U of T Scarborough

'Labour of love': U of T prof takes multifaceted approach to exploring Black history in Canada

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 15:57:15 +0000

'Labour of love': U of T prof takes multifaceted approach to exploring Black history in Canada

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 10/04/2024 - 11:57

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Afua Cooper, a U of T alumna and professor in U of T Scarborough’s department of historical and cultural studies, is an expert on Black Canadian slavery and Black Canadian studies (supplied image)

Noel Ransome

Topic

Our Community

Canadian History

Black

U of T Scarborough

Subheadline

Afua Cooper, an expert on Black Canadian slavery and Black Canadian studies, recently joined U of T Scarborough

Afua Cooper still vividly recalls being a recent immigrant to Canada in the 1980s and considering waitressing jobs at local restaurants in Toronto.

“You would walk into a place looking for work, and they wouldn’t even try to hide it,” she says. “The woman just looked at me and said, ‘I'm sorry, but we just don't want Jamaicans. You’re not the kind of people we want to hire.’”

During that time – and even today – Canada was considered by many to be what Cooper describes as “post-racial-nice,” having avoided the same depth and lasting racism found across the United States.

But the reality was often very different.

“These things still happened here – not that long ago and even today – though the language has changed so the actions don’t appear nearly as racist,” says Cooper, an expert on Black Canadian slavery and Black Canadian studies who recently joined the department of historical and cultural studies at the �ؿ�ζSM Scarborough as a professor.

Cooper was raised in the Whithorn district of Westmoreland, Jamaica, in the post-independence era. Her parents, by comparison, had grown up under British colonialism.

“I guess the people at the Ministry of Education decided that little Black children should learn about themselves,” says Cooper, who later became a founding member of an African Studies Club at Camperdown High School in East Kingston. “So, I thankfully grew up with a strong notion of who I was.”

By late 1980, having migrated to Toronto to pursue higher education, Cooper was fully dedicated to exploring history and the African diaspora as a U of T undergraduate student – a time when the concept of Black studies was rare on Canadian university campuses.

"When I was a student, the university resisted Black-focused curricula, and hiring Black faculty therefore felt superficial,” says Cooper. “Now, with the Black Research Network, Black faculty caucus, and dedicated programs for Black students, the commitment to diversity feels genuine – and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Cooper, a scholar fluent in different mediums, is an award-winning author who has published 13 books spanning genres that include history, poetry, children’s literature and fiction.

Cooper likens her educational approach to making gumbo: “I put everything into it – though as a vegan, it’s strictly plant-based – representing the Black diaspora,” she says. “Teaching isn’t a single trajectory, it’s about sharing the joys of Black culture and the multifaceted nature of our struggles.”

For example, in 2021 Cooper led a three-year project, A Black People’s History of Canada, that received over $1 million in grant funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage. The aim is to cover Black Canadian history from 1604 onward with the help of 13 researchers who have catalogued records across Canada, from British Columbia to Newfoundland.

"Teachers often say, 'I'd like to teach Black history, but I can't find anything,' which is frustrating," says Cooper. "Now there are no excuses; we're writing curricula and guides with school boards, and we've partnered with government agencies responsible for education. It’s been a true labour of love."

For Cooper, returning to U of T is as much an opportunity to share her work with like-minded visionaries as it is a homecoming.

“I went into labour twice at Robarts library, once with each of my daughters,” she says with a laugh.

“They both spent a lot of time there when they were younger, so I’m thrilled to be back to showcase a history of African and Black people that has been so trampled upon and denied. For me, this is my purpose – to restore and share that history.”

U of T community commemorates Orange Shirt Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

mattimar — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 15:32:22 +0000

U of T community commemorates Orange Shirt Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

mattimar Mon, 09/30/2024 - 11:32

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Attendees wear orange shirts during a U of T tri-campus event, held at Hart House, to mark Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (photo by Polina Teif)

Mariam Matti

Topic

Our Community

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Subheadline

“Reconciliation cannot be an afterthought”

Shirley Cheechoo doesn’t want to be recognized as a residential school survivor, a term commonly used to describe Indigenous Peoples who were subjected to Canada’s horrific residential school system.

