Students will be trained to meet scientific and engineering challenges of tomorrow, drive and support pharmaceutical drug discovery and vaccine development in Canada

TORONTO, April 18, 2023 鈥� As one of today鈥檚 recipients of a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) grant worth $1.65 million over six years, 91亚色鈥檚 Distinguished Research Professor will lead a team of researchers and industrial leaders in training the next generation of technologically advanced graduates.

Master鈥檚 and PhD students will graduate from 91亚色 with the technical and managerial skills to take on leading positions in new entities to capitalize on disruptive technologies that could impact Canada鈥檚 research and development in the pharmaceutical industry.

鈥淭his grant will help train our students to become highly qualified personnel ready to meet difficult scientific and engineering challenges, while also helping to drive and support pharmaceutical drug discovery and vaccine development in Canada,鈥� says 91亚色 Vice-President Research and Innovation Amir Asif. 鈥淭his NSERC CREATE program taps into 91亚色鈥檚 expertise in bioanalytical methods and instrumentation and the University鈥檚 commitment to purposeful research. I congratulate Sergey Krylov on his successful application and collaboration.鈥�

NSERC announced the winners of the CREATE program earlier today designed to give Canada鈥檚 researchers of tomorrow, not only improved mentoring, but a better training environment.

The NSERC-funded industrial stream Technology-Enhance Pharmaceutical Discovery (TEPD) program at 91亚色, designed with industry input, will bring together some of Canada鈥檚 leading academics working on technological aspects of pharmaceutical discovery along with major companies driving or supporting this country鈥檚 pharmaceutical research and development.

鈥淏ig pharma is continually shifting tremendous costs and risks associated with pharmaceutical discovery to small-venture players, changing the landscape of pharmaceutical discovery in Canada,鈥� says Krylov of the Faculty of Science. 鈥淭he pressing needs of Canadian pharmaceutical research and development were what motivated our academic and industrial team members to come together to create a comprehensive training ecosystem capable of making a difference in this industry at the national level.鈥�

The goal of this program is to enhance Canada鈥檚 global economic competitiveness by fueling innovation in the pharmaceutical industry, a sector of the economy which creates more research and development jobs in Canada than any other industry.

Trainees will conduct collaborative research in one of the seven pharmaceutical-discovery research themes, like the stages involved in pharmaceutical discovery used by developers of drugs, biologicals and vaccines. They will work with leading-edge technologies that could lead to potential drug discovery and vaccine development through the design and synthesis of DNA-encoded libraries (DELs), the selection of hits from DELs and their validation.

The program is comprised of collaborative research, joint seminars, summer school with hands-on and in-classroom workshops run by instructors from academia and industry to advance soft and professional skills of the trainees, summer research conferences and industrial internships in the research and development labs of the four industrial partners in Canada or the United States.

Students will graduate with superior industrial and academic research expertise, ready to meet the scientific and engineering challenges of Canada's new research landscape.

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Funding to address workforce needs in Canada鈥檚 space and residual waste sectors听

TORONTO,听June 10,听2021听鈥撎�91亚色 has been awarded more than $3.2 million for two projects to prepare students for careers in industries that require inter-disciplinary training and are central to Canada鈥檚 economic future: space robotics for exploration and applied biotechnology for environmental sustainability. The two projects are among only听13 selected from across Canada to receive up to .

Each of the 91亚色 projects will receive more than $1.6 million through the CREATE program鈥檚 Industrial Stream. The projects will offer students from the undergraduate to post-doctoral level, the opportunity to learn from industry, government, and researchers across many disciplines, in both academic and non-academic settings.

