MES Supervisors

2025-2026 MES Supervisors
Supervisor Name Topic(s) of interest
Christian Abizaid

Conservation and development issues, environmental change in the Peruvian Amazon; flooding; urban forests and edible landscapes in greenspaces
Simon Appolloni Humanities or appropriate social science framework; environmental ethics, rligions, worldviews & beliefs, epistemologies and philosophies, eco-anxiety; environmental policy
Michael Classens Urban and campus food systems; sustainability and justice
Miriam Diamond Chemicals management (translating science into policy in the field of chemicals and waste); setting Earth system boundaries for chemical contaminants
Hamed Ibrahim Water, hydrology, water resources
Alstan Jakubiec Designing for wellbeing in the built environment and knowledge co-production with the industry (developers, city planners, designers)
Kariuki Kirigia

Biodiversity conservation; climate change: adaptation and mitigation strategies; environmental justice
Teresa Kramarz Community vulnerability, energy disasters, governance of critical minerals
Hanna Morris Climate media and communication; environmental and climate journalism; social media and climate justice activism
Ranaivo Rasolofoson

Human health and natural systems (forests, ocean); nature conservation; impact evaluation
John Robinson UCAP, massively scaling deep energy retrofits in Toronto, TransformTO, Visionary Communities
Njal Rollinson Ecology and conservation
Stephen Scharper Spirituality and Ecology, Ethics, Sustainability and Worldviews, Cosmology
Debra Wunch Urban greenhouse gas emissions (in Toronto or elsewhere), fire effects on carbon uptake by the Boreal forest
Tanhum Yoreh Faith-based environmentalism (e.g., environmental action in places of worship, Greening of Religion Hypothesis, environmental declarations, Jewish environmentalism, etc.), faith-based environmental ethics, religio-legal approaches to environmental protection

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What questions should I ask my proposed supervisor?

When reaching out to your proposed supervisor, you are encouraged to share a few details on your academic and professional background, outline your research interests, and describe why you are interested in the MES program. In addition, below are a few guiding questions to discuss with potential supervisors: 

•    Fit: Do my research interests/proposed topic align with your interests? Are you looking for students to support a specific research project? Or, will I be selecting my own topic that aligns with your expertise?  

•    Capacity: Are you currently taking on master’s students as supervisees? Are you looking to supervise or to be a thesis committee member? 

•    Funding: Do you have research funding to support MES students? If so, are you able to provide any insight on what this funding entails? 

•    Expectations: What are your expectations for me in terms of supporting your research project? How will your project/expertise shape my thesis? What do you anticipate the frequency of student-supervisor meetings to be? 

•    Courses: What courses do you teach?  

Note: Securing a supervisor does not guarantee admission to the MES. All decisions are made by our Admissions Committee. Faculty members are unable to review or edit supporting admissions documents.  

What will I gain in terms of research experience?

 MES students will develop strong analytical and research skills throughout their degree. Students will take courses that provide them with both a strong theoretical understanding of their area of interest(s) and a practical understanding and application of their research. In addition, each student will produce a thesis, which will demonstrate the knowledge and ability to devise a research plan, critically analyze literature, collect and interpret data, and communicate results and conclusions. A thesis can be used as a sample of written work when applying to future doctoral studies, and to highlight your skills and expertise to future employers. It allows you to become well versed in your area of interest.   

What does collaboration with my supervisor look like?

In terms of your thesis, collaboration will vary, depending on your supervisor. For example, if you are working on a specific research project that has already been established, your thesis will aid in supporting this project. If you are working on a topic that compliments your supervisor’s interests and expertise, your thesis will contribute to furthering this area of research.  

Regardless of the project, your supervisor is there to support you through your degree, whether it be through providing insight on course selection, holding check-in meetings, or through the data collection/writing stage. A supervisor can act as a mentor throughout your degree, providing advice and guidance, as well as helping you develop as a scholar and researche