Non-rotating early galaxy a surprise to astronomers who say this work helps give clues to origins of the universe

An international group of astronomers, including from 91亚色鈥檚 department of Physics and Astronomy, using the worl诲鈥檚 most powerful space telescope, have made a surprising discovery about a galaxy long, long ago and far, far away: It isn鈥檛 rotating.

That鈥檚 something typically seen in more mature galaxies that are closer to us in space and time, says Ben Forrest, a research scientist at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California, Davis, and first author on the paper published May 4 in Nature Astronomy. 

鈥淭his one in particular did not show any evidence of rotation, which was surprising and very interesting,鈥� Forrest said.

According to current theories, as the first galaxies formed, irregularities in gas flows and the influence of gravity set them spinning.

Over many billions of years, some galaxies, especially those within galaxy clusters, merged with each other multiple times and their combined rotations added to or partly canceled each other. That鈥檚 why some galaxies that are closest to Earth (and therefore also relatively recent) can show little overall rotation but a lot of random movement of stars within them.

This process should take an enormously long time, so it鈥檚 surprising that galaxy XMM-VID1-2075 had achieved this state when the universe was less than two billion years old.

Forrest and colleagues, including second author and 91亚色 Physics and Astronomy Professor Adam Muzzin, who worked closely on the research with Forrest, had previously observed this galaxy with another observatory in Hawaii.

鈥淲e were especially keen to do this observation as it is one the most massive galaxies from the early universe,鈥� says Muzzin. 鈥淒etecting these types of galaxies is challenging and the observations can be subtle, but that keeps the work interesting.鈥�

The team used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to take a closer look at XMM-VID1-2075 and two other objects of similar age. With instruments on the Webb telescope, they were able to measure the relative movement of material inside them.

Of the three galaxies they sampled, one is clearly rotating, one is 鈥渒ind of messy,鈥� and one has no rotation but a lot of random motion. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 consistent with some of the most massive galaxies in the local universe, but it was a bit surprising to find it so early on,鈥� says Forrest.

How did this galaxy become a 鈥渟low rotator鈥� in less than two billion years? One possibility is that it is the result not of multiple mergers, but a single collision between two galaxies rotating pretty much in opposite directions. That idea is supported by the team鈥檚 observations.

鈥淔or this particular galaxy, we see a large excess of light off to the side. And so that's suggestive of some other object which has come in and is interacting with the system and potentially changing its dynamics,鈥� Forrest said.

The astronomers are continuing to look for other, similar objects in the early universe. By comparing their observations with simulations, they can test theories about galaxy formation.

Last year, Muzzin was granted the largest ever allotment for a single researcher on the JWST and says that this research is not just about understanding this particular galaxy, but gives us clues as to the origin story of the universe, and through that humanity.

鈥淭his is literally where it all started, where we all came from,鈥� says Muzzin. 鈥淭his research is one important step in understanding that story more fully.鈥�

The work was supported by grants from NASA, the Space Telescope Science Institute and National Science Foundation.

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91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91亚色's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact: Emina Gamulin, 91亚色 Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

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New national initiative to instruct and mentor 91 highly qualified trainees in equitable, data-driven, public health decision-making

91亚色 Distinguished Research Professor is spearheading a national initiative to ensure Canada remains a world leader in using artificial intelligence (AI) and mathematical modelling to advance health equity nationally and globally, and protect vulnerable communities.

Supported by a recent $1.65 million grant听and bolstered by about $3.65 million in partner contributions,听the Mathematical Innovations for Precision Public Health (CREATE-MIPPH) program will train 91 undergraduates, master鈥檚 and doctoral trainees over six years to transform massive volumes of complex data into actionable, life-saving public health strategies.

The program responds to a growing challenge in public health: a critical shortage of professionals trained to integrate an increasingly huge amount of health, behavioural, environmental and pathogen data into actionable strategies for disease prevention, health-care planning and emergency preparedness.

鈥淐anada has extraordinary data resources and strong public health institutions, but data alone do not improve outcomes,鈥� says Wu. 鈥淲e need highly trained experts who can integrate AI, mathematical modelling and established decision-making systems to help governments, healthcare systems and industry respond more effectively to emerging health challenges.鈥�

Supported by a network of researchers from six Canadian universities and partnerships with government agencies, hospitals, health technology companies and pharmaceutical organizations, trainees will gain hands-on experience through research placements, interdisciplinary collaborations and real-world projects. The program will equip trainees with expertise in data science, mathematical modelling, AI-driven data analytics and health economics. Professional and leadership development will focus on science communication, policy engagement and knowledge mobilization.

Grounded in team-based science and equity-focused practice, research will focus on quantifying emerging diseases, the influence of behavioural responses and socioeconomic factors on outbreaks and optimizing clinical trials. Going beyond technical modelling, trainees will examine how environmental factors, systemic barriers, individual and collective behaviours and public health interventions shape health outcomes. 

鈥淭his program is about building a new generation of highly skilled scientists and professionals who can bridge advanced analytics with public health needs. Our trainees will not only develop technical expertise, but also learn how to work across disciplines and sectors to translate complex data into evidence-based decisions that improve health outcomes and strengthen preparedness,鈥� says , a co-applicant and professor of computational epidemiology and vaccine science at 91亚色.

