We’ve got a series of webinars planned to help you choose Graduate Studies at 91��ɫ.

Wherever you are in your graduate school journey, holding an offer, waiting on a decision, or simply exploring your options, the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) invites you to Choose Grad 91��ɫ, a week-long lunch-hour webinar series designed to support your decision-making process. Running from March 23 to March 27, 2026, this series helps demystify graduate studies at 91��ɫ and gives you a clearer picture of what it’s like to be part of our graduate community.

Across five online sessions, you’ll hear from decanal leadership, faculty, staff, current students, and alumni about why 91��ɫ is an excellent place to pursue graduate studies and how a 91��ɫ degree can help you make an impact beyond the University. All webinars take place online via Zoom from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. ET. Registration is free and now open.

TOPIC: Navigating A Graduate Degree with Dean MacLachlan

DATE: Monday, March 23, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: In this webinar, our Vice Provost & Dean (Alice MacLachlan) will be speaking on the role of the student in a graduate degree, degree types and structures in the different disciplines, forming your individualised research ideas, and supports for personal and research development.

TOPIC: Learning about Grad School from Our Alumni – Panel Discussion

DATE: Tuesday, March 24, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: Entering a master’s program or continuing into a PhD presents many considerations for students to think about. We want to help support future students in their decision-making process! Associate Dean Academic, Cheryl van Daalen-Smith, will be speaking with both master’s and doctoral alumni to learn about their graduate student experience, and how their degrees have supported their future aspirations. The panelists will bring rich perspectives to future students grappled with various questions and share resources available to graduate students in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

TOPIC: How to Pay for Grad School: Funding, Scholarships, Bursaries, OSAP, and more

DATE: Wednesday, March 25, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: Join us to learn more about the many kinds of financial support available to graduate students to help fund their studies. This session will cover the separate categories of financial support, including funding packages, scholarships, other awards, bursaries, and OSAP. Learn more about which supports require an application, which supports you are automatically considered for, and the various timelines associated with each.

TOPIC: Discussion Panel with Current Scholars

DATE: Thursday, March 26, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: Join us to learn more about the graduate student experience at 91��ɫ. Our student panellists will discuss a range of topics, including their application experience, the transition from undergraduate to graduate studies, funding, scholarships, program experiences, research & supervision experience, and much more.

TOPIC: Coming to Canada - The International Student Experience

DATE: Friday, March 27, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: Coming to Canada: The International Student Experience is an engaging session designed to help prospective and newly admitted students understand what life in Canada truly looks like, from navigating academics and campus culture to settling into a new country with confidence. Through real stories, practical guidance, and honest insights into the challenges and opportunities international students face, this session prepares learners to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of what to expect, where to find support, and how to make the most of their Canadian journey.

Supporting Your Transition: Pre-Arrival Webinars

New students are encouraged to look ahead to program orientation events, many of which will take place over the summer or at the start of the Fall semester. To support early preparation, the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) offers a series of virtual pre-arrival webinars designed to help ensure a smooth transition into your program. These sessions serve as a guide to the key steps between acceptance and the start of classes.

TOPIC: Study Permit Application Support Session for Graduate Students

DATE: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

TIME: 9:00–10:00 a.m. ET

Details of Session: Join our support session led by 91��ɫ International’s licensed immigration advisors. Learn how to navigate the study permit application process, avoid common mistakes, and get answers to your questions. This session is designed to ensure you feel confident as you take this important step toward studying in Canada.

TOPIC: You've Been Admitted! What's Next?

DATE: Tuesday, April 28, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: In this session, we will go over a checklist of useful resources such as: how to accept your offer, submitting required documentation to meet conditions, accommodations for students with a disability, setting up Passport 91��ɫ and your email account, how to register for academic terms, how to enrol in courses, getting your YU card, the cost of living in Toronto, transit options, health plans and services, attending GRAD@91��ɫ and more! 

TOPIC: How to Pay for Grad School: Funding, Scholarships, Bursaries, OSAP, and more

DATE: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: Join us to learn more about the many kinds of financial support available to graduate students to help fund their studies. In this session we will cover each of these separate categories of financial support: Funding Packages Scholarships Other Awards Bursaries OSAP Learn more about which supports require an application, which supports you are automatically considered for, and the various timelines associated with each.

TOPIC: Ask Us Anything: Applying for a Study Permit for Graduate Programs

DATE: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

TIME: 9:00–10:00 a.m. ET

Details of Session: Join 91��ɫ International’s licensed immigration advisors for an interactive Q&A session designed to help you understand the process and get answers to what matters most to you.

TOPIC: Discover Graduate Supervision at 91��ɫ

DATE: Tuesday, June 16, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: This webinar explores the role supervision plays in graduate studies, highlighting how it shapes your learning experience. Designed for new graduate students, we will unpack the Ontario Principles for Graduate Supervision, focusing on student responsibilities. Hearing from current grad students, participants will learn tips for effective supervisor-student relationships, do’s and don’ts for understanding expectations, and making the most of your supervisory experience. Our goal is to help start you off on a successful grad school journey. 

TOPIC: Navigating Course Registration and Online Resources at 91��ɫ

DATE: Thursday, June 25, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: In this session, we will go over the various web platforms at 91��ɫ that you should become familiar with. This includes: Registering Online, Enrolling in Courses, our Faculty of Graduate Studies’ website, your graduate program website, 91��ɫ’s Events Calendar, Better Together, Appointment Booking Portals, Important Contacts, Incoming Class Facebook Group, and more!

TOPIC: A New Chapter: Dean MacLachlan Welcomes New Graduate Students to 91��ɫ

DATE: Tuesday, July 21, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: In this special session from the Dean of Graduate Studies, we are excited to connect with you and introduce you to the incredible opportunities that await you at 91��ɫ. This conversation is your chance to learn more about our vibrant academic community, the support systems in place to help you succeed, and the lifelong connections you’ll build here. We look forward to answering your questions, sharing insights and resources, and helping you navigate this exciting new graduate studies chapter.

TOPIC: A Day in the Life of an MA Student

DATE: Tuesday, August 11, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: This session will feature a group of current MA students from a variety of programs talking about their experiences during the transition to graduate school. We'll discuss what 'a day in the life' looks like, what the most surprising thing about graduate school was, tips and tricks for incoming students, and more!

TOPIC: A Day in the Life of an MSc/MASc Student

DATE: Tuesday, August 18, 2026

TIME: 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET

Details of Session: This session will feature a group of current MSc/MASc students from a variety of programs talking about their experiences during the transition to graduate school. We'll discuss what 'a day in the life' looks like, what the most surprising thing about graduate school was, tips and tricks for incoming students, and more!

^{Graduate students conducting vision research.}

Innovation and Interdisciplinary Research

Pioneering Interdisciplinary Graduate Training in Vision Research
91��ɫ advanced interdisciplinary education in health and science with the launch of the Collaborative Specialization in Vision Research—the first graduate-level program of its kind at the university. Bringing together faculty from diverse disciplines, this initiative provides cutting-edge training and formal credentials in vision research, preparing students to address pressing scientific and technological challenges and contribute meaningfully to health and science innovations.

Supporting Postdoctoral Researchers to Secure Funding
Tailored guidelines were introduced to support postdoctoral researchers in preparing and submitting grant applications, enhancing external research funding at the institution. These resources provide clear guidance at a critical stage in researchers’ careers, fostering professional development and enabling impactful contributions to the broader research community.

Strengthening Systems and Academic Processes

Graduate Supervision Toolkit & Flipbook
The Graduate Supervision Toolkit and Flipbook provide accessible, practical guidance to foster equity-informed, communicative, and collaborative supervisory relationships. By centering clarity, mutual care, and co-created success, these resources strengthen trust, communication, and the well-being of both students and supervisors.

Enhancing the Systems That Support Every Graduate Journey
The Special Projects team focused on maintaining and improving the five online graduate portals—Petition, Proposal Milestone, Progress Report, Oral Exam, and Supervisor & Supervisory Committee. Through issue resolution, targeted upgrades, and new features, these platforms became more reliable, efficient, and supportive, simplifying administrative processes and enabling a smoother graduate experience for students, faculty, and staff.

^{Graduate Supervision resources support effective supervisory pedagogy and guidance.}

Introducing a More Streamlined Proposal Milestone Process
A redesigned research proposal milestone process, effective November 5, 2025, reduces approval timelines and allows students to begin research sooner. Students conducting research involving human participants or higher-risk protocols can now develop ethics applications concurrently with proposal review, creating a more efficient pathway from proposal development to research initiation.

Automating Funding Processes for Greater Accuracy and Efficiency
Advanced Excel macro automations streamlined key funding workflows, including the Annual Funding Commitment Review, monthly revenue-recognition reconciliation, and ARMS-to-FAAS data conversions for Fellowships and GIA payments. These enhancements minimized manual effort, reduced errors, and created faster, more dependable, processes for staff and students alike.

