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Announcing our 2024-25 Community Award Recipients

4/2/2025

Each year, SMLS is proud to recognize members of our school community who have gone above and beyond in their contributions to our school, their professions, and the greater community. This year we recognize two such individuals, Dr. Melanie Woodin '91 and Ashley McNabb '04.

Outstanding Alumna Award Recipient

We are proud to recognize Professor Melanie Woodin ‘91 as the recipient of the 2024-2025 Outstanding Alumna Award.

Melanie has made remarkable contributions to academia, research, and community leadership. A distinguished scientist and academic leader, she has made a profound impact in the fields of neuroscience and higher education.

After graduating from SMLS, Melanie pursued a BSc in Biology and an MSc in Zoology at the University of Toronto before earning a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Calgary. She further honed her expertise with a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley, before returning to Canada to join the University of Toronto’s faculty. Rising through the academic ranks, she was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science in 2019, reappointed in 2024 and will become the 17th President of the University of Toronto on July 1st, 2025.

Under her leadership, the faculty and students have thrived, securing the largest federal research grant in Canadian history, expanding interdisciplinary research initiatives, and launching new academic programs including the Arts & Science Internship Program.

An accomplished neuroscientist, Melanie’s research explores the mechanisms underlying learning and memory. Her work has been supported by prestigious organizations such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative.

Beyond academia, Melanie is dedicated to fostering scientific advancement and community engagement. She serves as President of the Canadian Association for Neuroscience, advocating for neuroscience research nationwide. Additionally, she is a Board Member of the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, supporting Canada’s leadership in AI innovation.

Melanie embodies the principles and values of SMLS, demonstrating outstanding leadership, innovation, and service to the community. We are honored to celebrate her achievements as the 2024-2025 Outstanding Alumna Award recipient.

We will be presenting Dr. Woodin with this award during our 2025 SMLS Alumnae Brunch on Saturday, April 26th.

Nadine Farran-Gatti Distinguished Service Award Recipient

We are delighted to announce that Ashley BRUNTON McNabb '04 has been named the recipient of the 2024 Nadine Farran-Gatti Distinguished Service Award, an honour that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional volunteer service to SMLS over many years.

As a proud legacy - both a Millie alumna and current parent - Ashley's long-time connection to SMLS is truly special. Her unwavering dedication, compassionate leadership, and boundless energy have made a lasting impact on our school and volunteer community. From organizing major events like Halloween Bingo and the Millie May Fair to welcoming new families and coordinating spontaneous gatherings, Ashley’s contributions go far beyond expectation. Her creativity, reliability, and generosity inspire those around her to get involved, fostering a true spirit of community.

Ashley and her family not only give their time but also provide resources and sponsorship for key initiatives, including the Welcome Back BBQ and various school celebrations. She embodies SMLS’s core values of Excellence, Courage, Integrity, and Belonging, always leading with kindness, honesty, and a genuine passion for our school and community.

We are thrilled to celebrate Ashley’s ongoing and impactful contributions and the joy she brings to our school. Please join us in thanking and congratulating Ashley on this well-deserved honour!

Please join us in celebrating Ashley McNabb at our Volunteer Appreciation & Founders Day Assembly on Friday, May 9, 2025.

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