From Faculty of Environment News:
Grads honoured and David Miller wows at alumni celebration
The 2015 Celebrate Environment Alumni Awards Reception was a chance for grads young and... with. "careers in full flight," as guest speaker David Miller graciously put it, to connect and appreciate our shared achievements as a Faculty.
Environment dean Jean Andrey centre, with winners Taarini Chopra and Carol Layton.
The event took place at Airship 37 in Toronto's distillery district and welcomed about 150 guests.
The young alumni achievement award was given to Taarini Chopra (MES '13) who has done an outstanding job advancing our understanding of seeds and diversity, as it relates to food security and the global south.
Currently Chopra works as a researcher and campaigner for the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN), an NGO promoting food sovereignty and democratic decision-making on science and technology issues in order to protect the integrity of the environment, health, food, and the livelihoods of people in Canada and around the world. Chopra has become a thought-leader in her field researching the environmental and socio-economic issues and impacts of GM crops.
If you've ever driven in a car, or stepped on a bus in Ontario you've likely enjoy the work of Carol Layton, our 2015 alumni achievement award winner.
Layton has been a Deputy Minister for over 12 years, serving a number of different portfolios. Nearing her five year anniversary with the Ministry of Transportation in Toronto, she oversees Metrolinx and the Ontario Highway Transport Board. Layton plans and prioritizes efficient and accessible movement of people and goods through an integrated, multi-modal transportation network that works to address congestion, supports land use planning priorities and improves the environment. Layton has worked with the Ontario Government in a wide range of diverse positions for more than 35 years.
To cap things off, Toronto's greenest mayor David Miller took the podium and gave an insightful and anecdote-filled look into his strategy for managing transit while in office.
His presentation How to Build a Fare City – A mayor’s perspective on transit and equality looked specifically at how low income citizens, as well as women and other marginalized groups benefit in particular from a healthy transit system.
Nomination form for alumni has closed. Thank you for your interest.