��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga

A team of researchers has developed a new approach to analyzing DNA evidence in sexual assault cases – one that could reduce lengthy delays in the processing of evidence.

While there are almost half a million sexual assaults in Canada every year, many more go unreported because victims are reluctant to come forward.

One of the reasons cited by victims is that analysis of forensic evidence is too slow.

Mohamed Elsayed (supplied image)

“For this research, we read reports and surveys that asked victims why they weren’t reporting assaults,” says the study’s lead author Mohamed Elsayed, who worked on the project as part of his PhD in biomedical engineering at the University of Toronto. “And the most common answer was that they didn't have confidence in the justice system – and that lack of confidence was partly because of how long the process takes.”

Elsayed, now a post-doctoral researcher in the department of chemistry in the Faculty of Arts & Science, co-authored the study with, among others, Leticia Bodo, a master’s student in the department of chemistry, and Aaron Wheeler, a professor in the department of chemistry, the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and the Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies, a ��˾��ֱ�� institutional strategic initiative.

All three researchers are also affiliated with the Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research.

Processing forensic evidence in sexual assault cases is a technical, multi-step process that involves collecting DNA evidence and sending it to a well-equipped forensic laboratory for analysis by a skilled technician. Once there, the sample is first processed to isolate the assailant’s DNA from the victim’s so the assailant’s DNA can then be analyzed and used to identify a suspect.

The entire process can take days, weeks or longer. Most of that time is taken up with transporting the evidence to the lab, where its analysis can be further delayed depending on how many other cases are being investigated.

To speed things up, researchers focused on the first step: separating two individuals’ DNA from a single sample. At present, this is usually done manually by trained and experienced experts.

Elsayed and his collaborators, by contrast, developed a process called ’differential digestion” using digital microfluidics that helped simplify the overall process and reduce the number of manual steps needed to isolate the assailant’s DNA from 13 to five. “Also, because micro-fluidic processes tend to be faster, we expect that one of the eventual benefits will be shortening the overall time needed,” says Elsayed.

What’s more, the new approach could lead to a mobile solution that no longer requires a lab. For example, testing could be done at a hospital, circumventing the lab’s queue.

The new technique, described in a paper published in the journal Advanced Science, is compatible with the technology known as Rapid DNA analysis that is already in use for the second step of identifying an individual from their DNA. The study’s authors, which included researchers from ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga’s forensic science program, say the long-term goal is to integrate the two technologies to make the process even more streamlined.

While there remain several challenges to deploying the new technique, Elsayed says he is confident they can be overcome and has turned his efforts toward making it widely accessible and commercially viable.

“Our plan is to develop an instrument that will do in five minutes what currently takes 45,” says Elsayed. “And to run many more samples than previously. Once we do that, the next step would be to introduce the technology to forensic labs and hospitals.

“It will take years, but the potential is very exciting.”

The research was supported by the ANDE Corporation and NSERC Alliance Society.

"I’m grateful to NSERC for having the foresight to establish the ‘Alliance Society’ program which has a mission to ‘address a societal challenge that will result in new natural sciences and engineering knowledge and societal impact,” Wheeler says.

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Forensic Science

What’s new in food at ��˾��ֱ��? Explore new dining options across the three campuses

mattimar — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 17:26:43 +0000

What’s new in food at ��˾��ֱ��? Explore new dining options across the three campuses

mattimar Fri, 09/13/2024 - 13:26

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Sushi is one of several freshly prepared and culturally diverse dishes that ��˾��ֱ�� students can indulge in at Food Services locations and retail outlets on the three campuses (photo by Don Campbell)

Topic

Subheadline

From produce grown on campus to dishes inspired by global cuisines, ��˾��ֱ�� students have a bounty of choice when it comes to food options

The University of Toronto is introducing a range of new dining experiences across its three campuses this fall.

From late-night bites to authentic dishes and healthy grab-and-go options, there’s never been a better time to chow down on ��˾��ֱ��’s three campuses.

Here are just some of the new menu items, concepts and programs that ��˾��ֱ�� students can expect to find this fall:

��˾��ֱ�� Scarborough: New offerings at Harmony Commons

Left: Tony De Gregorio and Todd Wadsworth make gnocchi. Right: A chef at the fresh pasta station (supplied images)

At ��˾��ֱ�� Scarborough, new additions to the Harmony Commons dining hall offer students fresh, made-to-order options and an enjoyable dining experience.

They include a made-to-order pasta station and self-serve machines that dispense everything from sushi to slushies (with chefs preparing the pasta and sushi behind the scenes).

“We really strive to use fresh and made-to-order ingredients,” says Todd Wadsworth, food services co-ordinator of Food Partnerships at ��˾��ֱ�� Scarborough.

He adds that the new machines will make the process of serving 1,200 meal-plan students faster and easier.

Students will also benefit from fresh produce grown in the Harmony Commons dining hall across from the salad station – courtesy of Lyrata Inc., a ��˾��ֱ�� student startup.

