Faculty of Science & Engineering Archives | Research & Innovation /research/tag/faculty-of-science-engineering/ Wed, 29 Jan 2025 19:57:13 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Special lecture looks at the important role of fundamental research in advancing discoveries /research/2012/10/31/special-lecture-looks-at-the-important-role-of-fundamental-research-in-advancing-discoveries-2/ Wed, 31 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/10/31/special-lecture-looks-at-the-important-role-of-fundamental-research-in-advancing-discoveries-2/ In recent years, research has increasingly experienced pressure to justify itself, a phenomenon that is especially true for “fundamental” or “basic” research. The important role of basic research for society and how it is funded are at the heart of a special lecture titled, "Funding Basic Research, Promoting Excellence, and Building Trust",which will be delivered […]

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In recent years, research has increasingly experienced pressure to justify itself, a phenomenon that is especially true for “fundamental” or “basic” research.

The important role of basic research for society and how it is funded are at the heart of a special lecture titled, "Funding Basic Research, Promoting Excellence, and Building Trust",which will be delivered at 91ɫ by Professor Helmut Schwarz, the president of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and a leading international researcher in the field of molecular chemistry. This special lecture will be presented Oct. 31, from 3 to 4pm in the Senate Chamber, 940 North Ross Building.

Helmut Schwarz

Schwarz will argue that publicly financed, fundamental research is neither a luxury nor a subsidy, but a cultural achievement and, as such, marks the starting point of every single value-added chain. In his comments, Schwarz will also reflect on the funding principles and core mission of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation – the funding of individuals rather than projects, the emphasis on individual excellence and academic freedom. He will argue that more campaigning on behalf of the individual researcher is needed to support genuinely high-risk endeavors that are necessary for groundbreaking research.

Schwarz holds a research chair in organic chemistry at the Technische Universität Berlin.

Schwarz’s visit also marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of 91ɫ’s Centre for Research in Mass Spectrometry laboratory space on the second floor of the Chemisty Building, which he helped to celebrate 10 years ago at 91ɫ. A private roundtable discussion will be held in honour of this event and attended by Schwarz andthe Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany Sabine Sparwasser.

91ɫ’s Centre for Research in Mass Spectrometry promotes and organizes research collaboration with other universities, hospitals, government institutes, such as , Ontario Centre of Excellence INC, ISTPCanada Incorporated, and the , and industries, such as , YESBiotech and Concept 2 Clinic. Research in mass spectrometry has become an increasingly important and multi-disciplinary scientific activity world-wide.

“91ɫ is delighted to host Professor Helmut Schwarz, President of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Institut für Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin and pleased that Sabine Sparwasser, consul general of the Federal Republic of Germany will also be joining us at this visit to mark this special occasion,” said Robert Haché, vice-president research & Innovation. “We look forward to the continued development of collaborative research initiatives and to strengthening the ties between 91ɫ and research institutions in Germany.”

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation grants research fellowships and research awards to researchers from around the world, allowing them to conduct research with collaborative partners in Germany. All researchers sponsored by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation become life-long members of the international “Humboldt Network”. Support from the foundation enables more than 2,000 researchers from all over the world to spend time researching in Germany. The Humboldt Network numbers more than 25,000 Humboldtians from all disciplines in over 130 countries worldwide - including 49 Nobel Laureates.

This lecture is sponsored by the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation and the Faculty of Science & Engineering. It is free and open to University community members. Seating is limited, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

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91ɫ researcher receives Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award /research/2012/10/26/york-researcher-receives-boehringer-ingelheim-young-investigator-award-2/ Fri, 26 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/10/26/york-researcher-receives-boehringer-ingelheim-young-investigator-award-2/ Arturo Orellana, professor of chemistry in the Faculty of Science & Engineering, is the recipient of a $60,000 Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award for Organic Chemistry, awarded in the amount of $20,000 per year over three years. “On behalf of the 91ɫ research community, I would like to congratulate Professor Arturo Orellana on his receipt […]

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Arturo Orellana, professor of chemistry in the Faculty of Science & Engineering, is the recipient of a $60,000 Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award for Organic Chemistry, awarded in the amount of $20,000 per year over three years.

