U of T Mississauga

A pediatric surgeon who pioneered techniques to keep children’s hearts pumping. An anthropologist whose work has explored how land development shapes communities. A leading mathematician also renowned for scholarship on Indian philosophy.

These are a few of the ��Ƶ community members who were recently recognized by the Order of Canada.

The Governor General announced 88 new appointments to the Order of Canada on Dec 18, including three promotions. They include George Trusler, former head of cardiac surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children and a professor emeritus in the department of surgery in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine; Tania Li, a University Professor in the department of anthropology in the Faculty of Arts & Science; and Vijaya Kumar Murty, a professor in the department of mathematics in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

“Members of the Order of Canada are builders of hope for a better future,” Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said in a statement. “Each in their own way, they broaden the realm of possibilities and inspire others to continue pushing its boundaries. Thank you for your perseverance, fearless leadership and visionary spirit, and welcome to the Order of Canada.”

Created in 1967, the Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honours. It recognizes individuals whose achievements and service have had an impact on communities across Canada and beyond.

Here is a list of U of T faculty, alumni, supporters and friends who were appointed to, or promoted within, the Order of Canada in the latest round:

Current and former faculty

Steve Arshinoff, a professor in the department of ophthalmology and vision sciences in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named an Officer of the Order for his contributions to eye care, pioneering now-standard practices. Co-founder of the Eye Foundation of Canada, he also serves as a medical director of Eye Van, providing care to remote northern Ontario communities. He completed his ophthalmology residency at U of T.

Sylvia Bashevkin, a professor emerita in the department of political science in the Faculty of Arts & Science, was named an Officer of the Order for her contributions as a leading scholar of gender and politics. A former principal of University College and a senior fellow of Massey College, she pioneered research on the barriers faced by women in public life and has worked to expand opportunities for diverse political engagement.

Zulfiqar Bhutta, a professor in the department of nutritional sciences in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named an Officer of the Order for his contributions as one of the world’s foremost authorities on maternal and child health, shaping public health strategies that have reduced mortality and improved the well-being of women and children worldwide.

Sandy Buchman, medical director of the Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care at North York General Hospital and associate professor in the department of family and community medicine in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named a Member of the Order for contributions to palliative medicine. A former president of the Canadian Medical Association, Buchman has advocated for palliative care, MAID and equitable access to compassionate care. He completed his residency in family medicine at U of T.

David Chitayat, head of the prenatal diagnosis and medical genetics program at Mount Sinai Hospital, physician at SickKids and professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s departments of paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, laboratory medicine and pathobiology, and molecular genetics, was named a Member of the Order for his globally acclaimed work identifying genes associated with fetal abnormalities and postnatal newborns.

Dafna Gladman, a senior scientist at the Toronto Western Research Institute and a professor in the Institute of Medical Science in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named an Officer of the Order for her contributions to the psoriatic arthritis field. Her research advanced the understanding of the chronic disease, and her advocacy has improved the treatment and care. She earned her medical degree from U of T.

Daniel Haas, a professor and former dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, was appointed a Member of the Order for his expertise in dental anesthesiology and pharmacology. The former head of the faculty’s graduate dental anaesthesia speciality program, Haas has influenced dental training and practices worldwide. He earned his bachelor of science, doctor of dental surgery and PhD at U of T.

Tania Li, a University Professor in the department of anthropology in the Faculty of Arts & Science, was named an Officer of the Order for her contributions as one of Canada’s leading anthropologists. Her research – including groundbreaking work in understanding how international land development and corporate agriculture generate unintended poverty – has had a profound interdisciplinary impact, shaping policy and advancing human rights and sustainability initiatives.

Vijaya Kumar Murty, a professor in the department of mathematics in the Faculty of Arts & Science, was named a Member of the Order for his contributions as one of Canada’s leading mathematicians. A former director of the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences at U of T, he has advanced knowledge in various mathematical fields, including analytic number theory. He is also a renowned scholar of Indian philosophy.

