Alumni | Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) /gradstudies Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:39:35 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.10 91ŃÇÉ« alumni earn Royal Society of Canada awards /gradstudies/2026/09/24/york-alumni-earn-awards/ Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:39:31 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=71420 Two 91ŃÇÉ« alumni are among the 2026 recipients of awards from the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) for their meaningful contributions to equity, social justice and women’s and gender studies. Perry received her MA (’92) and PhD (’98) from 91ŃÇɫ’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. She is the recipient of this medal, awarded for outstanding work contributing to the history of Canada. A leading historian, Perry has helped reshape understandings of colonialism in Canada. She serves as Distinguished Professor of history and women’s and gender studies at the University of Manitoba and directs the Centre for Human Rights Research.

]]> 91ŃÇÉ« U father-son collab helps earn award for Black Appalachian anthology /gradstudies/2026/09/24/black-appalachian-anthology/ Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:28:34 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=71410 More than four decades after helping document Black experiences in Appalachia, 91ŃÇÉ« Professor Emeritus Wilburn Hayden Jr. is part of an award-winning effort to expand that conversation, this time alongside a contributor from the next generation: his son and 91ŃÇÉ« alum Donovan Hayden. The pair are part of a writing and editing team to receive the 2026 Thomas D. Clark Medallion – an award presented annually for books that enrich understanding of Kentucky's history, culture and people – for Black Appalachia: Race, Place, and Identity. Co-edited by Wilburn Hayden Jr., professor emeritus and senior scholar in 91ŃÇÉ«'s School of Social Work, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, the anthology brings together scholars, writers and artists in an interdisciplinary exploration of Black life in Appalachia.

]]> 91ŃÇÉ« welcomes eight new members to its Board of Governors /gradstudies/2026/09/24/new-members-of-governors/ Thu, 24 Sep 2026 13:22:07 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=71405 91ŃÇÉ« welcomed eight new members to its Board of Governors over the spring and summer, strengthening the Board’s role in guiding 91ŃÇɫ’s continued growth and development. The new members bring diverse expertise spanning business, technology, law, health and student leadership. “91ŃÇÉ« is fortunate to welcome such a talented and diverse group of leaders to the Board of Governors,” says Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Philipps. “I am grateful to each of them for their willingness to serve and for their commitment to supporting 91ŃÇɫ’s mission and community.” Together, the new members bring a breadth of knowledge, experience and perspectives that will support the Board of Governors in its oversight of the University and its ongoing commitment to advancing 91ŃÇɫ’s priorities.

]]> Alumni Panels & Testimonials /gradstudies/alumni/alumni-panels-testimonials/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:31:31 +0000 /gradstudies/?page_id=71249

Hear directly from our graduates! Dive into alumni panels packed with expert advice and enjoy personal video stories that highlight their unique paths and achievements. Discover insights into career growth, research breakthroughs, and real-world experiences that shape our community. Whether you’re a prospective student or a proud alum, these stories will inspire and connect you.

Panel Discussions Hosted by FGS

Choose Grad 91ŃÇÉ« - Learning about Grad School from Our Alumni

Panelists:

  • Blessing O. (MEd '25, Education)
  • Desmond A. (MES '25, Environmental Studies)
  • Jenny E. (PhD '10, History)


Learning about Grad School from Our Alumni

Panelists:

  • Sehrish Malik (MA, Gender Studies; PhD, Humanities)
  • Ariella Markus (MA, Interdisciplinary Studies)
  • Moein Shafi (MSc, Computer Science)

Choose Grad 91ŃÇÉ« '24: Learning about Grad School from Our Alumni

Panelists:

  • Alexandros Balasis (MA Alumni & PhD candidate - History)
  • Ariella Markus (MA Alumni - Interdisciplinary Studies)
  • Ramesh Venkatesa Perumal (PhD Alumni - Nursing)

Level Up Grad Alumni Studies Panel: How grad school fuelled my career

Panelists:

  • Masaõ Ashtine (MSc '13)
  • Osman Naqvi (MMgt '17)
  • Sonia Sheechoria (BHRM '15, MLCE '19)


Choose Grad 91ŃÇÉ« '22 - Research Career Satisfaction Outside of Academe

Panelists:

  • Monique Abbott (MSW '17, Social Work)
  • Naz Chaudary (PhD '04, Biology)
  • Dylann McLean (MA '09, PhD '15, Geography)

Alumni Journeys & Success Stories

MFA’22 alumna Michelle Peraza explores her research and exhibition in conversation with AMPD Professor Tammer El-Sheikh.

