Flight 752

Four years after the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, the shock of the tragedy has not worn off for Niloofar Ganji.

“It’s hard to believe it happened in the first place,” says Ganji, a PhD student in the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

The Ukraine International Airlines jet was shot down by Iranian armed forces shortly after takeoff on Jan. 8, 2020, killing all 176 people aboard – many of them university students bound for Canada after the winter break. The victims included eight �鶹��Ƶ community members: Mohammad Amin Jebelli; siblings Mohammad Asadi Lari and Zeynab Asadi Lari; Mohammad Salehe and spouse Zahra Hasani; Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi; Mojtaba Abbasnezhad; and Mohammad Amin Beiruti.

In the years since, the �鶹��Ƶ community has honoured and remembered the eight victims in ways that are both private and public.

Two of the students – (Mohammad) Asadi Lari and Amin Jebelli – studied in the same faculty as Ganji, who is an executive member of �鶹��Ƶ Students for a Free Iran (UTSFI). Both are remembered for having a tremendous impact on their classmates and teachers. In 2022, Asadi Lari was named valedictorian posthumously by MD/PhD graduates in Temerty’s Faculty of Medicine.

His sister Zeynab was a �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga student with a strong admiration for medicine and global health who was an outspoken advocate for mental health. To honour her memory, �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga created the Zeynab Asadi Lari Healthy Campus Award.

“The award recognizes a student champion for holistic health – who has made a positive impact on the campus’s physical, emotional, and social life and who has fostered a sense of community rooted in equity and respect,” said Alexandra Gillespie, �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga principal and �鶹��Ƶ vice-president, on the second anniversary of the tragedy.

“It recognizes a student leader who had made our campus – and our world – a healthier, more open, and more truthful place to live; and so it rightly carries Zeynab’s name.”

Abbasnezhad, meanwhile, studied in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. Hasani was looking forward to pursuing her graduate studies at �鶹��Ƶ. Elyasi was a mechanical engineer who studied at �鶹��Ƶ and the University of Alberta, and helped teach English to refugees. Beiruti and Salehe both studied computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science, with Salehe posthumously publishing a paper that won an honourable mention at an international symposium on edge computing.

UTSFI is organizing an event at �鶹��Ƶ on Jan. 11 to honour the eight students and to demand accountability for the tragedy. Speakers include Atena Daemi, an Iranian civil rights activist, Mohsen Ahmadipour, a family member of a victim, Saeid Dehghan, a human rights lawyer, and Alexie Tcheuyap, �鶹��Ƶ’s associate vice-president and vice-provost, international student experience.

“As Iranian students at �鶹��Ƶ, it is our responsibility to make sure this event gets commemorated every single year,” Ganji says. “It’s a very emotional time and we are lost for words thinking about the fact that four years have gone by. The most important message we can convey is that we will not forget, and we will not forgive.”

In the memory of the victims, �鶹��Ƶ established the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship fund in 2020 to support international students from Iran or current students from any background taking Iranian studies. To date, the scholarship has changed the lives of several students, who have studied in fields ranging from music to computer science.

Amirali Atrli, an undergraduate studying math and physical sciences, has said the award has helped him focus on his studies.

“I’m happy that we value science so much today,” Atrli said. “When I look at papers and see Iranian scientists in various research teams, it makes me proud, and also hopeful for a future where this body of scientists isn’t scattered across the world and has the possibility to pursue what they aspire to at home.”

‘All part of our community’: �鶹��Ƶ marks the 3rd anniversary of Flight PS752

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 20:36:31 +0000

‘All part of our community’: �鶹��Ƶ marks the 3rd anniversary of Flight PS752

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 01/12/2023 - 15:36

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The �鶹��Ƶ community gathered on the St. George campus to remember the 176 lives lost in the Flight PS752 tragedy (photo by Polina Teif)

Mariam Matti

Topic

Global Lens

With red roses, candles and painful memories, the University of Toronto community marked the third anniversary of the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 at a ceremony on the St. George campus this week.

The flight was shot down by Iranian armed forces on Jan. 8, 2020, killing all 176 aboard.

The victims included eight �鶹��Ƶ community members: Mohammad Amin Jebelli; siblings Mohammad Asadi Lari and Zeynab Asadi Lari; Mohammad Salehe and spouse Zahra Hasani; Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi; Mojtaba Abbasnezhad; and Mohammad Amin Beiruti.

The families of the victims of Flight PS752 held photos of their loved ones (photo by Polina Teif)

Patricia Houston, vice-dean, medical education, at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, said (Mohammad) Asadi Lari and Jebelli, who both studied in the faculty, had a tremendous impact on their classmates and teachers.

“Mohammad Asadi Lari or ‘Moh’ as we called him was known to his friends as a very energetic and authentic student,” she said at the event held Wednesday evening at the Earth Sciences Centre.

“He was involved, even before he came to Temerty Medicine, in many national and international initiatives, and he was passionate about helping others and youth empowerment.”

Red roses and candles were displayed to honour the 176 victims (photo by Polina Teif)

Asadi Lari was named valedictorian posthumously by the MD/PhD graduates in Temerty’s Faculty of Medicine last June.

His sister, Zeynab, was a �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga student with a strong admiration for medicine and global health. Abbasnezhad, meanwhile, studied in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. Hasani was looking forward to pursuing her graduate studies at �鶹��Ƶ. Elyasi was a mechanical engineer who helped teach English to refugees. Beiruti and Salehe both studied computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Clockwise from top left: Mohammad Salehe, Zahra Hasani, Mojtaba Abbasnezhad, Mohammad Asadi Lari, Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi, Mohammad Amin Jebelli, Mohammad Amin Beiruti and Zeynab Asadi Lari.

The names and ages of everyone onboard the flight were read as their photos were projected on a big screen.

The �鶹��Ƶ Students for a Free Iran (UTSFI) organized the ceremony to honour the victims and demand accountability for the tragedy.

“A plane with 176 innocent lives was shot down by a government that does not hold any regard for human life or human dignity and this crime cannot be forgotten,” said Faraz Khoshbakhtian, a PhD student in the department of mechanical and industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering and member of UTSFI.

“These lives on the plane were all part of our community.”

Some families of the victims were in attendance and made speeches to commemorate their loved ones.

Alexie Tcheuyap, associate vice-president and vice-provost, international student experience, delivers remarks at the ceremony (photo by Polina Teif)

Alexie Tcheuyap, associate vice-president and vice-provost, international student experience, said he was honoured to be at the event to reflect on the lives lost aboard Flight PS752.

“Across the university, the news was met with sorrow and shock at such a terrible and senseless tragedy,” he said. “Together we mourn the deaths of the �鶹��Ƶ students.”

The attendees comforted each other throughout the somber ceremony (photo by Polina Teif)

Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science, said those onboard the doomed airliner “had their lives ahead of them.”

“At the Faculty of Arts & Science, we’ve always had a special relationship and connection with students from the Iranian community,” said Woodin.

“That day, two of our computer science PhD students – Mohammad Amin Beiruti and Mohammad Salehe – lost their lives. It was heartbreaking and difficult to come to terms with the fact that these promising young minds full of ambition and vigour are no longer able to fulfill their dreams.”

Mohammad Asadi Lari named valedictorian posthumously by grads in �鶹��Ƶ's Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 13:27:25 +0000

Mohammad Asadi Lari named valedictorian posthumously by grads in �鶹��Ƶ's Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 06/02/2022 - 09:27

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Mohammad Asadi Lari, an MD/PhD student, was among the eight �鶹��Ƶ community members who died in the Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 disaster in 2020 (photo supplied)

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Mohammad Asadi Lari’s memory loomed large at an event this week for the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine graduates, who named the MD/PhD student their valedictorian  posthumously.

Asadi-Lari and his sister, Zeynab Asadi Lari, a fourth-year biology student at �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga, were among eight �鶹��Ƶ community members who died aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 on Jan. 8, 2020. The pair had been travelling back to Toronto after visiting family in Iran when the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile shortly after taking off rom Tehran. In all, 176 people were killed, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents.

Graduating MD class co-presidents Maria Leis and Christopher End announced the honour for Asadi Lari during an annual pre-convocation event at Convocation Hall. There was also a video tribute featuring comments from many of Asadi-Lari's friends and classmates, as well as clips from Asadi Lari’s October 2018 Ted Talk about youth empowerment and other interviews.

Leis and End met Asadi Lari when he served as vice-president, global health at the �鶹��Ƶ Medical Society (MedSoc). In the position, Asadi-Lari advocated for matters of international aid and equity related to human health.

The class co-presidents say “Moh,” as he was known to friends, was a kind, caring person who would go out of his way to help his classmates. 