Greg Ryan, a perinatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital, head of the fetal medicine unit at Sinai Health and professor in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named a Member of the Order for his groundbreaking contributions to fetal medicine. A senior clinician scientist in the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, he has revolutionized in-utero treatment and care, improving outcomes for mothers and their unborn children globally.

Valerie Sue Tarasuk, a professor emerita in the department of nutritional sciences in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine with a cross-appointment to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, was named a Member of the Order for her expertise on food insecurity in Canada. Tarasuk has worked to reduce food insecurity with policy intervention through PROOF, an interdisciplinary research program. She earned her master of science and PhD at U of T.  

George Trusler, former head of cardiac surgery at SickKids and a professor emeritus in the department of surgery in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was named an Officer of the Order in recognition of innovations in pediatric and cardiac surgery. His innovations have saved thousands of lives, including his groundbreaking invention to preserve the aortic valve and his design of an algorithm to control excess blood flow to the lungs of infants suffering heart failure.

Alumni and Friends

J. Anthony Boeckh, who earned a bachelor of commerce in 1960 as a member of Trinity College, was named a Member of the Order in recognition of contributions to youth mental health through the Graham Boeckh Foundation, which he founded in honour of his late son. Boeckh has worked with leading global experts to establish strategies to transform Canada’s mental health care system. He is also a founding trustee of the Fraser Institute.

Stacy Churchill, a professor emeritus in the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, was named a Member of the Order for her expertise in education and linguistic rights for Francophone minorities. Churchill has advised the federal and provincial government on language policy and consulted on UNICEF and UNESCO education missions.

Carol Cowan-Levine, who earned her master’s in social work from U of T, was recognized with the Order of Canada for her leadership role in social work and the establishment of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. Her extensive volunteer work has impacted government, health care institutions and the non-profit sector in Ontario.

Stan Douglas, a renowned multimedia artist, was named an Officer of the Order for his body of work that explores history, technology and memory. His work has been exhibited internationally, including at the 2022 Venice Biennale. His donated piece, Maritime Workers Hall, Vancouver, hangs in the halls of U of T’s Hart House as part of the Hart House Permanent Collection.

Donald Dippo, who earned a master of education and PhD from U of T, was named a Member of the Order for increasing educational access for children and teachers in Canada and internationally. He co-founded the Borderless Higher Education for Refugees program, based in the Dadaab refugee camps of Kenya.

R. Douglas Elliott was named a Member of the Order for his advancement and protection of 2SLGBTQI+ rights under Canadian law. An alumnus of the Faculty of Law, he has been involved in landmark constitutional cases and class actions, notably serving as lead counsel in the LGBT Purge class action.

Aura Kagan, a speech language pathologist who earned a PhD from U of T, was named an Officer of the Order for contributions that profoundly shaped care for people living with aphasia – a disorder that disrupts the ability to speak, understand, read, and write – including groundbreaking methods to help individuals communicate more effectively.

Jeffrey J. McDonnell, who earned a bachelor of science from U of T Scarborough in 1984, was named an Officer of the Order for his seminal scientific impact on the field of hydrology. A professor at the University of Saskatchewan, he has transformed the understanding of streamflow generation and the water cycle.

Maureen Jennings, who earned a master’s degree at U of T in 1967, was named a Member of the Order for her achievements as an historical crime author, most notably for the creation of the Detective Murdoch series – which inspired the long-running TV show Murdoch Mysteries – and for her contributions to Canadian history regarding women's roles during the Second World War.

Karen Levine, who earned a bachelor of arts as a member of University College in 1977, was named a Member of the Order in recognition of her decades-long career at CBC Radio. She is also honoured for her book Hana’s Suitcase, which has educated young readers worldwide about the Holocaust.

Sam Shemie, who completed his pediatric cardiology fellowship at U of T, was named a Member of the Order for shaping new ethical standards surrounding organ donation, creating new protocols for hospital culture and mentoring hundreds of clinical care physicians in Canada and abroad. He is medical director of the pediatric intensive care unit at Montreal Children's Hospital.

