WWF-Canada named 91亚色 as one of seven Canadian post-secondary institutions recognized for translating environmental commitments into conservation initiatives, learning opportunities and community action.

During the 2025-26 academic year, 91亚色's Office of Sustainability, Facilities Services, Biodiversity Working Group, faculty, student organizations and community partners worked collaboratively to advance initiatives spanning ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, sustainable food systems and environmental leadership.

91亚色 is transforming its campuses into places where environmental action is not only studied but put into practice, says Nicole Arsenault, director, Office of Sustainability. Students, staff, faculty and community members participated in biodiversity monitoring, pollinator garden stewardship, sustainable food programming at the Maloca Garden and Earth Month activities.

Those efforts translated into hands-on sustainability learning and measurable action across 91亚色鈥檚 campuses, including the planting of close to 400 trees and campus cleanups that collected 36 bags of litter.

鈥淥ur campuses are important places for both learning and biodiversity,鈥� says Arsenault. 鈥淓arning the Living Campus certification for a third consecutive year reflects 91亚色鈥檚 ongoing approach to sustainability as something we put into practice across our campuses."

WWF-Canada highlighted 91亚色鈥檚 biodiversity work, including the planting of native vegetation to restore an area of Glendon Campus affected by a water main break.

The University鈥檚 wider habitat enhancement work included naturalization, invasive species management, biodiversity monitoring and stewardship of campus green spaces.

As well, students and staff recorded more than 200 species observations during two inventories of plants, wildlife and other biodiversity on campus.

The Sheila Colla Pollinator Garden 鈥� a memorial garden celebrating the late 91亚色 Professor Sheila Colla 鈥� provides another example of biodiversity in action, bringing together research, remembrance, community participation and conservation to create habitat for pollinators at 91亚色.

Through these initiatives, Arsenault says 91亚色 community members developed knowledge and skills related to ecological restoration, waste reduction, biodiversity conservation and sustainable food systems.

鈥淏y bringing together students, faculty, staff and community partners, we鈥檙e creating opportunities for hands-on learning while restoring habitat, supporting biodiversity and advancing the goals of 91亚色鈥檚 Sustainability Strategy 2030," she says.

The work advances priorities identified in 91亚色鈥檚 Sustainability Strategy 2030, Sustainability Policy, University Academic Plan and Well-being Strategy, as well as its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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The Canada鈥檚 awards are presented annually by Delta Management Group to recognize leaders who have made significant contributions to the clean economy over the previous two years. The Lifetime Contribution Award recognizes senior sustainability leaders whose careers have advanced environmental protection and climate resilience in Canada. 

Recipients are selected from more than 1,000 nominees nationwide.

Winfield, a professor at the , was recognized for a career spanning governance research, institution building, public engagement and student mentorship.

"I really see this as a recognition of the contributions of all of the people I have worked with over the years: colleagues and students at EUC, but also through the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy, the Pembina Institute, and the Canadian Environmental Network," says Winfield.

Gavin Pitchford, CEO of Delta Management Group. says to receive a Clean50 award is truly indicative of nation-wide and personal leadership in the Lifetime Contribution category. "The individuals we chose for the Clean50 this year are true leaders and should be an inspiration for all Canadians.鈥�

Winfield has played a significant role in Canadian environmental policy since 1992, beginning with the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy and later the before moving into academia. He served as a civil society member of Government of Canada delegations to international environmental negotiations and has worked with the North American Commission on Environmental Cooperation, Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD) on international environmental initiatives and projects.  

At 91亚色, Winfield's research has focused on sustainable energy, climate change, environmental law and public policy. He serves as co-chair of 91亚色鈥檚 and is co-founder of the and helped establish the Energy Modelling Hub as a nationally recognized resource. 

As a graduate supervisor and program leader, Winfield has mentored generations of students who have pursued careers in government, environmental organizations, law, research and public policy. 

鈥淭hrough supervising graduate students, he has also built a small army of policy professionals, sending them off into government, law and the non-profit world," says Pitchford. "Three decades in, he is still building the institutions the next generation will need, for the long haul.鈥� 

He is the author of two books and more than 50 chapters and articles. His research has contributed to policy development discussions in Canada and abroad, from testimony before Canada鈥檚 Senate and House of Commons to questions from the Australian Parliament about nuclear energy in Ontario.  