CREATE-MIPPH will strengthen Canada鈥檚 emergency preparedness capacity by combining behavioural science, modelling and simulation-based training. The program will equip graduates with the crisis communication skills required to lead multi-agency coordination and advise decision-makers during an outbreak, while fostering inclusive, equitable environments. As the trainees enter the workforce, they will serve as a valuable national resource linking academic innovation directly to the front lines of public health.

Other co-applicants from 91亚色 include , professor of disaster and emergency management, director of CIFAL 91亚色 and executive director of the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Advanced Disaster, Emergency and Rapid Response Simulation (ADERSIM); Shayna Rosenbaum, distinguished research professor, psychology and principal investigator of the Rosenbaum Memory Lab; and Woldegebriel Assefa Woldegerima, assistant professor of mathematical biology. Co-applicant institutions include University of Guelph, University of Toronto, Western University, University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina.

About Jianhong Wu

A 91亚色 Research Chair in industrial and applied mathematics, Jianhong Wu is recognized for his fundamental and applied research in disease modelling, with leading roles in high-impact interdisciplinary projects, including the National COVID-19 Modelling Rapid Response Task Force, the NSERC-EIDM network of MfPH and the ADERSIM facility. He is an elected fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. His efforts in building collaborative capacity across industry, government and academia have been recognized by the CAIMS-Fields Industrial Mathematics Prize (2019) and the NSERC Synergy Award (2024).

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La version fran莽aise suit la version anglaise.

eCampusOntario and 91亚色鈥檚 Glendon College are embarking on a new strategic partnership in support of the Camerise communities, a province鈥憌ide initiative dedicated to the retention of French as a Second Language (FSL) teachers and the strengthening of professional development in French as a Language of Instruction (FLI) across Ontario.

This partnership is grounded in a shared commitment to supporting the Francophone and FSL education community through the development, sharing, and long鈥憈erm sustainability of high鈥憅uality Open Educational Resources (OER) that reflect the realities of Ontario classrooms.

鈥淭his partnership reflects our commitment to providing meaningful, practical support for French educators across Ontario. By working with 91亚色 and the Camerise communities, we are helping ensure that useful, open, and classroom鈥慽nformed resources are easier to find, use, and adapt over time.鈥� 鈥� Robert Luke, CEO, eCampusOntario

Expanding access to sustainable French鈥憀anguage resources
At the core of this collaboration is the integration of nearly 150 Open Educational Resources developed by the Camerise communities into the eCampusOntario Open Library. This integration will significantly improve the visibility, discoverability, and reuse of resources designed by and for FSL teachers, teacher educators, and researchers.

As a provincial infrastructure dedicated to open education, eCampusOntario helps ensure the long鈥憈erm sustainability of these essential resources while supporting their adaptation and reuse across the K鈥�12 and postsecondary education sectors.

Building capacity and leadership in open education
The partnership also includes the upcoming development of a micro-credential in open education practices and OER creation. Co-developed by eCampusOntario and the Camerise Communities team, this initiative will equip teachers, trainers, and educators with the skills to co-create open content and to sustain open education and open pedagogy as collaborative, ethical, and lifelong professional practices within a networked community of practice that fosters innovation within the French language teaching profession.

This work supports a triangulated collaboration model that brings together teachers, trainers, and institutions, helping to align research, initial teacher education, professional development, and classroom practice.

A tangible impact for the Francophone and FSL education community
Through this partnership, the education community will benefit from:

• centralized access to high鈥憅uality open French鈥憀anguage resources;
• tools that support ongoing professional learning, inter鈥慽nstitutional collaboration, and the sharing of practice;
• a dynamic ecosystem that enables continuous improvement of resources based on classroom feedback.

鈥淭he Camerise communities were created in response to a real need for collaboration, support, and shared learning among French鈥憀anguage education professionals. The partnership between 91亚色鈥檚 Glendon College and eCampusOntario allows the extended reach of this collective work and ensures that these resources remain accessible, relevant, and closely connected to everyday teaching practice.鈥� 鈥� Dominique Scheffel-Dunand -Project lead of Camerise communities

Over time, this initiative will contribute to improving the quality of French鈥憀anguage teaching, supporting teacher retention, and offering learners more authentic and engaging language learning experiences across the province.

About eCampusOntario
eCampusOntario is a publicly funded, not鈥慺or鈥憄rofit organization supported by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. It advances innovation, collaboration, and digital education by design across Ontario鈥檚 colleges, Indigenous Institutes, and universities. Through provincial platforms, programs, and services, eCampusOntario supports digital participation in postsecondary education and connects institutions and learners to the future of learning and work.
To learn more, visit: .

