EPIC‑AT introduces fourth cohort of fellows

Twenty-eight graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and early career researchers from 12 institutions across six provinces have been awarded fellowships through the EPIC-AT Health Research Training Platform. Collectively valued at $362,000, these fellowships offer funding and access to an exclusive training program.

Now entering in its fourth year, EPIC-AT—powered by AGE-WELL and hosted at the University of Toronto—empowers the next generation of researchers to lead the development and implementation of digital health solutions for older adults living with complex health needs.

Jasmine Friedrich Yap, Master’s student, Dalhousie University

The EPIC-AT HRTP will provide access to an exclusive one-year training and mentorship program for this new cohort of Fellows, building their capacity to design and implement solutions. Dalhousie University master’s student Jasmine Friedrich Yap describes the fellowship as “an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded peers and mentors in the aging and technology space. It provides invaluable support for my research, which focuses on home care and fracture prevention.”

This cohort represents the next wave of transformative leaders shaping an inclusive, tech‑enabled future for older adults and caregivers across Canada. Fellows will work on a wide range of projects and solutions – from tackling hospital-acquired infections, to developing VR-powered solutions for older adults living with dementia, to supporting mobility through smart wheelchairs.

Junyi Yang, PhD student, Degroote School of Business, McMaster University

Junyi Yang, a PhD student at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, is developing an adaptive generative AI mental health application to reduce loneliness and improve well-being among older adults with complex health needs. “By integrating gerontology, computer science, psychology, and health sciences through co-design and neurophysiological insights, my research project delivers accessible, real-world solutions to enhance quality of life and reduce social isolation.”

EPIC-AT Fellowships are made possible through funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and partnerships with institutions and health research funding bodies across the country. For Dr. Sylvie Belleville, Director of the Réseau québécois de recherche sur le vieillissement (RQRV), the strategic partnership between RQRV and EPIC-AT reflects a shared commitment to scientific excellence and the training of the next generation: “By supporting the EPIC-AT Platform, the RQRV reaffirms its dedication to fostering high-level research and supporting emerging researchers. Through this partnership, which focuses on student support, we are working together to advance knowledge and train the researchers of tomorrow in the fields of aging and technology.”

EPIC-AT Fellows have gone on to roles in academia, healthcare, government, and industry, underscoring the fellowship’s value in shaping future leaders. As the fourth cohort begins its fellowship year, they carry forward a legacy of innovation, collaboration, and impact. Collectively, their work will strengthen digital health ecosystems, empower stakeholders, and inform policy, product, and service design for older adults living with complex health needs across Canada.

Recipients of the 2025-2026 EPIC-AT Fellowships: