The five-year , funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), brought together more than 61 Inuit youth researchers, Elders, cultural advisors, musicians, artists and voice actors to co-create a psycho-educational video game grounded in Inuit knowledge and culture.

Led by Professor Yvonne Bohr at 91亚色's , the initiative was developed in partnership with communities across Nunavut and was guided by Inuit youth for everything from the game's story and artwork to its music, voice acting and wellness content.

Inspired by Inuit Qaggiq, a traditional Inuit gathering space for learning and community renewal, the game combines Western therapeutic strategies (such as cognitive behavioural therapy) with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ), a set values based on Inuit philosophy, Elder teachings and other tactics shared by Inuit youth.

During the game, players follow a young protagonist named Alaasua through seven quests exploring wellness topics identified as important to Inuit youth, including interpersonal conflict, substance use and relationship loss. 

Between October 2025 and July 2026, 276 Inuit youth from 37 communities across Canada tested the game and provided feedback through surveys, interviews and evaluation workshops. 

Bohr says the findings suggest the game is both safe and beneficial for participating youth. The research team found improvements in participants' confidence and ability to manage difficult emotions, challenge negative thoughts and use coping strategies such as seeking support from others. 

For many involved, the impact extended beyond gameplay. Inuit youth who co-created the game gained experience in research, leadership and mental health advocacy, while sharing Inuit culture and advancing traditional IQ principles.

"We have learned that young people in Nunavut have a great passion for supporting mental wellness in their communities," says Bohr. "While youth leaders and Elders are eager to evaluate Western mental health interventions for youth, Inuit knowledge about healing must be front and centre in those interventions. Ideally, any mental health intervention should be developed by youth themselves with the support of their communities."

The game鈥檚 success is attracting attention. Earlier this month, Virtual Qaggiq was featured by CBC News for its innovative approach to supporting Inuit youth mental health through culturally relevant digital spaces. 

"What excites me most about the Virtual Qaggiq project is the promise the game has shown as a culturally grounded mental health resource for Inuit youth," says project coordinator and 91亚色 research assistant Yogita Singh. "Seeing Inuit youth on the team grow from project council members into research assistants and emerging leaders in mental health and research has been incredibly inspiring." 

The research team is working with the Nunavut Department of Education to explore making Virtual Qaggiq available to youth through schools and afterschool programs across the territory. The team is also considering future initiatives that build on the project's community-led model to address other priorities identified by Inuit youth. 

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Each year since 2017, 91亚色 helps students begin their university experience with fewer financial barriers by awarding to incoming students, complementing the scholarships, grants and bursaries available across the University.

For the second consecutive year, one recipient was selected from each of 91亚色's three campuses: Keele, Glendon and Markham. Valued at more than $7,000, the award offers meaningful support as recipients begin post-secondary studies.

Meet the 2026 recipients, read their stories and watch a video to see their reactions to winning free tuition.

Markham Campus: Temi Ahmed ()

When Ahmed began exploring university programs, she was looking for one that aligned with a long-standing fascination with space and technology.

"I've been really interested in space for a long time, and I like working with computers," she says. "I hope to build a rocket someday in the future."

Her search eventually led her to 91亚色's Space Engineering program, where she hopes to turn that passion into a future career.

As she settles into her first year, Ahmed is excited to immerse herself in her studies and take the first steps toward her career goals.

Winning free tuition, she says, was unexpected. After being invited to what she thought was a routine student experience interview, Ahmed says she had no idea what was waiting for her.

"I wasn't thinking I'd win free tuition," she says, explaining that when she opened the letter, she was in shock. "I saw 'tuition,' so I was like, 'Oh my God. Is this what I think it is?'"

The award will make a meaningful difference for both Ahmed and her family. Soon after learning the news, she called her parents and sister to share it with them. Their reactions, she says, were a mix of excitement and disbelief.

"My dad didn't believe me," she laughs. "He was really surprised, and my sister was really happy too."

Keele Campus: Alexandrea Ursino (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies)

When Ursino developed an interest in law during high school, she began looking for a program that would allow her to explore the field from a broader perspective. 91亚色's Law & Society program stood out as the ideal fit, offering the opportunity to examine legal issues through social, political and cultural lenses.

91亚色 appealed to Ursino because of the possibilities available inside and outside the classroom. As a commuter from Woodbridge, being close to home while still having access to a large campus and a wide range of ways to get involved was a key driver in her decision.

"I chose 91亚色 because of the community and the opportunities that they have," she says. "I liked how it was so diverse and how they had a lot of programs that I could choose from, and a lot of clubs."

As she begins her first year, Ursino is eager to expand her knowledge through university-level coursework and discover new perspectives through her studies.

