Our members have received training for their role on this committee, and identify these specific skills in their bios. Here is a brief description of the courses that they may have completed:
Identify, Assist, Refer (IAR): This training helps participants recognise key indicators that a person may be struggling with a mental health issue, how to begin a supportive conversation with them, and how to make the most appropriate referral to campus and/or community resources.
SafeTALK: Suicide Alertness for Everyone: This training is designed to increase comfort and awareness when initiating or participating in conversations with someone who is having suicidal thoughts or tendencies, and ensure that they are connected to people that offer specialised intervention care and relevant resources.
Sexual Violence Disclosure Skills: A Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre workshop that provides participants with an interactive and practice-based virtual training for student leaders on how to supportively respond to a disclosure of sexual violence. This workshop touches on the link between systemic oppression and sexual violence that can impact and create barriers for those impacted by sexual violence.
Gloria Wang (she/her), Jackson Lab
What do you study? I study fish community ecology in urban stormwater ponds and streams in the GTA.
What does this mean you do day to day? Most of my field data collection is completed, so now most of my days will be spent on data wrangling, analyses, writing, and poring over hours of underwater camera footage.
When you aren’t doing research, how do you spend your time? I enjoy taking nature walks and birding around the city’s green spaces. At home, I like to play video games, especially cozy games, story-driven games, and puzzle games. I’m a big fan of the Ace Attorney, Professor Layton, and Yakuza/Like a Dragon series. I’ve been getting really into crocheting, and occasionally I’ll tackle my pile of DIY sewing/craft/home renovation projects. Occasionally I’ll watch an anime (my favourite is JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure).
Why did you take on this committee work? This is a sentiment expressed by many who have served on the committee, but I benefitted a lot from the support and resources shared by the Mental Health Committee when experiencing many personal challenges during my first year as a grad student. I want to pay it forward by helping to foster a supportive and uplifting community.
How would I find you if I need to? ESC3027 (whale songs optional, just knock)(ignore Alan)(unless he has snacks)(then take them carefully) or at gloriahuamei.wang@mail.utoronto.ca
As a member of this committee, what relevant training have you received? Identify, Assist, Refer, SafeTALK: Suicide Alertness for Everyone
Jessie Wang (she/her), Frederickson Lab
What do you study? I study host-microbiome interactions using tiny floating aquatic plants, duckweeds!
What does this mean day to day? Most of my time in the lab is spent on culturing or assaying microbes. On occasion, my plants will be escorted from one mason jar to another. Otherwise, you’ll find me staring at well plate images and lines of code. Once a month, I venture into the pond (or giant well plate) for microbial field work.
When you’re not tending to tiny creatures, how do you spend your time? I enjoy going on walks around the city and catching Pokémon, as well as trying out the latest cafes and eats! At home, I’ll cozy up and re-watch the same movies and shows for the nth time (or a YouTube video essay).
Why did you take on this committee work? Like many others before me, I have greatly benefited from the programming and support provided by the MHC, and I wanted to be a part of sharing that with the rest of the EEB community.
How do I find you if I need you? Come to the Sardine Can (ESC 3043) or send me an email at jae.wang@mail.utoronto.ca
As a member of this committee, what relevant training have you received? Identify, Assist, Refer (IAR), and Sexual Violence Disclosure Skills
Markelle Morphet (she/they/her/them), Mandrak Lab (UTSC)
What do you study? I compare the efficiency of fish detection methods in challenging environments to improve our knowledge of fish communities and populations.
What does this mean you do day to day? I spend a lot of time refining my environmental DNA methods and communicating with partners. My time is distributed between field work, lab work, data wrangling and statistical analysis.
When you aren’t doing research, how do you spend your time? I love backcountry camping in Northern Ontario and going on long hikes or skiing up north on the weekends. In the city, I volunteer with different science- and education-based organizations, play strategic board games, and watch shounen anime.
Why did you take on this committee work? I want to help engage fellow EEB students at the UTSC campus in MHC activities and bridge access to supports offered downtown and in Scarborough and also benefit from the programs available myself.
