Alumni who crushed it in 2024

Clockwise from top left: Brian Ballios, Andrea Scott, Michael Gayle, Kylie Masse, Rosalie Abella and Mariam Ismail. Photos by United Health Network, Helen Tansey, Alexa Battler, Ian MacNicol and Nick Iwanyshyn.

U of T alumni, you've charted new heights in 2024!

Your drive to create a more inclusive, compassionate, dynamic and creative world has brought us closer to critical solutions, spread knowledge, championed diversity and achieved remarkable feats this year.

You've used storytelling to deepen our understanding of the world and ourselves – like Andrea Scott (BA 1996 UTM, MA 1997), whose play exploring the realities of a Black Canadian family debuted at the Stratford Theatre Festival. You've made U of T and Canada proud on the world stage by showcasing excellent sportsmanship at the Paris Olympics – like Kylie Masse (BKin 2021) did. Your scientific ingenuity is also bringing much-needed solutions to health care – like Brian Ballios (DPhil 2013, DrMed 2015, PGME 2020) whose research on treating retinal disease promises to restore vision for future generations. And your impact on generations of Canadians was apparent in the induction of retired Supreme Court justice Rosalie Silberman Abella (BA 1967 UC, LLB 1970, Hon. LLD 1990) into Canada's Walk of Fame.

Congratulations, U of T alumni. You’ve truly excelled in 2024.

Jump to: The pioneers of progress • The cultural trailblazers • The thought leaders • The game-changers • The stars-on-the-rise

The pioneers of progress

The researcher pursuing groundbreaking research in treating genetic blindness 

Brian Ballios (DPhil 2013, DrMed 2015, PGME 2020), an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, is pioneering research in treatments for genetic blindness. Specializing in retinal disease and ocular genomics, he focuses on stem cell therapies to restore non-functional tissue. His work at UHN’s Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre promises a transformative impact on regenerative medicine.

Read about more pioneers of progress who crushed it: 

• The engineering alumnus who just won an innovation prize at the age of 98
• The alumni whose startup targets harmful side effect of cancer treatment
• The alumna whose startup is revolutionizing the world of pre-loved clothing stores
• The alumni who founded a home-sharing platform to expand housing options for tri-campus students

The cultural trailblazers

The award-winning playwright who showcased Black Canadian family realities at Stratford

Award-winning playwright Andrea Scott (BA 1996 UTM, MA 1997) made her Stratford Theatre Festival debut with Get That Hope, a play that highlights the nuanced challenges and aspirations of a Black Canadian family. This absorbing and moving portrayal of a Jamaican-Canadian family's struggles and aspirations resonated deeply with audiences.

Read about more cultural trailblazers who crushed it: 

• The alumnus and sports doc who cared for Taylor Swift
• The doctor who created Canada's first Nursing Retention Toolkit
• The celebrated director who returned to Hart House with a new theatrical production
• The alumna who's producing world-class feminist films in Pakistan

The thought leaders

The children's author who took his whimsical book for a reading tour around western Canada 

After publishing Krumpp’s First Taste, a story about a grumpy character and a determined little girl, told in a unique black-and-white picture-book style, Michael Gayle (BSc 2020 UTSC) toured western Canada, visiting schools and libraries in B.C., Alberta and Manitoba in spring of this year. Praised for its universal appeal, the book has been genre-bending in its use of complex words, which people typically don't associate with children's books, but it was loved by kids across the continent.

Read about more alumni who crushed it while taking critical conversations forward:

• The alumnus who returned as U of T's 35th chancellor
• The Anishinaabe designer who leveraged the power of fashion as a tool for political critique
• The astronomer-turned-author who published a children's book about hockey
• The alumni, and friends, who wrote a book about the crucial impact of nurses
• The doctor and educator who leveraged social media to inspire diversity in healthcare
• The alumna whose debut novel about the immigrant-experience in Toronto made it to Canada Reads

The game-changers

The alumni who represented Canada in the Paris Olympics and made U of T proud

Five former Varsity Blues athletes made U of T proud at the 2024 Olympics. Kylie Masse (BKin 2021) co-captained the Canadian swimming team, Michelle Li competed in badminton, Heather Bansley (HBA 2010 UC) in beach volleyball and track and field stars Jazz Shukla and Lucia Stafford (BSc 2021) showcased their talents on the world stage.

Read about more alumni who emerged game-changers owing to their spirit to thrive: 

• The alumnus with an incredible journey from a political prison to the Convocation stage
• The alumna who got an honorary degree for her anti-racism work, especially initiating Black History Month
• The University Professor and alumnus who made it to Time magazine’s 100 most influential people list
• The retired Supreme Court justice who got inducted in Canada's Hall of Fame

The stars on the rise

The valedictorian who inspired students with her excellence within and outside the classroom

Mariam Ismail (BA 2024 UTM), UTM’s 2024 valedictorian, excelled academically and in extracurriculars. She strategically tailored her studies, co-presided over the UTM Pre-Law Organization and organized a free housing legal clinic. As a research assistant and intern at the Office of the Prime Minister, she honed her skills, showcasing her drive and dedication to understanding the legal system's societal impact.

Read about more alumni who are the rising stars to look out for: 

• The 16-year old who graduated U of T with high distinction
• The alumnus whose startup aims to change the future of the internet
• The alumna who's breaking down barriers for Black people in the mental health care system
• The researcher looking for ways to apply deep learning to biology
• The artist who brought an unforgettable musical experience to Hart House