The salad station at Harmony Commons dining hall (supplied image)

“It’ll be grown, harvested [inside the dining hall] and flipped over to the kitchen where they’ll wash it and then it will be put out onto the salad station,” says Wadsworth, noting that he and Assistant Director Tony De Gregorio both have culinary backgrounds and are passionate about food.

Upcoming projects include a tri-campus cooking competition and cooking demonstrations in partnership with the culinary programs at Centennial College and George Brown – all of it livestreamed on YouTube.

The guiding principle? “It’s not just a meal plan, it’s an experience,” De Gregorio says.

��˾��ֱ�� St. George: Rotating menus and authentic dishes

New concepts on the second floor of Robarts Library include Foodie Finds and Chef's Corner (photo by David Lee)

Robarts Library is no longer just a hub for knowledge, it’s also a place for gastronomic exploration thanks to two new pop-up menu concepts offered by Food Services – Foodie Finds and Chef's Corner, both located on the second floor of the Robarts Library.

Jaco Lokker, ��˾��ֱ��’s director of culinary operations and executive chef, says Foodie Finds – which will also be introduced in residences at New College, Campus One and Chestnut – responds to a growing demand for variety and authenticity. “By developing smaller menus and rotating them frequently, we’re able to introduce fresh and culturally diverse foods to our locations,” he says.

The menu at Foodie Finds also features poutine, mac and cheese, tacos, baked potatoes and more, offering students different culinary styles and comfort foods they love.

Chef’s Corner will host pop-up menus inspired by global cuisines, cycling through dishes every two to four weeks.

Lokker says his team is excited to develop menus that explore regions such as Brazil, Peru, Argentina and others by using authentic ingredients that honour the cultural roots of each dish.

“We do a lot of research,” he says.

Meanwhile, Food Services has rolled out a new allergen and food intolerance identifier on its website, making it easier for students and ��˾��ֱ�� community to make informed dietary choices.

Food Services is also expanding a pilot project called Spaces and Experiences Foodies that will allow students to contribute to the development of future menu items on the St. George campus. Students can find more details on the Food Services website and on their Instagram account.

Students can skip the line by ordering through the Food Services app and at kiosks at the retail food locations to take advantage of the new culinary offerings on campus.

��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga: Pizza, sushi and late-night snacks

UTM Davis Building food options (suppplied images)

At ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga, the new additions to the campus food scene are convenient, freshly prepared and, of course, delicious.

“In partnership with our food service provider, Dana Hospitality, we are proud to offer our UTM community a variety of menu choices with a focus on being made from scratch and inspired by fresh ingredients from local suppliers and our very own UTM Farm,” says Megan Evans, ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga’s assistant director of hospitality operations, Hospitality & Ancillary Services.

The Oscar Café in Colman Commons is introducing the first-ever Rawcy’s Late Night Eats menu, named in honor of ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga’s mascot, Rawcy (pronounted “Rocky”) the Eagle, featuring a variety of pub fare and other fan favourites, while over at the Davis Food Court, Fresh Baked out of the Oven now includes more than just pizzas, introducing other options from cheese bread and baked pasta to calzones and dessert pizza.

At the North Side Bistro, a new Italian hot table will serve a variety of hot sandwiches such as eggplant parm, porchetta and meatball – and Roman-style pizza, sold by the square.

For a quick bite, the Fair Trade Café now offers an expanded selection of grab-and-go bakery items including stuffed croissants, pre-made breakfast sandwiches and muffins – all of which can be warmed by staff upon request.

Two other new developments: Ah-So Sushi will now be available at various locations across campus and there is a new Reis & Irvy’s frozen yogurt machine in the Communication, Culture and Technology building.

“With a variety of made-to-order and grab ‘n’ go options available, students and the UTM community are able to choose and customize their dining experience to best suit their needs and schedules,” Evans says, adding that students should also keep their eye out for new food trucks.

These exciting new offerings, coupled with existing Food Services locations and the assortment of branded restaurants, ensure that students on all three ��˾��ֱ�� campuses have a bounty of choice. As always, students with dietary questions or concerns are encouraged to contact their dining location of interest to discuss their individual needs.

'A transformative experience': ��˾��ֱ�� program gives first-year student - and aspiring surgeon - a head start

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 17:14:30 +0000

'A transformative experience': ��˾��ֱ�� program gives first-year student - and aspiring surgeon - a head start

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 09/12/2024 - 13:14

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Nasteha Omar is pursuing an honours bachelor of science in life sciences, and eyeing a specialist in molecular biology (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Topic

Undergraduate Students

Subheadline

Nasteha Omar, who wants to study orthopedics, spent a high school semester at ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga via the Black Access to Educational Excellence initiative

Nasteha Omar has long been interested in becoming an orthopedic surgeon – and thanks to a unique program at the University of Toronto Mississauga, the first-year student is already well on her way.

“I’ve had to go to hospital and be in contact with different orthopedic surgeons lots of times because of problems that I have myself,” she says. “And I found their careers really interesting from a young age. It’s just something that I’ve always wanted to do.”

While taking the first steps towards her goal at ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga was always her intention – her family lives near the campus and her older sister is already a student – Omar got an early and up-close look at university life via the Black Access to Educational Excellence initiative (BAEE@UTM), which invites high school students to spend a semester at ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga to get a taste of post-secondary education.

It was nothing short of “a transformative experience,” says Omar, who was encouraged to apply for the initiative by her vice-principal at Erindale Secondary School. “It wasn’t only a chance to connect with peers and mentors, but also an opportunity to engage in programs that helped me enrich my academic and personal growth.”

Now a first-year student, Omar is pursuing an honours bachelor of science degree in life sciences and eyeing a specialist in molecular biology.

She says her BAEE@UTM experience allowed her to explore the sciences from a variety of lenses. One of the highlights was taking a course, "STEM in Society," that explores how the STEM fields intersect with society, culture and politics.

“I’ve always been interested in the sciences and STEM, so participating in a course that was more about the ethical side of ongoing situations in our world – and of science topics – really opened my eyes to different pathways that I want to explore,” Omar says of the course taught by Sheliza Ibrahim, an assistant professor, teaching stream, in the Institute for the Study of University Pedagogy.

In addition to exploring new intellectual ground, Omar also got a taste of hands-on scientific research in the Applied Perception & Psychophysics Laboratory, co-directed by Assistant Professors Anna Kosovicheva and Benjamin Wolfe of the department of psychology. There, Omar used MATLAB programming software to design an experiment to study how visual and auditory stimuli interact. “It was to show how our perception of time can be influenced by how we interpret events,” she says.

While Omar didn’t have time to test the experiment before her semester ended, she plans to do more lab work as an undergraduate student, picking up where she left off.

Omar also plans to get involved in student clubs, particularly anything that caters to her love of literature – she writes poems and fiction, and took part in the Caribbean & Black Writing Collective during her semester at the university. And she wants to start a non-profit tutoring organization by building on her high school experience founding the Erindale Secondary School chapter of Learn To Be, an NGO that provides free online tutoring.

“It was a great opportunity for students to not only gain volunteer hours but make connections with other students in an online tutoring format, where they tutored students from under-privileged families that wouldn’t be able to get extra help or access to educational resources outside of school,” she says. “I’d love to see it up and running at UTM if that would be a possibility.”

Omar remains in touch with some of her peers from the BAEE@UTM program, as well as the upper-year ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga students who served as mentors.

“I feel like we were all able to grow really close as a community,” she says. “It helped me find my footing for what was to come when I enter university, so it was really amazing.”

‘A space for everyone’: ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga prepares to host second annual All-Nations Powwow

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 15:21:04 +0000

‘A space for everyone’: ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga prepares to host second annual All-Nations Powwow

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 09/10/2024 - 11:21

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Dancers perform during the inaugural All-Nations Powwow at ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga in 2023 (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Topic

Undergraduate Students

When you invite everyone, you need to make sure you have plenty of space.

With that in mind, the University of Toronto Mississauga’s All-Nations Powwow will be moving outdoors this year.

“A Powwow is a space for everyone,” says event co-lead dancer John Hupfield, who is Anishinaabe from Wasauksing First Nation. “A Powwow is not a show. It is a space to work and gather together, share and pass tradition with everyone.

“That’s the beautiful aspect of it and I hope it continues to grow at UTM.”

The free Sept. 28 event is hosted by the ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga Indigenous Centre (UTMIC) and will be held on the north field in front of Maanjiwe nendamowinan, also known as MN.

Moving the event to an outdoor venue is welcome news for Hupfield, who specializes in grass dancing.

“Traditionally, when our people relocate, folks are sent out ahead to pat down the grass to allow work and settling to be done on the land,” he says. “It is done with song and ceremony – so when the people arrive, they know this place is safe. It is a way of taking care of the community.”

Community is a huge part of Powwows, adds Hupfield, who pursued his postdoctoral research in Indigenous forms of movement on both the ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga and St. George campuses.

He says he is honoured to have been asked to lead the dancers into this year’s Powwow as part of the grand entry ceremony.

“It’s really humbling,” says Hupfield, who also assists the UTMIC with firekeeping in the Tipi on Principal’s Road for events that require sacred fire, as well as giving guest talks and dance demonstrations. “It’s a big responsibility and a chance to invite and honour all who came before us.”

Among the dancers he will be leading is MJ Singleton, a fourth-year ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga student who is double majoring in psychology and criminology law and society.

Singleton, who is Anishinaabe and a two-spirit person, will be participating in both the fancy shawl and jingle dress events. They say they became involved in the Powwow through host group UTMIC, where they have participated in beadwork seminars and luncheons, led a paint session and helped create a community art installation for the MN building. Singleton says the centre, and Office of Indigenous Initiatives Director Tee Duke and Special Projects Officer Jessica Tabak, have been vital in helping them adjust to life at university.

“I didn’t grow up in a city – I was in a small northwestern town, four hours west of Thunder Bay, so coming from there and transitioning to Mississauga was a big challenge,” says Singleton, 21.

“Through the Indigenous Centre, I was able to meet people who were having a similar experience moving from up north to the hustle and bustle of southern Ontario. They gave us community.”

Singleton, who designed the Every Child Matters charity shirt sold in campus bookstores, says hosting an event like a Powwow at ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga goes a long way to help Indigenous students overcome their feelings of isolation, and that the gathering and amplifying of Indigenous voices on campus is an important part of ��˾��ֱ��’s ongoing reconciliation process.

“To be able to see everyone in person and celebrate with other people is really important,” says Singleton, who plans to take their ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga education home to Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation (Eagle Lake) to help improve legal representation for Indigenous people in northern communities.

“Having access is especially important for those who have never been to a Powwow.”

Singleton says the benefits are magnified in places like ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga, which draws students from around the world.

“UTM has such an amazing and diverse population of international students and local students who have never seen a Powwow, so this is a chance to learn about our culture,” Singleton says, noting they discovered a new relative through interaction at last year’s event.

“One of my best friends is from Peru and she thought last year’s Powwow, her first, was the most amazing thing. We had so much fun and I was so proud.”

Singleton says they hope many first-timers will turn out for the event and share in the spirit of community. In addition to a full afternoon of traditional ceremonies, singing and dancing, there will also be a marketplace featuring Indigenous-owned businesses.

“Come with an open mind, come with an open heart,” Singleton says. “Get to know the people in regalia, make those connections, form friendships and celebrate us as a people. It’s wonderful to be able to invite people of all kinds to dance during intertribal. It’s just so much fun for everyone.”

In photos: ��˾��ֱ�� campuses spring to life as students move into residence, head to first day of class

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:00:15 +0000

In photos: ��˾��ֱ�� campuses spring to life as students move into residence, head to first day of class

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 09/03/2024 - 09:00

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Jacob Domingo Chan, third from left, was among many first-year students who received a helping hand as they moved into residences on ��˾��ֱ��'s three campuses ahead of the new school year (photo by Polina Teif)

Topic

Undergraduate Students

University College

The University of Toronto’s three campuses are abuzz with excitement as students from the Toronto region, across Canada and around the world kicked off a new school year.

The fall 2024 semester marked the first time that students on the St. George campus, ��˾��ֱ�� Scarborough and ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga had their first day of classes on the same day, Sept. 3 – part of an effort to align key academic dates across the university.

AskMe Anything volunteers were also out in full force to offer tips and guidance, especially to the thousands of first-year students navigating the first day of their post-secondary education.

��˾��ֱ�� President Meric Gertler welcomed new and returning students, as well as faculty, staff and librarians, in a video message released last week.

“[��˾��ֱ��] is an exciting place to be, and this is an exciting time to be a part of it,” he said.

Photographers were on hand across all three campuses in recent days to capture the sights – and energy – of a new academic year:

(photo by Johnny Guatto)

Welcome signs wrap ��˾��ֱ��’s main gates on the St. George campus as students make their way to and from classes on the first day of a new school year.

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

The weeks leading up to the first day of school featured plenty of enthusiasm as students and their families carted belongings into residences at ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga.

(photo by Polina Teif)

At St. George, volunteers and residence staff were on hand to provide a warm welcome, refreshments and help hoisting bins and boxes.

(photo by Polina Teif)

“I was nervous at first, but everyone’s been so welcoming,” said University College student Cassidy Smith, who posed for an Aug. 25 photo with her mother as she moved into her dorm.

“There’s such a good energy around the place and I can feel that this is going to be like a second home to me."

(photo by Terrence Tong)

At ��˾��ֱ�� Scarborough, luggage carts – and several volunteers – helped ferry students’ belongings between the parking lot and residence buildings.

(photo by Polina Teif)

Gabriella Baichwal, who was born in Toronto and grew up in Chicago, joked that she “brought way too much stuff” to fill up her single room in Trinity College on the St. George campus.

“I brought all my clothes, a mini-fridge and all of this stuff, and I feel like a spoiled brat. But that’s OK – you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do,” said Baichwal, as her parents helped unload items from their vehicle’s roof.

Her father, Ravi Baichwal, whose own father went to grad school at ��˾��ֱ�� in the 1960s after moving from India, said he was “incredibly proud” of his daughter for following in her grandfather’s footsteps.

“I have that incredible pit of anxiety and hope all mixed up into one,” he said.

(photo by Polina Teif)

There were plenty of opportunities for students to meet new friends, showcase their school spirit and learn about extra-curricular opportunities at the tri-campus cheer-off event and clubs carnival held on the St. George campus ahead of the Labour Day long weekend.