“We should be identified as residential school warriors,” said the Cree actor, artist, filmmaker and founder of Weengushk Film Institute.

“Calling us warriors, you empower us. You empower our children and you empower communities across the country.”

Shirley Cheechoo, Cree actor, artist, filmmaker and founder of Weengushk Film Institute, shared the horrors and abuse she endured in Canada’s residential school system (photo by Polina Teif)

Cheechoo delivered the keynote address at a �ؿ�ζSM event to commemorate Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The tri-campus event, held at Hart House on the St. George campus, was streamed live on YouTube.

She shared the horrors and abuse she endured after being kidnapped from her parents at age six and placed in a residential school. With a long-standing passion for working with young people, Cheechoo encouraged universities like U of T to partner with Indigenous leaders to fund and support Indigenous students and youth.

Jay-Daniel Baghbanan, a student at the Faculty of Music and vice-president of student life at the faculty’s undergraduate association, said “Reconciliation cannot be an afterthought” (photo by Polina Teif)

Benji Jacob, a fourth-year psychology student from U of T Mississauga, introduced Cheechoo at the event, while Jay-Daniel Baghbanan, a student at the Faculty of Music and vice-president of student life at the faculty’s undergraduate association, emphasized the critical nature of the work ahead.

“There are 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. U of T has 34 of their own published,” said Baghbanan. “Reconciliation cannot be an afterthought.”

Benji Jacob, a fourth-year psychology student from U of T Mississauga, was among the speakers at the event (photo by Polina Teif)

Attendees also heard remarks from several U of T leaders, including U of T President Meric Gertler and William Gough, acting vice-president of U of T and acting principal of U of T Scarborough.

President Gertler, for his part, said the U of T community is committed to advancing reconciliation across its three campuses, including by: expanding the presence of Indigenous students, staff, faculty and librarians; incorporating Indigenous content into U of T’s curriculum; supporting Indigenous research programs; and creating physical spaces that honour Indigenous Peoples’ tradition and histories.

Flags were lowered to half-mast across U of T’s three campuses on Sept. 30 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is formally recognized across Canada.

U of T community members attend the ceremony in Hart House’s Great Hall while others tuned into the livestream (photo by Polina Teif)

Hart House Warden David Kim thanked U of T Mississauga student MJ Singleton for designing the orange shirts worn by many at the U of T event, which depicts a mother holding hands and walking forward with her two children beneath the words “Every child matters.”

After the ceremony, a sacred fire was held for U of T community members at the newly opened Ziibiing, an Indigenous landscape project near Hart House.

U of T President Meric Gertler and Chancellor Wes Hall deliver remarks to attendees in Hart House’s Great Hall (photo by Polina Teif)

Earlier this month, U of T Scarborough hosted a reflective walk for reconciliation from the U of T Scarborough flagpole to the Ma Moosh Ka Win Valley Trail. In addition, Orange Shirt Beading Workshops were held across the three campuses, while U of T Mississauga live-streamed the Hart House event in the Grand Hall at Maanjiwe nendamowinan.

In his closing remarks at Hart House, U of T Chancellor Wes Hall encouraged the audience to continue sharing their stories, no matter how difficult, to ensure we do not repeat the past.

U of T prepares to mark Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:06:56 +0000

U of T prepares to mark Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 09/27/2024 - 09:06

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The Survivors' Flag, raised at U of T Varsity Stadium on Sept. 20, will be lowered to half-mast on Sept. 30, when the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is observed across Canada (photo by Jill Clark)

Jelena Damjanovic

Melinda Mattos

Topic

Our Community

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Orange Shirt Day

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

The Survivors’ Flag, which honours Indigenous lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada, has been raised across the �ؿ�ζSM’s three campuses as the community prepares to mark Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.

On the St. George campus, the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE), in partnership with First Nations House and the U of T Office of Indigenous Initiatives, raised the Survivors’ Flag at Varsity Stadium earlier this month.

It will be lowered to half-mast on Sept. 30 when the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is formally recognized across Canada.

