Content creator whose social handle is “PremedwithTobs” speaks on his experience being one of the only Black men in his neuroscience program at the University of Toronto. (Courtesy: @premedwithtobs/TikTok & Canva)
A Toronto neuroscience student is sharing his journey as one of the only Black students in his program, discussing how this isolation impacts his path and how he is using his story to motivate others.
Black individuals remain underrepresented across Canada’s medical schools and in the profession, due to issues like systematic barriers in the field, financial barriers or lack of mentorship to fight against imposter syndrome.
The University of Toronto student who’s social media account name is “PremedwithTobs” made a video about his experience studying neuroscience, stating, “Being a Black man in science might be one of the loneliest things.”
He shares that he can count on his hand the amount of Black students, and Black male students specifically and how this has been an ongoing situation since his advanced placement (AP) high school classes.
The creator gets candid about how this underrepresentation in the science program and field may make people feel discouraged to even try and pursue this type of career, when they don’t see people who look like them in those roles.
“For those of you who are Black males, who are Black in science, just know the power that you have on the next generation. Like we’re literally looking up to you for advice, for a role model, for support that are very rare and very little right now,” he says.
Now in his fourth year of his studies, the UofT student is using his social media platform to share and document his personal journey, aiming to provide the representation he missed and support other Black men aspiring to pursue science fields.
Many are commenting on their shared experiences during their academic studies.
“This was me in my chemistry classes in university. It was just me and one other Black girl. No Black men at all,” a user shared.
“Only Black person in my cohort of computer engineering so I feel this heavy,” commented another user.
According to the Canadian Medical Association Black residents make up 4.7 percent of the population in Ontario and only 2.3 percent are doctors.
The University of Toronto has a Black Student Application Program (BSAP) for Black Canadian citizens and permanent residents applying for certain undergraduate and graduate medicine and social work programs.
This program is to increase Black medical student representation at the school and help break down the barriers by making the classrooms more inclusive.
