Wu, a , is leading two prominent Canadian teams on modelling and geo-stimulation of disease spread, and coordinates a number of academic-industrial collaborations in data mining, neuronal networks and pattern recognition. He is also the Canadian leader of a Canada-China collaboration in disease management and modelling, funded by the International Development Research Centre and Canada Research Chair program.

Right: Jianhong Wu accepts his Award of Merit

Recently, Wu was awarded the Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals (Ontario) Education Foundation鈥檚 2010 Award of Merit for his expertise in the field of mathematical biology and epidemiology, during a ceremony and reception in Toronto. In the federation鈥檚 citation it was noted that Wu is recognized in Canada and internationally for his interdisciplinary research in modelling disease transmission.

鈥淚 feel deeply honored and humbled by the award,鈥� says Wu. 鈥淚 am very pleased that 91亚色's support for interdisciplinary research and outreach is also recognized by the federation that has been promoting interdisciplinary studies among the various professions.鈥�

What makes Wu distinct in his field is his ability to make novel contributions and integrate industrial application and applied mathematics to his research repertoire, and significantly contribute to both pure and applied mathematics.

Left: Jianhong Wu

He is most known for his contributions to the field of disease modelling, where his work has made a permanent and positive impact on human health. During the 2003 SARS outbreak, he established and led a national team of聽more than聽20 scientists from governmental agencies and medical and mathematical sciences to model the transmission dynamics and spread of infectious disease (see YFile, Dec. 9, 2003). The research conducted by Wu and his team led to the development of prediction and intervention strategies, which impacts directly on preparedness measures for an influenza pandemic.

His work has influenced various public health policies and has become the benchmark for researchers in the pandemic area and beyond.

Among his accomplishments, Wu is founding, and has co-authored 17 books and聽more than聽280 articles in both pure mathematics and mathematical applications. He is the recipient of various honours, including the Humboldt Research Fellowship (Germany), Paul Erdos Visiting Professorship (Hungry), Cheung Kong Visiting Professorship (China) and New Pioneer Science & Technology Award (Skills for Change). He is an executive member of the 91亚色 Institute for Health Research.

Republished courtesy of YFile鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin.

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It鈥檚 been a year of research-intensive events and activities in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and one of the most notable initiatives has been the Research Matters series. It attempts to answer the question: 鈥淲hy does research matter?鈥� In particular, it focuses on the ways in which LA&PS researchers 鈥� both faculty and students 鈥� are using their skills and expertise to address timely community, cultural, social, economic and industry challenges.

Missed out on a Research Matters session? Videos and audio files are available online.

There are two more Research Matters sessions scheduled this year, open to the 91亚色 community. The first, which will be held on March 24 from 10am to聽noon in 109 Atkinson Building, takes up the theme of knowledge mobilization. Michael Johnny, manager of聽91亚色鈥檚 Unit, will provide general insights into what knowledge mobilization is and how it ties to LA&PS researchers. Professor from the School of Social Work will discuss his knowledge mobilization efforts in the field of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender research.

The second session will be held on April 19 from 10am to聽noon in 305 91亚色 Lanes and will focus on human rights, international law and global health policy. Political science Professor Lesley Jacobs, director of the , will present in collaboration with four emerging 91亚色 scholars: Hope Olumide Shamonda聽(PhD candidate in philosophy);聽 (PhD candidate in philosophy); Ruby Dhand (PhD candidate in law); and Mariette Brennan (PhD candidate in law).

The series聽has also explored topics ranging from pandemic planning, indigenous research and聽China鈥檚 competitive advantage in the world market to聽the grammar of aid in international development, community engagement as methodological practice, and, most recently, the value of Canada鈥檚 North.

鈥淥ne of the highlights of the year for me in the role of associate dean, research, has been the launch of this series,鈥� says Professor Barbara Crow. 鈥淚鈥檝e gained helpful insight into the individual and collaborative research undertakings of faculty and students, and enjoyed watching connections being made between academic research and what鈥檚 going on in our communities, our workplaces and our lives.鈥�

To RSVP for either of the upcoming sessions, e-mail Lorraine Myrie at lmyrie@yorku.ca.

Republished with files courtesy of YFile 鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin.

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