Faculty of Arts & Science

The annual awards recognize achievements by outstanding scholars and students in research, research training, knowledge mobilization and outreach activities funded by SSHRC, and are considered Canada's highest honours in social sciences and humanities research.

The finalists for the 2024 SSHRC Impact Awards from �山ǿ�� are:

Professor Lynette Ong (department of political science, Faculty of Arts & Science and Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy) – Insight Award
Professor Peter Newman (Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work) – Partnership Award
Louis Busch (PhD candidate, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) – Talent Award

The winners in each of the award categories will be announced on Nov. 25, 2024.

Renée Hložek awarded Rutherford Memorial Medal by Royal Society of Canada

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 18:21:44 +0000

Renée Hložek awarded Rutherford Memorial Medal by Royal Society of Canada

Research & Innovation

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 09/10/2024 - 14:21

Faculty

St. George

David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics

Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics

Faculty of Arts & Science

Royal Society of Canada

Rutherford Memorial Medal

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Renée Hložek (photo by Portmanteau Media Inc

Renée Hložek, an associate professor at the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics and the David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at the Faculty of Arts & Science, has been awarded the Royal Society of Canada's Rutherford Memorial Medal.

The annual award recognizes researchers in the early stages of their careers in chemistry or physics. It is presented in memory of Ernest Rutherford, a scientist and a leader in nuclear research who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908.

Hložek's research involves advancing our understanding of the universe’s structure, origin and evolution. She is a member of the recently decommissioned Atacama Cosmology Telescope collaboration, as well as the active Simons Observatory in northern Chile, where she studies the Cosmic Microwave Background – light from the universe when it was approximately 400,000 years old. She is also investigating dark matter and dark energy through her work with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Large Synoptic Survey Telescope dark energy science collaboration.

“[The medal] was something that I wanted, but not something that I ever really expected to get because there are so many great people in Canada, so I’m kind of shocked – but pleased,” says Hložek.

“I work in big teams, so my work represents a ton of people working together. I wouldn't be here without the support of all the people in my collaborations building instruments and figuring out how to do analysis and all of that good stuff.”

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Jacob Tsimerman receives John L. Synge Award from the Royal Society of Canada

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 17:55:08 +0000

Jacob Tsimerman receives John L. Synge Award from the Royal Society of Canada

Research & Innovation

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 09/10/2024 - 13:55

Faculty

St. George

Department of Mathematics

Faculty of Arts & Science

Royal Society of Canada

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Jacob Tsimerman (photo by Richard Poissant)

Jacob Tsimerman, an associate professor in the Faculty of Arts & Science’s department of mathematics, has received the prestigious John L. Synge Award from the Royal Society of Canada.

The annual award recognizes outstanding research in the mathematical sciences. It is awarded in honour of the late John Lighton Synge, former head of �山ǿ��'s department of applied mathematics and one of the first mathematicians working in Canada to receive international recognition for his research.

Tsimerman’s research focuses primarily on analytic number theory and arithmetic geometry. He studies whole number solutions to certain types of polynomial equations. One of his most notable research accomplishments is his contribution to a proof for a longstanding mathematical hypothesis called the André-Oort conjecture.

“I am truly honoured to accept the Synge Award,” says Tsimerman. “Mathematics is a collective endeavour and I am thrilled to share this honour with a wonderful community of friends, colleagues and students. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to delve even deeper into the challenges and beauty that mathematics offers.”

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18 faculty members elected Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

rahul.kalvapalle — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 16:58:49 +0000

18 faculty members elected Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

Community

rahul.kalvapalle Mon, 09/09/2024 - 12:58

Faculty

St. George

Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies

Department for the Study of Religion

Department of Biochemistry

Department of Computer Science

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Department of Germanic Languages & Literatures

Department of Medicine

Department of Physics

Faculty of Arts & Science

Faculty of Arts and Science

Faculty of Law

Faculty of Music

Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design

Medical Biophysics

OISE

Royal Society of Canada

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

�山ǿ�� Mississauga

�山ǿ�� Scarborough

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Eighteen faculty members from across the University of Toronto have been appointed Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada – a prestigious distinction given to the country’s most distinguished scholars, artists and scientists.

