Spring 2026 Convocation marks a milestone for the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program. Sarah M. Sparkes is the first student to receive their Master of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering and will be the first student to walk across the stage as a BME graduate student.
Sarah’s research and work, supervised by Dr. Veronika Magdanz, focusses on the creation of dissolvable, millimeter-scale magnetic robots that deliver thrombolytic drugs for blood clot removal. These robots are controlled externally using magnetic systems and dissolve within minutes, eliminating the need for retrieval. Sarah tested the biocompatibility of these robots on human blood and checked the imaging and actuation of them in an ex vivo model at UTwente in the Netherlands. This work can lead to improved patient outcomes by reducing the risk of catheter-related injuries and other side effects common with conventional treatments.
Sarah has been recognized as the only Master’s finalist for the 2026 Governor General’s Gold Medal award, which honours students who are advancing innovation across disciplines. Throughout her graduate studies, she has previously been awarded the Globalink Research Award, in addition to the Engineering Excellence Master’s Fellowship in 2023, among others.
The BME Graduate Program began in Spring 2025. Since then, it has grown to 24 active students, with 47 faculty members from twelve departments across the faculties of Engineering, Science, and Health.