Rhodes Scholars

President Meric Gertler highlights U of T community's achievements in holiday message

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 14:35:13 +0000

President Meric Gertler highlights U of T community's achievements in holiday message Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 12/10/2024 - 09:35

Topic

Our Community

��Ƶ

Global

Meric Gertler

Nobel Prize

Subheadline

“To all our students, faculty, librarians, staff, alumni, volunteers, supporters and partners: Thank you for your contributions to our success”

The ��Ƶ community had a lot to celebrate over the past year, U of T President Meric Gertler says.

In his annual holiday message, President Gertler highlighted U of T’s top spot in the QS sustainability rankings, University Professor Emeritus ��Ƶ’s Nobel Prize in Physics and two students who were recognized with prestigious Rhodes Scholarships.

And that was just the beginning.

“We completed state-of-the-art landscapes and buildings on each of our three campuses,” he says in a video. “We broke new ground for several more. We made progress in the ongoing work of reconciliation. And we opened a new chapter in our history with the installation of our 35th chancellor.”

Most importantly, he adds, more than 20,000 students graduated with U of T degrees, joining a global community of more than 700,000 alumni.

“To all our students, faculty, librarians, staff, alumni, volunteers, supporters and partners: Thank you for your contributions to our success.”

Changemakers: U of T students awarded prestigious Rhodes Scholarships

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:30:32 +0000

Changemakers: U of T students awarded prestigious Rhodes Scholarships

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 11/21/2024 - 09:30

Cutline

Victoria College students Noah Rudder, left, and Amy Mann, right, have been awarded Rhodes Scholarships (photo by Will Dang)

Joe Howell

Topic

Global Lens

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Faculty of Arts & Science

Undergraduate Students

Victoria College

Subheadline

Noah Rudder and Amy Mann will pursue fully-funded graduate studies at the University of Oxford

Noah Rudder was rehearsing for a starring role as the detective Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express at the ��Ƶ’s Hart House Theatre when he received the momentous news: he had just become a Rhodes Scholar.

The world’s oldest graduate fellowship, the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship enables recipients to pursue fully-funded graduate studies at the University of Oxford.

It is awarded following a rigorous global selection process.

“I was so grateful – I feel at home in the theatre, and there’s no better place for me to have taken that call,” says Rudder, a student at Victoria College who’s completing the peace, conflict and justice program at U of T’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy in the Faculty of Arts & Science alongside a major in drama at the Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies.

Rudder is one of two U of T students to be named a 2025 Rhodes Scholar this year. He is joined by Amy Mann, a fellow Victoria College student who’s pursuing a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and statistics.

Mann says she’s looking forward to continuing her research in mathematical biology at Oxford.

“I want to keep studying math and seeing how we can apply it to these big problems – like considering social factors of disease transmission to improve intervention strategies,” says Mann, who is the president of the U of T Mathematics Union.

The pair are among 11 Canadian students who will head to Oxford next fall, joining more than 100 young scholars from around the world.

“On behalf of the entire U of T community, I would like to congratulate Noah Rudder and Amy Mann on this tremendous achievement,” said U of T President Meric Gertler.

“We wish them continued success in their scholarship and look forward to hearing about their accomplishments in the years to come.”

Rhonda McEwen, president and vice-chancellor of Victoria University in the ��Ƶ, said she was “over the moon” for Rudder and Mann. “It is a true privilege to interact with this caliber of young person,” McEwen said.

Rudder, who hails from Ajax, Ont., hopes to combine his interests in social justice and the arts by pursuing master of public policy and a master of fine arts degrees at Oxford.

The president of the Peace, Conflict and Justice Society, Rudder was instrumental in Victoria University’s signing of the Scarborough Charter, a commitment by institutions across Canada to combat anti-Black racism and foster Black inclusion in higher education. “Working with Vic’s Office of the President on the Scarborough Charter inspired me to contribute to an area that I can make an impact,” he says. “I think there are a lot of opportunities to push for spaces for Black individuals at the highest level of education.”

He has also conducted research with the World Bank’s Office of the Chief Economist, focusing on knowledge generation in African countries before 2009 – and has written for and performed in the Toronto Fringe Festival and various U of T productions.

Mann, meanwhile, is passionate about leveraging math and science to address pressing global challenges.