How would I find you if I need to? UTSC SY370 or via email, m.morphet@mail.utoronto.ca
Zifang Xiong (she/her), Mahler Lab
What do you study? I study the evolution of sexual dimorphism in cranial morphology in Anolis lizards, and I also have projects investigating differences in predation pressure between island and mainland Anolis communities.
What does this mean you do day to day? Most of the time I’ll be sitting in front of a lab computer clicking away to gather, process, and analyse morphological data. In the summer, I conduct fieldwork in Central and South America, which involves, during the day, hiking through trails (sometimes with a machete) to put up lizard models to measure predation rates; during the night, looking for lizards, capturing, marking, and releasing them.
When you’re not staring at equations, how do you spend your time? I love walking around the city and trying out new bubble tea places; staying at home and gaming (although less time to do that now). I also love going away from the city from time to time to enjoy camping and hiking, I love photographing things of nature, plants, fungi, vertebrates, and invertebrates. I may have taken way too many photos for my processing speed… Recently, my free time has mostly been occupied by my dog Bubble; I take her to work sometimes 😉
Why did you take on this committee work? I’ve benefited from the programs arranged by the MHC in the past and would love to contribute to building a supportive and inclusive community.
How would I find you if I need to? My office is ESC2035. If I’m not on campus, I can be reached at zifang.xiong@mail.utoronto.ca
As a member of this committee, what relevant training have you received? Identify, Assist, Refer
Zira MacFarlane (they/them), McCauley Lab
What do you study? Most of my work falls under the headers of disturbance ecology and conservation. Right now, I’m researching the impacts of urbanization (especially salt pollution) on pond-dwelling amphibian behaviour, community composition, and reproduction.
What does this mean you do day to day? I tend to either be in the field, standing around in ponds; up at KSR, standing around in ponds; chasing frogs; or sitting at a computer wrestling ArcGIS and R into cooperation.
When you aren’t bothering frogs, how do you spend your time? Even though my work takes me out in all weather, I still find myself outside most of the time. I’ve got plenty of excuses, from nature watching to playing around flow arts (poi are my favorite), but in general, it’s all about exploring. I’m a writer, with a focus on genre work that plays with themes of queerness, mental health, and neurodivergence. And I do have four cats, who make sure they occupy a good portion of my time.
How would I find you if I need to? I’m on UTM Campus most of the time, alternating between Davis 4030 and 4023D depending on whether I’m working on office or lab things. I’m also up at KSR at least once a month, so if you’re looking for a friendly face while you’re there, feel free to reach out! You can also email me at stephen.macfarlane@mail.utoronto.ca.
Jennifer Carpenter (she/her)
What do you study? I’m not a researcher; I write for a living as a science journalist. This has put me in a good position to teach graduate students how to build good writing habits, overcome barriers to writing, and hone their skills in communicating with advisors, people in their discipline and the wider community of non-specialists (the public).
What does this mean you do day to day? This means that I spend my days editing students’ writing, as well as running writing camps and media training workshops. I also spend time discussing how students feel when they write. Writing, even academic writing, reveals a lot about our identities, and the stories we tell ourselves about how we got here and whether we belong. I sift through this with students, alongside how to use a topic sentence.
When you aren’t picking over students’ writing, how do you spend your time? I love cooking large pots of food and having friends come round to eat, sing, and play music. I enjoy cycling my kids to corners of the city to discover its forgotten rivers and hidden creatures; it helps me forget how far I live from the ocean.
Why did you take on this committee work? I took on this work because I was asked to act as institutional memory for this committee through the years, and to support students in what is, sometimes, difficult work. I *keep* doing this work as I am always learning from my committee members; they make this work delightful with their insight, power, and drive for change.
As a member of this committee, what relevant training have you received? Identify, Assist, Refer, SafeTALK: Suicide Alertness for Everyone, and Sexual Violence Disclosure Skills.
How would I find you if I need to? I’m in the department Tuesdays and Fridays, and I’m happy to meet for tea, grab lunch or talk over Zoom. Send me an email (jennifer.carpenter@utoronto.ca) to connect.