BioInformatics

The Test Tribe 13th Toronto Meetup – From Tests to Trust: How QA Creates Value That Outlasts Technology Shifts Tools change. Frameworks evolve. AI reshapes workflows. But one thing remains constant: the expectation that QA delivers value. In a world of rapid technological change, the real question isn’t what tools we use - it’s how QA creates trust, clarity, and better decisions across teams. At the 13th Toronto Meetup, we step back from tools and trends to explore a deeper question: What does quality really mean to the business - and how can QA deliver it consistently, regardless of technology shifts? **Event Details** * **Date: April 29th, 2026 (Wednesday)** * **Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET** * **Venue: Tribal Scale** * **Maps Link:** https://maps.app.goo.gl/hqUyAVXKLQhPFsUK6?g_st=ic (Please enter via **35 John St.**, where a volunteer will be stationed downstairs to guide you to the venue) **Session: From Tests to Trust: How QA Creates Value That Outlasts Technology Shifts** **Speaker: Youssef Menkhour** **About the Session** Technology in QA is evolving rapidly - but expectations from stakeholders often remain unchanged. In this session, Youssef Menkhour brings a QA Director’s perspective to explore: * What different roles (engineering, product, business) actually expect from testing * How QA creates value indirectly, beyond test execution * Why traditional outputs - tests, reports, meetings - often fail to drive real decisions * How to simplify QA practices to better support clarity, alignment, and impact This talk challenges conventional thinking and focuses on how QA can move beyond activity-driven work to become a driver of trust and decision-making within organizations. **Key Takeaways** * Understand what stakeholders truly expect from QA * Learn how QA delivers value beyond test cases and execution * Simplify testing outputs to better support real decisions * Shift from activity-driven QA to impact-driven quality engineering * Build practices that remain relevant across changing technologies **About the Speaker** Youssef Menkhour is a Director of Quality Assurance with 15+ years of experience leading enterprise and SaaS-focused QA organizations across industries including insurance, banking, media, and telecommunications. At Alithya, he advises clients on quality modernization, helping organizations adopt automation-first strategies, shift-left testing, and CI/CD-aligned delivery models. Youssef is passionate about redefining QA’s role - from a supporting function to a strategic contributor that drives trust, alignment, and long-term value. **Why You Should Attend** * Gain a leadership perspective on the future of QA * Learn how to create value beyond tools and frameworks * Understand how to align QA work with business outcomes * Rethink how testing supports decision-making * Connect with Toronto’s QA and tech community **About The Test Tribe** The Test Tribe is the world’s largest software testing community, empowering testers globally since 2018. With 700+ events and 150K+ members across 130+ countries, we bring testers together to learn, grow, and connect through meetups, conferences, cohorts, masterclasses, and more. By RSVPing, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and consent to be contacted by The Test Tribe and our event partners.

**Description:** * **First time playing?** **:** Join us for a 2-hour show-up-and-play pickleball session. Don’t worry—we’re all beginners here, and you’ll leave with at least one new friend. We’ll mix in for doubles and keep it fun and low-pressure. Bring your own paddle and come play. * **Basic rules and scoring:** Check out the YouTube link below before the event. * https://youtu.be/RoheCHp6IDw?si=8isQQBuuplilTAmB **[Details]** * **Where:** Swing Star * **Address:** 1-15 Connie Crescent, · Vaughan, ca * **Level:** Beginners (Level 2.0 - 2.5) * **What to bring:** Comfortable athletic wear, court shoes, a water bottle, and **your paddle** ### **[Registration & Payment]** To finalize your registration, please send an **e-Transfer of $15** to **playtogether.ca@gmail.com** immediately after your RSVP. Your spot is only confirmed once the payment is received. * **Capacity:** Limited to 8 participants (First come, first served). ### **[Refund Policy]** A **full refund** will be issued in the following cases: 1. If the minimum number of participants (**3 people**) is not met 48 hours before the event. 2. If the court becomes unavailable for booking. 3. If the event is cancelled due to inclement weather. *Please note: No-shows or cancellations made within 48 hours of the event are non-refundable unless the organizer cancels the session.* Join us for a great workout and meet new pickleball friends in the Markham community!