U of T Mississauga (photo by Julia Le)

Flags have also been raised at U of T Scarborough and U of T Mississauga.

“Recognizing the painful history of Canada’s residential school system, and the tragic consequences that are still being felt today, is a vital component of the reconciliation process,” said Professor Gretchen Kerr, dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education.

“It’s also a time for settlers to reflect on what they can do to strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples in order to build a better future together.”

The U of T community is invited to honour the experiences of residential school survivors by joining a tri-campus event being held in the Great Hall at Hart House on Sept. 30 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Participants will have the option to register to attend the event in person or register to watch the live-stream on YouTube.

The event will feature a keynote address by Shirley Cheechoo, Canadian Cree actor, artist, filmmaker and founder of Weengushk Film Institute, who will be introduced by Benji Jacob, a fourth-year psychology student from U of T Mississauga. There will also be a land acknowledgement by Jay-Daniel Baghbanan, a student at the Faculty of Music and vice-president of student life at the faculty’s undergraduate association, welcoming remarks from David Kim, warden of Hart House and remarks by U of T President Meric Gertler and William Gough, acting vice-president of U of T and acting principal of U of T Scarborough. U of T Chancellor Wes Hall will deliver closing remarks.

U of T Scarborough (photo by Harry Xu)

While wearing any orange shirt is a show of solidarity, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives has partnered with the U of T Bookstore on a limited supply of orange t-shirts that feature an award-winning design by MJ Singleton, an Ojibwe, two-spirit student from Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation who is studying at U of T Mississauga. All proceeds from the sale of the shirts will be directed to the Orange Shirt Society.

Members of the U of T community are also encouraged to use the Orange Shirt Day virtual background and profile icon, featuring Singleton's design.

Harmony Commons becomes Canada's largest building with passive house certification

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 16:57:52 +0000

Harmony Commons becomes Canada's largest building with passive house certification

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 09/25/2024 - 12:57

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U of T Scarborough’s Harmony Commons residence is the largest passive house-certified building in Canada and the largest passive house dormitory in the world (photo by Ruilin Yuan)

U of T Scarborough Staff

Topic

Our Community

Sustainability

U of T Scarborough

Subheadline

The 746-bed student residence at U of T Scarborough touted as “an example to the world of what Canada is doing in high-performance buildings”

The Harmony Commons student residence is already turning heads at the �ؿ�ζSM Scarborough thanks to its eye-catching design and comfortable living spaces – but its biggest impact may well be in the realm of sustainability.

The building, which first opened its doors to students last year, recently received passive house certification from the Passive House Institute during a recent ceremony on campus. The certification is given to buildings that exhibit exceptional energy efficiency, particularly when it comes to heating and cooling.

Harmony Commons now has the distinction of being the largest passive-certified building in Canada and largest passive house dormitory in the world.

“This is an example to the world of what Canada is doing in high-performance buildings,” said Chris Ballard, president and CEO of Passive House Canada.

“It’s a beacon to institutions and governments around the world that passive house buildings on this scale are doable.”

Harmony Commons received a passive house classic certification during a ceremony on Sept. 18 (photo by Ruilin Yuan)

Passive house construction is generally achieved through an airtight and well-insulated envelope that prevents heat from escaping, allowing buildings with the designation to consume up to 90 per cent less energy compared to conventional structures.

“The responsibility of sustainability falls on everybody,” said Andrew Arifuzzaman, U of T Scarborough’s chief administration and strategy officer.

“We have expertise in building technologies and systems, but if we’re putting up conventional buildings and not driving innovation, then we’re falling short.

“It became clear that this type of building concept made sense and aligned closely with our values.”

The first group of students moved into the nine-storey, 746-bed residence in September 2023, marking the first dormitory-style residence at U of T Scarborough. In keeping with passive house standards, Harmony Commons is well-ventilated and has better air flow than conventional buildings – with the improved air quality intended to help with sleeping and studying.

One of the building’s key innovations is that heat captured from various systems, including exhaust air from kitchens and showers, is used to heat spaces throughout the structure.