Winfield has also served as an advisor to environmental oversight bodies and contributed to research collaborations examining community energy planning, energy storage, low-carbon transitions and climate governance. He is co-editor of Carbon Federalism: Canadian Climate Governance in a Disrupted World, submitted to the University of Toronto Press last month.

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For more than 25 years, the 91亚色 U Alumni Awards have celebrated alumni who embody the principles of 91亚色, have achieved the extraordinary and are fostering innovation and growth in their respective fields.

This year鈥檚 outstanding recipients are Amanda Coombs (BA 鈥�19), Laurie Fox (MBA 鈥�12), Keith Loo (MBA 鈥�12), Shayla S. Dube (BSW 鈥�09, MSW 鈥�10) and Randy Williamson (JD 鈥�88).

鈥淪ince 2000, the Alumni Awards have celebrated alumni who have created positive change in their communities and the world around us,鈥� says Heather Auden, director, alumni engagement. 鈥淭his November, we are so excited to honour this year鈥檚 recipients of the 91亚色 U Alumni Awards who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their communities while creating a legacy for future alumni to aspire to.鈥�

One to Watch:鈥� Amanda Coombs (BA 鈥�19), executive director, Back 2 Basickz Youth Support Services

This award recognizes an alum who has made a significant impact in their field and/or community within 15 years of a bachelor鈥檚 degree or 10 years of a professional/graduate degree.

Coombs is the founder and executive director of Back 2 Basickz Youth Support Services, a non-profit organization providing mental health, academic, employment, mentorship and justice-related services to youth.

Her work focuses on creating pathways to meaningful employment, education, entrepreneurship and economic independence. She has partnered with 91亚色 to deliver Passion Into Profit, an entrepreneurship initiative providing youth with training, mentorship and funding to transform their ideas into businesses.

She served for 14 years as a tenant representative in the Jane and Finch community and later completed two terms on the Toronto Community Housing Corporation Board of Directors, advocating for residents and systemic improvements.

Tentanda Via:鈥� Laurie Fox (MBA 鈥�12), campaign director, Will Power

This award goes to an alum who has demonstrated innovative, unconventional and daring leadership and success, reflecting the University鈥檚 motto 鈥淭he way must be tried.鈥�

Fox is the director of Will Power, a public awareness campaign inspiring Canadians to think differently about their charitable giving and leave a charitable gift in their will.

She has worked in the non-profit sector for more than two decades and has seen the need in communities and across the country rise. She is on a mission to show Canadians the power they have to do more in this world by giving in a different way.

The Will Power campaign runs a website, with free tools and resources, where visitors can explore the contribution they can make with a gift in their will, while still supporting loved ones.

Excellence in Entrepreneurship: Keith Loo (MBA 鈥�12), co-founder and CEO, Skinopathy

This award goes to an alum who has excelled in entrepreneurship that has led to positive change in their field or the community.

Loo is the CEO and co-founder of Skinopathy, an AI health care company helping to transform how patients access dermatology and wound care. Loo has spent his career at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship and health care innovation.

After leadership roles with Microsoft and other global technology companies, he co-founded Skinopathy to make health care more accessible, inclusive and equitable through responsible AI. Today, Skinopathy technologies assist patients, clinicians, long-term care providers and industry partners across Canada and beyond.

Loo is also an educator, mentor and community leader who remains deeply connected to 91亚色, supporting students, entrepreneurs and emerging innovators.

Outstanding Achievement:鈥� Shayla S. Dube (BSW 鈥�09, MSW 鈥�10), sessional instructor, private practice owner and mental health consultant

This award goes to an alum who has achieved distinction in their field and whose integrity and ability inspire alumni, faculty, staff and students.

Dube is an award-winning clinical social worker, psychotherapist, educator and community leader whose multidimensional work spans clinical practice, higher education, mentorship, community building and organizational wellness, advancing racial equity and collective well-being.

For more than 15 years, Dube has provided psychotherapy, mentored practitioners and led culturally responsive interdisciplinary clinical supervision circles.

She brings Ubuntu and Sawubona into practice, helping people feel seen and supported while equipping organizations to build cultures of belonging and well-being.

