In photos: Melanie Woodin’s first 48 hours after being named U of T’s president-designate

Melanie Woodin, who was named U of T’s 17th president on March 26, snaps a selfie with community members at U of T Scarborough. Photo by Polina Teif.

In the two days after being named the University of Toronto's 17^th president, Melanie Woodin (BSc 1995, MSc 1997) met with students, staff, faculty and senior leaders across the university’s three campuses as part of a whirlwind schedule that included time to take congratulatory phone calls.

The renowned neuroscientist officially begins her five-year term as president on July 1, 2025 – but her association with the university began more than three decades ago. A professor in the department of cell and systems biology, Woodin earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from U of T in the 1990s before joining the university as a faculty member in 2004 and becoming dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science in 2019.

"I am deeply honoured to be selected to serve as the 17^th president of the University of Toronto,” Woodin said in remarks to Governing Council on Wednesday following her appointment. “What an exceptional time for our institution – one of the great universities of the world, embarking on its third century.”

Here’s how Woodin’s first 48 hours as U of T’s president-designate unfolded through the lenses of U of T photographers:

Woodin is applauded as she walks through Governing Council Chamber in Simcoe Hall on the St. George campus.

Woodin chats with U of T Chancellor Wes Hall following a meeting of Governing Council on March 26, 2025.

One of Woodin’s first stops as president-designate was U of T Scarborough, where she met with U of T Vice-President and U of T Scarborough Principal Linda Johnston (holding the yearbook) and other senior leaders.

Woodin has a conversation with Riya Osti, an international student from Nepal at U of T Scarborough, while fellow U of T Scarborough international student Arjun Singh Yanglem looks on.

In her initial remarks to Governing Council, Woodin said “students remain at the core of our purpose” and that she plans to work closely with U of T Vice-President and Provost Trevor Young, faculty deans and professors “to advance pedagogical innovations that enhance student learning and to build local campus communities so that every student finds their home.” 

Staff members, wearing orange safety jackets, chat with the president-designate at a reception event at U of T Scarborough.

Woodin takes a group shot at Hart House on the St. George campus that includes both members of her family and colleagues from her lab. To her right: Samuel Delage and Melissa Serranilla. And to her left: Madeleine Kaminski, Peter Kaminski, Sarah White, Jordan Rosenfeld and Vineeth Raveendran.

U of T President Meric Gertler, who has served in the role since 2013, embraces Woodin during an event at Hart House on March 27, 2025. 

He has called Woodin “a highly accomplished and authentic leader who is passionate about student success.”

Woodin spoke with two U of T Nobel-Prize winners at Hart House: University Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Hinton, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2024 ...

... and University Professor Emeritus John Polanyi, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1986.

Coffee break!

To Woodin’s right (from far right): Governing Council Chair Anna Kennedy, Assistant Vice-President, Office of the President and Chief of Protocol Bryn MacPherson and U of T Vice-President and Principal of U of T Mississauga Alexandra Gillespie.

And to Woodin’s left: U of T President Meric Gertler.

Incoming Governing Council student member Albert Pan snaps a photo with the president-designate at U of T Mississauga.

Woodin takes a seat with students and senior administrators in the rotunda of the Innovation Complex at U of T Mississauga. 

Back row, from left: UTM Campus Council undergraduate student member Ehab James, Vice-President and Provost Trevor Young and incoming Governing Council student member Albert Pan.

Front row, from left: students Damien Kemka Douvanla and Ahmed Manasseh; President-designate Melanie Woodin, Vice-President and Principal of U of T Mississauga Alexandra Gillespie and U of T President Meric Gertler.

Originally published by U of T News