University of Toronto

Adatia, Tasleen
MA3 (P/T), B.A. (Hons) English Literature (Queen's University)
tasleen.adatia@utoronto.ca
Academic interests: History of medicine, history of evolutionary biology, philosophy of biology. At the moment I'm still cultivating a niche, but I am drawn to the intelligent design versus natural selection debate, nineteenth-century eugenics, and the evolutionary influence of disease and illness.

I work full time as an editor for the medical journal Canadian Family Physician. When I'm not working or studying, I read fiction voraciously and drink copious amounts of red wine. I would never turn down a cupcake.

Assenza, Sebastian
PhD2, Hon. BA History (Toronto)
seb.assenza@utoronto.ca
I am a historian of both Biology and Medicine, and I am interested in a wide range of topics, from organ transplantation, biological field work, and the use of dogs as model organisms in genetics research. Outside of school I read impressive amounts of Science Fiction, and watch excessive amounts of soccer.

Atkinson, Esther
PhDU3 BA Anthropology and Psychology, BSc Physical Anthropology, MSc Physical Anthropology, MISt. (Toronto)
esther.atkinson@utoronto.ca
History of Medicine

Bedford, Riiko
PhDU1, Biology (University of New Brunswick)
riiko.bedford@utoronto.ca
I'm interested in the history and philosophy of medicine and biology. In my spare time I like to cross country ski, run, play the saxophone, and eat delicious foods.

Belanger, Christopher
PhDU5, BSc (Honours) Physics (Toronto)
chris.belanger@utoronto.ca
Chris is working on a thesis examining philosophical problems in the foundations of chaos theory. His primary focus is the philosophy of physics, but his interests include underdetermination, determinism, and laws of nature. Chris's thesis topic is the foundations of chaos theory, and his interests include underdetermination, determinism, and laws of nature. Chris has active interests in chess, comics, bicycles, bass guitar, and motorcycle maintenance, and he is a terrible juggler.

Bolinska, Agnes
PhDU5, BSc (Honours) Toronto.
a.bolinska@utoronto.ca
My research focuses on how scientific models represent physical systems in the world. In virtue of what is a model a scientific representation of its target system? Is there some sort of essential structural relation that must obtain between the model and its target in every instance of representation, or is there rather some way in which models are used that accounts for their representational capacity? My goal is to differentiate scientific representation from other kinds of representation. Why do scientists choose particular models, rather than others, for gaining knowledge about target systems of interest?

When I'm not busy unravelling philosophical mysteries, I spend my time playing volleyball and, recently, training for triathlon. I am an avid cyclist and particularly enjoy cycle touring (indefinitelycycling.blogspot.com).

Borrett, Donald
MA1 (P/T)
d.borrett@utoronto.ca

Boyko, Mariya


I recently finished my undergraduate degree at U of T. My majors were mathematics and history, along with the teaching degree from OISE (Concurrent Teacher Education). I am in my first year for PhD program right now. My research interests are history of mathematics and mathematical education.

Branch-Smith, Teresa
MA1, Bachelor of Science with Honors Specialization in Biochemistry, Minor in Psychology (University of Ottawa)
t.branch.smith@utoronto.ca
I'm interested in philosophy of biology and studies of material culture. Outside of school, I'm into tennis, archery & ballroom dancing.

Bullock, Shawn
MA 1 (p/t)
shawn.bullock@utoronto.ca

Campbell, Alison
SPEC3
alisonc.campbell@utoronto.ca

Chin Fatt, Janet
MA4 (P/T); M.A. Mathematics (McGill University); M.Sc. Statistics (Universite de Montreal); B.A. Philosophy (Univ. of Toronto);
janet.chinfatt@utoronto.ca
Interests: general philosophy of science, philosophy of physics

Christopoulos, John
PhD6, BA History and Philosophy (McGill) 2005
john.christopoulos@utoronto.ca
My dissertation explores early modern Italian conceptions of and attitudes towards 'abortion'.

Conway, Chris
PhDU1, B. Eng. (Electrical) Memorial University of Newfoundland (2003-2009), M. Phil. (Humanities) Memorial University of Newfoundland (2009-2011)
chris.conway@gmail.com
History of Technology, Technology Studies, Large Technical Systems (LTS), Energy and Environmental Policy, History of Electrical Physics, History of Engineering. My non-scholarly interests can be summed up as the history, culture, and craft of beer and beer brewing.

