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Why it's important to get your 2024 flu shot – and how to get it

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 14:23:42 +0000

Why it's important to get your 2024 flu shot – and how to get it

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 11/07/2024 - 09:23

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The flu vaccine is especially important for adults aged 65 years or older, pregnant people and individuals who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from influenza infection, 91�Թ� experts say (photo by Canva)

Ishani Nath

Topic

Our Community

Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Subheadline

91�Թ� experts on the flu vaccine, where it's available and when's the best time to get it

None of Jeff Kwong’s patients has asked him about the influenza vaccine yet this fall – but the family physician wants to make sure that getting vaccinated is on people’s radar.

That’s because influenza causes an estimated 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths in Canada each year.

Moreover, public health officials are doubly concerned this season because of a strain of influenza circulating in wild birds and some agricultural animals. While the risk of avian influenza to the general population remains low, A H5N1 has nevertheless infected some humans who have close contact with sick animals.

“While current influenza vaccines don’t protect against avian influenza, they may reduce the risk of infection with human influenza viruses and therefore the possibility of both human and avian influenza viruses infecting someone at the same time,” says Kwong, an associate scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute and professor at the 91�Թ�’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health.

“These co-infections could create a new ‘version’ of influenza that might spread easily among humans and cause very severe disease.”

What is influenza?

Influenza is a respiratory disease that typically causes fever, cough and body aches. While many people recover from influenza within a week to 10 days, for some, an infection can cause severe illness.

“It’s a good idea for everyone aged six months or older to get an influenza vaccine, but it’s especially important for adults aged 65 years or older, pregnant people and individuals who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from influenza infection,” says Kwong, who is the associate director of 91�Թ�’s Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases (CVPD), adding that medical conditions of concern include heart diseases, diabetes and even obesity.

The most common reason Canadians give for not getting a flu shot is because they don’t think it’s necessary – a sentiment Natalie Crown, associate professor, teaching stream, in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, has heard before.

“Sometimes people will tell me they don’t get vaccinated because they think they don’t need it – for example, they’ll say they are healthy and rarely get sick themselves,” says Crown, who is also a CVPD member. “The reality is getting the flu vaccine is one of most effective ways of protecting ourselves from the flu and its complications, and we are doing our part to protect the more vulnerable people around us who are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu.”

91�Թ�’s Discovery Pharmacy's new location in the atrium of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy building is among the places 91�Թ� community members can get their shot across the three campuses (photo by Dana Thompson)

When to get the influenza vaccine

The flu season doesn’t have a precise start and end date. According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI), influenza season typically starts in December but can start as early as October or as late as February.

Influenza vaccines were first made available for high-risk individuals and then for the public, beginning in late October and early November.

Since antibodies generated by influenza vaccines gradually decrease over time, Kwong takes a strategic approach to timing his influenza vaccine – but notes that may not be the best approach for everyone.

“I tend to wait until around mid-November to get my influenza vaccine, so I will be protected in December when influenza activity often starts, and I can be fairly confident that the vaccine will still offer some protection up to May,” says Kwong. “However, for those at high risk, getting the influenza vaccine in late October is not a bad idea because occasionally influenza activity can start earlier than December.”

Where to get the influenza vaccine

Influenza vaccines are typically available at local community pharmacies, through primary care providers or at dedicated community clinics offered by public health units across the country.

Members of the 91�Թ� community can also visit UTogether for more information on where to get influenza, as well as COVID-19, vaccines across the university’s three campuses.

Learn more about vaccines at UTogether

Math grad says 91�Թ� taught him to 'learn how to learn'

rahul.kalvapalle — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 20:15:18 +0000

Math grad says 91�Թ� taught him to 'learn how to learn'

rahul.kalvapalle Wed, 11/06/2024 - 15:15

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Sean Fridkin, who earned a bachelor's in math and computer science, counts University Professor Emeritus and Nobel Prize-winner Geoffrey Hinton among his inspirations (supplied image)

Topic

Faculty of Arts & Science

Mathematics

Trinity College

Undergraduate Students

Subheadline

Sean Fridkin, 18, completed his high school and undergraduate studies in a total of four years

Some might view mathematics as an abstract discipline, but Sean Fridkin sees it as way to understand the world and solve problems – and he’s getting an early start.

Fridkin recently crossed the stage in the 91�Թ�’s Convocation Hall to receive his honours bachelor of science in mathematics with a specialist in computer science, completing his high school and undergraduate studies in a total of four years.

Born in Israel, Fridkin spent most of his childhood and formative years in Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ont., where he managed to complete high school in two years after qualifying for a gifted students’ program.