In 2021, she co-authored a paper, published in the journal Atmosphere-Ocean, that examined the reduction in occurrences of cold weather in the Canadian Arctic. She’s now focused on the intersection of climate change and public health. Her current research project seeks to create climate-dependent models of malaria transmission in Cameroon.

She has been involved in sustainability and other causes. At Victoria College, she served as the sustainability commissioner on the Students’ Administrative Council and a student member of the Board of Regents. She also co-founded the student community garden and volunteers at The Common Table, a drop-in program that supports individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty.

“Congratulations to Amy and Noah, both from Victoria College, on being named Rhodes Scholars,” said Antoinette Handley, acting dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science and professor in the department of political science. “Their academic achievements and commitment to leadership and civic engagement are a testament to their hard work and vision.

“We’re incredibly proud to have them represent both Victoria College and the Faculty of Arts & Science at Oxford, and we look forward to the many ways they’ll continue to make a difference.”

McEwen, meanwhile, said Rudder and Mann exemplify the potential that U of T’s younger generation of budding scholars hold in tackling important challenges.

“Both students share a passion for people and embody the multidisciplinary approach needed to address the ‘wicked problems’ of the world – complex issues requiring insights from multiple disciplines,” McEwen said.

“They are curious but compassionate people who will challenge existing frameworks for a better tomorrow. When you meet either of them, you understand that you are with someone who is going to continue to do amazing things.”

Global view: Students from around the world on what they give to – and gain from – U of T

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:13:41 +0000

Global view: Students from around the world on what they give to – and gain from – U of T

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 03/12/2024 - 12:13

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From left to right: Sapolnach Prompiengchai, Laura Ramos Barbosa, Mahmoud Rashid and Juliana Rivas Torrente (photo of Mahmoud Rashid by Safa Jinje, others supplied)

Adina Bresge

Topic

Global Lens

Centre for International Experience

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Global

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

Rhodes Scholars

U of T Scarborough

Subheadline

With the relaunch of the $3-million International Student Experience Fund, international students to enjoy expanded supports across the university's three campuses

Applying for a study permit. Finding one’s place in a learning environment far away from home. Getting a handle on intercultural workplace etiquette.

International students come to the ��Ƶ from all over the world, but share similar experiences adjusting to a new school, culture and country, says Juliana Rivas Torrente, a third-year student from Colombia who is majoring in economics and public policy in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Thankfully, she says, U of T offers services and resources to help international students navigate these transitions at every step of their academic journey.

Juliana Rivas Torrente (supplied image)

“I've had a support for everything that has come up in my time at U of T,” Rivas Torrente says.

Rivas Torrente is one of two student members of a committee that adjudicates proposals submitted by faculty and staff to the International Student Experience Fund (ISEF), which was launched in 2018 to help foster a supportive environment on U of T’s three campuses by supporting initiatives that enhance the experience of the university’s international students and set them up for success.

To date, ISEF has funded 33 projects that range from initiatives that promote health and physical activity to translating the stories of multi-language learners into comics that promote intercultural understanding.

Now, U of T is building on the fund’s success by relaunching it with the approval of three new projects: the development of a digital tool that will help international students stay up to date on their immigration documents, a program to prepare graduate students for professional life across cultures and a project to enhance supports for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education throughout their U of T journey.

Rivas Torrente says the ISEF’s relaunch underscores U of T’s ongoing commitment to supporting international students on campus and beyond.

“There is truly a want on their part to have us here because of what we can bring to the table,” she says. “It also serves as reassurance that there are funds being allocated to creating programs that are specifically tailored to international students.”

As a member of the Centre for International Experience’s International Student Experience Student Advisory Committee, Rivas Torrente has helped shape the many supports available to international students across the university – both through targeted programs and campus-wide initiatives that have integrated the needs of international students into their services.

“U of T has done a great job setting up an institution where people are going to thrive and learn and explore,” she says, noting that international students bring with them different experiences and perspectives that contribute to U of T’s growing reputation as a global learning institution.

“But what really ends up having that differential, beyond any other university, it's really getting to meet people that challenge your worldviews – your perceptions – that make you kind of shift your attention towards completely different concerns.”

As U of T prepares to welcome some of the world’s top students for fall 2024, U of T News spoke to three other international students about how their experiences, backgrounds and ideas converged to invigorate U of T’s global community.

Mahmoud Rashid

(photo by Safa Jinje)

Though he wasn’t able to fly home to Tanzania during winter break, Mahmoud Rashid says staff at the ��Ƶ’s Chestnut Residence made sure he wasn’t feeling left out or alone.