About the Camerise communities
Sponsored by 91亚色, the Camerise Communities are a province鈥憌ide initiative dedicated to professionals working in French as a Second Language (FSL) and French as a Language of Instruction (FLI) in Ontario. Rooted in a community鈥慸riven, inclusive, and open approach, the Camerise communities foster collaboration among teachers, teacher educators, researchers, school boards, and postsecondary institutions to strengthen teaching practices, continuing professional development, and innovation in French鈥憀anguage education.
To learn more, visit: .

eCampusOntario et le Coll猫ge Glendon de l鈥橴niversit茅 91亚色 s鈥檃ssocient, en soutien aux Communaut茅s Camerise, pour renforcer la formation et la r茅tention des enseignant路es de fran莽ais en Ontario

eCampusOntario et le Coll猫ge Glendon de l鈥橴niversit茅 91亚色 nouent un nouveau partenariat strat茅gique, en appui au projet des Communaut茅s Camerise. Les Communaut茅s Camerise, une initiative provinciale d茅di茅e 脿 la r茅tention des enseignant路es de fran莽ais langue seconde (FLS) et au renforcement de la formation en fran莽ais langue 诲鈥檈nseignement (FLE/FLA) en Ontario.

Ce partenariat s鈥檌nscrit dans une vision commune visant 脿 soutenir la communaut茅 茅ducative francophone et FLS gr芒ce au d茅veloppement, au partage et 脿 la p茅rennisation de ressources 茅ducatives libres (REL) de grande qualit茅, ancr茅es dans les r茅alit茅s des salles de classe ontariennes. Commandit茅 par l鈥橴niversit茅 91亚色, le projet des Communaut茅s Camerise mobilise des r茅seaux collaboratifs 诲鈥檈nseignant路es, de formateur路rices, de chercheur路euses et 诲鈥檕rganisations partenaires 脿 l鈥櫭ヽhelle de la province.

芦鈥�Ce partenariat refl猫te notre engagement 脿 soutenir concr猫tement les enseignantes et enseignants de fran莽ais en Ontario. En travaillant avec l鈥橴niversit茅 91亚色 et les Communaut茅s Camerise, nous contribuons 脿 rendre des ressources utiles, ouvertes et ancr茅es dans la r茅alit茅 du terrain plus faciles 脿 trouver, 脿 utiliser et 脿 faire 茅voluer au fil du temps.鈥�禄 Robert Luke, PDG, eCampusOntario

Accro卯tre l鈥檃ccessibilit茅 et la durabilit茅 des ressources en fran莽ais
Au c艙ur de cette collaboration figure l鈥檌nt茅gration de pr猫s de 150 ressources 茅ducatives libres d茅velopp茅es par les Communaut茅s Camerise au sein de la Biblioth猫que libre 诲鈥檈CampusOntario. Cette int茅gration permettra 诲鈥檃m茅liorer consid茅rablement la visibilit茅, la d茅couvrabilit茅 et la r茅utilisation de ressources con莽ues par et pour les enseignant路es de FLS/ FLE/FLA, les formateur路rices et les chercheur路euses.

En tant qu鈥檌nfrastructure provinciale d茅di茅e 脿 l鈥櫭ヾucation ouverte, eCampusOntario contribue ainsi 脿 assurer la p茅rennit茅 脿 long terme de ces ressources essentielles, tout en facilitant leur adaptation et leur r茅utilisation 脿 travers les secteurs de l鈥櫭ヾucation primaire, secondaire et postsecondaire.

Renforcer les capacit茅s et le leadership en 茅ducation ouverte
Le partenariat comprend 茅galement le d茅veloppement prochain 诲鈥檜苍 micro-titre de comp茅tences en pratiques 诲鈥櫭ヾucation ouverte et en cr茅ation de ressources 茅ducatives libres (REL). Co-d茅velopp茅e par eCampusOntario et l'茅quipe du projet Communaut茅s Camerise, cette initiative dotera les enseignantes, enseignants et formatrices, formateurs des comp茅tences n茅cessaires pour co-cr茅er du contenu ouvert et faire de l鈥櫭ヾucation ouverte des pratiques professionnelles collaboratives, 茅thiques et durables, inscrites dans l鈥檃pprentissage tout au long de la vie. Ancr茅 dans une communaut茅 de pratique en r茅seau, ce micro-titre de comp茅tences favorisera l鈥檌nnovation au sein de la profession enseignante en fran莽ais.

Cette approche soutient un mod猫le de collaboration triangulaire r茅unissant enseignant路es, formateur路rices et institutions, favorisant l鈥檃lignement entre la recherche, la formation initiale, le perfectionnement professionnel et la pratique en classe.

Un impact concret pour la communaut茅 茅ducative francophone et FLS
Gr芒ce 脿 ce partenariat, la communaut茅 茅ducative b茅n茅ficiera :

• 诲鈥檜苍 acc猫s centralis茅 脿 des ressources ouvertes de haute qualit茅 en fran莽ais;
• 诲鈥�outils favorisant la formation continue, la collaboration interinstitutionnelle et le partage de pratiques;
• 诲鈥檜苍 茅cosyst猫me dynamique soutenant l鈥檃m茅lioration continue des ressources 脿 partir des retours du terrain.