“I remember Moh staying in the anatomy lab, long after class had ended. We all needed to study, but if there was anyone struggling with the material, he made time to help his classmates succeed,” says End. “By extension, while working with MedSoc, I saw how he shared opportunities with other students to ensure everyone had a chance to gain valuable experience.

“Seeing how Moh lifted others up continues to inspire me.” 

Upon learning of Leis’s interest in working with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), Asadi Lari used the network he'd formed in his role as a youth adviser with the Canadian Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to help her connect with the agency. 

“For someone with such an expansive resume, Moh was down-to-earth. You wouldn’t know he’d worked internationally and that he’d achieved so much before beginning medical school. Where he could, he used those experiences to help others reach their own goals,” says Leis. 

Asadi Lari was especially passionate about youth empowerment and co-founded STEM Fellowship, a youth-led non-profit organization that uses mentorship and experiential learning to equip young people with skills in data science and scholarly writing. 

During his time at Temerty Medicine, Asadi Lari also helped establish Physician Innovator Canada, a national network for doctors transforming health care through innovation.

Professor Nicola Jones, director of the integrated physician scientist training program, came to know Asadi Lari over the two years he spent in the program.  

“In his too short time with us, Mohammad made a remarkable impact,” she says. “He was a friend to all who were fortunate enough to meet him and will be remembered for his commitment to innovation and making positive change both locally and beyond. We will always hold him in our hearts and his legacy as a change-maker will continue to live in our program.” 

In the years prior to his death, Asadi Lari was also involved in other organizations, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian Red Cross, Science World British Columbia, the civic-engagement group ‘Apathy is Boring’ and the World Economic Forum.  

Asadi Lari's efforts were recognized through various awards including a 3M National Student Fellowship, a Society for Scholarly Publishing Fellowship, a bronze Governor General’s Academic Award and a British Columbia Faces of Today Leadership award. He also won numerous national and international Science Olympiad medals. 

“Mohammad was an outstanding and inspirational leader, as well as a caring and compassionate colleague and friend to many in his class and beyond. He truly would have changed the world. We must work together to honour his legacy and ensure that his vision and values live on,” says Patricia Houston, vice-dean, medical education at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. 

An award in the siblings’ names, established by Asadi Lari’s friends and colleagues, was also presented to Tina Binesh Marvasti during the ceremony. It recognizes an MD/PhD student who has demonstrated excellence in innovation and brought about positive change.  

‘They all moved to Canada to do something bigger’: Remembering the victims of Flight PS752

mattimar — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 20:45:11 +0000

‘They all moved to Canada to do something bigger’: Remembering the victims of Flight PS752

mattimar Fri, 01/07/2022 - 15:45

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Clockwise from top left: Mohammad Salehe, Zahra Hasani, Mojtaba Abbasnezhad, Mohammad Asadi Lari, Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi, Mohammad Amin Jebelli, Mohammad Amin Beiruti and Zeynab Asadi Lari.

Mariam Matti

Topic

Our Community

�鶹��Ƶ

Graduate Students

Translational Research Program

For Amin Kamaleddin, grieving the loss of his friends who were killed aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 has been a difficult and frustrating process, with many unanswered questions two years on.

Three of his friends – Mohammad Amin Jebelli, Mohammad Amin Beiruti and Mojtaba Abbasnezhad – were among the eight University of Toronto community members on the flight when it was shot down by Iranian armed forces on Jan. 8, 2020, killing all 176 aboard.

He says they were some of the brightest people he knew.

“They were not just good friends, but also good students,” said Kamaleddin, a PhD candidate in biomedical engineering at �鶹��Ƶ.

Amin Kamaleddin

The university will join the country on Jan. 8 in remembering the victims of Flight PS752, which also included �鶹��Ƶ community members: Mohammad Salehe and his wife Zahra Hasani, siblings Zeynab Asadi Lari and Mohammad Asadi Lari, and alumnus Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi.

“The University of Toronto will never forget this tragedy and the eight members of our community whose loss continues to be deeply felt across our campuses and the country,” President Meric Gertler said.

“We join with universities across Canada and around the world in remembering those gifted scholars and students whose lives held so much promise, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and colleagues.”

The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims is running an online campaign called #IWillLightACandleToo, encouraging the public to show their support by posting a picture of candles. On Saturday, the non-profit is hosting a virtual ceremony with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other delegates. A physically distanced and masked candlelight vigil will be held at Mel Lastman Square in North York at 5 p.m.

