Dr. Tamara Kelly will take on the role of Interim Chair, Department of Biology, for a term of six months. Dr. Seyed Moghadas has been appointed Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Education. And, Dr. Andrew Skelton will step into the portfolio of Associate Dean, Faculty. The latter two appointments are in effect for a term of three years.

We welcome these distinguished colleagues to their respective roles and look forward to their continued leadership and service to the Faculty.

Dr. Tamara Kelly – Interim Chair, Department of Biology

Dr. Tamara Kelly is a Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Department of Biology and served as the inaugural Pedagogical Innovation Chair in Science Education for the Faculty of Science. In this position, she championed evidence-based inclusive teaching strategies and led initiatives to improve student learning experiences.

Since joining FSc in 2008, Dr. Kelly’s commitment to teaching excellence has been recognized with numerous awards, including the OCUFA Teaching Award, the President's University-Wide Teaching Award, and the Faculty of Science Excellence in Teaching Awards. She has played a key role in curriculum redesign and faculty development within the department. She is institutional lead for the Canadian Consortium of Science Equity Scholars (CCSES) and current president of the Open Consortium of Undergraduate Biology Educators (oCUBE). Dr. Kelly holds a PhD from McGill University and completed postdoctoral training at the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Seyed Moghadas – Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Education

Dr. Seyed Moghadas is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and a leading expert in computational epidemiology and vaccine science.

He is the founding director of the Agent-Based Modelling Laboratory at 91��ɫ, where his research focuses on advanced mathematical and computational modeling of infectious disease dynamics, public health interventions, and health economics. Dr. Moghadas has received several prestigious honors, including the 2022 President’s Research Impact Award and recognition as a 91��ɫ Research Leader. He holds a PhD in Computational and Applied Mathematics from Sharif University of Technology and has led international research efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His work bridges theory, policy, and practice to support evidence-based decision-making in public health.

Dr. Andrew Skelton – Associate Dean, Faculty

Dr. Andrew Skelton is an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, with a primary focus on mathematics education and pedagogy. He won the 2021 Faculty of Science Excellence in Teaching Award and has served as the Academic Coordinator in Bethune College, the Coordinator of the Mathematics for Education major and was the inaugural Director of the Data Science major.

Dr. Skelton is deeply involved in research aimed at supporting first-year students in their transition to university. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Guelph and has extensive experience in both secondary and postsecondary education. Dr. Skelton is committed to enhancing the student experience and supporting academic success through innovative teaching and curriculum development. 

We would also like to thank outgoing Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Education, Vivian Saridakis, and Associate Dean, Faculty, Gerald Audette, for their dedication and service to the Faculty of Science.

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91��ɫ’s 2025 Spring Convocation will honour two faculty members with Distinguished Research Professor and University Professor recognitions.

The Distinguished Research Professor title is awarded to a faculty member whose research has had a significant and lasting impact, both at 91��ɫ and beyond. It is a recognition of scholarly excellence and leadership that has shaped fields of study and contributed meaningfully to the academic reputation of the University.

The University Professor honour is reserved for those who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to teaching and research, alongside exemplary service to the University community. Recipients are recognized for their broad and sustained influence across all areas of academic life.

University Professorship

Paula Wilson, Faculty of Science

Wilson, a long-serving faculty member in the Department of Biology, has been recognized for her significant contributions to 91��ɫ’s academic mission, governance and community life.

Since joining 91��ɫ in 1998, she has held a range of senior administrative roles, including associate dean of student affairs, acting dean of the Faculty of Science, acting associate vice-president international, interim Chair of biology and, most recently, head of Bethune College.

She played a central role in developing undergraduate programs such as the biomedical science stream and the international bachelor of science, both of which have broadened access to science education. As a member of the Markham Campus Planning Group, she also supported the development of new professional graduate programs.

As head of Bethune College, she revitalized its role as an academic and social hub, launched new communications platforms, strengthened ties with the  and reimagined Academic Orientation Day to build student belonging.

A passionate educator and mentor, Wilson is a staunch advocate for removing barriers to learning. Her current scholarship, supported by a 91��ɫ Academic Innovation Fund grant, focuses on improving accessibility in undergraduate labs. Her pedagogical expertise and deep commitment to student success have had a lasting impact on the student experience at 91��ɫ.

While Wilson has received other teaching awards – including the Faculty of Science Excellence in Teaching Award and the President’s University-Wide Teaching Award – the University Professorship, she says, stands out.