芦鈥�Les communaut茅s Camerise sont n茅es d鈥�un besoin tr猫s r茅el de collaboration, de soutien et de partage entre professionnel路les du fran莽ais. Le partenariat entre le Coll猫ge Glendon de l鈥橴niversit茅 91亚色 et eCampusOntario permet de donner une port茅e plus large 脿 ce travail collectif et d鈥�assurer que ces ressources restent accessibles, vivantes et pertinentes pour celles et ceux qui enseignent le fran莽ais au quotidien.鈥�禄 Dominique Scheffel-Dunand - meneuse de projet Communaut茅 Camerise

脌 terme, cette initiative contribuera 脿 am茅liorer la qualit茅 de l鈥檈nseignement du fran莽ais, 脿 soutenir la r茅tention des enseignant路es et 脿 offrir aux apprenant路es des exp茅riences 诲鈥檃pprentissage linguistique plus authentiques et engageantes dans l鈥檈nsemble de la province.

脌 propos 诲鈥檈CampusOntario
eCampusOntario est un organisme sans but lucratif financ茅 par le minist猫re des Coll猫ges, Universit茅s, Excellence en recherche et S茅curit茅, qui soutient l鈥檌nnovation, la collaboration et l鈥櫭ヾucation num茅rique d猫s la conception dans les coll猫ges, les instituts autochtones et les universit茅s de l鈥橭ntario. eCampusOntario offre au secteur des plateformes, des programmes et des services visant 脿 faire progresser la participation num茅rique dans l鈥檈nseignement postsecondaire, en reliant les 茅tablissements et les apprenantes et apprenants de l鈥橭ntario 脿 l鈥檃venir de l鈥檃pprentissage et du travail.
Pour en savoir plus, visitez鈥�: .

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From increasing disasters, wildfires, record-breaking rainfall, warming lakes, invasive species and a struggling circular economy, 91亚色 researchers are taking the measure of our planet

TORONTO, April 20, 2026 鈥� As the climate changes and the risk of wildfires, earth quakes, floods and landslides increase, this Earth Day 2026 (April 22) is about taking back power 鈥� . 91亚色 experts research how environmental and climate stressors are affecting our planet鈥檚 ecosystems and how that affects humans and wildlife.

The following experts are available:

, a 91亚色 Research Chair in Global Change Biology, is a professor in the Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on the impacts of human-caused environmental stressors, including the effects of climate change and invasive species on freshwater lakes.

She can comment on:

• How human-induced environmental stressors increase lake temperatures, disrupt delicate ecosystems, and can affect fish species, lake health, cyanobacteria growth and drinking water
• Effects of freshwater browning, from an increase of organic matter and carbon being washed into lakes, on fish growth, populations and species
• Impact of climate change on Arctic ice conditions
• Invasive species, water quality and freshwater fisheries

, associate professor of atmospheric science at the Lassonde School of Engineering, studies climate, atmospheric, ocean and sea ice dynamics. He uses a combination of models, observations, and mathematical analysis to investigate how motions in Earth鈥檚 atmosphere and ocean influence climate.  He can speak to:

• Processes driving long-term temperature and precipitation changes, including increasingly record-breaking rainfall
• Factors leading to changes in Arctic sea ice
• Variability of the ocean circulation and its relationship to other aspects of climate change

,  director of 91亚色鈥檚 Emergency Mitigation, Engagement, Governance, Response Institute (Y-EMERGE), is an associate professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and an expert in disaster and emergency management areas, specifically wildfire and forest fire management. He has done extensive work on wildfire mitigation, fire decision-making, use of prediction in fire management, and fire management in Canada and globally. He can discuss:

• How climate changes - and other changes - increase the threat, intensity, and impact of wildfires
• How wildfires are managed in Canada and globally
• Wildfire decision-making, like how agencies make response decisions and how community members decide
• How to mitigate wildfire risk for individuals and communities

and , both professor and atmospheric chemists in the Faculty of Science who have been part of several large campaigns to better understand the air we breath in Toronto and across North America in summer and winter. Their most recent research found that the tinniest forever chemical declined in Toronto after everyone went home during the pandemic which means scientists should be able to figure out how to minimize these particular emissions and control the formation of it in the future. They can discuss:

• What is in the air Torontonians breath and what is contributing to it
• How so many per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances听(PFAS) remain undetected in the atmosphere and how they figured out how to test for them
• How these forever chemicals developed in the first place
• The risk to the environment, humans and wildlife of PFAS and how far they travel

Calvin Lakhan is co-investigator of the Circular Innovation Hub, a research project devoted to advancing the understanding of waste management research and policy in Canada, in the Faculty of Environmental Studies and Urban Change. He can discuss:

• The grey area of going green and the dangers of green washing and misleading environmental claims
• The circular economy and the adoption or resistance to it, such as reusable and zero-waste systems and consumer reaction to shared reusable food and beverage containers
• How recycling policy and environmental outcomes may be doing more harm than good and is no longer sustainable
• The socio-economic inequality that prevents poor and marginalized groups from participating in sustainable waste management practices

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Expert available to comment on cultural significance of the flowering Sakura

91亚色鈥檚 Sakura cherry trees have officially reached Stage 2, with large, rounded buds revealing their first hints of green. These unfurling tips are the first sign that the University鈥檚 more than 100 trees are beginning their seasonal transformation. The blossoms are on track to reach their spectacular peak by late April or early May. Peak bloom, when 70 per cent of a tree鈥檚 buds have opened, typically lasts just four to 10 days. The duration of the display will depend on the region鈥檚 unpredictable spring weather.

