Department of Physics

Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry

Department of Chemistry

Department of Earth Sciences

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(L-R) Professor Jonathan Abbatt, University Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar and Associate Professor Debra Wunch (supplied images)

Three researchers from the Faculty of Arts & Science have received honours from the American Geophysical Union (AGU) for their outstanding contributions to Earth and space sciences.

Barbara Sherwood Lollar, University Professor in the department of Earth sciences who is cross-appointed to the department of chemistry and the department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, presented the Carl Sagan Lecture – an honour reserved for a scientist who embodies the late astronomer’s interest in astrobiology and science communication – at the union’s annual conference, AGU23.

Jonathan Abbatt, a professor in the department of chemistry, gave the Jakob Bjerkness Lecture at AGU23 in recognition of his impact in advancing understanding of the atmosphere and Earth’s climate.

Debra Wunch, associate professor in the department of physics who is cross-appointed to the School of the Environment, received the AGU’s Atmospheric Sciences Ascent Award, which recognizes early- and mid-career researchers.

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Watch University Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar’s lecture (under the “Awards and Honours” tab)

Watch Professor Jonathan Abbatt’s lecture (under the “Awards and Honours” tab)

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Kaley Walker elected 2024 Optica Fellow

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 17:16:39 +0000

Kaley Walker elected 2024 Optica Fellow

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 02/15/2024 - 12:16

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Professor Kaley Walker (supplied image)

Kaley Walker, a professor in the department of physics in the Faculty of Arts & Science, has been elected a 2024 Optica Fellow in recognition of her contributions to the fields of optics and photonics.

Optica, formerly the Optical Society of America or OSA, is the leading society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in optics and photonics.

Walker was elected a Fellow in recognition of her research excellence and scientific leadership in atmospheric remote sensing using applied spectroscopy, as well as extensive contributions to professional service and public outreach.

She is one of 129 members to join Optica’s 2024 Class of Fellows, who are selected based on several factors including outstanding contributions to research, business, education, engineering and service to Optica and its community.

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Six �Թϱ�� faculty members named to Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

lanthierj — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 19:16:47 +0000

Six �Թϱ�� faculty members named to Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

lanthierj Tue, 09/05/2023 - 15:16

Mississauga

David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics

Department of Family and Community Medicine

Department of Political Science

Department of Psychology

Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Royal Society of Canada

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Six faculty members at the University of Toronto – renowned for their pathbreaking leadership in a wide range of disciplines – have been appointed to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

“From scientific advances in astrophysics, atmospheric physics and social psychology to timely leadership in climate governance, computer security and privacy, and sexually transmitted infection prevention, these scholars and scientists are making an impact on issues that affect the lives of people across Canada and around the world,” says Leah Cowen, �Թϱ��’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives.

“The University of Toronto congratulates them on this significant recognition.”

The new college members are:

Jo Bovy of the David A. Dunlap department of astronomy and astrophysics in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Ann Burchell of Unity Health and the department of family and community medicine in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Jessica Green of the department of political science in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Nicolas Papernot of the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Nicholas Rule of the department of psychology in the Faculty of Arts & Science; vice-principal academic and dean, �Թϱ�� Mississauga
Debra Wunch of the department of physics in the Faculty of Arts & Science

Each faculty member receives a seven-year membership in the college, which recognizes and supports academic leadership and collaboration among those who have received their PhDs within the last 15 years.

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Jason Harlow awarded CAP Medal for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

siddiq22 — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 17:49:14 +0000

Jason Harlow awarded CAP Medal for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

Teaching

siddiq22 Wed, 08/09/2023 - 13:49

Undergraduate Students

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Jason Harlow (supplied photo)

Jason Harlow, a professor, teaching stream, in the University of Toronto’s department of physics in the Faculty of Arts & Science, has been awarded the 2023 Medal for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching from the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP).

Awarded annually, the medal honours faculty members who have a comprehensive knowledge and deep understanding of their subject and the ability to communicate this to their students, leading to high academic achievement.

The CAP recognized Harlow as “an inspiring instructor who encourages students to think independently, critically and analytically.”

Over his 18 years in the department of physics, Harlow has undertaken many innovative teaching initiatives, including an early adoption of online teaching. During the pandemic, he provided critical advice on pedagogical issues related to the transition to virtual learning.

His excellence in undergraduate teaching was also recognized with an Outstanding Teaching Award from the Faculty of Arts & Science in 2022.

“I’m extremely happy and honoured to receive this award,” Harlow said. “I wish to share the recognition with my talented teaching colleagues at the University of Toronto, the dedicated support staff, and so many amazing graduate teaching assistants who are in the trenches every day, really connecting with the students.”

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R.J. Dwayne Miller named fellow of U.K.’s Royal Society

siddiq22 — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 17:51:24 +0000

R.J. Dwayne Miller named fellow of U.K.’s Royal Society

siddiq22 Fri, 07/21/2023 - 13:51

Department of Chemistry

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R.J. Dwayne Miller (photo by Diana Tyszko)

R.J. Dwayne Miller, a University Professor in the departments of chemistry and physics in the Faculty of Arts & Science, has been named a fellow of the Royal Society, the U.K.’s national academy of sciences and the oldest science academy in continuous existence.