"Receiving the University Professor recognition is the highest honour I could receive from 91��ɫ, so it means a lot to me and I’m deeply grateful for it. It has special meaning for me too, as a member of the teaching stream, as this honour rarely goes to teaching stream faculty," says Wilson. "I’m especially thankful for my colleagues who prepared the nomination and support letters, as these things take a substantial amount of time and energy – I feel like I am sharing this honour with them.

"Having the privilege to work with so many outstanding colleagues, students and staff members at 91��ɫ has made it both fun and a pleasure to come to work each day and to be honest, anything I have accomplished has been in collaboration with and because of them."

Courtesy of Yfile

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In the Faculty of Science, we continuously strive to deliver high-quality education and experiential learning opportunities that our students need to become future global leaders. In this issue of Innovatus, I am excited to share some of the ways in which we are prioritizing excellence in teaching and learning in the Faculty of Science. 

Our Faculty has been working hard to expand co-op opportunities for our students so they graduate with real-world experience. For instance, we have launched an innovative work-integrated learning program open to all science students that has doubled its intake each year. 

Our instructors are enhancing student learning and experience by introducing new technologies and methods of teaching, such as using virtual reality to augment students’ understanding of concepts and creating podcasts to increase the accessibility of course content. They are also creating new programming to support our students in becoming future scientists, such as a new transformative course for undergraduates to learn about the structure of a research career and how to conduct responsible research. 

We have an incredible community of instructors and staff in the Faculty of Science who are committed to providing our students with the knowledge, skills and credentials they need and desire to successfully transition into rewarding and impactful careers. Our faculty members and staff are the drivers of teaching and learning innovation in our Faculty, and I am immensely proud of and grateful for their efforts. 

Thank you,  

Rui Wang
Dean, Faculty of Science 

In this issue:

91��ɫ professor pioneers podcast-based learning in biology 
Professor Elizabeth Clare swaps traditional textbooks for dynamic podcasts, offering students a fresh, interactive and accessible way to learn complex biology concepts.

Using VR in chemistry to ‘future-proof’ students
A new fourth-year chemistry course at 91��ɫ is changing the way students learn, moving beyond traditional methods to embrace modern technology and deeper learning.

New biology course prepares 91��ɫ U students for ethical research
Learn how a new fourth-year biology course is addressing scientific misconduct and teaching students the importance of integrity in research.

91��ɫ U enhances science co-op through national grant 
91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science will expand work-integrated learning opportunities and enhance experiential learning to prepare students for diverse careers in the field.

Courtesy of YFile

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Atmospheric chemists in the Faculty of Science, including Professors Cora Young and Trevor VandenBoer and their graduate student Daniel Persaud, are participating in the Study of Winter Air Pollution in Toronto (SWAPIT), led by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The study aims to better understand the mix of pollutants in Toronto’s urban winter air and why known pollutants haven’t declined as expected over the years.

“The unique thing about this study is that it's occurring during the winter months when there are different sources of pollutants from indoor heating to the de-icing of highways, which could have impacts. It is now evident that the levels of some pollutants are elevated in the winter months,” says Persaud. “Most of the other studies focused on smog, which normally occurs during the summer months.”

Read the full news story from News@91��ɫ.

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With efforts led by Biology Professor Gary Sweeney from the Faculty of Science, the new laboratory will focus on integrating clinical research with biomedical laboratory studies to improve human health, particularly in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, as well as conditions related to aging.

Read the full story in YFile.

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A team of 91��ɫ researchers has uncovered a critical flaw during the drug development process that, if addressed, could make drug discovery faster, more reliable and less expensive – and ultimately save lives.

The findings by a team led by Sergey Krylov, a Distinguished Research Professor of chemistry at 91��ɫ U, reveal that measurement errors in the early stages of drug discovery can lead to further errors – in decisions – as pharmaceutical companies work to develop new drugs.

“People are used to doing things a certain way, and they just keep at it, even when it’s not working,” Krylov says. “We need to make people aware of these measurement errors and why it’s so important to fix them. It’s time to stop and think about the damage these mistakes cause and start making changes.”

His team is now working to raise awareness of the findings, urging drug developers and academic researchers to change their practices.

“If we can cut down bad decisions in drug development by even half, we’d see twice as many drugs making it to market,” Krylov says. “That means saving twice as many lives and making much better use of time and money.”

