Meet TMU’s spring 2025 Gold Medal winners
New graduate Jordan Le Roux, pictured crossing the stage at convocation, is one of eight recipients of TMU’s Gold Medal Award. The other recipients are: Areeba Amjad, Christian Denino, Anish Jammu, Brittany Johnson, Alicia Lok-Malek, Emilija Radovanovic and Matteo Ruiz. Photos by Harry Choi.
Outstanding graduating students received a special recognition at their convocation ceremonies last month.
The students, representing each of Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) faculties, were awarded with TMU’s Gold Medal Award. The Gold Medal is the university’s top honour and recognizes students who not only excelled in their classes but also made major contributions to the university and wider community.
The eight Gold Medal recipients are: Areeba Amjad, Christian Denino, Anish Jammu, Brittany Johnson, Jordan Le Roux, Alicia Lok-Malek, Emilija Radovanovic and Matteo Ruiz.
Emilija Radovanovic also received the Board of Governors Leadership Award.
Three additional students were awarded the Governor General’s Academic Silver Medal, in recognition of their academic excellence and high grade point averages. The recipients are Monica Scrocchi (psychology), Jagatjot Singh Randhawa (biomedical sciences) and Michelle Xu (interior design).
Learn more about the outstanding Gold Medal winners and their achievements below.
Areeba Amjad
Biomedical Engineering Co-op
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science
Areeba Amjad received the Gold Medal Award for her efforts championing student opportunities on and off campus and supporting incoming engineering students. From left: President Mohamed Lachemi, Areeba Amjad.
Amjad wants to use science and engineering to make life better for all.
In her first year at TMU, she joined her faculty’s First-Year Engineering Office Committee and helped advocate for her peers as they navigated the challenges of online learning during the pandemic. Amjad continued to help others throughout her degree by mentoring students as a First-Year Engineering Student Ambassador, informing program development on the Biomedical Engineering Course Union and uplifting her peers through other on-campus organizations.
Amjad also extended her passion for making a difference to research. She received a prestigious Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) research grant and is spending the summer working with professor April Khademi at the Image Analysis in Medicine Lab (IAMLAB).
“When I came to university I had many goals and one of them was to give back to the community,” said Amjad. “TMU gave me so much. I feel like I owe it to them to give everything I can back to incoming students.”
Learn more about Areeba Amjad.
Christian Denino
Biomedical Sciences
Faculty of Science
Christian Denino’s outstanding contributions to STEM include field-defining research and leadership. From left: President Mohamed Lachemi, Christian Denino and Chancellor Donette Chin-Loy Chang.
One of Christian Denino’s proudest achievements at TMU was co-hosting the 2025 2SLGBTQ+ in STEM Conference alongside professor Imogen Coe.
“It was so gratifying to see other queer scientists from universities across Canada converging over a shared commitment to queering STEM,” Denino said. “Throughout both the conference and its planning, I cultivated connections that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. That’s definitely a proud moment for me.”
As an interdisciplinary scholar who studied biomedical sciences and sociology, Denino’s work shows his intellectual sophistication, professionalism and commitment to community equity and service. His honours thesis on the experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ students in science and engineering is noted as both graduate-level and field-defining work.
Denino will continue his academic career and interdisciplinary studies by pursuing a master’s in philosophy, where he will draw on his undergraduate education and knowledge of mathematics and theory.
Learn more about Christian Denino.
Anish Jammu
Lincoln Alexander School of Law
Anish Jammu’s commitment to social justice and public service is evident in her scholarship and volunteer work.
Anish Jammu has exemplified academic excellence, outstanding leadership and a commitment to public service.
At TMU, Jammu contributed to legal scholarship as a research assistant with the Bridging Divides research program and supported first-year students as a teaching assistant. She also co-founded the Sikh Law Students’ Association, creating space for connection and representation within the legal community.
Jammu’s community volunteer work reflects her commitment to social justice. Some of the organizations she has contributed to include Legal Aid Ontario, the World Health Organization and the Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham. She also served in the Canadian Forces Cadet Instructor Cadre as a training officer at the rank of captain.
“As a first-generation lawyer, receiving the gold medal is very meaningful to me because this accomplishment is the collective result of the hard work, dedication and support of many. Above all, it belongs to my family, whose unwavering love, quiet sacrifices and steadfast belief in me formed the foundation of this journey,” said Jammu.
Brittany Johnson
Social Work (First Nations Technical Institute Collaborative Program)
Faculty of Community Services
Brittany Johnson of the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation received the Gold Medal for her personal perseverance and commitment to her community.
Brittany Johnson is a proud member of the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation and is driven by a deep commitment to her community. She has dedicated both her professional and personal journey to empowering First Nations youth—amplifying their voices, honoring their stories and guiding them with strength and compassion toward a brighter future.