“On behalf of the 91ɫ research community, I would like to congratulate Professor Arturo Orellana on his receipt of the Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award,” said Robert Haché, 91ɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “This prestigious award recognizes Professor Orellana’s exceptional research achievements and contributions to the field of Organic Chemistry, at the early stages of his career. We are very proud of this well-deserved recognition of Dr. Orellana’s work.”

Arturo Orellana

Orellana’s researchrelates tothe development of innovative metal-catalyzed chemical reactions for organic synthesis. In particular his research involves the development of new reactions to prepare small molecule building blocks with applications in the synthesis of pharmaceutically active agents and naturally occurring substances with important biological properties.

The R&D division of Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) is one of Canada’s largest pharmaceutical research centres. The Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award for Organic Chemistry is awarded yearly to a promising organic chemist in the early stages of their academic career and was established to support research in synthetic organic chemistry in Canadian universities.

For more information, visit the Orellana Research Groupɱٱ.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

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The University recruits a new Canada Research Chair and gains a renewed Canada Research Chair /research/2012/10/19/the-university-gains-a-new-canada-research-chair-and-a-renewed-canada-research-chair-2/ Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/10/19/the-university-gains-a-new-canada-research-chair-and-a-renewed-canada-research-chair-2/ 91ɫ welcomes the appointment of Christian Haas as its new Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Arctic Sea Ice Geophysics and the renewal of a CRC in the History of Modern China for Joshua Fogel. As Tier 1 CRCs, Haas and Fogel will each receive $1.4 million over seven years. The CRC is part of […]

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91ɫ welcomes the appointment of Christian Haas as its new Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Arctic Sea Ice Geophysics and the renewal of a CRC in the History of Modern China for Joshua Fogel.

As Tier 1 CRCs, Haas and Fogel will each receive $1.4 million over seven years. The CRC is part of a package of CRC appointments announced Oct. 12, by Gary Goodyear, minister of state (Science and Technology).

“Our government’s top priority is creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity,” said Goodyear. “By investing in talented people through programs such as the Canada Research Chairs, our government is supporting cutting-edge research in Canadian post-secondary institutions. This fosters innovation by helping researchers bring their ideas to the marketplace, where they can touch the lives of Canadians.”

In all, the government announced an investment of $121.6 million to fund the appointment of 155 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs at 42 Canadian degree-granting post-secondary institutions.

“The appointment of Professor Christian Haas as Canada Research Chair in Arctic Sea Ice Geophysics and the renewal of Professor Joshua Fogel as Canada Research Chair in the History of Modern China recognizes the excellence of their research and provides them with opportunities to further develop their exceptional research programs,” said Robert Haché, vice-president research & innovation at 91ɫ. “Through the CRC program, 91ɫ continues to build on its research strengths and enhance opportunities for graduate training.”

Christian Haas

Haas, a professor of geophysics, in the Department of Earth & Space Science and Engineering in the Faculty of Science & Engineering, is examining the underlying reasons for the recent, rapid retreat of Arctic sea ice and the consequences for the Arctic climate system and ecosystem, for Northerners, and for better access to Arctic resources and shipping routes. His research also addresses the role of changes in winds and ice drift as well as of variations in atmospheric radiation and temperature and ocean salinity and temperature on ice thickness and areal coverage.

A thorough understanding of the reasons for the recent Arctic sea ice decline will help fuel predictions of future scenarios and identify links to possible human-induced causes for climate change.

Ice information obtained by Haas’ research utilizing airborne and ground-based field campaigns in the Arctic and Antarctic, satellite remote sensing and numerical modeling provides important information for safe and environmentally responsible resource exploration and extraction, as well as shipping and over-ice travel. His research contributes unique information on ice thickness, one of the most important sea ice properties for the design and regulation of offshore structures and ships, safe ice utilization and assessment of oil spill development.