Outstanding Contribution:鈥� Randy Williamson (JD 鈥�88), lawyer and partner, Aird & Berlis LLP

This award goes to an alum鈥痺ho has made a significant contribution to the advancement of 91亚色 and its students through exceptional service, commitment and/or philanthropic contributions.

Williamson draws upon more than 40 years of experience as a legal adviser, chartered professional accountant, public company senior executive and three-time business owner to help his clients achieve their organizational objectives.

Following a distinguished career in business, he has built a successful law practice by providing value to clients through strategic advice. In 2013, he was appointed to the University's Board of Governors, serving for eight years, including on its Executive Committee. He has served as board Chair of the 91亚色 Development Corporation, and participated in two Chancellor Search Committees and a Presidential Search Committee. He also supported innovation at 91亚色 as the first private sponsor of YSpace鈥檚 Tech Accelerator.

About the awards

The 91亚色 U Alumni Awards were inspired by鈥�Bruce Bryden, an exceptionally committed and influential leader at 91亚色 for many years. He was a member of 91亚色鈥檚 first undergraduate class, was the founding president of the 91亚色 Alumni Association (now the鈥�91亚色 Alumni Board/YUAB) and was a member of the 91亚色 Board of Governors. The 91亚色 U Alumni Awards recognize and honour his vision, exemplary leadership and extraordinary achievements.

Visit the for more.

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The pair are part of a writing and editing team to receive the 2026 Thomas D. Clark Medallion 鈥� an award presented annually for books that enrich understanding of Kentucky's history, culture and people 鈥� for .

Co-edited by Wilburn Hayden Jr., professor emeritus and senior scholar in 91亚色'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.

The project builds on decades of scholarship examining race, identity and community and is a successor to the landmark 1985 collection Blacks in Appalachia, which helped bring national attention to the socioeconomic, cultural and political experiences of Black Appalachians.

"Our anthology is designed for the general public with an academic bent featuring chapters, essays and photos by four editors as well as additional 25 contributors," he says. "There are folks today that hold to the notion that Appalachia is a region of white people only. This collection documents the real-world Appalachian history and contemporary times of the existence of Black people within the region."

The award highlights the book鈥檚 contribution to broadening public understanding of the region鈥檚 diverse history and populations 鈥� often portrayed through a narrow lens. Drawing on scholarship, photography, personal narratives and creative work, the collection documents the experiences of Black Appalachians while exploring themes of identity, migration, discrimination, memory and community.

Wilburn Hayden Jr.鈥檚 chapter "Appalachian African American: Black Identity" traces the historical development of Black identity within Appalachia and examines the social and cultural connections that have shaped Black communities in the region.

"The essential element to the Black Appalachian identity binds Black people to the region and secures our position as one of the many unique populations in Appalachia," he explains.

In addition to its interdisciplinary approach, the book also became an opportunity for intergenerational collaboration. Among the contributors is Donovan Hayden, son of Wiburn Hayden Jr. and recent 91亚色 master鈥檚 graduate in theatre and performance studies.

His chapter is an essay that recreates a conversation between three authors reflecting on their memories of the Black southern food chitlins (chitterlings). He blends his sociology and playwriting background to highlight how the authors use this unique food to explore race, poverty and growing up in the Appalachia.

According to Wilburn Hayden Jr., the chapter emerged organically from conversations among contributors. His son鈥檚 essay, he notes, 鈥渨as developed on his own from an email thread with the other co-authors. I was surprised when the other co-authors decided to include it.鈥�

For Donovan Hayden, the essay offered an opportunity to recognize the work of his father and other authors.

"I thought it was important to reflect back the people who worked so hard on this project. The three men have dedicated their lives to telling Black Appalachian stories. It felt only right to include this quirky and unfiltered exchange as another story in that history," he says.

The recognition from the Thomas D. Clark Foundation, say father and son, underscores the significance of that work and its contribution to ongoing discussions about race, place, culture and belonging.

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As governments around the world look for ways to reduce waste and enhance recycling, many are adopting policies known as extended producer responsibility, or EPR. These programs shift the cost of collecting and recycling packaging materials from municipalities and taxpayers to the companies that place them on the market.