Walter Schneider, who earned a degree in literary arts from U of T Mississauga, was named a Member of the Order for contributions to business, entrepreneurship and philanthropy. As president and co-founder of RE/MAX INTEGRA, he transformed Canadian real estate, building the company into the nation’s top-selling organization.

– With files from Mariam Matti

Read about more U of T community members recognized with the Order of Canada in recent years

‘In joy and friendship’: A holiday message from Principal Alexandra Gillespie

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:59:02 +0000

‘In joy and friendship’: A holiday message from Principal Alexandra Gillespie rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 12/17/2024 - 09:59

Topic

Our Community

Alexandra Gillespie

U of T Mississauga

In an annual video message, Alexandra Gillespie, ��Ƶ vice-president and principal, U of T Mississauga, joined members of the university community to reflect on the year’s many accomplishments and share warm wishes for the holiday season.

“It’s a great been year,” Gillespie said, noting 2024 saw U of T Mississauga break ground on a new residence building and open the New Science Building; foster connection via the interim Black Student Space, welcome people for the first outdoor All-Nation’s Powwow; and launch U of T Mississauga’s first co-op internship program.

Gillespie, a professor of medieval and renaissance literature in the department of English and drama, encouraged the U of T Mississauga community to take some time to rest and relax as the holiday season approaches.

“It’s that time of year where it gets a bit cold and dark, but that’s OK because we get to come together with the people we love, in joy and friendship,” she said.

“From all of us here, happy holidays.”

U of T ranked world’s most sustainable university for second year in a row

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:12:41 +0000

U of T ranked world’s most sustainable university for second year in a row

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 12/10/2024 - 11:12

Cutline

(photo by Don Campbell)

Rahul Kalvapalle

Topic

Global Lens

Climate Positive Campus

Climate Positive Energy

Institutional Strategic Initiatives

Sustainable Development Goals

Global

Meric Gertler

QS World University Rankings

Subheadline

The 2025 edition of the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability ranked U of T first out of more than 1,700 institutions across 95 countries

The ��Ƶ has been ranked the most sustainable university in the world for the second consecutive year.

The 2025 edition of the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, released this week by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds, placed U of T first overall out of more than 1,700 institutions across 95 countries.

The closely watched ranking evaluates post-secondary institutions for their environmental impact, social impact and governance.

“On behalf of the ��Ƶ, I am thrilled that our university is once again ranked first in the world in the QS Sustainability Rankings,” said U of T President Meric Gertler. “The U of T community is profoundly committed to the advancement of sustainability as one of the most urgent challenges of our time.

“This year’s ranking confirms our resolve to help lead the way to a sustainable future.”

First launched in 2022, the ranking assesses universities based on QS World University Rankings data, including reputation surveys and research output related to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. It also looks at institutional policies, operational data, alumni impact and national data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and World Bank.

To determine environmental impact, the ranking evaluates environmental education, research and sustainability. For social impact, it examines employability and outcomes, equality, health and well-being, impact of education and knowledge exchange. And for governance, the ranking looks at indicators such as student representation and transparent financial reporting.

U of T performed particularly well in the social impact category this year, moving up three spots to first globally. It also ranked fifth in the world for environmental impact and tied for 23^rd in governance.

U of T’s performance led a robust showing by Canadian universities. The University of British Columbia shared fifth spot with University College London, making Canada the only country to have two universities in the top five. Two other Canadian universities placed in the top 50: McGill University (15^th) and Western University (30^th).

The QS sustainability ranking comes as U of T forges ahead with a host of climate-focused initiatives on its own campuses including: Project Leap, a $138-million infrastructure project that will cut emissions on the St. George campus in half by 2027; Project SHIFT, a U of T Mississauga initiative to speed up the transition from natural gas to electricity; and a combination of new climate-responsible constructions and energy retrofits to older buildings at U of T Scarborough.

Spurred by these and other efforts, the university’s three campuses last year made a landmark commitment to reduce more greenhouse gases than they emit in the coming years. And U of T continues to make progress on its pledge to divest from fossil fuel investments in its endowment fund.