Fogel, a professor in the Department of History in theFaculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and member of 91ɫ’s Centre for Asian Research has been examining the dynamic cultural and political relations between China and Japan over the past two centuries.

Joshua Fogel

The history of modern China cannot be fully or properly understood, Fogel maintains, without examining the dynamic cultural, political, and economic interactions between China and Japan over the last two centuries. Fogel’s research focuses on this interaction and the importance of Japan in China’s modern development.

He is presently writing a comprehensive history of Chinese-Japanese relations from antiquity through the present as well as a more focused monograph on the history of the Japanese expatriate community in Shanghai (1862 to 1945). His work is premised on the fruitful assumption that the modern history of China is incomprehensible without a full consideration of modern Japanese history.

For more information, visit the website.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

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CFI awards 91ɫ researchers more than $592,000 in research infrastructure /research/2012/10/17/cfi-awards-york-researchers-more-than-592000-in-research-infrastructure-2/ Wed, 17 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/10/17/cfi-awards-york-researchers-more-than-592000-in-research-infrastructure-2/ The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) has awarded 91ɫ $592,631 in infrastructure funding to support the research of four 91ɫ professors. Ali Kazimi,professor in Department of Film in the Faculty of Fine Arts,will receive $143,186 in funding for industry standard infrastructure of a Stereoscopic 3D Lab @ 91ɫ. The funding willallow Kazimi to augment […]

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The (CFI) has awarded 91ɫ $592,631 in infrastructure funding to support the research of four 91ɫ professors.

Ali Kazimi,professor in Department of Film in the Faculty of Fine Arts,will receive $143,186 in funding for industry standard infrastructure of a Stereoscopic 3D Lab @ 91ɫ. The funding willallow Kazimi to augment and build upon the core of the stereoscopic research based production and post-production facility that has emerged out of the 3D FLIC (Film Innovation Consortium) project. S3DL @ 91ɫ will become the first dedicated facility of its type in Canada, enabling the study of stereoscopic 3D story-telling practices, their production and distribution, combined with insights and best practices gleaned from stringent psycho-physical tests and experimentation. S3DL will meld art and science in the best tradition of inter-disciplinary research, enabling one to push the boundaries of the knowledge generated by the other and vice versa in a deliberate, complementary and interactive way. Kazimi will work with researchers Laurie Wilcox and Rob Allison from 91ɫ’s Centre for Vision Research on this project.

, professor in theDepartment of Earth& Space Science and Engineering, in the Faculty ofScience & Engineering,will receive $135,671 in funding for the creation of a new laboratory to support the development of next-generation space technology. This newtechnologywill be used to measure the composition of the atmosphere from space. The development of this advanced technology for atmospheric remote sounding will enhance Canada’s contribution to the global monitoring capacity for the climate and atmospheric communities. These contributions are necessary for Canada to maintain its access to global data sets and to provide input for the analysis and modeling of climate change and air quality – critical knowledge for a sustainable future.

, professor in the Department of Biology in theFaculty of Science& Engineering, will receive $158,237 in funding to establish a world-class laboratory to study local and large-scale brain circuits that underlie “attentional control” of behavior – processes that determine what individuals attend to and how efficient individuals are in concentrating on the most relevant sensory information in our environment. Womelsdorf’s research examines how alterations in these brain circuits lead to dysfunctions of attentional control in major neuro-psychiatric disorders (including major depression, schizophrenia, and addiction). His research focuses on the key cognitive functions and on areas of the brain that underlie severe dysfunctions of attentional control in order to help improve diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Muhammed Yousaf, professor in the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, will receive $155,537 in funding to develop infrastructure and state-of-the-art methodologies to cultivate new surface chemistries, tailor materials for fundamental studies of cell behaviour and develop next-generation biomolecular microarrays.The funds will establish a new advanced biomolecular materials laboratory at 91ɫ to study how man-made materials interact with biological systems. The generation of these smart and responsive materials will provide a platform for new diagnostic screening assays of human disease and for studies of stem cell differentiation towards regenerative medical applications.