Strengthening Clarity and Integrity in Academic Policies
Restructured academic integrity policies and procedures enhanced consistency, transparency, and practicality, supporting efficient case resolution while reinforcing a culture of honesty, responsibility, and fairness. These improvements provide the graduate community with clear guidance and strengthen an environment where ethical scholarship can thrive.

Strengthening Support for Professional Graduate Programs
Updated regulations distinguishing research-focused from professional graduate degrees improved guidance for program development and reinforced partnerships with program proponents. This framework supports programs in delivering offerings that meet student needs, reflect professional standards, and enrich the graduate education landscape.

^{Incoming students meet Joseph Hafner, Dean of Libraries (left), and Alice MacLachlan, Vice-Provost & Dean of Graduate Studies (right).}

Supporting Students and Building Community

Seamless Transition of Graduate Admissions Support
The Graduate Admissions team was successfully integrated from its previous unit into FGS. This transition centralized graduate recruitment and admissions support, enhancing coordination, accessibility, and consistency for prospective students. Applicants now benefit from clearer communication, streamlined processes, and a stronger connection to the faculty guiding them throughout their graduate journey.

Providing Personalized Support for Prospective Graduate Students
Individualized 1:1 advising sessions offered dedicated time for prospective students to ask questions and gain clarity on next steps. These personalized meetings help applicants feel informed, confident, and supported as they navigate the admissions process, fostering a welcoming introduction to the graduate community.

Enhancing Connections for Incoming Graduate Students
Expanded and , led by the new Graduate Recruitment team, provided incoming students with early answers to common questions and a deeper understanding of 91��ɫ’s campus, community, and research environment. Also, FGS hosted its first in-person social () since 2019. These initiatives eased transitions, fostered connection, and strengthened confidence in choosing 91��ɫ.

Connecting International Students Through Insightful, Targeted Panels
A new international student recruitment panel series connected prospective and admitted students with current graduate students. With a focus on engagement from the , , these panels provided first-hand insights, helping students feel confident in choosing 91��ɫ and Canada as a study destination while fostering a welcoming global graduate community.

Graduate Student Support Group
Launched in 2025, the Graduate Student Support Group provides a safe space for students to connect, share experiences, and access peer support. The group allows participants to gain perspective on common graduate challenges, exchange wisdom and resources, and realize they are not alone in their academic journey. Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, and the drop-in, year-round format ensures ongoing accessibility and support throughout the graduate experience.

Equipping Graduate Students through GradForward Series
The inaugural GradForward series, a new approach to graduate orientation, offered 30-minute virtual sessions covering scholarships, graduate funding, academic integrity, professional skills, student affairs, and portal use. Accessible via Zoom, these sessions equipped students with practical knowledge and resources to navigate graduate studies successfully and build a strong foundation for academic and professional growth.

Celebrating Achievement and Inclusion

Associate Director honoured with 91��ɫ’s Excellence in DEDI Award
Richolette Freckleton received the Excellence in DEDI Award from 91��ɫ in recognition of her exceptional commitment to advancing decolonization, equity, diversity, and inclusion across the graduate community. Her leadership led to the creation and funding of a new scholarship for BIPOC part-time students and the launch of a workshop that connects Black graduate students with faculty mentors — concrete actions that expand access, promote representation, and foster a stronger sense of belonging and support for equity-seeking scholars at 91��ɫ.

Looking Ahead…

Our achievements in 2025 reflect a shared commitment to innovation, equity, and student success. By strengthening systems, supporting research, and building inclusive communities, FGS continues to create an environment where graduate students and researchers can thrive today—and shape the breakthroughs of tomorrow.

^{President & Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton with Richolette Freckleton.}

Kickstart Fall 2026 with Confidence!

Our GradForward series at 91��ɫ offers a comprehensive lineup of 30-minute virtual sessions designed to support both incoming and continuing graduate students. Scheduled from September 9 to September 11, 2026, these sessions cover essential topics such as scholarships and awards, graduate funding, academic integrity, professional skills development, student affairs, and effective use of graduate portals. Led by experienced faculty and staff, the series aims to equip students with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate their graduate studies successfully. All sessions are free and accessible via Zoom, providing an excellent opportunity for students to engage with the University's support services and build a strong foundation for their academic journey.