Smart Autonomous Robotic Technology for Space Exploration (SMART-ART)听will be led by听, 91亚色 Research Chair in Space Technology in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering. Canada鈥檚 contribution to the NASA Lunar Gateway project, Lunar Gateway Robotics, has created a surge in demand for highly qualified personnel with smart space robotics training. The SMART-ART program will offer experiential industry-oriented training to undergraduates, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, including industrial internships, research lab rotations, international exchanges and conferences. In doing so, it will help to address three challenges in the Canadian space sector: a shortage of professionals with multidisciplinary skill sets related to Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, and Autonomous Robotics for space exploration; an aging workforce with an average age of 54; and gender inequality in the field. Zhu will lead a team with members and partners from Canadian and international universities, the private sector, the Canadian Space Agency and National Research Council. Many colleagues from 91亚色 will take part, including four co-applicants from the Lassonde School of Engineering and Osgoode Hall Law School and 10 collaborators from the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Earth and Space Science and Engineering. The CREATE project will use equipment including robotics, 3D Lidar system and a space environment chamber funded through a Canada Foundation for Infrastructure听.

Training in Applied Biotechnology for Environmental Sustainability (TABES)听will be led by听Professor , James and Joanne Love Chair in Environmental Engineering at the Lassonde School of Engineering. Most of the 2.7 kg of waste each Canadian generates daily is organic and, along with waste from the forest industry, can be transformed into high-value bioproducts such as enzymes, biopolymers and biofuels for application in agricultural, environmental, bioremediation, nanotechnology, bioenergy and biochemicals sectors. This waste management shift to products that are much more valuable than traditional products such as compost and biogas could reduce carbon footprint and achieve a circular bioeconomy for future generations. Technologies derived from residual waste biomass are expected to increase exponentially in the coming years, creating growing demand for highly qualified professionals. Students trained through the TABES program will be provided with a mix of theoretical and practical knowledge with exposure to real-world situations and will incorporate unique skills and competence related to interdisciplinary experience (science-engineering interface); psychrophilic microorganism isolation and related processes (very important in the changing climate context); big data analytics and machine learning interface; First Nation engagement and exchange; retrofit advantages and challenges (learned through pilot plant facilities); and living laboratory off-campus experience (enriched through North-South interconnections). Four 91亚色 co-applicants from the Lassonde School of Engineering and two from Faculty of Science will take part in the project, with partners from other universities and research institutes and the private sector.

QUOTES:

鈥淲e are proud that 91亚色 has been awarded an unprecedented two NSERC CREATE grants this year, and grateful for the continued support of the听Natural Sciences and Engineering Council. The CREATE grants will enable us to strengthen our contribution to Canada鈥檚 economic and environmental sustainability by preparing students for in-demand careers in space robotics and applied biotechnology. We are pleased to have this opportunity to bring industry, government and researchers together to train future leaders in these growing sectors,鈥� said Rhonda Lenton, President & Vice-Chancellor.

鈥�91亚色 is delighted to see Lassonde Professors Satinder Kaur Brar and Zheng Hong (George) Zhu each awarded an NSERC CREATE grant, the total value of which is over $3 million,鈥� said Vice-President Research & Innovation听Amir Asif. 鈥淣SERC鈥檚 investment will address significant scientific challenges associated with Canada鈥檚 research priorities; facilitate the transition of new researchers from trainees to productive employees in the Canadian workforce; and support the creation of new knowledge and scientific scholarship in our country and beyond. We greatly appreciate NSERC鈥檚 continued support and recognition of the work of our researchers.鈥�

91亚色听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 success. 91亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.听

Media contact: Kayla Lewis, 91亚色 Media Relations, cell 416-455-4710,听lewiskay@yorku.ca

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Better analysis of transmission key to targeting flu and childhood diseases

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2018 鈭� A major new research initiative based in the Faculty of Science at 91亚色 will develop mathematical techniques to identify populations most susceptible to infectious diseases and enable manufacturers to produce cost-effective vaccines that can be deployed quickly. The research is also expected to better position Canada to respond rapidly to emerging public health issues such as Zika outbreaks.

The $2.6-million NSERC/Sanofi Industrial Research Chair in Vaccine Mathematics, Modelling and Manufacturing, awarded to 91亚色 Distinguished Research Professor , was announced at 91亚色 today.听 A professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Faculty of Science, Wu will lead a large team of 91亚色 professors, post-doctoral fellows and graduate students.

