Autumn 2017

Beginnings: The promise — and occasional pitfalls — of starting something new. A Syrian student gets caught in the U.S. travel ban, a scientist straddles the worlds of faith and physics, a doctor asks for greater openness about medical mistakes, and more.

Featured Posts

A scene of a night sky with a church and a person with a telescope

How Did the Universe Begin?

Prof. Barth Netterfield’s lifelong journey into faith, physics and astronomy Read More

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know Were Invented by U of T Alumni

These include everything from life-saving innovations to everyday conveniences Read More

Illustration of a circle of chairs, one occupied by a doctor, and the rest empty. A patient sits on a bench in the centre, facing the doctor.

Doctors Make Mistakes. Can We Talk About That?

Nothing about the health-care system is foolproof. And that includes physicians Read More

Photo of Prof. David Pettinicchio sitting on the stairs outside of a UTM building.

When Getting a Job Is Mission Impossible

Laws to end workplace discrimination against people with disabilities have mostly failed to boost employment. Sociologist David Pettinicchio wants to know why Read More

In This Issue

The Best Investment Canada Can Make

To be competitive in the economy of tomorrow, governments should invest more in investigator-led research today Read More

Will Ginsberg and Afifa Saleem sitting at a desk in front of an open laptop, a student out of focus in the foreground

Teaching Kids How to Code

U of T undergrads are bringing the language of computers to youth in Toronto’s low-income neighbourhoods. Will it “future-proof” them? Read More

Illustration of a woman playing the piano in the middle of a pool of water.

In Playing Music, A Cure for the Blues

During one of life’s darker moments, I found purpose in learning something new Read More

Musician Conlin Delbaere-Sawchuk, wearing the colourful woven sash that’s a hallmark of Métis culture, thinks disputes over cultural appropriation could one day end up in court. Photo: Ian Patterson.

An Indigenous Musician Turns to the Law

First-year student Conlin Delbaere-Sawchuk is interested in how cultural appropriation affects Aboriginal artists Read More

Interior shot of empty space with a high ceiling in One Spadina.

Architecture’s Spectacular New Home

The stunning new Daniels Building has thrown open its doors to students Read More

Khaled Almilaji standing in front of a brick wall, with open pillars on the left

For this Syrian Grad Student, a Fresh Start

Denied re-entry into the U.S. to complete his studies in public health, Khaled Almilaji finds a warm welcome at U of T Read More

Deborah Solomon, wearing a flower-patterned dress, standing with tree leaves out of focus in the background

On a Mission of Compassion

The recipient of a Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, Deborah Emilia Solomon wants to devote her engineering career “to the service of others” Read More

Photo of Ishveer Malhi and Ken Luckhurst walking and conversing inside a UTM building.

It Was 50 Years Ago Today

Ken Luckhurst first set foot at UTM at the height of the hippie era. Touring a transformed campus with a recent grad, he finds not everything has changed Read More

Photo of Prof. Suzanne Stewart standing indoors beside a railing.

A Refuge from the Streets

Having spent time homeless herself, Prof. Suzanne Stewart envisions a new kind of shelter – one that truly understands and cares for Indigenous women Read More

Muhaddisah Batool sitting in a seat in an empty theatre

Taking Centre Stage

As the theatre world grapples with change, U of T Mississauga student Muhaddisah Batool prepares for the spotlight Read More

Photo of Prof. Shauna Brail and Prof. Mauricio Quiros-Pacheco standing in front of a building

The High Cost of a Home

Faculty and students at Toronto’s four universities will work together to seek answers to the city’s housing crisis Read More

Photo of Justin Trudeau greeted by a large crowd of students inside Rotman.

Selfie Central

U of T students greet Trudeau before his talk on trade – and Trump Read More

Photo of the Syed siblings standing on a beach, smiling at the camera.

Music of the Heart

The Syed siblings use their voices to build a stronger Canada Read More

Margaret Addison Hall

This grad devoted much of her career to supporting young women at U of T, so Victoria University named a residence after her Read More

Photo of Gabriela Stafford running in a race at the World Championships in London.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Varsity Blues’ Gabriela Stafford on her success as a track star Read More

Meric Gertler leaning on a desk in his office

U of T: Still Defying Gravity

President Meric Gertler looks ahead to his second term Read More

Illustration of a couch (30%, $0), tent (20%, $1-$800), house (31%, $801-$1,200) and condominium (19%, More than $1,200)

Poll: How Much Do You Spend Monthly on Housing?

Many U of T students live with roomies to manage the rent Read More

Transforming the Heart of St. George Campus

U of T Alumni Association’s lead gift to the Landmark Project will help re-envision green space Read More

A Legacy of Mentorship

U of T creates memorial scholarship and chair in honour of alumnus Geoff Taber, who died tragically in a fire in 2016 Read More

Close up shot of researcher turning a screw on a quantum computer.

AI’s Quantum Leap

In combining two of computing’s hottest trends, the Creative Destruction Lab sees new opportunities for startups Read More

Astroturfing

The practice of faking a grassroots movement gets an update in the age of social media Read More

Illustration of a pencil eraser erasing lines from a drawing of a brain.

Some Forgetfulness? It’s a Good Thing

Researchers discover that our brain erases certain memories for a reason Read More

Close up shot of a medical provider's hand tipping two pills onto a patient's hand

Among Syrian Refugees, a Need for Insulin and Heart Meds

As the media share images of wounded migrants, some of the biggest medical threats go almost unmentioned Read More

The WinterLight Labs team: Frank Rudzicz, Katie Fraser, Maria Yancheva and Liam Kaufman

How a Verbal Test Can Reveal Your Brain Health

WinterLight Labs analyzes speech for evidence of even mild dementia. All patients need to do is describe a picture Read More

Sunset shot of hands in the air, waving Canadian flags

What Canada Got Right

An acceptance of diversity may be the country’s defining strength Read More

Photo of Colin Arrowsmith biking along Huron Street, pulling a device.

How Much Methane?

A U of T study aims to create the most accurate estimate yet of Toronto’s greenhouse gas emissions Read More

Luksimi Sivaneswaralingam in Indian garb, standing on a stage in front of closed curtains.

The Singer of “Senthoora”

This U of T music grad achieved YouTube fame by giving Indian classical songs a Western twist. Next up: a world tour Read More

Taking Waste off the Menu

U of T grad Lucy Cullen has been named one of Canada’s top environmentalists for helping restaurants earn more – by throwing away less Read More

Ray Acheson holding a movie clapboard and Allison Pytlak holding a tag with the letters

A New Generation Seeks to “Ban the Bomb”

Two U of T grads are taking part in UN treaty talks to outlaw atomic weapons. But not everyone’s on board Read More

At Home in the World

Noor Naga’s work, including her award-winning poem, explores the question of belonging Read More

Photo of Ishita Aggarwal giving a speech.

From Shy to Shining

A YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Award winner reflects on a pivotal first-year program at U of T Read More

Photo of Neha Singh and Jade Ryan teaching a dance move to two young dancers.

Happy Feet

Mallory and Jade Ryan are helping children – including those with special needs – experience the joy of dance Read More

Hungry for Failure

Defeat might taste like sawdust drizzled with WD-40, but I’ve developed a taste for it Read More

Studio shot of Jean Yoon from the waist up.

60 Seconds With Jean Yoon

Queen of the corner store Read More

Bernard Etkin pointing at a feature, speaking to two boys wearing hard hats, one of whom is steering the simulator.

Flight of Fancy

A young dreamer enjoys a test drive on U of T’s flight simulator Read More