Butterfield Environment & Sustainability Stream

As the Class of 2025 officially closes their undergraduate chapter, I am thrilled to share the journey and wisdom of Yang Jing (Aimie) Zheng, Environment & Sustainability Stream graduate. 

To Aimie, Trinity One was the bridge between her two loves: Environment and Health-related topics. With her heart already set on Neuroscience as a major, Trinity One’s Environment Stream was originally more of an elective course than anything else. Once under its rigour, however, Aimie found herself learning how the environment’s condition heavily impacted people’s health. This would inspire her to take on a second major, Environment & Health. 

Beyond simply narrowing down her undergraduate studies, Aimie credits Trinity One to be a fundamental stepping stone for her entire undergraduate career. True to its reputation, Trinity One’s rigour would push its students, including Aimie, to tackle more advanced research skills, from literature analysis to data collection and synthesization. Having built this foundation so early on, Aimie could tackle upper-year literature reviews and research projects with growing confidence and finesse. Notably, in her third year, Aimie was involved in a lab studying psychiatric conditions and their potential treatments. She would then complete and publish research focusing on a drug suppressing alcohol and food cravings. Aimie credits part of her drive and ability to push herself to the tight-knit community of Trinity One. The smaller group settings and supportive nature of her professors encouraged her to frequently ask questions and take initiative to apply to various job postings and research positions. She would take this practice to another level, not only maintaining a teachable and curious attitude in all her classes, but becoming a Trinity One mentor to newer Trinity One students. 

Considering her consistent involvement and many achievements, it might be surprising to know Aimie once doubted her capabilities. She recalls she hesitated to say yes to opportunities and invitations, worried she didn’t have the know-how or capacity to take on these responsibilities. Yet, the community and rigour of Trinity One would come into play once more, pushing Aimie to step outside of her comfort zone. Under one of her Trinity One professors, she would work for the Trinity Food System, a nutrition-based lab that would open doors for her recent lab involvements. 

Aimie is graduating with a double major in Neuroscience and Environment & Health, as well as a minor in Biology. She will be continuing her research and studies at the University of Toronto as a candidate for the Masters of Science under the Institute of Medical Science. Before then, she plans to take a much deserved break spending time with family and cafe-hopping across China, Toronto, and New York. She hopes that incoming students will in equal parts push themselves to step out of their comfort zone and seize opportunities, while also taking care of their physical and mental health. “…Grades might be important, but you are most important!”

On behalf of Trinity One, we wish Aimie the best in her endeavors and will cheer her on as she further pursues her long-term goal to help patients. 

As caps and gowns fill up the seats at Convocation Hall, I was honored to interview one of the newest graduates for the June 2024 Convocation cycle! Emme Caplan is graduating with a double major in Environmental Science and Physical and Environmental Geography, minor in Environmental Biology, and a certificate in Sustainability Pathways. During her time in Trinity One, she completed the Environment and Sustainability Stream.

Emme enjoyed the diverse yet complementary nature of the ENV courses where she was introduced to contemporary issues through Western and non-Western perspectives. As environmental science is inherently interdisciplinary, she learned to write in a wide array of styles from research reports to reflective essays. The small, seminar style classes offered a comforting contrast to big lecture classes during pandemic learning as they provided a congenial space to share ideas and form friendships.

Emme encourages the incoming and current undergraduate students to “find a creative outlet that speaks to you and aligns with your interests”. University is a clean slate for students to match personal interests with causes that support their motivation. Emme also states that “university is a place to understand the background and perspectives of peers around you. Thus, use the collective passion of to become a better version of yourself and don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments.”

After graduation, Emme will pursue an accelerated double master degree: Master of Public Administration from the London School of Economics School of Public Policy and Master of Global Affairs from the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. Emme is excited to move to London for the upcoming school year to pursue her studies! 

I would like to thank Emme for sharing her journey, insight, and experience from her undergraduate to her future plans. Congratulations again on Convocation and I wish you the best in your future endeavours!

Written by: Chrisina Xie, Trinity One Program Assistant, Environment and Sustainability ’23

I had the pleasure of speaking with Angel Bella about her Trinity One and undergraduate experiences, along with her future plans now that she is graduating with Peace Conflict and Justice Studies major and Environmental Science and Creative Expression & Society minors.

Trinity One Alumna (ENV Stream) Angel Bella

Angel completed the Environment and Sustainability (ENV) Stream and believed the program significantly impacted her undergraduate and career trajectory. She found the holistic educational approach nourishing, especially because of the many opportunities to spent time outdoors. Her experiences with the ENV stream opened her eyes to the possibilities in Environmental Science oriented research. TRN141 (Environmental Science and Pathway to Sustainability) and especially Professor Spiegelaar gave Angel the skills and confidence to apply to become a Laidlaw Scholar. Now, 2 years into her research into sachet consumption in the Philippines, Angel has found “the heart and soul that goes into research.”

 As a commuter student, Angel worried about missing out on the full college experience. During her first year, she realized that she must be proactive and overcome her limiting beliefs. She would explore various activities, events, and opportunities to explore her interests further and amplify her voice wherever possible. This past year, Angel was the co-executive director of the Feminist Equal Rights Alliance and conducted research as a Laidlaw Undergraduate and Research program. Angel’s advice to future TrinOne students: Although easier said than done, we must have the belief and confidence to pursue our goals, to go for it!

 After graduation, Angel will pursue her Master’s in Human Geography at the University of British Columbia, where she will be conducting research in food systems and women migrant-care workers. Along with her academia, Angel hopes to dedicate more time to her visual arts endeavours and develop her music album to be released by the end of summer 2023. I would like to thank Angel for the wonderful conversation we had! We would like to congratulate Angel and all the other new graduates of U of T and wish them the best in their future endeavours.

 Written by: Yang Jing Zheng, Trinity One Program Assistant, Environment & Sustainability ‘22

“The Trinity One program has proven to be an enriching first-year experience for me. The two courses have played a quintessential role in my self-development over the last five months as they have enabled me to voice my opinions fearlessly and have taught me how to learn from constructive criticism.”

“As ENV is a new addition to Trin One and not as widely known, I want to represent my class and share the incredible work we are doing. It is a stream that encompasses all interests and interdisciplinary backgrounds which I believe students should be aware of.”