He says he wanted to attend 91�Թ� because it’s the top university in Canada. “91�Թ� has the best faculty by far,” he said, citing among his inspirations University Professor Emeritus and Nobel Prize winner Geoffrey Hinton, “and you have opportunities to learn and take a bunch of different courses.

"It’s also a very prestigious program, so in terms of job prospects, it’s really good. Plus, the people are great ... it’s a great place to learn, grow and network.”

Fridkin spoke to 91�Թ� News about his interest in math and computer science, plans for the future and thoughts on how students can get the most out of their undergraduate years:

How did you become interested in mathematics and computer science?

I think math is about trying to understand the world. All around, you have things going on, things happening, and math is seeing the patterns and getting a deeper understanding for what’s going on. That’s always interested me. I think it interests most people – they just don’t know that it’s called math and there’s a language for it.

The way I did my math major is I took a bunch of courses in different fields, but the main thing that unifies them is they teach you to think about the world in different ways. You have classes about the closeness of objects, analysis, topology, you’ve got to think about different types of infinities … You expand the way in which you think, and that interested me more than any specific path within mathematics.

In terms of computer science, I really like numerical methods, where you try to approximate – given some data – and interpolate with models to predict real things. I find machine learning numerical methods really fun.

What was your approach to learning while at 91�Թ�?

The number one goal for me in university was to learn how to learn – and learn how to think about new things and discover new ways of thinking. That’s the thing 91�Թ� gave me. You get the opportunity to talk to lots of different people, lots of different perspectives and learn from professors who are very experienced in the field and often have a unique way of thinking about different problems.

Also, with the assignments, you have to push yourself and that’s what I enjoyed about it. It was a little different from high school, where an assignment might take you 30 minutes. Here, for some of the math classes, I would have to initially spend maybe a couple of days on one assignment. And I learned a lot from that. I think it’s going to impact me, not only as I go further in my career, but also in life.

What are your plans for your career and education going forward?

I’m looking for computer science roles. I want to learn from interesting people and work on interesting problems. That’s the main goal. I don’t have any specific field that I’m going for within computer science – just interesting problems and people who I know I’ll be able to learn from and who I admire and respect.

I really enjoy learning, but I think most learning can be done informally, on your own or with good people at a company. But certainly, if there’s something interesting that I want to learn more about and that I can’t do on my own, I would 100 per cent go back to school.

Long term, I want to transition to something in the machine learning world.

What would be your advice to students starting university?

I think the actual coursework is secondary to what you do in university. You should learn how to approach new problems ... For me, since I was going into math and computer science, I read a little bit of math stuff and I mostly worked on brain teaser problems. That helped me much more than any domain knowledge in any of the fields.

As soon as you build that thought process in your head – as soon as that becomes your natural way of thinking – everything becomes so much easier.

In photos: 91�Թ� graduates celebrate fall convocation 2024

davidlee — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 18:08:02 +0000

In photos: 91�Թ� graduates celebrate fall convocation 2024

davidlee Tue, 11/05/2024 - 13:08

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Graduates capture their big day from every angle on 91�Թ�'s Front Campus (photo by Polina Teif)

Topic

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

St. George

91�Թ� Mississauga

91�Թ� Scarborough

As the leaves changed colour across the 91�Թ�’s three campuses, more than 4,000 members of the Class of 2024 embarked on a new chapter in their lives by crossing the stage inside Convocation Hall.

They were among more than 5,700 91�Թ� graduates to receive their 91�Թ� degrees this fall and among more than 21,500 to graduate this year – many having begun their studies during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are some of the highlights of fall convocation ceremonies as captured by 91�Թ� photographers:

(photo by Mac Pattanasuttinont)

With the autumn leaves providing a burst of colour overhead, graduates gather outside Convocation Hall with their friends and families.

(photo by Shauna Rempel)

Eagle Feather Bearer Kaitlin Phillips, Indigenous student support specialist at 91�Թ� Mississauga, leads the chancellor’s procession into Convocation Hall.

(photo by Polina Teif)

Graduates from the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work’s master of social work, Indigenous trauma and resiliency program pose for a group shot on Front Campus.

(photo by Mac Pattanasuttinont)

New beginnings: A smiling grad shakes the hand of Wes Hall, who was officially installed as 91�Թ�’s 35th chancellor at the outset of this year’s fall convocation ceremonies.

(photo by Mac Pattanasuttinont)

Smartphone-toting friends and family members strain to capture graduates’ big moments inside Convocation Hall.

(photo by Mac Pattanasuttinont)

Eagle Feather Bearer Adrianna Lewis, left, a master’s student in the Faculty of Information, shares a laugh with Sheree Drummond, secretary of 91�Թ�’s Governing Council.