Kamaleddin says it’s hard to believe that it’s been two years since the tragedy.

“I think family and friends are far from getting justice and they deserve to know the truth, even if it is a very sad and miserable truth,” he says.

An Ontario court earlier this week awarded $107 million, plus interest, to the families of six people who died on the plane, but questions remain whether the money can be collected because Iran has refused to participate in the process. Iran has also refused to negotiate with Canada and four other countries about reparations, missing a key deadline earlier this week.

In the weeks after the tragedy, �鶹��Ƶ established the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship fund to honour the victims and support international students from Iran or current students from any background taking Iranian studies.

The fund was the brainchild of David Palmer, �鶹��Ƶ’s vice-president, advancement, and alumni Rahim Rezaie and Mehrdad Hariri, CEO and president of the Canadian Science Policy Centre.

The memorial scholarship has so far provided support to four �鶹��Ƶ students. One recipient is aerospace engineering student Javad Siahkamari, a member of �鶹��Ƶ’s aerospace team and a founding member of its hyperloop team.

“I came to Canada three years ago with the dream of building a future that I have been dreaming of since I was 14 years old,” Siahkamari said in a letter thanking donors. “This journey has had as many ups as it has had downs and this scholarship has been an unbelievable help for me through one of its most challenging downs.

“I now see myself closer than ever to fulfilling the dream I have worked very hard for and for that I am eternally grateful.”

On Friday, the Ontario government announced it was renewing funding for scholarships established in memory of the 57 Canadians killed. “We can never replace the loss of so many bright and promising scholars, educators – and above all – loved ones, but we hope to honour their memories through the continuation of this scholarship fund,” Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop said in a statement.

On Saturday, Kamaleddin says he will light a candle in honour of the victims and his friends who he misses dearly.

The memories he has will stay with him for life. He’ll remember Amin Beiruti, a PhD student in computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science, for his ambition; Abbasnezhad, a PhD student and teaching assistant in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, for his calmness; and Amin Jebelli, a member of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s Translational Research Program, for his passion in helping others – and the happiness that brought him.

“They all moved to Canada to do something bigger,” Kamaleddin says. “Every time I think about the families of the victims, I can feel heartache. It will take a long time to heal.

“My hope is that those responsible for the tragedy will be identified and brought to justice.”

‘They shall not be forgotten’: �鶹��Ƶ marks first anniversary of Flight 752 tragedy

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 21:35:33 +0000

‘They shall not be forgotten’: �鶹��Ƶ marks first anniversary of Flight 752 tragedy

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 01/07/2021 - 16:35

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One of several memorials created at �鶹��Ƶ shortly after Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down on Jan. 8, 2020 (photo by Daria Perevezentsev)

Topic

Division of University Advancement

Translational Research Program

Meric Gertler

Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation

Hardworking. Smart. Creative. These are the qualities that come to mind when Professor Eyal de Lara remembers PhD student Mohammad Salehe, one of six University of Toronto students killed aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 one year ago this week.

Salehe was just beginning to make his mark in edge computing – a field that aims to bring computation and data storage closer to the source instead of relying on distant cloud servers – when his life was cut tragically short by Iranian armed forces who shot down the airliner on Jan. 8, 2020, killing all 176 aboard.

Just one year into his doctoral studies, Salehe, one of two computer science students killed in the crash, had already interned at Samsung’s AI lab in Toronto and collaborated with researchers at AT&T.

“I think the work he did was quite innovative, quite creative – obviously, you’re always left wondering what could have been,” said de Lara, a faculty member in the computer systems and network group who came to know Salehe while he was still living in Iran.

“He was probably one of the strongest students I’ve worked with over the last few years.”

�鶹��Ƶ and campus groups will join the country in remembering the victims of Flight 752, which included a total of eight �鶹��Ƶ community members: Salehe and his wife Zahra Hasani, Mojtaba Abbasnezhad, siblings Zeynab Asadi Lari and Mohammad Asadi-Lari, Mohammad Amin Beiruti, Mohammad Amin Jebelli and alumnus Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi.

In their honour, the federal government, which recently released a report on the crash of Flight 752, has declared Jan. 8 a National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters.

President Meric Gertler said �鶹��Ƶ would lower flags to half-mast on Jan. 8 to “pay tribute to these bright and accomplished individuals whose loss remains profoundly felt across our three campuses, our city, and, indeed, the entire national academic community.”

Online memorial services, both private and public, are being held across the three campuses, in keeping with COVID-19 public health guidelines.