, which has previously collaborated with 91亚色 on a number of major projects related to infectious disease modelling, will invest $1.5 million over five years. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada () will provide $1 million through its Industrial Research Chair program, established to help universities build on existing strengths in areas of interest to industry. The remainder will be contributed by 91亚色 through various supports.

Manufacturers of vaccines in Canada are facing a number of significant challenges: the increasing cost of developing vaccines, the need to move rapidly from development and production of vaccines to mass use in target populations; and the complexity of understanding how infectious disease is transmitted, in an increasingly interconnected world.

Canadian vaccine manufacturers and regulatory authorities need to be able to make evidence-based predictions and develop new technologies to analyze how diseases are transmitted. Wu and his team will develop fundamental mathematical theories, methodologies, techniques and tools to analyze infection risk in populations, map the spread of disease through mathematical modelling and conduct cost-benefit analyses of immunization programs based on vaccine efficiency and industrial production capacity.

The IRC program will include projects that will study: the use of vaccines to address hospital acquired infections such as Clostridium difficile (C.diff) and the need to combat colonization of hospital wards; transmission of influenza in three-generation households to determine if there are segments of the population where the high-dose flu vaccine should be targeted; and the impact of childhood immunization on transmission of disease, along with optimal programs of booster follow-ups.

Sanofi Pasteur will benefit from the mathematical methodologies and technologies developed as well as the datasets collected and analyzed. 91亚色 students will benefit from Sanofi Pasteur鈥檚 research and development expertise, and gain valuable experiential education opportunities, as they train to become Canada鈥檚 next generation of experts in mathematical modelling, data analytics, economic evaluation and infectious disease dynamics.

Wu, who is also a , founded 91亚色鈥檚 Centre for Disease Modelling, which has developed many international partnerships: with China on communicable disease modelling and management; with India on vector-borne disease informatics; with Brazil on health informatics; and with many European and North American groups on a wide variety of major diseases. The Industrial Research Chair project will use his and 91亚色鈥檚 facilities.

QUOTES:
鈥淭he NSERC/Sanofi Industrial Research Chair grant is a testimony to the leadership that both NSERC and Sanofi Pasteur provide in supporting impactful research excellence and innovation at 91亚色. As an innovative scientist and a leader in his field, Dr. Wu is the well-deserving recipient of this Industrial Research Chair grant, which will leverage the world-class disease modelling expertise at 91亚色 to meet significant challenges faced by Canadian vaccine manufacturers.鈥�
Rhonda L. Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, 91亚色

鈥淣SERC鈥檚 Industrial Research Chairs provide a unique platform that combines the forces of academic and industry partners, turning great ideas into real-world solutions. Dr. Wu and his team鈥檚 new mathematical technologies could help cut development costs and the time to bring vaccines to market, accelerating the impact on patients鈥� health.鈥�
B. Mario Pinto, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

鈥淪anofi in Canada is proud to support this collaborative effort. It is another great example of how industry, academia and government can come together to benefit Canadians and support the advancement of science in our country. As Canada鈥檚 leading investor in biopharmaceutical R&D, having consistently invested a minimum of approximately double the industry commitment of our revenues each year, we look forward to seeing the results of this partnership and how it will help to empower the lives of Canadians.鈥�
Niven Al-Khoury, President, Sanofi Canada

鈥淓stablishing the NSERC/Sanofi Industrial Research Chair at 91亚色 will not only accelerate frontline research and support Canadian industry, but also help improve the wellbeing of people around the globe. It is yet another example of the exciting research initiatives in 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Science that engage our faculty members and students with partners in the public and private sectors to enhance value and maximize impact.鈥�
Ray Jayawardhana, Dean, Faculty of Science, 91亚色

鈥淭he dedicated resources this collaboration brings will enable us to focus on infectious diseases that are critically important to the health of Canadians. With access to clinical trial data and vaccine efficacy data from both public agencies and the private sector, we will use mathematical modelling to inform the most efficient and cost-effective ways to immunize the public against these diseases.鈥�
Jianhong Wu, 91亚色 Distinguished Research Professor, Faculty of Science

听champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni.听91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contact:
Janice Walls, Media Relations, 91亚色, 416 455 4710, wallsj@yorku.ca.