(photo by Marc Alolod)

Proud 91�Թ� Scarborough graduates celebrate their achievement with a photo op outside of Convocation Hall.

(photo by Polina Teif)

A graduating student gets a helping hand in making a heart-shaped gesture following his convocation ceremony.

(photo by Polina Teif)

91�Թ� convocation celebrations are often family affairs. This joyful embrace, with the tiniest family member joining in, says it all.

For this 91�Թ� grad from Sri Lanka, giving up was never an option

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 16:08:09 +0000

For this 91�Թ� grad from Sri Lanka, giving up was never an option

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 11/05/2024 - 11:08

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Rashmi de Silva Wijeyeratne graduated with an honours bachelor of science in psychology from 91�Թ� Scarborough after a tumultuous start to her post-secondary education (photo by Don Campbell)

Topic

International Students

91�Թ� Scarborough

Undergraduate Students

Subheadline

Rashmi de Silva Wijeyeratne spent three years pursuing an illegitimate degree in Sri Lanka, before starting over at 91�Թ� Scarborough

Rashmi de Silva Wijeyeratne was only two months away from completing an undergraduate program in Sri Lanka when she found out that the degree she’d spent years working towards wasn’t accredited.

Wijeyeratne had studied at an institution affiliated with a British university and was told that she would earn a degree from that university – but when she visited the U.K. and toured the campus, she found out that wasn’t the case.

A devastated Wijeyeratne dropped out of the program, but soon turned her energy towards starting over with her undergraduate studies, applying to the 91�Թ� Scarborough’s Arts & Science Co-op program.

On Oct. 29, eight years after she first set out in pursuit of post-secondary education in Sri Lanka, Wijeyeratne crossed the stage at Convocation Hall, graduating with an honours bachelor of science in psychology.

“A lot of people ask me, ‘How did you restart?’ I think so many of us are capable of so much more in terms of resilience,” said Wijeyeratne, now 27. “When we are faced with a situation, you don't just give up, you want to fight, you want to try again.

“It was hard, but I didn't see giving up as an option.”

It’s an ethos that Wijeyeratne espoused throughout her time at 91�Թ�. Although the setback in Sri Lanka was behind here when she arrived in Canada, there were more challenges lying in wait.

Starting her 91�Թ� studies during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wijeyeratne had to do the first month of her studies remotely from Sri Lanka. When she finally got to Canada, she spent two weeks in quarantine in a Toronto hotel, and then, right when she was allowed to leave, her grandfather died.

Wijeyeratne had to miss the funeral, as there was no way for her to make it to Sri Lanka on time, and she would have had to quarantine again upon her return to Canada. She couldn’t see her family for two years due to ever-changing travel restrictions and the fear of being trapped outside of Canada.

Despite being alone in Canada, Wijeyeratne threw herself into academics as well as extra-curricular opportunities, albeit on her computer screen. Once vaccines became available and restrictions eased, she got to work reviving multiple campus groups, including as vice-president and, eventually, president of the UTSC Glee Club. She was also finally able to welcome her parents to Canada.

A self-described arts kid – she hails from a family of prominent performers in Sri Lanka’s musical theatre scene - Wijeyeratne nevertheless developed a love of biology, clinical medicine and health care at 91�Թ�.

An avid musician, Wijeyeratne hails from a family of musical theatre performers in Sri Lanka (supplied image)

She volunteered in several labs and completed a co-op placement at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in the lab of senior scientist Jeffrey Meyer, a professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s department of psychiatry. Her work led to her being listed as a co-author in the first study to find a natural supplement that reduces post-partum depression.

She also completed a work-study position as a research assistant in the TEMPO Lab, headed by Assistant Professor Laura Cirelli – who also supervised her undergraduate thesis – and went on to work as a lab coordinator there. The lab combines several of Wijeyeratne’s interests: it’s dedicated to investigating the psychological impact that music has on babies and children.

With Cirelli’s encouragement, Wijeyeratne presented her thesis – an investigation into how grandparents connect with their grandchildren over Zoom – at the Society for Music Perception and Cognition conference in Banff, Alta. in July.

“One of the most rewarding parts of being a professor at 91�Թ� Scarborough is working with and getting to know passionate students like Rashmi,” Cirelli says. “It was especially inspiring to see Rashmi shine at the conference this summer. She presented with clarity and pride.”

For her part, Wijeyeratne says being a member of the TEMPO Lab and getting mentored by Cirelli was “life-changing.”

Outside the research realm, Wijeyeratne also found time to pick up hands-on skills, working her way up 91�Թ� Scarborough’s Emergency Medical Response Group to become a trained emergency first responder.