(photo by Polina Teif)

More than 300 ��˾��ֱ�� clubs were present at the clubs carnival, an annual event organized by the ��˾��ֱ�� Students' Union. There is also a Student Groups Fair on Sept. 5 and 6 at ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga, and a UTSC Clubs Fair at ��˾��ֱ�� Scarborough on Sept. 23.

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Orientation programs at ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga included a painting activity that invited students to harness their creativity.

(photo by Terrence Tong)

It was all smiles at ��˾��ֱ�� Scarborough as students, friends and family settled in for the fall term.

'Your gateway to the world': President Meric Gertler welcomes ��˾��ֱ�� community to fall term

mattimar — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 15:43:38 +0000

'Your gateway to the world': President Meric Gertler welcomes ��˾��ֱ�� community to fall term mattimar Thu, 08/29/2024 - 11:43

Topic

As the University of Toronto prepares to kick off a new school year, President Meric Gertler is extending a warm welcome to new and returning students, faculty, staff and librarians across the university’s three campuses.

“Each of you brings unique talents, perspectives and dreams – and each of you has a place in our academic community,” he said in a video released today. “Together, we're expanding the boundaries of knowledge in every field, challenging ourselves and each other in the adventure of learning, discovery and innovation.”

President Gertler called ��˾��ֱ�� “your gateway to the world,” highlighting its diverse community and wide range of international opportunities.

“It's an exciting place to be, and this is an exciting time to be part of it. Thank you all for joining us. I wish you all the best in the year to come.”

Learn more at UTogether

Get That Hope: Alumna and former ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga instructor premières latest work at Stratford Festival

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 15:27:55 +0000

Get That Hope: Alumna and former ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga instructor premières latest work at Stratford Festival

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 08/29/2024 - 11:27

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Andrea Scott says she wrote her latest play, Get That Hope, after seeing Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night, asking herself, “Why don’t we have plays like this about Black Canadian families?” (photo by Helen Tansey)

Topic

Faculty of Arts & Science

Humanities

Theatre

��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga

Subheadline

Andrea Scott's play tells the story of a Toronto family in the lead-up to a Jamaica Independence Day celebration

Andrea Scott has never forgotten the moment when her dreams of becoming a writer were quashed.

It was during a Grade 9 English class.

“I remember proclaiming something I felt was very literary and my English teacher shot me down so quickly,” says the University of Toronto Mississauga alumna and former instructor at ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga. “It killed my desire to be a writer and I’ve never forgotten her.”

The death of Scott’s writing ambitions would prove to be premature. She just wrapped up a contract writing for Disney and recently her play Get That Hope, which tells the story of a family in the lead-up to a Jamaica Independence Day celebration, made its debut at the Stratford Festival.

Scott’s journey to becoming an award-winning playwright and screenwriter began when she temporarily gave up on writing in high school, and turned her attention to the stage. She received an honours bachelor of arts degree in theatre and drama studies through ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga’s joint program with Sheridan College, with a minor in English.

She later earned a master’s degree in drama through ��˾��ֱ��’s School of Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Arts & Science. 

She recalls being “an annoying theatre kid” at ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga, but says she had many professors who encouraged her and gave her a well-rounded theatre education.

“It is good to have a three-dimensional education regarding the ‘why’ of certain stories and the historical context,” Scott says. “I have a lot of those books still on my shelf because they inform how I write.”

Following graduation, she pursued an acting career in Toronto. As she auditioned for TV shows, she noticed a theme: Black characters often supported the protagonist – who was usually white – and didn’t have robust stories of their own.

When she auditioned for the role of a grieving mother who had lost her son to gun violence, she turned her attention back to writing.

“I was like, ‘Yeah ... I could write better than this,’” Scott says.

She wrote her first play, Damaged, a one-woman show that debuted at b current’s rock.paper.sistahz festival. Her second play, Eating Pomegranates Naked, was included in the SummerWorks Performance Festival.

It was a turning point for Scott.

“There were people lining up to see the play who did not know me and had never heard of me, and that felt very validating,” she says, adding that the play also earned her the RBC Arts Professional Award. “That was the moment where I realized, ‘Maybe I could do this.’”

Scott continued to achieve success with her plays, including Better Angels: A Parable, Don't Talk to Me Like I'm Your Wife (produced by her production company, Call Me Scotty Productions) and the award-winning Controlled Damage. She also taught playwriting to undergraduate students in ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga’s department of English and drama.

In 2020, Scott worked in the writers’ room on the CBC/BET production The Porter. Following that, she worked on Murdoch Mysteries for three seasons and wrote four episodes.

“Murdoch Mysteries was a huge achievement for me,” Scott says. “I never assumed that I would ever get a job quite like that.”

Scott recently wrote for the upcoming Disney series High Potential, which stars Kaitlin Olson (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) with Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas as showrunner.

“The first time that I got to walk into the Disney lot, it just did not seem real,” she says. “It was a dream come true.”

On Aug. 10, Scott made her Stratford debut with the world première of Get That Hope. She says she was inspired to write the play after seeing Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night.

