Ryerson Alumni - Winter 2013 - (Page 10)

gould Street A science student flavio firmino-lunda was inspired by the health challenges faced by his mother and aunt. fter fleeing from Angola’s civil war 13 years ago, third-year medical physics student Flavio Firmino-Lunda is on his way to making a difference in Canada. Inspired by the health struggles of his family, he switched gears from a career in the music business to pursue science at Ryerson. In 2008, his aunt passed away from cancer and his mother, afflicted with Type 2 diabetes, was losing her sight. “I decided to return to school and do something in the sciences and/ or medical field where I could help people like my mother and my aunty by discovering cures, enhancing treatments and so on,” Firmino-Lundo says. Firmino-Lunda had always done well at school, especially in math. While his major is medical physics, he picked the optional science management stream. Last year, he benefited from the Pierre Lassonde Optional Specialization in Management Science (OSMS) Award for second- or third-year students enrolled full-time in an engineering program who are pursuing the OSMS, are in clear academic standing and have demonstrated academic excellence and financial need. “I literally came from sitting on empty milk cans, cement blocks and even on classroom floors in Africa, to sitting in a comfortable, well-equipped learning environment,” he says, expressing gratitude for the award that has helped him on a life-changing journey. An active student, he is president of his course union, and is course unions’ director for the Ryerson Student Association. He is also involved with the first-year science office as an ambassador doing outreach for high school students. He has numerous goals for the future. “I’d like to finish graduate school and go on to become a voice for people who don’t think they have one,” he says. “I am seriously considering going into scientific or technical writing and the fact that I speak other languages gives me that extra advantage.” Ryerson Image Centre Plan your visit today! Ryerson University is enriching Toronto’s cultural landscape with a world-class gallery and research facility. The Ryerson Image Centre (RIC) is a national and international centre of excellence for the study, teaching, research and exhibition of photography and related media. RIC is home to the famous Black Star Collection, a sizable ﬁne art photographic collection and several world-renowned artist archives. ryerson.ca/ric Free Admission 33 Gould Street, Toronto ONTARIO CULTURAL ATTR ACTIONS FUND LE FONDS POUR LES MANIFESTATIONS CULTURELLES DE L’ONTARIO Upcoming Exhibitions January 23 – April 14, 2013 Human Rights Human Wrongs Alfredo Jaar: The Politics of Images Clive Holden: UNAMERICAN UNFAMOUS January 23 – March 9, 2013 Dominic Nahr: Captive State March 20 – April 14, 2013 Gemma Warren: Year Zero. A Prison With No Walls May 1 – May 31, 2013 Scotiabank Photography Award Exhibition: Arnaud Maggs “A global centre of photographic culture and scholarship.” – Christopher Hume The Toronto Star, Sept. 24, 2012 ryerson.ca/alumni 10 ryerson university Magazine • Stay in touch. Get involved. Enjoy the privileges! WINTER 2013 http://www.ryerson.ca/ric http://www.ryerson.ca/alumni http://www.ryerson.ca/alumni

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ryerson Alumni - Winter 2013

Ryerson Alumni - Winter 2013
Table of Contents
President's Message
Showcase
Gould Street
Picture Perfect
Photo Essay
Feels Like Home
From the boardroom to the delivery room – midwife Jasmin Tecson follows her passion
Flying with the Snowbirds – Capt. Iain Cummings realizes lifelong dream
Alumni Diary/VP Viewpoint
Class Notes
Remember When?

Ryerson Alumni - Winter 2013