At the same time, U of T is working to enhance Canada’s green energy sector through projects like the Grid Modernization Centre, a state-of-the-art facility led by Climate Positive Energy, an institutional strategic initiative, that will serve as a hub for testing, development and commercialization.

U of T is also playing a leadership role in sustainability by engaging with regional, national and international partners. For example, the university acted as a founding member of the City of Toronto’s Green Will Initiative, collaborated with the Urban Climate Action Project to help implement the city’s TransformTO climate action strategy and contributed to the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s Banking on Green playbook, which helps Ontario organizations fund green retrofit projects.

Globally, U of T has convened networks aimed at mobilizing multi-sector partnerships, including the U7+ Alliance of World Universities, the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) and the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN). U of T’s sustainability leaders have also been asked to share knowledge and experiences with other universities in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Germany and other countries.

Most important, U of T is actively creating a new generation of sustainability leaders. Supported by the President’s Advisory Committee on the Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainability (CECCS), which recently created a new student leadership subcommittee, more than 2,000 undergraduate courses in 2024-25 now have a sustainability orientation.

Students also have the option of exploring sustainability from various lenses through the Sustainability Pathways program, or to contribute to projects on- and off-campus via the Campus as a Living Lab and Community-Engaged Learning programs.

Overall, U of T continues to be the highest-ranked Canadian university and one of the top-ranked public universities in the five most closely watched international rankings: Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, ShanghaiRanking Consultancy’s Academic Ranking of World Universities, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Global Universities and National Taiwan University World University Rankings.

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

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.”

U of T Mississauga's teaching lodge to host new course on Indigenous feminisms

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 18:17:52 +0000

U of T Mississauga's teaching lodge to host new course on Indigenous feminisms

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 11/29/2024 - 13:17

Cutline

A new, third-year course on Indigenous feminisms will be the first at U of T Mississauga to take place predominantly in the campus's Indigenous teaching lodge (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Topic

Subheadline

“I find that it’s not until students are outside on the land and in Indigenous spaces that they really understand the teachings”

This winter, students taking Maria Hupfield’s “Indigenous Feminisms” course won’t meet in a classroom or lecture hall, but will head to the northern edge of the ��Ƶ Mississauga campus where, nestled in a quiet spot among trees, sits the Indigenous teaching lodge.

Inaugurated in September 2023, the lodge has hosted workshops, conferences and occasional classes – but this marks the first time a course will predominantly be held in the space.

Maria Hupfield (photo by Grégoire Féron)

For Hupfield, an assistant professor in U of T Mississauga's department of English and drama who is cross-appointed to the department of visual studies, the walk to the lodge will be just as integral to students’ learning as the conversations that will take place beneath its canopy.

“This small journey will start the process of moving students away from their usual way of thinking,” says Hupfield, who holds a Canada Research Chair in Transdisciplinary Indigenous Arts. “Then, once they get into the lodge, it defamiliarizes them because they’re not in the usual lecture hall or seminar room. It opens up how they respond to the teaching and how they approach the content.”

A third-year English course, “Indigenous Feminisms” will rely on traditional and modern Indigenous texts, media and performances. Classes will be held in the teaching lodge – which has a wood stove – whenever possible, moving to the Multimedia Studio Theatre only when advanced digital technology is needed.

Leading a course in an Indigenous space marks the latest chapter in a longstanding connection between Hupfield, an off-reservation urban Anishinaabe who belongs to the Wasauksing First Nation, and U of T Mississauga.

An alumna of the university, Hupfield earned a degree in art and art history with a minor in Aboriginal studies – somewhat unusual in the late 1990s. “I became very interested in working at the intersection of Anishinaabe cultural knowledge and Western-based art practices,” she says. “The program made room for me to do that.”

As a student, Hupfield mounted her own exhibits and launched partnerships with Indigenous arts and social services organizations. After graduating, she went on to establish herself as an internationally respected artist, holding exhibitions at prominent galleries across North America and winning prestigious awards.

In 2019, she returned to U of T Mississauga as a faculty member, and amid increased institutional support for Indigenous initiatives, has thrived and expanded the scope of her projects.