She's now looking forward to her next chapter: working as a research analyst in CAMH’s emergency department starting in November.

“It's been such a non-traditional trajectory towards getting here,” Wijeyeratne says. “But my proudest achievement is being able to make my family proud. I’m so grateful for their love and support and I would not be where I am without them.”

Murray Sinclair, who led Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, dies at age 73

rahul.kalvapalle — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 19:25:01 +0000

Murray Sinclair, who led Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, dies at age 73

rahul.kalvapalle Mon, 11/04/2024 - 14:25

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(photo by Lisa Sakulensky)

Topic

Truth and Reconciliation

Subheadline

Sinclair received an honorary degree from 91�Թ� in 2017 in recognition of his advocacy for Indigenous Peoples

Murray Sinclair, the Anishinaabe senator and lawyer who served as chief commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), has died at 73.

A member of Peguis First Nation, Sinclair grew up in Selkirk, Man., and went on to become a successful lawyer and the first Indigenous judge in Manitoba in 1988, The Globe & Mail reported, eventually being named the commissioner of the TRC in 2009.

Under his leadership, the TRC visited hundreds of communities and spoke to thousands of Indigenous Peoples over a six-year period, before concluding that Canada had committed “cultural genocide” against Indigenous Peoples, and that its residential schools were a key element of its policy to destroy Indigenous cultures, said CBC News.

In recognition of his lifelong advocacy for Indigenous People, Sinclair was awarded an honorary degree from the 91�Թ� in 2017. He accepted the honour less than a year after the release of Wecheehetowin, the final report of the Steering Committee for the 91�Թ� Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The report contained 34 calls to action for the university to pursue to advance the cause of reconciliation.

In his address at Convocation Hall on Nov. 6, 2017, Sinclair urged graduating students to keep an open mind and a strong social conscience as they navigated their careers.

“Not everything you have been told is right, and not everything that you have learned is all you have to know. You now have to begin to live life,” Sinclair said. “You now have to begin to put in practice some of those things that you know inherently is the right thing to do, using the information that you have gathered. That is your challenge.”

Sinclair's family said a sacred fire has been lit outside the Manitoba Legislative Building to mark his passing, according to APTN News.

Read the Globe and Mail story

Read the CBC News story

Read the APTN News story

Read the 91�Թ� News story about Murray Sinclair’s honorary degree

Toronto gallerist and art pioneer Jane Corkin receives 91�Թ� honorary degree

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 20:32:42 +0000

Toronto gallerist and art pioneer Jane Corkin receives 91�Թ� honorary degree Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 11/01/2024 - 16:32

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(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Scott Anderson

Topic

Our Community

Convocation 2024

Faculty of Art & Science

Honorary Degree

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Victoria College

Woodsworth College

At a time when images have become such a powerful cultural force, it’s odd to think that, as recently as 50 years ago, photography was not commonly considered a serious art form. Many galleries didn’t show it, and the few that did were often considered outsiders.

Jane Corkin has been a driving force in changing perceptions. From the time she began curating in the 1970s, the Toronto gallerist has been championing photographers and their work in Canada and around the world.

Today, for her role as a pioneering gallerist and leading advocate for the art of photography in Canada and abroad, and for helping to make Toronto a hub for modern and contemporary art, Corkin will receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from the 91�Թ�.

Corkin grew up in Boston, the third of four siblings. Her father, a self-educated, successful entrepreneur and dedicated philanthropist, died when she was 11, casting her into a role, she says, of wanting to make sure the rest of the family “were all OK.”

She recalls getting interested in art as a child, painting after school and taking art lessons. For a birthday, she might receive an art book on Van Gogh or Monet. “Those were great presents for me,” she says. She was also the one who took photos at family get-togethers.

Corkin moved to Canada in 1967 at age 17 to attend Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. She initially studied political science because, she says, “At a time of unrest, it seemed I should do something more important in the world than just study something I loved.” Those feelings changed, though, and she switched her major to art history, earning a bachelor of arts degree in 1972.

At Queen’s, she took photographs – often portraits – for the student newspaper, the Queen’s Journal, and grew interested in acquiring photographs as artworks. “I started buying pictures when I was at university,” she told the Toronto Star in 2014. “Photographs were not expensive then.”

After graduating, Corkin landed a job at David Mirvish’s gallery on Markham Street in Toronto and continued to shoot portraits in her spare time. On a trip to New York, she met the Hungarian-American photographer André Kertész, known for his photo essays and unusual camera angles.

