2025 Catalyst and Synthesis Grant Projects

SDGs@UofT is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Catalyst and Synthesis Grants.

2025 Student Mobility Program Training Winners

SDGs@UofT is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Student Mobility Training Program.

Sport and the struggle for the SDGs

In 2026, the FIFA World Cup – the world’s most popular sports event – will be held in cities across the United States, Mexico and Canada (and will feature six games in Toronto, including the first ever World Cup match on Canadian soil). In recent years, the hosting of the World Cup has been tied to promises of positive social development outcomes. For example, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the first time the tournament was held on the African continent, was promoted as a means of challenging poverty (Pillay and Bass, 2008) and a symbol of emerging Pan-African modernity (Manzo, 2013). Similar understandings were attached to the World Cup (and Summer Olympics) in Brazil during the 2010s (Darnell and Millington, 2015). And while the 2026 World Cup may not be tied to modernist narratives in the same way, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, (FIFA, the world governing body for soccer/football), has nonetheless introduced new human rights policies for the event, stating now that they, as an organization, are “committed to respecting all internationally recognized human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights” (FIFA, 2017).

Such connections between sport, human rights, and development are tied to, and emblematic of, the broader sport for development and peace (SDP) sector, a loose amalgam of organizations, stakeholders and activists that advocate for, organize and implement sports-based programs to meet the goals of international development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Indeed, the release of the SDGs itself was accompanied by a recognition of, and role for, sport in achieving sustainable development. Article 37 of the SDG Declaration states:

Sport is also an important enabler of sustainable development. We recognize the growing contribution of sport to the realization of development and peace in its promotion of tolerance and respect and the contributions it makes to the empowerment of women and of young people, individuals and communities as well as to health, education and social inclusion objectives.

Since the announcement of the SDGs, sports mega-events, like the World Cup and Olympics, have increasingly been tied to the 2030 agenda, particularly as sports governing bodies (FIFA, as well the International Olympic Committee) have claimed leadership roles in sustainable development. The IOC has held observer status at the United Nations since 2009, and in 2024 was named an observer to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Conference of the Parties (COP). Combined with the hundreds of grassroots, and often non-governmental, organizations that implement sports to support sustainable development, the institutionalization of the SDP sector is now clear.

Yet, the relationship between sport and sustainable development, and the efficacy of the SDP model, is neither straight forward nor clear. On the one hand is global sport’s poor track record regarding sustainability. For example, while the UN recognizes the IOC because sport can be an “important enabler” in advancing the SDGs, the environmental and sustainability legacies of hosting sports mega events have been found to be more negative than positive (Cerezo-Esteve et al, 2022). Similarly, FIFA arguably developed its human rights policy only after decades of human rights abuses tied to World Cup hosting (Muller and Gaffney, 2018), and the decidedly undemocratic and untransparent manner in which FIFA recently awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia lends little credence to its supposed human rights commitments.

Overall, the future of sustainable development through sport likely lies at the grassroots level, and with local organizations and activists who advocate for sport as platform from and through which to demand reform, and as a site in which to practice sustainability differently. For example, feminist scholars have argued for years that when conceived and implemented with inclusion, equity and empowerment goals in mind, sports programs may contribute positively to girls and women’s social, economic, and cultural development (Hayhurst et al, 2021). The challenge now is to continue to bring such goals to the fore amidst the trifecta of shifting global sport policy, the climate and sustainability crisis, and an increasingly unstable geo-political order.

References

Cerezo-Esteve, S.; Inglés, E.; Segui-Urbaneja, J.; Solanellas, F. The Environmental Impact of Major Sport Events (Giga, Mega and Major): A Systematic Review from 2000 to 2021. Sustainability 2022, 14, 13581. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su142013581

Darnell, S., & Millington, R. (2015). Modernization, neoliberalism, and sports mega-events: Evolving discourses in Latin America. In Mega-events and globalization (pp. 65-80). Routledge.

FIFA (2017) FIFA’s Human Rights Policy – May 2017 Edition. Zurich, Switzerland. Available at: https://inside.fifa.com/social-impact/human-rights/documents

Hayhurst, L.M.C., Thorpe, H. and Chawansky, M. (2021), "Introducing Sport, Gender and Development: A Critical Intersection", Sport, Gender and Development (Emerald Studies in Sport and Gender), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 1-32.