Wellness co-ordinators organized activities including cookie decoration, postcard writing, reflection time and a communal dinner, says Rashid, a second-year student in materials science and engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.

It’s just one of the myriad ways U of T supports international students at every step of their journey across the globe.

“There are so many resources that it can sometimes be overwhelming – academic and professional development, student life and mental health,” Rashid says.

He adds that he received an enthusiastic welcome to U of T moments after stepping off the plane at Toronto Pearson International Airport, where volunteer students at the U of T Airport Welcome Booth offered directions to campus and tips about Toronto.

As he settled in, Rashid says the Centre for International Experience smoothed his transition with resources about immigration, health care and life in Canada (including how to dress for the winter), while the First Year Office at U of T Engineering offered academic advising to set him up for success.

A Lester B. Pearson International Scholar, Rashid says the program, part of U of T’s growing menu of entrance scholarships for high-achieving international students, goes far beyond providing financial support for his four years of undergraduate studies.

It prepares Pearson scholars to not only excel academically, but give back to the community, says Rashid, providing resources ranging from workshops about time management to meet-and-greets with influential leaders.

“What’s a better way to learn about leadership than being with actual leaders and students who have similar dreams as yours?” he says. “They provide that platform where we get to learn from each other and make long-lasting connections.”

Whenever he feels homesick, Rashid says he turns to the African International Support Group for social support and a sense of community among students of several cultural backgrounds in Africa.

“Whatever place in the world you’re coming from, at U of T, you just know there’s a group or a club of people that have experienced something similar to you,” he says.

“There are so many supports that are there for you so that you can belong.”

Sapolnach Prompiengchai

(supplied image)

Sapolnach Prompiengchai, a fourth-year neuroscience student at U of T Scarborough, credits the university’s international community for informing his research on mental health.

He says the diverse perspectives reflected in his work likely resonated with the committee who selected him for a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, making him the first student from Thailand to be selected through the Global Rhodes program.

“In mental health, to create culturally competent care, you need to understand that you need to incorporate diverse perspectives, and that was ingrained in me at the ��Ƶ,” says Prompiengchai, who attended high school in Bangalore, India before coming to U of T Scarborough.

“By understanding such diverse perspectives, I was able to truly appreciate the importance of reconciling differences to solve issues. And I think, in a way, that aligns with Rhodes’ mission of fostering a dynamic global community.”

Prompiengchai is among five U of T students and learners who are headed to the University of Oxford as part of the latest cohort of exceptional young people from around the world to receive the coveted scholarship.

He says U of T – a large and globally top-ranked research university with expertise across a broad range of fields – equipped him with a multidisciplinary outlook that will set him up to succeed among the world-renowned ranks of the Rhodes community. That includes learning how neuroscience intersects with global issues such as mental health and climate change.

Moreover, Prompiengchai says he gained a range of perspectives from the U of T community, by making friends at the International Students Centre and learning from global leaders as a Pearson Scholar.

And he has contributed his own perspective in turn.

“Regardless of what you’re interested in, you're going to get an extensive, long-term network of exceptional students and faculty from around the world,” he says of the university.

“Within this diverse set of networks, you also shape the place and make the place even more diverse. It’s a really good cycle of learning.”

Laura Ramos Barbosa

(supplied image)

When she arrived at U of T in 2019, Laura Ramos Barbosa remembers going to the Centre for International Experience (CIE) with questions about everything from getting a Social Insurance Number to navigating the St. George campus.

Now, with a bachelor’s degree under her belt, Ramos Barbosa is the one doling out answers as a University Health Plan co-ordinator at CIE as she pursues a master’s in social work.

She’s among a number of international students who have gone on to work at CIE as part of a knowledge exchange that spans graduating classes and continents.

“When you get to speak to other international students, you get to build more of that community, interact with people from other places and find people with common backgrounds.”

Originally from Brazil, Ramos Barbosa lived in a number of different places before landing in Toronto. She says she’s brought these experiences to bear in the classroom, particularly during her undergraduate studies in women and gender studies and anthropology, giving peers a perspective into parts of the world with which they might not be familiar.

“I was always trying to connect my experiences and identity with my education,” she says. “I was able to bring those experiences to the table for other people to learn about and, on the other hand, I got to learn from other people's experiences.”

