My name is Prem. I am a fourth-year MD Candidate in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto with an MSc in Health Policy, Management and Evaluation from UofT and an HBSc in Health Sciences from Wilfrid Laurier University. Given this background and a strong aptitude for clinical research and the field of ophthalmology, I aspire to gain the necessary experience to be a proficient clinician-researcher who can enact policy changes to improve the healthcare experience for my future patients.
My life outside of academia is equally important. I enjoy going on long hikes with my wife and dog, DJing (DJ Mocha Love & Six Side Entertainment), music production, website design, and reading legal thrillers by John Grisham. I know that I would be nothing without my friends, family, and mentors.
“Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.” –John F. Kennedy
“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” –Helen Keller
“Music is a magic art;…most of us would find it easy to describe our emotional response, but difficult to identify its exact cause.” –Anon.
“To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always.” -Edward L. Trudeau
Awarded to one MD Program student each year in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto who is deemed to have an outstanding dedication to extracurricular activities and good academic standing. Monetary value of $1496 CAD.
Dec 2018
Faculty of Medicine Research Conference Bursary
A competitive, application-based bursary awarded to students in the MD Program in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine based on research interest and potential ability to disseminate research findings at a medically related conference. Up to $500 CAD awarded to cover any costs associated with conference fees, travel, and accommodations. Monetary value of $63 CAD to date to cover ePoster presentation and attendance at the 2020 American Academy of Ophthalmology Virtual Meeting.
Jun 2020
Canadian Ophthalmological Society Award for Excellence in Ophthalmic Research, 2nd Place ePoster Award
Awarded to the second-best poster presented at the Canadian Ophthalmological Society Annual Meeting & Exhibition after evaluation based on communicability, scientific communication, and scientific merit/value. Criteria include: (1) innovative research with rigorous methods and conclusions supported by results; (2) a research question, background, methods, results, and discussion that are relevant, logical, and related; and (3) an engaging, clear, and eye-catching poster design. Monetary value of $1500 CAD. The award-winning poster can be found at https://bit.ly/MIGS2020.
Dec 2018
Rose M. Patten Award
Awarded to a student entering the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation System Leadership & Innovation MSc graduate program based on academic merit and financial need. Monetary value of $1500 CAD.
Aug 2018
Institute of Medical Sciences SURP 1st Place Poster Award
Awarded to the best poster presented amongst nine other posters in various medical advocacy topics. Students were selected to participate in the 12-week IMS Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) after a rigorous and competitive application process with an applicant pool of undergraduate science degree and medical school students. Participants learned from eminent University of Toronto researchers via weekly seminars and the program culminated with a research day, notably on the 50th anniversary of the IMS, for students to showcase their research findings to peers and faculty. Award-winning poster can be found at https://premnichani.ca/pubs/vision- insurance-uoft-surp-2018/.
Aug 2018
SOS Alumni Achievement Award in Community Impact
Recognized as a Students Offering Support (SOS) Alumni for continued community involvement, leadership, and considerable impact as a Child Life volunteer at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, ON.
Nov 2014-2017
Dean's Honour Roll
Awarded to students with scholastic achievements during the previous undergraduate academic year where the student has attained a GPA of 3.7 (A-/10 grade) or higher in all courses (5.0 credits) taken.
Jun 2017
WLU Alumni Gold Medal for the Faculty of Science
To qualify for the Alumni Gold Medal, the recipient must be graduating from an honours degree program, have a minimum cumulative 3.70 (A-) GPA in their senior courses of the honours program, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.70 (A-). The recipient of the award is designated the Alumni Gold Medal recipient for being one of the top, if not the top, student in their respective honours program. Each faculty/school or affiliated university-college shall have one gold medal for each convocation period per every 100 students receiving an honours degree.
Jun 2017
Health Sciences Academic Excellence Award
The Health Sciences Academic Excellence Award is presented by the Department of Health Sciences at Wilfrid Laurier University to students graduating with a 4 year BSc in Honours Health Sciences to acknowledge those who graduate with an outstanding cumulative GPA of 3.90 (A grade) or better.