The literature on biomedical conflicts of interest tends to focus on the ways in which research integrity and patient safety are prejudiced when researchers are funded by the Pharmaceutical Industry. But similar ethical problems also arise at the macro level when institutions, such as hospitals and universities depend on drug company funding to support research or patient care. Over the past half century, the University of Toronto and three of its affiliated hospitals — Sick Kids, CAMH, and UHN — have been involved in a series of major scandals. One scandal in particular — involving the U of T, Sick Kids Hospital, Apotex and Dr. Nancy Olivieri — achieved worldwide infamy and has resulted, to date, in the publication of four books, a blockbuster movie, a plethora of scholarly articles, plus innumerable newspaper and magazine stories and television programmes. Another book is on the way, and a Netflix series is on the cards. In this talk, I'm going to explore the conceptual elements of "conflict of interest" and show how institutional conflict of interest lies at the heart of this greatest of all Canadian academic scandals. I'll also discuss role played by academic leaders and hospital bioethicists. Arthur Schafer https://umanitoba.ca/arts/arthur-schafer Professor Department of Philosophy University of Manitoba **About the Speaker:** Arthur Schafer is a Canadian ethicist specializing in professional and applied ethics, with a special focus on bioethics, philosophy of law, social philosophy and political philosophy. He is the Founding Director of the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics at the University of Manitoba. He is also a full professor in the Department of Philosophy and an ethics consultant for the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. Schafer has published widely in the fields of moral, social, and political philosophy. He is author of *The Buck Stops Here: Reflections on moral responsibility, democratic accountability and military values*, and co-editor of two books: *Ethics and Animal Experimentation* and *Fragile Freedoms: the global struggle for human rights*. His curriculum vitae lists more than 90 scholarly articles and book chapters, covering a wide range of topics, with a special focus on issues in professional and bio-medical ethics. Professor Schafer is National Research Associate of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, which has published two of his Reports. Schafer has been a frequent guest on CBC radio and television and has written numerous articles for The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The Winnipeg Free Press, The Medical Post, and The Sunday Times (London). **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is a talk with audience Q&A presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics that is free to attend and open to the public. The talk will also be streamed online with live chat here [to be posted]. About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

\*\*NEW LOCATION UPDATE\*\* HELLO Everyone, We are happy to announce that our 6 year running group will be moving our weekly event back to our old location which is now under the Fionn MacCools banner. Game night will be at Fionn MacCools at 125 York Blvd #135 in Richmond Hill. Start time is at 7 PM sharp, so please do you absolute best to show up at least a few minutes before then. If you feel you are running late, let us know in the group chat or contact one of the organizers directly. If you are new to the group, we are made up of a friendly group of Dad's who like to play large variety of Euro style games both new and old. We encourage everyone to please try and support venue partner with food and/or drink orders, if at all possible. While the organizers usually bring a number of titles, it's fairly common for attendees to bring a game or two of their own to these events. You may want to keep in mind factors like game duration and table space required, set up time and repacking time. If you do not have anything to bring, don't feel like you have to, we've got you covered. Because the player count is usually not known precisely until everyone shows up, having extra games around with varying player counts helps when deciding what to play. Looking forward to seeing you at our next event!! PLEASE RSVP if you are coming, cheers!!

Tenon Vegan Sushi is another good vegan retaurant that many have liked going to, The fact they have been able to keeep their business open on Bloor st, is an indication they must be good. So it is time to pay them a visit. They very much appreciate the support when we come visit. Lets get another nice turn out. Please be sure to update your reservation if there any changes one day before. No Shows create a lot of problems. Only sign up if you are sure to attend,

**Anchor Point Investor Night – April 29** Join us for an evening of **real estate insights, networking, and practical discussions** with fellow property owners, landlords, and professionals in the Durham Region. This event is perfect for anyone who: • Is curious about real estate and property management • Wants to connect with others in the local market • Enjoys learning from real-world experiences and stories At the event, you can expect: • Open discussions on current real estate topics • Guest speakers sharing practical insights • Opportunities to meet and network with like-minded individuals • A welcoming, no-pressure environment to ask questions and learn This is an **educational and networking event** hosted by Anchor Point Property Management. No financial, legal, or investment advice is provided. **Date:** April 29 **Location:** 1755 Plummer Street, Unit 16, Pickering **Time:** 7-9pm Reserve your spot and join us for an evening of connection and learning! https://bit.ly/3PzywUf