As director and lead artist at the new Indigenous Creation Studio, Hupfield leads a team of faculty members and students exploring media ranging from traditional sculpture to video. Her current research, conducted in collaboration with Indigenous communities, aims to bring new life to Indigenous artefacts via the creation of a digital archive that presents each piece in novel ways, such as through storytelling, video and 3D rendering.

She also leads a seminar series for students in the master of visual studies program at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Hupfield also continues to work on an array of projects beyond campus. Earlier this year, she contributed to the first ever Native Fashion Week held in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is also currently presenting an original commission at the Toronto Biennial of Art, an opportunity she describes as “a really powerful moment in my art practice.”

The teaching lodge is equipped with a wood stove and can be used year-round (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

As she looks forward to the "Indigenous Feminisms" course, Hupfield reiterates that Indigenous pedagogy is about doing and experiencing. “I find that it’s not until students are outside on the land and in Indigenous spaces that they really understand the teachings,” she says.

Tee Duke, director of U of T Mississauga’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives, notes that expansion of Indigenous curriculum and spaces – along with hiring of Indigenous faculty – were among the calls to action outlined in Answering the Call – Wecheehetowin, the final report of the U of T Truth and Reconciliation Commission Steering Committee. “It’s an important development to have a course on Indigenous Feminisms taught in UTM’s own teaching lodge," Duke said.

The course also ties into U of T Mississauga’s strategic framework, specifically the central values of truth, openness and reciprocity, according to Terry F. Robinson, associate chair of the department of English and drama. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer this experiential, land-based course, led by inter-disciplinary scholar Professor Hupfield,” Robinson said.

Registration for the course is already full – a fact that is incredibly heartening for Hupfield.

“I love that there’s interest. It’s beautiful,” she says. “More courses like this, held in Indigenous spaces and rooted in experiential learning, will attract more Indigenous students. We need to continue to support Indigenous research and teaching, and focus on retaining Indigenous faculty.

“But so much is happening here right now and I’m happy to be part of it.”

U of T shines a spotlight on exceptional educators at Excellence in Teaching reception

rahul.kalvapalle — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 18:02:53 +0000

U of T shines a spotlight on exceptional educators at Excellence in Teaching reception

rahul.kalvapalle Wed, 11/27/2024 - 13:02

Cutline

U of T Vice-President and Provost Trevor Young (centre) poses with Cheryl Regehr Early Career Teaching Award recipients, from left to right: Jasty Singh, Spyridon Kotsovilis, S. Trimble and Roberta K. Timothy (photo by Polina Teif)

Rahul Kalvapalle

Topic

Our Community

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Trevor Young

Early Career Teaching Award

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Teaching

U of T Mississauga

U of T Scarborough

Women and Gender Studies

At the ��Ƶ, teaching is about much more than just imparting knowledge – it’s an engaging, dynamic and creative process that expands and enriches the way students think, preparing them for future success in academics and their careers.

The recent Excellence in Teaching reception hosted by U of T’s Office of the Provost recognized the fundamental importance of teaching to the university’s mission. In particular, it honoured five faculty members who received Cheryl Regehr Early Career Teaching Awards, which were recently renamed in honour of Cheryl Regehr – Young’s predecessor as vice-president and provost, a professor in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and a longtime champion of teaching excellence and innovation at U of T.

“These awards recognize burgeoning talent among our most junior faculty. We expect – and we know from experience – that these recipients will continue to lead and excel in teaching,” Trevor Young, U of T’s vice-president and provost said at the Nov. 4 event held at the Faculty Club.

The event also featured the presentation of the Global Educator Award, which recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies U of T’s global mission by incorporating intercultural and international perspectives.

“I’m extremely proud of U of T for many reasons,” Young said, “and one of them is what’s evident here today, which is the immense talent and experience of our faculty as well as their deep commitment to our university, to our students, to knowledge [and] to research. All that you’re doing is really incredible.”

U of T News spoke with all six award winners about their approach to educating students: