The Faculty of Science held its 4^th annual Dean鈥檚 Special Advisory Board meeting on Thursday, June 19, at 91亚色鈥檚 Markham Campus.  

Board members鈥攄rawn from industry, academia, government, and healthcare鈥攐ffered strategic advice on key issues, including responding to industry demand for science programs, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and enhancing partnerships with local companies. 

Dean Rui Wang provided an annual progress report, highlighting the achievements of the Faculty of Science in the strategic areas of teaching, research, and service, including a total of $14.2M in philanthropic donations raised over the last five years.  The Board further brainstormed and advised on opportunities and challenges for the Faculty of Science in the coming years.  
 
The meeting also marked Dr. Mark Lievonen鈥檚 appointment as Board Chair, recognizing his leadership in the science and biotech sectors, having served as President of Sanofi Pasteur Limited, Co-Chair of Canada鈥檚 COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, and within numerous high profile industry boards and organizations.  

The Faculty of Science thanks all members for their valuable insights and looks forward to another year of collaboration and progress. 

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91亚色 will play a leading role in a new national program supporting Canada鈥檚 first-ever Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Scientists 鈥� a program that funds early-career astronomers contributing to an international radio astronomy research initiative. 

Announced by the National Research Council Canada (NRC), the Canadian SKA Scientist Program supports future leaders in conducting cutting-edge research to explore some of the universe鈥檚 biggest mysteries. 

Fengqiu (Adam) Dong will conduct advanced research on radio pulsars in 91亚色鈥檚 Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science, as part of the Canadian SKA Scientist Program. 

Dong, currently a National Radio Astronomy Observatory Jansky Fellow at the U.S.-based Green Bank Observatory, completed his PhD at the University of British Columbia. 

Dong鈥檚 research focuses on pulsars 鈥� dense, rotating remnants of massive stars that emit rhythmic bursts of radiation. At 91亚色, he will work with mentor Paul Scholz, assistant professor in the Department of Physic and Astronomy, whose work explores pulsars, magnetars and fast radio bursts 鈥� brief, powerful flashes of radio waves from beyond our galaxy. 

Together, they will contribute to the global Square Kilometre Array (SKA) initiative over a term of three to five years. 

"I'm honoured and excited to play a role in bringing Canada to the forefront of this once-in-a-lifetime instrument,鈥� says Dong. 鈥淪KA is the future of radio astronomy for the next decade. It will revolutionize our understanding of the universe, much like the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes have done for optical and infrared astronomy." 

The SKA is an international effort to build the world鈥檚 largest radio telescope arrays, with facilities in South Africa and Australia. Once operational, the SKA Observatory (SKAO) is expected to transform understanding of the universe. Canada is one of the project鈥檚 member countries, represented by the NRC and supported through national partnerships with universities and researchers. 

鈥淭he Canadian SKA Scientists will be the future leaders in the revolutionary science that will come out of the SKA,鈥� says Scholz. 鈥淚n his role, Adam will enhance and broaden the radio astronomy expertise at 91亚色 and significantly bolster our involvement in the SKA.鈥� 

Canadian SKA Scientist participants receive mentorship from both a university-based expert and the NRC, with the goal of building a national network of researchers contributing to the SKA.  

According to NRC program lead Michael Rupen, the initiative is designed to support early-career scientists while ensuring Canadian researchers have equitable access to SKA science. Dong joins Alice Curtin, a PhD candidate at McGill University, as the first two researchers selected for the program. 

A second call for applications is expected in fall 2025, with subsequent rounds to follow annually.聽

Courtesy of Yfile

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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聽YFile.

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91亚色鈥檚 Asian Business & Management Program (ABMP) and the Faculty of Science were honoured with the ninth Canada China Business Excellence Academic Collaboration Bronze Award at the Canada China Business Council's 46th Annual General Meeting and Business Forum in Beijing.

The award celebrates visionary Canadian organizations advancing educational ties with China. It acknowledges the efforts of organizations that demonstrate leadership in cross-border collaboration and academic innovation. The award is a testament to the success of 91亚色's ABMP and Faculty of Science in fostering resilient academic partnerships with Chinese institutions. Despite complex geopolitical dynamics, ABMP and the Faculty of Science have strategically built sustainable collaborations that not only enrich students and faculty but also provide unique educational opportunities across borders in the post-pandemic era. Key collaborations that contributed to the award include the Global Perspectives program and the Career Bootcamp, both of which exemplify ABMP and Faculty of Science's adaptability in the face of challenges.

The Global Perspectives program, launched in 2022, is a virtual engagement initiative that has connected over 350 Chinese students with Canadian educators, focusing on global challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. A strategic partnership with the Jiangsu-Canada University Consortium, encompassing 29 academic institutions in China's Jiangsu province, has been instrumental in equipping students with cross-cultural skills and preparing them to tackle global challenges. These efforts have not only strengthened academic ties between 91亚色 and Jiangsu universities but also fostered bilateral co-operation in education and research.

ABMP and the Faculty of Science were among the first educational organizations to resume in-person engagement with Chinese students following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Career Bootcamp, tailored for Chinese undergraduates, combines theoretical learning with real-world application, helping students bridge the gap between classroom education and industry demands, while giving them an edge in an increasingly competitive job market. Beyond fostering career readiness, the program promotes intercultural interactions, shaping participants into cultural ambassadors and strengthening ties between Canada and China.

Hugo Chen, director of international collaborations and partnerships in the Faculty of Science, emphasized the broader impact of these partnerships: 鈥淚n fostering these collaborations, both countries are not only advancing academic excellence but also promoting international co-operation, cultural exchange and sustainable development.鈥�

As geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve, ABMP and the Faculty of Science's proactive approach 鈥� blending virtual and in-person initiatives 鈥� sets a powerful example of how academic collaboration can transcend borders and foster mutual understanding, said Elena Caprioni, ABMP director. 鈥淭hrough these efforts, we are shaping a future where Canada and China remain interconnected through shared values, knowledge exchange and a commitment to tackling the world鈥檚 biggest challenges.鈥�

This Bronze Award serves not only as recognition of past achievements but also as an inspiration to further strengthen academic and cultural ties that benefit both nations and contribute to global progress.

Courtesy of YFile

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91亚色 is taking a leadership role in addressing one of the world鈥檚 most pressing issues 鈥� water sustainability. The University is serving as the academic lead for a pioneering virtual course titled 鈥淚ntroduction to Big Data for Water Sustainability,鈥� run by the United Nations Institute for Training & Research (UNITAR) Global Water Academy.

The seven-week course, which began recently and runs until Dec. 3, aims to tackle the complex challenge of global water insecurity. With more than two billion people lacking safe access to clean water, the need for innovative solutions in water sustainability management has never been more critical.

Professor Sapna Sharma in 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Science, who designed the curriculum, emphasizes the urgency of the situation. 鈥淲e are in need of practical and effective solutions to water sustainability management that are relevant at both local and global scales, and based on a data-driven strategy,鈥� she says.

The course content focuses on harnessing the power of open-access data, novel technologies, inclusive international collaborations and Indigenous knowledge integration. By combining these elements, the project aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of water sustainability on a global scale.

A defining feature of this offering is its 鈥渢wo-eyed seeing鈥� approach, which integrates Indigenous knowledge with western scientific practices. This comprehensive strategy aims to expand understanding of global freshwater availability, particularly in unexplored regions or areas with insufficient resource access. As Sharma points out, incorporating Indigenous knowledge is essential for developing effective water management solutions. 鈥淚t allows us to tap into centuries of local expertise and understanding of water systems.鈥�

Each module features an experienced practitioner guiding participants through the process of accessing, using and applying open-access global freshwater datasets. Topics covered include remote sensing technologies, community networks, traditional knowledge and increased accessibility of open-access data.

The project鈥檚 global reach is already apparent. 鈥淭his free, open-access curriculum has approximately 750 registrants from about 120 countries,鈥� Sharma says. 鈥淲e have invited leaders from academia, [United Nations] agencies, governments, [non-governmental organizations] and Inuit communities 鈥� to present guest lectures.鈥� This diverse participation not only showcases 91亚色鈥檚 international influence but also demonstrates its commitment to democratizing higher education. Furthermore, by providing high-calibre knowledge and training in water sustainability to a global audience, the University is helping to increase access to expertise, particularly for those in regions where such resources may be limited.

Building on this global collaboration, the course tackles several key challenges in water sustainability management. These include data accessibility, quantifying water insecurity and developing innovative solutions.

Despite significant annual investments in acquiring, compiling and analyzing data on various water bodies around the world, many researchers and practitioners struggle to locate and effectively utilize these datasets. This gap between data availability and practical application highlights the need for improved data management and sharing practices in the field of water sustainability.

To address these challenges, the course aims to foster creative, data-driven solutions that safeguard freshwater resources and promote equitable access to clean water worldwide. By equipping participants with the skills to navigate and leverage existing datasets, the initiative seeks to connect data collection with real-world application in water management strategies.

Looking ahead, Sharma envisions the curriculum as a catalyst for positive change: 鈥淲e hope that this offering will provide the tools to inspire new approaches to safeguard our freshwater resources and work towards a future of equitable access to clean water across the globe.鈥�

For more information and to register for the remaining sessions, visit the Introduction to Big Data for Water Sustainability course web page.

Courtesy of YFile

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In late August, nine undergraduate students from 91亚色 packed their bags and flew across the pond to join students at Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany for the 鈥淎strophysical Laboratories of Fundamental Physics鈥� summer school.

The summer school was the culmination of a larger initiative called EXPLORE: EXPeriential Learning Opportunity through Research and Exchange, which enables students to learn about astrophysics hands on while also experiencing modern international research collaborations. EXPLORE includes students from 91亚色, University of Toronto and Goethe University.

The students who attended the summer school at Goethe University had already been working together virtually during Summer 2021 or Winter 2022 semesters on small teams, tackling research questions related to dark matter. They were mentored by Professors Sean Tulin in 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Science; Nassim Bozorgnia and Saeed Rastgoo, who helped launch the program from 91亚色 but are now at the University of Alberta; and Laura Sagunski and J眉rgen Schaffner-Bielich at Goethe University.

鈥淎fter many hours of working and meeting online, it was nice to finally meet everyone in person,鈥� said summer school attendee Tarnem Afify, who graduated from the 91亚色 Biophysics Program. 鈥淚 find EXPLORE to be a unique student-research program, since it truly gives you a taste of all the bits and pieces that go into a scientific research process. Getting a chance to visit Goethe University and meet everyone at the end of the program was the cherry on top to my experience. The summer school not only gave me the opportunity to attend thought-provoking lectures and tutorials given by great scientists, but also allowed me to learn about Frankfurt鈥檚 culture and traditions.鈥�

Over the five days of summer school from Aug. 21 to 26, the students attended talks and lectures by renowned researchers on hot topics in theoretical and observational astrophysics. They participated in collaborative sessions and tutorials that involved analyzing data and hands-on research, as well as in cultural and social events like a stand-up paddling tour on the river Main. They also met the mayor of Frankfurt Nargess Eskandari-Gr眉nberg, who welcomed them on their first day.

鈥淭he entire summer school was devoted to our knowledge and they also ensured we enjoyed our time there,鈥� said 91亚色 physics student Dhyan Thakkar. 鈥淢y favorite was the lecture on relativistic gamma ray burst jets, we did computations regarding the physics of the jet itself after the lectures and I found that really interesting. Overall, I had a great time there, and this project in general gave me a new passion for coding and computational research.鈥�

The creation of EXPLORE was sparked by Sagunski, who completed her postdoctoral fellowship at 91亚色 in 2019 under the supervision of Tulin. After landing a faculty position at Goethe University, she wanted to create an innovative teaching and learning experience for students in astrophysics and reached out to Tulin to collaborate on transforming the idea into a real program. 鈥淭he program allows students to explore their interests; for instance, we see some students discover that they enjoy the theoretical aspects of research the most, while others find that they prefer coding,鈥� said Sagunski. 鈥淭he experience also shows students how amazing it is to be a researcher working on an international team, going back and forth on how to answer a question.鈥�

鈥淎s an engineering student with a passion for space, being able to participate in a research project like EXPLORE really gave me insight on how data is used and interpreted within the science field,鈥� said Megan Gran, a 91亚色 space engineering student. 鈥淔rom an engineering perspective, I can now visualize how to engineer space instruments for scientific use.鈥�

EXPLORE is supported by the Academic Innovation Fund at 91亚色, the DFG Collaborative Research Center CRC-TR 211 鈥淪trong-interaction matter under extreme conditions鈥� and the State of Hesse through the Research Cluster ELEMENTS. The summer school was also supported by the city of Frankfurt am Main via its city partnership with Toronto.

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