidney disease at different scales. His work resulted in a new data set for researchers, automatic methods of interpreting ultrasound images, and connecting ultrasound physics to subtle microstructural kidney changes.
Dr. Singla is passionate about understanding human health and developing innovative solutions at the intersection of technology and medicine. He has received numerous awards in recognition of his academic work, including the Vanier Scholarship, Kidney Foundation Fellowship, NSERC CGS-M Scholarship and the Engineers in Scrubs Fellowship.
“Receiving the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award is a humbling honour, affirming my dedication to advancing healthcare for Canadians,” Dr. Singla said. “It validates the power of perseverance and interdisciplinary collaboration in bridging medicine and innovation. This recognition reflects the support and inspiration I received from mentors and colleagues, highlighting the collective effort in advancing medical research and patient care.”
Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Singla has made significant strides in the entrepreneurial realm. As co-founder of Epiloid Biotechnology, he is exploring the use of brain organoids and electrophysiology to support the development of treatments for neurological diseases.
To complement his research and entrepreneurial pursuits, Dr. Singla actively engages in various volunteer and leadership activities. As the lead organizer of the UBC AI in Medicine Student Society, he has been instrumental in promoting the integration of AI in healthcare, organizing hands-on workshops for over 200 medical students nationwide.
“Receiving the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award is a humbling honour, affirming my dedication to advancing healthcare for Canadians. It validates the power of perseverance and interdisciplinary collaboration in bridging medicine and innovation.”
Dr. Rohit Singla
Looking forward, Dr. Singla hopes that his work will leave a lasting mark on the future of medicine in Canada and beyond.
“Being part of this legacy is a privilege and responsibility,” Dr. Singla added. “It motivates me to excel in clinical practice, research, and entrepreneurship, aiming to positively impact human health and give back to the medical community and society.”
CMHF award recipients each receive a cash prize of $5,000 and a travel subsidy to attend the 2024 CMHF Induction Ceremony in Vancouver where they will have the opportunity to meet CMHF Laureates and interact with health leaders from across the country.
Learn more about the 2023 CMHF Award recipients on the CMHF website.