Cournoyea, Michael
PhDU4, Biology & Philosophy (McGill University)
michael.cournoyea@utoronto.ca
My work explores medical explanations, public engagement in science, and the politics of health concepts. My non-scholarly interests include cycling, ultimate, and residence life.

De Saegher, Tom
MA1, B.Sc. (Honours) Physics Specialist (University of Toronto)
tom.desaegher@mail.utoronto.ca
My primary interests lie in the philosophy of physics, but I also have interests in the philosophy of math and general philosophy of science. I hope to focus my research on the nature of mathematical representation and explanation in quantum field theory. That being said, music is what defines my being. I am primarily a jazz drummer and a classical pianist but I play a far greater variety of percussion instruments from the marimba to the tabla extremely poorly.

Djedovic, Aleksandar
PhDU2, BSc Human Behavioural Biology, Cognitive Science, Psychology (Toronto)
alex.djedovic@utoronto.ca
My academic interests are in the philosophy of biology and cognitive science, in particular the relation between biological embodiment and abstract cognition. Outside of school, I like playing the piano (decently well), the guitar (not so well), and singing (badly).

Forbes, Curtis
PhDU4, BA in Philosophy, University of Alberta; MA in Philosophy, University of Victoria
curtis.forbes@utoronto.ca
My interests include general philosophy of science, the history of philosophy of science, feminist philosophy of science, and the metaphysics and epistemology of science.
I wrote my MA thesis on the conflict between scientific realism and constructive empiricism, and attempted to resolve this conflict within the larger framework of the opposed epistemic stances that these two positions result from. It was called "A New Argument for Scientific Realism," which is a much more drool-inducing title than the argument turned out to be. Now I'm just waiting for something new to strike my fancy.

Fulda, Fermin
PhD4, BA, Universidad Iberoamericana (Philosophy), MA, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Philosophy of Science).
ferminfulda@yahoo.com.mx
I am interested in the Metaphysical and Epistemological foundations of the Special Sciences. In particular, I am interested in the Naturalistic status of Teleology in Evolutionary Biology and Intentionality in Psychology and whether and how a naturalistic account of the former can ground a naturalistic account of the latter.
I like music (classical and popular). Sometimes, in solitude, I play the guitar.

Garbutt, Gwyndaf
PhDU4, B.A. History, West Virginia University.
gwyndaf.garbutt@utoronto.ca
I study the use of evidence in the construction of natural knowledge in thirteenth and fourteenth century Europe. By examining the discussions of exotic and marvelous animals I try to unpack the knowledge claims and practices of evidence use associated with presenting natural information to different audiences. I try to get beyond the context of scholastic natural philosophy and also examine the ways natural information is presented to a wider reading public; the audience for works of wonder, travel literature and fiction.
My non-scholarly interests include climbing, cooking, hiking, and dance.

Gil-Riaño, Sebastián
PhD5, BA (Honours) History of Science and Technology and Philosophy (University of Kings College)
sebastian.gil.riano@utoronto.ca
Race and Science; History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences; Bio-politics; Identity Politics; Historical Ontology

Greenham, Paul
PhDU3, BA in Physics (University of Pennsylvania), MDIV (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary)
paul.greenham@utoronto.ca
I am interested the interplay of science (or to use actor categories, natural philosophy) and religion in Early Modern Europe. My current project looks at influences of Calvinism on Isaac Newton (especially his concepts of God's providence and sovereignty). I want to investigate the specific role of Calvinist theology and hermeneutics (theory of interpretation) in Newton’s early manuscripts, essentially answering two questions: How Calvinist was Newton’s early theology? And can we see echoes of English Calvinist concepts of nature in Newton’s physics?

In my spare time, I like to change the course of 20th century history through all nighter games of Axis and Allies, in addition to the more active badminton, skiing, swimming and volleyball.

Gross, Ari
PhDU5, BSc, Mount Allison University (Honours in Physics, minors in philosophy and math); MSc Utrecht University (History and Philosophy of Science)
ari [dot] gross [at] utoronto [dot] ca
My present research is in the history and philosophy of visualization in scientific practice. Present research topics include understanding the use and function of diagrams (such as Feynman diagrams and structural chemical diagrams), focusing on the ways in scientific reasoning is enabled and affected by common styles and visual analogies. Other, related research includes examining the use of colour in scientific representations (such as in plastinates and astronomical images).

I am involved with the University of Toronto Scientific Instrument Collection, a collaborative effort to catalogue, research, and display the material history of science at the University of Toronto.

