Taken from U of T Engineering News:
U of T Engineering community members recognized for professional excellence and impact on their chosen fields
On October 9, U of T Engineering proudly honoured five exceptional alumni with an evening at Hart House. Their achievements reflect the transformative power of engineering to spark innovation and create meaningful impact across industries and communities.
The University of Toronto Engineering Alumni Network (EAN) Awards recognize bold innovators and influential leaders whose passion, vision and commitment to excellence continue to shape the profession and inspire future generations.
“Our alumni continue to impress us with their creativity, relentless drive to solve complex challenges and dedication to the U of T Engineering community. They embody the very best of engineering — transforming ideas into impact and inspiring others through their leadership and innovation,” says Dean Chris Yip.
“We are incredibly proud to have them as ambassadors of our community and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of this year’s award recipients.”
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award recognizes a U of T Engineering graduate early in their career, who has achieved outstanding professional achievements or had an impact on their field.
Natasha Baker (ECE 0T8) is a bold innovator in electronics design, leading the charge to make hardware engineering faster, smarter and more accessible. As founder and CEO of SnapMagic, she built the world’s largest proprietary database of electronic component models and launched an AI-powered co-pilot that’s revolutionizing circuit board design.
Frustrated by the slow, manual process of designing circuit boards, Baker launched SnapMagic as a solo founder, and has grown it into a firm with more than 30 team members, 4 million annual CAD model downloads, and trusted by leading suppliers, distributors and EDA companies.
Beyond innovation, Baker is passionate about expanding access to opportunity. She mentors aspiring engineers and remains active in the U of T community, driven by the belief that while talent is everywhere, exposure to what’s possible often isn’t.
Research & Innovation Award
The Research & Innovation Award recognizes an Engineering graduate or group of graduates who have developed, implemented or discovered an innovation or research program, process or product. The identified work has had a significant impact on the profession, community or society.
Professor Rudolf Seracino (CivE 9T3, MASc 9T5) is a global leader in structural engineering whose work is transforming how we preserve aging infrastructure. Currently a distinguished professor at North Carolina State University, he has spent more than 25 years pioneering fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) technologies to make concrete structures safer and more sustainable.
Seracino’s innovations have helped prevent costly shutdowns, extended the life of aging infrastructure and enabled critical hurricane evacuation routes. From rapid-repair systems for earthquake-damaged bridges to North Carolina’s first all-FRP reinforced bridge, his work has earned national recognition, including the ASCE Innovation Award.
Seracino’s research is widely cited, and his Mechanically-Fastened FRP Repair System is now used across the United States. A dedicated mentor and educator, he continues to shape global building standards and inspire the next generation of engineers.
Industry Award
This award celebrates exceptional contributions to industry, recognizing creativity, leadership and professional excellence in applying engineering principles to solve problems, achieve outstanding results and create meaningful impact on industry and society.
David McColl (ElecE 7T9) is a globally respected leader in elevator safety whose 45-year career has shaped the global standards that keep millions of people safe every day. He played a key role in uniting Canadian and U.S. safety codes and pioneered emergency-use elevator protocols, now adopted worldwide. McColl currently serves as the director of worldwide codes development at Otis Elevator Company.
Beyond his technical impact, McColl is a mentor and advocate for public safety, leading international committees and advising governments. His dedication has earned him multiple industry awards and highlights the global influence of Canadian engineering excellence.
Citizenship Award
This award honours a graduate or group of graduates who have made a significant impact on the U of T Engineering community through their volunteer contributions or philanthropic vision. Through their leadership, they have enriched the lives of others with generous gifts of time, talent and/or financial support.
Jacquelyn MacCoon (MSE 1T2+PEY, MEng 1T4) is a dynamic leader whose enduring commitment to U of T Engineering spans mentorship, outreach, admissions and philanthropy. Her work in student recruitment has helped shape a more inclusive and dynamic future for engineering, and through her involvement in initiatives like the Young Women in Engineering Symposium and Alumni Applicant Assessor program, she has inspired countless prospective students to pursue engineering.
A champion of access and equity, MacCoon established the J.R. MacCoon Footsteps Grant to support first-year students taking summer courses — addressing a critical gap in funding. Her generosity, vision and tireless dedication creates an impact that extends beyond the classroom and campus.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award is the top award given by the Engineering Alumni Network. It recognizes a U of T Engineering graduate whose outstanding leadership and professional excellence have made a significant positive impact on society, potentially with a global reach.
Michael May (ChemE 9T1, PhD 9T8) is a visionary leader whose pioneering work in regenerative medicine has positioned Toronto as a global hub for cell and gene therapy (CGT). As the president and CEO of the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM), he has built a world-renowned public–private partnership advancing therapies and delivering major health and economic impact.
Under his leadership, CCRM has launched Canada’s first commercial-scale CGT manufacturing facility, created over 20 portfolio companies and helped raise more than $1.2 billion. A champion of inclusive training and mentorship, his leadership has inspired a generation of scientists and engineers and ensured Canada’s leadership on the global stage.