Pharmaceutical companies spend billions of dollars a year on drug-discovery research. The process begins with identifying disease-related proteins and then searching for molecules that can bind to those proteins and change their function. For example, fever-reducing drugs work by lowering the production of chemical signals that cause the body’s internal thermostat to raise its temperature during inflammation.

Vast libraries of chemical compounds are screened and measured to see how strongly each one binds to the target protein. The strength of the binding is quantified and molecules with the strongest interactions go to the next stage of development.

Despite advances in technology, this process remains painstakingly slow, costly and prone to errors.

Krylov’s team has discovered that these binding measurements are often grossly inaccurate, sometimes off by as much as a factor of 1,000. The molecules identified as having the strongest bindings are particularly susceptible to these large errors.

“These mistakes mean promising drug candidates get rejected too soon,” Krylov says. “When the strongest binders are ruled out, it sets off a chain reaction of missed opportunities and expensive delays in research and development.”

To address this, Krylov’s team developed a practical method to verify whether specific molecules are measured accurately. Their approach allows researchers to flag compounds for reassessment under more rigorous conditions, potentially salvaging overlooked drug candidates.

The team’s discovery, made just a year ago, has yet to gain widespread traction in the pharmaceutical industry or the academic community. However, Krylov is optimistic about the potential for change.

In the coming years, the researchers plan to publish the findings of their ongoing research in scientific journals, engage with industry partners and present their work at conferences. They have also created a free online software tool that evaluates the accuracy of binding measurements and can even reassess data for molecules previously discarded, offering a second chance for overlooked candidates.

“This is a long game,” Krylov says. “There’s no quick fix here. It’s going to take years of education and getting the message out. But if we stick with it, we can really change how drugs are discovered and save a lot of lives."

Courtesy of YFile

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91��ɫ researchers say warmer temperatures will create more unsafe white ice conditions, ice that’s more like a snow cone than ice cube.

Sports and recreational activities on frozen lakes across the Northern Hemisphere are a popular pastime for millions, but according to new research out of 91��ɫ, the safety of that ice is becoming more precarious and shorter in duration.

As winter and early spring temperatures continue to rise with a warming world the quality of lake ice is changing and that prompted the researchers to delve into available data to project how many fewer days of safe ice there could be in the future. That number could be upwards of 29 days depending on the condition of ice cover and whether the world reaches 1 C, 2 C or even 4 C of warming.

Although their previous work looked at ice thickness and duration, important indicators of ice safety, they are quick to point out that that is only part of the equation. Equally important and potentially as dangerous is the quality of the ice, which also helps determine whether it is safe, especially early and late in the season when the ice is either forming or melting.

“Quality and thickness need to be weighed together when deciding if the ice is safe to go out on. Our research found there will be fewer safe ice days and the formation of safe ice during the transition period in early winter will take longer, creating a higher risk for accidents and drownings,” says Professor Sapna Sharma of 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science and senior author of the paper.

Led by 91��ɫ Postdoctoral Fellow Joshua Culpepper, the study tracked historical shifts in ice thickness and quality to determine how global temperature rises will affect the number of safe days on the ice.

““We used a lake ice model to examine changes in ice thickness of the Northern Hemisphere between 1850 and 2100,” says Culpepper. “We show that although many lakes are still forecasted to freeze, as warmer temperatures become the norm, they will be unsafe to use for a longer time especially if more white ice, than black ice forms.”

The quality of ice, how strong it is and how much weight it can hold, differs depending on whether it’s predominantly white or black ice.

“White ice conditions increase the risk of falling through the ice as white ice has a lower load bearing capacity compared to black ice at the same thickness,” says Culpepper, who cautions that as the climate heats, white ice conditions are expected to increase.

Shoulder seasons is when it is most unsafe

Lake ice formation in the Northern Hemisphere could be delayed anywhere from Nov. 15 to Jan. 18, dictated by how high average temperatures climb – 1 C, 2 C or 4 C – and it is during this transition that white ice is most likely to form.

“We found lake ice will likely be unsafe longer at the beginning, than the end, of the ice season. Although the lakes will be frozen, they could be unsafe to use for three to four weeks at the beginning of winter and for an extra week at the end when ice is predicted to decay rapidly,” says Sharma.

“This rapid break up of safe ice conditions suggests that the end of the ice season will offer some of the most dangerous conditions, but the beginning of the season is also highly risky. The greatest number of drownings through ice occur at the beginning and end of the ice season and this risk is expected to be higher with climate change.”