“All I kept thinking was, ‘Why don’t we have plays like this about Black Canadian families?’” she says.

Scott is working on a new play called Truthfully Jackie about Jackie Robinson’s time playing for the Montreal Royals in 1946.

While she has seen success throughout her career, Scott says she has also faced challenges – including not being taken seriously enough.

“I’m a woman, I’m a Black woman, and I’m really tiny – like five feet tall. But I have this voice, and I try to use it to make sure people take me seriously,” she says, adding that her advice for budding writers is to not take criticism to heart.

“Reacting emotionally to something that was maybe constructive criticism won’t help you,” Scott says. “Also, write and write and write – and don’t close off any kind of source material that you can be inspired by. You never know where it might come from.”

Get That Hope runs until Sept. 28 in the Stratford Festival's Studio Theatre.

Back-to-school 2024: 6 things every ��˾��ֱ�� student should know

mattimar — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 16:37:14 +0000

Back-to-school 2024: 6 things every ��˾��ֱ�� student should know

mattimar Wed, 08/21/2024 - 12:37

Cutline

��˾��ֱ��'s ASKme Anything booths are a great resource for help and information on all three campuses (photo by David Lee)

Mariam Matti

Topic

Our Community

Back to School 2024

��˾��ֱ�� Entrepreneurship

There’s always more to discover at the University of Toronto – whether you’re setting foot on one of its three campuses for the first time or have been here for years.

With its diverse opportunities, expansive resources and vibrant community, there are nearly endless ways for students to make the most of their time at one of the world’s top universities.

The following list, though by no means exhaustive, is meant to serve as a starting point for those who are looking for tips on everything from answering basic questions to finding their community – and even starting their own company.

Navigating campus life

Need help finding your way around? ��˾��ֱ��’s tri-campus map tool is a great resource when it comes to figuring out where to go – and don’t forget that most lectures start 10 minutes after the hour to make sure students have time to get where they need to be.

“Where do I get a…?”

��˾��ֱ��'s ASKMe Anything ambassadors aim to build a warm and welcoming community for students on all three campuses (photo by David Lee)

Starting out at ��˾��ֱ�� can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming – and many students have a lot of questions.

“How do I find out about orientation events and activities?”

“What is a TCard and where do I get it?”

“How much time is there to walk from class to class?”

Fortunately, ��˾��ֱ��’s ASKme Anything booths and ambassadors are here to help. The initiative is all about building a warm and welcoming community for students on all three campuses.

ASKme Anything booths will be operating on the St. George campus from Aug. 19 to Sept. 9 on weekdays, plus Saturday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25. They will be conveniently located at the campus gate at King’s College Road and College Street, at St. George and Ursula Franklin Streets and near Sidney Smith Hall at St. George and Willcocks Streets.

At ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga, students are encouraged to visit the Hub Hello Desk in the Student Services Hub to have their questions answered and to connect with student services on campus. The desk is open from 9:30 to 5 p.m.

At ��˾��ֱ�� Scarborough, ASKme Anything booths will be set up in Scarborough Circle, the lobby of the Sam Ibrahim Building, the front vestibule of the Instructional Centre and in the Bladen Wing hallway just outside of Tim Horton's from Sept. 3 to Sept. 14.

There are also welcome booths at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Terminals 1 and 3.

Finding your community

Students attend Clubs Day at the ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga campus (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Diving into university life by joining a club provides the opportunity to learn new things, connect with others and enrich the student experience. From sports and the arts to social causes, there are hundreds of community-oriented clubs and student groups across the three campuses – meaning there’s literally something for everyone.

Interested students should check out the Clubs Carnival on Aug. 30 at King’s College Circle on Front Campus. At ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga, students are invited to the Student Groups Fair to find out more information on clubs on Sept. 5 and 6 outside the Communication, Culture and Technology Building.

��˾��ֱ�� Scarborough students will get to explore groups and clubs on campus on Sept. 23 at the UTSC Clubs Fair. The location of the event has yet to be determined.

The Student Organization Portal is a great resource to discover campus groups and includes information on what each group does and how to go about joining it.

Explore ��˾��ֱ��’s thriving startup scene

Exhibitors gather at the True Blue Expo during ��˾��ֱ�� Entrepreneurship Week

��˾��ֱ�� Entrepreneurship (UTE) is hosting AcceleratorFest on Sept. 18 from 12 to 6 p.m. at the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus.

The event offers an opportunity for aspiring and established entrepreneurs – as well as those who are merely curious about what it takes to effectively create your own job while attending university – to explore the many resources, spaces and programs available to them across ��˾��ֱ��’s tri-campus network.

There will be representatives from more than a dozen campus accelerators, founders who turned their ideas into impactful businesses and a tour of ONRamp, UTE’s co-working and community spaced housed inside the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus.

Stay in the know with UTogether and connect with ��˾��ֱ�� on social media

There are many ways to connect with the ��˾��ֱ�� community and stay in the loop for events happening across the three campuses.

