Friday, June 26, 2026 | 8:00am-4:00pmLife Sciences Building, York University
Broaden Horizons
2026
What to Expect
Founded in 2020, the annual Broaden Horizons Conference provides graduate students in York University's School of Kinesiology and Health Science with an opportunity to showcase their research, exchange ideas, and learn from the innovative work of their peers.
As a cross-disciplinary conference, Broaden Horizons brings together research spanning Molecular, Cellular, and Integrated Physiology; Neuroscience and Biomechanics; Health and Fitness Behaviours; and Socio-Cultural and Policy Studies in Sport and Physical Activity. By fostering collaboration, communication, and knowledge translation across these diverse streams, the conference highlights the impactful research being conducted by KAHS graduate students while encouraging new perspectives, connections, and future collaborations that truly broaden our horizons.
Faculty Speaker
BH2026 is honoured to host Dr. Michael Kalu as our keynote faculty speaker, sharing his journey through academia and the career experiences, opportunities, and challenges that shaped his academic and research career.
Dr. Michael Kalu is an Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Therapy in Clinical Treatment & Clinical Care at York University’s School of Kinesiology and Health Science. His interdisciplinary background spans physiotherapy, gerontology, and rehabilitation science, with academic training from the University of Nigeria, University of Southampton, Queen’s University, McMaster University, and postdoctoral training at Dalhousie University.
His research focuses on improving the health, mobility, and quality of life of older adults through innovative and culturally responsive approaches. He also serves as the Scientific Director of the Emerging Researchers & Professionals in Ageing – African Network, contributing to aging research in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Guest Speaker
BH2026 is excited to welcome Luca Delfinis (MSc) as our guest keynote speaker, sharing his unique career journey and insights beyond academia.
Luca is a Scientific Liaison at BenchSci who works at the intersection of science, artificial intelligence, and pharmaceutical research. With a PhD and more than six years of experience in preclinical drug development, he now helps translate cutting-edge AI technologies into practical tools that support scientists in drug discovery and development. Collaborating across product, science, and engineering teams, Luca helps shape AI-driven scientific software while working directly with pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers to maximize its impact. Passionate about bridging rigorous scientific research with emerging technologies, he is dedicated to advancing how scientists discover and develop new therapies.
Guest Speaker
BH2026 has the privilege of hosting Dr. Michael Modica as a guest keynote speaker.
Dr. Michael Modica recently completed his PhD after building a career that bridged clinical practice, elite sport, and research. Prior to graduate studies, he worked as a Certified Athletic Therapist, providing care and performance support to athletes in professional sport. Drawing on his clinical expertise and doctoral training, he transitioned into industry and now works with Honda of Canada Manufacturing where he focuses on work place health, injury prevention, and occupational performance. His work involves analyzing workplace injury trends and developing evidence-based strategies to reduce injury risk, improve worker safety, and support employee well-being. Dr. Modica's career journey highlights how skills developed in rehabilitation, athletic therapy, and research can be applied beyond traditional healthcare settings to create meaningful impact in industry.
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
This year, BH2026 is excited to recognize outstanding graduate research with four presentation awards: two PhD awards and two Master's awards, each accompanied by a $200 monetary prize. Prizes will be awarded based on both the abstract submission and presentation, focusing on your ability to translate scientific knowledge, presentation etiquette and delivery, & quality of responses to questions. Presentations will be judged by a panel of graduate students, who will not be eligible for prizes. Presentation rubrics will be made available soon.
Student research presentations will consist of a 10-minute (subject to change) oral presentation followed by a 5-minute question period.
Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, June 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Interested in presenting? Submit your abstract today and see the details below!
Schedule
Stay tuned for the official BH2026 schedule. Details will be released closer to the event date.
Continental Breakfast8:00am
Opening RemarksTBD
PresentationsTBD
Lunch BreakTBD
PresentationsTBD
Awards Ceremony3:50pm
SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT
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The Broaden Horizons Conference invites students to submit abstracts for consideration for presentation at this year’s conference.
Abstract Length
Abstracts must be no longer than 400 words, excluding the title, author names, affiliations, supervisor name, and keywords.
Required Abstract Structure
Abstracts should be written as one paragraph or using the following headings:
- Background/Introduction/Purpose: Briefly introduce the research topic, relevant gap or issue, and the aim/research question
- Methods/Approach: Summarize the study design
- Results: Present key findings
- Conclusion/Significance: explain the main takeaway and why the work is important
Formatting Requirements
Abstracts should be formatted using 12-point Times New Roman, single-spaced with standard margins. The abstract title should be clear, concise, and no longer than 20-25 words.
Submission Deadline
Abstracts must be submitted by Sunday June 19th, 2026 11:59pm EST.
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If you would like to present your research, please follow the abstract submission guidelines above and send your abstract to lejen@yorku.ca
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Acceptance notification
Presenters will be notified of the status of their submission by Friday, June 21st, 2026.
Register
Conference Registration Deadline: Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
Students who would like to present their research should select the ticket type “Presenter (Abstract Submission)”.
Students, faculty, and staff who would like to attend but are not submitting an abstract should select the ticket type “General Admission.”