“I am delighted that the Canada Foundation for Innovation has recognized four of 91ɫ’s leading researchers through these awards,” said Robert Haché, 91ɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “CFI’s investment in state-of-the-art infrastructure further enhances 91ɫ’s vibrant research culture and enables our researchers to continue to build on and expand their innovative research programs.”

91ɫ’s projects were part of a in CFI’s Leaders Opportunity Fund, which provides Canadian researchers with the necessary tools to carry out a range of frontier research. The funding supports 210 research projects across the country.

Minister of State Gary Goodyear announced the funding on Tuesday.

“Our government recognizes that investing in science and technology leads to a stronger, more innovative economy,” he said. “We understand that Canada’s research enterprise is critical to economic growth and job creation.”

“Given the right infrastructure, this talented group of innovators will create solutions that benefit Canadians and Canadians communities,” said Gilles Patry, president and CEO of the CFI.

A complete list of recipients is available on the website.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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91ɫ Rover Team touches down /research/2012/08/09/york-university-rover-team-touches-down-2/ Thu, 09 Aug 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/08/09/york-university-rover-team-touches-down-2/ Members of the 91ɫ Rover Team (YURT) landed at the Mars Curiosity Party TO this past Sunday to cheer on NASA’s Curiosity Rover and let partygoers test drive 91ɫ’s award-winning prototype. Students from 91ɫ’s Faculty of Science & Engineering entertained the group of more than two dozenchildren and 200 adults, giving them a chance […]

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Members of the 91ɫ Rover Team (YURT) landed at the Mars Curiosity Party TO this past Sunday to cheer on NASA’s Curiosity Rover and let partygoers test drive 91ɫ’s award-winning prototype.

Students from 91ɫ’s entertained the group of more than two dozenchildren and 200 adults, giving them a chance to learn more about space robotics and exploration, along with science and engineering programs at 91ɫ.

91ɫ Rover Team representatives with their Mars Rover

Curiosity touched down on the Red Planet at 1:32am EST on Monday, Aug. 6. The Toronto event, held at the Hotel Ocho, was one of many worldwide, featuring a live feed of NASA’s control room, and a virtual visit from Bill Nye the Science Guy, along with 1500 attendees of PlanetFest 2012 in Pasadena, California.

“It was amazing to see all the kids and see how interested they are in science. We told them that everything you do at 91ɫ can lead you somewhere – it doesn’t matter which field you’re in, you can develop your skills and learn more,” said Carla Mejia, one of the YURT team members.

Event coordinator Jonathan Moneta credited 91ɫ’s rover team for making the events unfolding on Mars relatable to attendees – especially kids.

“It was really good to have an actual rover that kids could play with – it helped them broaden their understanding a bit,” Moneta said.

Several media outlets were on-site at the event. Rover team members were interviewed live on CP24 and also received mentions on CTV Toronto and in the .

A future 91ɫ student (and space scientist) tries out the rover

The members of YURT who attended were: Carla Mejia, fourth-year biomedical science; Carina Hoang, second-yearmaster of science inbiology; Manjeet Kaur, fourth-year computer engineering; Oyinda Daramola, third-year computer engineering; Pablo Saldarriaga, fourth-year computer science; and Vaibhav Kapoor, fourth-year computer engineering.

Earlier this year, 91ɫ’s rover team took first place in the 2012 University Rover Challenge at the Mars Desert Research Station, outperforming major American universities, including Brigham Young University in Utah, which placed second, and Cornell University in New 91ɫ, which took third. The team also placed first at the university level of the Canadian Innovation Nation (CSii) Robotics Competition in Muskoka, Ontario.

For more photos of YURT in action at Mars Party TO, .