Hodgson, Matt
MA3 (P/T)
matt.hodgson@utoronto.ca

Hornosty, Jason
PhDU2
jason.hornosty@utoronto.ca

Hunt, Allan Jeffery
MA4 (P/T), I am a medical graduate and practice as a hospital and forensic pathologist at major Centers in Toronto. I hold certifications from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom in Histopathology, General Pathology, Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology, Transfusion Medicine, Hematology and Forensic Pathology. I am also a Diplomate of the Society of the Apothecaries of London, England in the History of Medicine.
allan.hunt@utoronto.ca
I am interested in the broad area of the history of medicine from the very earliest of times to the present. I have a particular interest in the development of pathology and other areas of laboratory medicine, tropical medicine (including the West Indies), nautical and military medicine, the coroner's system, infectious disease, the medical treatment of slaves in the British West Indies and social history of medicine in the British West Indies.
Non-scholarly interests: Listening to classical music; photography; spending time by the beach, lakes and in the wilderness; driving; and cycling.

Knox, Craig
PhDU1
calanknox@gmail.com
My interests are at the crossroads of the history and philosophy of the brain and behavioral sciences. I examine the philosophical and historical circumstances which influenced the emergence of current theories and how assumptions which underlie these areas of science have allowed them to acquire and maintain authority. My methodology is genealogical. I build on the philosophy of Nietzsche and Foucault, as well as research in the evolution, development, and variation of neurobiological systems. I am intrigued by ways in which both current and past theory are popularly interpreted, regulated internally within scientific communities, and regulated externally through markets and legislation. In addition to investigating the history of philosophical assumptions that underlie current paradigms I examine how these paradigms have been recently transformed through the interplay between academia and industry. My research interests extend to how this interplay has influenced not only public perception, but also the direction along which research programs proceed.

Koo, Alex
PhDU5, BSc (Honours) University of Toronto. Mathematics and Philosophy
alex.koo@utoronto.ca
I am interested in how the general metaphysical and epistemological issues in science are extended to answer fundamental questions in mathematics and physics. In particular, I intend to examine how philosophical positions within mathematics and physics relate and the implications they have upon each other.
When not agonizing over the status of numbers, I enjoy playing Ultimate and basketball, any sort of board game, planning my next vacation, and I love being a foodie.

Koester, Elizabeth
MA2 (P/T), L.L.B University of Toronto. MA in English literature, Carleton University.
elizabeth.koester@mail.utoronto.ca
I am interested in the History of Medicine. In my spare time, I enjoy running, cycling and skiing (all very slowly) and reading mystery novels (somewhat more quickly.)

Koren, Elana
PhDU1
elana.koren@utoronto.ca

Kulic, Anthony
PhDU5, B.A. Philosophy (Hons.), University of Victoria; MA Philosophy, University of Waterloo.
anthony.kulic@utoronto.ca
I completed a BA (Hons.) in philosophy at the University of Victoria, and an MA in philosophy at the University of Waterloo, where I wrote a thesis on linguistic reference in scientific theories. My interests coalesce around the central metaphysical and epistemological problems in the philosophy of science, especially those pertaining to causality, probability and realism. I'm also interested in the history of modern philosophy of science (particularly the work of Carnap) and the peculiar relationship between mathematics and the physical world. Recently I've been wondering whether we should conceive of the fields that feature in some of our best physical theories as real entities--i.e. as genuine components of the world--or whether the equations used to describe their behaviour are just useful devices for generating accurate predictions. When I have a conclusive answer I'll be sure to revise this blurb. I also enjoy playing, writing and listening to music, going to the movies, playing and watching soccer and basketball, and appreciating some art (especially my daughter's finger paintings).

Lanao, Xavi
PhDU3, BA Philosophy (University of Barcelona), MA Cognitive Sciences and Language (University of Barcelona)
xavi.lanaocamara@utoronto.ca
My main interests are in general philosophy of science, in particular, in metaphysics of science and the relation between metaphysics, philosophy of science and science. When I'm not doing philosophy I like to go climbing or hiking, as far from the city as possible.

