Sebastian Marmorato is a 2025 Canada Student Merit Award winner. He achieved this award for obtaining the highest standing of his class in the fourth and final year of his degree. Here is a brief biography of the winner.
He received an NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) to conduct research under the supervision of Dr William Pietro and Dr Ozzy Mermut in the Mermut integrated Biophotonics Applied Research (MiBAR) Lab. There, he investigated the protonation and metalation effects on the isomerisation kinetics of azobenzene-based molecular photoswitches, molecules that have promising applications in biomedical and nanotechnological fields.
Sebastian is the founding president of Run Club @ York (YURUN), a student-led run club at York University. With over 200 members, YURUN promotes community wellness and recreational endurance training across campus. He also led a fundraiser in support of Achilles Canada, raising funds to help empower runners with disabilities through adaptive running programs and inclusive racing opportunities. As a marathon runner himself, Sebastian serves as an ambassador for the 2025 Toronto Marathon. He actively supported the undergraduate science community as a class representative and student notetaker, organising study sessions and sharing academic resources to support peers in rigorous chemistry and biochemistry courses.
In recognition of his leadership, Sebastian received the Alumni Golden GRADitude Award, which recognises graduating students who leave York University a better place thanks to the significant leadership they demonstrated during their time on campus. Sebastian plans to pursue dental school, where he aims to integrate his hands-on scientific training and research mindset to advance patient care. His academic achievements and community leadership exemplify the values recognised by the SCI Canada Student Merit Award.
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