TOPIC: Scholarships & Awards

DATE: Wednesday, September 9, 2026

TIME: 10:00 am - 10:30 am ET

Host Team: Graduate Awards & External Scholarships

Details of Session: In this session, learn about information on awards, scholarships and other financial sources that you can apply to through the Financial Aid, Awards and Scholarships (FAAS) system at 91��ɫ.

TOPIC: Graduate Funding

DATE: Wednesday, September 9, 2026

TIME: 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm ET

Host Team: Graduate Finance & Funding

Details of Session: In this session, learn about information on funding graduate education, scheduling an appointment with your Graduate Funding Advisor, and the Financial Aid, Awards and Scholarships (FAAS) system at 91��ɫ.

TOPIC: Academic Integrity & Professional Skills Development Opportunities

DATE: Thursday, September 10, 2026

TIME: 10:00 am - 10:30 am ET

Host Team: Graduate Academic Affairs

Details of Session: In this session, learn about the mandatory Academic Integrity Module for new graduate students and related resources to assist you in your new academic journey. Building off these, the session will then focus on helpful resources and involvement opportunities to support your academic and career goals, including the Graduate and Postdoctoral Professional Skills (GPPS) program and the Individualized Development Plan (IDP).

TOPIC: Graduate Supervision

DATE: Thursday, September 10, 2026

TIME: 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm ET

Host Team: Graduate Supervision Support Hub

Details of Session:In this session, learn the roles and responsibilities of both students and supervisors in fostering a productive and professional academic relationship.

TOPIC: Graduate Student Wellness Services

DATE: Friday, September 11, 2026

TIME: 9:00 am - 9:30 am ET

Host Team: Graduate Student Wellness Services

Details of Session: In this session, learn about FGS' Graduate Student Wellness Services and how it aims to support and enhance your mental health and well-being during your studies.

TOPIC: Navigating Graduate Portals for FGS Processes

DATE: Friday, September 11, 2026

TIME: 11:00 am - 11:30 am ET

Host Team: Continuous Improvement

Details of Session: In this session, obtain a walk through our graduate portals and discover how to use them for specific FGS processes.

TOPIC: Student Affairs

DATE: Friday, September 11, 2026

TIME: 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm ET

Host Team: Graduate Student Affairs

Details of Session: In this session, learn about the key processes and policies that impact you around registration, graduate milestones, and processes like petitions. Get a brief look at some key timelines you will experience as a graduate student. 

_{A photo of students participating in a seminar on campus}.

“91��ɫ is known for its interdisciplinarity and we believe this matters as much outside the library, lab and classroom as it does inside,” Alice MacLachlan, Vice Provost & Dean, Graduate Studies, said. “So if you're just starting a degree in Health I encourage you to check out something in AMPD. If you're beginning your career in education maybe see what public lectures or events are offered by Lassonde, by Engineering.”

MacLachlan added, “The more you can diversify your range of perspectives, awareness and sense of community on campus, the more ideas and opportunities become visible on your horizon. So as you take in all these new things and the beginning of a phenomenal program structure and learning opportunity, take a moment to consider ‘what do I want to accomplish with my degree’?”

In the June event, , incoming students were walked through the processes of how to accept their offer and how to submit required documentation to fulfill any final conditions. They also received information on disability accommodations available to graduate students, setting up Passport 91��ɫ and email accounts, how to register for academic terms, how to enroll in courses and getting a YU card.

Since not all the participants were in Toronto at that point, they were also presented with information on the cost of living in Toronto, transit options for travel, health plans and services and attending GRAD@91��ɫ, FGS orientation.

In the July event, , participants received an overview of the various web platforms at 91��ɫ that students have interaction with. These include, registering online, enrolling in courses, the FGS website, graduate program websites, 91��ɫ’s events calendar, the Better Together website for creating inclusive and welcoming campuses, the different appointment booking portals, the incoming class Facebook group, and more.

In the final pre-arrival event, , held in mid-August, participants explored the role supervision plays in graduate studies, highlighted was how supervision shapes the student learning experience. Specifically designed for new graduate students, the session examined the Ontario Principles for Graduate Supervision and focused on student responsibilities. Presenters included current grad students.

Participants were given tips for effective supervisor-student relationships, do’s and don’ts for understanding expectations and how to make the most of your supervisory experience. The goal of the session was to help the new students get started on a successful graduate school journey.

�����ٱ𳾲����’s GRAD@91��ɫ Orientation was an opportunity for the new students to meet with members of the FGS team and campus partners to learn about the different academic and administrative resources and services available to support the graduate journey.

_{A photo of students sitting at a table outside in nice weather on a 91��ɫ campus}.

