Annual Report 2026
Proud History, Positive Impact
Chapter 4
Celebrating our Inclusive Community
Engineering is a human discipline. Diversity deepens the engineering process: more voices around the table enable better solutions that work for everyone. We are committed to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion across our faculty and within our profession, so that we can fully reflect the societies that we serve.
We also work to broaden the experience of our students by ensuring that they can explore their interests and pursue their passions in tandem with their engineering studies.
Looking for more data? View our By the Numbers reports:
One family’s support for mental health
When it comes to mental wellness, support from family is often vital. Now, one family in particular is working to extend that support across the entire U of T Engineering community.
Inspired by their daughter, Elena Pappas (ChemE 2T2) and her story of resilience, Loui Pappas (CivE 8T8, MASc 8T9) and Sandra Gionas are strengthening mental health at U of T Engineering. Together, they are supporting the Skule Mental Wellness Bursary, which provides financial aid to students in need of wellness and mental health financial support.
“We want to help keep [these students] in the faculty and not have them leave the profession because of challenges that can be overcome with support and perseverance,” says Loui Pappas.
“I personally want to know that I did whatever I could to leave my engineering profession in good hands.”
Skule™ Mental Health Bursary
Join the Pappas family in supporting engineering student mental health.
Hear more from Elena and Loui on Tell Me More: Coffee With Chris Yip, the official podcast of U of T Engineering
Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
A monument designed and built by U of T Engineering students on the front steps of the Galbraith building marked the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
“We wanted to focus on creating the type of reflective space we wish we had when we were first experiencing grief around what happened, and also the fear that comes with remembering this event as a woman in engineering,” says Isobel Arseneau (Year 4 EngSci), a longtime participant on the project.
“They’re very intense feelings to have and they’re not always ones you can control, so having a beautiful space you can move through and where you can feel all of those things was a goal of the design,” says Kaija Mikes (Year 4 EngSci), an organizer of the project.
IBET Momentum Fellow Paige McFarlane
BME student Paige McFarlane (EngSci 2T5) began her PhD at U of T Engineering this fall.
She is one of eight students so far who are studying on IBET Momentum Fellowships, which provide financial support, mentorship, training and networking opportunities for recipients. The IBET PhD Project is intended to foster equitable and inclusive research environments to increase the presence of Indigenous and Black academics in STEM.
“At first I thought I’d do a master’s and then go for the PhD, but when I got the fellowship that would allow me to do my PhD directly, it was like a door opened and the idea really became possible,” she says.
“It’s helpful to have a community where you know you’ll be heard and supported in talking about what you’re feeling.”
Isobel Arseneau (Year 4 EngSci)
‘The sum of all of me is greater than my parts’
There are many sides to Angelico Obille (BME PhD 2T6).
Sometimes, Obille is a biomedical researcher studying proteins secreted by freshwater quagga mussels in hopes of developing new ways to close wounds after surgery. Other times, they transform into Kwaga Musselle, a fabulous drag entertainer and creative science communicator, raising visibility and fostering connection among 2SLGBTQ+ people in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines.
In a Q and A, Obille talked about how they integrated all their identities into their PhD.
Iron Pin ceremony
On January 24 and 25, U of T Engineering hosted its first-ever Iron Pin ceremony for undergraduate students across all years of study.
An independent, student-run initiative facilitated by the Engineering Society, the Iron Pin ceremony complements the Iron Ring ceremony that fourth-year engineering students across Canada have participated in since the 1920s. The goal is to help first-year students foster a sense of personal identity while in engineering, emphasizing ethics, responsibility and mentorship.
Blueprint alumni thrive at U of T Engineering
Ayan Ahmed (Year 1 IndE) and Devan Morrison (Year 1 MechE) are two first-year students who are also alumni of Blueprint, a program designed for Black high school students passionate about STEM.
Since it launched in 2020, 17 alumni of the Blueprint program have enrolled in undergraduate studies at U of T Engineering. The first four to complete their degrees, including Stephen Laditi (CivE 2T5 + PEY) and Favour Nwanna (CompE 2T5 + PEY), convocated in June 2026.
AISES in Canada: Advancing Indigenous Peoples in engineering
This year, U of T Engineering was an emerald sponsor of the 2026 AISES in Canada National Gathering, which took place in Toronto from March 5–7. Attendees included Professors Jason Baylak and Justin Beland (both MIE), as well as PhD student James Ropotar.
Ropotar leads the local chapter of AISES, which now has dedicated space in the Myhal Centre.
Inspiring bright young minds
Your support helps us provide targeted programming for girls, Black students, Indigenous students and more, opening pathways to university and engineering careers.
Awards & Honours
In 2025, U of T Engineering professors represented 5.7% of all Canadian engineering professors but earned 16.3% of the national and international awards for which these faculty members are eligible.
J. Paul Santerre (BME)
Adrian Nachman (ECE)
Myrtede Alfred (MIE)
Alex Mihailidis (BME)