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From Hospital Gowns to Research Breakthroughs: Meet Margret Michaels

Margret Michaels’ journey to convocation has been anything but ordinary. Born and raised in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Margret spent much of her childhood in hospital beds battling severe asthma, an experience that ignited a deep desire to help others during their most vulnerable moments. “It wasn’t the machines or medications that stuck with me,” she says. “It was the kindness and calm of the doctors.” That early spark eventually grew into a full-fledged calling: a commitment to transforming personal pain into purpose through medicine and research.

Margret graduates this June after completing a powerful, patient-centred research project titled Navigating the Clinical and Research Landscape of Lung Transplantation in Canada. Her work included two first-of-their-kind national initiatives: a survey uncovering differences in lung transplant practices across the country and a partnership that placed patients, caregivers, and clinicians at the centre of identifying top research priorities. “This project taught me how meaningful true collaboration can be,” she reflects. “It’s not just about answering clinical questions. It’s about listening, building trust, and valuing every voice at the table.”

Her findings have already made an impact. Margret presented her research at the American Transplant Congress in Philadelphia, ß÷ßäÉçÇø Transplant Institute Research Days, and the Department of Medicine’s Research Day. She also earned the ß÷ßäÉçÇø Transplant Institute's Best Graduate Student award, and her work is currently under review for publication.

Margret's journey has not been without challenges. Moving to a new country on her own and navigating the highs and lows of graduate school taught her the value of resilience, balance, and community. “Success in academia doesn’t happen overnight,” she says. “It takes patience, persistence, and the courage to learn from failure.”

Outside the lab, Margret is full of surprises. She speaks three languages (English, Russian, and Ukrainian) and finds joy in content creation, crocheting, and especially dancing. “As my 9ja people say, ‘When the gbedu dey enter body’...music just takes over,” she laughs. “Dancing brings me back to myself.”

As she looks ahead to residency and her next steps in medicine, Margret carries with her a fierce curiosity, a deep empathy, and an unwavering commitment to building a more compassionate and inclusive health-care system. When asked to describe herself in one word, she says “resilient.” Her friends would likely say “empathetic.” Both fit her perfectly.

Above all, Margret credits her mom and brother for being her foundation through it all. “Family is forever,” she says. “No matter where life takes me, they are my constant.”

Margret Michaels' story is one of strength, heart, and hope, and a reminder that the most impactful journeys often begin with the hardest climbs.