The UTogether web page is a hub of information and helps connect students, faculty members, staff and librarians with important resources – such as health and wellness supports – as well as news and messages from ��˾��ֱ�� leadership.

The social media directory is useful for those looking to find and connect with the various university accounts on social media. Use keywords and filters to search or browse the listings. Below are the quick links to the main social media accounts on each campus.

On Instagram

On TikTok

First day of classes (now the same across all three campuses)

Students on the first day of classes at the ��˾��ֱ�� Scarborough campus (photo by Ruilin Yuan)

So when does the fall term actually begin? For the first time, students on the St. George campus, ��˾��ֱ�� Scarborough and ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga will begin on the same day: Sept. 3.

The alignment follows a review that recommended standardizing critical dates such as the start and end of classes, exam periods, reading weeks and fee deadlines across the three campuses.

The new, more co-ordinated approach is expected to provide a more streamlined and predictable academic experience for the university community.

Beyond true crime: First-year forensic science student brings vision of compassionate justice to ��˾��ֱ��

bresgead — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 18:56:02 +0000

Beyond true crime: First-year forensic science student brings vision of compassionate justice to ��˾��ֱ��

bresgead Mon, 08/19/2024 - 14:56

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Mapalo Mushoriwa, who will be studying at ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga this fall, has previously investigated how varying concentrations of cadmium affect seed germination and the growth of wheat (supplied image)

Topic

Undergraduate Students

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National Scholar Mapalo Mushoriwa is no stranger to scientific inquiry, having represented her home town of Swift Current, Sask. at the Canada-Wide Science Fair two years in a row

Mapalo Mushoriwa wouldn’t exactly call herself a “true crime girl.” But she’s unafraid to explore the complexities of criminal psychology to advance her vision of compassionate justice.

Mushoriwa, who starts her studies in forensic science at the University of Toronto Mississauga this fall, says her fascination stems from a high school essay on wrongful convictions, which prompted her to delve into the role of mental health in the criminal justice system.

What she found was a prison system that often emphasizes punishment over rehabilitation, which she sees as essential to reducing recidivism and crime.

At ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga, Mushoriwa hopes to explore interventions that help inmates receive the comprehensive and compassionate care they need, benefiting both the individuals and society at large.

“The way I see it, there are multiple layers to every story,” she says. “It takes a certain kind of person to be able to look at that individual, despite the terrible crimes they’ve committed, and then see a person, as well as hold them accountable for what they’ve done.”

Mushoriwa is no stranger to scientific inquiry – especially where there is a social impact. She represented her hometown of Swift Current, Sask., at the Canada-Wide Science Fair two years in a row, taking a senior bronze excellence award in May.

Her two-part experiment investigated how varying concentrations of cadmium, combined with different temperature conditions, could affect seed germination and the growth of wheat, a critical crop in her community of roughly 18,000.

Mushoriwa says the findings were inconclusive, but a research lab is continuing the investigation, which she hopes will eventually yield valuable insights for local farmers.

“It was a very close-to-home project,” Mushoriwa says, noting that while her family isn’t involved in farming, many in her tight-knit community are witnessing the effects of toxins on crop production firsthand.

Mapalo Mushoriwa hopes her science experiment, which has been picked up by a research lab, will eventually yield valuable insights for Swift Current’s local farmers (supplied image)

In addition to her forensic science studies at ��˾��ֱ��, Mushoriwa hopes to explore her creative side with a minor in drama. She says she discovered a passion for the stage in high school, winning a regional award for acting excellence for her lead role in The Inexplicable Chaos Factor of Mia Gregory, a play that tackles themes of mental health.

“I got so immersed in that world and wanting to share that story that it was like this intense passion, where I sort of found a way to combine me and the character I was playing,” Mushoriwa says. “It was just an experience like no other.”

It was one of many extracurriculars that kept Mushoriwa engaged in her community. In high school, she served as secretary of the student leadership council, led the grad committee and was captain of the soccer team. She is also an active member of her church’s youth group.

Growing up, Mushoriwa says she dreamed of attending ��˾��ֱ��. Now, she feels like she’s achieved her happy ending – and then some.

Not only is she pursuing her passion at her top-choice university, but she’s also among a select group of recipients of the National Scholarship, ��˾��ֱ��’s most prestigious award for Canadian high school students entering the university.

After losing her mother at age 12, Mushoriwa says her father devoted himself to giving her every opportunity. She says the scholarship – which covers tuition, incidental fees and residence costs for up to four years of study – feels like a shared reward for all the hard work and sacrifices they’ve made together.

“I thought, well, isn’t that just perfect?” Mushoriwa says. “The school I wanted to go to since I was young, the exact degree [I was interested in] – I couldn’t ask for it any other way.”

As eager as she is to start her journey at ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga, Mushoriwa admits she has mixed feelings about moving away from her father and the tight-knit Swift Current community that has supported her every step of the way.

“My father and I are basically inseparable, so it might be tough to be so far away,” she says. “What I’m excited about is the growth I’ll experience personally.