“Please join me in reflecting upon the memory of our eight promising students and scholars we lost, colleagues who greatly enriched the �鶹��Ƶ community. They shall not be forgotten,” President Gertler said.

Clockwise from top left: Mohammad Salehe, Zahra Hasani, Mojtaba Abbasnezhad, Mohammad Asadi-Lari, Zeynab Asadi Lari, Mohammad Amin Beiruti, Mohammad Amin Jebelli and Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi.

Dozens of students, professors and researchers from at least 18 universities across the country were aboard the doomed flight, which killed 55 Canadian citizens, 30 permanent residents, and numerous others with ties to Canada. On Friday at 7 p.m., the Iranian Association at the University of Toronto is co-hosting an online memorial event with other student groups from Quebec to British Columbia that features voice recordings about lost loved ones, according to the association’s website. There is also a Zoom event on Jan. 10 hosted by Student Life and other groups. It begins at noon.

Read a PhD student’s op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen about the tragedy

Many of the �鶹��Ƶ students on the flight had already made an impact in their respective disciplines.

Last fall, Salehe was the posthumous co-author of a paper on “Hierarchical Querying for the Edge” that won an honourable mention at an international symposium on edge computing.

In December, Mohammad Asadi-Lari, an MD/PhD student in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was awarded a Posthumous Singular Award of Merit by the Canadian Medical Association for “exemplary leadership, initiative and commitment to making a difference at the local, provincial/territorial or national level.”

And, eight months after the crash, Zeynab Asadi Lari posthumously co-authored an article in Clinical and Experimental Medicine about a gene that might be targeted in future therapies to treat colorectal cancer.

Fiona Rawle, an associate professor at �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga who taught Zeynab in her introductory biology course, said the journal publication was a potent reminder of Zeynab’s “hopes and goals, and everything that she planned to accomplish” – as well as of the difference she already made although her life was cut short.

Even in a class of about 900 students, Rawle said Zeynab stood out because of her commitment and enthusiasm, as well as the care she demonstrated toward other students. She recalled Zeynab comforting a classmate who was visibly upset because of a family emergency.

“This student was crying and kept saying ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry for crying.’ I remember Zeynab said at that moment “Don’t say sorry – you are sad and you are crying and that is OK. It’s OK to cry,’” Rawle said.

“I have thought of those words often over the past year. It’s OK to be sad. It’s OK to feel scared. Zeynab was always pulling people together, helping people establish connection – both inside and outside the classroom.”

In a video message, Alexandra Gillespie, vice-president and principal of �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga, described Zeynab as “the rarest of leaders – at once competitive, compassionate and collaborative. Full of intelligence and brimming with curiosity, she strove to create positive change advocating for innovative solutions to mental public and global health issues.”

As for Zeynab’s brother Mohammad, Gillespie said: “He wasn’t just a gifted thinker; he was a caring person and he applied his brilliance to help people in need.”

Amin Jebelli, who was pursuing a master’s degree in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s Translational Research Program, was another student who was described by faculty and friends as someone who put the needs of others ahead of his own.

“He did everything for everybody, and didn’t think of himself,” Joesph Ferenbok, the program’s director, told �鶹��Ƶ News last year.

Similarly, in the aftermath of the tragedy, friends of Abbasnezhad, a PhD student and teaching assistant in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, remarked on his unusual intelligence and kindness.

Deepa Kundur, chair of the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering, talked about the impact on the community as she reflected on the anniversary of the crash.

“This singular tragedy was devastating to our ECE and engineering community, and I know the profound loss echoes across this country this week, as it will for decades to come,” Kundur said.

In the weeks after the plane crash, scholarship funds were established to honour the victims and support current and future Iranian scholars at the university, as well as students taking Iranian studies.

The Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship Fund was the brainchild of David Palmer, �鶹��Ƶ’s vice-president, advancement, and alumnus Rahim Rezaie, associate director of the International Virtual Engineering Student Teams Initiative at the Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education & Practice at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, and Mehrdad Hariri, CEO and president of the Canadian Science Policy Centre.

All donations to the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship Fund are matched by the university at a 3:1 rate until it reaches $250,000.

To date, nearly $156,000 has been donated to the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Dr. Razgar Rahimi, Farideh Gholami, and Jiwan Rahimi Award, which is named for a young family who perished in the crash.