"I'm looking forward to what I'll be learning and what content the professors will provide me with," she says. "I'm excited to get into the assignments, get into the readings and learn a lot."

The excitement of starting university was made even greater when Ursino learned she had been selected as this year's Keele Campus free tuition recipient. Caught completely off guard by the announcement, she says the award came as a welcome surprise.

"It means it's a super big gift, a big surprise," she says. "Free tuition gives me the ability to pursue my goals of having a good first year, to focus more on my education and my growth as I begin this new chapter of my life."

Glendon Campus: Xander Venne (Ethics and Political Philosophy)

Venne's connection to Glendon runs deeper than academics; the campus is part of his family history.

"My parents actually both went here to the Glendon campus and they met here," says Venne. "So, I've been hearing great stories about it my whole life."

Now in his first weeks as a student, he says he has already experienced the close-knit and diverse community that drew him there.

"I've been able to make a wide variety of friends from across the world, which I've really enjoyed," he says.

Venne is eager to embrace the opportunities that come with university life, from new experiences and friendships to expanding his knowledge and developing new skills.

Winning free tuition, he says, will make a meaningful difference for both him and his family, easing financial pressures and allowing him to focus more fully on his studies.

"It means a lot for me and for my family," he says.

Watch the video below for more.

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When Grothaus first set out during her PhD studies to make invisible air pollution visible, she envisioned wearable technology that could help people understand the pollutants they encounter while walking, cycling or commuting through their communities.

In 2025, that vision was realized in part through an experimental smart garment featuring illuminated lungs that respond to black carbon pollution, a combustion-related pollutant linked to vehicle traffic, aircraft emissions and wildfires. Using a laboratory-validated black-carbon sensor, the garment was an early proof-of-concept within a broader research project that has now evolved into a fully fledged program.

鈥淭he earlier prototype demonstrated that a wearable could sense pollution and translate it into a visual response,鈥� says Grothaus. 鈥淏ut it was an expressive garment rather than something a person would comfortably wear throughout an ordinary day.鈥�

That distinction prompted a significant redesign of the technology and a rethinking of the project as a whole.

As part of a broader initiative called We Are Air Aware, Grothaus set out to create a practical air quality monitor that people could easily wear or carry throughout their daily routines. The result is AirWear, a pocket-sized device that measures particulate pollution and records location-linked environmental data during everyday activities.

The project investigates particulate matter and black carbon, a harmful combustion-related component that is one of the largest contributors to global warming after carbon dioxide. The project, which also considers health risks for black carbon, aims to make pollution exposure and its potential sources perceptible at the scale people encounter them, such as beside traffic, at an intersection or while waiting for transit.

Working with collaborators through 91亚色鈥檚 Connected Minds program and Professor Shital Desai鈥檚 Social and Technological Systems (SaTS) Lab, Grothaus redesigned AirWear for everyday use. Nearly every element was reconsidered, including its electronics, enclosure, attachment system, screen interface, location logging and data storage.

The monitor can be clipped to clothing or a bag, carried as a keyring or worn as a pendant. It displays particulate readings through a simplified interface designed to be understood at a glance.

鈥淲e wanted AirWear to be lightweight, discreet, understandable at a glance and adaptable to different bodies and preferences,鈥� says Grothaus. 鈥淭he aim was not simply to make the electronics as small as possible. It was to create a device that could function as part of everyday life and as part of a participatory research system.鈥�

While AirWear has become the project鈥檚 everyday monitoring tool, its artistic roots continue through AtmoSpheres 鈥� a series of wearable artworks that raise awareness about air pollution through public performances and exhibitions. We Are Air Aware also includes MyAirWear.ca, where anonymized, location-linked measurements will contribute to community air quality maps.

Together, the three components explore how sensing, visualization, art and community knowledge can make localized particulate air pollution more understandable and ultimately support practical responses.

Perhaps the project鈥檚 biggest evolution, however, has been the growing role of community members.

In July 2026, Grothaus and her team held six co-design workshops: three at 91亚色 through Desai鈥檚 SaTS Lab and three with Bathurst Quay residents recruited through the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association. Desai鈥檚 expertise helped strengthen the project鈥檚 inclusive co-design methods, workshop structure, ethics process and attention to how different participants experience technology.

Rather than asking participants to test and approve a nearly finished device, the team invited them to help shape AirWear before key design decisions had been finalized. Residents invented possible forms, attachment methods and display ideas while reflecting on their experiences with air quality and wearable technology. The team analyzed comments, sketches, clay prototypes, rankings and dot-voting, and is now translating that feedback into the next round of fabrication.

One result was a pale-blue, cloud-shaped enclosure inspired by participants鈥� preferences for a form that felt approachable, recognizable and positively connected to air. Participants also favoured simple colour-based indicators, flexible carrying options and a design that balanced useful information with comfort and privacy.