U of T students, learners awarded prestigious Rhodes Scholarships

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 15:04:48 +0000

U of T students, learners awarded prestigious Rhodes Scholarships

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 11/28/2023 - 10:04

Cutline

From left to right: 2024 Rhodes Scholars Sapolnach Prompiengchai, Leighton Schreyer, Adam Martínez, Tierrai Tull and Anne Xuan-Lan Nguyen (supplied images, photo of Tull by Tysen Harvey Photography Bermuda)

Topic

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Subheadline

Four U of T students and one medical resident are among the members of the 2024 cohort of Rhodes Scholars

For the first time in more than three quarters of a century, four ��Ƶ students have been selected for a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship in a single year.

With interests that span mental health, narrative health, gender and discovering next-gen materials, Sapolnach Prompiengchai, Tierrai Tull, Leighton Schreyer and Adam Martínez are headed to Oxford University with the support of the coveted scholarship, which identifies and supports exceptional young people with the potential to make a positive impact on the world.

Anne Xuan-Lan Nguyen (supplied image)

A fifth member of the U of T community, Anne Xuan-Lan Nguyen, an ophthalmology and vision sciences resident in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, also received a Rhodes Scholarship via her alma mater, McGill University.

“The ��Ƶ is delighted to see so many of our exceptional students and learners join the world-renowned community of Rhodes Scholars,” says U of T President Meric Gertler.

“We wish them continued success as they enter the next chapter of their academic journeys. And we look forward to seeing their accomplishments and contributions to society in the years to come.”

Here are the four U of T students – two Canadian students, two international students – who recently joined an elite group of more than 100 new Rhodes Scholars from across the globe as part of the 2024 cohort:

Sapolnach Prompiengchai

U of T Scarborough

(supplied image)

Prompiengchai, who grew up in Thailand and attended school in India, is one of two Rhodes Global Scholars this year – making him the first recipient selected from Thailand through the Global Rhodes program, which is open to candidates from parts of the world that aren’t covered by one of the 25 Rhodes constituencies.

He says the news took a toll on his vocal cords.

“I probably lost my voice from talking to so many incredible people at the University of Oxford and then calling everyone I know,” says Prompiengchai, a fourth-year neuroscience student at U of T Scarborough.

A 2020 recipient of U of T’s Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, Prompiengchai earned recognition for his interdisciplinary mental health research and advocacy. That includes receiving undergraduate research prizes for several of his papers.

A member of the student advisory committee for Inlight, one of U of T’s institutional strategic initiatives, Prompiengchai has worked in five research labs specializing in disciplines including clinical neuroscience, memory and educational psychology.

He is currently working in Professor Andy Lee’s cognitive neuroscience lab at U of T Scarborough where he is doing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments to discover how the brain encodes time when memories are formed.

“I think to properly tackle mental health you need to become a multidisciplinary scientist, so I hope to learn more about genetics and chemistry,” he says.

“I hope to one day be a scientist who can work with diverse stakeholders – including politicians, clinicians, scientists and community groups from diverse backgrounds – in order to translate research into real-world solutions.”

Tierrai Tull

Faculty of Arts & Science

(photo by Tysen Harvey Photography Bermuda)

Tull, a fourth-year student in Woodsworth College studying political science in the Faculty of Arts & Science, says she was on her evening walk overlooking the waters of Bermuda when she got the call.

“I screamed, and I had to mute myself because I didn’t want to blow [the national secretary’s] eardrums out,” says Tull, an international student who is representing the Rhodes constituency of Bermuda. “I was just so overcome with joy that I ran for 15 minutes straight home.”

A recipient of the Dean’s Excellence Award and the Frank Peers Award for International Study, Tull says her studies have focused on gender in the Caribbean, pursuing research ranging from appropriation in the health and wellness industry to the case for reparations under John Locke’s theory of labour.

Her time at U of T has been a “global experience” spanning five countries, Tull says.

Starting her studies in fall 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Tull took courses virtually in Armenia during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. She continued her remote studies from Bermuda and the U.S. before arriving at U of T in her second year. After studying abroad at University College London, she returned to the St. George campus to finish her degree.

Tull says she’s looking forward to continuing her studies at Oxford, where she’s interested in exploring the social sciences and women’s studies.

A first-generation student on full scholarship, Tull says she hopes her success will inspire students in similar circumstances to shoot for prestigious programs like Rhodes.

