Hannah Permaul Flores is an MSc Geography Candidate at the University of Toronto, studying spatial patterns of environmental health and disease. In the summer of 2026, she led 3 months of fieldwork in the Peruvian Amazon for her master’s thesis, where she investigated access to healthcare and climate change-induced health issues across 8 remote mestizo and Indigenous communities. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the U of T with a double major in Biology and Forest Conservation Science, and was named one of Canada’s Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25. Sparked by her background in environmental science, Hannah has conducted research exploring the spatialities of environmental racism in Canada and how that impacts health outcomes in Black communities, and supported a national study on how nature-prescribing (NatureRx) can be further integrated into Canada’s social prescribing landscape in clinic-to-community settings. Hannah’s work in environmental health goes beyond research into creating positive change through policy, as she currently serves on the City of Toronto’s Climate Advisory Group to support the City’s Net Zero Strategy, and formerly served 2 years on the University of Toronto President’s Advisory Committee on the Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainability. She has also worked with National Geographic and The Nature Conservancy on climate-focused projects, and leads free tree tours across Toronto to make outdoor education on urban forests accessible to all.
Beyond her academic accolades, Hannah is a celebrated spoken word poet and TEDx speaker who has collaborated with global brands such as NIKE, the Toronto Raptors, and FIFA, using her artistry to champion equity, inclusivity, and environmental awareness. As a proud Black and Latina scholar and artist, Hannah’s practice is grounded in amplifying underrepresented voices and creating barrier-free opportunities for communities to connect with the land, and each other.