How does white ice differ from black ice?

Even though the ice might measure the right thickness to venture out for a skate or snowmobile ride, if it is comprised mainly of white ice, it likely won’t hold. This has already resulted in dozens of drownings, say the researchers.

White ice is more likely to form when temperatures are warmer than usual or there are warm rainy days following very cold days. It is usually opaque, like snow, and filled with more air bubbles, smaller ice crystals, and holds less weight than black ice. At temperatures close to 0 C, it could be more than 50 per cent weaker. Steady cold temperatures are needed for black ice formation, which is clear and dense, has few air pockets and larger ice crystals, making it able to hold heavier loads.

Guidelines on ice thickness for people, snowmobiles, cars and transport trucks on the ice are based on black ice. If people are measuring the ice thickness without accounting for the type of ice, that could lead to life-threatening plunges through the ice.

Lake ice is unsafe when it thins to less than 10 cm of black ice, less than 15 cm of equal parts black and white ice, or less than 20 cm of white ice. The formation of white ice is expected to increase as temperatures climb increasing the unsafe transition period.

In Canada last December, six people, including a couple of teens in Ontario, died within a week plunging through thin ice. Two more died in Ontario this February. In Finland, four people died from falling through weak ice in January and February alone, where the average is said to be 18 people annually. In Sweden, 16 people drowned from falling through the ice in 2014 and at least nine in 2021, for example.

The researchers hope to get the word out on the increasing precariousness of lake ice today and into the future, and hope people will take precautions before venturing onto the ice, even if it looks solid enough.

The paper, , was published today in the journal PLOS ONE.

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Elaina Hyde, a professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy in 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science and director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory, has launched 91��ɫ’s first-ever podcast dedicated to astronomy.

Hyde’s existing Monday night audio program, “91��ɫ Universe” – already boasting an archive of more than 500 episodes as a radio show, internet program and YouTube broadcast – can now be found on all podcast-streaming platforms, further expanding its potential reach and impact. Listeners can join the Allan I. Carswell Observatory’s group of professors, students and alumni for an astronomical adventure, covering history, news and telescope-viewing insights. 

“91��ɫ Universe” started in 2009 as an online radio show on astronomy.fm. When that station went off air in 2023, the show’s audio broadcast was incorporated into the Observatory’s online public viewing program on YouTube. Since radio shows have been reaching fewer and fewer members of the public, and podcasts have conversely risen in popularity, the Observatory realized offering the show in podcast format was the natural next step.

With a team of seven regular hosts and 10 repeating guests, the podcast covers topics including what the Observatory is up to, current research at 91��ɫ U and life on other planets. Some recent episodes have focused on retro rockets and spooky stars – a Halloween episode that coincided with the Observatory’s Halloween event.

“Since most of the hosts, cohosts and organizers of ‘91��ɫ Universe’ are current 91��ɫ students and Observatory alumni, it is a great chance for the community to share in the accomplishments of some of our most accomplished grads – and undergrads,” says Hyde. “The student perspective and knowledge included in the broadcasts offers a chance for everyone to join in the exciting Observatory discoveries and observations.”

All episodes of “91��ɫ Universe” are recorded live from the Allan I. Carswell Observatory on 91��ɫ’s Keele Campus, making it easy for students and researchers to join in person. Videoconferencing programs like Zoom make it possible to welcome guests from anywhere in the world.

Past guest speakers have included Blake Nancarrow from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (episode 512), and science communicators Emily Lakdawalla (episode 270), Sara Mazrouei (episode 124), David Levy (episode 117) and many more.

Looking ahead, listeners can look forward to more interesting guests and more astronomy news in the episodes to come. Given astronomy’s new focus on machine learning and data science, Hyde and her team plan to provide a window into some of the latest developments in those fields.

“One of our big plans for 2025 is to set up an episode from our Killarney Provincial Park collaborators in Ontario,” explains Hyde, referring to the Allan I. Carswell Astronomer in Residence program held annually at Killarney’s dark sky preserve. “We are looking forward to bringing one of our astronomers live from the site during residence to discuss astronomy, stargazing and, of course, the telescopes.”

The team also plans to convert past archived episodes of the show into podcast format, increasing the public’s access to valuable astronomical information.

“Reaching into the fields of history, physics, chemistry and biology is one of the things that astronomy does best,” says Hyde. “With the ‘91��ɫ Universe’ podcast, we can do all of that and include a 91��ɫ perspective as well. With this new format, we hope to reach a wider audience of both student scientists and science communicators.”