Despite increasing adoption across continents, whether those systems reduce costs, improve recycling outcomes or encourage better packaging design remains difficult to determine. Data is often scattered across thousands of reports, studies and submissions, making comparisons challenging.

鈥淎 great deal has been written about packaging EPR. Almost none of it sits in one place,鈥� says Lakhan.

Fragments of information are spread across academic journals, government reports, industry studies and advocacy publications, often presenting competing interpretations of the same issue. Bringing those sources together and making sense of their findings can require significant time and expertise.

Lakhan is addressing this through the Circular Innovation Hub (CIH) by launching the Packaging EPR Library, a free online resource featuring evidence-reviewed articles and an interactive world map.

The library is the first of its kind to bring together research, policy analysis and international comparisons in one place. Organized around common questions, its articles are grouped into nine themes covering topics ranging from program governance and performance measurement to producer fees, packaging design and international policy differences. The aim is to give users a clearer picture of what the evidence says, where experts disagree and what remains unresolved.

鈥淚 wanted somewhere that gathered that material and set out every argument that can be supported by evidence, regardless of who is making it,鈥� says Lakhan.

One distinguishing feature of the Packaging EPR Library is its emphasis on context. Rather than compiling reports and statistics, the library attempts to reconcile and explain them. Recycling and recovery rates, for example, are frequently compared across jurisdictions even when they are calculated using different methodologies. For Lakhan, those differences can make seemingly straightforward comparisons misleading.

The CIH resource categorizes information based on its source and evidentiary basis, distinguishing between empirical findings, modelling results and stakeholder claims. According to Lakhan, the challenge is distinguishing evidence-backed conclusions from unsupported claims. The goal is to let users evaluate the strength of the published data for themselves.

鈥淚n this field, most of the circulating material was produced by someone with a stake in the answer 鈥� and that is true on every side, mine included,鈥� he says.

The library's searchable global map allows users to explore where packaging EPR programs exist, when they were introduced, what materials they cover and how they are administered. The map reflects the fact that many obligations are established at the provincial or state level, so users can compare approaches within countries such as Canada and the U.S.

Lakhan expects the tool will be used most by producers and compliance teams navigating obligations across multiple jurisdictions, as well as municipal and regulatory staff working through program design. Those groups need specific answers quickly, and the library can help efficiently answer practical questions like what producers pay per tonne, which U.S. states cover printed paper, who runs the compliance body in a given country and more.

Lakhan also hopes the tool will benefit students and researchers at 91亚色 by highlighting unanswered questions in the field. Several sections identify areas where research remains limited or where important policy debates have yet to be thoroughly examined, creating opportunities for future graduate research.

鈥淭hese are not crowded fields. There is real room to contribute,鈥� he says.

The library has room for contributions as well.

鈥淚 would rather the resource be shaped by what people actually need to know than by what I assumed they would,鈥� he says.

He expects the Packaging EPR Library to evolve alongside new regulations, court decisions and policy developments around the world. As responsibility programs continue to expand and change, the resource will be updated to reflect the latest evidence and developments.

Over time, he hopes the library becomes a trusted starting point for anyone seeking to understand packaging responsibility systems, whether they are designing policy, conducting research, evaluating claims or trying to understand how recycling programs work in different jurisdictions.

Despite the tool鈥檚 broad applications, Lakhan says his greatest goal is much more narrow.

鈥淚 would like people to check a claim before repeating it. A great deal of what circulates in this field is a figure that was true once, in one jurisdiction, on one methodology, and has since travelled a long way from its source," he says. "If the library slows that down, it has earned its place."

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The projects highlight the breadth of undergraduate research taking place at Lassonde, where students are contributing to solutions for challenges in health care, energy systems and future space missions through hands-on research experiences.

More than 70 students participated in summer research projects supported through the Lassonde Undergraduate Research Awards (LURA) and the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada鈥檚 Undergraduate Student Research Awards.

The programs provide opportunities for students to pursue full-time research alongside faculty members. Outcomes of these research initiatives were presented during Lassonde鈥檚 annual Undergraduate Summer Research Conference, which celebrates creativity, innovation and academic excellence.

Projects spanned topics such as wastewater monitoring, satellite technologies and trustworthy AI.

鈥淭he research demonstrates the important role undergraduate students can play in advancing discovery while gaining experience that prepares them to become the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers,鈥� says Suprakash Datta, associate dean academic and students at Lassonde.

