Graduate Research | Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) /gradstudies Tue, 22 Sep 2026 19:05:38 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.10 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鈥檙e a prospective student or a proud alum, these stories will inspire and connect you.

Panel Discussions Hosted by FGS

Choose Grad 91亚色 - 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 91亚色 '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:

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


Choose Grad 91亚色 '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鈥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鈥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 91亚色, we are proud to see our alumni stepping up to meet that call鈥攏ot someday, but now.

91亚色鈥檚 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 91亚色 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, Ra铆ces;
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

]]> Our Alumni鈥檚 Graduate Research /gradstudies/alumni/our-alumnis-grad-research/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:28:44 +0000 /gradstudies/?page_id=71253

Knowledge Now: Graduate Research showcases the graduate research conducted by our community and how it continues to inform their careers, scholarship, and contributions to society. Through video-recorded interviews and panel conversations on pressing social and global issues, the series highlights how ideas developed during graduate study evolve into real-world impact.

Master鈥檚 alumna Desmond Aseidu explores corporate sustainability through Indigenous justice research.

Doctoral alumna Taylor Starr explores barriers shaping women鈥檚 experiences in Canadian law faculties.

Master鈥檚 alumna Iana Shatilova reflects on her research and journey in Disaster & Emergency Management.

Doctoral alumna Amanda Liczner studies bumble bee habitats and agricultural ecosystems.

Master鈥檚 alumna Kerry-Ann James examines how cinematic space and time influence visual storytelling.

Master鈥檚 alumna Dana Vuckovic explores literary depictions of mental illness in French literature.

Doctoral alumna Inbar Peled researches identity and inequality in legal systems.

Doctoral alumna Camelia Bryan researches workplace stigma, inclusion, and organizational change.

Doctoral alumna Susan Chiblow researches Indigenous water knowledge and community well-being.

Doctoral alumna Khushbu Patel studies colour perception in immersive environments.

Doctoral alumna Linn Biorklund Belliveau explores displacement and refuge in Mexico.

Doctoral alumna Rajat Nayyar researches women鈥檚 vocal traditions as expressions of activism and resistance.

Doctoral student Brittany Tomin uses science fiction storytelling to explore students鈥 visions of the future.

Master鈥檚 alumna Jordan Santorsola researches sustainable construction materials and practices.

Doctoral alumnus Aaron Tucker explores facial recognition technology and its growing impact on society.

Doctoral alumna Michaela Pnacekova explores AI, immersive media, and human responses to facial recognition.

Doctoral alumna Joshua Shaw examines legal perspectives on human remains and their societal significance.

Doctoral alumna Balikisu Osman examines food access challenges among farming households in Ghana.

Doctoral alumna Fiona Patterson researches language use across technology platforms and digital communication.

Master鈥檚 alumna Noah Khan researches how digital tools are transforming classroom interaction and learning.

Doctoral alumna Iuliia Kotseruba researches driver attention patterns to improve vehicle safety and assistance systems.

Doctoral alumna Shiva Akhtarian develops low-cost biosensors for rapid pathogen detection in field settings.

Doctoral alumna Ramesh Venkatesa Perumal researches mentorship among internationally educated nurses.

Doctoral alumna Charlotte Lombardo explores community and culture through participatory art projects.

Doctoral alumna Jordan Bentley researches sustainable non-metal catalysts for chemical processes.

Master鈥檚 alumna Paula Tablon Modica researches engagement with Autistic adults and communities.

Doctoral alumna Laura Keane researches rechargeable batteries and the factors that influence their lifespan.

Doctoral alumna Sarah Redikopp examines self-harm, identity, and help-seeking.

Doctoral alumna Michael Marlatt researches accessibility and inclusion in archival education.

Doctoral alumna Kashmala Qasim explores Muslim women鈥檚 perspectives on identity and mental well-being.

Doctoral alumna Isaac Welson researches global cooperation on emerging health threats and policy responses.

Master鈥檚 alumna Alita Gideon researches exercise intensity, fat metabolism, and strategies supporting metabolic health.

]]> Graduate Funding /gradstudies/students/current-students/graduate-funding-draft/ Mon, 15 Jun 2026 18:31:01 +0000 /gradstudies/?page_id=69821
Photo of Lassonde Science Building at 91亚色

Funding Info at 91亚色

Here you will find information on funding graduate education at 91亚色.

Graduate Funding Appointment 

Schedule a 1-on-1 appointment with a Graduate Funding Advisor who supports your program

View a summary of your funding package (if applicable) in the Grad Funding Profile via the Financial Aid, Awards & Scholarships (FAAS) system.

