杏吧原创

Congratulations to 杏吧原创 student Amir Samadi and alum Sean Coomey 鈥� recipients of the .

“Amir and Sean exemplify the curiosity, integrity and commitment to service that define the Trinity student community. We are immensely proud to see their hard work recognized at a national level and look forward to the impact they will continue to make as scholars and leaders,” said Nelson De Melo, Director of Student Services & Registrar, 杏吧原创.

Amir Samadi is completing an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. He volunteers at Camp Erin, a bereavement camp for children, and leads mental health and wellness initiatives on campus. These experiences have helped him develop stronger empathy and communication skills, while fuelling his curiosity about the neural basis of cognition and emotion. Amir also took on a leadership role as tour program coordinator at Trinity, supervising student tour guides, and serves as treasurer of the U of T BioEntrepreneurship Network. Having worked on several research projects related to the neurobiology of learning and memory, Amir is applying for master’s programs in neuroscience and experimental psychology at McGill.

鈥淚 feel recognized for what matters to me, and I’m excited to grow into a leader who makes space, shares credit, and brings others along,鈥� Amir said, who will be graduating from 杏吧原创 in June 2026. “University of Toronto has helped me connect the dots between theory and real life. I’ve learned how to think critically, communicate clearly, and stay grounded in purpose, even when the workload is intense.”

Sean Coomey graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), English Specialist. He completed a two-year program at Deep Springs, a small liberal arts college on a cattle ranch in California, before starting his bachelor’s degree. Having followed a non-traditional path to university, he is keen to share the uplifting impact of education with others. Sean co-leads a prison book club in Toronto and worked as a program coordinator for Book Clubs for Inmates, leading a discussion-based program for an at-risk community in Scarborough. He also volunteered for nearly two years at the Kensington Hospice and mentored peers on campus. During his summers, he worked as a research assistant and tree planter. Sean is applying to master’s programs in Classics and English at McGill.

鈥淢ontreal is certainly the best city in Canada for architecture and jazz music, which I love equally. I’m also excited to share meals with the other McCall MacBain Scholars to foster a sense of community,鈥� Sean said.

Established with a landmark $200-million gift in 2019, the are Canada鈥檚 largest leadership-based scholarships for master鈥檚 and professional studies. For the 2026 cohort, more than 700 Canadians applied, with 151 students advancing to a first round of interviews in November. In March, the top 53 Canadians 鈥� including Amir and Sean 鈥� will attend the final round of interviews in Montreal, joined by 38 international finalists, for the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University.

鈥淲e aim to support emerging leaders who demonstrate integrity, kindness, curiosity, and courage,鈥� said Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain, Chair of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. 鈥淭hese students have already shown remarkable promise in their communities, and we鈥檙e grateful to the universities that encouraged and supported them in pursuing this opportunity.鈥�

Up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholars will be selected after final interviews. McCall MacBain Scholars receive substantial funding to pursue an eligible degree at McGill University, including full tuition coverage. Canadian finalists not selected for the cohort will be eligible to receive $10,000 towards their studies at McGill.

(Photos supplied)

Categories: Alumni; Awards & Honours; Student News; Trinity Grads