In fact, the building is so efficient that the energy it uses to make more than 3,000 meals each day in its dorms and dining hall is less than that used by two average households.

Designed by Handel Architects, Harmony Commons is also fully electric. Since no fossil fuels are burned in heating and cooling the building, it has extremely low carbon emissions.

Harmony Commons has an airtight and well-insulated envelope that prevents heat from escaping. It's also well-ventilated with improved air flow compared to conventional buildings (photo by Tom Arban)

Patricia Escobar, manager of sustainability at U of T Scarborough, notes that typical buildings in Toronto rely on fossil-fuel-based heating systems, but Harmony Commons reduces the amount of heat needed to be generated in the first place.

“This results in significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions, which supports our goal of becoming a climate positive campus,” she says.

While passive house certification is mostly attempted for small-scale buildings, applying the concepts to a building as large and complex as a dormitory-style residence came with a unique set of challenges – and opportunities.

Arifuzzaman says that building Harmony Commons effectively “de-risked” future large-scale passive house buildings.

“It shows the industry that this type of project can be done in this market and at this scale. It proves that passive house is an attainable standard for future large-scale developments,” he says.

He adds it also allowed many local people working in the trades to be trained in new construction methods for high-performance, sustainable buildings.

“This was a great opportunity to realize that you can contribute to reducing global climate change impact and still live a great quality of life,” he says.

U of T receives $25-million gift from Myron and Berna Garron for Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:58:19 +0000

U of T receives $25-million gift from Myron and Berna Garron for Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 09/23/2024 - 09:58

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(Image supplied)

Advancement Staff

Topic

Our Community

David Palmer

Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Meric Gertler

U of T Scarborough

Subheadline

The donation supports the much-needed training of health professionals in the underserved Scarborough and Eastern GTA region

A $25-million gift from Myron and Berna Garron will contribute significantly to the construction of a new state-of-the-art facility at �ؿ�ζSM Scarborough that will house the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH). The gift will also support programming and faculty development – in collaboration with hospital partners such as Scarborough Health Network and Michael Garron Hospital – helping to ensure that SAMIH learners have access to a world-class education right in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA.

The �ؿ�ζSM will name the new building the Myron and Berna Garron Health Sciences Complex, in honour of the Garrons’ exceptional generosity.

“Myron and Berna Garron’s extraordinary benefaction will help us to realize our vision for the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health – to educate health-care professionals from the region, in the region and for the region,” said Meric Gertler, president of U of T. “On behalf of the �ؿ�ζSM, I thank them for their leadership in the advancement of this crucial mission.”

Helping to revitalize the health-care landscape

SAMIH, the first hub for educating health professionals in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA and the only medical school in the region, was established to address the critical shortage of family physicians and specialists in the fast-growing area by training health providers who reflect the community. The training will take place in partnership with local hospitals, primary care centres and community agencies.

Once the program is fully up and running, SAMIH will have 160 medical students and a combined total of 252 physician assistants, physical therapists and nurse practitioners enrolled. Three top-ranked U of T faculties – the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing and the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy – will expand educational programming to this hub. These students will be based at the new Myron and Berna Garron Health Sciences Complex, which will also serve as a base for U of T Scarborough undergraduates studying health sciences.

The Myron and Berna Garron Health Sciences Complex, currently under construction, will feature an anatomy lab for medical students, two large classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology, a 25-bed clinical skills lab and 10 instructional labs. To provide hands-on learning and serve the community directly, the facility will house three teaching clinics offering public services: a clinical psychology clinic, a nurse practitioner clinic and a satellite of U of T’s Discovery Pharmacy.

SAMIH medical trainees will undertake clinical rotations at several area hospitals, including Scarborough Health Network, Lakeridge Health, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences and Michael Garron Hospital – named in memory of Myron and Berna Garron’s late son, who was born there and later died of cancer at the age of 13. The Garrons’ $50-million donation in 2015 to what was then Toronto East General Hospital has resulted in remarkable benefits for people in the region.