“I would encourage anyone who is struggling but has big goals to dare to dream and dare to achieve,” she says. “Don’t tell yourself no before anyone else does.”

Leighton Schreyer

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Leighton Schreyer (supplied image)

Schreyer, one of two U of T students among the 11 Rhodes Scholars selected from Canada, says receiving the call from Rhodes organizers quickly turned into an impromptu celebration.

“I had to turn the stove burner off, so I wasn’t going to burn down my building,” they say. “I think I did a bit of a party dance.”

An activist, writer and poet, Schreyer says their emphasis on the human side of medicine was informed by interactions with the health system – a theme explored in works that have been published in leading medical journals, literary magazines and news outlets. They have also held research positions at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Unity Health Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children.

Schreyer plans on fusing passions for storytelling and medicine by pursuing a DPhil in anthropology at Oxford, specializing in medical anthropology. Their interests lie in the field of narrative medicine, which honours the fundamental role that story plays in health care and caregiving – and explores how narrative can help bridge the gap between the biological manifestation of disease and the patient’s lived experience of illness. They credit U of T’s health, arts and humanities program with formally introducing them to the field.

“My story – the narrative of my life – is far from complete and, in many ways, I hope it never will be; I want to be continuously challenged to rethink, rework and refine my story,” Schreyer says. “I hope that, through Rhodes, I will have the opportunity to gain perspective and participate in experiences that will allow me to walk away from Oxford with a bigger, more complete and comprehensive story of the world.”

Adam Martínez

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

(supplied image)

Martínez, who was also named a Rhodes Scholar from Canada, says receiving the scholarship was a life-altering event.

“I was walking across campus when I got the call,” he says. “All I really heard were the words ‘Welcome to the Rhodes community,’ and after that it was kind of hard to focus. I could really sense a shift in the trajectory of my future.”

A recipient of U of T’s National Scholarship, Martínez is majoring in engineering physics and has taken on internships and fellowships at leading-edge labs in Ontario and around the world. A key theme of his research is the potential of new materials to solve complex challenges in different domains, from biomedicine to sustainability.

“One example I think about a lot is catalytic materials that can convert captured carbon dioxide into products that we already need, such as methanol and ethanol,” he says. “This could help us close the carbon loop and develop a low-carbon economy.”

However, synthesizing and testing the millions of potential catalytic materials in a lab is too slow, Martinez says, with emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing holding the potential to dramatically speed up the process.

As a thesis student at the Vector Institute, he is using generative AI models to simulate quantum circuits and bring such systems closer to reality.

He plans to pursue similar research at Oxford, saying the scholarship will help him make new connections and find new problems to solve.

“The Rhodes community includes a lot of different people coming from different areas of the world and different disciplines,” he says. “It’s an opportunity to open dialogues, to think about the implications of my field on theirs, and to use that space to try to do good in the world.”

Prompiengchai, Schreyer, Martínez and Tull were all supported by U of T’s internal selection process for the scholarship.

U of T grad, current student named Rhodes Scholars

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 23:01:28 +0000

U of T grad, current student named Rhodes Scholars

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 11/24/2020 - 18:01

Cutline

U of T's Jeffrey Fasegha and Ikran Jama are among 11 Canadians to receive a Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford next year (photos courtesy of Faculty of Arts & Science)

Chris Sasaki

Topic

Global Lens

Faculty of Arts & Science

Global

Meric Gertler

Rhodes Scholars

The ��Ƶ’s Ikran Jama and Jeffrey Fasegha are among 11 Canadians to receive a Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford next year.

“As the daughter of refugees, it’s hard to put into words how much this means to me, my family and my community,” Jama said. “I’m overjoyed, grateful and honoured to have this award reflect the culmination of sacrifices, care and compassion given by those who raised and guided me.”

A member of Victoria College, Jama is completing a double major in criminology and socio-legal studies and international relations with a minor in African studies in the Faculty of Arts & Science. She is also president of the Arts & Science Students’ Union (ASSU) and is working to support underrepresented and marginalized communities.

“I’ve had to overcome a lot of barriers to even get to this stage in my studies and this award is a sign to me and anyone in the same position that we can always achieve incredible things,” Jama said.

Fasegha, meantime, graduated from the Faculty of Arts & Science in June with a bachelor of commerce degree in finance from Rotman Commerce with minors in psychology and economics. A member of University College, he believes in using innovation and entrepreneurship to improve the lives of people around the world.

