Connecting Young Minds 2025
Research Conference

Join us for the annual undergraduate research conference at the University of Ottawa. Showcasing innovative research across Science, Health Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering.

Saturday, September 20, 2025 • University of Ottawa

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About CYM

Connecting Young Minds (CYM) is a student-run undergraduate research conference at the University of Ottawa. Our mission is to foster collaboration and innovation among young researchers.

CYM provides a platform for undergraduate students to present their research projects, exchange ideas, and build connections with peers and faculty members. The conference spans multiple disciplines, including Science, Health Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering.

What makes CYM unique is its commitment to being fully bilingual, reflecting the University of Ottawa's dedication to both official languages. Presentations can be delivered in either English or French, celebrating Canada's linguistic diversity.

Showcase Your Research

Present your findings to peers, faculty, and industry professionals in a supportive environment.

Network with Peers

Connect with like-minded students and build relationships that could lead to future collaborations.

Bilingual Experience

Present in English or French. Our conference celebrates Canada's linguistic diversity.

Win Recognition

Outstanding presentations are eligible for awards and recognition from our panel of expert judges.

600+
Attendees
500k+
Social Media Outreach
5+
Sponsors
$20k
Funding
60+
Research Submissions
3+
Peer Reviewed Publications

Speakers & Judges 2025

Our lineup of distinguished speakers and judges will be announced soon

Speakers & Judges Coming Soon!

We're finalizing our impressive lineup of keynote speakers, industry experts, and academic judges for CYM 2025. Check out our Instagram to be the first to know when we announce our distinguished guests.

Leading Researchers

From top institutions

Industry Experts

Sharing real-world insights

Announcement Date

July 15, 2025

Upcoming Events!

Join us for these exciting events leading up to the CYM 2025 Conference

Conference
CYM NextGen MDs Conference
Meet medical students, MCAT experts, and top grads at our third annual CYM NextGen MDs Conference. Learn more and grab your ticket at the link below!
July 26, 2025
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
University of Ottawa, Laurier Ave E, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Limited capacity – registration required
Tournament
CYM 2025 Soccer Tournament
Sign up for our 7-on-7 soccer tournament at Matt Anthony Field! Whether you're joining with a team or solo, all are welcome. Details and registration below.
August 2, 2025
2:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Check-in at 1:30 PM)
801 King Edward Avenue, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Teams of 7–11 players or individual sign-ups
Fundraiser
CYM x SPINCO Ottawa Fundraiser Spin Class Registration
Join our spin class fundraiser at SPINCO Ottawa and ride for a cause! Seats are limited—see full event details and sign up using the link below.
July 20, 2025
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Arrive by 1:45 PM)
123 Slater Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Limited – registration required

Stay updated with more events and announcements

What People Are Saying

Hear from past participants about their CYM experience

"Attending the Connecting Young Minds (CYM) Research Conference was a fantastic opportunity to network with peers and professors. I learned so much about current scientific and healthcare research. Huge thank you to the CYM team for organizing such an amazing event!"

Meghan DoCanto-Primeau

Meghan DoCanto-Primeau

Second Year Biomedical Science Student

University of Ottawa

"Being selected as a Top 5 Winner and presenting my research on hallucination in synthetic data generation was an unforgettable experience. The feedback I received and the opportunity to publish in the URNCST Journal were career-changing moments for me."

Reema Alwadi

Reema Alwadi

Electrical Engineering and Computing Technology Student

University of Ottawa

"CYM was an excellent platform for connecting with fellow students and professors. I gained valuable insights into scientific and healthcare advancements, and I’m already looking forward to attending again next year!"

Sarah Awada

Sarah Awada

Health Science Student

University of Ottawa

"It was a pleasure to attend the 2023 Connecting Young Minds (CYM) conference! Seeing so many like-minded undergraduate researchers was inspiring. Congrats to the winners!"

Olivia Jacot de Boinod

Olivia Jacot de Boinod

BSc Psychology Student

University of Ottawa

"Exploring the intersection of neuroscience and psychology through research was incredibly rewarding. I’m grateful my abstract was selected in the Top 10 and published in the URNCST Journal thanks to CYM!"