Manzo, K. (2013). Visualising modernity: Development hopes and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In Global Perspectives on Football in Africa (pp. 35-49). Routledge.

Müller, M., & Gaffney, C. (2018). Comparing the urban impacts of the FIFA World Cup and

Olympic games from 2010 to 2016. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 42(4), 247–269.

Pillay, U., & Bass, O. (2008, September). Mega-events as a response to poverty reduction: The 2010 FIFA World Cup and its urban development implications. In Urban forum (Vol. 19, pp. 329-346). Springer Netherlands.

Call for Applications: 2025-2026 SDGs@UofT Student Advisory Committee

Overview

The Sustainable Development Goals at the University of Toronto (SDG@UofT) is an Institutional Strategic Initiative (ISI) that aims to advance research on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This initiative builds on existing research initiatives, fosters interdisciplinary and global partnerships, and creates a roadmap for sustainable development. The SDGs, outlined in the Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, provide a shared blueprint for global peace and prosperity. Recognizing the vital role of post-secondary institutions, and specifically trainees, in addressing these goals, the SDG@UofT Student Advisory Committee has been formed.

The SDGs@UofT Student Advisory Committee will:

Lead student engagement across the tri-campus to cultivate and expand a diverse student network, ensuring inclusive representation in SDG-related initiatives.
Promote the development of a comprehensive equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility strategy, to seamlessly incorporate these principles into all aspects of SDG initiatives at the UofT.
Participate in planning and executing a broader communication strategy to build and nurture a community of global trainees who are committed to promoting actions on the SDGs.
Assume a pivotal role in mobilizing knowledge by actively interacting with peers, disseminating essential information, and cultivating platforms for collaborative knowledge-sharing.

Eligibility Criteria

We are seeking students to be part of our student advisory committee. To be eligible, students must:

Be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at one of the three University of Toronto campuses.
Have a strong interest in sustainable development and a commitment to advancing the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Have experience with actively contributing to committee discussions, offering valuable insights, and engaging in collaborative decision-making.
Be committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion demonstrated through their academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Membership

The Student Advisory Committee will include at minimum:

An undergraduate student representative from each campus.
A graduate student representative from each campus.

We recognize that the student experience at U of T is diverse. U of T students vary widely in age, identity, geography, and background, and in their experiences both on and off campus. The Student Advisory Committee will strive to engage a diverse and equitable membership.

Members are responsible for participating in all Student Advisory Committee meetings. Members can expect to spend approximately three hours each month on activities related to this Initiative, including attending Student Advisory Committee meetings and the review of key documents. It is expected that students will contribute to the advisory committee over the summer term. Students will be compensated for their time through an honorarium.

Application Process

Each Applicant packages should include:

A completed application form.
A CV (maximum 5 pages).

Stay Connected!

There will be ongoing engagement opportunities throughout this project for individuals not selected to serve on the Student Advisory Committee. We encourage you to sign up to receive regular updates about our program activities by completing our mailing list below.

Melanie Woodin named University of Toronto’s 17th president

Melanie Woodin, an internationally recognized neuroscientist who studies the mechanisms underlying learning and memory in the brain, has been named the University of Toronto’s 17^th president.

The appointment is for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2025. It was approved on March 26 by U of T’s Governing Council and is the result of an international search that began in March 2024. Woodin will succeed current U of T President Meric Gertler, who has served in the role since 2013.

“I am profoundly honoured to accept this appointment to lead an institution that I care about deeply,” says Woodin. “U of T is widely recognized as one of the world’s best universities and a highly trusted source for ideas, research, innovation and talent.

“I am humbled to follow in the footsteps of President Gertler – a distinguished leader whose vision, expertise and dedication have propelled our institution to new heights. I will work tirelessly to build on the legacies of the eminent scholars who have guided the university since our founding almost two centuries ago and to deepen U of T’s contribution to human, social and economic well-being.”

Anna Kennedy, chair of the Governing Council and the Presidential Search Committee, notes that Woodin was selected following a rigorous process supported by a globally recognized executive search firm.

“Our assessment was guided by selection criteria that were carefully developed following extensive consultations with the university community and beyond,” says Kennedy. “The committee unanimously determined that Melanie Woodin is the right person to lead us forward into U of T’s third century. She is an individual of great vision and integrity who is thoroughly committed to this institution and its special role in Canada and the world.”