“The University of Toronto is immensely proud to see such a high number of our faculty members elected to the Royal Society of Canada,” said Leah Cowen, �山ǿ��’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives. “These researchers are at the forefront of disciplines that span the arts, social sciences, humanities and sciences, and their work stands to have a significant impact on academic inquiry, policy and societal well-being.”

The 2024 Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada are:

Kamari Clarke of the Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Simon Coleman of the department for the study of religion in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Susan George of the University Health Network and the department of medicine in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Willi Goetschel of the department of Germanic languages and literatures in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Aiyun Huang of the Faculty of Music
Hae-Young Kee of the department of physics in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Kang Lee of the department of applied psychology and human development in the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Ren-Ke Li of the University Health Network and the department of surgery in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Mathieu Lupien of the University Health Network and the department of medical biophysics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Mark McGowan of the department of history in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Kent Moore of the department of chemical and physical sciences at �山ǿ�� Mississauga
Jim Phillips of the Faculty of Law
John Rubinstein of the Hospital for Sick Children and the department of biochemistry in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Brigitte Shim of the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
Raquel Urtasun of the department of computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Balint Virag of the department of computer and mathematical sciences at �山ǿ�� Scarborough
Lucan Alan Way of the department of political science at �山ǿ�� Scarborough
Stephen Wright of the department of ecology and evolutionary biology in the Faculty of Arts & Science

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Robert Morris recognized by American Chemical Society

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 19:09:40 +0000

Robert Morris recognized by American Chemical Society

Research & Innovation

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 09/05/2024 - 15:09

Faculty

St. George

Department of Chemistry

Faculty of Arts & Science

landscape

Robert Morris (supplied image)

Robert Morris, a professor in the department of chemistry in the Faculty of Arts & Science, has received the American Chemical Society (ACS)'s Award in Organometallic Chemistry.

The award, which is among ACS's 2025 National Awards, celebrates recent advancements in research in organometallic chemistry.

In its award citation, ACS said Morris has "significantly advanced our understanding of transition metal hydride and dihydrogen complexes and the role they play in catalytic organometallic reactions."

Morris said he has been overwhelmed by the support of colleagues who have congratulated him on this achievement. “It is very generous of the American Chemical Society to share its National Awards with international scientists," he said.

"I also have to thank the fantastic students – both graduate and undergraduate – and postdoctoral fellows who have done research in my lab over 44 years, and NSERC for funding this fundamental research.”

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PhD student Alex Gabbey recognized by Women Chemists Committee

rahul.kalvapalle — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 16:45:10 +0000

PhD student Alex Gabbey recognized by Women Chemists Committee

Research & Innovation

rahul.kalvapalle Wed, 09/04/2024 - 12:45

Students

St. George

Department of Chemistry

Faculty of Arts & Science

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Alex Gabbey (supplied image)

Alex Gabbey, a PhD student in the research group of Professor Sophie Rousseaux in the department of chemistry at the Faculty of Arts & Science, has received the Merck Research Award from the Women Chemists Committee.

Gabbey's research explores Ni-catalyzed reactions of redox-active esters, as well as the synthesis and functionalization of strained rings. She previously received a number of awards from the department of chemistry including the Adrian Brook Graduate Scholarship in Organic Chemistry and Merck Canada Ltd. Chemistry Conference Award.

"These awards are a testament to what a fantastic research group I’m part of. No one conducts research in a vacuum and I’ve been fortunate to have amazing lab mates to bounce ideas off of and troubleshoot problems with," said Gabbey.

"I’ve also had a phenomenal supervisor in Sophie. She has been incredibly supportive of me from day one, whether it’s applying for scholarships, trying new ideas, applying for conferences – you name it. I couldn’t be more grateful for the research environment and support in the Rousseaux group."

