2025 Sustainability Catalyst Interns

Learn more about our 2025 partners, interns and their projects below.

Click each box to view more details.

Algoma Steel | Angel Badewole

Angel Badewole

Field of Study: PhD, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry 

Project: Exploring and Evaluating Carbon Capture Technologies for Sequestering Process Carbon Emissions  

Host: Algoma Steel 

Angel applied her chemical engineering expertise to investigate how steel slag (a byproduct of steelmaking) can be repurposed to capture and store industrial CO₂ emissions. The goal is to support a circular economy by transforming waste into a valuable climate solution.

East Scarborough Storefront | Gauri Chuttani

Gauri Chuttani

Field of Study: MGA (Master of Global Affairs)

Project: Bouncing Forward – Neighbourhood Resilience Plan

Host: East Scarborough Storefront

Bouncing Forward is a community-driven resilience initiative in East Scarborough’s Kingston–Galloway/Orton Park neighbourhood. Through low-carbon, anti-racist and locally informed strategies, Gauri helped shape a neighbourhood plan designed to prepare residents for and recover from climate-related shocks, address systemic barriers and guide inclusive resilience planning across Toronto. 

City of Toronto | Tashyana Davidson

Tashyana Davidson

Field of Study: MPP (Master of Public Policy)

Project: Financing Municipal Climate Solutions

Host: City of Toronto Environment, Climate and Forestry Division

Tashyana conducted a comprehensive review of financing strategies from cities across North America and Europe, assessing their feasibility and identifying barriers to adoption. The analysis explored options such as private investment, stronger project pipelines and financial tools available through the City of Toronto’s existing mechanisms to advance climate action. 

Ontario Nature | Marcellinus Essah

Marcellinus Essah 

Field of Study: PhD, Human Geography

Project: Documenting endangered species in the Greenbelt, protections they enjoy and threats they face

Host: Ontario Nature

Following the release of Bill 5 by the provincial government, Marcillenus conducted a literature review on special economic zones and examined the implications of replacing the Endangered Species Act with the Species Conservation Act. This analysis uncovered opportunities to strengthen protections against species extinction and resulted in an op-ed published in The Narwhal. 

8 80 Cities | Nushrat Juhan

Nushrat Juhan

Field of Study: PhD, Planning 

Project: Promising Practices: Placemaking in Floodplains

Host: 8 80 Cities

Through the TowerPOPS initiative, Nushrat analyzed two community sites in Rockcliffe-Smythe (Toronto) and Cooksville (Mississauga). A toolkit was developed demonstrating how placemaking in flood-prone neighbourhoods can transform underused spaces near apartment towers into vibrant community hubs that foster health equity, social connection and climate resilience.

City of Toronto | Akshaya Kaliappan

Akshaya Kaliappan

Field of Study: MEng, Civil Engineering

Project: Expanding Toronto’s Home Energy Loan Program to Enhance Community Flood Resilience

Host: City of Toronto Environment, Climate & Forestry

 Akshaya explored opportunities to expand Toronto’s Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) to include financial support for homeowners implementing flood resilience measures. The HELP initiative aims to reduce urban flooding risks, property damage, health hazards and financial burdens while strengthening long-term community resilience through targeted retrofits. 

Toronto Community Benefits Network | Aman Nair

Aman Nair

Field of Study: MA, Political Science

Project: Engagement for a Toronto Green Jobs Strategy

Host: Toronto Community Benefits Network

Aman contributed to the development of a Green Jobs Strategy for TCBN aimed at expanding employment in Toronto’s growing green industries. Drawing on local and global best practices, the strategy promotes equitable access to opportunities while supporting the city’s net zero 2040 climate goals

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital | Liza Nasir

Liza Nasir

Field of Study: MScSM (Master of Science in Sustainability Management)

Project: Reducing Hospital Waste Using Communal Sorting Stations

Host: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital 

Liza developed a strategy and implementation plan to replace individual office waste and recycling bins at Holland Bloorview with centralized communal sorting stations. The initiative was implemented in order to improve landfill diversion, lower costs and promote sustainable practices, along with the potential to serve as a model for other healthcare organizations. 

City of Toronto | Krysten Orlando

Krysten Orlando

Field of Study: MT (Master of Teaching)

Project: The Future of Cycling: Engaging with Children and Youth to Enhance the Cycling Experience in Toronto

Host: City of Toronto Transportation Services

Krysten assessed the site requirements and feasibility of creating a children’s bicycle garden in Toronto to practice cycling skills. She also researched street design interventions to make an intersection in Oakwood Village more accessible for youth, particularly children with disabilities, by improving bikeway and sidewalk accessibility features. 

Ecosource | Sara Patel

Sara Patel

Field of Study: MScSM (Master of Science in Sustainability Management)

Project: Climate-Resilient Urban Agriculture Toolkit

Host: Ecosource

Sara developed a climate impact tracking toolkit for Ecosource’s Iceland Teaching Garden in Mississauga. The toolkit provides a framework for monitoring key factors, such as rainfall, soil moisture and pest presence, to mitigate climate impacts and train volunteers in climate-smart food production, which supports community well-being. 

City of Toronto | Sierra Potvin

Sierra Potvin

Field of Study: MScPl (Master of Science in Planning) 

Project: Developing a New Green Infrastructure Incentive Program for Stormwater Management on Private Property 

Host: City of Toronto Environment, Climate & Forestry

Sierra worked on the development of Toronto’s new Rain Barrel Program to promote water harvesting, reduce peak summer water consumption and improve stormwater management. The incentive program encourages property owners to install green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, permeable pavement and soft landscaping, to mitigate flooding. City Council adopted the program in Fall 2025. 

City of Toronto | Charlottle Reed

Charlottle Reed

Field of Study: MSCPl (Master of Science in Planning)

Project: Complete Street Cross Sections: Tools for Sustainable Street Redesign in Toronto

Host: City of Toronto Transportation Services

Charlotte created a compendium of street cross-section designs to help engineers apply Complete Streets principles when retrofitting and redesigning roads. Drawing on common street configurations across Toronto, the guide provides practical starting points for designs that encourage walking, cycling, transit use, green infrastructure, and safety, while advancing climate and sustainability goals. 

UN Global Compact Network Canada | Usman Salim

Usman Salim

Field of Study: MScSM (Master of Science in Sustainability Management)

Project: Analyzing Canadian Business Interests and Maturity Levels Toward the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda

Host: UN Global Compact Network Canada

Usman analyzed and provided insights into how Canadian businesses engage with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. He evaluated their priorities, maturity levels and alignment with the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles to help advance responsible business practices and drive broader societal impact.

North York General Hospital | Helena Tang

Helena Tang 

Field of Study: MScPl (Master of Science in Planning)

Project: Developing an Environmental Sustainability Strategy and Framework

Host: North York General Hospital 

Helena leveraged NYGH’s comprehensive sustainability plan to create a five-year roadmap that directs targeted initiatives to reduce emissions and embed sustainability into hospital operations and decision-making processes. 

Sustainable Buildings Canada | Yazan Zamel

Headshot of Yazan Zamel, who wears glasses and a black hoodie

Yazan Zamel

Field of Study: MASc (Master of Applied Science), Civil and Mineral Engineering

Project: Regulatory Effects on Energy Efficiency Retrofitting of Existing Condos

Host: Sustainable Buildings Canada

Yazan examined how regulations across Canada affect energy efficiency retrofits in condominiums and identified lessons to inform policy changes to the Condominium Act in Ontario. The project delivered actionable recommendations to help condo boards, manager, and owners adopt high-performance upgrades, supporting Toronto’s net zero 2040 target and Canada’s broader climate goals.