Lewis, Cory
PhDU3, BA Philosophy (Toronto)
cory.lewis@utoronto.ca
I am interested in philosophy of science generally, and scientific explanation in particular. Issues around reduction and emergent explanations have the bulk of my attention currently. I would like to look at how these issues play out in the life sciences (biology, psychology, cognitive science, etc) and particularly to look at how ideas from cognitive psychology can help inform our understanding of scientific explanation. This tangled mess of issues has connections (that I hope to look at) with functional/teleological explanations, as well as the structure of explanations in evolutionary biology. I practice meditation, waste time on the internet, drink strange tea, and occasionally even go outdoors.

Lusk, Greg
PhDU3
greg.lusk@utoronto.ca

Lussier, Kira
MA1, Honours BA in History, McGill University
kira.lussier@utoronto.ca
I am interested in the social history of medicine, specifically of psychiatry and neuroscience, as well as the relationships between science and religion,politics, education. I am also intrigued by representations of science in popular culture. My non-academic interests include board games, crossword puzzles, eating delicious cheese, playing the violin.

Moore, Rebecca
PhD4
r.moore@utoronto.ca

Munro, Andrew
PhDU6
andrewk.munro@gmail.com
My PhD dissertation research focuses on the how knowledge flows from basic scientific research to technological invention and innovation. Working from an innovation systems perspective, I am examining the biotechnology cluster in the Toronto Region, and in particular the role of MaRS as an incubator and locus of technology transfer. The biotechnology cluster in Toronto provides a particular case study of the broader issues in regional innovation systems, and necessarily includes a comparative analysis with other regions that have developed or will seek to develop biotechnology clusters.
My focus on biotech and use of the innovation systems approach is representative of a broader interest in how knowledge is embedded in technology and the transmission and diffusion of knowledge.

Nickerson, Sylvia
PhD3, MA IHPST (University of Toronto), Bachelorof Fine Arts (Mount Allison University), Bachelor of Arts, major in Mathematics, minor in Art History (Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick)
s.nickerson@utoronto.ca
In the 2012-13 year Sylvia will complete her doctoral thesis entitled “Paper Index of the Mind: The printed culture of mathematics in Victorian England”. This project examines how the publishing, trade and export of British mathematical books affected the literacy and dissemination of mathematics in English speaking culture in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Sylvia's interest in the history of books and book printing technologies developed from her previous work experience as a book designer and as a technician of nineteenth century printing presses at Massey College. Sylvia's M. A. (IHPST, 2006) research project was about the origins of Bertrand Russell's first book of mathematical philosophy, "An Essay on the Foundations of Geometry". Sylvia works as a part-time freelance illustrator and her illustration portfolio can be seen here: http://www.sylvianickerson.ca/.

Nunn, Robin
PhDU6
r.nunn@utoronto.ca

Patterson, Sarah-Jane
PhD3, BFA Technical Theatre Production (Ryerson University), Honours BSc Mathematics and Philosophy (Toronto).
sj.patterson@utoronto.ca
I am presently focused on the political uses of mathematics in post-Napoleonic France and Britain, specifically, the mathematics of cartography. I like to read, cook and travel. Everything else is gravy.

Petrie, Bruce J.
PhD6, Honours BSc Mathematics Integrated with Computers and Applications (Brock University), MA IHPST (Toronto)
b.petrie@mail.utoronto.ca
My dissertation is an investigation into the early concepts of transcendental numbers and highlights the paradigm shift between eighteenth and nineteenth century analysis. In my spare time I raid competitively in World of Warcraft, enjoy the card game Magic: The Gathering, and spend weekend evenings watching rented movies eating delivery Swiss Chalet with my wonderful wife.

Richter, Adam
PhD1, BA History (York University, Glendon College); MA History (Dalhousie University)
adam.richter@mail.utoronto.ca
I am interested in the relationship between science and religion in Europe, particularly in the seventeenth century. I am also interested in priority disputes and related issues concerning credit for scientific discoveries and inventions. In the rare moments when I'm not reading things and writings things, I spend my time with science fiction and video games.

Sánchez Guerrero, Nicolás
PhD4, BSc Physics (U of los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia), M.A. History of Science (U of Regensburg, Germany)
nicolas.sanchezguerrero@utoronto.ca
I am interested in the History of Science Education and in the History of Physics.
I enjoy listening to music and playing the electric bass.

Schranz, Kristen
PhD1, University of Toronto, MA (2012), University of Western Ontario, BEd (2007) and University of Saskatchewan, BA (2006)
kristen.schranz@mail.utoronto.ca
I am interested in the nexus between science and industry in late eighteenth-century Britain, specifically looking at the role of provincial scientific communities and networks. Other interests: playing basketball and volleyball, swimming, playing piano, reading historical fiction.