Inspired, Corkin organized the Mirvish Gallery’s first-ever photography exhibition. She began representing photographers for the gallery, and several years later, after Mirvish closed shop, Corkin took over that part of the business. So, it seemed a natural next step to open her own gallery, focusing on photography – which she did in 1979. Corkin Gallery was located in a one-time shoe factory on Front Street – far from Yorkville, then the nucleus of Toronto’s art scene.

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Opening a gallery dedicated to photography wasn’t an obvious decision. “Photography was considered a new media,” Corkin told Artoronto.ca in 2019. “Even [now renowned artists such as] Nan Goldin and Diane Arbus were part of the outsider movement. There were not many people who understood the art that I was showing.”

Because Corkin represented photographers and demonstrated a willingness to show other “unusual” artforms such as ceramics and furniture, she says was considered a renegade within Toronto art circles: “I was doing something different.”

As a young gallerist, Corkin was naturally drawn to emerging artists and believed in connecting artists from different places who are asking similar questions. ‘We are always thinking about artists who live and work here in Toronto within a context of international artists,” she says.

Her efforts got noticed. It wasn’t long after her gallery opened that Maclean’s magazine dubbed her Canada’s “first lady of photography.” Now, decades into her career, she still bristles with energy – with one Toronto Star interviewer suggesting she’s a testament to the adage: “Do something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Of course, like any entrepreneur, Corkin has experienced her share of business challenges. She’s worked hard in Canada to build a culture of appreciation around fine art like the one that exists in Europe. “Canada isn't a country where people think they need art,” she says, adding that she believes this is a missed opportunity.

“I think it’s so important to the whole human being,” she says, “to see art and to really look at it. To put away your cell phone, turn it off and stare at something and have it speak to you.”

It’s among the messages she hopes that graduating students from the Faculty of Arts & Science, the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, and the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy will take away from her remarks today in Convocation Hall.

In 2000, Corkin began looking for a new gallery space and eventually found one she loved in Toronto’s Distillery District. Her new gallery still shows photography, but also contemporary artists in all media.

And, two years ago, Corkin was appointed to the board of trustees of the International Center of Photography in New York – a role that underscores her contributions to the international art community and her ongoing commitment to advancing the cultural fabric of Canada and beyond.

91�Թ� Mississauga grad aims to 'understand people on a deeper level'

lanthierj — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 19:59:56 +0000

91�Թ� Mississauga grad aims to 'understand people on a deeper level'

lanthierj Fri, 11/01/2024 - 15:59

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Nirmol Midha, an international student from India, says studying psychology at 91�Թ� Mississauga gave her insights into human emotions and behaviours (photo by Anmoal Midha)

Topic

Subheadline

Nirmol Midha studied psychology and volunteered with campus groups that offer mental health and wellness supports

As she prepares to graduate from the 91�Թ� Mississauga, Nirmol Midha is taking time to reflect on the meaningful lessons, rich experiences and diverse connections that punctuated her journey – including a passion for supporting mental health.

“It’s a really emotional time, because at UTM I developed so much, not only academically but as a person,” says Midha, an international student from India who completed an undergraduate degree in psychology.

“It was a time of self-exploration, growth and discovering my resilience.”

Midha specifically chose to study at the 91�Թ� Mississauga campus because of its serene natural surroundings and the option to have two minors – in biology and political science.

She says majoring in psychology was a way for her to better understand human motivations and behaviours – and to learn how to support mental health.

“I felt a deep calling to understand people on a deeper level and support their emotional and mental well-being,” she says.

“I think that’s really important in today’s world.”

Midha says she was fascinated to learn about the how the mind develops, the structure and function of the brain, the evolution of cognition in children and how to conduct quantitative research.

She says her professors skillfully brought the topics to life.

“All of the professors at UTM taught really well. They made the concepts so engaging,” she says. “They were helpful, accommodating and always trying to offer a helping hand.”

Midha complemented her classroom learning with mental health-related extracurricular activities.

She served a term as the vice-president of the student club Mending Minds, for which she organized mental health awareness events. She also worked as the education and communication lead at The Wellness Den, a space connected with the Health & Counselling Centre that provides wellness services to support students. There, she created an escape room game to bring awareness to the Den’s offerings.

“The goal at the Den was to let students know that we all deal with academic and life pressures – and sometimes it’s a lot, but everything’s going to be fine,” she says.

Like other Class of 2024 grads, Midha’s education was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic that forced 91�Թ� to hold many classes virtually for an extended period. Missing out on so much campus life was difficult, she says, but notes she was able to find her stride with online learning and maintain her circle of friends.

She says remote learning also allowed her to attend her nephew, who was unwell.

“Everything’s going to have its positives and negatives,” she says. “You just have to look at the positive side and move on with it.”