Jun 2014-2016
Laurier In-Course Scholarship C (Level 3)
Awarded to students with scholastic achievements during the previous undergraduate academic year where the student has attained a minimum GPA of 3.9 (A/11 grade) or higher in all courses (5.0 full credits taken over two full-time academic terms within one academic year). Candidates must be registered with Wilfrid Laurier University as their home institution at the time when the scholarship is awarded, Monetary value of $1500 CAD ($500 per year).
Mar 2016
Faculty of Science Undergraduate Scholarship
Awarded to one student in the Faculty of Science in his/her second or third year of undergraduate studies (~2500 eligible students) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.80 (A-/10) and who has also made a significant contribution to the Faculty through active involvement in Faculty activities. Should more than one applicant be eligible for the scholarship, it will be granted to the applicant with the highest cumulative GPA. The annual scholarship was established in honour of Dr. David Peirson, the first Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science (2000-2005), and Dr. Arthur Read, the Dean of Arts and Science (1983-1998). Monetary value of $500 CAD.
Apr 2015
Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI) Davis + Henderson Studentship
The D+H SRI Summer Studentship Award is designed to attract outstanding university students into postgraduate careers. Awarded to the top 25 of 56 ranked applicants after a competitive and rigorous application process via an adjudication panel comprised of graduate students chaired by Dr. Jonathan Rast. Evaluation criteria include: (1) quality of the supervisor’s research environment including people, projects, funding, and space; (2) background of the student candidate matching the research; (3) quality of the student and the perceived potential for the proposed project to promote the student’s career development; and (4) relevance of the project to the research environment. Worked for 12 weeks alongside a team of obstetrics and gynaecology experts to investigate the expression of stem cell marker LIFR-α to understanding its effect on differentiation in human granulosa cells amongst women suffering from infertility. Monetary value of $6400 CAD ($3200 from SRI D+H, $3200 supervisory top-up). Research project details can be found at https://premnichani.ca/research/.
2014, 2011, 2010
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is the world’s leading youth achievement award, bringing together practical experiences and life skills to create committed global citizens and equipping young people for life. Since it was founded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1956, over eight million people have participated in the Award in over 140 countries and territories. This award involves completing physical recreation activities, going on expeditions, volunteering, and working towards a skill.
The Gold Award is bestowed upon registered individuals who have completed minimum requirements as follows:
52 weeks of community service: SickKids Child Life volunteer
52 weeks of pursuing a skill: developed DJ mixing and scratching abilities via formalized training and diligent weekly practice
52 weeks of commitment to physical recreation: frequent cycling trips, tennis, hockey, tai chi, resistance exercises
4-day/3-night expedition: roundtrip cycling from Toronto’s Confederation Park to Niagara Falls alongside close friends, rested in tents on campgrounds
minimum 5-day/4-night residential project away from home, with people whom one has never met before, undertaking shared activities: participated in Shad Valley, a one-month S.T.E.A.M. and entrepreneurship program, at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
SILVER AWARD ACTIVITIES
• YMCA Personalized Training w/ Personal Trainer, Intramural Hockey
• Georgian Bay Canoe Trip w/ Alive Outdoors
• Volunteering w/ Medical Doctor, The Hospital for Sick Children
• SMCS Drumline
BRONZE AWARD ACTIVITIES
• Workouts, Cycling, and Intramural Hockey
• Koshlong Lake Canoe Trip w/ Alive Outdoors
• Volunteering w/ Medical Doctor
• Chinese Mandarin at St. Aidan Catholic Elementary School
May 2014
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA)
Ranked 1st of 8 applicants in an institutional competition. Awarded to students with an interest in and aptitude for research involvement in the natural sciences and/or engineering and have had a history of high academic achievement with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70 (B-/7). Worked for 16 weeks alongside a team of cell biology experts to investigate the expression and purification of a recombinant version of atToc159MHis for structural and functional studies to understand the role of its M- domain. Monetary value of $5750 CAD ($4500 from NSERC, $1250 supervisory top-up). Research project details can be found at https://premnichani.ca/research/.
Awarded to one male and one female of approximately 500 undergraduate residents of the Wilfrid Laurier University SPRING Residence who have achieved high academic standing in addition to making significant contributions to and sharing talents with the community by getting involved in a diverse array of clubs, societies, and activities within the university.