Stergiopoulos, Erene
MA1, BSc (Honours) Psychology (University of Toronto)
erene.stergiopoulos@utoronto.ca
I'm interested in the history and philosophy of psychiatry in the 20th century. In particular, I'm looking at how neuroscience research has been used rhetorically to boost psychiatry's epistemological status as a medical specialty. When I'm not wearing elbow pads, I'm a freelance writer, occasional drawer of comics, and maker of music. I also play the accordion, secretly.

Stoklosa, Anna
PhDU5 B.A. (Philosophy), Simon Fraser University, M.A. (Philosophy), University of Ottawa
anna[dot]stoklosa[at]utoronto[dot]ca
I am interested in epistemic and ethical issues surrounding the regulation and public funding of health technologies, especially new biotechnologies. I have recently completed my dissertation; it focused on evidentiary issues around the health technology assessment (HTA) processes in Canada, Australia and the UK.

Stuart, Mike
PhD4, Hons. BA Philosophy (York), MA Philosophy (York)
mike.stuart@utoronto.ca individual.utoronto.ca/michaelstuart
My interests include problems in the philosophy of biology, the philosophy of physics, the philosophy of language, epistemology, probability theory, and logic. I am currently working on the nature and function of thought experiments, a topic that happily draws many of my interests together. I hope to clean up some of the ambiguities in the literature and address the issue of how thought experiments generate knowledge about the physical world without the aid of "new" empirical input.

My hobbies include express Chinese food and gymnastic feats of strength.

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Thicke, Mike
PhD4, BSc Computer Science UBC 2003 / BA Philosophy UBC 2007
mike.thicke@utoronto.ca
I plan to research how philosophers of science employ methods and metaphors from economics to explain and justify the operation of science. Philosophers from C.S. Peirce, to Karl Popper, to Steve Fuller make judicious use of economic metaphors in their descriptions of, and arguments about, science. Most notably, Philip Kitcher and Alvin Goldman have promoted economic models as a way of countering SSK-inspired attacks on the authority of science. What work does economics do in countering this (perceived) attack, and how do critiques of economics affect its force?
I enjoy backpacking, cycling, skiing, games of all sorts, and traveling when I can afford it. I like documentary films and watch an amazing amount of television for someone who doesn't own a TV.

Tyndel, Felix
MA5 (P/T), BSc, MD, FRCPC, (Assistant Professor, Departments of Medicine (Neurology) and Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences)
f.tyndel@utoronto.ca
Interests include the the History of Neurology

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Varma, Charissa S.
PhDU7, BA (Honours). (McMaster Univeristy), MA (McMaster University)
charissa.varma@utoronto.ca
History and Philosophy of Biology, History and Philosophy of Logic

Virdi, Jaipreet
PhD4, MA IHPST, BA Philosophy, York University
jai.virdi@utoronto.ca
My research broadly focuses on early nineteenth-century developments in English medicine and biology. In particular, I am interested in how medical communities defined and dealt with disease, and how these definitions had an impact on society. Currently, I am focused on an early nineteenth-century individual, John Harrison Curtis (1778-1860), who was among the first specialists on diseases of the ear. Curtis is a historically intriguing character: on one hand, his medical expertise and treatments contributed tremendously to his society and to the field of otology, and yet on the other hand, his medical and scientific contemporaries hastily labelled him as a "fraud." I am researching Curtis' contributions in order to devise a comprehensive understanding of why he was labelled a "fraud" despite his many achievements in the field.

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Watson, Katherine
PhDU2
kate.watson@utoronto.ca

Weidenhammer, Erich
PhDU5
erich.weidenhammer@utoronto.ca

Wright, Aaron Sidney
PhD2, BA&Sc Physics and History
I am broadly interested in the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, and Science and Technology Studies. In the past, I have worked on C19 American astronomy; race and science in the C18 French Atlantic; the arrow of time and thermodynamics; and the transfer of Canadian nuclear technology to India. I am currently focussing on modern physics. I am interested in the way unobservable (in the physicist's sense) and unobserved theoretical entities get passed from theory to theory. Or: Why are we still theorizing about and looking for magnetic monopoles? In what way is Dirac's vacuum the same as Unruh's? And how is our understanding of these objects constituted by the physicist's methodologies and formalisms?

I was a variety of alpine skier for McGill, am an amateur photographer, and get in as much wilderness (whitewater) canoe tripping as I can.