Innovation Archives - 91亚色 /blog/tag/innovation/ Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the 3rd largest university in Canada, with a community of 53000 students, 7000 faculty & staff, and 325,000+ alumni Fri, 16 Aug 2024 19:25:41 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.7 Continuing Studies Building recognized for innovative design /blog/2024/08/continuing-studies-building-recognized-for-innovative-design/ Fri, 16 Aug 2024 19:25:41 +0000 https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/?p=357953 Architect Magazine has selected 91亚色 U's School of Continuing Studies Building as a winner of its Architecture & Interiors Award of Merit, recognizing the project's innovative, boundary-pushing design.

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91亚色's School of Continuing Studies Building and Perkins&Will 鈥 the architecture firm that designed it 鈥 have received an from Architect Magazine, recognizing the project's innovative, boundary-pushing design.
School of Continuing Studies Building
School of Continuing Studies Building exterior.

The six-story, 9,012-square-metre, 50-classroom building, which earlier this year for its sustainability and occupant wellness features,聽聽on 91亚色 U鈥檚 Keele Campus. Its twisted appearance is meant to symbolize the school鈥檚 twist on the traditional mission of continuing studies 鈥 that is, to solve Canada鈥檚 most pressing labour challenges by connecting employers to a highly skilled talent pool through its unique program offerings.

"Our new building has been purpose-built to give our learners and instructors what they need to thrive," said Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, assistant vice-president of continuing studies, "whether that鈥檚 excellent teaching and learning spaces, a place to feed your baby, a prayer room, gathering spaces or, most critically, community that welcomes and celebrates your growth."

For the third annual Architecture & Interiors Awards, a three-person jury of U.S. industry experts spent hours reviewing the nearly 200 submissions received from commercial architecture and design firms around the world to determine the 34 winning projects. The School of Continuing Studies Building emerged a standout, with one juror noting its "subtle singularity" and "understanding of the site and relationships."

"This award is a recognition that this is good design for both the physical environment but also in career-focused education," said Brooks-Cappadocia. "We are thrilled to celebrate this win with Perkins&Will and our community of learners and employers."

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YSpace launches ELLA Incubator in partnership with 91亚色 Region /blog/2024/08/yspace-launches-ella-incubator-in-partnership-with-york-region/ Wed, 07 Aug 2024 19:18:32 +0000 https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/?p=357592 91亚色's innovation hub, YSpace, has partnered with 91亚色 Region to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs in the technology sector by offering essential resources and mentorship opportunities to help grow their business ventures.

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YSpace, 91亚色's innovation hub, has partnered with 91亚色 Region to launch the new ELLA Incubator program, an initiative designed to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs in the technology industry by offering essential resources and mentorship to help them grow and scale their business ventures beyond their launch.

YSpace ELLA was created to support women entrepreneurs in launching and growing their businesses. Since 2020, it has achieved significant success, supporting over 150 women entrepreneurs in raising over $10 million in capital, generating over $20 million in revenue and creating numerous jobs.

Nicole Troster
Nicole Troster

The ELLA Incubator program is part of YSpace鈥檚 broader Project JumpSTART initiative, which focuses on driving economic development and innovation within 91亚色 Region. The collaborative effort brings together YSpace, the Schulich School of Business鈥檚 Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the Treefrog Accelerator and 91亚色 Region to foster a supportive environment for entrepreneurs.

The new program is membership based, offering participants access to networking events, educational workshops and webinars, regular check-ins with advisors and more.

"Our goal is to provide women entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship and community they need to achieve their business aspirations,鈥 says Nicole Troster, ELLA entrepreneurship manager. 鈥淭he ELLA Incubator is dedicated to create an environment where innovative ideas can flourish.鈥

David Kwok
David Kwok

David Kwok, director of entrepreneurship and innovation at YSpace, adds: "The ELLA Incubator program represents our commitment to fostering innovation, supporting women entrepreneurs.鈥

The ELLA Incubator is part of YSpace's broader mission to cultivate a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, fostering collaboration between industry leaders and emerging entrepreneurs. This program is now open to women entrepreneurs in the technology sector, with a primary focus on companies that are based in or looking to expand into 91亚色 Region.