鈥淭he residents made clear that a technically elegant wearable can still fail if it does not respect how people manage comfort, attention, privacy and social interaction,鈥� says Grothaus.

The workshops also produced a useful surprise. Some participants wanted a visible device that could spark conversations about air pollution; others preferred a small, concealable form that would allow them to decide when to discuss it. The responses challenged an underlying assumption that visibility is not always desirable, even in a project devoted to making pollution visible.

Those insights will shape the project鈥檚 next stage, a two-week wear study planned for later this year. Support from Connected Minds, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada's (SSHRC) Explore Grant and a Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research Seed Grant has helped make that phase possible by funding community participation, technical development and preparations for deployment.

Participants will use AirWear during their ordinary routines rather than along prescribed research routes. Grothaus is interested in the pollution people encounter while walking, cycling, commuting, waiting for transit, running errands, exercising outdoors and spending time near places they regularly use.

The devices will record particulate measurements with time and location information, while participants provide feedback about comfort, usability and whether the information affects their awareness or decisions. Public map layers will aggregate measurements and suppress patterns that could identify individuals.

Researchers hope the resulting data will reveal short-lived peaks or recurring exposure hotspots that regional air quality reports or fixed monitors may not capture at the scale of an individual journey. The longer-term goal is to create evidence that communities and decision-makers can use to consider targeted responses involving transit operations, traffic management, idling or street design.

In many ways, those conversations helped shape the project鈥檚 current direction.

鈥淧articipants did not treat AirWear only as a measuring instrument,鈥� says Grothaus. 鈥淭hey considered what it would feel like to carry, what conversations it might create, what information should come back to them and how individual readings could add up to something useful for the neighbourhood.鈥�

鈥淢aking pollution visible remains central to the project, but visibility is not an endpoint,鈥� she adds. 鈥淟ocalized information creates the possibility of connecting a reading to a place, time and activity.鈥�

Through AirWear, MyAirWear.ca and AtmoSpheres, Grothaus hopes to explore how sensing, visualization, art and community knowledge can make localized particulate air pollution more understandable and support practical responses to it.

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For Ela Veresiu (BBA 鈥�09), a marketing professor at 91亚色鈥檚 , the sudden surge in visibility raised an intriguing question: what happens when a long-taboo life stage becomes a marketplace?

鈥淲e want to understand what gives menopausal women 鈥� a demographic that鈥檚 traditionally been ignored in society 鈥� a genuine sense of belonging in the consumer marketplace,鈥� she says.

To answer that question, Veresiu launched a multi-year study on what she calls 鈥渢he menopause economy,鈥� examining how products, services and marketing shape women鈥檚 experiences of inclusion and belonging.鈥�

Backed by a 2024 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Insight Grant, her research builds on her previous work studying age-inclusive marketing and products for older women. The $92,763 grant funds four years of research on the project titled 鈥淐hampioning Belonging and Inclusion of Ageing Menopausal Consumers in Canada's Marketplace.鈥�

Her interest in the topic emerged at a time when menopause remained largely absent from public conversation. A 2022 report published by the Menopause Foundation of Canada found that more than half of women still viewed the biological transition as a taboo topic, while 72 per cent said the information and advice available to them was unhelpful.

Yet within just a few years, the conversation shifted. Menopause moved from the margins into mainstream media, creating new opportunities for businesses eager to reach an underserved demographic.

Veresiu observed that transformation firsthand at the inaugural National Menopause Show in 2024, where thousands of attendees gathered at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, during her fieldwork.

What she found was a sprawling: rows of booths offering medical consultations and online platforms promising personalized care plans. There were vendors selling cooling pillows and night-sweat clothing, and displays on hormone replacement therapy alongside vitamin stands.

And then there were the tables laid out with crystals, handbags and jewelry 鈥� lifestyle products with only the faintest connection to menopause.

The experience highlighted how quickly the menopause economy is expanding and prompted new questions about who benefits from it.

Veresiu is collaborating with co-author Marie-Agn猫s Parmentier, a marketing professor at HEC Montr茅al, to map how this emerging industry is taking shape and how to educate women to be informed consumers.

Together, they鈥檝e attended two menopause-themed shows to observe and document the events from their perspectives as attendees 鈥� a method called ethnography 鈥� and spoke to nearly 60 exhibitors about what they were offering menopausal consumers.

These exhibitors included virtual health providers, consulting companies, brand managers, small businesses and non-profits.

Based on their initial data, Veresiu and Parmentier identified three main risks in the expanding new market, which experts predict will grow to at least $24 billion by 2030.

