Realize your future with TMU Graduate Studies
![Toronto Metropolitan University Master of Social Work student and celebrated transgender community researcher Jake Pyne](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/pyne_jake_310.jpg)
Transgender research meets transformed lives
Jake Pyne, Master of Social Work
As a transgender man, Jake Pyne knows how difficult it is to be assigned the wrong gender. That’s why the Master of Social Work alumnus has dedicated the past 14 years to research and advocacy for Toronto’s trans community, particularly its youngest members.
Building on his master’s research at TMU (formerly Ryerson), Jake aims to provide greater support for trans youth wanting to suspend puberty to facilitate an early gender switch. By developing resources for families and championing improved access to emergency services, health care and family law, he is fostering a future with more empathy for trans children.
“The tremendous faculty in the School of Social Work challenged me to engage in scholarship that is not only theoretically rich but socially just and ultimately, courageous,” says Jake, who has earned numerous awards for his research, including a prestigious Trudeau scholarship.
“By promoting new conversations about identity, meaning, health and human rights, this research might support better outcomes for these kids.”
At TMU, graduate education transforms both our students and our world.
Photo credit: Riley Stewart
![South Asian man with long black hair, glasses and orange vest with embroidered flowers standing with arms crossed in front of steel Ring sculpture on TMU campus](/content/dam/graduate/future-students/our-people/cyrus-sundar-singh-ring-310.jpg)
‘The journey continues to be amazing’
Cyrus Sundar Singh, Communication and Culture PhD student and Documentary Media MFA alumnus
![Kittie Pang, MHA(CC) student](/content/dam/graduate/images/pang-kittie-310.jpg)
Shaping the future of health care
Kittie Pang, Master of Health Administration (Community Care) student
![TMU graduate alumna Jenny Duffy](/content/dam/graduate/images/2019/duffy_jenny_310.jpg)
A new look at the world’s oldest profession
Jenny Duffy, master’s alumna, Philosophy & Public Policy and Administration
![Graduate student and Trudeau Scholar Nathaniel Brunt](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/brunt_nathaniel_310.jpg)
Making black-and-white more grey
Nathaniel Brunt, Communication and Culture PhD student and Trudeau Scholar
![Three graduate students wearing hard hats on construction site](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/building_science_310.jpg)
Supporting women through building science
Building Science master's students
![Graduate student with drone at the Ontario Science Centre](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/hanna_dalia_310.jpg)
Using drones to locate people with dementia
Dalia Hanna, Computer Science PhD student
![Grad student with building models and blueprints](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/ferguson_matthew_310.jpg)
Building sustainability into architecture
Matthew Ferguson, Architecture master's student
![Ella Dubinsky, Psychology MA student, holding guitar](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/grant_david_310.jpg)
Flipping the script on Black men's pain
David Grant, Master of Social Work alumnus
![Female grad student standing in front of Queen's Park](/content/dam/graduate/images/2017/illesinghe_vathsala_310.jpg)
Standing up for immigrant women
Vathsala Illesinghe, Policy Studies PhD student
![Graduate alumna Adrienne Smith](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/smith_adrienne_310.jpg)
Giving refugees a second chance
Adrienne Smith, Immigration and Settlement Studies MA alumna
![MBA-MTI alumnus Mauricio Meza demonstrates Tecla-e to user Neil Mercer](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/mauricio_meza_310.jpg)
Opening possibilities with inclusive tech
Mauricio Meza, MBA-MTI alumnus
![Kate McKenzie and male marathon contestant running on road in Afghanistan](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/mckenzie_kate_310.jpg)
Secret marathon meets social change
Kate McKenzie, Master of Digital Media alumna
![Jake Pyne, Master of Social Work, sitting on couch](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/pyne_jake_310.jpg)
Transgender research meets transformed lives
Jake Pyne, Master of Social Work
![Steve Naraine holding cannabis plant](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/naraine_310.jpg)
Cannabis research meets new potential
Steve Naraine, Molecular Science MSc
![Noura Sakkijha, Ted Rogers MBA](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/sakkijha_noura_310.jpg)
Jewelry business meets digital disruption
Noura Sakkijha, Ted Rogers MBA
![Dr. Colin Robert Phillips in his office using a computer Dr. Colin Robert Phillips in his office using a computer](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/robert_phillips_310.jpg)
City issues meet the big picture
Dr. Colin Robert Phillips, Policy Studies PhD
![Dr. Michael Kolios and graduate student in hospital imaging lab](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/kolios_choose_mdb_20151111_159896_310.jpg)
Cancer research meets better patient care
Dr. Michael Kolios, Professor and Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, Faculty of Science
![Jacky Au Duong with fellow graduate student in classroom](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/jacky_choose_ryerson_310.jpg)
Professional passion meets real-world opportunities
Jacky Au Duong, Master of Professional Communication
![Dr. Amira Abdelrasoul in engineering lab](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/amira_supervisors_310.jpg)
Inspirational faculty meets innovative research
Dr. Amira Abdelrasoul, Chemical Engineering PhD
![Maayan Ziv in a hallway in RCC](/content/dam/graduate/images/Ryerson-university-graduate-maayan-ziv.jpg)
Entrepreneurship meets accessibility
Maayan Ziv, Master of Digital Media alumna
![Adedoyin Adesemowo at Toronto Beaches boardwalk](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/adesemowo_adedoyin_310.jpg)
Life-changing experience meets long-term success
Adedoyin Adesemowo, MBA-MTI
![Réal Carrière talking with professor in TMU Quad](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/carriere_real_310.jpg)
Ancient traditions meet empowered youth
Dr. Réal Carrière, Policy Studies PhD