Alexandra Auyeung
Research and Professional Interests
My research interests are geared towards addressing air pollution in industrial cities and evaluating physical and mental health outcomes associated with exposure. I am particularly interested in if, and to what extent, odorous and carcinogenic compounds exist in Hamilton, Ontario and the effect they have on well-being and cancer risk, respectively. The results of this work will address the ongoing environmental injustices industry-city-dwellers experience in daily life and aims to inform future public health policy and urban planning strategies for protecting health and well-being of those disproportionately affected by environmental pollution.
Why Geography, Geomatics and Environment at UTM?
The interdisciplinary nature of the work in GGE aligned perfectly with my research interests and the quality of work produced by the department went above and beyond my expectations. My interactions with members of the department even prior to applying were nothing but positive, and I knew very quickly that I wanted to be a part of such a welcoming and high-achieving community.
Honours and Awards
- 2025: Ontario Graduate Scholarship, University of Toronto
- 2025: Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations Graduate Award, University of Toronto
- 2025: Center for Urban Environments Graduate Research Award, University of Toronto
- 2023: Geography and Planning Entrance Award, University of Toronto
- 2020: University of Western Ontario Gold Medal (Environmental Science), Western University
- 2020: University of Western Ontario Gold Medal (Ecosystem Health), Western University
- 2015: The Western Scholarship of Distinction, Western University
Presentations
- Auyeung, A.S.*, Fernando, A.S., Rakowska, S.B., Adams, M.D. (2025). Malodours and self-reported health in a steel manufacturing city. 2025 AAG Annual Meeting.
- Auyeung, A.S.* and Adams, M.D. (2024) Assessing odours from industrial facilities in Hamilton, Canada. 2024 AAG Annual Meeting.
- Gewurtz, S.B., Auyeung, A.S.*, De Silva, A., Teslic, S., and Smyth, SA. (2023). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Canadian Municipal Wastewater and Biosolids – 12 years of monitoring by ECCC. Laurentian and Prairie Northern SETAC’s 27th Annual General Meeting & Conference.
- Auyeung, A.S.*, Gewurtz, S.B., Teslic, S., & Smyth, SA. (2022). Chemical Substances in Canadian Municipal Wastewater – Get your Data Here!. Laurentian and Prairie Northern SETAC’s 26th Annual General Meeting & Conference.