Miller was among 80 new fellows from around the world honoured in May for their substantial contributions to the advancement of science.

“These individuals have pushed forward the boundaries of their respective fields and had a beneficial influence on the world beyond,” Adrian Smith, president of the Royal Society, said in a statement.

Miller was recognized for his leading work on ultra-bright electron sources that made it possible to capture atomic motions at the fundamental space-time limit to imaging chemistry – one of the grand challenges in chemistry.

“Being elected to the Royal Society is the equivalent of being selected to a Walk of Fame for scientists,” Miller says. “It is an incredible honour to be considered, never mind being included in this singular group of individuals who have given us a new set of glasses with which to see the world more clearly.”

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Hae-Young Kee receives Brockhouse Medal from the Canadian Association of Physicists

siddiq22 — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 19:47:21 +0000

Hae-Young Kee receives Brockhouse Medal from the Canadian Association of Physicists

siddiq22 Wed, 07/19/2023 - 15:47

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Hae-Young Kee (photo by Arman Molki)

Hae-Young Kee, a professor in the department of physics in the Faculty of Arts & Science who holds a Canada Research Chair in theory of quantum materials, has been awarded the 2023 CAP/DCMMP Brockhouse Medal from the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP).

The medal recognizes significant experimental or theoretical contributions to condensed matter and materials physics.

The CAP recognized Kee as “one of the world’s foremost theoreticians in identifying new quantum materials with desirable functionalities. She has uncovered microscopic models that elucidate the fundamental physics behind complex many-body systems. These models provide direct insight into perplexing physical phenomena and offer theoretical guidelines to groundbreaking discoveries.”

“I am deeply honoured to receive the 2023 CAP Brockhouse medal, a remarkable recognition from the Canadian physics community,” Kee said.

“I am extremely grateful for the invaluable contributions of my talented students and postdoctoral fellows, collaborators and colleagues, as well as the unwavering support of my friends and family.”

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Five Faculty of Arts & Science professors recognized with Dean's Research Excellence Awards

lanthierj — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 22:25:43 +0000

Five Faculty of Arts & Science professors recognized with Dean's Research Excellence Awards

lanthierj Mon, 12/12/2022 - 17:25

Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Department of Psychology

Department of Political Science

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Department of Linguistics

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The five recipients of this year’s Dean’s Research Excellence Award (L-R): Megan Frederickson, Kaley Walker, Naomi Nagy, Randall Hansen and Wil Cunningham

Wil Cunningham, Megan Frederickson, Randall Hansen, Naomi Nagy and Kaley Walker are the first recipients of a new award from the Faculty of Arts & Science created to recognize faculty members whose research achievements have been cited as especially noteworthy.

The Dean’s Research Excellence Award was established with the aim of helping accomplished mid-career researchers compete successfully in national awards competitions. Winners have contributed a wealth of research that has had a significant and sustained influence in their chosen disciplines.

The winners represent a wide range of fields: Cunningham is a professor in the department of psychology, Frederickson is a professor in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology, Hansen is a professor in the department of political science, Nagy is a professor in the department of linguistics and Walker is a professor in the department of physics.

“It is with enormous pride that I announce the inaugural winners of the Dean’s Research Excellence Awards,” says Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. “The scholars we honour this year are widely recognized as having made an important and ongoing impact on research in their respective fields. As the very first recipients of these annual awards, they set a shining example for those who will follow them.”

The five honourees will each receive $10,000 to further their professional development.

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David Curtin and Sophie Rousseaux recognized with McLean Awards for 2022

lanthierj — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 18:25:59 +0000

David Curtin and Sophie Rousseaux recognized with McLean Awards for 2022

lanthierj Mon, 11/14/2022 - 13:25

Department of Chemistry

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Sophie Rousseaux (L) and David Curtin

The Faculty of Arts & Science’s David Curtin, a theoretical particle physicist, and Sophie Rousseaux, an organic chemist, are recipients of the University of Toronto’s McLean Award for 2022.

Supporting basic research in physics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, engineering sciences or statistical sciences, the award assists an outstanding researcher early in their career to attract and support graduate students and post-doctoral fellows for their research team.

“It’s a great honour to win the award,” says Curtin, an assistant professor in the department of physics who holds a Canada Research Chair in Theoretical Particle Physics. “It’s wonderful validation of the research I’m doing and I’m very grateful for it. But I also see it as recognition of the amazing people already in my group and the incredible wellspring of motivated, talented undergraduates and graduate students that �Թϱ�� attracts.”

Faculty, alumna recognized with Royal Society of Canada awards

lanthierj — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 14:44:16 +0000

Faculty, alumna recognized with Royal Society of Canada awards

lanthierj Fri, 09/16/2022 - 10:44

Alumni

Royal Society of Canada

Alice Wilson Award

Willet G. Miller Medal

McLaughlin Medal