Toronto Babel \| Language Exchange & Social Event @ Madison Ave Pub We’re back on Wednesday, April 29 for another night of good conversations, new connections, games & music. Whether you’re practicing a new language or just looking to meet new friends from all over the world, this is the place to be! Plus special guest DJ on the decks! DJ FLŸ will be spinning Salsa, Reggaetón, and Latin Classics all night long in the 2nd room 🔥🎶 Bring your dance shoes! 🌍 Toronto Babel Social ✅ Language Exchange 🇫🇷🇯🇵🇲🇽🇩🇪🇰🇷 ✅ Make New Friends 🗣️ ✅ Arts & Crafts Table 🎨 ✅ Fun Board Games 🎲 ✅ DJ Music with DJ FLŸ 💃🕺 📍 Madison Avenue Pub – Toronto 14 Madison Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 2S1 🗓️ Wednesday, April 29 🕖 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Pull up solo or bring a friend—either way, you’ll leave with new connections, good laughs, and even better vibes 💬🫶🌟 💵 $5 Entry Donation Your contribution helps cover meetup costs, name tags, games, and all the little extras that make the night special ✨ 📲 E-transfer also available: tmg8@wealthsimple.me 🔗 Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/TorontoBabel 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/torontobabel 💬 WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EYMdUw8XaxE5irFSNg5bt7 👉 Check out the calendar & RSVP: http://www.meetup.com/TorontoBabel/[#calendar](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/calendar/) 📝 Note: Toronto Babel is a welcoming and safe space for all attendees. Any form of harassment or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. If you experience or witness any issues, please inform one of the organizers immediately so we can address it appropriately. [#LanguageExchange](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/languageexchange/) [#MadisonPub](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/madisonpub/) [#TorontoEvents](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/torontoevents/) #LearnEnglish

**This is a ticketed event. Please register at [this link](https://luma.com/gprawfks).** In this talk, Sheikh Abdur Raheem Ali: 1) Discusses rare cases where deployed LLMs have been observed to engage in self-directed behavior which would have led to catastrophic outcomes if the agent escaping containment were equipped with stronger capabilities. 2) Introduces arbitrium, a peptide-based communication method used by certain bacteriophages which release small molecules known as autoinducers to decide coordinated population-level behavior, and in particular lytic and lysogenic pathways, with a quorum-sensing mechanism. 3) Explores landmark results from alignment science which inform our current understanding of LLM biology (<250 malicious documents required to poison training datasets vs <100 viral particles required to produce infection in humans). 4) Analyzes early findings from experiments which attempt to investigate scalable improvements to defenses that monitor the internal activations of production transformer models (such as probes) and demonstrates how these enable targeted interventions on known distributions which are more difficult to achieve with input/output only methods (such as prompted classifiers) in certain cases (such as long context windows or latent reasoning models) ​​​**Event Schedule** 6:00 to 6:30 - Food and introductions 6:30 to 7:30 - Presentation and Q&A 7:30 to 9:00 - Open Discussions ​​​​​​If you can't make it in person, feel free to join the live stream starting at 6:30 pm, via [this link](https://www.youtube.com/@Trajectory-Labs/live).

Don't be disappointed if you don't see a bunch of people attending. I advertise this on multiple platforms and the class usually sells out. \*\*If you don't use Paypal, email me at ralph@socap.ca and we'll figure it out. You can pay be etransfer or with a credit card/cash at the venue.\*\* Improv comedy uses several techniques to create laughter. These include, creating an atmosphere free of judgement, saying 'yes', active listening, being positive, putting your focus on others, and the importance of play and laughter. Not coincidentally, these are the same things that happen to us naturally when we are bonding with another person. In this class, we'll explore these techniques not with the goal of being funny, but with the goal of being people that other people want to be around. The teacher, Ralph MacLeod, is a co-founder of two independent improv clubs in Toronto - Bad Dog Theatre and Social Capital Theatre. He's been teaching improv for over 30 years. He also teaches these same techniques to several organizations including UofT, Google, Kraft, Shopify and many, many more. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have! FAQs and Good To Know.... After every event, a group from this class sit down and have a drink together so be prepared to stay if you want! Of course, you don't HAVE to. You also don't have to be single or bring a friend. The vibe of this class is much more 'making new friends' than a 'singles' mixer'. We usually run to 8:15 so pay for extra parking!