To learn more about the ELLA Incubator program and how to apply, visit YSpace's ELLA Incubator web page.

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Osgoode prof helps legal profession ride wave of AI excitement /blog/2024/08/osgoode-prof-helps-legal-profession-ride-wave-of-ai-excitement/ Fri, 02 Aug 2024 16:02:37 +0000 https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/?p=357480 Al Hounsell, an adjunct professor at 91亚色鈥檚 Osgoode Hall Law School, will be sharing his insights about generative artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the legal field at OsgoodePD's 2nd Annual Forum on Artificial Intelligence and the Law this fall.

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Al Hounsell
Al Hounsell

After more than a decade in the legal innovation field, Al Hounsell, an adjunct professor at 91亚色鈥檚 Osgoode Hall Law School, is no stranger to technology hype cycles 鈥 that is, the maturity, adoption and social application of emerging technologies.

His hiring at law firm Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, where he is currently director of strategic innovation and legal design, coincided with the first wave of artificial intelligence (AI) products to hit the legal market.

鈥淚 went through that initial cycle of AI excitement and disillusionment,鈥 Hounsell says of that time, when some in the legal profession wondered what impact the technology would have on the profession. 鈥淚 was able to witness everyone screaming that the sky was falling, and that AI was going to take all of our jobs. But once people actually started using these tools, very quickly they realized that AI 鈥 as it existed then 鈥 was nowhere remotely close to doing anything that could capture the full value of what a lawyer could provide, in basically any area at all.鈥

Next up were the metaverse and blockchain, both of which Hounsell remains largely skeptical of.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 really see the use case for either in terms of legal practice,鈥 he says.

Right now, the legal profession 鈥 like much of the rest of the world 鈥 is in the middle of a fresh wave of excitement around generative AI. But this time, something feels different to Hounsell.

鈥淚t is not the same as the older version of AI and it鈥檚 definitely going to significantly impact what lawyers do,鈥 he says.

Still, Hounsell is betting on the resilience that the legal profession has demonstrated time and time again in the past couple of centuries.

鈥淭he new technology can help us do the rote stuff: things that are highly structured and predictable,鈥 Hounsell explains. 鈥淭he legal industry is going to keep moving to the grey area, that ever expanding area of complexity and confusion where humans are needed to help their clients strategically mitigate their risk.鈥

Hounsell will be sharing more of his insights on the topic at the Osgoode Professional Development (OsgoodePD) second Annual Forum on Artificial Intelligence and the Law on Oct. 9 and 10. Following the success of last year鈥檚 event, the online conference will feature two full days of programming led by a variety of industry experts who will decode need-to-know technology and terminology while offering practical insights and strategies for compliance with the constantly evolving AI regulatory framework. An online replay will follow in November for those who are unable to attend live.

鈥淲e鈥檙e going to be getting into the nuts and bolts of what鈥檚 actually happening in generative AI,鈥 says Hounsell, 鈥渋ncluding what it鈥檚 good at and what it鈥檚 not good at, as well as why it is so good at certain tasks and why it will probably never be good at others.鈥

Hounsell has established himself as a leader on the intersection of law and technology. Named Innovative Leader of the Year at the , he got his start in the legal profession after first making an impression in the web development field, founding several successful businesses before deciding to pivot to law via the Osgoode-Schulich Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration Program.

The alumnus renewed his relationship with Osgoode in 2022, taking up an offer to teach a class on technology and innovation in legal service delivery and then speaking at last year鈥檚 inaugural Forum on AI and the Law. This year, Hounsell is expecting key players from law firms, in-house legal departments and legal technology companies to be among the program's attendees.