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Daniel Lysak awarded Dean’s Doctoral Excellence Scholarship

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 16:25:24 +0000

Daniel Lysak awarded Dean’s Doctoral Excellence Scholarship

Academic Achievement

Community

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 09/03/2024 - 12:25

Students

Scarborough

Dean's Doctoral Excellence Scholarship

Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences

Faculty of Arts & Science

�山ǿ�� Scarborough

landscape

(supplied photo)

Daniel Lysak, a PhD student in the department of physical and environmental sciences at �山ǿ�� Scarborough, has been recognized with a Dean's Doctoral Excellence Scholarship.

The annual prize, valued at $25,000, is awarded by the Faculty of Arts & Science to a PhD student whose academic excellence is matched by their contributions to the community.

Lysak's research involves using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study environmental stress at the molecular level. The author of several groundbreaking articles, he has also been a longtime advocate for graduate students.

“Daniel has been working on some of the most challenging interdisciplinary research and his efforts have consistently led to world-class publications,” says his doctoral supervisor, Professor Andre Simpson.

The recipient of numerous academic awards, Lysak says the Dean's Doctoral Excellence Scholarship is particularly meaningful given the often solitary nature of his work. “Graduate school involves a lot of independent work,” he says. “It is often hard to tell if you are doing a good job, which leads to self-doubt and a kind of mental struggle. So an award like this is very encouraging, and it’s truly a great honour."

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9 researchers receive Connaught Community Partnership Research Program awards

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 23:04:44 +0000

9 researchers receive Connaught Community Partnership Research Program awards

Research & Innovation

Community

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 08/22/2024 - 19:04

Faculty

St. George

Scarborough

Connaught Community Research Partnership Award

Connaught Fund

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Department of Anthropology

Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Faculty of Dentistry

Rotman School of Management

�山ǿ�� Scarborough

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Nine researchers from the University of Toronto have received Connaught Community Partnership Research Program awards.

Given by the Connaught Fund, the awards support research carried out in collaboration with non-academic community partners and driven by their needs and priorities. For the 2024-25 funding cycle, the Connaught Committee made the decision to exceed its $300,000 allocation to award a total of $820,000 to nine research initiatives.

“It is a testament to the range and excellence of research proposals that the Connaught Fund will, this year, support more Community Partnership Research Programs than ever before,” said Leah Cowen, �山ǿ��’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives.

“In recent years, projects supported by this program have blossomed into established relationships that are enriching research at our university and poised to have a sustained impact on communities.

“I have no doubt that this will continue to be the case with this year’s awarded projects, which address complex challenges that range from tracking contaminants in traditional foods in First Nations to enhancing the wellness of older adults in retirement living.”

The recipients of the 2024-25 Connaught Community Partnership Research Program awards are:

Elyse Caron-Beaudoin, department of health and society, �山ǿ�� Scarborough – Kihcinahowin kîspin piscipowin astîk kimîcowinân (Tracking contaminants in traditional foods)
Mark Chignell, department of mechanical and industrial engineering, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – Activity spaces for community-living older adults: Implementing a pilot space in a naturally occurring retirement community and evaluating its impact on physical and cognitive function, and social interaction
Bernhard Ganss, Faculty of Dentistry – Chalky teeth in Ontario’s children: Determining prevalence and raising awareness in the Durham region
Daniel Grace, department of social and behavioural health sciences, Dalla Lana School of Public Health – Advancing 2-spirited health equity: Learning through the narratives of 2-spirited people impacted by HIV
Matthew Hoffmann, department of political science, �山ǿ�� Scarborough – From envisioning to empowering a just transition in Scarborough
Sheng Liu, operations management and statistics, Rotman School of Management – Enhancing support for survivors of abuse through intelligent volunteer management
Angela Mashford-Pringle, Waakebiness Institute for Indigenous Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health – Rivers of plenty: Enabling heart healthy eating in James and Hudson’s Bay
Laura Risk, department of arts, culture and media, �山ǿ�� Scarborough – Old sounds, new stories: A partnership with the Canadian Museum of History to activate the Fonds Jean Trudel
Daniel Sellen, department of anthropology, Faculty of Arts & Science – The ecosystem of birthing and lactation in Toronto: Lived experiences of marginalized parents and the role of community support providers

