TMU researchers honoured for their outstanding scholarly, research and creative activities

Each year, Toronto Metropolitan University shines a spotlight on the curiosity, dedication, collaboration and impact that define TMU’s culture of research excellence with awards honouring exceptional scholarly, research and creative (SRC) activities.

Faculty members are nominated by their peers for these university-wide awards, whose latest winners were announced on Friday, February 20, 2026.

“It is a genuine pleasure to acknowledge this remarkable group of researchers,” said Steven N. Liss, TMU’s vice-president, research and innovation. “Their work exemplifies the impact of TMU’s research enterprise by seeking to address important real-world challenges, from health and nutrition to transportation and the environment. My congratulations to this year’s recipients on these well-deserved awards.”

The following faculty members will be recognized for their outstanding SRC activities at the annual Toronto Met Awards Gala on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. 

Sarwan Sahota Distinguished Scholar Award 

This award is presented to faculty members who have made an outstanding contribution in their area of expertise while at TMU. 

Khaled Sennah, professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, has promoted equity, diversity and inclusion while leading multiple innovative structural engineering research and infrastructure projects. An expert in the design, evaluation, rehabilitation and retrofit of highway bridges, and an elected Fellow of five professional engineering societies, professor Sennah has enhanced student engagement, training and success for TMU graduate and undergraduate students by fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. 

Early SRC Career Excellence Award 

Roxana Sühring’s research into the impacts and fates of plastic pollutants has made outstanding contributions to environmental science. A professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biology and principal investigator in TMU’s Emerging Contaminants Lab, her contributions include pioneering methods in forensic chemistry for tracing contaminants to the source of pollution. Professor Sühring actively informs environmental policy and regulation, and her research philosophy ensures ethical and equitable real-world impact alongside scientific rigour.

Collaborative SRC Award

A professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biology, Lesley Campbell leads national, industry-focused collaborations that integrate sensor-based crop monitoring, airflow engineering and pollination automation to enable year-round berry production in controlled environments. Professor Campbell’s groundbreaking research delivers scientific innovation, commercialization pathways and new food-security capacity for Canada.

Knowledge Mobilization and Engagement Award

Linda Rothman, professor in the School of Occupational and Public Health, leads research on preventable injuries and is a foremost expert in interventions that make roads safer for active transportation by people of all ages. She plans her studies to ensure useful and available findings for communities. Professor Rothman’s past projects have involved a diverse group of partners that includes academia, hospitals, not-for-profit organizations, the private sector, school boards and all levels of government. 

Social Innovation and Action SRC Award 

A professor of Psychology and Media Design Innovation, Frank Russo has pioneered the use of group singing as a powerful tool for health and social innovation. Through his SingWell initiative, professor Russo has translated music psychology research into community practice, improving communication, confidence and belonging for individuals with speech and hearing challenges. His leadership has seeded dozens of sustainable singing programs, both across Canada and internationally.

Dean’s SRC Award Recipients 

• Faculty of Arts: professors Martin Antony, Fahad Ahmad and Monique Tschofen 
• Faculty of Community Services: professors Nemoy Lewis and Ian Young
• The Creative School: professor Cole Lewis
• Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science: professors Elsayed Elbeshbishy, ChungHyuk Lee and Hadis Zarrin
• Faculty of Science: professors Aidan Brown, Mojca Mattiazzi Usaj and Guanghui Wang 
• Ted Rogers School of Management: professors Joseph Aversa and Xingwei (Nancy) Yang