Mehrdad Jafari Raad, a doctoral student in the Faculty of Music and composer of concert music, was among the first recipients of the �鶹��Ƶ scholarship for Iranian students. When he learned of the tragedy at the beginning of 2020, he was overcome with shock and sadness at the loss of students who had come to Canada to achieve their ambitions, just like him.

“Along with pursuing my dreams, I hope in some way, we are fulfilling some promise of those whose dreams were dashed,” he said.

Read Rahim Rezai’s Globe and Mail op-ed about Canada’s response to Flight 752

Come From Away cast collects more than $16,000 for �鶹��Ƶ Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship Fund

geoff.vendeville — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 15:50:08 +0000

Come From Away cast collects more than $16,000 for �鶹��Ƶ Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship Fund

geoff.vendeville Mon, 02/24/2020 - 10:50

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The cast from Come From Away collected more than $16,000 from audience members for �鶹��Ƶ's Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship Fund, which honours eight �鶹��Ƶ community members who died in the crash of Flight 752 (photo by Cylla von Tiedemann)

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Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Almost one year ago, Dr. Allan Detsky welcomed a visitor in his office at Mount Sinai Hospital: a first-year medical student who was interested in pursuing a PhD in health economics.

He recalls the student making a particularly strong impression.

“He was very quiet, very humble – but very smart,” said Detsky, a professor in the University of Toronto’s Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation and the Faculty of Medicine.

Tragically, the student – Mohammad Asadi Lari, who was in �鶹��Ƶ’s MD/PhD program – would never get the chance to fulfill his potential. He and his sister, Zeynab Asadi Lari, who studied science at �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga, were among the 176 people aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 when it was shot down shortly after take-off from Tehran on Jan. 8.

In response, �鶹��Ƶ established a scholarship fund in memory of the eight �鶹��Ƶ community members who died in the crash, including six students, and pledged to match donations three-to-one up to $250,000. The needs-based award is meant to support international students from Iran as well as students from any background pursuing Iranian studies at �鶹��Ƶ.

Moved by the tragedy, Detsky, who is also a producer of the hit musical Come From Away at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre, was supportive when Come From Away actors Ali Momen and Kevin Vidal approached Mirvish Productions about collecting money for the scholarship at the end of the show, as they had done for other charitable causes.

“For me, the choice of a scholarship for where the money should go made the most sense,” said Momen, who plays Kevin J and other roles in Come From Away.

“In addition to the lives lost, there was the lost promise of the six students and two members of the �鶹��Ƶ family. Their promise – future doctors, scientists, architects, poets – is gone.”

Ali Momen and Kevin Vidal (photos courtesy of Mirvish)

Momen added that the �鶹��Ƶ scholarship will help ensure future students don’t lose the opportunity to realize their own potential. As they have done for other causes, including the Australian wildfires and the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, the cast asked Come From Away audiences for donations after the show.

“The nature of this show is that actors rally together during big tragedies,” said Vidal, who plays Bob and others in the musical.

Over several shows, the cast raised $16,186 for the �鶹��Ƶ scholarship, which will be matched through the 3-to-one matching program.

As of this week, the scholarship fund has raised more than of $96,000 from 371 donors.

Come From Away tells the true story of Newfoundlanders who welcomed thousands of passengers stranded in the small town of Gander after 38 planes were suddenly diverted to its airport on the day of the 9/11 attacks. The community of about 11,000 residents took in about 6,600 travellers – along with 11 dogs, nine cats and two Bonobo apes.

“Our show is very much about kindness and ultimately being there when one is called to serve,” Momen said.

When he stood by the door with a donation bucket, Momen said audiences were happy to contribute. “I really do think it resonated with people,” he said. “Everyone understood this is a big deal.”

The producers were also supportive, Detsky added, “particularly because of the nature of the show – because it’s about giving back.”

David Palmer, �鶹��Ƶ’s vice-president, advancement, said the university is immensely grateful for the donations.

“It is a wonderfully generous gift to an important cause: to honour the memory of those we have lost and to establish a legacy that will support and encourage future generations of students to follow their inspiring examples of learning and leadership,” he said.

Learn more about the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship

PhD students in �鶹��Ƶ computer science honoured with memorial scholarship fund

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 15:26:16 +0000

PhD students in �鶹��Ƶ computer science honoured with memorial scholarship fund

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 02/05/2020 - 10:26

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Mohammad Saleheh (left) and Mohammad Amin Beiruti (right) were among the eight �鶹��Ƶ community members killed aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 on Jan. 8 near Tehran, Iran.