"We envision SAMIH as closing the circle on providing for total patient care, from educating professionals to delivering care bedside,” said Myron and Berna Garron. “In an era of extensive shortages of vital health practitioners, we are proud to help fill this educational and training gap, especially for the underserved area of Scarborough and the Eastern GTA."

SAMIH is expected to provide numerous benefits for the area. By increasing the number of health providers who will have received U of T’s top-tier education, SAMIH will help improve access and care for patients who live in the region, extend the availability of various health-care services via its public clinics, provide opportunities for local students from diverse backgrounds to consider becoming a health professional and increase the likelihood of health professionals trained in Scarborough to practice locally.

Furthermore, the partnerships with Scarborough Health Network and Michael Garron Hospital will strengthen research and teaching links between the university and the hospitals.

“This generous investment from Myron and Berna Garron is a commitment to the future of health care; through their support of SAMIH and their partnership with Michael Garron Hospital, they’re enabling knowledge creation and sharing that will benefit our communities locally and more broadly,” said Melanie Kohn, president and CEO of Michael Garron Hospital. “The Garrons’ gift to our hospital will establish our first chair in education, in partnership with the �ؿ�ζSM, which will advance our ability to train tomorrow’s outstanding health-care leaders.”

A community of support

SAMIH was made possible by the Government of Ontario’s commitment to fund the expansion of medical education as part of its strategy to address the critical shortage of health professionals in the province.

“On behalf of Premier Doug Ford and our government, I want to thank Myron and Berna Garron for their generous donation to the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health,” said Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s deputy premier and minister of health. “Your support builds on the largest expansion of medical education that our government has undertaken in 15 years, training more doctors in the GTA than ever before to ensure people can access care in their communities for years to come.”

In a further boost for funding the building’s construction, Myron and Berna Garron’s donation triggers $10 million in matching funds from a $25-million gift to SAMIH from Orlando Corporation in 2022.

The five-storey, purpose-built Myron and Berna Garron Health Sciences Complex is located at U of T Scarborough at the intersection of Military Trail and Morningside Avenue, across from the Toronto Pan Am Centre, and is expected to open in the fall of 2026.

“This gift speaks to Myron and Berna Garron’s appreciation of how health-care education enables healthy lives – a key priority of Defy Gravity: The Campaign for the �ؿ�ζSM,” said David Palmer, vice-president of advancement at U of T. “We are deeply grateful for this generous donation and the impact it will have on the health of those in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA. The Garron family’s generosity exemplifies how philanthropy can help address inequities and help shape the future of health care in our communities.”

U of T leaders react

“As home to the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health, the �ؿ�ζSM Scarborough is delighted for this opportunity to increase our impact on the community. SAMIH will attract a diverse pool of local talent and afford graduates the ability to establish their careers in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA – an asset for students with personal ties to the region and for a population in great need of more accessible health care.”

—Linda Johnston, U of T vice-president and principal of U of T Scarborough

“Building a new health sciences complex to house this region’s first medical academy is a historic undertaking. Creating an academy that is advancing health equity as a key priority is even more exceptional. This is a unique opportunity for Temerty Faculty of Medicine to expand the reach of our world-class programs, innovate teaching models and play a critical role in a pipeline that will infuse the health-care system with a steady stream of much-needed physicians and other health-care professionals.”

—Lisa Robinson, dean, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and vice-provost, relations with health-care institutions

“Thanks to the Garrons’ substantial support of the new Myron and Berna Garron Health Sciences Complex, students from the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing will have the opportunity to advance their nursing expertise in a clinic that is embedded within the community. This unique interprofessional environment will ensure graduates of our nurse practitioner program are well-equipped to meet the urgent need for primary health care in the region.”

—Robyn Stremler, dean, Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

“We’re thrilled that U of T pharmacy students will train on rotation at the Discovery Pharmacy within the new Myron and Berna Garron Health Sciences Complex. This additional location offering clinical training in an interdisciplinary setting will be a boon to the profession, given how the scope of practice for pharmacists continues to expand and evolve to better support the people and communities we serve.”