Besides Dean MacLachlan, FGS staff were on hand to discuss graduate student wellness services, funding, scholarships and awards and professional skills opportunities. Closing remarks were given by Tokunbo Ojo, FGS Associate Dean, Students.

Campus partners on hand to discuss their services included 91��ɫ Libraries, Teaching Commons, Student Accessibility Services, the Office of the Ombudsperson, 91��ɫ Graduate Student Association (YUGSA), CUPE 3903, Centre for Indigenous Students Services (CISS), Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-Time Students (ACMAPS), Athletics & Recreation, Food Services and 91��ɫ International.

“For many of you, the goal in graduate school is to create something new, some new research, some new understanding, some new solution to a problem, or some new tool for the world,” Dean MacLachlan said in her welcome message.

“In that way in creating something new I want to encourage each of you not to be afraid to think of yourselves as the future of knowledge creation here at 91��ɫ.”
Anyone unable to participate in our pre-arrival webinar series, please find the recordings on the FGS YouTube channel:

Wishing all our incoming students the utmost of success as you navigate your first year here at 91��ɫ. Please know alongside your graduate programs, FGS is here to help!

_{Image of Ashlee Christoffersen's book cover}

Her research concluded that there is not one, but five, applied concepts of intersectionality used in equality organizing and policy—an integral insight because some of these advance intersectional justice while others actually serve to further entrench inequalities.

As a result of her research, Christoffersen says she is currently supporting the Canada-based International Institute for Sustainable Development around applying intersectionality in policymaking for climate change adaptation.

“I think the lessons learned can be applied to NGOs elsewhere though they will be more relevant in some contexts than others,” Christoffersen says. “The NGO sector in Canada faces similar challenges and contexts.”

The book, The Politics of Intersectional Practice: Representation, Coalition and Solidarity in UK NGOs will be published by Bristol University Press in Canada and the US on June 25.

The award, presented by the Government of Canada, supports first-rate doctoral students who undertake graduate studies in the fields of social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering, and health. The aim of the program is to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies.

Candidates are evaluated based on three equally weighted selection criteria: academic excellence, research potential, and leadership. All four 91��ɫ recipients will be awarded $50,000 annually for up to three years to support their research projects.

This year’s scholars have proposed innovative solutions to challenging problems through their projects, which can develop into positive change for our community locally, globally and beyond.

Grace Bishchof, Physics & Astronomy

Characterizing Inter-Crater Dust Dynamics in Gale Crater, Mars in Preparation of Human Exploration.

Bischof’s research looks at the importance of understanding the dust cycle on Mars as crucial for the future of human-led missions, where dust storms pose a distinct threat to humans on the Martian surface. The opacity of dust in the Martian atmosphere has been studied using images taken in Gale Crater by the Curiosity Rover for several years, however these images are severely limited in time and space. This work uses a newly designed Curiosity Rover observation that captures a larger area of the crater and can be employed throughout a Martian day.

"Capturing these data throughout dust storms will give additional insight into the dust lifting and deposition occurring, shining light onto these elusive storms", Bischof says. "This work will help us to understand how dust transports in the atmosphere both spatially and temporally, allowing us to better predict atmospheric phenomena, and ensure human-led missions are accomplished safely."

_{A photo of Grace Bischof}

Roberta da Silva Medina, Socio-Legal Studies

Vertical Surveillance: Urban Police Use of Drone Technology in Brazil and Canada.

Da Silva Medina's research project delves into police surveillance practices in urban settings, focusing on Greater São Paulo in Brazil and the Greater Toronto Area in Canada. Despite the differences in police cultures and institutional landscapes, both regions have integrated military-originated drone technology for urban surveillance. In Brazil, where police forces are militarized, and in Canada, where they are not, this technology has found its place in law enforcement practices.

"I aim to explore the rationale and processes behind this adoption, drawing upon surveillance studies, Brazilian critical theory, and critical race theory," Da Silva Medina says. "My research methods involve collecting data, participatory observation police-surveillance industry events, and engaging with police departments and civil liberties advocates in both regions through interviews."

_{A photo of Roberta da Silva Medina}

Joshua Lamers, Law

The Golden Ticket? Black Adoptees, Transracial Adoption and Rethinking Legal Adoption.

Lamers (he/they) is a Black queer gender non-conforming disabled mad child welfare survivor and family policing abolitionist. Lamer is a poet, dancer, writer, and educator in the areas of law and social work centering the intersections of Blackness, Disability and madness, child welfare survivorship, queerness and transness.