Woodin is a professor in the department of cell and systems biology and has been dean of the university’s Faculty of Arts & Science – Canada’s largest and most comprehensive faculty – since 2019. The author or co-author of over 50 academic papers, books and chapters, her research explores how neurons communicate and process information, how the strength of that activity (called plasticity) affects brain function and how changes to these mechanisms lead to neurological disorders and diseases.

“Professor Woodin is a widely respected scholar, teacher, mentor and administrator. She’s also a highly accomplished and authentic leader who is passionate about student success,” says President Gertler. “Leading a faculty that is larger than many great universities in North America, she is no stranger to complexity. She will enthusiastically champion the myriad disciplines found across our tri-campus learning community. She will also collaborate effectively with our federated universities and affiliated hospitals, and strengthen relationships with our global alumni community and the wide range of communities, institutions and private-sector partners that are vital to U of T’s future.”

Melanie Woodin leans against the doorframe in an office. — *(photo by Johnny Guatto)*

Woodin completed her bachelor of science degree in biology in 1995 and master of science degree in zoology in 1997 at U of T, and obtained her PhD in neuroscience from the University of Calgary in 2001. Following postdoctoral study at the University of California, Berkeley, she joined U of T in 2004 as an assistant professor and was promoted to full professor in 2017.

She has received research funding from Canada's major granting councils, among others, and was named as one of five researchers at U of T and its affiliated hospitals to receive a New Ideas Award for her work using gene therapy to delay the onset of symptoms in neurodegenerative disease.

Woodin is the president of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience and serves on the board of directors at the Vector Institute.

“Taking on this position is an enormous privilege and a tremendous responsibility. After completing two degrees at U of T and having dedicated over two decades of my career here, I know first-hand that U of T is an unstoppable force for good. I can’t wait to put my energy to work to serve our community and to advocate broadly for Canada’s leading university,” says Woodin. “I am truly excited by the possibilities before us.”

This article is sourced from U of T News.

The Sustainability Catalyst Internship Program

The Sustainability Catalyst Internship Program is now open!

The program offers University of Toronto graduate students paid opportunities to work on real-world sustainability solutions with partners across the Greater Toronto Area. Students work with a dedicated mentor from the host organization to complete a defined project over 250 hours between May and September. The student will produce a deliverable (a report, a survey) for the partner which will also be showcased at a closing event and online. The internships are managed by the secretariat of the President’s Advisory Committee on the Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainability (CECCS). Students will move through the program as a cohort, and will receive career development opportunities and project support from CECCS along the way.

Eligibility Requirements:

The student was enrolled in any full-time graduate program (Masters or PhD) at U of T in the 2024-2025 academic year
The student is in good academic standing and not on academic probation
The student is legally entitled to work in Canada and will be residing within the Greater Toronto Area during the internship. As these are part-time internships, International Students are also eligible
The student has confirmed their eligibility to work the required hours by checking the guidelines of any graduate student funding they hold. It is the award recipient’s responsibility to comply with the rules and regulations of their award(s)

Learn More

An Inside Look at Sustainability Across U of T’s Three Campuses

It's Sustainability Week at U of T, the world’s most sustainable university. Sustainability Office staff from the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), St. George (UTSG) and Mississauga (UTM) sat down together to catch up on all things sustainability happening across all three campuses.

Nadine, UTSC: This is so fun to chat like this! Kaitlyn, why don’t you get us started and tell us about Sustainability Week?

Kaitlyn, UTSG: Absolutely! Each campus is hosting Sustainability Week events, from March 17 to March 21. At these events, you can learn about different sustainability careers, hear from leaders at U of T’s Institute for Environment, Conservation and Sustainability, attend a Repair Cafe and more! Find the full list of events here – UTSG, UTM, UTSC. Let’s turn to UTSC. The campus recently released its five-year Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan. What are some highlights?

Nadine: Our Energy Conservation Plan outlines a 37% emissions reduction by 2030. Since 2014, we’ve cut emissions per building by 8.7% through energy-efficient building upgrades and retrofits. One significant milestone was the Harmony Commons’ certification we received as Canada’s largest Passive House-certified residence, designed for minimal energy use.

We also launched a reusable food container program, reusing 9,514 containers—saving 1,598 kg of emissions and 77,009 litres of water. Additionally, in its first year, our bikeshare program had 531 rentals. Supporting SDG 15: Life on Land, we partnered with the Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag Indigenous youth program and planted 300 trees and shrubs, boosting campus biodiversity.