Sheena Josselyn recognized by American Association for the Advancement of Science

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 13:53:28 +0000

Sheena Josselyn recognized by American Association for the Advancement of Science

Research & Innovation

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 08/08/2024 - 09:53

Faculty

St. George

AAAS Fellows

Department of Physiology

Department of Psychology

Faculty of Arts & Science

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

The Hospital for Sick Children

landscape

(photo courtesy of The Hospital for Sick Children)

Sheena Josselyn, a senior scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and a professor in the department of psychology in the Faculty of Arts & Science and the department of physiology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, has been elected a 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow.

The AAAS is one of the world’s largest scientific societies and publisher of the Science family of journals. Its fellowships, launched in 1874, represent a distinguished lifetime honour within the scientific community.

Josselyn, who holds a Canada Research Chair in Brain Mechanisms Underlying Memory, was recognized for her contributions to the field of neuroscience, particularly for establishing the existence of engrams – physical or chemical changes in the brain that correspond to memories.

Understanding how engrams are formed and connected in the brain may lead to effective therapies that target conditions disrupting memories, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The 2023 AAAS Fellows were announced in April 2024.

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Nayani Jensen wins 2024 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Canadian Writers

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 16:12:29 +0000

Nayani Jensen wins 2024 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Canadian Writers

Community

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 08/02/2024 - 12:12

Students

St. George

Faculty of Arts & Science

Institute for the History & Philosophy of Science & Technology

landscape

Nayani Jensen (supplied image)

Nayani Jensen, a PhD candidate in the Institute for the History & Philosophy of Science & Technology (IHPST) at the Faculty of Arts & Science, has been named winner of the short fiction category in the Writers’ Trust of Canada’s 2024 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Canadian Writers.

Jensen was recognized for Like Rabbits, a story about the 17th-century Dutch physician, physiologist and anatomist Regnier de Graaf, who made key discoveries in reproductive biology before dying at the age of 32. Jensen imagined the end of de Graaf’s life based on real historical research and archival work.

The Writers’ Trust short fiction jury said Like Rabbits was “historical fiction at its most intimate,” lauding Jensen for crafting “a timeless story of ambition and a tender portrait of a marriage.”

“I sincerely did not think that I was going to win,” Jensen said. “I was very happy just to have been a finalist, so it was a big surprise, but it was wonderful.”

Little Rabbits is part of a collection of fictional short stories, each grounded in a scientific discovery or debate. “It's big questions about science as well as human questions all looked at through the lens of the short story,” Jensen said.

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Faculty of Arts & Science

3 �山ǿ�� scholars named finalists for 2024 SSHRC Impact Awards

Read more about the SSHRC Impact Awards

Renée Hložek awarded Rutherford Memorial Medal by Royal Society of Canada

Read the Faculty of Arts & Science story

Read about the Royal Society of Canada award winners

Jacob Tsimerman receives John L. Synge Award from the Royal Society of Canada

Read the Faculty of Arts & Science story

Read about the Royal Society of Canada award winners

18 faculty members elected Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

Read the Royal Society of Canada press release

Robert Morris recognized by American Chemical Society

Read the department of chemistry story

PhD student Alex Gabbey recognized by Women Chemists Committee

Read the department of chemistry story

Daniel Lysak awarded Dean’s Doctoral Excellence Scholarship

Read the Faculty of Arts & Science story

9 researchers receive Connaught Community Partnership Research Program awards

Read more about the Connaught Community Partnership Research Program

Sheena Josselyn recognized by American Association for the Advancement of Science

Read the AAAS announcement

Nayani Jensen wins 2024 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Canadian Writers

Read the Faculty of Arts & Science story

Read the Writers' Trust jury citation