In 2003, 91亚色 became the first university in Canada to participate in the Sakura Project, an initiative by the Japanese government to plant 3,000 cherry trees across Ontario by 2005. Today, the trees are a symbol of the long-standing relationship between Japan and Canada, as well as the University鈥檚 deep academic and cultural ties with Japanese institutions.

91亚色 Associate Professor of Japanese Studies听听is available to discuss the cultural significance of the Sakura and the upcoming 100th anniversary of听Japan-Canada diplomatic relations in 2028. Yabuki-Soh teaches Japanese language, linguistics and culture courses. Her research focuses on second language acquisition and Japanese linguistics. She has organized the provincial and national Japanese language speech contests and proctored the Japanese Language Proficiency Test administered by the Japan Foundation since the early 2000s.

The largest stand of cherry trees on 91亚色鈥檚 sprawling Keele Campus is located outside the Calumet Residence on Arboretum Lane, with smaller clusters outside the Tait McKenzie Centre, Vanier College, the Kinsmen Building and along Campus Walk. 

Visiting 91亚色鈥檚 Keele Campus:

• Transit: Visitors to the Keele Campus can arrive via the Pioneer Village or 91亚色 TTC stations, with Pioneer Village being the closest to the main grove near Calumet College.
• Accessibility: Both Pioneer Village and 91亚色 TTC stations have elevator access. All trees are located along accessible, paved routes.
• Parking: Paid parking is available across campus for those driving.

For specific tree locations and walking directions, visit 91亚色鈥檚 . High-resolution photos of previous seasons鈥� blooms are available for media use upon request.

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Media and public invited to attend this Saturday April 11, hosted at 91亚色 U鈥檚 Markham campus for first time

April 10, 2026, TORONTO 鈥� While Artemis II is expected to arrive back on Earth today, youth from 91亚色 Region will be setting up their science projects that might be adopted in the future, including a smart compression suit for astronauts, duckweed growth and nutrient recycling in space, developing a machine-learning model to discover active asteroids and more.

More than 115 projects will be showcased by more than a hundred and sixty students grades 7 -12 as they compete this Saturday at the at 91亚色鈥檚 Markham Campus. The students from 37 schools across 91亚色 region will compete for a spot at the competition, which will be held in Edmonton, Alberta this year in late May.

While 91亚色 and YRSTF have partnered for the fair for more than a decade, with it typically being held at 91亚色鈥檚 Keele campus, 2026 marks the first year that the fair will be held at 91亚色鈥檚 Markham campus, newly opened in 2024.

Fifty judges will review their science fair submissions. YRSTF is an affiliate of Youth Science Canada, and the winners will be among 500 students from across the country vying for the title of Canada鈥檚 best science fair project and may go on to represent Canada internationally.

Co-chair of the YRSTF@91亚色 partnership, Faculty of Health Professor Rebecca Pillai Riddell, and YRSTF Youth Science Canada Regional Coordinator for 91亚色 Region Nathalie Rudner as well as participating students, will be available for interviews.

Projects in past years have included eco-friendly paper packaging made of sprouts, sound-powered batteries to monitor air quality, autonomous robots to assist seniors and using neural networks to detect disease early.

Students from previous competitions have gone on to show their work at prestigious competitions such as the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.

91亚色鈥檚 Connected Minds, a leading neuroscience research collaboration looking towards creating a healthy and just society, is the fair鈥檚 major sponsor this year, as well as 91亚色 Region District School Board and the 91亚色 Catholic District School Board alongside many community businesses and individuals.

Media are invited to attend from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. during the judging portion of the fair, as well as the public viewing that takes place from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

WHAT: 91亚色 Region Science and Technology Fair
WHO: Grades 7 to 12 students from 37 91亚色 Region schools
WHEN: Saturday April 11. Media invited for a sneak-peek of the projects on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and public viewing from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Viewing hours located at 2nd floor of 91亚色鈥檚 .  The Awards Ceremony will follow at 5 p.m. in the atrium.

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91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91亚色's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact: Emina Gamulin, 91亚色 Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

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Landmark gift from the Raj Anand and Lesley Valentine-Anand Foundation, in collaboration with Osgoode and the Law Commission of Ontario, will support access-to-justice research and student internships

Osgoode Hall Law School at 91亚色 announces the establishment of the Osgoode Access to Justice Fund (A2J Fund), an initiative combining philanthropic and institutional support to strengthen access-to-justice research and expand opportunities for students pursuing public-interest legal careers.

The $1 million A2J Fund is made possible by a generous gift from the Raj Anand and Lesley Valentine-Anand Foundation with matching funds from Osgoode Hall Law School. This combined investment will finance a new research fellowship at the Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) and student internships, advancing access to justice and providing hands-on opportunities for Osgoode students.