“It is an absolute honour,” Fasegha said. “I thank God for the opportunity to further my research into how we can use innovation as a tool to solve our most pressing problems. I’m immensely grateful to my family, my friends and to the university for their support throughout the process. It truly takes a village.

“As I begin this new chapter in my life, I remember fondly the many kind people I’ve met at U of T and the good times we’ve had – with a special shout out to the Black Rotman Commerce community and the professors who changed my life.”

Watch a video profile of Jeffrey Fasegha

The 11 Canadian Rhodes Scholars join a class of more than 100 students from more than 60 countries to receive the scholarship to study at the University of Oxford next year. Since it was established in 1903, nearly 8,000 Rhodes Scholars – including more than 1,000 Canadians – have gone on to establish themselves in careers that range from government and business to the arts, education and research, among others.

U of T President Meric Gertler congratulated the two scholars.

“We are all incredibly proud of Ikran and Jeffrey, our newest Rhodes Scholars,” President Gertler said.

“Through their record of scholarly achievement, leadership and social engagement, they are an inspiration to all members of the ��Ƶ community. We look forward to hearing about their accomplishments in the years to come.”

“This is wonderful news for these two exceptional students,” said Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science.

“Ikran and Jeffrey both possess the qualities that define a Rhodes Scholar – academic excellence, character, leadership and a commitment to making the world a better place – and have contributed to the Faculty in remarkable ways. I am so proud and excited for them to have received this honour.”

As a two-term president of ASSU, Jama advocates on behalf of more than 27,000 students, a challenging role during COVID-19.

She is also passionate about amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and does so as a mentor for Somali youth and, previously, as a fellow at the Mosaic Institute, an international non-profit organization that seeks to reduce social divisions and prevent conflict. A Somali-Canadian, she is interested in researching how the law affects the lives of immigrant and refugee youth and hopes to one day apply her studies to advance criminal justice reforms at home and abroad.

Jama says she hopes to develop solutions to the social and legal issues that disproportionately affect communities like her own. At Oxford, she plans to continue to pursue research into criminology at the intersections of criminal justice, migration and the law.

As for Fasegha, his work focuses on using entrepreneurship and innovation as a tool for economic and social development – particularly in Nigeria, where he was born. At U of T, he led independent research on social enterprises in the Nigerian energy industry, founded the Black Career Conference, co-founded Black Rotman Commerce and held several leadership positions in finance student organizations where he worked to increase equity for marginalized groups.

He is currently working on his startup Fyyne, a platform for hair services where “anyone can make a living with their skills.” At Oxford, Fasegha plans to pursue a master’s degree in African studies and public policy with a focus on the innovation economy.

As she prepares for the next chapter of her educational journey, Jama recalled the support she received during her time as a U of T student.

“I will most value and am forever thankful for the friendships I’ve made, instructors who have inspired me and mentors who have guided me during my time at U of T,” she said.

“Without all of these remarkable people, this incredible community, I would not be where I am today. I share this moment with them all.”

#UofTGrad16: Rhodes Scholar Jessica Phillips

lavende4 — Tue, 24 May 2016 14:50:19 +0000

#UofTGrad16: Rhodes Scholar Jessica Phillips

lavende4 Tue, 05/24/2016 - 10:50

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Jessica Phillips: “My time at U of T has helped me identify my passion and given me the means to pursue it”

Arthur Kaptainis

Author legacy

Arthur Kaptainis

Topic

Subheadline

Using her studies to make the world a better place

For Jessica Phillips, it all started under water, six years ago, off the coast of Belize.

“There were sea turtles swimming under me, and reef sharks all around,” the 22-year-old recalled in the Junior Common Room of University College.

“It was a really pristine area, and the coral reefs were so beautiful.”

“I thought there should be more places like this: undeveloped, the way they originated. I wanted to protect more species, more areas. That is how I became interested in wildlife biology.”

And this is how the native of Hong Kong started an academic career at that led to her being named one of three 2016 Rhodes Scholars from the ��Ƶ.

Phillips is one of 13,500 U of T students expected to cross the stage at Convocation Hall to receive their degrees during ceremonies that run from May 31 until June 16. Some are already working; some, like Philips and fellow U of T Rhodes Scholars Kaleem Hawa and James Flynn, will be pursuing further studies. Over the next few weeks, U of T News will be telling their stories.