The first is that businesses will put a 鈥減ink tax鈥� on menopause-related products and services. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a long-established tradition of charging more for women鈥檚 beauty and grooming products than men鈥檚 counterpart,鈥� Veresiu says.

This leads to the second risk: that the menopause market will exclude female consumers who can鈥檛 afford to engage in it.

The third risk is that menopausal women may lack the consumer education to know which products are safe and effective. 鈥淎re they truly tested and data-driven or are they just snake oil?鈥� Veresiu says. 鈥淭rade shows are sometimes used to legitimize a new market, but there鈥檚 a feeling of information overload as an attendee. You don鈥檛 know what to believe.鈥�

Veresiu鈥檚 broader aim is for older women 鈥� menopausal and beyond 鈥� to feel they belong in the marketplace because it represents their needs and experiences.

In an aging society where the older generation may have substantial purchasing power, she says, there鈥檚 a strong business case for embracing this demographic.鈥�

To see how these risks are developing among consumers, Veresiu and Parmentier will recruit attendees at the 2026 National Menopause Show for in-depth interviews.

鈥淲e鈥檙e interested in how they view the new menopause market,鈥� Veresiu says. 鈥淒o they feel that companies are truly catering to their needs and providing valuable products? Has the market contributed to opening up conversations about menopause? Or do those we'll interview just feel inundated and overwhelmed?鈥�

She sees answers to those questions as crucial for what happens next in the market.

鈥淐ompanies are now jumping on the menopause bandwagon, but are they going to stay on it?鈥� she asks. 鈥淲e hope this study will offer them a blueprint for authentic inclusion while also determining the best ways for non-profits and government organizations to guide menopausal consumers through the current chaos of products and information.鈥�

Contributed by Megan Easton

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For technology leader Adrian Lee-Kwen, that belief is at the heart of a $1-million gift to the 91亚色 Markham Campus that will give students new opportunities to explore creativity, experiment with technology and bring their ideas to life.

The gift and the opening of the newly named Adrian Lee-Kwen Makerspace, located in the Markham Campus Library, were celebrated at an event on Aug. 21.

The Makerspace provides equitable access to space, equipment and resources for students to learn through making and creation. Featuring digital fabrication tools, 3D printers and prototyping equipment, this dynamic space gives students the tools to experiment with new technologies, develop new skills and discover new interests.

The Makerspace reflects the role of universities as places of discovery and learning as technology continues to transform how people study, work and interact, says Lisa Philipps, 91亚色鈥檚 interim president and vice-chancellor. 鈥淲hile Adrian is deeply engaged with technology, his focus has always been on people: developing their potential and preparing them to take on the challenges ahead. His generous support and mentorship of students at 91亚色 reflects the depth of his commitment to developing the next generation of innovators.鈥�

For Lee-Kwen, the significance of accessible spaces for creative pursuits is deeply personal. During the celebratory event, he shared that while in high school, he made an investment that seemed to others to be unusual at the time: he bought his first computer. That computer, he recalled cost more than the run-down car he was driving. While his math teacher was skeptical about this investment 鈥� as personal home computers were rare at the time 鈥� his history teacher cheered on the decision. That first computer would become an early step in a much longer journey.

As an early adopter of technology, this investment led to a lifelong interest in technology and computer science. Today Lee-Kwen is the senior vice-president of AI research and development for Workforce Engagement Management at Genesys, where he leads a global team of more than 350 engineers.

He sees the Makerspace as an environment he wishes had been available to him when he was a student: a place to explore curiosity and access modern equipment and technology.

鈥淲hat makes Adrian鈥檚 gift especially meaningful here is his connection to 91亚色 Region,鈥� says Dan Palermo, deputy provost, Markham Campus. 鈥淪tudents can see someone from their own community who followed their curiosity and went on to build a global career in technology.鈥�

As an extension of Lee-Kwen鈥檚 commitment, he will serve as the inaugural Innovation Partner with the Markham Campus Library. In this role, he will share his experience and expertise directly with students through mentorship, complementing his investment in the Makerspace.

For Markham Campus students Sasha Tarassova and Jesse Tsang, what makes the Makerspace distinct is its openness. 鈥淭he Makerspace鈥檚 greatest draw is its accessibility in all aspects: physically, financially and in the philosophy and culture that it cultivates,鈥� says Tarassova.

鈥淚n today鈥檚 highly digital world, the Makerspace is an important bridge between the digital and the physical, to see first-hand the impacts of what we create,鈥� Tsang adds.

This connection between technology, creativity and real-world application is at the core of the Markham Campus, a made-in-Canada model of higher education. The campus is connected to industry, energized by experimentation and built to inspire innovators, makers and entrepreneurs in one of the country鈥檚 fastest growing and most diverse communities.

