2025 University-Wide SRC Award Recipients
The following faculty members from across Toronto Metropolitan University have been recognized for their outstanding scholarly, research and creative (SRC) activities over the past year in the 2025 University-Wide SRC Awards.
Sarwan Sahota Distinguished Scholar Award
Michael Olson
Faculty of Science
Michael Olson, the Canada Research Chair in Molecular Cell Biology, is a renowned cancer researcher whose work is leading to the development of new therapies. He has advanced our understanding of key cellular mechanisms and has made several important discoveries through the integration of fundamental molecular and cellular biology with applied cancer therapeutic developments. Specifically, his research explores Rho GTPase proteins and the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton on cancer cell death, immune cell function and cancer cell motility. The impact of his work is reflected in his extensive publication record, invited talks and leadership roles.
2024
- Sharareh Taghipour
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
2023
- Ebrahim Bagheri
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science - Ojelanki Ngwenyama
Ted Rogers School of Management
2022
- Alagan Anpalagan
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
2021
- Lorraine Janzen Kooistra
Faculty of Arts
2020
- Michael Arts
Faculty of Science - Xiao-Ping Zhang
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
2019
- Trevor Hart
Faculty of Arts - Mehrab Mehrvar
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
2018
- Farrokh Janabi-Sharifi
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
2017
- Ruth Panofsky
Faculty of Arts - Dérick Rousseau
Faculty of Science
Early SRC Career Excellence Award
Andrew (Hyounsoo) Kim
Faculty of Arts
Andrew (Hyounsoo) Kim joined TMU’s Department of Psychology in 2020. With more than 120 peer-reviewed publications and substantial research funding, he is recognized as a leading expert in addictions research both nationally and internationally. One example of his work is his development of a transdiagnostic treatment model for both substance and behavioural addictions. He has received an Ontario Early Researcher Award as well as other significant early career research honours, such as the President’s New Researcher Award from the Canadian Psychological Association and being named a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science.
2024
- Rania Hamza
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
2023
- Stefania Impellizzeri
Faculty of Science - Dafna Sussman
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
2022
- Eliza Chandler
Faculty of Community Services - April Khademi
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science - Atefeh Mashatan
Ted Rogers School of Management
2021
- Miranda Kirby
Faculty of Science
2020
- Elsayed Elbeshbishy
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
2019
- Shelagh McCartney
Faculty of Community Services
2018
- Umberto Berardi
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science - Jamin Pelkey
Faculty of Arts
2017
- Sharareh Taghipour
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science - Scott Tsai
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
Collaborative SRC Award
Farrokh Janabi-Sharifi
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
Farrokh Janabi-Sharifi, internationally recognized for his groundbreaking work in optomechatronics, robotics and automation technologies, is dedicated to innovation and training through impactful collaboration. Over the past eight years he has worked with 38 scholars, five clinicians and 14 industrial organizations across the globe, creating extensive networks to advance robotic systems research and innovation for applications ranging from farming to surgery. These efforts have enabled four patents and six technology transfers. Through his collaborations, he has trained 65 highly qualified personnel, raised substantial research funding and published two books, as well as numerous conference proceedings and articles in high impact journals.
Atefeh (Atty) Mashatan
Ted Rogers School of Management
Atefeh (Atty) Mashatan is a prominent scholar in information and cyber resilience, advancing our understanding of emerging technologies like quantum computing in enterprise cybersecurity. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Quality of Security (QoSec) Framework for Internet-of-Things (IoT) and has led a multidisciplinary research program with 14 partners from public, finance, technology, consulting and energy sectors to address key cybersecurity challenges and develop effective mitigation strategies. Her collaborations have resulted in substantial journal and conference article publications, external funding and the training of more than 87 highly qualified personnel.
2024
- Elsayed Elbeshbishy
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
2023
- Michael Kolios
Faculty of Science
2022
- Julie James
Faculty of Community Services
2021
- Ebrahim Bagheri
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science - Sharareh Taghipour
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
2020
- Frank Russo
Faculty of Arts
2019
- Josephine Wong
Faculty of Community Services
2018
- Catherine Beauchemin
Faculty of Science - Anatoliy Gruzd
Ted Rogers School of Management
2017
- Judy Finlay
Faculty of Community Services
Knowledge Mobilization and Engagement Award
Anatoliy Gruzd
Ted Rogers School of Management
Anatoliy Gruzd, the Canada Research Chair in Privacy-Preserving Digital Technologies, created important new methods and tools for social media analysis. His groundbreaking research has generated a new body of knowledge where multidisciplinary fields, such as learning analytics, social media and information science, intersect. The innovative tools that he developed have been used by scholars around the world to support their research into areas such as education, health and politics. As the Social Media Lab’s Director of Research, he has significantly advanced the public’s understanding of the benefits and pitfalls of social media adoption.
2024
- Josephine Pui-Hing Wong
Faculty of Community Services
2023
- Mandana Vahabi
Faculty of Community Services
2022
- Erin Ziegler
Faculty of Community Services
2021
- Kristine Newman
Faculty of Community Services - Ivor Shapiro
Faculty of Communication and Design
2020
- Patrice Dutil
Faculty of Arts
2019
- Candice Monson
Faculty of Arts
2018
- Marusya Bociurkiw
Faculty of Communication and Design
2017
- Jennifer Lapum
Faculty of Community Services
Social Innovation and Action SRC Award
Lixia Yang
Faculty of Arts
Lixia Yang is a leading scientist specializing in aging, cognition and psychosocial wellbeing. As the Director of the Cognitive Aging Laboratory, she has built a thriving network of community and industry collaborations to enhance the lives of vulnerable populations such as older adults and immigrants. Her research addresses societal challenges related to the aging population, aiming to promote resilience and psychosocial functions through impactful approaches such as technological innovation, prevention and intervention programs. Her research and community service have been recognized by honours such as the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award and an NSERC Early Career Researcher Award.