Johnson is also a shining example of how resilience, perseverance and determination can help achieve goals that others thought were impossible.
“When I became a teen mom in high school, one teacher told me I was giving up my life and saying goodbye to an education,” said Johnson, who will begin pursuing a master’s in social work in the fall. “I thought receiving my degree was all that was possible—never imagined receiving a Gold Medal. It’s such an honour, and I take the opportunity to exemplify to my Indigenous communities that we are capable of achieving greatness!”
Learn more about Brittany Johnson.
Jordan Le Roux
History
Faculty of Arts
Jordan Le Roux’s achievements include taking on the role of executive supervisor of TMU's history research journal EndNote.
Jordan Le Roux’s contributions to TMU will have long-lasting impacts on current and future Faculty of Arts students. As president of the Metropolitan History Society, she led the annual history student symposium and research journal EndNote. She is also credited as the driving force in reviving the Faculty of Arts’ undergraduate research conference, Kaleidoscope.
Beyond her academic achievements, Le Roux is known for her warm and welcoming nature and formidable leadership skills.
“My personal mantra is, ‘You attract what you put out into the world.’ Opportunities, accolades, even things like friendship and connection come to people who actively seek them out and approach each day with a sense of optimism and an open mind,” said Le Roux.
Up next, Le Roux will pursue a master’s of arts in public policy and administration at TMU with her sights set on a career with the provincial government or a non-profit organization.
Learn more about Jordan Le Roux.
Alicia Lok-Malek
Emergency Management, Threat and Response Planning
The Chang School of Continuing Education
Alicia Lok-Malek’s achievements include an outstanding GPA and successfully turning her passion and volunteer work into a thriving career.
Alicia Lok-Malek has a passion for helping people and contributing to the well-being of her community. Now, she has turned her passion into a career.
After completing her certificate with an exceptional GPA, Lok-Malek was hired as an emergency programs officer with GlobalMedic, an organization where she previously volunteered. Through her new career, Lok-Malek recently supported community members through an ice storm in Orillia where residents had no power for several days.
Lok-Malek also continues to volunteer, serving as a community responder in Peel, supporting the Toronto Distress Centre and coordinating Meals on Wheels.
“I’ve had access to education, safety and opportunities that I know are not guaranteed for everyone. I carry a deep sense of gratitude for these privileges, and I see public service as a way to express that gratitude with humility and purpose. In a world that often feels overwhelmed by conflict, inequality and complexity, public service gives me the chance to be part of something constructive,” said Lok-Malek.
Learn more about Alicia Lok-Malek.
Emilija Radovanovic
Law and Business
Ted Rogers School of Management
Emilija Radovanovic, centre, held numerous leadership and peer mentoring roles throughout her degree.
Emilija Radovanovic is an outstanding scholar, leader and peer with a passion for law and community. Her contributions at TMU earned her both the Gold Medal and the Board of Governors Leadership Award.
As the president of the Law and Business Student Association (LBSA), Radovanovic strengthened connections between students, faculty, alumni and the department advisory council. She also supported her peers, providing the type of support she looked for as a student. Her roles include: TedPack leader and mentor, Fit for Business mentor, academic peer helper and member of the Toronto Metropolitan Entrepreneurship Association.
“The leadership opportunities available to me at the Ted Rogers School and TMU contributed to my personal and professional growth,” said Radovanovic. “As LBSA president, I worked alongside passionate, like-minded peers to create a lasting impact. Together, we enhanced the sense of community for those in our program and engaged more students in extracurricular activities across campus.”
“When I started university, my focus was heavily directed toward academic achievement and preparing for law school. However, after witnessing the highly engaged and active student network at the Ted Rogers School and TMU, I quickly realized how equally important it is to be involved beyond the classroom,” she said.
Learn more about Emilija Radovanovic.
Matteo Ruiz
RTA Sport and Media
The Creative School
Matteo Ruiz was the top student in his cohort each year during his degree while also volunteering on student-run sports broadcasts. From left: The Creative School Dean Charles Falzon, President Mohamed Lachemi, Matteo Ruiz, Chancellor Donette Chin-Loy Chang.
Throughout his degree, Matteo Ruiz excelled academically as the top student in his cohort each year. But academics were only part of his story.
Ruiz volunteered as broadcast crew lead for student-run live broadcasts of TMU’s varsity sports, producing about 75 basketball, volleyball and hockey broadcasts each year. He also oversaw student crews, training volunteers on setup, operation and maintenance of broadcast equipment. His contributions have helped facilitate the longstanding success of a program that offers practical experience and a safe and welcoming community environment for all RTA students.