The playbook for AI agent integration is becoming predictable: build an MCP server, expose your APIs as tools, and define the rules in prompts. That approach works, but it often pushes workflow and guardrails into client-side logic, where they are harder to enforce and easier to bypass. This talk presents a different approach. HATEOAS (Hypermedia As The Engine Of Application State)—a largely overlooked part of REST—allows an API to describe allowed actions and constraints at runtime. That makes it a natural fit for agents, which need clear, machine-readable guidance about what they can safely do next. We’ll show this in action with MoneyMate, an AI agent that performs sensitive operations such as money transfers. Using the Spring HATEOAS project, the agent is guided entirely by the API rather than by hardcoded tools or fragile prompt logic. AI hype aside, this is ultimately a talk about architectural validation. For years, HATEOAS was the hill REST purists loved to die on—complete with finger-wagging about “doing REST correctly”—while everyone else quietly shipped simple JSON and moved on. It turns out the purists weren’t wrong—just 20 years early. Come see why that extra structure finally pays off when your client is an LLM. **About the venue** Free Times Cafe has bistro-style seating and a full food and drink menu. Please consider helping to support the venue by planning to have supper during the talk. **Speaker Bio** Adib Saikali is a distinguished engineer at Tanzu by Broadcom, focused on helping Tanzu’s largest customers design and build cloud native applications and platforms using Spring and Kubernetes. Adib is the author of Securing Cloud Applications a book that teaches application developers the fundamental security technologies and protocols required to secure cloud native applications. Over the past 25 years Adib has worked at startups and global enterprises on numerous software systems in a variety of roles, from software developer, architect, agile coach, and CTO. He has developed a 360-degree view of what it takes to build software systems efficiently, and economically.

**Hands-on. Real-world. Team-based. AWS JAM is here!** Join us for an exciting evening of cloud-powered challenges at our **AWS JAM Session**, hosted during the **AWS User Group Toronto** April meetup. This interactive session will challenge individuals and teams to solve **real-world, open-ended problems using AWS services.** Whether you're a seasoned AWS builder or just getting started, JAM sessions offer a collaborative and gamified environment to learn, compete, and grow your cloud skills. *** ### **What to Expect:** * Hands-on problem-solving * Team-based format – form your squad onsite * friendly competition * Swag & prizes for top performers * Networking with AWS experts and cloud enthusiasts ### **What You’ll Need:** * Laptop with Wi-Fi access * AWS account (will be provided) * Curious mindset and collaborative spirit! ### **Date and Time:** **-> Thursday, April 30, 2026** **-> 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM EDT** *** ### **Location:** **AWS Office ;** Floor 47 - 40 King St W, Toronto, ON M5H 1H1 ### **Venue Note:** We’re hosting this at the **AWS Toronto Office**, So please RSVP early and update your status if your plans change. **Let’s JAM and build something awesome together! 💥**