“Jessica Phillips will be following in the footsteps of prior UC Rhodes Scholars, such as former U of T president David Naylor and former Ontario premier Bob Rae,” commented University College principal Donald Ainslie.

“And the research she does at Oxford on climate change will continue the UC tradition of using academic studies to make the world a better place.”

Phillips will pursue a DPhil – the Oxonian PhD – in zoology at Merton College. Her BSc studies at U of T were as a specialist in ecology and evolutionary biology, a major in biodiversity and conservation and a minor in psychology.

Her particular interest is the Antarctic, the least interfered-with of the seven continents.

“That is a good enough reason for us to want to protect Antarctica,” Phillips said. “But of course there are a lot of other reasons. The ecosystem is fragile. Development can have drastic consequences. Species could interact with the effects of climate change.”

Three U of T undergrads win Rhodes Scholarships

The ��Ƶ is sending three undergraduates from the Faculty of Arts & Science to the University of Oxford as Rhodes Scholars next October.

She expects her sojourn in Oxford to include a field trip to Antarctica to study gentoo, chinstrap and emperor penguins and observe how reduced ice cover and increased fishing affect their distribution and ability to thrive.

Raised mostly in Beijing, the daughter of psychiatrists practicing in central China is accustomed to travel. By her second year at U of T she was working with Professor Martin Krkosek at the Salmon Coast Field Station off Vancouver Island. Last summer Phillips was involved in study of sub-arctic hummingbirds in Churchill, Manitoba.

“The arctic is getting warmer earlier, so the bugs emerge earlier,” she told UC Magazine. “Unfortunately, the birds can’t evolve fast enough to time their migration to the time when the bugs are appearing.”

Although she spoke English at home – her father is Canadian, her mother American – Phillips was schooled in Mandarin until she was 16, when she enrolled in an international school in Shanghai.

“I wanted to start learning the scientific terms in English,” she said. “So it would be a less difficult transition.”

U of T was a natural choice for post-secondary education because of its reputation and the presence in the Toronto area of relatives, whom she paid regular visits during the summer.

“My impression of Canada was sunshine and lakes,” Phillips said. “People talked about Canadian winters but I never really experienced them.”

Phillips has learned much about the Canadian ecosystem through her undergraduate field work but also as president of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Club, a position that involved organizing hiking expeditions. She has maintained her links to China as a member of the U of T Mandarin Debate Club.

“I try to read the novel in the language in which it was published,” Phillips said of her reading habits. “You lose a lot in translation.”

Phillips regards her unusual upbringing as a blessing. “I think that helped me a lot,” she said. “Especially in terms of being able to understand multiple cultures. This has shaped my world, growing up like that.”

A university as diverse as U of T was a perfect place for Phillips. But it was the academic environment that made the biggest difference.

“My time at U of T has helped me identify my passion and given me the means to pursue it,” Phillips said.

“Be proactive,” is her advice to students starting out. “Seek out opportunities.”

#UofTGrad16: Rhodes Scholar James Flynn

lavende4 — Mon, 09 May 2016 15:33:30 +0000

#UofTGrad16: Rhodes Scholar James Flynn lavende4 Mon, 05/09/2016 - 11:33

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James Flynn’s advice to new U of T students: Plan for the big picture but don’t put off the small stuff (Diana Tyszko photo)

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“There are so many places I want to see”

Newfoundland and Oxford might seem far removed in some respects, but the hop from St. John’s International Airport to Heathrow in London is only five hours.

Nevertheless, James Flynn, 22, who is one of three 2016 Rhodes Scholars from the ��Ƶ, expects to be travelling more often to European destinations than to his home province when he has a few days off.

“There are so many places I want to see,” the Trinity College double major in economics and political science said recently in the Arbor Room.

Flynn will graduate with a BA in June and spend two years at the University of Oxford. He is just one of 13,500 U of T students expected to cross the stage at Convocation Hall to receive their degrees during ceremonies that run from May 31 until June 16. Some are already working; some, like Flynn and fellow U of T Rhodes Scholars Kaleem Hawa and Jessica Phillips, will be pursuing further studies. Over the next few weeks, U of T News will be telling their stories.

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Flynn plans to study philosophy, politics and economics at Pembroke, an Oxford college founded in 1624 by James I and associated with Samuel Johnson and J.R.R. Tolkien (among writers) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (among active political figures).