Their doctoral autoethnographic research titled The Golden Ticket? Black Child Welfare Survivors, Racial Displacement Through Adoption & the End of Family Policing Systems focuses on the question of whether the experiences and outcomes of the legal adoption of Black children into white families reflect the paramount purpose of the Child, Youth, and Family Services Act, 2017 with respect to promoting the best interests, protection and well-being.

“It is my hope that with this research we can collectively trouble the notion that the legal adoption of Black children into white families is necessarily a form of exit from the violences of state child protection systems and a ‘golden-ticket’ toward protection and the nurturance of well-being,” Lamer says.

_{A photo of Joshua Lamers}

Romeo Joe Quintero, Geography

Building Liveable Futures in Camps: Everyday Placemaking Practices of Internally Displaced Women in the Southern Philippines.

Quintero's doctoral project will examine the experiences of those living in resettlement and transitory sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the southern Philippines affected by armed conflicts. He will travel to the southern Philippines in the summer of this year to conduct 12 months of ethnographic research to understand how IDPs construct their livelihoods, homes, and sense of belonging through collective action.

“My work will draw critical connections with broader ideas of carceral and abolition geographies to offer capacious understanding of resettlement sites as more than just spaces of confinement and control, but also places of rebuilding and reimagining,” says Quintero.

Learn more about the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) on the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ website.

_{A photo of Romeo Joe Quintero}

Valued at $70,000 per year for two years, the fellowship allows ambitious scholars to conduct their research and devote substantial time to work without the financial pressures that might typically arise. The successful applicants were reviewed against three equally weighted selection criteria: 1) Applicant’s research excellence and leadership in the research domain; 2) Quality of applicant's proposed research program; and 3) Institutional commitment and demonstrated synergy between applicant and institutional strategic priorities.

Saba Asaad, EECS, Lassonde (NSERC)

Asaad’s research project, titled “Over-the-Air Federated Learning via Benchmark Wireless Network,” develops algorithmic and analytic frameworks to address essential issues arising in the implementation of federated learning (FL) in practical wireless networks. Asaad’s project proposes an alternative method, over-the-air FL, which leverages the superposition property of multiple access channels to realize the predefined aggregation policy directly over-the-air.

“Federated learning was first designed for ideal communication networks. However, in realistic edge-learning scenarios the edge-devices, connected to the parameter server via wireless links, face several challenges due to uncertain wireless conditions and limited resources,” explains Asaad.

The approach that is taken by the project can be leveraged in the development of a large variety of services that deal with the concept of distributed learning.

_{A picture of Dr. Saba Asaad}

Stephen Melly, Mechanical Engineering, Lassonde (NSERC)

Melly’s proposed research, titled “Development of the computational constitutive model for super-soft 4D bioprinted materials,” aims to formulate computational models that capture the complex mechanical characteristics of super-soft materials. This research has the potential to enhance our understanding of super-soft materials in 4D bioprinting using virtual experiments, facilitating advancements in the field and the development of reliable and customized artificial tissues that match the specific needs of individual patients.

“Successful design and fabrication of engineered tissues necessitate a comprehensive grasp of the mechanical characteristics of super-soft materials. This guarantees the efficacy of biomedical applications, as differences in mechanical properties between the engineered tissues and the surrounding biological tissues may result in complications like rejection,” shares Melly.

The cutting-edge project fills the growing demand for accurate computational models that describe the complex mechanical behaviors of super-soft tissues.

_{A picture of Dr. Stephen Melly}

Lynn Yu Ling Ng, Department of Politics, LA&PS (SSHRC)

Ng’s project, titled “Care for All is Care that Pulls Us Through,” employs an advanced critical intersectional approach to analyze care work and the presence of distinct forms of structural inequality (e.g. age, race, gender, class, nationality), which influence migrant care workers (MCWs) and their capacity to care for elderly persons. The project’s guiding questions are: 1) How do MCWs make sense of caring for the elderly and for themselves, and how do they strive to protect these visions of care?; and 2) How can these imaginaries of care be accounted for and integrated into care and labour migration policy?

“Eldercare is rarely framed from the perspective of MCWs beyond the common identity debates of race, gender, and class. Neither has much attention been given to their rich migratory experiences and expert knowledge of care work,” reveals Ng.

The anticipated outputs can be a valuable source of information for policy development in the field of eldercare.

_{A picture of Dr. Lynn Yu Ling Ng}

For more information about the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship please visit the .