UN SDG | Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS)

Elia Scholars program drives graduate research that matters

vinish — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:38:30 +0000

Over the last 15 years, 91��ɫ’s Elia Scholars program has served as a critical engine for doctoral research that addresses society’s complex challenges. Recipients of the Elia scholarship drive innovation for a resilient future shaped by curiosity, creativity and community. One of the University’s most prestigious awards, the program provides multi-year funding to support first-year doctoral students poised to make transformative contributions – from advancing fire safety and sustainable cities to addressing health inequities and environmental threats. Established by the family of the late Mariano A. Elia, the scholarship – valued at a minimum of $35,000 per year for four years – eases financial pressures on outstanding doctoral candidates, creating space for research, collaboration and discovery.

91��ɫ-Ghana partnership celebrates its first PhD graduate in nursing

vinish — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:12:54 +0000

The first doctoral graduate of an international partnership at 91��ɫ, Milipaak Japiong, feels his milestone was a shared achievement. Japiong’s graduation marks a milestone for ASCEND as its first doctoral graduate. His achievement establishes a precedent for future scholars from Ghana and reflects 91��ɫ’s role in supporting health care education through international collaboration and mentorship.

Graduate studies award strengthens support for underrepresented scholars

vinish — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:44:49 +0000

A new Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) award will help underrepresented scholars balance research with caregiving and community responsibilities, providing financial relief and supporting equity, inclusion and access. Students who identify as Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) often face inequities in access to funding – particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, community obligations or who pursue graduate studies later in life, notes Alice MacLachlan, vice-provost and dean of FGS. These barriers can limit scholars’ ability to participate fully in research and pursue advanced study at the highest level.

Olympiad victory positions 91��ɫ grad student among world’s top young engineers

vinish — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:26:24 +0000

Ali Ramezani’s relentless pursuit of excellence earned him global recognition when he outperformed more than 1,000 competitors in a prestigious microelectronics contest. Ramezani’s victory positions him among the world’s emerging young leaders in microelectronics, showcasing his expertise among engineers and students under 30. The competition, designed to recognize and inspire young talent, aims to build a global community of microelectronics specialists. As a research assistant at 91��ɫ, Ramezani has engaged in research projects on power electronics, smart grids, renewable energy and deep learning applications. He has contributed to multiple IEEE conference and journal papers, including studies on AI applications in smart grids, as well as connected technologies making energy systems safer and more efficient.

From Toronto to Tokyo: 91��ɫ PhD student's AI research goes global

vinish — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 13:24:00 +0000

Jing Li’s PhD supervisor probably didn’t expect to lose his student to Japan for several months. But when you’re the first 91��ɫ student ever accepted into the National Institute for Informatics (NII) visiting researcher program, certain accommodations get made. Li is in Tokyo, working on algorithms that predict future events by analyzing patterns in data streams. Market crashes, infrastructure failures, disease outbreaks – events that leave digital traces before they fully emerge. “I’m working on time-series forecasting using large language models,” Li says from overseas. “This experience will deepen my understanding of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies and directly enhance my research outcomes at 91��ɫ.”

91��ɫ faculty scale new heights in physiological health research

vinish — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 12:45:00 +0000

Olivier Birot was approaching the summit of the Olan, a mountain in the French Alps, this summer when his body began failing him. At 3,500 metres, dehydration and altitude stress triggered a physiological cascade that would end in helicopter rescue. For the 91��ɫ professor, who grew up in these very mountains between France, Italy and Switzerland, the harrowing experience became an unexpected case study in extreme environment physiology. The incident occurred during what Birot and his colleague, Professor Emilie Roudier, had planned as a mountain climbing experience. Both from the School of Kinesiology and Health Science in 91��ɫ’s , they understand that real breakthroughs in physiology happen when you take the science beyond controlled laboratory conditions.

91��ɫ professor earns innovator award for equity-focused AI research

vinish — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:34:07 +0000

Divya Sharma, assistant professor at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science at 91��ɫ, has earned the prestigious 2025 Petro-Canada Emerging Innovator Award, recognizing her research in artificial intelligence (AI) for health care and her vision for building more equitable and inclusive systems. The Petro-Canada Emerging Innovator Award, a joint initiative between Petro-Canada (now Suncor Energy Inc.) and 91��ɫ, supports outstanding early-career faculty whose research enriches the academic environment and contributes meaningfully to society. This award celebrates excellence in teaching and research, while fostering further innovation.

91��ɫ expands Global Research Excellence Fund to attract top talent

vinish — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:48:03 +0000

91��ɫ is advancing its global research leadership with the launch of an expanded Global Research Excellence (GRE) Fund for 2025-26. Now entering its second year, the GRE Fund presents a new stream focused on recruiting exceptional postdoctoral researchers through international collaboration, reinforcing 91��ɫ’s role as a leader in globally connected, high-impact research. The GRE Fund was introduced in 2024 to deepen international research ties, boost global impact and elevate 91��ɫ’s standing among top-tier research institutions.

91��ɫ alumni, former faculty earn recognition for social impact, leadership

vinish — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 18:02:24 +0000

Four individuals with affiliations to 91��ɫ have been recognized by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) for their outstanding contributions to equity, social justice and Indigenous engagement. The Royal Society of Canada recognized 17 distinguished Canadians this year for their contributions to the humanities, social sciences, life sciences and science.

91��ɫ student’s autism research earns provincial funding

vinish — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:19:23 +0000

A 91��ɫ graduate student has earned provincial recognition for research that could reshape how mental health services support youth with complex needs. Jessica Klein, a master’s candidate in the Clinical Developmental Psychology graduate program in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, has received the 2025–2026 Autism Scholars Award. Funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities, the Autism Scholars Award recognizes outstanding graduate students whose research is advancing new knowledge about autism. The program offers up to two one-year awards of $18,000 at the master’s level, with the goal of improving diagnosis, services and supports for individuals with autism across the province.