鈥淔or big changes to occur in our industry,鈥 he says, 鈥渨hat we really need to see are people who are thinking strategically about this technology.鈥

And this program, he hopes, will help make that happen.

For more information and to register, visit the .

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Lassonde staff member recognized for creativity, commitment to students /blog/2024/07/lassonde-staff-member-recognized-for-creativity-commitment-to-students/ Fri, 26 Jul 2024 17:26:19 +0000 https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/?p=357047 Chantel Thompson, a student success and academic advisor at 91亚色's Lassonde School of Engineering, is this year's recipient of the prestigious Lynda Tam Guiding Light & Legacy Award.

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Chantel Thompson, a student success and academic advisor at 91亚色's Lassonde School of Engineering, is this year's recipient of the prestigious Lynda Tam Guiding Light & Legacy Award from the Advising Community of Practice and Peer Leader Community of Practice. The award recognizes Thompson's unwavering commitment to students through her creativity and excellence in academic advising.

Chantel Thompson
Chantel Thompson

"Receiving the Lynda Tam Award is extremely meaningful to me," said Thompson. "It means that the work that we do as advisors is important and impactful. It means that advisors like myself can be recognized for the incredible work that we do in supporting student success."

The annual award was established to honour Lynda Tam, who served as the first assistant dean of students in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design. By shaping student services, advising and peer mentoring programs at 91亚色 U, Tam had a profound impact on student experience. She was also a founding co-chair of the Peer Leader Community of Practice. Through her creative and imaginative approach, Tam developed programs and initiatives that helped students excel and reach their academic, personal and professional goals. She exemplified student service excellence across the University and was a coach and a guiding light to students, staff and faculty.

Praised for her creativity and dedication, Thompson embodies many of Tam鈥檚 qualities. According to her nominators, she has significantly contributed to building an engaging and student-centred advising practice at Lassonde. She has been a driving force behind Lassonde鈥檚 innovative approach to University-wide pop-up advising fairs, incorporating activities such as trivia games, prizes and Faculty mascot appearances. The initiatives she has spearheaded, such as the student appreciation pancake breakfast and the new student handbook, have profoundly impacted students' academic journeys.

Thompson's nominators 鈥 all colleagues from Lassonde 鈥 feel strongly that this recognition is well deserved.

鈥淐hantel continuously demonstrates creativity and imagination in her work," said Caitlin Hicks, a student success and academic advisor at Lassonde. "Her passion and creativity are infectious, making her an inspiration to her colleagues and a valuable asset to our student community.鈥

Althea Smikle-Brown, manager of student advising at Lassonde, had this to say: 鈥淐hantel鈥檚 dedication to student success is evident in her proactive approach and her ability to think outside the box. Her empathetic approach and genuine care have positively impacted countless students.鈥

Lauren Hall, advising co-ordinator at Lassonde, added, 鈥淐hantel speaks up on behalf of students and her colleagues. She is committed to social justice and advocates for equality and inclusivity at every turn."鈥

As part of the award, artwork was commissioned by Paria Shahverdi, a master鈥檚 student from the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design. The piece, named Path to Light, was inspired by Lynda鈥檚 essence 鈥 her warmth, grace and nurturing spirit 鈥 and symbolizes the tranquility she embodied and sought. 鈥淭his painting exemplifies the light, imagination and hope Lynda illuminated for those around her,鈥 said Karen MacKinnon, a member of the selection committee.

The award and accompanying artwork were presented to Thompson in a surprise meeting that included her colleagues, members of the selection committee and her nominators 鈥 Smikle-Brown, Hicks and Hall.

Reflecting on the importance of the award, and her role in student outcomes, Thompson had this to say: "The concept of 'student success' is complex and nuanced 鈥 encompassing more than just academic success," she said. "It's about a student's ability to put their mind to anything and see it through, regardless of the challenges and barriers they may encounter. This award shines a light on all those who contribute to transforming those complexities into all of the beautiful outcomes they may be."

Read more about .

