Professor Milica Radisic, of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry and the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, is this year’s recipient of the ‘Breaking the Glass Ceiling’ Award from Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), University of Toronto. This award is presented annually to a female researcher who not only leads in her field of research, but inspires the people around her.

In 2008, Professor Radisic was named by MIT’s Technology Review as one of the Top 35 Innovators Under 35. Her research focus is cardiac tissue engineering and biomaterials; she studies the way molecular mechanisms that govern cardiac tissues can treat heart attacks and heart failure. Recently, Professor Radisic has used stem cells to create a patch that mimics human heart tissue. The patch responds to stimuli as real heart muscle would, providing improved accuracy in testing the potential of new treatments. Her eventual goal is to find cells that are useful in repairing muscle damaged by heart disease, which affects 900,000 North Americans annually.

“Milica Radisic is an inspiring role model for young women in Science and Engineering,” said Cristina Amon, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. “I applaud WISE for recognizing her achievements with this award.”

Professor Radisic was honoured at a reception on Monday, April 13 as part of WISE's annual general meeting.

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