Academic Dons and Tutors
Academic Dons are graduate students or professional faculty students who live in residence and are available for academic counselling and tutoring for all Trinity College students, resident and non-resident. The Dons are selected so that their fields of expertise reflect the studies of students within the College. If you have a question or would like to make an appointment for academic counselling or tutoring, please contact any of the dons by using the contact information below.
We also have one non-resident Academic Tutor for Trinity students this year. For the contact information, please see below (following the list of Academic Dons).
2012-2013 Academic Dons
Sude Beltan - Comparative Politics: sbeltan@trinity.utoronto.ca
Hello again Trinity! I am your Don for Student Life and Comparative Politics. I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science. My specialization is comparative politics and my research focuses on the relationship between local governance structures and democracy in Turkey. I am originally from Istanbul and I speak Turkish. Besides student life activities at Trinity, I will hold office hours every week so you can feel free to drop in. I look forward to meeting you all and wish you a great year!
Mark Barszczyk - Life Sciences: mbarszczyk@trinity.utoronto.ca
I look forward to meeting you all this year as one of your life science dons! I’m currently completing a Master’s of Science in Pathobiology where my research focuses on developing prognostic markers and treatment for pediatric brain cancer. As an undergraduate in the Pathobiology program, I have taken many of the courses you may be taking, and I am more than happy to tutor you. When I’m not in the lab I enjoy working out at Hart House and I am always looking for new tennis partners!
Dave DeMarco - Physics + Math: ddemarco@trinity.utoronto.ca
My name is Dave, and I am one of the physics and mathematics dons this year at Trinity. I’m currently working on my Master’s in experimental particle physics, and I’m happy to help out with any academic questions related to math or physics, or just life as a student in general. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me or any of the academic and student life dons, since our job is to help make this year at Trinity a happy and successful one!
Theresa Nystrom - Writing Support: tnystrom@trinity.utoronto.ca
I look forward to working with students as one of the College’s Writing Dons. I completed my Bachelor degree in Biological Sciences and Geography at the University of Guelph, after which I pursued employment opportunities in the field of Student Affairs and Services. Now, having realized my passion for education and students, I’ve decided to pursue my Master’s of Education at UofT’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). My research interests include understanding student development, promoting positive student engagement, and fostering student success at the post-secondary level. I like learning about learning! Other likes of mine include: travelling, dance, music, language, food, and the outdoors.
Jaspreet Sahota - Physics + Math: jsahota@trinity.utoronto.ca
I am pursing a Ph.D. in theoretical quantum physics and my current research interests are relevant to the quantum information sciences, especially quantum computing. Particularly, I am interested in the efficient reconstruction of quantum states via cleverly selected sets of measurements. I look forward to discussing any issues that may arise in your physics and/or mathematics studies, or we can have a general philosophical discussion. I always welcome any inquiries from curious students. Besides studying and teaching physics, I enjoy staying active by regularly weight training and playing basketball. Maybe you will join me for some pickup basketball at Hart House. I am very excited to meet you all.
Igor Shoikhedbrod - Political Science: shoikhedbrod@trinity.utoronto.ca
After graduating from Trinity College with a Bachelor’s degree in Ethics, Society, and Law, Political Science, and Philosophy, I decided to pursue my interest in politics at the doctoral level. My doctoral research interests cut across themes in critical political thought, legal theory, and political economy. I am principally concerned with the problems of economic inequality and domination in liberal democratic societies and their broader implications for discourses surrounding rights, distributional justice, and emancipation. Aside from my curiosity for politics, I am also an avid soccer player/footballer. Join me on the Trinity backfield for weekly pickup games.
Note from Igor: I will hold regular political science consultation hours on Tuesdays 2-4 pm and Fridays 10 am-12 noon (2-4 pm on Fridays in the second semester) in room 205, Centre for Ethics, conveniently located on the 2nd floor of the Larkin Building.
Email me 48 hours in advance of my specified consultation hours so that there is sufficient time for all students to receive consultations. In the event that I am fully booked for the week, I will refer students to Bruce Lyth or Sude Beltan, who are also political science dons at Trinity College.
Ljiljana Stanic - Philosophy: lstanic@trinity.utoronto.ca
Welcome (back) to Trinity! I have a graduate degree in philosophy and focus on ancient and medieval philosophy and contemporary epistemology, with a smattering of 20th century continental as well. That said, I’m more than happy to discuss any and every variety of philosophy. I’m also available to discuss graduate school, law school (which I’m in at the moment), academics and general life concerns. In my spare time, I enjoy swimming, watching obscure films, and pondering ookpiks.
Chris Pugh - Literary Studies: cpugh@trinity.utoronto.ca
This is my second year at Trinity, and my third year as a PhD Student in English. My primary research interests are medieval devotional texts and theories of time and the self. Armed with a new title - Literary Studies Don - I look forward to helping you navigate the world of texts. I also love film, comics, and cooking. You can often find me in the 3rd Kirkwood kitchen baking cookies or in Stedman with a good book. Stop by and say hello!
Payam Zarin - Life Sciences: pzarin@trinity.utoronto.ca
I’m a Ph.D. candidate in the department of immunology and one of your life sciences dons this year. My laboratory work at Sunnybrook Research Institute focuses on the development and functional programming of T-lymphocyte subsets as instructed by environmental cues. A bit earlier in my life, I majored in Human Biology and Cell and Systems Biology at U of T, preferring a heavier load of molecular and cellular biology courses within the two programs. I look forward to discussing your assignments, labs, and general enquires related to various Life Sci courses. I’d be happy to talk about summer research and post graduate opportunities. I’m also up for soccer (footie),volleyball, and movies!
Jessica Wagner - Writing + Geography: jwagner@trinity.utoronto.ca
I am a Trinity College student life don, currently working towards a master’s degree in landscape architecture. My background is in urban planning, and I am interested in the relationship between design and land use policy. I am here to help you explore architecture, the environment, and the city of Toronto! In addition to helping students in geography classes, I am also here to help you with general writing support. I am also a former varsity basketball player and a regular cyclist. I teach a weekly indoor cycling class at the Hart House (TrinSpin). This class is designed for all fitness levels, so come check it out!
Bruce Lyth - Political Science + International Relations: blyth@trinity.utoronto.ca
I am a Ph.D. student in the Department of Political Science, a Research Associate of the Department and Centre for the Study of Religion, and a Graduate Associate of the Centre for Ethics. My research interests are in global ethics, international politics, democratic theory, religion, and - most broadly - contemporary political theory. I have taught multiple courses in political science and international relations at the universities of Toronto and Victoria. I welcome student consultations on all aspects of the study of politics.
Adele Wilson - Roy McMurtry Community Outreach: awilson@trinity.utoronto.ca
I’m the Roy McMurty Community Outreach Don. I’m also a yogini, an Oregonian turned New Yorker turned Torontonian, a runner of our city’s ravines, and a Ph.D. student in the Department of English. I speak Spanish and have lived and worked in Bolivia, Mexico, and Costa Rica. If you have a community service oriented project you’d like to spearhead, or if you think you might like to volunteer in some capacity, let me know! We can probably make it happen.
Tina Park - Modern History Tutor: tina.park@utoronto.ca
I am a Ph.D candidate in the History department at U of T, specializing in Canadian-Korean relations. I am also a graduate of Trinity collge (0T9) in International Relations. Feel free to see me for your academic needs as well as extra-curricular opportunities, scholarships, etc. My office is at Larkin 334 and appointments can be booked through tina.park@utoronto.ca