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Professor recognized for exemplary lifetime contributions to the study of Earth /blog/2024/07/professor-recognized-for-exemplary-lifetime-contributions-to-the-study-of-earth/ Wed, 24 Jul 2024 18:11:10 +0000 https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/?p=357241 Professor Spiros Pagiatakis received the Canadian Geophysical Union鈥檚 J. Tuzo Wilson Medal, which recognizes a scholar鈥檚 outstanding contributions to the geosciences and is the highest national honour earned by those in the field.

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91亚色 Professor Spiros Pagiatakis received the Canadian Geophysical Union鈥檚 J. Tuzo Wilson Medal, which recognizes a Canadian scholar鈥檚 outstanding contributions throughout their career to the geosciences 鈥 the study of the Earth 鈥 and counts as the highest national honour earned by those in the field.

鈥淚 am deeply honoured and privileged to be awarded the highest accolade of geosciences and join the previous 45 laureates,鈥 says Pagiatakis of the medal, which was given to him in recognition of a lifetime of contributions to the advancement of knowledge and education in Canadian geosciences. He is only the third 91亚色-affiliated person to receive the award.

 Spiros Pagiatakis
Spiros Pagiatakis

Pagiatakis joined 91亚色 U in 2001, after already having made a nearly decade-long impact in the field as a lead senior research scientist for the federal Department of Natural Resources Canada. In both his professional and academic careers, Pagiatakis has dedicated himself to the study of the Earth as observed from terrestrial and space platforms, with highly innovative work and discoveries starting from the Earth鈥檚 inner core motions. He has specialized in measuring and understanding the planet鈥檚 geometric and physical shape, and how its internal forces 鈥 like plate tectonics 鈥 bend form, deform and more, as well as how its atmosphere and gravity operate.

Pagiatakis has tackled innovative research questions across the spectrum of geodesy and Earth sciences, with groundbreaking findings that led to the recent recognition.

Among Pagiatakis鈥檚 innovations in the field, he pioneered a better understanding of deformation of the Earth due to the dynamics of ocean tides, as well developed the first map of Canada and the U.S. showing how gravity changes with time due to the rebounding of the Canadian land mass due to climate change and the melting of the ice since the last ice age glacial maximum, some 23 thousand years ago.

Since joining 91亚色 U, his interests have shifted to space science, which has led to important discoveries highlighting how dynamics in the Earth鈥檚 lower and upper atmosphere influence, impact and shape climate science.

Pagiatakis's work has been recognized and funded by the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada, the GEOIDE National Centre of Excellence, the Carbon Management Canada National Centre of Excellence, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Ontario Innovation Trust and Natural Resources Canada.

Pagiatakis's impact has also extended beyond research by influencing future generations in the field, notably at 91亚色. He was one of a handful of pioneers who created the first engineering programs and accreditation at 91亚色 U, which ultimately led to the founding of the Lassonde School of Engineering, where he served as the inaugural associate dean of research and graduate studies for five years. He has also led the development of innovative methods of teaching in a virtual classroom environment and in blended course delivery to university students and engineering professionals before online teaching became commonplace.

A lifetime of efforts aren't limited to the administrative, however. Pagiatakis has been a passionate teacher, deeply invested in collaborating and supervising graduate students to help guide the next generation of pioneers in the field of geophysics. Former students 鈥 many of whom now work for top organizations like NASA, the European Space Agency and the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, and in academia in Canada and abroad 鈥 credit him for providing high-quality graduate education, training and mentoring opportunities in an equitable, safe, welcoming and encouraging environment built on trust, where acceptance, openness, motivation, enthusiasm and curiosity have been paramount.

For his part, Pagiatakis is reluctant to take too much credit for what he has accomplished. 鈥淢y graduate students are the heart, the soul and inspiration of our research; without them nothing would be possible鈥 he says.