Sarah Bukhari

Sarah Bukhari

Honours BSc Student in Biology

University of Ottawa

"Thrilled to have my abstract published in the URNCST Journal for CYM 2023! Thank you to the CYM team for showcasing undergraduate research on such a professional platform."

Daria Goulets

Daria Goulets

Health Sciences Student & Researcher

University of Ottawa

"Attending the CYM conference was such a wonderful and insightful experience. Hearing from passionate researchers and connecting with peers was truly inspiring!"

Maggie Divok

Maggie Divok

Honours Bachelor of Health Science Student

University of Ottawa

"The CYM conference was an unforgettable experience. I gained insights from brilliant speakers and felt encouraged to pursue research and graduate studies in the near future."

Daphne Mavindidze

Daphne Mavindidze

Financial Mathematics and Economics Student

University of Ottawa

"Attending the Connecting Young Minds (CYM) Research Conference was a fantastic opportunity to network with peers and professors. I learned so much about current scientific and healthcare research. Huge thank you to the CYM team for organizing such an amazing event!"

Meghan DoCanto-Primeau

Meghan DoCanto-Primeau

Second Year Biomedical Science Student

University of Ottawa

"Being selected as a Top 5 Winner and presenting my research on hallucination in synthetic data generation was an unforgettable experience. The feedback I received and the opportunity to publish in the URNCST Journal were career-changing moments for me."

Reema Alwadi

Reema Alwadi

Electrical Engineering and Computing Technology Student

University of Ottawa

"CYM was an excellent platform for connecting with fellow students and professors. I gained valuable insights into scientific and healthcare advancements, and I’m already looking forward to attending again next year!"

Sarah Awada

Sarah Awada

Health Science Student

University of Ottawa

"It was a pleasure to attend the 2023 Connecting Young Minds (CYM) conference! Seeing so many like-minded undergraduate researchers was inspiring. Congrats to the winners!"

Olivia Jacot de Boinod

Olivia Jacot de Boinod

BSc Psychology Student

University of Ottawa

"Exploring the intersection of neuroscience and psychology through research was incredibly rewarding. I’m grateful my abstract was selected in the Top 10 and published in the URNCST Journal thanks to CYM!"

Sarah Bukhari

Sarah Bukhari

Honours BSc Student in Biology

University of Ottawa

"Thrilled to have my abstract published in the URNCST Journal for CYM 2023! Thank you to the CYM team for showcasing undergraduate research on such a professional platform."

Daria Goulets

Daria Goulets

Health Sciences Student & Researcher

University of Ottawa

"Attending the CYM conference was such a wonderful and insightful experience. Hearing from passionate researchers and connecting with peers was truly inspiring!"

Maggie Divok

Maggie Divok

Honours Bachelor of Health Science Student

University of Ottawa

"The CYM conference was an unforgettable experience. I gained insights from brilliant speakers and felt encouraged to pursue research and graduate studies in the near future."

Daphne Mavindidze

Daphne Mavindidze

Financial Mathematics and Economics Student

University of Ottawa

Want to share your CYM experience? DM us your testimonials

Our Team

Meet the dedicated student organizers and faculty advisors behind CYM 2025.

Student Organizers

Grace Tongue

Grace Tongue

President

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences and Minor in Life Sciences

Rachel Pang

Rachel Pang

Vice President

Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Jordan Yin

Jordan Yin

VP Internal Affairs

Honours Bachelor of Science in Translational and Molecular Medicine and Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology

Haider Ikram

Haider Ikram

VP Logistics

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Viola Wibowo

Viola Wibowo

Director of Logistics

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Rebecca Santhosh Babu

Rebecca Santhosh Babu

Director of Logistics

Honours Bachelor of Science in Translational and Molecular Medicine

Tai Adewoye

Tai Adewoye

Director of Logistics

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Sara Justinico

Sara Justinico

Co-VP Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Nadina Adulovic

Nadina Adulovic

Co-VP Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Maggie Divok

Maggie Divok

Director of Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Priyanka Azad

Priyanka Azad

Director of Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Tiana Yuen

Tiana Yuen

Director of Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering (Biotechnology)

Gloria Ginn

Gloria Ginn

Director of Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Political Science