**Agentic SDLC** Software delivery is entering its next phase—one where the SDLC doesn’t just execute, it collaborates. Agentic SDLC brings AI out of the sidelines and embeds it across every phase of the lifecycle—from planning and coding to testing, deployment, and operations. These aren’t passive tools waiting for prompts—they’re proactive teammates that anticipate needs, automate repetitive work, surface risks early, and keep delivery flowing. In this session, we’ll explore how intelligent agents are reshaping the entire SDLC. Think beyond code completion: agents that refine backlog items, generate and review pull requests, create meaningful tests, enforce standards, flag risks before they become incidents, and even monitor production with context. We’ll walk through real-world scenarios and practical implementations showing how teams are using agentic approaches to boost productivity, improve code quality, and accelerate delivery—without sacrificing control or flexibility. You’ll also see how this can be done across a diverse ecosystem of tools and platforms—cloud or on-prem, open-source or commercial—so you can adopt what works best for your environment. Whether you’re a developer, tester, architect, or team lead, you’ll leave with concrete patterns and ideas to evolve your SDLC into a smarter, more adaptive system—where AI doesn’t replace the team, but makes every part of it stronger. **Speaker: Max Yermakhanov** *DevOps guy, Automagically* A passionate and forward-thinking DevOps guy, Max brings over 20+ years of experience helping organizations modernize how they build and deliver software. As a Senior DevOps consultant, he partners with clients across public and private sectors to implement scalable infrastructure, continuous delivery practices, and—more recently—AI-augmented development workflows. With a Master’s degree in Computer Science and a deep appreciation for the craft of software development, Max blends hands-on technical expertise with a practical, results-driven mindset. He’s also a self-proclaimed “dilettante librarian,” holding a Master’s in Library and Information Science—fueling his curiosity and love for organizing complex systems. Known for his collaborative approach and relentless problem-solving, Max brings energy, clarity, and a touch of humor to every challenge. A lifelong learner, he’s especially passionate about helping teams embrace emerging paradigms like Agentic SDLC—where humans and AI work together to build better software, faster. **Schedule:** 6:00 - 6:30 - Meet 'n Greet with Pizza and Pop 6:30 - 6:45 - Introduction and Welcome 6:45 - 7:45 - Main Presentation 7:45 - 8:00 - Closing and Prize Draw (You're not going to want to miss this prize!!) 8:00 - ? - (Optional - whoever would like to join) Continue our conversations at Bar 6ix, 201 City Centre Drive (3 minute walk) **Where to Find Us** Room 204 in the Hazel McCallion Central Library. 2nd Level. **Parking** There is a parking garage under the library. Parking is free from 6PM on.

**Latest Dojo Location!** **Knotty Pine Brewing** 1765 W 3rd Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for speakers for our Monthly Meetups! Fill out the form if you are interested in presenting to the Python Community. https://forms.gle/ehSfUAC2WgR34Crq9

Central Ohio Radio Enthusiasts—CORE—is an informal community for anyone enthusiastic or curious about radio—whether you're new to radio and want to learn or you've been tinkering for years and want to share. Ham radio operators, GMRS users, Meshtastic fans, software-defined radio nerds, makers, and technical and non-technical folks are all welcome. No experience required or expected. This month we have **Radio Signal Analysis Using SDRs and OpenWebRX+** with **Scott McCrory**. Details are are [core.radio](https://core.radio/).

It feels like we just saw each other 🤷. Join members of the local design and UX community for our monthly breakfast. For May we’re stopping in for Rooh’s popup breakfast/cafe concept. You know someone is getting the lobster yuzu croissant, and that’s not even the prettiest thing on the menu!.

Join Neurospicy Columbus at the Stauff's for coffee and then a stroll through the Book Loft nearby! This will be a friendly chat for like minded individuals with Autism and/or ADHD (or somewhere on the Neurodiverse Spectra).

Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/cbus-hug-2026/

Our monthly PHP meetup. A virtual shindig courtesy of Zoom. Check back here for the details around 6:15 pm

Come out to Improving for our monthly iOS and Mac meetings. This Month's Presentation: Nothing yet. (You should volunteer). What is Cocoaheads (http://cocoaheads.org/)? CocoaHeads is a group devoted to discussion of Apple Computer's Cocoa Framework for programming on MacOS X and iOS (including the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch). During monthly meetings, members present on their projects and offer tutorials on various programming topics. What is BuckeyeCocoa (http://buckeyecocoa.org/)? BuckeyeCocoa is a group of Objective-C/Swift developers/enthusiasts. We host monthly Cocoaheads and near-weekly NSCoder meetings in Columbus, Ohio. The meetings are free to attend. Presentations! Presenters welcome! We are always in need of people willing to present material. Any Swift and/or Objective-C related topic is welcome. Times can be 5 minutes (i.e. lightning talks) to a maximum of 2 hours. Interested? Contact info is on the BuckeyeCocoa website. To volunteer for a presentation contact us at @BuckeyeCocoa on Twitter. Follow us on Twitter! @BuckeyeCocoa (https://twitter.com/#!/Buckeyecocoa/) For more information: http://buckeyecocoa.org/