Michael Ma, MP for Markham-Unionville and a long-standing champion of the Markham Campus, reflected on its potential to develop the workforce for jobs of the future. During the celebratory event, he said he hopes the impact of the Makerspace will help educate but also help foster a culture of innovation that encourages young people to build their careers and lives in Markham.

Lee-Kwen鈥檚 philanthropy and mentorship support student access to new opportunities to explore technology, creativity and innovation at the Markham Campus.

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As Hadfield's voice echoed "three, two, one鈥�" during Canada's largest student rocketry competition, the 91亚色-built "Red Robin" soared 20,000 feet into the air, leading to two second-place finishes and the team's strongest result to date.

Competing against more than 30 university teams from nine provinces, 91亚色's students delivered a strong performance at the annual Challenge. The week-long event, held Aug. 15 to 22, is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in engineering, manufacturing and testing, and brings together aspiring engineers, scientists and aerospace innovators from across the nation.

The landed a second-place finish in its launch competition category and second place in the science payload challenge, placing the University among the country's top-performing student rocketry teams.

鈥淭he team鈥檚 achievement is the result of increasing opportunities for hands-on STEM learning and student-led innovation at 91亚色, not to mention a successful multi-faculty collaboration,鈥� says Robin Metcalfe, 91亚色鈥檚 associate dean, student affairs in the Faculty of Science. Metcalfe is the team鈥檚 administrative supervisor, alongside Professor Hugh Chesser from the , who serves as the team鈥檚 academic advisor.

For the students behind the project, it was the culmination of months of design, testing and preparation.

"Red Robin wasn鈥檛 just one project. It was multiple projects, tests and launches spread out over the course of a year, and we worked on it constantly,鈥� says Ido Shakarghi, Arbalest team president, noting the 10-foot, solid-fuelled rocket reached a maximum speed of Mach 1.3.

The year-long effort involved first proving the concept for Red Robin would work during a smaller-scale launch, followed by a series of tests and flights that led to the project鈥檚 success.

The flight was especially meaningful for members of Arbalest, with Red Robin reaching a record altitude for 91亚色 at the Launch Canada Challenge. Last year's Goose 4 launch reached roughly 13,000 feet.

Red Robin鈥檚 award-winning payload also included an experiment involving algae cells that move in response to light 鈥� similar to astrophage in the 2026 sci-fi movie Project Hail Mary 鈥� to learn more about how the cells' movement is influenced by the changing gravitational forces experienced during launch.

鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to design and build something ambitious, but it鈥檚 another thing entirely to see it succeed in the real world,鈥� says Shakarghi.

The competition, which received $1.2 million in federal funding, drew aerospace industry representatives and government leaders from across Canada to observe and engage in presentations, technical demonstrations and launches throughout the week.

91亚色's turn to liftoff also drew special attention because of Hadfield's presence.

"For the past few years, Launch Canada organizers have tried unsuccessfully to arrange a visit by Colonel Hadfield," says Metcalfe, who also serves as a member of the Launch Canada outreach team. "Just by chance, he arrived on the same day as 91亚色's launch and delivered the countdown from the launch control tower. It was an exciting moment."

The project also highlights the growing opportunities available to 91亚色 students interested in aerospace engineering, space technology and applied STEM learning, says Metcalfe.

"Through competitions such as Launch Canada, students gain experience solving real-world engineering challenges while working as part of multidisciplinary teams."

For the 91亚色 students watching their rocket ascend after Hadfield's countdown, the moment was more than a successful launch. It was national recognition for months of work and a chance to showcase 91亚色 talent at one of Canada's largest student aerospace competitions.

鈥淭his current team has always had a lot of heart. They are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed,鈥� says Shakarghi. 鈥淣one of us will forget the countless nights spent in the garage working like our lives depended on it, or the ridiculous drives and last-minute problems we had to solve just to keep moving forward.

鈥淪econd place was an incredible moment for us, but we鈥檙e not done. We proved that we belong here, and now we鈥檙e coming for that grand prize trophy.鈥�

The team continues to work on new developments, including an innovative roll-control system on a series of rockets named Blue Jay, while setting their sights on 91亚色's first liquid-fuelled rocket, the Moose, with their first static firing test early this fall.

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鈥淎 lot surprised me,鈥� she says of her findings published in the . 鈥淚 think this paper is actually very shocking.鈥�

The idea for the study 鈥� part of a five-paper series 鈥� grew out of Granek's previous research on career satisfaction among pediatric surgeons. During that work, she noticed that women described experiences that differed significantly from their male colleagues. It inspired her to pursue a study focused exclusively on female surgeons, concentrating on two of the most male-dominated specialties: neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery.