Among the projects recognized by judges was the first-place research project by Diego Romero Rincon, an electrical engineering and computer science student. Working in the QUANTIMB Lab, Rincon developed an AI-assisted platform designed to automate the monitoring of brain tumours following radio therapy treatment.

The cloud-based system integrates advanced AI models with MRI imaging analysis tools to help clinicians track tumour changes over time. It is designed to automatically identify and monitor tumours of varying sizes, classify treatment outcomes and generate reports, reducing the time required for assessments while improving consistency in clinical decision-making.

Second place was awarded to mechanical engineering student Simone Ferrara for research focused on improving the measurement of two-phase flows, which play an important role in technologies such as heat pumps and thermosyphons.

Ferrara's project investigated a low-cost, non-intrusive method for estimating void fraction, a key parameter used to predict pressure drop and heat transfer performance. Using near-infrared lasers and photodiode receivers attached externally to a flow channel, the system offers a potential alternative to more complex and expensive measurement techniques, with applications across a range of heat transport systems.

The third-place prize went to Tina Ly, an electrical engineering and computer science student whose research explored advanced manufacturing solutions for space agriculture.

As space agencies plan for longer-duration missions, reliable food production systems are becoming increasingly important. Ly's project examined the feasibility of using commercially accessible 3D-printing technologies to fabricate nutrient-delivery structures for hydroponic plant growth systems. The research demonstrated that customized agricultural components can be manufactured using adapted material systems and standard additive manufacturing processes, supporting future efforts to produce equipment on demand during space missions.

鈥淭hese projects reflect how undergraduate researchers at Lassonde are applying engineering and scientific expertise to address complex challenges with potential impacts across multiple sectors,鈥� says Datta. 鈥淭hrough hands-on research experiences, students are contributing new knowledge, developing practical solutions and building the skills needed to advance solutions to complex challenges today and in the future.鈥�

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The , published in Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, shows that municipalities may not need new infrastructure to become 鈥渟marter鈥� and explores how to use the city itself as the sensor.

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鈥檚 first author and 91亚色 PhD alum. Collecting that information across an entire city, however, can require expensive networks of fixed sensors.

鈥淚t struck me that while municipalities spend millions installing and maintaining fixed sensors, thousands of vehicles are already travelling through urban streets every day,鈥� says Heydari-Gharaei, who is now an assistant professor at Toronto Metropolitan University. 鈥淭hat made me wonder: What if the city itself could become the sensor?鈥�

By strategically coordinating vehicles equipped as mobile sensors, bicycles, maintenance vehicles, municipal fleets and shared mobility services could gather and share information as they move through urban areas.

鈥淭he key challenge is coordinating those vehicles efficiently, so the data remains reliable while keeping costs manageable,鈥� says Heydari-Gharaei. 鈥淏y solving that coordination problem, cities can collect reliable, up-to-date information while making better use of existing resources.鈥�

In response, the research team developed algorithms to help planners evaluate operational scenarios. They assessed factors such as sensing frequency, fleet size and service routes, while scaling solutions for large urban networks.

One finding that stood out emerged from a Toronto case study. Researchers found that only about one-quarter of Toronto鈥檚 Bike Share fleet could monitor the entire permit parking network if equipped with sensors and strategically routed. The result highlights how optimization can significantly reduce the resources needed for city-wide monitoring.

Mehdi Nourinejad, associate professor at the and Heydari-Gharaei's doctoral supervisor, says the implications for mobile sensing systems could enhance data retrieval for infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, traffic management and other smart-city applications.

鈥淐ities already have thousands of vehicles moving through their streets every day and the key is to develop optimization methods that determine how those vehicles should be routed and deployed to collect reliable data,鈥� says Nourinejad. 鈥淚f cities can collect reliable information using resources they already operate, they may be able to improve services without major new expenditures.鈥�

The findings could also help address financial barriers experienced by municipalities seeking to expand data collection without making large investments in smart-city infrastructure.

Reliable urban data, says Heydari-Gharaei, supports everyday decisions, from helping drivers find parking to monitoring road conditions, air quality and public infrastructure. Better data, says Heydari-Gharaei, can support better planning, reduced congestion, improved sustainability and more responsive public services.