Nonetheless, as one of his J. Tuzo Wilson Medal nominators emphasized, Pagiatakis 鈥渋s one of those exceptional scientists who do not shy away from various administrative and organizational duties someone has to undertake in order to keep science healthy.鈥 His dedication to doing just that 鈥 keeping his field of science thriving with his career, academic work and mentorship 鈥 are what now have earned him the recognition his students would agree he鈥檚 long deserved.

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Discover 91亚色 Academics to be integrated with Faculty websites /blog/2024/07/discover-york-academics-to-be-integrated-with-faculty-websites/ Wed, 10 Jul 2024 15:31:10 +0000 https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/?p=356895 Discover 91亚色 Academics continues its efforts to help 91亚色 U researchers spotlight their expertise, with new features that integrate with Faculty website profiles.

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91亚色鈥檚 new curriculum vitae (CV) tool, , will enter its latest phase this summer following its launch earlier this year, enabling Faculty websites to adopt Discover 91亚色 Academics' enhanced electronic profile format, transforming how faculty profiles are displayed and updated.

The system integration 鈥 which includes an interface for users to edit their data and continuous updates through automation and aggregation features, among other improvements 鈥 is an opportunity to centralize and unify faculty profiles across the University and create a single source for content updates. Converting faculty profiles over to the Discover 91亚色 Academics system will also save time and the resources needed for manual data entry.

鈥淛oining Discover 91亚色 Academics and setting up a public profile allows faculty to streamline their digital presence and maintain one online profile to showcase their professional and scholarly activities more comprehensively than ever before,鈥 said Jennifer Steeves, associate vice-president research and a professor in the Faculty of Health. 鈥淟everaging this tool can help capture the outstanding achievements and research excellence of 91亚色 faculty in their entirety, making their leading work in their respective fields easier to search, access and share.鈥

鈥淒iscover 91亚色 Academics is an exciting, career-enhancing opportunity for 91亚色鈥檚 researchers, scholars and creatives to more widely share their public expertise and their local and global efforts to drive positive change,鈥 said Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation. 鈥淏y using this tool, our faculty members gain a bigger platform to network, strengthen their visibility and grow their work鈥檚 reach, influence and impact.鈥

If faculty need assistance setting up a profile, they can register for organized by the Research Commons throughout the summer.

Faculty can also book a  online or in-person, or email their CV to dyahelp@yorku.ca for direct help. Training resources, guides and technical support are available .鈥赌赌

To join and learn more, visit

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YSpace participates in federal program supporting prospective immigrant entrepreneurs /blog/2024/07/yspace-participates-in-federal-program-supporting-prospective-immigrant-entrepreneurs/ Wed, 10 Jul 2024 15:30:10 +0000 https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/?p=356177 As part of the Government of Canada鈥檚 Start-up Visa Program, 91亚色's YSpace entrepreneurship and innovation hub is working with a group of business owners seeking to expand their ventures to Canada.

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This month, as one of the designated organizations in the Government of Canada鈥檚 Start-up Visa Program, YSpace 鈥 91亚色鈥檚 entrepreneurship and innovation hub 鈥 is welcoming a group of entrepreneurs from 10 startup companies based outside of Canada who are seeking to expand their businesses here. Advancing global entrepreneurship through initiatives like this one, in both Canada and overseas, is a priority of 91亚色 U鈥檚 Global Engagement Strategy.

The federal government鈥檚 Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build innovative businesses in Canada that will create jobs. As one of the program鈥檚 selected partners, YSpace, , works with these potential immigrant entrepreneurs to familiarize them with the Canadian business landscape.

鈥淭here are a limited number of designated organizations and it鈥檚 a highly coveted label,鈥 said David Kwok, director of entrepreneurship and innovation at YSpace. 鈥淲e are one of the few at the university level.鈥

YSpace received its formal designation last August and has since shepherded a pilot cohort and a full cohort of entrepreneurs through the program 鈥 15 companies in total, primarily originating from South America and Asia. The team is planning to promote the program to European entrepreneurs next.