鈥淭here鈥檚 just no information on this whatsoever,鈥� says Granek, noting there is little research on the topic. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just filling a gap. It鈥檚 filling a chasm.鈥�

Granek wanted to understand how women navigate pregnancy, parenthood and surgical careers in specialties where years of training often overlap with prime childbearing years. While previous research has documented higher rates of infertility, miscarriage and pregnancy complications among female surgeons, she wanted to explore the experiences behind those statistics and the role workplace culture may play in shaping them.

To do this, Granek adopted a qualitative approach centred on hearing directly from surgeons about their experiences.

鈥淲ith qualitative, you鈥檙e really trying to understand people鈥檚 experiences from their own perspective,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t was very important to me.鈥�

Through professional networks across North America, Granek recruited female neurosurgeons and cardiothoracic surgeons. Participants were required to be fully trained doctors rather than residents, making the study notable given the limited research focused on women surgeons after training.

Interviewees were asked about pregnancy, maternity leave, balancing family life and surgery, as well as experiences of discrimination and harassment connected to motherhood.

Similar themes surfaced across both specialties in Granek's findings, and she says many of the experiences reported were shocking.

What emerged was a common experience of a workplace culture that many participants found difficult to navigate while pregnant or raising children. One woman described feeling so concerned about how a pregnancy would be perceived that she hid it from colleagues for months, wearing oversized clothing and leaving patient rounds to vomit in private. Another recalled going into labour unexpectedly and being yelled at by a colleague when she called to arrange coverage for an emergency case. Even as contractions began, she still completed rounds before checking herself into hospital.

Other stories were equally troubling. One surgeon returned from leave to discover colleagues had voted to reduce her salary by five per cent. When she asked whether anyone else鈥檚 pay had been cut, she was told no. Another participant recalled learning that while she was away on leave, her department Chair had replaced her in a leadership role. When she objected, she recalled being told she needed to decide whether she wanted to be a neurosurgeon or a mom.

That sentiment surfaced repeatedly throughout the interviews, says Granek. Several participants reported feeling there was never a 鈥渞ight鈥� time to have children, while others delayed pregnancy because they worried it would be perceived as less committed to their careers. Some said they felt pressure to hide pregnancies from colleagues or supervisors, fearing they would be treated differently if they disclosed them.

The consequences of these experiences affected more than their careers. Participants described infertility, miscarriage and complications, including preeclampsia, placental abruption and premature birth. Some believed long hours, overnight call schedules, physically demanding work and a lack of opportunities to rest during pregnancy contributed to those outcomes.

The interviews also revealed a less visible but recurring challenge: many women were expected to arrange their own coverage before taking maternity leave. Rather than being treated as an institutional responsibility, participants described the task as something they had to organize themselves, often while preparing for childbirth.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no kind of understanding within the job that a woman is going to go off to have a baby and that somebody needs to cover,鈥� says Granek. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 very different than every other workplace.

鈥淭hey just really don鈥檛 have any policies or procedures or any thought whatsoever to surgeons who become pregnant,鈥� she says.

Instead, several women shared they felt responsible for ensuring their work was covered before they left. Granek says some described maternity leave as though it were viewed within their departments as a personal absence rather than an expected part of professional life.

Women also frequently described receiving few accommodations while pregnant, even as they continued working in highly demanding specialties. Some reported taking on extra on-call shifts before giving birth in anticipation of the time they would later spend away from work. Others recalled a lack of basic accommodations, such as opportunities to rest, eat, drink water or reduce physically demanding responsibilities late in pregnancy.

鈥淭his is probably part of the reason why there鈥檚 so many worse outcomes, because they鈥檙e just exhausted,鈥� says Granek. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 have any accommodations in the workplace to eat, to drink, to take breaks, to put their feet up, to cut down on-call [shifts].鈥�

The stories of these women point to a need for both cultural and policy change, Granek argues. One of the study鈥檚 central recommendations is stronger support for pregnant surgeons and new mothers, beginning with formal accommodations during pregnancy and more consistent maternity leave policies.

It further argues that pregnant surgeons should not have to navigate accommodations on an ad hoc basis. Among other measures, the study recommends reducing physically demanding workloads in later stages of pregnancy, limiting overnight on-call responsibilities and ensuring access to basic supports such as breaks, parking and lactation facilities.

Granek and the study's collaborators call for stronger leave protections, including extended paid leave, phased return-to-work options and protections against professional penalties associated with having children. The authors also argue that responsibility for arranging leave coverage should rest with institutions rather than individual surgeons.

Granek believes many of the challenges participants described stem from a workplace culture that has not fully adapt to the realities of pregnancy and parenthood. She argues these experiences should be recognized as a normal part of a surgeon鈥檚 career.

The researchers call on institutions to better educate staff about pregnancy discrimination, hold leaders accountable for discriminatory behaviour and create mentorship networks that support surgeons throughout pregnancy and parenthood.