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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New associate dean of research and partnerships appointed for Faculty of Science and Engineering /research/2012/07/31/new-associate-dean-of-research-and-partnerships-appointed-for-faculty-of-science-and-engineering-2/ Tue, 31 Jul 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/07/31/new-associate-dean-of-research-and-partnerships-appointed-for-faculty-of-science-and-engineering-2/ Professor Robert Tsushima will take on the role of Associate Dean, Research and Partnerships in the Faculty of Science & Engineering for a three-year term, effective Aug. 1. Tsushima, professor in 91ɫ’s Department of Biology, holds a Career Investigator Award from the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario. His research program investigates the molecular and […]

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Professor Robert Tsushima will take on the role of Associate Dean, Research and Partnerships in the Faculty of Science & Engineering for a three-year term, effective Aug. 1.

Tsushima, professor in 91ɫ’s Department of Biology, holds a Career Investigator Award from the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario. His research program investigates the molecular and cellular basis of heart and pancreatic islet function, with implications for addressing heart disease and diabetes. He has been supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Heart& Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Robert Tsushima

Prior to joining 91ɫ in 2007, Professor Tsushima was a faculty member for eight years at the University of Toronto. He received his PhD in pharmacology from the University of Western Ontario, followed by postdoctoral training at Northwestern University in Chicago and Toronto General Hospital.

He has served on national and provincial grant review panels, including those of the CIHR, Heart& Stroke Foundation, Canadian Diabetes Association, Alberta Heritage Medical Research Foundation and Banting Foundation, and reviewed for numerous international granting agencies. He is currently on the editorial board of the American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism.

“We’re delighted to have an academic of Professor Tsushima’s distinction joining us in this role,” said Don Hastie, interim dean, Faculty of Science & Engineering. “He has already contributed much to the Faculty and to 91ɫ as a whole. We look forward to working with him as we continue to shape and build our research program.”

Tsushima replaces Professor Imogen Coe, who will relocate to Ryerson University as the founding Dean of Science, effective Aug. 1.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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91ɫ prof president of Royal Canadian Institute /research/2012/05/09/york-prof-president-of-royal-canadian-institute-2/ Wed, 09 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/05/09/york-prof-president-of-royal-canadian-institute-2/ University Professor Emeritus Ronald Pearlman of 91ɫ’s Faculty of Science & Engineering has been named president of the prestigious Royal Canadian Institute (RCI) for the Advancement of Science. Pearlman, currently first-vice-president of the RCI, is the director of 91ɫ’s Core Molecular Biology/DNA Sequencing Facility and former dean and associate dean of 91ɫ’s Faculty of Graduate […]

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University Professor Emeritus Ronald Pearlman of 91ɫ’s Faculty of Science & Engineering has been named president of the prestigious Royal Canadian Institute (RCI) for the Advancement of Science.

Pearlman, currently first-vice-president of the RCI, is the director of 91ɫ’s Core Molecular Biology/DNA Sequencing Facility and former dean and associate dean of 91ɫ’s Faculty of Graduate Studies. He will be formally inducted at the institute’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday, May 10.

Ron Pearlman

The is the oldest scientific society in Canada, founded in Toronto in 1849 by a small group of civil engineers and surveyors led by Sir Sandford Fleming. Its mission is to enhance public awareness about science, andit is best known for its free public lecture series held on Sunday afternoons in the fall and winter on the University of Toronto campus, and similar free lectures on Thursdays at the Mississauga Public Library.

“I’m grateful to have this opportunity to lead an organization with such an important mission,” Pearlman says. “Science impacts our lives on a daily basis, and in all areas. We need to have a science-literate population, and in a civil society we need a vibrant science culture.”

As president, Pearlman will continue to build on public outreach initiatives, such as making public lectures available via webcasts produced by 91ɫ. Recent lectures have included top scientists like the University of Toronto’s Shana O. Kelley discussing the latest nanotech tools for diagnosing disease, and 91ɫ’s own Ellen Bialystok on reshaping the brain through bilingualism. For a full list of lectures available online, click here.