鈥淎s sensing technologies continue to improve, there is enormous potential to rethink how cities gather information without continuously investing in new infrastructure,鈥� says Heydari-Gharaei.

During the project, 91亚色 researchers collaborated with Professor Matthew Roorda from the University of Toronto, who contributed expertise in freight transportation and urban mobility.

With files from Alex Huls

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Professor Eric Miller, along with lead author and PhD student Peri Dworatzek, has published a report titled which examines the protected natural and agricultural lands through the lens of biocapacity 鈥� the ability of land and ecosystems to provide resources and absorb environmental impacts.

Prepared by the for the Greenbelt Foundation, the report finds the Greenbelt provides significantly greater ecological biocapacity per hectare than the rest of Ontario, averaging 2.8 global hectares versus 1.02.

This, say the authors who worked with MES students Bumika Srikanthalingam and Kaitlin Pal, demonstrates the value of maintaining and strengthening protections for the region鈥檚 agricultural and natural landscapes.

The findings provide new evidence for policymakers and planners as they consider how future growth and infrastructure projects may affect the province鈥檚 environmental assets. The analysis indicates that increasing demand for land, food and fresh water could place additional strain on these systems if development is not carefully managed.

Miller and Dworatzek identified several actions that could help safeguard and enhance the Greenbelt鈥檚 ecological capacity. These include improving the collection and use of land-use data; expanding mapping of agricultural, water and natural heritage systems; and making geospatial information more accessible to support planning decisions.

鈥淟and cover and biocapacity data provide valuable tools for informing decisions that can help maintain protections for the Greenbelt and the ecosystems that support Ontario鈥檚 growing population,鈥� says Miller. 鈥淢easuring biocapacity helps governments track progress towards sustainability and other environmental goals.鈥�

The findings also emphasize the importance of restoring natural areas, supporting regenerative agricultural practices and improving soil health to strengthen long-term productivity. Researchers recommend integrating ecological capacity measures into municipal planning and natural asset management strategies.

Produced as part of the Greenbelt Foundation鈥檚 Visioning the Future of the Greenbelt series, the report positions the Greenbelt as a key component of Ontario鈥檚 response to environmental and resource challenges, Miller notes.

鈥淭he Greenbelt鈥檚 natural infrastructure provides significant value to Ontario. By quantifying those benefits, we can better inform planning and policy decisions that affect the region鈥檚 long-term sustainability,鈥� says Miller. 鈥淭his research demonstrates the measurable benefits natural systems provide to Ontario鈥檚 communities and economy, and offers a framework to support evidence-based planning.鈥�

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Cities are often designed with an assumption that residents are able-bodied, leaving many older adults and people with disabilities to face barriers in their daily lives. Gebresselassie, an assistant professor at the , argues that urban planners have an opportunity to better serve both groups by recognizing overlapping needs and developing more integrated planning solutions.

The paper, published in the , emerged from a roundtable co-organized by Gebresselassie at the 2024 annual conference of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning. The discussion brought together researchers examining accessibility issues in transportation, housing and planning processes that affect older adults and people with disabilities.

According to the study, transportation remains one of the most significant challenges for both aging populations and people with disabilities. Older adults may face mobility limitations as they age or stop driving, while people with disabilities often encounter inaccessible transit systems or limited transportation options.

These barriers make it more difficult to reach jobs, services, social activities and health care, increasing the risk of isolation.

Housing presents similar concerns. Most homes lack basic accessible design features such as single-floor living, no-step entry and wide doorways. Accessible homes can be difficult to find and costly. Even when suitable housing is available, it may be located far from transit, amenities and community services, creating additional barriers to participation in daily life.

Although these issues are often examined separately, the researchers argue they are closely connected. Governments, planners and researchers often address aging and disability through separate policies and programs, which can lead to fragmented approaches to transportation, housing and community development.

"Previously, researchers on these topics investigated accessibility issues for the two populations in silos, despite the common challenges they face," says Gebresselassie.

To address these issues, the authors propose an anti-ableist framework that encourages planners to consider accessibility from the beginning of the planning process.

Instead of treating aging and disability as separate concerns, the researchers argue that municipalities should integrate policies, services and decision-making processes. The paper outlines a framework to bring together government departments, community organizations and residents to ensure barrier-free design is considered across transportation, housing and public infrastructure.