鈥淲hen we have policies in place without a cultural change, people don鈥檛 adhere to them or feel comfortable taking those policies,鈥� she says. 鈥淐ulture and policy have to come hand-in-hand. They can鈥檛 be just one or the other.鈥�

The issue is also tied to who enters, remains and advances within these specialties. Although more women are entering surgical training than in the past, they remain significantly underrepresented in many surgical fields and leadership roles.

鈥淲e see more women in residency than we did in the past for some of these surgical specialties, but it鈥檚 still very low,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he main reason for that is that the culture is so inhospitable to women.鈥�

That is why Granek says the goal is not simply to improve maternity leave policies, but to create a surgical culture where having a child is viewed as compatible with a successful career. For her, supporting pregnancy and parenthood is not only a matter of physician well-being, but also an important step toward improving gender equity and ensuring women remain and advance within some of medicine鈥檚 most demanding specialties.

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For many Indigenous learners, choosing a post-secondary institution involves more than academics. A community of support, culturally responsive spaces and a sense of belonging can influence where students see themselves succeeding.

In partnership with Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, 91亚色's Office of Indigenous Initiatives, the five-day Indigenous Pathways Program helps aspiring Indigenous learners ages 18 and older build meaningful and intentional connections ahead of their academic journeys. The immersive experience introduces participants to 91亚色's academic offerings while connecting them to the University鈥檚 Indigenous-focused spaces, resources, supports, staff and faculty across its three campuses.

By helping learners feel welcomed, supported and able to envision a future at 91亚色, the program fosters belonging and helps build confidence, clarity and purpose leading up to the transition to post-secondary education. It also reflects a broader institutional commitment to Indigenous student success, says Holly LaForme, manager, Indigenous initiatives at 91亚色鈥檚 Division of Equity, People & Culture.

鈥淔or many Indigenous learners, education systems have not always felt safe, welcoming or full of possibility. Arriving at a large urban institution, often far from family, community and familiar supports, can feel overwhelming,鈥� says LaForme, who helped lead the IPP project. 鈥淎t the Centre for Indigenous Student Services, connection and community-building are foundational to the way we support student success. My hope is to bring a sense of care, familiarity and relationality to the university experience so Indigenous learners feel grounded as they adapt to a new environment, explore their identity and define their path forward.鈥�

Throughout the week, participants stayed in residence and engaged with faculty, staff, current students and alumni. In collaboration with the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, programming highlighted a range of academic pathways through experiences that included a session with Indigenous scholar, 91亚色 assistant professor and acclaimed author Jesse Thistle; workshops in creative writing and social work; hands-on engineering and AI activities at the ; career-focused programming at the , including an Indigenous alumni panel; and a visit to 91亚色's Markham Campus for a immersive day that concluded with a sacred fire.

For participant Sheena Kitchemokman, meeting other Indigenous students and learning about resources available at 91亚色 were key reasons for joining the program.

"The reason why I signed up for the Indigenous Pathways Program is to see what opportunities are available and to meet other Indigenous students who are going to 91亚色," she says.

That sense of connection is a central focus of the program, says LaForme. By introducing participants to Indigenous faculty, students, alumni and support staff, the program helps learners build relationships and gain a clearer understanding of what life at university can look like.

鈥淩ather than asking students to imagine whether they belong in a post-secondary environment, the program provides a meaningful way for participants to experience that community firsthand,鈥� says LaForme, who notes some learners travelled from northern communities to participate.

Those connections, she adds, extend beyond the classroom. Participants are introduced to Indigenous spaces across 91亚色鈥檚 campuses, including Skennen鈥檏贸:wa Gamig, an Indigenous support centre at 91亚色鈥檚 Keele Campus where Indigenous students can use the space for community and cultural connection. For Kitchemokman, it was a welcoming space that left a lasting impression.

"My favourite space on campus is the native student lounge," she says of Skennen鈥檏贸:wa Gamig. "It really does make me feel at home."

Finding this strong sense of community, as well as a clearer understanding of academic options, strengthened her confidence in choosing 91亚色 for her post-secondary studies. She describes one session she attended as inspiring, noting she had 鈥済oosebumps listening to the panel talk about their life experiences and education stories.鈥�

She says the program would benefit all Indigenous learners 鈥� especially those considering 91亚色.

"Coming to the Indigenous Pathways Program has convinced me that this is the right university for me because of all the love and support you get from faculty and student bodies," she says.

Although the Indigenous Pathways Program spans five days, its impact extends beyond a single week.

鈥淏y helping prospective students explore university life, connect with Indigenous community and experience the care and shared hopes offered by non-Indigenous allies, friends, peers and partners across the 91亚色 U community, the program creates meaningful pathways into post-secondary education,鈥� says LaForme.