—Lisa Dolovich, dean, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Research project explores how urban agriculture can reduce emissions and increase access to food

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 18:37:29 +0000

Research project explores how urban agriculture can reduce emissions and increase access to food

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 09/19/2024 - 14:37

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Urban agriculture, including growing food on roof tops, may hold the key to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and increasing access to food in cities (photo by Don Campbell)

Topic

Subheadline

The $3.9-million TOsustain project brings together 15 researchers, including 11 from U of T, and partner organizations involved in food production, food distribution and land management

From raised garden beds under hydro corridors to apartment building roofs, researchers at the �ؿ�ζSM say urban agriculture may hold the keys to improving access to different types of food in large cities while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Urban areas have so much food-growing potential, but our knowledge about how, where and what kind of crops can be grown in and around cities is limited,” says Marney Isaac, a professor in the department of physical and environmental sciences and the department of global development studies at U of T Scarborough.

Marney Isaac takes measurements of soil carbon levels at the Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute (BCI) urban farm (submitted photo)

“We know even less about how well urban agriculture can capture and store carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that is a major contributor to climate change.”

To help answer these and other questions, Isaac will lead a multifaceted project with a team of researchers and partners from the private and public sector called TOsustain (Toward Sustainable Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture for Net-zero Food Systems). It is being supported by a $3.9-million grant from the NSERC- and SSHRC-funded Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative.

The first task is to create an inventory of current and potential land for agriculture in urban and peri-urban (the land immediately surrounding urban areas) spaces across Greater Toronto. This includes smaller farms and large-scale growing operations, public lands, hydro corridors, community gardens, green roofs and unused green spaces.

The project will also look at measuring the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions urban agricultural land can potentially trap and store and identifying farm management practices that can reduce GHG emissions. It will also include research that looks at regulations and policies that either constrain or promote urban agriculture, and develop a model to estimate GHG emissions from urban agriculture.

Isaac says there may be other benefits, too.

She points to the added security of having to rely less on food imports – not to mention the additional emissions created by the need to ship it around the world.

“The majority of our food is imported, so there’s a huge security element,” says Isaac, who is an expert on making agriculture more sustainable.

Postdoctoral researcher Lutchmee Sujeeun at the Black Creek Community Farm (submitted photo)

“This really came to light during the pandemic. If we can do more to localize food production and enhance crop diversity, it can help make our food system more resilient.”

The researchers also want to explore how sustainable agricultural practices – those that require less intensive use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation – in urban areas can help reduce GHG emissions compared to conventional agricultural systems. Isaac adds that greater urban food production might also help reduce the pressure on converting forests to farmland in rural areas, a major environmental concern and contributor to climate change.

The project brings together an interdisciplinary team of 15 researchers, including 11 from U of T, with expertise in soil biogeochemistry, crop biology, microbial ecology and urban food systems, among others. It also includes eight partner organizations from the private and public sectors that are involved in food production, food distribution and land management.

Adam Martin, an assistant professor in U of T Scarborough’s department of physical and environmental sciences and project co-lead, says urban farming isn’t about replacing large-scale agricultural systems that supply wheat, for example. Rather, he says it can produce relatively large quantities of fruits and vegetables that can bring economic benefits to urban households.

Martin adds that improving access to food in urban areas has a host of positive downstream effects.

“Local food banks rely heavily on local small-scale farms and community gardens for fresh produce, and food bank use is on the rise,” he says, noting that many urban communities are located in so-called “food deserts,” where the cost of accessing certain food, particularly fresh produce, is much higher than in other communities.

“By increasing people’s access to nutritious and affordable food, it can go a long way in addressing these social and economic challenges.”

What’s new in food at U of T? Explore new dining options across the three campuses

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

What’s new in food at U of T? 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 U of T 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, U of T students have a bounty of choice when it comes to food options

The �ؿ�ζSM 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 U of T’s three campuses.

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

U of T 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 U of T 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 U of T 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 U of T 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.

U of T 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, U of T’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 U of T 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.

U of T Mississauga: Pizza, sushi and late-night snacks

UTM Davis Building food options (suppplied images)

At U of T 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, U of T 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 U of T 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 U of T 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.