“Maybe I’ll learn something new about myself.”

Serious Play: Video game studies conference to draw global scholars to ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 19:12:17 +0000

Serious Play: Video game studies conference to draw global scholars to ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 08/09/2024 - 15:12

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(photo by NoSystem images/Getty Images)

Topic

Subheadline

The 18th annual Serious Play conference will focus on themes such as game development, the use of games in education and the socio-cultural role of games

More than 300 scholars from around the world are set to converge at the University of Toronto Mississauga to dig into to the multi-faceted world of video games.

The 18th annual Serious Play conference, scheduled for Aug. 12 to 14, will focus on themes such as game development, the use of games in education and the socio-cultural role of games in a world that increasingly reflects this discipline's choose-your-own adventure ethos.

"Games are uniquely relevant to our moment in history – and it has nothing to do with their economic impact or the popularity of video games," says Serious Play executive director Paul Darvasi, who lectures at ��˾��ֱ��’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education on the topics of games and learning.

"[It has] more to do with us living in a participatory dynamic culture. [Games] are arguably the art form of the 21st century."

A long-time attendee, Darvasi and his business partner Elisa Navarro took over the conference late last year. They decided to bring the conference to Greater Toronto to take advantage of ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga's new game studies program, the campus's extensive Syd Bolton video game collection and the energy emanating from the region's lively game development community.

Alexandra Gillespie, ��˾��ֱ�� vice-president and principal of ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga, will deliver opening remarks as well as host a welcome reception for conference participants, including several ��˾��ֱ�� experts.

While the global gaming industry grosses more than the music and film sectors combined, the Serious Play participants will be discussing other facets of gaming – namely the many ways it can be used to improve education, training and other types of learning.

"Play is merely the way that nature incentivizes our species to learn," Darvasi says. "Children learn through play. It's a hyper-motivated way for them to engage in practices that are going to prepare them for participation in society."

Culturally, he adds, games encompass virtually all the other art forms, including writing, dance, theatre, photography, film, sculpture and painting. Darvasi, who co-owns developer Gold Bug Interactive, describes video games as "this grand opera of human endeavour, which is weird to think about because it gets a bad name that's obscuring its more potent cultural value."

Lawrence Switzky, an associate professor in ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga’s department of English and drama who has been a driving force behind the games studies program, uses game development as a way of teaching students about narrative and character, among other themes.

"This conference is a great fit for us," Switzky says. "The largest games and learning conference on the continent belongs at UTM because we have the talent and resources to accommodate it, and because we're establishing ourselves as a leader in the field with the Syd Bolton and Electric Playground collections, our game studies minor and all our programming."

The conference will include sessions on games and history education – including a session on “playing the past” with ��˾��ֱ�� doctoral candidate Ariana Ellis, who helped organize ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga’s Day of Play event last year – along with virtual reality development, cybersecurity and gamification of climate action for K-12 students. Other sessions will tackle topics ranging from higher education to health care and culture and society.

Darvasi notes that Girls Who Game, a non-profit focused on gender and gaming backed by Dell, Microsoft and Intel, will collaborate on a session on esports competitive gaming, which he says has a reputation for being a very male-centric environment.

"We're really highlighting the positive participation of women in esports, and we're going to be demonstrating that," he says.

Some game development sessions will focus on buzzy technologies like generative AI and large-language models. For example, some developers are using ChatGPT to build highly complex scenario-based games in which the players participate through prompts to navigate the story.

Darvasi says it's only a matter of time before those games acquire visual elements also generated by algorithmic and user prompts.

"That's the next step for sure."

��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga

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What’s new in food at ��˾��ֱ��? Explore new dining options across the three campuses

��˾��ֱ�� Scarborough: New offerings at Harmony Commons

��˾��ֱ�� St. George: Rotating menus and authentic dishes

��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga: Pizza, sushi and late-night snacks

'A transformative experience': ��˾��ֱ�� program gives first-year student - and aspiring surgeon - a head start

‘A space for everyone’: ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga prepares to host second annual All-Nations Powwow

In photos: ��˾��ֱ�� campuses spring to life as students move into residence, head to first day of class

'Your gateway to the world': President Meric Gertler welcomes ��˾��ֱ�� community to fall term

Learn more at UTogether

Get That Hope: Alumna and former ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga instructor premières latest work at Stratford Festival

Back-to-school 2024: 6 things every ��˾��ֱ�� student should know

Navigating campus life

“Where do I get a…?”

Finding your community

Explore ��˾��ֱ��’s thriving startup scene

Stay in the know with UTogether and connect with ��˾��ֱ�� on social media

On Instagram

On X/Twitter

On Facebook

On YouTube

First day of classes (now the same across all three campuses)

Beyond true crime: First-year forensic science student brings vision of compassionate justice to ��˾��ֱ��

Serious Play: Video game studies conference to draw global scholars to ��˾��ֱ�� Mississauga