]]> 91亚色-designed tool predicts how microbes from Earth suvive on Mars /gradstudies/2026/03/11/how-microbes-suvive-on-mars/ Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:25:44 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=68803 91亚色 researchers Grace Bischof and John Moores, from the Lassonde School of Engineering, are developing new tools to ensure future missions to Mars do not accidentally contaminate the planet with microbes from Earth. Mars has been a focus of space exploration for more than six decades. As more missions are planned, new research from 91亚色 highlights an important risk: the possibility that Earth's microbes 鈥 tiny forms of life such as bacteria 鈥 could travel aboard spacecraft and survive on Mars.

]]> MSc Graduate Amaar Hussein Receives National Chemistry Award /gradstudies/2026/03/06/national-chemistry-award/ Fri, 06 Mar 2026 20:07:10 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=68746 Amaar Hussein, a recent MSc graduate, received a national chemistry award for outstanding achievement and potential in research by a graduate student. The CCUCC Chemistry Master of Science Award is intended to recognize outstanding achievement and potential in research by a graduate student who has fulfilled all of the requirements for an MSc degree for graduation from a Canadian university in the 12鈥恗onth period preceding the nomination deadline of Sept. 15. The formal convocation need not have occurred. In selecting candidates for the award, the Selection Committee shall be primarily concerned with demonstrated ability and achievements in research.

]]> Canadian non-profits face barriers to advancing equity, 91亚色 U study shows /gradstudies/2026/01/23/nonprofit-equity-barriers-study/ Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:16:52 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=68113 Despite widespread commitments to equity and intersectionality, many Canadian non-profits face barriers to translating these frameworks into everyday practice, according to new research from 91亚色. The study led by Ashlee Christoffersen, a postdoctoral researcher hosted by the Department of Politics in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, aims to fill gaps in understanding how equity-seeking non-profit organizations in Canada apply inclusive frameworks. The research shows that while 2020 sparked renewed attention to equity in some organizations, many changes were short-lived or largely performative. Lack of diversity remained widespread, particularly in leadership and decision-making roles. The findings also reveal that internal practices often lag behind in advocacy efforts and equity work frequently falls disproportionately on staff from marginalized communities.

]]> Following 50 years of Canadian life: 91亚色 study chronicles education, work, family life of baby boomers /gradstudies/2026/01/16/baby-boomers-study/ Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:00:56 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=68124 91亚色 researchers have captured half a century of Canadian life in聽a landmark study that began in Ontario classrooms and now spans generations.聽Culminating in a new book titled The Story of a Generation, the research marks the longest-running Canadian generational study of its kind, following nearly 50 years in the lives of a cohort of high school students who graduated in 1973. The project originated with Paul Anisef, professor emeritus at 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies who began with a survey of high school students to help the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities understand and project post-secondary enrolment.

]]> 91亚色 research shows homelessness increases mental health risk聽 /gradstudies/2025/12/19/york-research-homelessness-health/ Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:20:42 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=67995 A 91亚色 postdoctoral fellow is leading groundbreaking research that combines epidemiology, data science and community partnership to better understand neurological and mental health risks among people experiencing homelessness in Canada. Working in the School of Health Policy and Management in the Faculty of Health, Frederic Fu鈥檚 work examines how structural conditions, such as housing instability, service gaps and cumulative stress shape health outcomes. A Connected Minds postdoctoral fellow and course director supervised by Associate Professor Vijay Mago, Fu collaborates with municipal, Indigenous and community partners, including the Lakehead Social Planning Council, Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre and Covenant House Toronto. His mixed-methods approach integrates administrative data with community co-design to support service improvements, capacity building and policy discussions with partner organizations.

]]> 91亚色 U study seeks elite athletes to explore brain health after concussion /gradstudies/2025/11/12/elite-athletes-concussion-research/ Wed, 12 Nov 2025 20:34:54 +0000 /gradstudies/?p=67564 A 91亚色 research team is inviting elite athletes to participate in a groundbreaking study examining the long-term effects of concussion and sub-concussive impacts on brain health. Led by PhD candidate Sara Weinberg from the School of Kinesiology and Health Science and supervised by Faculty of Health Associate Professor Taylor Cleworth and Professor Lauren Sergio, the study is part of a broader initiative to better understand how high-level sport participation may influence neurological function later in life. The team is recruiting athletes aged 30 to 65 who have competed at the semi-professional, professional or provincial/national level. Participants will be placed in one of two groups based on their concussion history: those who have experienced prior head injuries and those without concussion history.聽

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