YSpace's Jason Muloongo (right) with John Beluca, a participant in the Start-up Visa Program and founder of Gipo.
YSpace's Jason Muloongo (right) with John Beluca, a participant in the Start-up Visa Program and founder of Gipo.

Each Government of Canada-designated organization creates its own process for the program and chooses its own entrepreneurs to mentor. YSpace鈥檚 Start-up Visa Program focuses on innovative technology companies across all sectors but has gained the most traction with artificial intelligence (AI) ventures. It accepts applications throughout the year and invites a selection of companies to participate.

YSpace鈥檚 process begins with Blueprint, a six-week boot camp where entrepreneurs assess the Canadian market and do a feasibility study for their business. Upon successful completion of Blueprint, participants become eligible for the Launchpad program, a year-long coaching and mentorship experience designed to provide strategic advice while ensuring consistent progress. YSpace works with the startups 鈥 up to five people from each company 鈥 to create and execute their business plans and facilitate opportunities to meet potential customers and buyers.

The businesses the Start-up Visa Program assists are not new ventures, but ones that are already operational in their home countries.

鈥淲e help them adapt their existing strategy to new markets,鈥 said Ellen Kim, Start-up Visa Program officer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a new way to support industry looking to come to Canada and seeking a way to explore the market.鈥

For instance, the Korean company Kloser recently launched its AI-powered referral marketing tool in Canada after working with YSpace. The innovation hub is also working with Brazilian entrepreneur Milo Andreo to help him launch an English version of his successful piano learning app.

鈥淭hese companies want to tap into the AI talent here in Canada and leverage the English-speaking local talent to adapt their products to the North American market,鈥 said Jason Muloongo, Start-up Visa Program advisor.

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), based at the Korean Consulate in Toronto, has placed a company in each of YSpace鈥檚 Start-up Visa Program cohorts to date and encourages its startups to work with YSpace.

鈥淭he partnership between YSpace and KOTRA Toronto has been beneficial for us,鈥 said Miki Cho, deputy general manager of KOTRA Toronto. 鈥淥ur collaborative efforts have provided invaluable resources and support, enabling Korean entrepreneurs to thrive in the Canadian market.鈥

When it comes to assisting startups, YSpace has a proven track record. Through its wide array of programs, it has supported 985 ventures to date, which have collectively generated $277 million in revenue, raised $143 million in funding and created 1,493 jobs. This federal program involvement will allow YSpace to further solidify its reputation as an industry-leading incubator for entrepreneurs and innovators alike.

鈥淭he growing interest in YSpace鈥檚 Start-up Visa Program is an indication of YSpace鈥檚 success in moving towards the goal of building 91亚色 into a global brand for entrepreneurship and innovation,鈥 said Kwok. 鈥淭he recent success has led to an increased interest in our soft-landing and market discovery programs from trade agencies across the world.鈥

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Professor advances understanding of animal consciousness /blog/2024/07/professor-advances-understanding-of-animal-consciousness/ Fri, 05 Jul 2024 18:11:24 +0000 https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/?p=355968 Professor Kristin Andrews is accelerating research and awareness that consciousness is present in a wider range of animals 鈥 including crabs, lobsters聽and insects 鈥 than many believe.聽

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A major new declaration co-initiated by 91亚色 professor and philosopher Kristin Andrews affirms there is strong scientific evidence that not just mammals and birds, but potentially all vertebrates and many invertebrates, possess conscious experiences.

Kristin Andrews
Kristin Andrews

The New 91亚色 Declaration on Animal Consciousness, unveiled on April 19 at a conference at New 91亚色, states that the empirical evidence indicates 鈥渁t least a realistic possibility鈥 of conscious awareness in reptiles, amphibians, fish, cephalopod mollusks like octopuses, decapod crustaceans like crabs and lobsters, and even insects. Andrews co-initiated the declaration along with Jeff Sebo from New 91亚色 and Jonathan Birch from the London School of Economics.