“On behalf of the 91ɫ research community, I would like to congratulate Dr. Ron Pearlman, University Professor Emeritus of 91ɫ’s Faculty of Science & Engineering, on his appointment as president of the Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science,” says Robert Haché, 91ɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “As a leading expert in the field of genomics, with a long-standing successful career, Ron has worked to advance scientific research on an international scale and has been a phenomenal ambassador for 91ɫ research. This prestigious appointment is well deserved.”

Pearlman was recently recognized with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his outstanding contributions to the RCI, and his support of science culture and literacy in Canada. In addition to his role at 91ɫ, he is also associate scientific director of the Gairdner Foundation and co-ordinates its student outreach program. His research interests include molecular biology and biochemistry, cell biology and genetics utilizing the new genomic and proteomic technologies.

The RCI and 91ɫ are also among the sponsors of the upcoming , an annual cross-country event that brings science and technology face to face with the Canadian public in a non-intimidating, festival atmosphere at many academic institutions as well as in public spaces.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Workshop gives vision to the renaissance engineer /research/2012/05/07/workshop-gives-vision-to-the-renaissance-engineer-2/ Mon, 07 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/05/07/workshop-gives-vision-to-the-renaissance-engineer-2/ Breadth, creativity, technical and analytical prowess are just some of the attributes needed by engineers of the future. That was the consensus of leading thinkers,academics, engineers and studentswho gathered at 91ɫ's Keele campus on April 21 for "Envisioning the Renaissance Engineer", a day-long workshop to outline the academic promisefor the University'sexpandedSchool of Engineering. “This shall […]

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Breadth, creativity, technical and analytical prowess are just some of the attributes needed by engineers of the future.

That was the consensus of leading thinkers,academics, engineers and studentswho gathered at 91ɫ's Keele campus on April 21 for "Envisioning the Renaissance Engineer", a day-long workshop to outline the academic promisefor the University'sexpandedSchool of Engineering.

“This shall be a school of unique and new design,” said Janusz Kozinski, dean of 91ɫ’s Faculty of Science & Engineering and host of the workshop. "Once completed," he said, "theSchool of Engineering will have an enormous impact on the field of engineering in Canada and beyond.

Janusz Kozinski

“How do we see engineering in the future?” said 91ɫ’s President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, in his welcoming remarks. “Our vision is the creation of problem solvers who are broadly educated and socially responsible. We want to build a faculty that is inclusive in every respect.”

Underpinning this vision for theSchool of Engineering will be academic partnerships with Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business and 91ɫ's other faculties.

For philanthropist Pierre Lassonde, chair of the Franco Nevada Corporation,whose generous donation of$25 million to 91ɫ has madepossible the expansion of theengineering school,attending theevent one day after celebrating his birthday, along with the anticipateddiscussion of theconcept of the renaissance engineer,were giftsworthy of 65 candles.

In his welcome to the workshop participants,Lassonde described his visionfor the engineer of the future. The renaissance engineer, he said,mustbe like Michelangelo, the Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect, poet and engineer. Renaissance engineers would beable to create their own masterpieces, dream and design innovative technical solutions to problems, be entrepreneurial in business and understand the romance of lifelong learning.

Pierre Lassonde

“Itisa momentous time. I find myself looking forward and backward,” he said. “Our engineers, our graduates must be fully equipped, fully ready for any situation they encounter. Builders, creative people, developers of solutions – they must not be harnessed by the stiffness of earlier generations. In the future, new approaches, new fixes, flexible men and women are what will be required.”

The workshop beganwith a keynote address by Diane Freeman, an engineering consultant, Waterloo city councillor and the past president of the Professional Engineers of Ontario. The day continued with morning and afternoondiscussions.Technical presentations on entrepreneurship and project-based learningrounded out the day.

Diane Freeman

“The word ‘renaissance’ speaks of revival and of rebirth,”Freeman said. “Aptly, it refers to seasons of transition and to change makers. This is what engineers are, not just automobile designers.”