3D-printed soil? U of T startup expands sustainable urban farming footprint in Toronto

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 15:07:18 +0000

3D-printed soil? U of T startup expands sustainable urban farming footprint in Toronto

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 09/11/2024 - 11:07

Cutline

Leo Hua and Adnan Sharif show off fresh basil that was grown with Lyrata’s sustainable farming system at Toronto’s Casa Loma (photo by Liz Intac)

Topic

Entrepreneurship Hatchery

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Startups

Sustainability

U of T Scarborough

Subheadline

With new installations at Casa Loma and U of T Scarborough, Lyrata is supplying freshly grown produce to local caterers and restaurants

A startup co-founded by a �ؿ�ζSM graduate student has its roots in an experience that is all too common for many of us.

He kept forgetting to water his plants.

“I was working in a plant immunity biology lab, so if I didn’t water them, I’d have no plants to do experiments with,” says Adnan Sharif, who is pursuing a master’s degree in the department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.

He says his solution was inspired by his father.

“My dad is a mechanical engineering professor at a university in Japan, and he knows a lot about manufacturing materials with porous, three-dimensional structures,” he says. “That’s how I got the idea to make my own 3D-printed soil construct, which could retain water for a week or more.

“That way, I wouldn’t have to go into the lab and water the plants so often.”

The innovation – which Sharif came up as an undergraduate working in the lab of Keiko Yoshioka, a professor in the department of cell and systems biology in U of T’s Faculty of Arts & Science – is one of several that now underpins Lyrata, a startup that grows fresh produce for caterers and high-end restaurants across the Greater Toronto Area.

The company, which got its start in a greenhouse on U of T’s St. George campus, has recently expanded with operations at U of T Scarborough and Casa Loma, a museum, event space and historic site in midtown Toronto.

Growing plants without soil, known as hydroponics, is a technique commonly used in greenhouses worldwide. But Sharif and his team see an opportunity to make the industry more sustainable, starting with the soil replacement that the plants grow in.

“The product that almost everyone uses today is basically the same as house insulation,” Sharif says. “It’s made from rocks that are mined in remote places and shipped hundreds of kilometres to a production facility, where they are heated to thousands of degrees in a giant furnace to make a porous, chemically inert material. This material then needs to be shipped again to where it’s needed, and when you’re finished, you throw it in the garbage.”

By contrast, Lyrata’s SmartSoil is 3D-printed using biopolymers such as polylactic acid, which is derived from corn. These materials can be locally sourced and require much lower temperatures to melt and form into porous structures.

When the growing cycle is complete, the product goes through a low-heat proprietary cleaning process and can be used again. Sharif says that SmartSoil has a total lifespan of about two years, after which it can be composted along with crop residue. Together, these changes greatly lower the carbon footprint of indoor farming.

In 2020, Sharif and his co-founders brought his idea to The Entrepreneurship Hatchery, U of T Engineering’s startup incubator and one of several entrepreneurship hubs across U of T’s three campuses. Through the Hatchery’s Nest process, they were connected with business mentors, including alumnus Xavier Tang, a consultant and venture capitalist who still advises the company today.

Over the next few years, the team evolved, with some original members leaving and others joining. They include Leo Hua, who has been pivotal to speeding the development of 3D printable soil. The concept evolved, too, as the team realized that producing food was a better business for Lyrata than rather than selling their growth medium to other farmers.

The Hatchery team – in particular, Executive Director Joseph Orozco, Go-To-Market Lead Erika J. Murray and a team of work-study students, mentors and legal externs – helped Lyrata develop their technology and business. In 2022, the Hatchery provided $155,000 in seed funding, enabling the founders to be employed by their company and further supporting business development. The funding also enabled the company to rent greenhouse space on campus, where they began growing lettuce to provide to Spaces and Experiences at U of T.

Lyrata also developed something new: a modular unit that works exclusively with their SmartSoil and contains everything required to produce a variety of indoor crops – from lights and growth medium to irrigation systems.

“None of these technological and business developments would have taken place without the generous support of the over 50 Hatchery mentors, work-study students, and legal externs who contributed to our success,” says Sharif.