While Midha is considering future studies in social work and speech-language pathology, she is currently focused on research, administration and mental health roles.

What she knows for sure is that she wants to apply what she has learned about human psychology and wellness so she can help others. That includes through her volunteer role as vice-president of marketing for UTM Campus Connections, a club that supports community members with intellectual disabilities.

“I want to use what I’ve learned at UTM to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives,” she says. “I hope to contribute to something bigger than myself in the future.”

'A profound sense of responsibility': Wes Hall installed as 91�Թ�'s 35th chancellor

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 16:23:54 +0000

'A profound sense of responsibility': Wes Hall installed as 91�Թ�'s 35th chancellor

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 11/01/2024 - 12:23

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Wes Hall, centre, is officially installed as 91�Թ�’s 35th chancellor in a ceremony attended by two of his predecessors in the role, Rose Patten, far left, and Vivienne Poy, not pictured, as well as Governing Council Chair Anna Kennedy, second from left, and 91�Թ� President Meric Gertler, at right (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Topic

Faculty of Arts & Science

Meric Gertler

Subheadline

“As the 35th – and the first Black – chancellor in 91�Թ�’s almost 200-year history, I feel both pride and humility in donning these robes”

He’s a giant of corporate Canada, a successful investor, respected philanthropist and popular TV personality, but Wes Hall describes serving as chancellor of the 91�Թ� as “the privilege of my life.”

Hall was officially installed as 91�Թ�’s 35th chancellor on Oct. 28 ahead of fall convocation ceremonies for students from the Faculty of Arts & Science.

As organ music filled the air, Hall was escorted into Convocation Hall by 91�Թ� President Meric Gertler and a bedel carrying 91�Թ�’s ceremonial mace.

He expressed a “profound sense of responsibility” in taking on the role.

Hall, wearing his honorary degree robes in advance of his official installation as 91�Թ� chancellor, is escorted into Convocation Hall by 91�Թ� President Meric Gertler and a bedel carrying 91�Թ�’s ceremonial mace (photo by Johnny Guatto)

“As the 35th – and the first Black – chancellor in 91�Թ�’s almost 200-year history, I feel both pride and humility in donning these robes,” Hall said. “My presence here is a testament to the progress we’ve made at 91�Թ� and in society as a whole, but it’s also a reminder of the work yet ahead of us.”

President Gertler described Hall as a “legendary figure on Bay Street” and a “dedicated philanthropist and community leader,” and welcomed him and his family members – Hall’s wife, children, father and step-mother were in attendance – to the 91�Թ� community.

Friedemann Krannich, a PhD student in mathematics, assists Hall during the robing ceremony (photo by Johnny Guatto)

“This is a very special morning for the 91�Թ�, one that occurs only rarely in our academic cycle – we simultaneously welcome our 35th chancellor and award degrees to graduates,” President Gertler said. “Members of this morning’s graduating class will therefore especially appreciate the importance of today’s installation for each of them and for all of us at the 91�Թ�.”

After donning the chancellor’s robes, assisted by his predecessor, Rose Patten, Hall embarked on his first official act in the venerable venue: proclaiming, in Latin, the conferring of degrees to graduating students.

Hall said he felt both pride and humility in donning the chancellor’s robes (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Later in the day, Hall and 91�Թ� announced the creation of the Chancellor Wesley J. Hall Journey of Dreams Scholarship. The scholarship will provide entrance awards to students starting at the university and, Hall said, advance 91�Թ�’s position as “a beacon of excellence, progression, and limitless possibilities.”

Hall’s track record as a business leader and philanthropist has exemplified progress, perseverance and a persistent social conscience. From humble beginnings in rural Jamaica, he rose to become one of Canada’s most influential business leaders as the founder of Kingsdale Advisors and WeShall Investments; a highly recognizable TV personality as a “dragon” investor on CBC’s Dragon’s Den; and an ardent philanthropist and anti-racism advocate as founder of the BlackNorth Initiative non-profit.

In 2021, he partnered with the Rotman School of Management to introduce the first Black entrepreneurship and leadership course in Canada, and he received an honorary doctorate from 91�Թ� in 2023. The author of the memoir No Bootstraps When You’re Barefoot, Hall also serves on the board of directors of the SickKids Foundation.

Hall poses for a photo with a graduate (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Monday’s installation included dignitaries from the university and beyond. Donette Chin-Loy Chang, chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University and board member at BlackNorth, said Hall “has broken barriers and subsequently worked to remove barriers for others who follow in his footsteps.” She was followed by Corwin Cambray, president of the 91�Թ� Alumni Association, who said Hall’s life is a testament to his “perseverance, visionary leadership and a profound commitment” to the upliftment of others.