Samantha, UTM: That’s impressive! Over at UTSG, I understand Project Leap is making waves in emissions reduction. Can you tell us more, Natalie?

Natalie, UTSG: Absolutely. Project Leap will cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2027. We’ve already made significant progress: we’ve decommissioned one natural gas boiler, which will be replaced by two electric boilers. We’ve also completed lighting upgrades in several buildings. Canada’s largest urban geoexchange system, beneath King’s College Circle, is also being integrated with Project Leap. The initiative supports SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.

Kaitlyn: Beyond infrastructure, engagement is a key priority. In support of SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, we launched our Free Store this October, which diverted over 1,200 kg of material from landfills in its first two months. We also held over 20 events, including our first-ever Sustainability Week, and engaged more than 300 visitors in guided tours of our geoexchange system. We’ve also expanded our research, learning and commercialization efforts, utilizing our campus as a living lab for further innovation.

Nadine: That’s great. The tri-campus is committed to becoming climate positive by 2050. I understand UTM recently released its own Climate Positive Plan. Can you tell me more about that?

Samantha: Supporting SDG 13: Climate Action, UTM’s Climate Positive Plan highlights the initiatives and strategies to transform infrastructure that will change how the campus consumes, distributes and produces electricity. UTM’s newest building, the New Science Building (NSB) demonstrates UTM’s commitment to sustainable design as one of the most energy-efficient laboratory facilities in North America. Additionally, Project SHIFT details how UTM is shifting away from fossil fuels as a primary heating source with a plan to complete deep energy retrofits across campus.

Kaitlyn: Lots of momentum here. What’s next for 2025?

Nadine: We’re looking forward to increasing our waste diversion rate and expanding our reusable container program.

Samantha: This year marks the halfway point of UTM’s Sustainability Strategic Plan, a foundational roadmap designed to align with the UN SDGs and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS 2.2). With notable progress made, UTM will update the Plan to reflect current priorities and align with the new STARS 3.0 framework.

Natalie: We always say that we are just getting started! There’s lots of work to do. At UTSG, our focus is on completing construction for Project Leap, launching new solar projects, expanding our electric fleet, and developing a waste reduction strategy. Also, we’ve just launched our Carbon Reduction Fund project call. This tri-campus fund supports carbon reduction projects using fees collected from the University’s business-related air travel.

Nadine: Thanks everyone, excited to see what’s next!

Kaitlyn: And hope to see everyone out for Sustainability Week!

Natalie: Yes, see you all soon!

Follow SDGs@UofT and the Sustainability Offices on Instagram: UTM, UTSC and UTSG to keep up with all the Sustainability Week activity.

Natalie leads the research, learning and commercialization portfolio at the St. George campus Sustainability Office. With over a decade of experience in the sustainability field, she specializes in advancing campus-based environmental initiatives. Natalie fosters collaboration, bringing students, staff, and faculty together to drive impactful climate action. She partners with leading U of T researchers to transform the campus into a living lab for innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

Kaitlyn is responsible for coordinating and managing Sustainability Office communications, events, outreach, and engagement. She is involved in various projects, supporting our project managers and the senior manager with coordinating details and making connections internally and externally.

Samantha is responsible for coordinating the Sustainability Office’s programs and initiatives, supporting the implementation of UTM’s Sustainability Strategic Plan, and reporting to the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). She brings valuable experience from her roles at the City of Mississauga, developing and implementing the City’s Climate Change Action Plan, and Urban Agriculture Strategy. Additionally, she sits on the Board of Directors for a Hamilton not-for-profit, Green Venture. Samantha is a graduate of UTM’s Master of Science in Sustainability Management (MScSM) program and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from McMaster University. Samantha deeply cares about the planet and strongly believes we all have a responsibility to take care of it.

Beverley is responsible for promoting and maintaining a broad range of sustainability initiatives through the engagement of the UTM community. More specifically, Beverley is passionate about embedding sustainability into UTM’s academic programming & curriculum, research, energy and the built environment, waste and recycling programs, while also promoting community engagement on campus. More recently, Beverley was instrumental in the creation of UTM’s first-ever Sustainability Strategic Plan. Beverley holds a degree in chemical and biochemical engineering from the University of Western Ontario, and a Master’s in Business Administration from York University’s Schulich School of Business.

Nadine Leone is the Coordinator of Student Life and Sustainability Programs at the Office of Sustainability, at the University of Toronto, Scarborough campus.