Arts & Science news staff

Topic

Global Lens

Global

Graduate Students

The University of Toronto’s department of computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science has announced plans to establish the Beiruti and Saleheh Memorial Fund – an endowed graduate student scholarship in memory of Mohammad Amin Beiruti and Mohammad Saleheh, two computer science PhD students who tragically lost their lives in the crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752.

The scholarship will be awarded to outstanding international graduate students in the computer science department. The department will provide a one-to-one match on all scholarship donations up to $50,000.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two vibrant members of our computer science community,” said Marsha Chechik, interim chair of the department of computer science. “By establishing this fund we hope to honour the impact Mohammad Amin Beiruti and Mohammad Saleheh made on the department and support future international graduate students pursing education in computer science.”

All 176 passengers on board were killed in the crash of Flight 752 on Jan. 8 in Iran. Fifty-seven Canadians were among the victims. Beiruti and Salaheh were among the eight members of the �鶹��Ƶ community who died.

A separate scholarship fund has been set up by �鶹��Ƶ to honour all eight community members who were killed aboard Flight 752.

Beiruti was an innovator with a natural ability for deep thinking. He joined �鶹��Ƶ as a computer science PhD student in 2017. His research in systems and networking focused on designing the next generation of networks under the supervision of Professor Yashar Ganjali.

Salaheh was admitted to �鶹��Ƶ’s computer science PhD program in 2018. He was an outstanding scientist and a top-rate engineer who had a deep understanding of the theoretical aspects of computer science. During his short time at �鶹��Ƶ, he developed strong collaborations with scientists from Samsung AI research and AT&T research. His dedication and hard work resulted in multiple published papers at top conferences.

Further information for international graduate students interested in applying for this scholarship will be announced at a later date.

Three graduate students win �鶹��Ƶ Libraries research exhibition awards

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 22:04:14 +0000

Three graduate students win �鶹��Ƶ Libraries research exhibition awards

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 01/27/2020 - 17:04

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From left to right: Vice-President and Provost Cheryl Regehr, Elizabeth Haig (accepting on behalf of Alina Bykova), Rahul Arora, Amanda Khan and Larry Alford, �鶹��Ƶ's chief librarian (photo by Paul Terefenko)

Allyson Aritcheta

Topic

Our Community

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Cheryl Regehr

Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering

Faculty of Medicine

Global

Graduate Students

�鶹��Ƶ Libraries

Students Rahul Arora, Alina Bykova and Amanda Khan were recently recognized by University of Toronto Libraries for research that ranged from computer graphics to laparoscopic surgery and a Russian ghost town in the Arctic.

The three winners of this year’s �鶹��Ƶ Libraries Graduate Student Exhibition Competition Awards each received a $1,000 prize and the opportunity to create exhibits based on their work.

“It is wonderful to see the research students produce supported by the wealth of information that we have available here at the libraries,” said Larry Alford, �鶹��Ƶ’s chief librarian, during the competition prize ceremony held earlier this month at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library.

To enter the annual competition, graduate students must base their exhibits on research projects that they have completed and submit a signed letter of support from their supervisor or instructor. Among the criteria for judging submissions is the student’s ability to demonstrate effective use of library resources and services.

�鶹��Ƶ Vice-President and Provost Cheryl Regehr spoke at the ceremony about how the award recognizes those who take complex work and make it accessible to other community members.

“Events like this bring people together to connect, collaborate, and create,” Regehr said.

Arora, a PhD candidate in the department of computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science, presented an exhibit that addressed the need to simplify digital structural modeling methods by creating a technique that enables architects or industrial engineers to better understand the constraints and requirements that they are using in their programs.

A researcher in computer graphics and interaction at the Dynamic Graphics Project lab, Arora was excited about the opportunity to share his research. “This is a great avenue for exposing my work to a diverse audience,” he said.

Bykova (left) studied the geopolitical and historical significance of Pyramiden, a Russian coal mining ghost town in the Arctic. She recently received her master’s degree from the Centre for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (CERES) at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

“From the availability of thousands of books and online documents to opportunities to work with librarians at the Petro Jacyk (Central & East Resource) Center … my Master’s thesis would simply have been lackluster without these things,” said Elizabeth Haig on behalf of Bykova, who couldn’t attend the ceremony.

As for Khan, an MD/PhD candidate at the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering and the Faculty of Medicine, she dedicated her exhibition to her colleague, Mohammad Asadi Lari, who was aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 when it crashed on Jan. 8 outside of Tehran, Iran.