She spoke about the need for creative solutionsby engineers to solve deeply rooted problems.Freeman called for engineers to become involved in public policy and stressed the need for collaboration between engineers, citizens and public policy makers.

Highlights of the day's panel discussions

The Future EngineersSession that followed featured Marisa Sterling of the Professional Engineers of Ontario; Tom Lee, chief education officer, Quanser Inc.; and Sal Alajeck, global engineering team lead, Engineers Without Borders.

Sterling said three characteristics should be encouraged in the engineers of the future– flexibility, strategic thinking and entrepreneurial spirit. “Engineers would need to continually evolve, adopt a strategic mindset and look for future gaps, opportunities and cycles.”

In addition to current trends in engineering, Freeman highlighted thatthere would be a need for new kinds of engineers in areas such as seismic engineering and entrepreneurial engineering.

Lee said that future engineers should be equipped to handle global challenges andissues such as climate change and renewable energy.He notedthat elementary students are making robots and engineering fundamentals are now being taught insomeOntario high schools,something he said wasnot being recognized by universities.

Alajeck suggested engineering programs consider the big picture, includingteaching engineers to be better communicatorsandoffering interdisciplinary studiesin creative problem solving andsystem thinking. "Can they be a loving engineer with the ability to transcend relationships and build communities? Can they change the givens? Would the approach to the renaissance engineer be additive or holistic?"asked Alajeck. "Can 91ɫ's School of Engineering challenge the existing framework of engineering education or go against the will of industry?"

From left, Sal Alajeck, Tom Lee and Marisa Sterling

Theafternoon Renaissance EngineerSession featured91ɫ natural science Professors Richard Jarrell and Edward Jones-Imhotep speaking about trendsthat they thinkwould affect the renaissance engineer.

Jarrell said he was worried about the textand e-mailheavy worldof non-present communications, whichhe called socially bleak.

"We need to be citizens first. Citizens have adaptability and are present in the world. They are taught to move about and seek a broader education," he said."Flexibility, adaptability andbroad-based education are important. There is a need to be nimbleand move into a variety of careers because the broader the education, the more useful the engineer, and thebetter the citizen, the better the communicator and the more visionary the human being."

"Renaissance has an element of rebirth, but also ofrecovering what has been lost," said Jones-Imhotep. He citedGalileo Galileiand other renaissance scientists of the 1600s. Many,he noted,were in essence"renaissance engineers". They were also musicians and theyactively exploredand embraced other domains, includingart,music and languages.

Following the discussion, engineering Professor John Orr of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, in Worcester, Mass., explored project-based learning.

Orr's presentation wasfollowed by a panel discussion featuringTroy d'Ambrosio, director of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Center at the University of Utah, and Gabriel Chan of the peer-to-peer learning platform NoteWagon.

Troy d'Ambrosio

They discussed how entrepreneurial engineersdevelopsolutions to everyday problems. Both d'Ambrosio and Chan highlighted theimportance of universities inencouraging and incubating business and engineering start ups. They highlighted thatbusiness planning is a fundamental and integral skill for renaissance engineers. d'Ambrosio described theexperience of the University of Utah and its engineering school's effort to marry business with engineering, which resulted in creation of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Center at the University of Utah.

The day ended with a thoughtfulobservationfrom Lassonde. "Aspire to inspire, before you expire."

For more information, visit the website.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Two 91ɫ profs receive Ontario Early Researcher Awards /research/2012/04/30/two-york-profs-receive-ontario-early-researcher-awards-2/ Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/04/30/two-york-profs-receive-ontario-early-researcher-awards-2/ 91ɫ Professors Natasha Myers and Thilo Womelsdorf have been awarded $100,000 each in funding under the Ontario government’s Early Researcher Awards program. Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development& Innovation announced the awards Monday. 91ɫ’s research investment of $50,000 will match the funds for the award. The Early Researcher Awards program helps promising, recently appointed […]

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91ɫ Professors Natasha Myers and Thilo Womelsdorf have been awarded $100,000 each in funding under the Ontario government’s Early Researcher Awards program.

Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development& Innovation announced the awards Monday. 91ɫ’s research investment of $50,000 will match the funds for the award.

The program helps promising, recently appointed Ontario researchers build research teams of undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research associates and technicians. The goal of the program is to improve Ontario’s ability to attract and retain the best and brightest research talent. Ontario’s Early Researcher Awards investment of $8.68 million will support 62 emerging researchers and their teams at 19 institutions across the province.

Professor , of the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Science& Engineering and member of 91ɫ’s Centre for Vision Research, is studying how individuals focus their attention on one object, thought or event, while ignoring other external information. His research examines the three major regions of the brain that guide and determine selective attention, to find out how they work and interact.Womelsdorf’s research will identify how networks of brain cells coordinate separable attention information using state-of-the-art technologies and will critically advance hotly-debated, neuro-economic decision making theories.The research will lead to a better understanding of various diseases that widely affect health, education and the economy of Ontario.

Professor Natasha Myers, of the Department of Anthropology in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, examines how plants are acquiring new status and visibility in our culture. Specifically, she explores the ways that artists and scientists are transforming our everyday assumptions through artworks and experiments that render plants as active, sensing organisms. This ethnographic research with practitioners both in Ontario and at international sites will shed light on the ethical and political significance of these shifts in perception about nonhuman life and the order of things.

“I am most pleased that the Ministry of Research and Economic Development has recognized the achievements of 91ɫ Professors Natasha Myers and Thilo Womelsdorf, who are actively engaged in conducting globally competitive research in the early stages of their careers,” said Robert Haché, 91ɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “Our early career researchers represent the future of research at 91ɫ and contribute to building Canada’s knowledge-based economy. The funding provided by the Ministry will provide these emerging researchers with resources to build their innovative research programs.”

“This research work is important to helping us meet our health care challenges while fostering long-term job creation and economic growth,” said Brad Duguid, minister of economic development and innovation.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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2012 Ernest C. Mercier Lecture in Entrepreneurial Science /research/2012/04/18/2012-ernest-c-mercier-lecture-in-entrepreneurial-science-2/ Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000 /researchdev/2012/04/18/2012-ernest-c-mercier-lecture-in-entrepreneurial-science-2/   Janusz A. Koziński, dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Dezsö J. Horváth, dean, Schulich School of Business, and Eileen Mercier cordially invite you to the annual Ernest C. Mercier Lecture in Entrepreneurial Science on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. This event, titled "Me, Myself and My Network: The Importance of Collaboration to Entrepreneurship in […]

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Ernest C. Mercier Lecture in Entrepreneurial Science
Janusz A. Koziński, dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Dezsö J. Horváth, dean, Schulich School of Business, and Eileen Mercier cordially invite you to the annual Ernest C. Mercier Lecture in Entrepreneurial Science on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.

This event, titled "Me, Myself and My Network: The Importance of Collaboration to Entrepreneurship in a Capital-Limited Environment", will be presented by Dr. Michael May. In this lecture, Dr. May will make the case that collaborative network building should be a key component of the entrepreneur’s toolkit, particularly for entrepreneurs focused on advancing technologies and creating companies from the earliest stages of academic discovery.

Dr. Michael May is the CEO of the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine, a Canadian not-for-profit dedicated to supporting the development of foundational technologies that accelerate the commercialization of stem cell and biomaterials-based technologies. He completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto in 1998 as an NSERC scholar, and was awarded the Martin Walmsley Fellowship for Technological Entrepreneurship in recognition of the commercialization of academic discoveries.
Me, Myself and My Network: The Importance of Collaboration to Entrepreneurship in a Capital-Limited Environment
Life Sciences Building, 91ɫ

Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Reception: 5:30pm. Refreshments served.
Lecture: 6:30pm
Q&A: 7:30pm

Don't delay. Limited seating available.

To register, please click

For more information about the event, please call 416-650-8107.

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