New Fellows Appointed to the SDGs Scholars Academy

I am pleased to announce the appointment of five new Fellows to the SDGs Scholars Academy. The SDGs Scholars Academy is a dynamic think tank within the SDGs@UofT that fosters transdisciplinary research and mobilizes knowledge to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and inform future global goals.

These newly appointed Fellows join the Academy’s existing Fellows chosen for the depth and breadth of their expertise, and commitment to open and transparent dialogue. This group reflects the University of Toronto’s continued leadership in driving innovative and impactful SDG-related research forward. Together, we will continue to mobilize knowledge and catalyze meaningful and equitable action on the SDGs.

The Academy’s core research themes address the most urgent intersecting challenges of sustainable development. Through the Academy, Fellows are encouraged to collaborate and connect with other Fellows and a community of affiliates engaged in similar interdisciplinary research, mentor trainees, as well as leverage online communication platforms to amplify research insights to inform policy and practice.

Together with this new group of Fellows, the SDGs Scholars Academy will continue to catalyze transformative research and create actionable pathways toward a sustainable and equitable future.

Sincerely,

Prof. Erica Di Ruggiero
Research Director, SDGs@UofT
Associate Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health

The Fellows:

Prof. Christoph Becker
Faculty of Information & School of the Environment.
Prof. Christoph Becker’s scholarship combines software engineering and critical social sciences to accelerate computing toward ‘just sustainability’. His inter/transdisciplinary coalition building has yielded the central reference for sustainability in software engineering (Karlskrona Manifesto for Sustainability Design), the ACM Journal of Responsible Computing (advancing insights merging computing, ethics, law, and policy), and the digital collective Tech Otherwise. He is author of the multi-award winning book Insolvent, widely lauded for its vision of computing.

Prof. Amy Bilton
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
Prof. Amy Bilton is an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Her research is focused on water, energy, and food systems and directly addresses SDG 1, 2, 6, and 7. She also serves as the Director of the Centre for Global Engineering (CGEN), which conducts courses and facilitates large research initiatives to advance the SDGs.

Prof. Carmen Logie
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
Prof. Carmen Logie’s research addresses crucial knowledge gaps regarding how hazardous environments, such as those affected by climate change, poverty, and social inequity, affect health, with a focus on sexual health and HIV. Her work has informed policy and practice through expert consultations with the World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, Public Health Association of Canada, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health, among others.

Prof. Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia
Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy
Prof. Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia is an assistant professor and an occupational therapist and public health scientist whose research aligns with Sustainable Development Goals: Good Health and Well-being; Gender Equality; Decent Work and Economic Growth; and Sustainable Cities and Communities. His 2024 SDGs@UofT Catalyst and Synthesis Grant focuses on improving workplace mental health to support recruitment and retention of equity-deserving groups in the skilled trades. Prof. Nowrouzi-Kia is emerging as a prolific scholar and educator.

Prof. Laura Rosella
Epidemiology Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Prof. Laura Rosella is a Professor and Division Head of Epidemiology at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. She leads an innovative research program focused on novel population data linkages and developing cutting-edge methodologies to guide policy decision-making to improve population health, enhance equity, wellbeing, and health system performance. She applies integrated knowledge translation approaches with system stakeholders, community partners and the public to optimize real-world health impacts.

All U of T faculty members, students and staff members are welcome to join SDGs@UofT as affiliates or apply to become Fellows. Learn more.

Innovating Bold Ideas into Reality: Four UofT Students take First Place for SDGs Challenge at Hack the Valley

Innovation thrives in environments that challenge us to think differently, work collaboratively and tackle real-world problems. From October 4 to 6, Hack the Valley (HTV), a student led hackathon, brought together brilliant minds for a weekend focused on problem solving through transformative and innovative ideas under intense deadlines. The event’ s attendees included over 400 students from institutions across Canada, who were all united by their love of innovation and technology.

Among the participants were University of Toronto undergraduate students Isaac Picov, Peter Yoo, Jason Qian and Christian Rogers, who teamed up to develop a project that secured their win for the SDGs@UofT's challenge statement: How can we improve food security for marginalized communities through equitable sustainable practices?

Their winning project, REFRIDGE, is an AI-powered food manager and recipe recommender designed to help users track the contents of their fridges and discover recipes using leftover ingredients. By scanning their fridges with their phones, users add to a personalized database—the “Refrigerator”—that enables them to manage their food efficiently. REFRIDGE offers a novel approach to tackling food waste and streamlining the process of meal preparation.

