Updates

by Olivia Tomic, U of T news Nanoleaf founder and U of T grad Gimmy Chu (photo above by Johnny Guatto/photos below courtesy Nanoleaf)) Thee U of T startups are among 36 projects from across the country receiving funding from the federal government in support of their clean technology innovations. Nanoleaf, QD Solar and ARDA Power Inc. received a total of almost $6 million from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a governmental foundation which helps clean tech entrepreneurs commercialize their products by removing the funding barrier that hinders so many high potential startups. “Nanoleaf is creating truly innovative products right here in Canada, [...]

CB Insights venture capital database now available at U of T By Olivia Tomic About CB Insights Made possible by the BBCIE Collaboration fund, CB Insights is a venture capital and private company database used by investors and startups alike. The platform uses machine learning to monitor over 270,000 sources to track startups and private companies and provide data and analytics on deals, companies, and investors-acquirers. In addition, the CBI research and content team creates premium research on global industries as well as a popular newsletter. Accessing the database at U of T Users create an account and sign in [...]

Deyu Wang and Olivia Tomic From left to right: Michael Mai, Craig Madho (U of T Pharmacology & Toxicology), Anne Martel (researcher and U of T associate professor), Stephane Langevin, Dan Hosseinzadeh, Deyu Wang (U of T Computer Science), Sean Nichols There’s a tremendous amount of precision required from pathologists when they make cancer diagnoses, and the results of their work are literally a matter of life or death. But technology developed by University of Toronto startup Pathcore™ is making the tedious and complex task of reading potentially cancerous tissue samples faster and more accurate. “We free pathologists from counting cells, [...]

MEMORANDUM To:                 The University Community From:            Robert Cook, Chief Information Officer Date:              February 9, 2016 Re:                Cathy Eberts named new Director, Enterprise Applications and Solutions Integration I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Cathy Eberts to the position of Director, Enterprise Applications and Solutions Integration (EASI) within the CIO portfolio effective March 1, 2016. Cathy has over twenty-five years of progressive experience in the management of enterprise level applications within the higher education and public sectors. Since joining [...]

By: Luke Simcoe Metro Published on Mon Feb 08 2016 The university's new glass and plastic recycling program helped divert nearly 30 metric tonnes of waste from local landfills in 2015.   Back in 2011, Stan Szwagiel noticed labs at the University of Toronto were tossing an increasing amount of glass and plastic beakers into the garbage bin. So, the grounds manager at the school’s St. George campus decided to do something about it. Szwagiel, along with waste manager Reno Strano, devised a system to collect and recycle glass and plastic containers – everything from Erlenmeyer flasks to petri dishes. [...]

Scott Mabury: “The most important objective is to improve the function and experience for students and all members of the U of T community”A comprehensive plan to improve operations and maximize efficiency has shaved $54 million off operating expenses at the University of Toronto, allowing these funds to be repurposed for new academic and service initiatives. by  Arthur Kaptainis (UTC)   Some of the savings come from retrofitting older structures with “smart building” improvements to lighting, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning that dramatically reduce energy consumption, the report shows (image by Geoff Agnew & Elaine Stam)   This number is not [...]

By Sheridan Cunningham McLaughlin Planetarium. Syeda Rizvi/THE VARSITY The University of Toronto recently announced plans to construct a new Centre of Civilizations and Cultures. The building will be built at 90 Queen’s Park Crescent, replacing the location’s current resident, the decommissioned McLaughlin Planetarium. Scott Mabury, U of T vice-president, university operations, emphasized the value of the project to both the university and the global community. “This is a great combination of academic faculties [and] academic superstars… Bringing them together will advance the conversation,” he said. The centre will house the departments of History and Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, along [...]

Michael Kurts with files from Krisha Ravikantharaja Located in the Gerstein Science Information Centre, the Green Beet offers exclusively vegan and vegetarian options Nothing’s more likely to generate a spirited discussion than food options at a university. For the University of Toronto’s Monica Dairo, food is simply fuel. “I make sure I have enough to sustain myself during the two-hour commute, both to and from school,” said the fourth-year environmental studies undergrad. “I eat before or during, so I am less likely to fall asleep during the commute. “When I’m at home, food is comfort and food is family. But [...]

by Terry Lavender (U of T Bulletin) Two of North America’s leading architectural firms will be designing the University of Toronto’s new Centre for Civilizations and Cultures, to be located at 90 Queen’s Park Crescent. Toronto’s Architects Alliance and New York-based Diller Scofidio + Renfro will collaborate on the project, which will be located just south of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), beside the U of T faculties of Law and Music, said Scott Mabury, U of T’s vice-president of university operations. “This site will act as a dramatic new gateway connecting the university and the city,” Mabury added.  “These [...]

The Green Ribbon Awards recognize outstanding achievements in campus sustainability. Each year, one award to an individual or group is made in each of the five categories: Student Faculty Staff External Honourary   In celebration of the Sustainability Office’s 10th year, a new category was added – The Beth Savan Honourary Green Ribbon Award. Beth Savan, Senior Lecturer Emeritus, School of the Environment, has been an integral part, not only of the formation of the Sustainability Office, but of general sustainability on campus. Awards are made for the nominee’s direct contribution to the minimization of negative impacts on the environment, the conservation [...]