This year’s recipients of EngSci’s most prestigious non-academic awards have been involved in diverse activities outside of the classroom, but they share a common goal: to have a positive impact through volunteer work within and outside of the university community.
The Spirit of EngSci Award is presented to graduating students for exemplary non-academic contributions within the University community. The Engineers for the World (E4TW) Award is presented to graduating students for exemplary non-academic contributions to the community-at-large.
Students were nominated by their peers and selected by a student committee.
“We greatly value and encourage the high level of engagement of our students in co-curricular groups and community activities within and outside of the university,” says Professor Natalie Enright Jerger, EngSci director. “The 2026 recipients of these student awards exemplify this commitment to their colleagues and the broader community.”
Spirit of EngSci Awards
Nour Barsoum (2T5 + PEY)
Through a series of leadership roles in the EngSci Club, Nour used her genuine desire to strengthen the student community to foster an inclusive environment for all Engineering Science students.
In formal leadership roles and everyday interactions, she made the EngSci student community more connected, supportive, and accessible for those around her, leaving a lasting positive impact on the university community.
As Vice-Chair of the EngSci Club, Nour led the planning and execution of some of the program’s most significant traditions, including the annual Dinner Dance, the Nocturne talent show, and the Iron Ring celebration. Previous to this, Nour served as EngSci Club’s Vice-President, Finance, managing the club’s annual budget, grant and sponsorship proposals, and merchandise sales.
Beyond the club, Nour helped shape student experiences from their first days in the program. She was a dedicated EngSci representative at recruitment events, delivering presentations and providing thoughtful guidance to prospective students and families about the program.
As a F!rosh Week Head Leader and Orientation Coordinator, she guided and inspired hundreds of incoming students, providing reassurance, mentorship, and a strong sense of belonging. She bridged the gap between prospective, incoming, and current students, helping define the inclusive culture of EngSci.
Nour’s contributions also extend into extracurricular domains, including within the Robotics for Space Exploration (RSX) design team. She was the RSX Marketing & Events Co-lead, collaborating with industry partners and securing sponsorships for projects and events. She was also a member of the CanSat Sub-Team Electrical, helping to engineer an auto-gyro stabilization system for a satellite which ranked 5th globally at 2025 American Aeronautical Society’s CanSat competition sponsored by NASA.
“If you have enjoyed and felt welcomed at an EngSci event or benefited from the tight-knit culture that makes EngSci what it is, there’s a very good chance Nour had something to do with it.”
—Student nominators for Nour Barsoum
Abdullah Fawzy (2T5 + PEY)
Known for his warmth, energy, and ability to connect with everyone he meets, Abdullah has helped build a community where EngSci students uplift one another through challenges and successes. His passion for the program and its people is infectious and has inspired colleagues in all years of study.
As Vice President Academic of the EngSci Club and student representative on Faculty and Engineering Society councils, Abdullah has been a tireless advocate for his peers. He strengthened communication between students and faculty, developed centralized academic resources, and organized workshops that supported peers in securing research and co-op opportunities.
As EngSci Club’s International Director, he took a special interest in the well-being of students from abroad. He launched the first post-COVID Cross-Year Conversations Mixer to guide students in major selection, and created the popular “Where EngScis Call Home” map in the student common room, an initiative that celebrates the program’s diversity and interconnectedness.
Abdullah also served as an NSight peer mentor, providing guidance and support to lower-year EngSci students. He helped welcome hundreds of students to university life as a Frosh Leedur for four consecutive years, immediately creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Abdullah also took on leadership positions in two design teams. As Fluid Systems Simulation Lead for the U of T Aerospace Team Rocketry subteam, he co-led the complete development of a propellant thermodynamics solver from scratch. As Design Lead for the Human-Powered Vehicle Design Team, he manufactured control surfaces for a world-record candidate vehicle while transforming these tasks into hands-on training for over 10 new members.
“Abdullah Fawzy is impossible to find alone; whether it be mentoring students through the NSight Mentorship Program, rallying peers for the Skule Chariot Race, facilitating EngSci networking nights and town halls, or simply welcoming first-years into the Common Room, Abdullah consistently goes out of his way to foster a strong sense of community for us all.”
—Student nominators for Abdullah Fawzy
Engineers for the World (E4TW) Awards
Jaden Bhogal (2T5 + PEY)
Jaden Bhogal has demonstrated strong leadership and intellectual curiosity, and is known among his peers for his infectious enthusiasm, especially when discussing phage biology. He has inspired others to explore the intersections of biology, machine learning, and engineering with curiosity. He exemplifies the socially-responsible, globally-minded mindset of engineers.
As Co-President of iGEM Toronto, Jaden led the growth of the team into a world-class, student-led synthetic biology hub. Under his leadership, iGEM expanded to over 120 students from across the university, with hands-on wet-lab training, computational modeling, and entrepreneurial programming. By lowering barriers to entry and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, he helped students to develop skills such as generative protein design and therapeutic development. His impact is reflected in the team’s remarkable achievements, including consecutive top-10 global placements at the iGEM Grand Jamboree and multiple awards for modeling, entrepreneurship, and therapeutics.
As one of the only undergraduate co-chairs for two years, he helped coordinate national Phage Canada conferences for researchers from academia, industry, and government. Through these efforts, he amplified access to cutting-edge research and helped generate interest among university students.
As a student researcher at the Broad Institute and Harvard Medical School, and as co-founder of a startup supported by the Entrepreneurship Hatchery’s NEST program, he has demonstrated his drive to translate ideas into real-world impact.
“Jaden does not simply educate, inspire, and empower, he enlightens us all with what it means to be truly passionate for a cause, and demonstrates how this passion transforms ambitious ideas into reality, through his pursuits as a researcher, leader, and entrepreneur.”-
–Student nominators for Jaden Bhogal
Lauren Altomare (2T6)
Throughout her time in EngSci, Lauren has contributed to and lead in vital spaces within and outside of the Faculty.
She championed the culture of students helping students by joining the Toronto chapter of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE U of T) and ultimately leading this organization as Co-President, helping hundreds of students navigating their STEM careers, orchestrating conferences and cultivating relationships that made others feel seen and supported. She organized the annual WISE Conference, spearheaded a new research poster fair, and developed mentorship, training, and community-building events.
Showcasing her passion for biomedical engineering, Lauren co-led the U of T Biomedical Engineering Design Team (UT BIOME). She guided team members through design approaches and construction, and research opportunities, presenting at the Toronto Biomedical Engineering Conference. She also served as an Advisor for iGEM Toronto, after prior participation on the Human Practices and Entrepreneurship teams that competed internationally and earned a Gold Medal, Best Entrepreneurship, Best AI Model, and Best in the Therapeutics Village.
Beyond her academic achievements, Lauren deeply values the artistic communities at U of T. As the head writer for Skule Nite, she led writing workshops and supported her peers’ creative endeavors. She also brought music to the broader university community as a violinist in the Campus Philharmonic Orchestra and a singer in the Hart House choir.
As an EngSci GEARS mentor, she helped peers navigate their first and second years. As a F!rosh Week Head Leedur, she helped ensure incoming engineering students felt the same welcoming embrace from the Skule™ community that she experienced in as a new student.
Lauren is the kind of person who elevates every space she enters. For her, community is not merely an activity; community is her medium. It is her chosen way of navigating through engineering and through life.
—Student nominators for Lauren Altomare