How Gabriela Lima de Melo Ghisi Used a Travel Grant to Boost Her Clinical Trials Career
When Dr. Gabriela Lima de Melo Ghisi boarded a flight from Toronto to Brasília in June 2024, she wasn’t just attending a conference—she was stepping into a career-defining moment. Thanks to a CAN TAP TALENT Travel Award, Gabriela was able to participate in the XXI International Symposium of Respiratory, Cardiovascular, and Intensive Care Physical Therapy (SIFR)—the largest event of its kind in the world. Over four impactful days, Gabriela shared groundbreaking research, forged international connections, and received opportunities that are already shaping the next phase of her clinical research career.
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Gabriela’s work focuses on women-centred cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and education for patients living with cardiovascular disease (CVD)—critical yet often underexplored areas in healthcare. At SIFR, she presented on both topics, reaching a global audience of over 2,000 clinicians and researchers. Her presentations sparked important conversations about how to make rehabilitation services more inclusive, especially in low- and middle-income settings. It was clear that her research resonated, and it led to exciting new invitations to contribute to both a book chapter and the development of Brazil’s first Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for CR delivery by physical therapists.
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In addition to presenting her own work, Gabriela mentored several students who co-authored and presented three research posters. The studies explored everything from barriers to CR to patient education in underserved communities. This experience not only highlighted Gabriela’s role as a leader in clinical research but also emphasized her commitment to mentoring the next generation of health researchers.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the symposium was the opportunity to meet long-time collaborator Prof. Danielle Gomes in person. While they had worked together virtually for years, meeting face-to-face allowed them to deepen their professional relationship and spark new ideas for advancing cardiac care for women and patients with peripheral arterial disease in Brazil.
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“Opportunities like this allow collaboration to move from abstract ideas to concrete action,” Gabriela shared. “That’s the power of global engagement.”
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SIFR also gave Gabriela the chance to present in three languages—English, Portuguese, and Spanish. This multilingual engagement honed her ability to communicate across cultures and connect with professionals from a wide range of backgrounds. It’s a skillset that will continue to serve her as she leads international projects and teaches future health professionals.
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Attending the symposium wouldn’t have been possible without financial support. The CAN TAP TALENT Travel Award covered essential costs, including conference registration, airfare, hotel accommodation, local transportation, and meals—ensuring Gabriela could fully engage with the event.
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“Without the grant, this opportunity might have remained out of reach,” Gabriela said. “Instead, it opened doors I didn’t even know were there.”
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“The CAN TAP TALENT Travel Grant has been invaluable in facilitating my participation and enriching my professional journey. I encourage others to apply—it's a unique chance to advance your knowledge, share your work, and collaborate with leaders in the field.”
— Dr. Gabriela Lima de Melo Ghisi​
For Gabriela, the SIFR experience was more than a conference—it was a launchpad. From new research collaborations to skill development and career-defining invitations, the impact of the trip will ripple through her work for years to come.
At CAN TAP TALENT, we’re proud to support passionate researchers like Gabriela. When we invest in talent, we’re not just funding travel—we’re fueling discovery, collaboration, and the future of clinical research in Canada and beyond.