鈥淭he leadership provided by the Raj Anand and Lesley Valentine-Anand Foundation through this generous gift reflects a shared commitment to access to justice and builds on Osgoode鈥檚 longstanding leadership in this area,鈥� says Dean Trevor Farrow of Osgoode Hall Law School. 鈥淎t this critical time for the rule of law and justice, we are delighted to work with the LCO to support important research and to create these valuable opportunities for our students.鈥�

鈥淟awyers occupy a place of privilege in society and in our justice system,鈥� says Raj Anand. 鈥淚n return, they can make a concrete contribution in both domains by breaking down longstanding obstacles to society鈥檚 access to justice. I am fortunate to partner with the LCO and Osgoode, two centres of excellence  and innovation in access to justice, whose initiative will employ several interrelated strategies toward this end: creation of a new research fellowship at the LCO, and support for student education, mentorship, community engagement and the opportunity to provide access to justice as a future career.鈥�

The Osgoode Access to Justice Fund will support two key programs:

The Raj Anand and LCO Access to Justice Research Fellowship

Beginning in 2026, the Fund will support a new research fellowship housed at the LCO. Open to academics, legal professionals and postdoctoral researchers, fellows will undertake applied law-reform research at the LCO, contribute to public projects and initiatives and engage with Osgoode鈥檚 scholarly community. Where appropriate, fellows will also mentor Osgoode students, strengthening the connection between legal scholarship, policy development and professional training.

Osgoode Access to Justice Internships

The Fund will also establish the Osgoode Access to Justice Internships, providing Osgoode JD students with financial support to pursue summer placements at public-interest organizations 鈥� including legal clinics, non-profits and NGOs 鈥� that work to advance access to justice. These placements will enable students to gain practical experience in under-resourced but high-impact legal environments.

鈥淎t a time when many communities continue to face systemic barriers to legal services, this important collaboration between the Foundation, Osgoode and the LCO strengthens the connection between research, policy and practice, while supporting the next generation of justice-focused legal professionals,鈥� says Executive Director of the LCO Nye Thomas.

To encourage additional support, Osgoode Hall Law School will match the first $50,000 in new donations from alumni and friends to the Access to Justice Fund, doubling the impact of gifts in support of access鈥憈o鈥慾ustice research and student opportunities.

To make a donation, please email Osgoode Director of Development Jana Skyers at jskyers@osgoode.yorku.ca.

About the Law Commission of Ontario

The LCO is Ontario鈥檚 leading independent law reform agency. Located at Osgoode Hall Law School at 91亚色, the LCO develops practical, evidence-based recommendations through rigorous research and public engagement, with the goal of improving the accessibility, effectiveness, and fairness of Ontario鈥檚 laws.

About Osgoode Hall Law School

Founded in 1889, Osgoode Hall Law School is one of Canada鈥檚 largest and most respected centres for legal education, research, and scholarship. Osgoode offers professional, graduate, and continuing legal education programs, combining world-class academic training with experiential learning. Its faculty and students engage in research that informs law and public policy, advances access to justice, and addresses complex societal challenges. Osgoode cultivates legal leaders who contribute meaningfully to their communities, the profession, and society.

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The new Centre of Excellence will bring together multiple disciplines across the University to develop and deploy artificial intelligence systems to improve health care

TORONTO, April 9, 2026 鈥� As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly important, especially in the health-care field, 91亚色 continues to play an outsized role. Today, the University announced the launch of a new Centre of Excellence 鈥� Artificial Intelligence for Public Health Advancement (AIPHA) funded through an Ontario Research Fund 鈥� Research Excellence program.

Director General, Applied Public Health Sciences Pamela Ponic of the Science and Policy Integration Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Ontario Ministry of Health Kieran Moore, and MPP for Whitby Lorne Coe, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security all spoke at the lunch-time event.

As a key player in supporting health-care decision making, AIPHA will strengthen external partnerships and accelerate the transfer of knowledge from research to policy and practice, where hospitals, medical practitioners, policymakers and leaders can use it. It will also help bridge the gap between health analytics and real-world socioeconomic conditions further positioning 91亚色 as a national and global leader in AI-integrated public health solutions through research and innovation.

"The launch of AIPHA marks a defining moment for 91亚色 and for the future of public health in Canada. By bringing together expertise across disciplines, from mathematical modelling and AI to health policy and social equity, we are creating something truly transformative: a hub where research doesn't just advance knowledge but directly shapes the decisions that protect and improve people's lives,鈥� says 91亚色 Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Philipps. 鈥�91亚色 has long been committed to addressing society's most pressing challenges, and AIPHA reflects that mission at its fullest. We are proud to be building the next generation of AI-adept public health leaders right here, and to be positioning Canada as a global force in equitable, evidence-informed health innovation."

As a dedicated, multi-disciplinary and national hub, AIPHA will bring together expertise from across faculties, including in advanced mathematical and computational modelling, precision analytics and multi-source databases. The goal is to integrate epidemiological, clinical, environmental, climate and socioeconomic indicators in newly created AI models, while training the next generation.