The “91��ɫ Universe” podcast is available on the  and can be streamed on all podcast platforms. The live broadcast takes place every Monday night at 9 p.m. on YouTube in conjunction with the Observatory’s online public viewing program, where live or archival images from the telescope are shown, depending on the weather.

With files from Elaina Hyde

Courtesy of YFile

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91��ɫ’s Office of Sustainability, in partnership with the Faculty of Science and Facilities Services, hosted a successful Bioblitz event during Campus Sustainability Month in October, inviting the 91��ɫ community to explore and document the diverse species of plants, animals, and other organisms found on the Keele and Glendon campuses. Participants used the iNaturalist app to record their findings, contributing to a valuable inventory of local biodiversity. The event saw a fantastic turnout, with 37 participants making 790 observations across 326 species on 91��ɫ’s campuses.   

A standout contributor was Alice Kostin, a neuroscience student from the Faculty of Science, who made an impressive 164 observations of 79 different species, earning her recognition for her dedication to documenting campus biodiversity. Kostin’s efforts earned her first place and a $50 reward on her YU Card. 

“Participating in 91��ɫ’s Bioblitz was a chance for me to explore Canada’s diverse beauty right here on our campus,” she said. 

The event showcased a wide range of wildlife, from familiar species like gray squirrels and Canada geese to rarer sightings, including a white-throated sparrow, red-tailed hawk and even a coyote. The data collected will play an important role in advancing 91��ɫ’s sustainability goals, particularly through the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Living Planet @ Campus program, which encourages students to actively participate in biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship. The event also included walks on campus, which were led by professors Gordon Fitch, Alex Mills and Laura McKinnon, as well as Valerio Larivera, supervisor of grounds management.  

The Bioblitz event aligns with 91��ɫ’s Sustainability Strategy, supporting the University’s efforts to regenerate local ecosystems and foster biodiversity on campus, creating a healthier and more inviting environment for all. It also provides students with valuable opportunities to engage in environmental initiatives and contribute to 91��ɫ’s pursuit of a WWF Living Planet Leader certification. 

“The Bioblitz is about more than just species identification – it’s about fostering a deeper connection to the natural world,” said Mike Layton, chief sustainability officer. 

Community members are encouraged to contribute to  year-round and to keep an eye out for another Bioblitz event this spring. For information about how to get involved in sustainability on campus or how to join the WWF Living Planet Leader certification, visit the Sustainability at 91��ɫ website. 

Courtesy of YFile

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An asteroid first discovered more than 20 years ago has now received a new name: Asteroid (700818) Pauldelaney.

The naming honours 91��ɫ Professor Emeritus Paul Delaney, who was a faculty member in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, Faculty of Science, for 35 years before retiring in 2021. Delaney was the director of the Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory and the inaugural Carswell Chair for the Public Understanding of Astronomy at 91��ɫ. His passion for teaching and community engagement led to him receiving the Sandford Fleming Medal for excellence in science communication and the Qilak Award for Astronomy Outreach and Communication.

The discoverer of the asteroid, Canadian astronomer Dave Balam, who is a former colleague and longtime collaborator of Delaney’s, led the naming effort.

“I’ve known Paul since his graduate student days at the University of Victoria,” said Balam, who is now based at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria, B.C. “Aside from my personal friendship with Paul, I decided to name the minor planet owing to his public outreach activities for the public understanding of astronomy and current astronomical events.”

Balam first discovered the asteroid (initially named 2003 OE34) on July 31, 2003, using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope located on Mauna Kea mountain in Hawaii. The object is in a typical main asteroid belt orbit, located midway between the planets Mars and Jupiter, and orbiting the sun about every four and a half years. It’s considered small, likely a little less than one kilometre in diameter, and while no image exists, it’s probably irregularly shaped, like a potato.

The naming of small asteroids is overseen by a committee of the International Astronomical Union called the Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature (WGSBN). Namings become official after their publication in the , in which Delaney’s appears in the Nov. 4 issue.

Delaney joins a distinguished group of 91��ɫ faculty members who have had asteroids named after them, including: Professor Michael Daly, Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering; Professor Patrick Hall, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Faculty of Science; the late Professor Emeritus Kim Innanen, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Faculty of Science; and the late Professor Richard Jarrell, Department of Science, Technology & Society, Faculty of Science.

Courtesy of YFile

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