Interdisciplinary Studies alumna Muna Ali explores identity and belonging among young Somali women through research.

MFA’21 alumna Hannah Doucet creates artwork exploring fantasy, illness, and the body through photography.

Interdisciplinary Studies alumna Keith Francis explores architectural design and dementia care through research on built environments.

MCI alumna Malikah Alibhai shares her transition from graduate studies to a successful interpreting career in Europe.

Interdisciplinary Studies alumnus Alejandro Mayoral creates digital tools that support Indigenous communities and culture.

Health Policy & Equity PhD alumna Kaitlin (Katie) Di Pierdomenico researches person-centered approaches to mental health care.

]]> Our Top 30 Alumni Under 30 /gradstudies/alumni/our-top-30-alumni-under-30/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:29:25 +0000 /gradstudies/?page_id=71247

In a world defined by rapid change and global challenges, the call for bold, compassionate, and visionary leadership has never been louder. At 91ŃÇÉ«, we are proud to see our alumni stepping up to meet that call—not someday, but now.

91ŃÇɫ’s Top 30 Alumni Under 30 program celebrates exceptional young leaders who are using their talents, education, and passion to make meaningful change. Launched in 2021, the Top 30 Alumni Under 30 program continues to spotlight the energy and excellence of young alumni who apply their 91ŃÇÉ« education to transform lives, communities, and the world at large.

Photo of Chimira Nicole Andres
Chimira Nicole Andres, PhD '25

Planetary geophysicist and glacial geomorphologist

 

Photo of Wasi Syed Babar
Wasi Syed Babar, MPPAL '25

Senior Program Manager, City of Toronto

 

email

Deepana Devadas, LLM '25

Lawyer, Marketing Strategist and Community Builder

email

Photo of Tolu Faromika
Tolu Faromika, MA '25

Podcast Host and Founder, The BrainCore Podcast

 

email

Photo of Merve Kolcak
Merve Kolcak, MES '21

Urban Planner and Project Manager, The Biglieri Group

email

Photo of Esther Martinez
Esther Martinez, MEd '24

Founder, RaĂ­ces;
Community Educator

email

Photo of Parmin Rahimpoor-Marnani
Parmin Rahimpoor-Marnani, MSc '25

Clinical Research Assistant

 

email

Phone of Chinoye Sunny
Chinoye Sunny, MES '21

Development Planner, City of Richmond Hill

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Photo of Winnie Yu
Winnie Yu, MSc '20

Founding Partner, FinMed

 email

Jocelyn Cadieux, MES '20

Policy planner and community builder

email

Lauren Castelino, MES '24

Environmentalist and entrepreneur

email

Blessing Owusu, MEd '24

Educator and children's book author

email

Aniket Prabhudesai, MASc '22

Space robotics and engineering expert

 

email

Pankaj Puar, MSc '21

Health Researcher,
Educator and Mentor

 

email

Nathan Yiu, MDEM '21

Disaster management expert and community leader

 

email

Khadeja Elsibai, MPPAL '22

Public servant and community builder

email

John Lau, MES '19

Sustainability Leader and Senior Policy Advisor

email

Sara Pishdadian, MA '18, PhD '23

Clinician and health equity advocate 

email

Sam Rockbrune, MA '19

Community leader and social justice advocate

email

Bianca Bondi, MA '19

Clinical researcher and child development advocate

 

email

Victoria Canale, MSW '21

Public health researcher and social worker

 

email

Lucas DeLuca, MA '19

Accessibility strategist and advocate

 

email

Philip Geller, MFA '22

Theatre artist and
storyteller

 