The inspiration behind REFRIDGE stemmed from a relatable issue: “I had this problem where I would buy groceries, and a lot would end up expiring and not getting eaten. A lot of people experienced the same problem, and after doing some market research, I learnt that a significant amount of food goes to waste in Canada,” said Isaac Pivoc. “We wanted to do something that could help counteract this problem.”

The team realized that they were not alone in their struggles with food waste management. Overfilled grocery carts often lead to forgotten or spoiled items, which is most likely because people are unsure of what they can create using so little. REFRIDGE combats this by ensuring that users can make the most of their ingredients and promote sustainability in the kitchen.

The idea generation, however, was just the beginning. The team quickly realized that they had a long way to go to bring their idea to life. “We had to learn new coding languages, and our first time importing API was truly a learning curve,” said Peter Yoo. “It felt like we were short on time as we had a midterm to prepare for that happened right in the middle of the Hackathon.”

In an era of cutting-edge technological advancement, the journey of innovation demands determination and perseverance, which are principles that SDGs@UofT seeks to strengthen in our students. The REFRIDGE team embraced these principles as they navigated challenges like learning new coding languages, overcoming front-end development struggles, and coordinating tasks effectively under tight deadlines. As they shared, "Focusing on the process and having fun is more important than the results."

Looking ahead, the team envisions expanding REFRIDGE beyond academia to facilitate a real-world impact. By integrating with apps like MyFitnessPal or enhancing automation with AI, the app could revolutionize how we tackle food waste. The team’s vision is to turn REFRIDGE into a fully-fledged tool that supports sustainability with everyday use.

The journey of the REFRIDGE team underscored the importance of trial and error, teamwork, and the ability to hold steady in the "problem space" before jumping to solutions. Their story was a testament to the role of hackathons in fostering creativity, building communities, and preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow.

Our Student Advisory Committee played a pivotal role in shaping the problem statement for this year’s hackathon, with members like Noah Khan and Arjun Yanglem contributing their expertise on relevant topics in AI by leading a workshop hosted by Hack the Valley. By engaging trainees in meaningful ways, SDGs@UofT aims to inspire the next generation to transform bold ideas into provoking realities.

As we look toward the new year ahead, SDGs@UofT remains committed to empowering youth to drive innovation and tackle pressing global challenges. This aligns closely with SDG 8, which emphasizes youth employment and fostering innovation to develop sustainable solutions.

In a world full of possibilities, young innovators have the potential to drive meaningful change. By equipping youth with the tools and opportunities to think critically and create boldly, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future for all and advance the SDGs.

Follow the team to learn more about their journey:

Mara Uzomah is dedicated to contributing to impactful research and administrative efforts that support global sustainability goals. As an HBSc student pursuing a specialist degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and a minor degree in Linguistics, she brings a health and wellness oriented approach to advancing sustainable development. Currently serving as an Administration and Research Assistant at SDGs@UofT, Mara plays a key role in advancing initiatives related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mara's prior experience working alongside healthcare professionals and patients as an Assistant Physician at North York Family Physicians After Hours Clinic equip her with the interpersonal, strategic, and management skills for being sucessful at SDGs@UofT. She brings a well-rounded skill set in organization, communication, and team collaboration, and is committed to expanding her expertise in sustainable development and research. Mara plans to continue exploring opportunities that align with her passion for bettering vulnerable communities and sustainable healthcare.

Angeline Elsted is an up and coming marketer. As a BBA candidate pursuing a specialist degree in Marketing with a minor in Economics, she has spent recent years pursuing her passion in marketing and project management roles. With her very first marketing role as a Marketing Associate in the Association of Accountancy (AOA), Angeline further climbed the ladder, becoming a Digital Media Director, and eventually the Vice President of Public Relations. As an active member in the community, she is always looking for new opportunities for her to diversify her experiences. Having had a few internship experiences, Angeline worked as a Digital Marketing Assistant with the University of Toronto Scarborough, where she was able to efficiently promote and boost student morale with the university name. She also had the opportunity to intern as a Marketing Co-op at Sanofi in the vaccine department, where she was able to expand her project management skill set to help the team in managing assets going out on a daily basis. Overall, these experiences allowed her to demonstrate her creativity and analytical skills and learn what goes on behind the scenes in the world of marketing.