91�Թ� Vice-President and Provost Trevor Young, speaking on behalf of faculty, highlighted Hall’s tireless efforts to expand access to opportunity for people from under-represented communities. “As the chancellor, you will now bring your many talents to champion higher education – perhaps one of the greatest opportunities that exists,” Young said.

Sydelle Mago, an undergraduate student, speaks to graduating students and other attendees while Hall looks on (photo by Johnny Guatto)

Jodie Glean, 91�Թ�’s executive director, equity, diversity and inclusion, described Hall as “a vocal champion” of people from marginalized backgrounds who “has demonstrated the impact EDI can have both within post-secondary institutions and across our local and global communities.”

For Sydelle Mago, an undergraduate student, Hall’s journey is a source of personal inspiration. “Chancellor Hall came to Canada from Jamaica and is a living testament to what hard work and perseverance can achieve,” Mago said. “His story motivates students like me to pursue our ambitions.”

Hall makes his way out of Convocation Hall following his official installation as 91�Թ�’s 35th chancellor (photo by Johnny Guatto)

At a reception to celebrate his installation at Hart House, Hall said he had been asked by some well-wishers if he was too busy to add the role of 91�Թ� chancellor to an already long list of responsibilities. He responded by sharing the example set by his grandmother Julia Vassel, who raised him – along with nine other grandchildren and an adult daughter with special needs – in a tin shack on a plantation worker’s wage.

“One of those kids that she worked so hard to raise is asked in the future to be the chancellor of the top university in Canada – and one of the top in the world – and that kid says, ‘I’m too busy.’ Could you imagine?” Hall said.

“I’m never too busy to put my hand up and say, ‘I want to be a part of change.’”

91�Թ� doctorate in hand, school psychologist returns to her practice with a fresh outlook

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 19:05:01 +0000

91�Թ� doctorate in hand, school psychologist returns to her practice with a fresh outlook

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 10/31/2024 - 15:05

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Maaike Canrinus says her doctoral research at 91�Թ� is directly linked to her practice as a school and clinical psychologist in private practice (photo courtesy Riverwise Psychology Services)

Topic

Subheadline

Maaike Canrinus is among the first cohort of graduates from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)'s doctor of education in school psychology program

Maaike Canrinus was an experienced school and clinical psychologist when she founded Riverwise Psychological Services – a clinic that provides services for children and adolescents in Barrie and Muskoka, Ont. – in 2019. But like many business owners, nothing could prepare her for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I honestly didn't know what was going to happen to the practice," Canrinus said as she recalled how business slowed down in the early period of the pandemic. "I had never even been on a Zoom call with a client before.”

But while she grappled with the challenges facing her practice, Canrinus also spotted an exciting opportunity on the horizon: the newly-launched doctor of education (EdD) in school psychology program at the 91�Թ�’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Having put off doctoral studies for several years to prioritize her career and family, Canrinus decided to take the leap and enrolled in the first cohort of the program.

“Running a practice, having a family and doing school was definitely a lot to manage, but the fact that this program was designed for people working in the field already made it doable for me,” she says.

On Wednesday, Canrinus crossed the stage at Convocation Hall to receive her EdD in school psychology. Her doctoral research explored how psychologists can improve their practice of giving feedback to families around psycho-educational assessments – something that’s hugely relevant to her practice at Riverwise.

“[My degree] is directly linked to what I'm doing all of the time, and it has given me new ideas and different perspectives about how to engage in the practice of giving feedback to families,” she says. “It also has given me ideas about how I can support others, supervise others and train other clinicians to do this better.”

Canrinus explains that many clinicians experience a gap in training when it comes to how to provide feedback on psycho-educational assessments in a meaningful and supportive way. “We get a lot of training on how to do assessments, how to do testing, how to synthesize and formulate diagnoses... but we'd never really get a ton of training on how to actually conduct the [feedback] meeting,” she says.

To explore the issue, Canrinus completed a case study by interviewing psychologists in Ontario about how they developed the skills and capacity to provide feedback to caregivers. Her research identified three key themes: feedback must be tailored to the unique needs of each parent or caregiver; delivery of feedback requires navigating complex emotional landscapes and supporting parent and caregiver emotions; and finally, mastering the art and science of feedback is a multi-faceted and career-long process.

A major takeaway is that there needs to be dedicated training for budding school psychologists in the realm of feedback delivery. “Given that assessments are a cornerstone of school psychology practice, and effective feedback can provide significant benefits to children and families, we owe it to both clinicians and clients to prioritize this training,” she says.