"This means moving toward a planning culture that is anti-ableist and can address the accessibility needs of both groups," says Gebresselassie.

The researchers also call for greater involvement from people with lived experience in urban design decisions, as well as enhanced access training in planning education and professional practice.

The authors hope the study will encourage further research on the subject.

"As one of the pioneering studies to illuminate the need to explore the overlap, our study encourages other researchers to follow suit," says Gebresselassie.

The study has also led to an ongoing research collaboration between 91亚色 and the University of Utah. Gebresselassie and collaborator Andy Hong are currently completing another study that examines historical trends in transportation accessibility research involving older adults and people with disabilities.

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鈥淲hen we think of environmental sustainability, we often immediately think about newer energy-efficient technologies. Organic waste treatment becomes rather an afterthought,鈥� says Reema Kumar, a PhD candidate at 91亚色's and lead author of the study.

That perspective is beginning to change as researchers look for new ways to recover value from organic waste. Instead of sending food waste to landfill 鈥� where it can contribute to greenhouse gases and other forms of pollution 鈥� scientists are exploring how it can be converted into useful resources.

One promising approach uses microorganisms to break down discarded food and produce chemicals that are typically made from petroleum-based sources, creating an alternative to landfill disposal and fossil-based production.

While researchers have tested adding microorganisms to increase the production of useful compounds from discarded food, most of that research has focused on systems that operate at relatively warm temperatures. Much less is known about whether the same process can selectively produce compounds under colder, lower-energy conditions.

According to Kumar, maintaining warmer operating conditions can require significant energy input, particularly in colder climates. Seeking a more energy-efficient approach, Kumar and her colleagues turned their attention to lower-temperature systems.

鈥淲e were inspired to optimize this natural system of microorganisms using food waste to produce volatile fatty acids under lower temperature conditions to make it more energy efficient as well as provide a targeted approach for production,鈥� says Kumar.

They honed in on Clostridium butyricum, a bacterium known for generating butyric acid and a commercially valuable chemical commonly used in food, pharmaceutical and industrial products. Yielding such chemicals from organic waste could provide a more sustainable alternative to conventional manufacturing methods that rely on fossil-fuel-derived raw materials.

Their work questioned whether introducing the bacterium into a low-temperature food-waste fermentation system could increase production of butyric acid.

In a study published in , Kumar and her collaborators tested the idea using food waste and wastewater sludge. The research was co-supervised by Lassonde Professor Satinder Kaur Brar, along with Guneet Kaur, associate professor at the University of Guelph.

The team created a series of small-scale experiments using food waste collected from restaurants in 91亚色 Lanes and sludge sourced from the Humber Wastewater Treatment Facility. Together, the food waste and sludge created conditions that allowed naturally occurring microorganisms to break down the waste.

Clostridium butyricum was then introduced into some of the samples to see if the bacterium could steer the process toward producing more butyric acid.

鈥淲e wanted to show that you can 鈥榞uide鈥� a complex microbial community, made up of many different bacteria naturally found in wastewater sludge, toward a specific, useful outcome just by introducing one well-chosen microorganism,鈥� says Kumar. 鈥淚t's a bit like steering a crowd by adding a few people who know where they're going.鈥�

The approach worked even better than the researchers expected. The system that received the bacterium produced more than twice as many acids overall and more than five times as much butyric acid compared to the control.

鈥淲e didn't expect such a strong response at a temperature of 17 C," says Kumar. "That was a genuinely exciting result."

The findings, she adds, point to a future where discarded food can be viewed as a resource rather than waste.

Increasing the production of commercially valuable compouds at lower temperatures could pave the way for more energy-efficient waste-treatment systems that recover greater value from discarded food. Over time, it may help keep organic waste out of landfills while creating renewable alternatives to some petroleum-derived chemicals.

鈥淲e hope it helps move the needle toward low-cost, low-energy ways of recovering value from food waste, especially in colder countries,鈥� says Kumar. 鈥淥nce this approach can eventually be scaled up, it could support local biorefinery systems that turn organic waste into useful chemicals without requiring expensive heating infrastructure. That has real implications for both sustainability and economics.鈥�

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