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The announced today that 32 researchers at 91亚色 have been awarded more than $4.9 million in NSERC grants, while 10 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows have received a total of $700,000 in funding for scholarships and fellowships.

鈥淥ur researchers are making important contributions to scientific, engineering and technological discoveries in Canada and abroad as reflected by NSERC鈥檚 investment in 91亚色鈥檚 research programs,鈥� said Robert Hach茅, 91亚色鈥檚 vice-president research & innovation.

Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, announced more than $465 million for more than 4,000 awards for research that will further discoveries in a full range of fields in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These awards comprise the 2016 competition results for NSERC鈥檚 Discovery Grants, Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships, NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships and Postdoctoral Fellowships Program.

In the Discovery Grants Competition, the funding was granted for research programs covering a wide range of topics, including:

• The Analysis of Planetary Surfaces
• Motor and Sensory Optimization of Mobile User Interfaces
• Protection of the Next Generation of Power Distribution Systems
• Human visual perception of shape, lightness, and lighting
• Theory and practice of molecular communication

The Discovery Grants Program supports ongoing programs of research in every scientific and engineering discipline. 91亚色 researchers were also awarded funding in the Research Tools & Instruments Competition. The funding enhances the discovery, innovation and training capability of university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering by supporting the purchase of research equipment and installations.

听is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our 52,000 students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world's most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 24 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide.

Media Contact:
Janice Walls, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416 736 2100 ext. 22101, wallsj@yorku.ca

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April 14, 2016 听鈥� An academic-industry partnership led by 91亚色 has received a total of $1,650,000 through the 's (NSERC) Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Grants Program.

The Government of Canada announced funding for the project this morning, part of $21.4 million investment in 13 new CREATE projects that will prepare science and engineering graduates for jobs.

, dean of the Faculty of Science and a professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, is the principal investigator of the successful Technologies for Exo-Planetary Science (TEPS) program, which has been allocated $1.65 million over six years.

This innovative program will take full advantage of Canada's major investments in such breakthrough facilities and missions as the James Webb Space Telescope, the OSIRIS-Rex Asteroid Sample Return and the Thirty Meter Telescope, as well as Canada Foundation for Innovation grants to co-applicants on the Canadian Planetary Simulator and the SPIRou infrared spectrometer projects, to position TEPS trainees at the forefront of the rapidly developing and exciting field of exo-planetary science.

The program will offer students and postdoctoral fellows innovative and collaborative training environments, incorporating internships, student mobility and professional training to address scientific challenges associated with Canada's strategic research priority in Advanced Manufacturing. The program will also provide trainees with the breadth and depth of expertise and skills required to fill gaps in job markets, specifically in the key industrial sectors of robotics, aerospace, optical technologies and space exploration.

The co-applicants on the project team include eight researchers at seven Canadian universities 鈥� including John Moores, assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering at 91亚色 鈥� as well as 16 other academic collaborators and 7 non-academic partner organizations. The program will contribute to the training of 80 students and postdoctoral fellows over six years.

鈥淲e are delighted to provide a world-class training environment in the field of exo-planetary and planetary science through this program,鈥� said 91亚色鈥檚 Vice-President Research & Innovation, Robert Hach茅. 鈥淭he NSERC CREATE program supports industry-academic collaborations and provides an important opportunity for students and postdoctoral trainees to receive mentoring from leaders in the field.鈥�

has always been known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our 52,000 students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world.听 Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds.听 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 24 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide.

Media Contact:
Janice Walls, Media Relations, 91亚色, 416 736 2100 ext. 22101 / wallsj@yorku.ca

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