鈥淩ecent research has shown stunning evidence of consciousness-related behaviours in a wide range of animals,鈥 says Andrews, a professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. 鈥淭he declaration affirms that we can no longer assume these creatures are insentient or incapable of feeling.鈥

The declaration 鈥 which has already been signed by more than 80 leading scientists and philosophers across disciplines 鈥 focuses on the most basic form of consciousness 鈥 the subjective experience of being an organism and the ability to feel sensations such as pain, pleasure and hunger. While higher-order consciousness involving self-awareness is not attributed, the statement says it would be 鈥渋rresponsible to ignore鈥 the possibility that these animals can have positive and negative experiences.

For Andrews, the 91亚色 Research Chair in Animal Minds who has studied animal cognition for more than 30 years, the evidence from recent studies on seemingly conscious behaviours in creatures including bees, crayfish and wrasse fish is compelling.

鈥淲e鈥檝e seen bumblebees exhibiting placid, playful behaviours for no apparent reason other than enjoyment,鈥 she says. 鈥淐rayfish show anxious behaviours that change when given anti-anxiety medication. Wrasse fish seem to recognize bodily markings when shown a mirror.鈥

Such findings challenge the assumption that invertebrates and cold-blooded animals are insentient automata. The declaration argues that when there is a realistic chance an animal has conscious experiences, we are ethically obligated to consider its welfare interests.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 mean we can鈥檛 ever eat them or use them,鈥 clarifies Andrews. 鈥淏ut it does mean we need to recognize they likely can feel pain and pleasure, and minimize the negative experiences we impose on them.鈥

While the declaration doesn鈥檛 prescribe policies, Andrews hopes it will prompt wider consideration of how human activities impact invertebrates. She points to the need to include cephalopods and crustaceans under animal welfare regulations in Canada, alongside chickens, pigs and fish.

More profoundly, Andrews sees an opportunity for new scientific insights by studying consciousness across a broader range of organisms. 鈥淚f even simple animals like worms or flies are conscious in some way, they could provide a revelatory model for understanding the fundamental nature of consciousness, without the confounding factors like language that make human consciousness so complex.鈥

By expanding our 鈥渃ircle of moral consideration,鈥 as Andrews puts it, the declaration opens perspectives on the richness of subjective experiences pervading the natural world. 鈥淚t offers the possibility of feeling a wider, deeper connection to all the creatures around us.鈥

Andrews and her colleagues hope The New 91亚色 Declaration will be an impetus for more research, greater ethical deliberation and, ultimately, a heightened societal valuation of the experiences of non-human minds.

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YSpace alum triumphs at startup pitch competition /blog/2024/07/yspace-alum-triumphs-at-startup-pitch-competition/ Fri, 05 Jul 2024 18:05:18 +0000 https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/?p=356768 VoxCell BioInnovation, a Victoria-based startup and winner of the YSpace Technology Accelerator program's 2021 Demo Day, won the PITCH competition at this year's Collision conference, which took place last month in Toronto.

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Victoria-based startup VoxCell BioInnovation, , were recognized in this year's Collision conference PITCH competition, which took place last month in Toronto. The annual technology conference 鈥 one of the biggest of its kind in North America 鈥 attracts startups, investors and industry leaders from around the globe.

VoxCell offers what it calls a Universal Bioink Kit, which promises to innovate the 3D bioprinting field by replicating the extracellular matrix of living tissues to assist with drug screening.

VoxCell co-founder Karolina Valente (left) and VoxCell鈥檚 business operations co-ordinator and the winning pitcher, Asees Kaur (right), after being announced as the PITCH winner at Collision 2024 in Toronto. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Collision via Sportsfile.
VoxCell BioInnovation's mechanical engineer Megan Chisling (left) and business operations co-ordinator Asees Kaur (right) after being announced as the PITCH winner at Collision 2024 in Toronto. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Collision via Sportsfile.

