Surgical Simulation Research Laboratory Marks Major Research Milestones

This multidisciplinary team is a world leader in Surgical Simulation Research

The Surgical Simulation Research Laboratory celebrates major milestones: eye-tracking research was accepted at ETRA 2026, a CIHR-funded fellowship for spinal cord injury research secured, and Alberta Innovates Award. These achievements highlight the lab's global impact on surgical training.

Global Recognition for Microsurgery Eye-Tracking

Yao Zhang, a PhD candidate under the supervision of Dr. Bin Zheng, has achieved a rare feat in the field of human-computer interaction. Her paper, “Under the Microscope: Expert-Novice Gaze Differences During Microsurgery Knot Tying,” was accepted for the 2026 ACM Symposium on Eye Tracking Research & Applications (ETRA 2026).

With an acceptance rate of just 23%, the inclusion of this full paper highlights the significance of Zhang’s work, which successfully captured the intricate eye movements of plastic surgeons working under microscopes. This project is a centerpiece of an international collaboration with Finnish scientists, who will present three additional papers on the subject. Dr. Eric Fung, a key collaborator, provided essential support and serves as a co-author on the entire series of papers.

Fellowship and Funding Success

The lab also celebrates the career advancement of its members and the acquisition of competitive provincial and federal funding:

Postdoctoral Appointment: Following her graduation in March 2026, Dr. Yun Wu has been accepted as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Chester Ho’s Spinal Cord Injury Research Lab. His transition is supported by full funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Alberta Innovates Award: Kiana Wong, a third-year Physiology student, has secured an Alberta Innovates Award for the second year in a row. This funding will support her continued research contributions to the Surgical Simulation Research Lab throughout the Spring and Summer terms.

Kiana Wong, a third-year Physiology student, secured an Alberta Innovates Award for the second year in a row. This funding will support her continued research contributions to the Surgical Simulation Research Lab throughout the Spring and Summer terms.

These successes underscore the lab’s commitment to advancing surgical precision through international collaboration and fostering the next generation of medical researchers.