“Our current concept is what we call farming-as-a-service,” Hua adds. “The SmartGrow unit we developed is small enough to fit into a standard parking spot. Our clients sign a contract with us to place a unit on their site and we take care of everything from planting to harvesting.

“For a flat fee, they get a self-contained farm that provides a reliable quantity of their desired crop over a set period of time.”

In addition to providing a locally sourced, sustainable product, Sharif says the approach can also help mitigate fluctuations in the price of wholesale produce.

“In Canada, most of our lettuce comes from California, which has been dealing with drought and many other issues,” says Sharif. “Supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 were also a big challenge for restaurants, which have very thin margins to begin with. At one point, the price of lettuce increased by a factor of six, so you can imagine the effect that would have.”

So far, Lyrata has produced more than 15 different types of crops, including basil, parsley and mizuna, also known as Japanese mustard greens.

Support from the U of T Engineering community has been key to Lyrata’s success.

For example, it was a U of T Engineering alumni connection that recently led to Lyrata launching an installation at the historic Casa Loma museum and landmark in Toronto.

“Lyrata’s competitive edge is that they provide an on-site, full service and they do not take up very much space,” says Nikol Watlikiewicz, Casa Loma’s horticulture and grounds manager. “In a small corner of our potting shed, we were able to build two grow units that provide a good yield weekly, without having to train our staff on the complicated system.

“Growing indoors gives us the stability and control that traditional agriculture does not. It’s an excellent example of how engineers can help solve the global food crisis with innovative thinking.”

In August, Lyrata launched another growing unit at U of T Scarborough, located within the Harmony Commons Dining Hall.

The priority for the next few years is growing Lyrata’s crop offerings and client base with ongoing support from The Hatchery. The incubator has facilitated graduate student placements through Mitacs, with matching funds. It also backed a recent $167,500 project with the Ontario and Canadian governments through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership program to further advance the yield and efficiency of the SmartSoil system.

“The fact we’ve been able to come this far in such a short time is in large part due to the help we’ve had from U of T Engineering, and especially the Entrepreneurship Hatchery,” says Sharif.

“Whether it was getting seed funding, finding mentors, hiring work-study students or making important connections through their alumni network, we wouldn’t be here without their support.”

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

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

Cutline

Jacob Domingo Chan, third from left, was among many first-year students who received a helping hand as they moved into residences on U of T's three campuses ahead of the new school year (photo by Polina Teif)

Topic

Undergraduate Students

University College

The �ؿ�ζSM’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, U of T Scarborough and U of T 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.

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

“[U of T] 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 U of T’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 U of T 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 U of T 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 U of T 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 U of T clubs were present at the clubs carnival, an annual event organized by the U of T Students' Union. There is also a Student Groups Fair on Sept. 5 and 6 at U of T Mississauga, and a UTSC Clubs Fair at U of T Scarborough on Sept. 23.

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Orientation programs at U of T Mississauga included a painting activity that invited students to harness their creativity.

(photo by Terrence Tong)

It was all smiles at U of T Scarborough as students, friends and family settled in for the fall term.

'Your gateway to the world': President Meric Gertler welcomes U of T community to fall term

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

'Your gateway to the world': President Meric Gertler welcomes U of T community to fall term mattimar Thu, 08/29/2024 - 11:43

Topic

As the �ؿ�ζSM 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 U of T “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.”

U of T Scarborough

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U of T receives $25-million gift from Myron and Berna Garron for Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health

Helping to revitalize the health-care landscape

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U of T leaders react

Research project explores how urban agriculture can reduce emissions and increase access to food

What’s new in food at U of T? Explore new dining options across the three campuses

U of T Scarborough: New offerings at Harmony Commons

U of T St. George: Rotating menus and authentic dishes

U of T Mississauga: Pizza, sushi and late-night snacks

3D-printed soil? U of T startup expands sustainable urban farming footprint in Toronto

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

'Your gateway to the world': President Meric Gertler welcomes U of T community to fall term

Learn more at UTogether