Samantha Sutherland

Samantha Sutherland

Director of Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Kani Osiagwu

Kani Osiagwu

Director of Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Nawaf Ahmed

Nawaf Ahmed

Director of Website Development

Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Engineering

Nuha Khan

Nuha Khan

VP Design

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Ore Oshodi

Ore Oshodi

Director of Design

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Aziz Guesmi-Mekki

Aziz Guesmi-Mekki

Director of Design

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Maya Rodrigues

Maya Rodrigues

Director of External Affairs

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Uchechukwume Dogo

Uchechukwume Dogo

VP External Affairs

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Majd Al-Aarg

Majd Al-Aarg

Director of External Affairs

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Jean-Paul Azzi

Jean-Paul Azzi

Director of External Affairs

Honours Bachelor of Science in Translational and Molecular Medicine

Omid Yeganeh

Omid Yeganeh

VP Media Production

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Ahmed AlShaddadi

Ahmed AlShaddadi

Director of Media Production

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Diana Munteanu

Diana Munteanu

Director of Media Production

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Kiana Gholizadeh Vazvani

Kiana Gholizadeh Vazvani

Director of Media Production

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Gabrielle Yuen

Gabrielle Yuen

VP Finance

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Maxime Laniel

Maxime Laniel

VP Bilingualism

Honours Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics

Una Bilcar

Una Bilcar

Director of Bilingualism

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Grace Tongue

Grace Tongue

President

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences and Minor in Life Sciences

Rachel Pang

Rachel Pang

Vice President

Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Jordan Yin

Jordan Yin

VP Internal Affairs

Honours Bachelor of Science in Translational and Molecular Medicine and Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology

Haider Ikram

Haider Ikram

VP Logistics

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Viola Wibowo

Viola Wibowo

Director of Logistics

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Rebecca Santhosh Babu

Rebecca Santhosh Babu

Director of Logistics

Honours Bachelor of Science in Translational and Molecular Medicine

Tai Adewoye

Tai Adewoye

Director of Logistics

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Sara Justinico

Sara Justinico

Co-VP Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Nadina Adulovic

Nadina Adulovic

Co-VP Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Maggie Divok

Maggie Divok

Director of Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Priyanka Azad

Priyanka Azad

Director of Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Tiana Yuen

Tiana Yuen

Director of Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering (Biotechnology)

Gloria Ginn

Gloria Ginn

Director of Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Political Science

Samantha Sutherland

Samantha Sutherland

Director of Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Kani Osiagwu

Kani Osiagwu

Director of Marketing

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Nawaf Ahmed

Nawaf Ahmed

Director of Website Development

Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Engineering

Nuha Khan

Nuha Khan

VP Design

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Ore Oshodi

Ore Oshodi

Director of Design

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Aziz Guesmi-Mekki

Aziz Guesmi-Mekki

Director of Design

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Maya Rodrigues

Maya Rodrigues

Director of External Affairs

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Uchechukwume Dogo

Uchechukwume Dogo

VP External Affairs

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Majd Al-Aarg

Majd Al-Aarg

Director of External Affairs

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Jean-Paul Azzi

Jean-Paul Azzi

Director of External Affairs

Honours Bachelor of Science in Translational and Molecular Medicine

Omid Yeganeh

Omid Yeganeh

VP Media Production

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Ahmed AlShaddadi

Ahmed AlShaddadi

Director of Media Production

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Diana Munteanu

Diana Munteanu

Director of Media Production

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Kiana Gholizadeh Vazvani

Kiana Gholizadeh Vazvani

Director of Media Production

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Gabrielle Yuen

Gabrielle Yuen

VP Finance

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences

Maxime Laniel

Maxime Laniel

VP Bilingualism

Honours Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics

Una Bilcar

Una Bilcar

Director of Bilingualism

Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Faculty Advisors

Dr. Alain St-Amant

Dr. Alain St-Amant

Vice-Provost at uOttawa

Academic Affairs

Joanne Benoit

Joanne Benoit

Manager at uOttawa

Communications and Marketing

Contact Us

Have questions about the conference? Get in touch with our team.

Get In Touch

We're here to help with any questions you might have about the conference, abstract submissions, or registration.

Email

research@cymottawa.com

Address

University of Ottawa
75 Laurier Ave E
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5

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