Khan’s display showed her research investigating how life-threatening complications can be avoided by surgeons conducting laparoscopic intestinal surgery. In collaboration with Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering alumnus Matthew MacDonald, Khan sought an answer to the vexing question of how much force to use with laparoscopic tools.

All three exhibits are on display on the first floor of Robarts Library until the end of February.

Together in friendship and grief: �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga holds vigil for victims of Flight 752

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 16:53:45 +0000

Together in friendship and grief: �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga holds vigil for victims of Flight 752

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 01/17/2020 - 11:53

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Ravi Gabble, a health education co-ordinator at �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga, signs the book of condolences for Zeynab Asadi Lari and Mohammad Asadi Lari (photo by Drew Lesiuczok)

Topic

Students, faculty and staff at the University of Toronto Mississauga gathered on Thursday to remember those who were on Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752, including fourth-year biology student Zeynab Asadi Lari and her brother Mohammad Asadi Lari.

The atrium of Maanjiwe nendamowinan was filled with those who came together in shared grief. The plane crashed near Tehran on Jan. 8, killing all 176 on board.

Eight members of the �鶹��Ƶ community were on the flight, including six students.

“We mourn for every single one of them,” said Mark Overton, �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga’s dean of student affairs and assistant principal, student services.

The vigil started with a prayer led by Imam Mustafa Khattab before the names of those from the �鶹��Ƶ community on the flight were read out. Those gathered hugged one another, shared memories of the Asadi Lari siblings, and wrote messages in a book of condolences that will be sent to their family.

Friends of Zeynab who spoke at the vigil, many holding back tears, recalled an intelligent young woman who brought people together and was always there to help a friend in need.

Described as a generous, uncomplicated and kind person, Zeynab is remembered for bringing together many who came from broken friendships. She not only brought them together, she “kept us united,” said Fatima Sahibzada. “She had a kind personality and a heart full of love.”

“Each moment with Zeynab was significant,” added Hamna Zubair. “Together was her word.”

Many shared memories of when Zeynab would reach out to them to help, bringing light to dark moments and promising those going through difficulties that they would get through it together.

“She made us less lonely,” said Saleha Zubair. “As long as Zeynab was by my side, I was powerful, I was unstoppable.”

Fiona Rawle, associate professor, teaching stream, of biology, explained Zeynab was a “fierce advocate” for showing emotion and ending the stigma related to mental health. “She would want you to grieve together,” Rawle said.

A phenomenal friend, Zeynab also knew what it took to succeed. Friends and faculty recall she was driven, focused and hard-working with clear goals for the future.

Rawle said one of the greatest joys of her job is watching students set goals and try to achieve them. Zeynab, who was “fiercely competitive with herself and immensely collaborative with everyone,” achieved many of her goals, Rawle said.

Assistant professor of biology, teaching stream, Jade Atallah said Zeynab came to her with eyes filled with excitement. She was a vibrant, passionate and driven student with a clear view of what it took to succeed, Atallah said, adding that vision and drive is what led her to create a way for students to take charge of their future. She founded the �鶹��Ƶ Mississauga branch of STEM Fellowship, a student-run, non-profit organization that strives to engage future STEM leaders. Her brother, Mohammad, a student at St. George, was a co-founder and former managing director with the organization.

Seyed Mohammad Ebrahim Naghavi, a companion of Mohammad’s since fifth grade, described his friend as “energetic, ambitious and helpful to others.

“I truly believe in the potential Mohammad and Zeynab had,” Naghavi said. “My world will not be the same without him.”

Friends took some small measure of solace that, in their final moments, Zeynab and Mohammad had each another.

“You deserve better,” Atallah said. “We will do better than what was done to you. We need to do better. We need to aim as high as Zeynab did.”

With a reputation for research and diversity, Canada's universities to remain a magnet for Iranian students

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 20:45:08 +0000

With a reputation for research and diversity, Canada's universities to remain a magnet for Iranian students

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 01/16/2020 - 15:45

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Mohammad Amin Jebelli (left), pictured here with fellow students at the Translation Research Program's 2019 orientation event, was one of eight �鶹��Ƶ community members killed in the Flight 752 disaster in Tehran (photo courtesy of Joseph Ferenbok)

Rahul Kalvapalle

Faculty of Medicine

Global

Health Innovation Hub

International

Translational Research Program

Sociology