email

Ying Gu, MES '19

Sustainability advisor and climate change advocate

email

Shalini Iyer, MSc '22

Scientist, STEM educator and EDI advocate

email

Kate Haiyun Mossop, MLCE '21

Community Builder, Director of Community Programs

 

email

Lela Pacitti-Sander, MES '17

Community planner and youth worker

 

email

Raghavender Sahdev, MSC '18

Entrepreneur

email

Korina Thomas-Reynolds, MEd '20

Educator and entrepreneur

email

Suzanna Alsayed, MDEM '20

Tech entrepreneur

email

Elijah Bawuah, MES '21

EDI advocate and mentor

email

Jonathan Clodman, MEd '20

Educator; Health advocate

email

Bri Darboh, MA '18

Health equity advocate

email

Jason Robinson, MES '19

Environmental and EDI advocate

email

Miranda Baksh, MES '19

CEO and Founder, Community Climate Council

email

Nicole Doray, MES '19

Manager, Social Impact;
Senior Researcher

email

Mikhaela Gray-Beerman, MED '18

Anti-trafficking advocate, researcher and educator

email

]]> From boardrooms to labs: 91ŃÇÉ« alumni, faculty among Canada's most powerful women /gradstudies/2026/09/14/from-boardrooms-to-labs/ Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:35:16 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=71199 91ŃÇÉ« alumni and faculty members are among this year’s winners of the Women’s Executive Network’s (WXN) Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards, which celebrate women driving change across sectors including technology, health care, law and finance. With more than two decades of board experience, Corinne Boone (MES ’94) has developed expertise in governance strategy, climate finance, as well as energy and mining. Trained as an anthropologist, Johanna Faigelman (MA ’00) founded HumanBranding in 2006 and has since expanded the behavioural insights consultancy to Toronto and New Jersey.

]]> 91ŃÇÉ« U students, alumni shine at TIFF 2026 /gradstudies/2026/09/11/york-u-students-tiff-2026/ Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:54:42 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=71134 Students and alumni from 91ŃÇÉ«'s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) will be in the spotlight during this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), with contributions to films, television, experimental cinema and public installations. Bourges' latest short film explores self discovery, faith and the search for meaning in everyday life, continuing his reputation for character-driven films that blend documentary and narrative approaches to examine human connection. Premiering as part of TIFF's Wavelengths programme, Uzuner's film combines experimental filmmaking with an interest in art, history and the cultural connections that shape creative communities.

]]> 91ŃÇÉ« study finds smarter way to collect city data /gradstudies/2026/08/17/collect-city-data/ Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:18:54 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=70724 As cities face growing pressure to manage transportation networks, infrastructure and public services using smart-sensing systems, new research led by 91ŃÇÉ« suggests there may be a more effective – and economical – way to collect data. Urban planners depend on data to support decisions ranging from parking management and road maintenance to traffic operations and environmental monitoring, explains Elham Heydari-Gharaei, the study’s first author and 91ŃÇÉ« PhD alum. Collecting that information across an entire city, however, can require expensive networks of fixed sensors.

]]> 91ŃÇÉ« PhD alum explores Soviet diaspora through American ballroom dance /gradstudies/2026/08/14/phd-alum-explores-soviet/ Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:17:54 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=70603 David Outevsky, a 91ŃÇÉ« PhD alum, has published Soviet Diaspora in American Ballroom based on his doctoral dissertation at 91ŃÇÉ«, which explores the historical journey of migrant ballroom dancers from post-Soviet countries to North America. Through movement analysis, author David Outevsky dissects their daily training and international performances to analyze the commodification and politicization of DanceSport in the current neo-Cold War climate.

]]> 91ŃÇÉ« research reveals climate change impact in Arctic /gradstudies/2026/07/20/climate-impact-in-arctic/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:17:59 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=70225 As climate change reshapes the Arctic, 91ŃÇÉ« researchers are shedding new light on how declining sea ice affects the health of the ringed seals and polar bears that depend on them. Understanding how climate change affects Arctic wildlife is becoming urgent as the North warms faster than the rest of the planet. “Climate warming is a global problem but it’s most severe in the North, where the climate is warming about four times faster than the global average,” says Gregory W. Thiemann, a professor in the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change.

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