Jun 2013
Magna Cum Laude
Awarded to 20 of approximately 210 graduating students of St. Michael’s College School based on meticulous criteria: (1) achievement of a high academic standing of 90% (A) or higher in their graduating year calculated based on all grade 12 U/M-level courses taken in the academic year; (2) a minimum GPA of 80% (A-) in each (not cumulative) of the four years of high school; and (3) significant contribution made by leadership and participation in a diverse array of clubs, community service, and athletics. Monetary value of $200 CAD.
Jun 2013
Basilian Book Award
The Basilian Book Award is presented by the Basilian Fathers to the students who have achieved a 90% (or greater) academic average in the courses they complete at St. Michael’s College School.
Jun 2013
Ontario Scholar
The Ontario Scholar award is presented by the Ontario Ministry of Education to a student who has obtained an average of at least eighty percent in any six Grade 12 University Preparation, University/College Preparation, College Preparation, Workplace Preparation, Open, Cooperative Education, or College-delivered Dual Credit courses; or Ontario Academic Courses.
Jun 2013
Grad 'M'
The prestigious Graduation “M” is presented to students who have made a significant contribution to the St. Michael’s community in the areas of sharing talents in a wide range of clubs, community service, and athletics. It is a statement of the gratitude and recognition of the St. Michael’s community.
Jun 2013
Odette Award
The Odette Award is presented to students who have made an outstanding contribution to the school by combining academics and extracurriculars well during their years at St. Michael’s College School.
Jun 2013
St. Thomas More Award
The St. Thomas More Award is presented by the Parents’ Guild to St. Michael’s College School graduates who have consistently maintained an average of 80% or better at year’s end for their entire high school career. Courses taken at night or summer schools or by correspondence do not qualify for the purposes of this award.
May 2013
Wilfrid Laurier University Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship
Awarded to incoming Wilfrid Laurier University undergraduate students who have attained an average of 90-94.9% in their top six grade 12 U/M-level courses. Monetary value of $2000 CAD.
Leadership & Notable Activities
20212021
2T1 Class Council Co-President
MD Program, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Apr 2016May 2015
President and Chair
Faculty of Science Students' Association, Wilfrid Laurier University
Jul 2012Jul 2012
Participant & SHAD Fellow
Memorial University of Newfoundland, Shad Valley International
Certifications and Licenses
April 2020
Smart Serve Ontario
As a company owner in the entertainment industry, obtained certification provided by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to advocate for safer social experiences. Topics covered include the metabolism of alcohol, types of beverages, estimating blood alcohol content, recognizing intoxication, the Liquor License Act, licenses for establishments, endorsements, special occasion permits, retail sales, liabilities, and obligations to keep guests safe.
Certificate Number: e200417626613RS.
Jan 2021
Standard First Aid (SFA) + CPR with Basic Life Support (BLS/HCP)
A comprehensive standard first aid (SFA) course providing training on how to respond to emergencies including arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, choking, anaphylaxis, wound care, head/neck/spinal injuries, bone/muscle/joint injuries, environmental illness, and poison ingestion. Additional intensive basic life support (BLS) training on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills for use in a team environment of health professionals who have a duty to respond: rapid assessment, defibrillation with an automatic external defibrillator (AED), and airway management with oxygen therapy via bag-valve masks.
Red Cross Certificate Numbers: (1) 102108765, SFA + CPR-C/AED; and (2) 102109032, BLS for HCPs.
Previous CPR Training:
CPR-HCP: May 3, 2017 (3-year validity), Canadian Red Cross, Instructor: Satyam Choudhari (61633520)
CPR-HCP: August 12, 2014 (3-year validity), Canadian Red Cross, Instructor: D. Harper (30208261)
2013, 2012, 2011
American DJ University Level 3 Graduate
Level 3 Courses:
Aerial vs. Projection Lighting Effects
Dance Floor Safety
Keeping It Clean – Looking Professional
Lasers
Level 2 Courses:
School Dances
Mixing 101
Survival Kit
Client Meeting
Transporting Your Gear
Music Programming For Mobile DJs
Building Your Business with Truss
Rotating The Dance Floor
Level 1 Courses:
Lighting Basics 101: Terminology & Maintenance
DMX 101
Fog / Haze Machines
The Up-take On Uplighting
Great GOBOS
Audio Gear 101
How to Hook-Up an Audio System
Business Side of DJing
Aug 2007
Java Education & Development Initiative: Basic Web Design