鈥淰oxCell鈥檚 journey is deeply inspiring as they drive towards revolutionizing the industry," said Nafis Ahmed, associate director of entrepreneurship at YSpace. "We take great pride in the team鈥檚 achievements and eagerly await what the future holds for them.鈥

For VoxCell's team members, they say the competition win gives them a welcome boost in confidence, purpose and exposure.

鈥淚t reaffirms our mission to revolutionize drug development," said Asees Kaur, VoxCell鈥檚 business operations co-ordinator and the winning pitcher, "and has further increased our brand awareness as we focus on commercializing our Universal Bioink Kit and securing partnership contracts with pharmaceutical companies for the use of our cancer tissue models as advanced drug screening platforms."

YSpace's Technology Accelerator program, which VoxCell benefited from in 2021, nurtures innovative startups through comprehensive support, including mentorship, resources and networking opportunities. It supports startups in executing go-to-market strategies, acquiring customers and preparing for fundraising.

"VoxCell's recent success is a testament to their relentless innovation and commitment to excellence," said David Kwok, director of entrepreneurship and innovation at YSpace. "We are incredibly proud to see our alumni making such a profound impact on the global stage."

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Living wall at Student Counselling, Health & Well-being office promotes tranquility /blog/2024/06/living-wall-at-student-counselling-health-well-being-office-promotes-tranquility/ Tue, 18 Jun 2024 18:39:28 +0000 https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/?p=355858 A new living wall 鈥 made up of 260 plants of varying species 鈥 has been installed at the Student Counselling, Health & Well-being office to promote tranquility for those who visit and work there.

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A new automated biofilter living wall 鈥 comprised of 260 plants of varying species 鈥 has been installed in the Student Counselling, Health & Well-being (SCHW) office to promote tranquility, wellness and better air for visiting students and office staff.

As part of SCHW鈥檚 pivotal role in offering essential mental health and wellness resources to students, it has been undertaking projects that reflect its commitment to well-being in its physical environment.

鈥淧ursuing projects that reflect the commitment to well-being in the physical environment has been an important effort for SCHW because we believe that a positive and welcoming atmosphere enhances the overall experience for both students and staff,鈥 says Lori Walls, executive director of student counselling, health and well-being. 鈥淚nvesting in these initiatives reaffirms our commitment to creating spaces that promote well-being.鈥

Living wall at the Student Counselling, Health & Well-being office
Living wall at the Student Counselling, Health & Well-being office.

The nearly seven- by 10-foot living wall 鈥 made up of a range of species, including dracaena and ficus 鈥 is the latest example. Supported by a hydroponic system, a technique for growing plants using water-based nutrient solutions rather than soil, the installation features a 67-gallon irrigation setup that eliminates the need for soil, conserves water and maximizes growth.

While the wall has aesthetic benefits 鈥 notably, creating a tranquil environment for students and staff 鈥 it has other notable perks, too. Hydroponic systems facilitate microclimates by maintaining optimal humidity levels, fostering the growth of beneficial microbes that play a crucial role in breaking down pollutants and purifying the air indoors. In the process, it helps increase the overall air quality, which is known to improve cognitive function and health.

At the same time, SCHW hopes the new wall will realize its incorporation of biophilic design principles, a building concept that looks to increase the connection between people and the natural environment 鈥 in this case, by bringing the natural into SCHW. It aims to create spaces that are not only physically healthier but more emotionally supportive and invigorating.

In many ways, those hopes are already being fulfilled. 鈥淭he living wall has made immediate impacts for the students visiting our centre. Both students and staff have shared positive feedback, noting that the plants create a welcoming atmosphere,鈥 says Walls. 鈥淲e recently conducted a survey to gather feedback on our space and I鈥檓 pleased to say the overall response was that our space is calming and tranquil.鈥

The living wall serves as a visible sign of Student Counselling, Health & Well-being鈥檚 commitment to the well-being of 91亚色鈥檚 students, underlining the importance of a holistic approach to health that encompasses academic, emotional and environmental factors.

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