鈥淎rtificial intelligence tools are increasingly being used in health-care settings but a coordinated, ethical and equitable approach to ensure the tools use integrated data sources, and that they are being properly tested and deployed for patient good is lacking. The current speed of newly developed AI models is at times outpacing governance,鈥� says Faculty of Science Dean Maydianne Andrade. 鈥淎s a new Centre of Excellence in the Faculty of Science, AIPHA will lead the way toward better integration of these new technologies in a cohesive manner that will help advance public health care.鈥�

Two projects already underway include: Integrating AI with disease transmission dynamics models for informed prevention and control of outbreaks in indoor and mass gathering settings (2025 to 2031) and Advanced mathematical technologies for respiratory infection risk assessment and pharmaceutical intervention scenario analysis (2024 to 2028), both led by AIPHA鈥檚 inaugural director Jianhong Wu.

鈥淭he AI for Public Health Research Centre is a coordinated innovation hub that will help improve health-care efficiency and outcomes, as well as ensure coordinated, ethical and equitable transformation of public health systems,鈥� says AIPHA Director and University Distinguished Research Professor Jianhong Wu of the Faculty of Science. 鈥淭his kind of central hub is much needed in the health-care sector today to ensure emerging AI tools are properly integrated and decision and policy makers are provided with robust information toward developing a more cohesive, ethical and equitable public health-care system.鈥�

AIPHA will integrate epidemiological, clinical, environmental and socioeconomic data into the AI-enabled decision-support systems it develops and deploys to guide equitable and evidence-informed public health action. In ensuring the development of fair and equitable AI systems, the hub will combine not only advanced mathematical and computational modelling and AI and predictive analytics, but also health systems and policy research with social determinants of health and equity frameworks.

AIPHA will act as a research accelerator for large collaborative grants, train the next generation of AI-adept public health leaders and develop pilot AI-integrated protypes for infectious disease modelling, health system resource allocation and climate health risk forecasting.

It will also strengthen Canadian pandemic and emergency preparedness, enhance evidence-based policymaking, support climate-health adaptation strategies, improve health equity outcomes, and increase 91亚色鈥檚 national visibility in AI governance and public health innovation.

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At this point, Avian flu H5N1 is thought to have very limited ability to transmit between humans, but a recent case in British Columbia with an unknown source of transmission has piqued the curiosity and concern of scientists, including 91亚色 Professor Seyed Moghadas.

Did this lone case come about through transmission from an animal or another person, and if it was via human transmission, what methods will control its spread in the human population? Director of 91亚色鈥檚 Agent-Based Modelling Laboratory in the Centre of Excellence in AI for Public Health Advancement, Moghadas and a group of researchers used modelling to understand the best spread control measures should human-to-human transmission become possible.

鈥淭he idea was, let's evaluate some of the interventions that we usually implement at the very earliest stage of a disease outbreak or emerging disease, which we know very little about,鈥� he says.

For the research, ",鈥� published today in Nature Health, various scenarios from isolation to vaccination before or after a spillover event were modelled. It is one of only a few studies that have explicitly modelled outbreak dynamics following spillover into humans or the effectiveness of public health interventions in early and highly uncertain phases of virus development.

As a professor of computational epidemiology and vaccine science in 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Science, Moghadas and his colleagues were already collecting data on H5N1 cases in the United States when the Canadian case arose. Given the unknown nature of transmission, the team decided to pivot their work to look at what was happening in B.C.

鈥淭he case in B.C. was of particular interest for us because no definitive source of exposure was identified, including no direct contact with infected animals or known high-risk settings such as poultry farms,鈥� says Moghadas. 鈥淏ecause of that, it came to our attention that maybe there is some sort of transmission going on between humans.鈥�

As far as health and science experts know, H5N1 can only be transmitted among poultry and dairy cattle on farms, as well as through wild birds, and from these animals to humans, but sustained human-to-human transmission has not been established. The person from B.C., however, had no clearly identified exposure and even though human infection from animals is rare, avian influenza H5N1 is considered highly pathogenic and a potentially serious and evolving threat to global public health.

鈥淭his virus was first identified in 1997 in Southeast Asia. This kind of zoonotic virus essentially jumps from the bird or animal side to human side sometimes, mostly it circulates among wild birds,鈥� says Moghadas. 鈥淭here is no confirmation that human-to-human transmission happens as yet in North America.鈥�

The virus has only been in North America since 2022, but surveillance monitoring for it began in 2003 and up until recently there have been close to 1,000 cases reported globally in humans and just under 500 deaths, although the number of cases could be higher because not all cases are likely reported or symptomatic. The virus has not only expanded its geographical range, but also the animal species it can infect.

鈥淓volution of influenza viruses of any type is always a challenge for humans. The flu virus is one of the very rapid mutating pathogens,鈥� he says. The concern is it will mutate to be able to transmit between humans. How viable is it? How easily can it spillover from animals to humans, and how long could the potential chain of transmission from human-to-human become? These are still open questions.