To that end, Canrinus has already taken the lead by offering a training session to graduate students taking a course on clinical supervision, taught by Archie Kwan, assistant professor, teaching stream and director of clinical training for the EdD in school psychology program.

“I look forward to further opportunities to connect with and train others in this critical area,” she says.

Canrinus also regularly sought out discussions with her mentor Susan Graham-Clay, a school psychologist practising in Barrie, on everything from ethical dilemmas to challenging case conceptualizations and considerations when supervising other clinicians.

Graham-Clay praised Canrinus for pursuing innovative avenues in her practice, such as collaborating with First Nations communities, running treatment groups for children and experimenting with different psychological report formats to make them more user-friendly. “It is indeed exciting to see such an accomplished early-career psychologist excel in serving the needs of children and youth in our community,” Graham-Clay says.

For her part, Canrinus credits OISE for crafting a program that serves the needs of practitioners like herself. “A program like this is so much more accessible for people in different locations, in different stages of life,” she says. “I love that, [I’m] so grateful for that.”

She says she’s also grateful for the close bond shared among peers in her cohort. “As a group, we provided so much support to each other – from the very beginning right through to the very, very end for me,” she says. “They are hugely supportive and amazing.”

Avoid comparisons, focus on your own journey: A new grad’s advice to first-year students

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 15:53:05 +0000

Avoid comparisons, focus on your own journey: A new grad’s advice to first-year students

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 10/31/2024 - 11:53

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Abidur Rahman visiting Pragser Wildsee Lake in Italy where, as an undergraduate, he completed an internship at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (supplied image)

David Goldberg

Topic

Our Community

Convocation 2024

Faculty of Arts & Science

Molecular Genetics

Trinity College

Subheadline

Abidur Rahman, who earned an honours bachelor of science in molecular genetics, says it's important to stay focused on your own journey

Abidur Rahman, a recent honours graduate in molecular genetics at the 91�Թ�, has already made impressive strides.

He earned a prestigious fellowship at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences in Germany, interned at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Italy, collaborated with biotech startups and mentored several students – all while volunteering as a community advisor at Trinity College.

Rahman credits his success to the boundless opportunities offered by 91�Թ�’s Faculty of Arts & Science. “The amount of research opportunities, internships and collaborations you have access to is unparalleled,” says Rahman, who also found time to volunteer as a community advisor at Trinity College.

“You don’t get the same magnitude of possibilities at other universities.”

Now pursuing a master of science in genetic counselling at 91�Թ�, Rahman reflected on his 91�Թ� journey thus far and shared some of his insights and tips for current and future students:

What drew you to molecular genetics?

When I came to 91�Թ�, I was planning to major in neuroscience and psychology. It wasn’t until my second year when I took a course with Naomi Levy-Strumpf, an assistant professor, teaching stream in the human biology program, that I became fascinated with the complexity of genetics and how it can be used to tell the stories of entire generations.

What motivated you to volunteer with Trinity College?

My family moved from Bangladesh when I was a teenager, and being a first-generation immigrant, I felt lost when I started university. That’s why I wanted to give back. As a community advisor, I connected students with resources and clubs, like the Trinity College Multicultural Society, and created social programming that addressed mental health.

91�Թ� has so many opportunities; it can also be like a maze. My goal was to help students find their way, just like my mentors helped me.

Can you tell us about your research fellowship at the Max Planck Institute?

I spent this past summer in Göttingen, Germany, working on bio-engineered heart muscle cells. My project focused on observing them in low-oxygen conditions, simulating what happens during a stroke. This research has the potential for real-world applications, like developing treatments for heart disease. The work makes you feel as though you’re on the cusp of something that could help thousands of patients, and that’s what excited me the most.

What are your plans after graduation?

I’m currently pursuing my master of science in genetic counselling, which is a clinical and professional program focusing on patient counselling and calculating genetic risks. My research project will examine how racialized families perceive the clinical utility of genetic testing. Most studies are based on individuals of European ancestry and that affects how well genetic testing works for people from other backgrounds.

I’m still exploring my future career path, but I can envision myself working in healthcare. During my undergraduate studies, I also had the opportunity to collaborate with several biotech startups, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Additionally, Toronto offers a wealth of opportunities in both fields, making it an exciting place to build a career.

What advice would you give to your first-year self?

Don’t be in a rush to figure everything out. In my first semester, I was so focused on the future, but university isn’t just an academic endeavor, it’s also about personal growth and professional development. Take the time to enjoy your courses and build relationships with your professors.

My other critical piece of advice is to never compare yourself to others because, as the saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy. I remember feeling behind because I was still relatively new to Canada, and I didn’t have the same high school experience as some of my peers. Stay focused on your journey and don’t stress about what other people are doing.