“It’s Oxford’s classic degree,” Flynn says of the Oxford BA, which, according to the dictates of a centuries-old tradition, transforms into a MA (Oxon.) after seven years.

“It offers the tutorial experience that Oxford is well known for. And it gives you time to explore a lot of topics. Master’s degrees are more focused.”

Variety comes naturally to Flynn. “James is extremely insightful and a very interdisciplinary scholar,” says Shari Eli, an assistant professor of economics. “It is clear that he has a very bright academic future.”

Lynette Ong, an associate professor of political science who is cross-appointed to the Munk School of Global Affairs, admires his determination to make a contribution to the real world: “Once he had found a social issue he's passionate about, he's amazingly devoted, driven and resourceful.”

The plan after Oxford is law school – back at his alma mater. Flynn has deferred an offer of admission by U of T Law.

Writing submissions should not be a problem. Flynn served as news editor and managing online editor of The Varsity, an experience that enhanced his writing skills even if it lent a journalistic tone to some of his academic essays.

Flynn is proud of having taught himself to prefer the active to the passive voice: “That is something that I never would have thought of before I worked at The Varsity.”

He is also capable of teaching others, according to former Varsity editor-in-chief Danielle Klein: “James was a generous mentor who helped his writers develop their talents, and a skilled editor who curated his section with great care.”

The Varsity also provided a community outside the classroom. Finding a club or activity is one of Flynn's prime recommendations for a successful undergraduate career.

“U of T is obviously a big school,” he said. “It can be hard to find your place. On the flip side, there are so many opportunities, so many clubs and groups. There is something for everyone.

“Make sure you get involved. Yes, you are spending time on things that are not academic. But somehow it helps you manage your academic time.”

Another aid is a wall-size calendar that lets you put the near and distant future in perspective.

“They sell them at the book store,” Flynn says of these calendars. “Write out every day in the semester that you have a task, that you have an essay due.

“That way you can visualize when you are going to be busy and know when to start. Big-picture planning is probably the biggest thing that helped me.”

More advice: Don’t put off the small stuff. “Do things as you get them. Especially the small tasks: grocery shopping, laundry. I find that making sure I do the small tasks as soon as possible really helps.”

Finally, take advantage of courses with a high cool factor that are not necessarily related to your major. In his final year Flynn took a course with no obvious connection to political science or economics: The Beatles.

“It was a great course,” he said of MUS 321 with Professor James Kippen. “One of the best I’ve had.”

Flynn mentions Eli, Ong, Donald Kingsbury and Kanta Murali among professors who helped him succeed. Two other people who need to be mentioned are Wanda Parsons and James Flynn, his mother and father, both physicians.

“I am incredibly grateful to my mom and dad for their guidance and support over the years,” Flynn said. “They have worked so hard to give me opportunities to succeed.”

Flynn will spend part of his summer at home in Newfoundland as a volunteer at SHAD, a program that helps high school students find their focus. He is an alumnus of this program himself.

“A combination of camp councillor and mentor” is how he describes his role.

Then Flynn returns to Toronto to join his fellow Rhodes Scholars on their way to Oxford.

“All the Canadian scholars fly as a group,” he explained. No short cut available.

Three U of T undergrads win Rhodes Scholarships

sgupta — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 15:56:21 +0000

Three U of T undergrads win Rhodes Scholarships sgupta Tue, 11/24/2015 - 10:56

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Jessica Phillips, Kaleem Hawa and James Flynn will be attending the University of Oxford as Rhodes Scholars next year (all photos by Diana Tyszko)

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Back to School 2015: Rhodes Scholars pay it forward

sgupta — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 16:37:26 +0000

Back to School 2015: Rhodes Scholars pay it forward sgupta Mon, 08/24/2015 - 12:37

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“You have people that have similar experiences and can empathize with you,” says Aquila Akingbade, pictured at left with Ike Okafor at right. “And such successful people – Rhodes Scholars!”

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2015 Rhodes Scholars: meet Caroline Leps and Moustafa Abdalla

sgupta — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 16:29:19 +0000

2015 Rhodes Scholars: meet Caroline Leps and Moustafa Abdalla sgupta Mon, 12/01/2014 - 11:29

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(photos courtesy Caroline Leps and Moustafa Abdalla)

Liz Do

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Liz Do

Rhodes Scholars

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2015 Rhodes Scholars: meet Caroline Leps and Moustafa Abdalla