鈥淨uantifying that risk was important for us because that could also give us direction in terms of how bad the disease could be and what strategies will work to contain it,鈥� says Moghadas. 鈥淲e have very few measures in place or a strategy to deal with it at this point, given that the transmission between humans is not established.鈥�

As it is an avian flu virus, it will likely require two doses of a similar vaccine to what was used during the H1N1 pandemic to reduce the risk and severity which often triggers a higher viral load.

The researchers used Abbottsford, B.C. as the location as it is a highly dense poultry farming area. The starting point is after a spillover has happened. 鈥淚f a human became infected, how do we block this single individual to trigger a large outbreak? Or if the infection is going on between humans, can we block these chains and to what degree we can block them?鈥� asks Moghadas. 鈥淲hat is the effectiveness of either self-isolation of symptomatic cases or vaccination of farmers or vaccination of farmers and their household members?鈥�

Even with mitigation measures, someone in the farmer鈥檚 family could potentially be infected by the farmer and then transmit it to someone in the community.

The team evaluated two different types of vaccination strategies. One was reactive, which means that you trigger a vaccination program after a case has been identified somewhere. The second strategy was pre-emptive 鈥� individuals, such as farmers, are vaccinated before any case is identified.

What they found is that reactive vaccination has very limited additional benefits outside of self-isolation, but pre-emptive vaccination adds substantial additional benefits on top of self-isolation.

Should the virus be confirmed to be capable of human-to-human transmission, Moghadas says they want to limit the chain of transmission and minimize the risk of evolution of the virus to become more adapted to human conditions. For now, he says, when cases are identified, the person should self isolate immediately. For the authorized vaccine, it should be meted out quickly to target populations, but that could take several weeks to have population level effectiveness.

鈥淭imely action is a critical part of controlling the spread. Self-isolation of symptomatic cases has a significant effect, but that comes with the caveat that we don't know if everybody who is infected will develop symptoms,鈥� says Moghadas. 鈥淭here could be potential asymptomatic cases we don't identify and by the time we do identify them, they've been already infecting others in the chain of transmission. This case in B.C. was particularly concerning because they could not find the source of infection.鈥�

The concern is not only that the virus might be able to jump from animals to humans, but also the potential for it to mutate during early human transmission chains making it more adaptable to infecting humans. This underscores the risk of local outbreaks with global implications, he says.

鈥淢y research is all about evidence generation for governments, health-care providers and policymakers in public health organizations. We are generating evidence that can be used to at the very least limit the potential for this virus to become another pandemic,鈥� says Moghadas.

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Researchers say findings point to the need to recruit beyond universities when doing cross-cultural investigations听

TORONTO, March. 26, 2026 鈥� A new study in Nature Communications听finds that world-wide, people with higher levels of education are more culturally similar to those in Canada, the U.S. U.K. and other Anglo, industrialized countries and countries in Western Europe.

Lead author and 91亚色 Faculty of Health Assistant Professor says the study shows that solely recruiting from university students and educated people when doing cross-cultural comparisons will not fully capture the cultural variability we see in the world.

鈥淓ducation doesn鈥檛 just teach skills or facts, to a certain extent it also shapes how people think about the world, so the findings make sense,鈥� says White, in the Department of Psychology. 鈥淲hile Western countries continue to be over-represented in research in general, our study suggests that even where participants are recruited from non-Western countries, cultural bias may continue to persist.鈥�

Analyzing data from nearly 270,000 people across 95 countries captured in the World Values Survey, the study shows that higher education is strongly associated with cultural values typical of so-called 鈥淲EIRD鈥� societies (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic). For example, Russians with lower education levels were very culturally distant from American values, but Russians with a university degree were much more culturally similar to the U.S.

Contrary to modernization theories, when analyzing income and social status, the researchers did not find the same association.

White paired up with London School of Economics and New 91亚色 Professor Michael Muthukrishna for the study. They found that in 70 per cent of the countries they looked at, highly-educated people were significantly closer to the United States than people with low education in those countries. However, the researchers say the pattern reflects a broader alignment with Western cultural norms, including individualism and an emphasis on personal freedom, analytical thinking, lower conformity to social norms, and a greater generalized trust, not just American values specifically.

Muthukrishna explained, 鈥淪chooling is one of the most powerful systems of cultural transmission ever invented. Education doesn鈥檛 just change what you know, but how you think and what you value. What our results reveal is that school systems around the world still carry the fingerprints of their Western origins. That means if you鈥檙e a researcher recruiting university students in Nairobi or S茫o Paulo and comparing them to university students in New 91亚色, Toronto or London, you may be dramatically underestimating how different those cultures actually are.鈥�

White emphasizes that the findings in no way suggest that highly-educated people in non-Western countries are culturally the same as those in the West.

鈥淲e're not saying that being highly educated makes everyone the same, there's still a lot of diversity within highly educated groups around the world. It's just that the diversity has shifted in the direction of being more Western,鈥� says White, who recently also published a paper with a University of California researcher looking at . 鈥淲e are saying that you do need to look at education, in addition to things like nationality, ethnicity and religion, when considering why someone thinks the way they do.鈥�

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91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91亚色's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact: Emina Gamulin, 91亚色 Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

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