“I expanded my knowledge and experience while helping conserve Canada’s biodiversity”

Karrina Pillay
Mary Winthrop Allen Graduate Student Scholarship in Environmental Science 2020–2021

After undergraduate studies in human biology and psychology at U of T Scarborough, Karrina carried on into the Master of Environmental Science program – despite the challenges of the pandemic. “The scholarship allowed me to focus on my education and future career aspirations,” she says. “I expanded my knowledge and experience while helping conserve Canada’s biodiversity.” Keenly interested in how psychology drives both individual behaviour and public policymaking, Karrina now works as a species-at-risk biologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Judy Chang
Mary Winthrop Allen Graduate Student Scholarship in Environmental Science 2016–2017

Judy entered the Master of Environmental Science program at U of T Scarborough in 2017 after earning a BSc at the University of British Columbia. Her passion for sustainability is at the heart of every challenge she has taken on, whether helping to eliminate disposable water bottles at the Special Olympics Canada 2014 Summer Games or introducing organics recycling to Richmond, BC. In her current role as a senior project controls specialist with engineering firm Parsons Inc., Judy works in the Yukon on the remediation of the Faro mine, one of Canada’s largest abandoned mine cleanup projects.

Vikash Narine
Brian Greenwood Graduate Student Scholarship in Environmental Science 2016–2017

While pursuing an honours BSc in Environmental Geoscience at U of T, Vikash gained valuable research experience, notably travelling to the Volcanology Field Camp in Iceland. He then entered the Master of Environmental Science program at U of T Scarborough, where he supported other students as a teaching assistant. On graduating in 2017, he worked in the High Arctic with the Department of National Defense, supporting microbial remediation efforts and ensuring compliance with federal and territorial regulations. He is now an environmental assessment officer with Natural Resources Canada.

Joy Ehiwere
Brian Greenwood Graduate Student Scholarship in Environmental Science 2022–2023

Committed to advancing both environmental science and gender equity, Joy earned a diploma in building technology from the Federal Polytechnic in Auchi, Nigeria, and began her career as an assistant supervisor with a construction company. She went on to study environmental engineering technology at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and graduated with a BSc in Environmental Science from Royal Roads University (where she was on the student council). As she completes her MEnvSc at U of T Scarborough, Joy is also an environmental scientist with AECOM, a global infrastructure consulting firm.

Scholarships, bursaries and other forms of financial assistance to students account for the largest share of the total paid out annually from the University of Toronto’s endowment funds.

For the U of T fiscal year ending April 30, 2022, about $1.4 billion – representing 43% of the University’s total $3.2 billion in endowments* – was directed to student support.