鈥淏eing able to physically experience these spaces, build relationships and see oneself at 91亚色 is an important first step in making that future feel real, supported and full of possibility.鈥�

LaForme says the program, which ran July 27 to 31, has already encouraged some of the participants to apply.

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Razieh (Neda) Salahandish, an assistant professor at the , is developing a wearable biosensor that uses sweat to track physiological changes in real time. The tool aims to redefine preventative health care, supporting earlier detection of health conditions.

The device combines microfluidic systems and AI to analyze biomarkers found in sweat, which Salahandish says contains valuable information about human health. A small patch collects sweat from the skin, analyzes it for disease biomarkers, and sends results to practitioners anytime a patient scans the device with a specific app.聽

"We believe sweat has the potential to become an important source of health data," says Salahandish. "Because it contains valuable biological information, our goal is to use that data to provide health insights in a way that is continuous, accessible and non-invasive." 

Unlike traditional diagnostic methods that often require blood samples or laboratory testing, wearable sweat-sensing technology offers a non-invasive approach to monitoring physiological changes as they occur. 

To advance the technology, Salahandish worked with 91亚色's YSpace and the IP Innovation Clinic to launch WearDOXX, a health technology company focused on developing biotechnology and AI-enabled health care devices. Through WearDOXX, Salahandish and her collaborators are working to translate years of research into commercially viable health technologies. 

The project has attracted support from investors, industry partners and funding agencies as researchers work to bring the technology from the lab to everyday use. In 2025, the initiative received a $300,000 Ontario Centre of Innovation Collaborate 2 Commercialize grant and a $345,000 Mitacs Business Strategy Internship grant. 

The recent $5-million infusion from investors allows the work to move toward clinical validation and support continued technology development, testing and commercialization efforts. 

"The support we've received reflects growing interest in technologies that make health monitoring more accessible and proactive," says Salahandish. "Our focus now is to continue to build the evidence and infrastructure needed for broader adoption."聽

Over the next two years, Salahandish and her team will refine and test the technology, with plans to bring it to market soon after. While no launch date has been set, she is enthusiastic about its potential impact. 

鈥淭his is about giving people control over their health in ways we haven鈥檛 seen before,鈥� she says. 

Salahandish is also earning recognition for her work. She was recently named one of five finalists for the Ontario Centre of Innovation's 2026 Baylis Ontario Life Sciences Innovator Award, with the recipient to be announced in September. She is also the recipient of the 2026 Young Woman Researcher in Biomedical Devices award from the Venus International Women Awards.聽

With files from Deirdre Kelly

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As the institution advances its priorities in student success, research and community engagement, members of the 91亚色 Retirees鈥� Association (YURA) play an active role in supporting initiatives and building lasting connections through fundraising, mentorship, volunteer service and research participation.

Established in 1986, YURA provides retirees with ways to remain connected to 91亚色 鈥� and one another 鈥� through lifelong learning, philanthropy, advocacy and social interactions.

鈥淩etirement opens the door to new interests, opportunities and experiences,鈥� says Diane Woody, YURA鈥檚 co-president and former associate professor and senior scholar in the Department of French Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. 鈥淚t typically brings challenges as well, which one hopes to navigate with resilience and equanimity. A true gift in retirement is to travel through this journey accompanied by others with whom one has a shared history.鈥�

From its inception, YURA was imagined as an inclusive group, says Woody, noting that it has remained true to the initial vision and organizes its activities around four pillars: to provide the means for retirees to maintain ties with one another and with 91亚色; to promote ongoing learning; to create ways for retirees to give back; and to strengthen the voice of retirees within the University community.

The association recently marked 40 years at an event on May 13, creating an opportunity to reflect on key moments in YURA鈥檚 history and to celebrate its steadfast participation in the 91亚色 community.

Steve Dranitsaris, YURA co-president and former senior executive officer in the Office of the Vice-President Finance & Administration, says backing students remains a central focus of YURA鈥檚 work.

Over the years, YURA has raised funds to support access to post-secondary education and student well-being, leading to the creation of three endowed award programs: the Mature Student Bursary, established in 1992; the William Small Award, established in 1998 in recognition of 91亚色鈥檚 first secretary and former vice-president administration who played a key role in the creation of YURA; and the Graduate Student Award, established in 2014.

The awards assist students at different stages of their academic journeys and reflect a long-standing commitment to help future generations of 91亚色 students succeed.

鈥淵URA takes special pride in its tradition of giving back by supporting 91亚色 and its students,鈥� says Dranitisaris. 鈥淓ach year, several students in each category receive awards. They often share a message of gratitude for the multiple ways the award supports them and many say that while the financial boost is welcome, the award makes the greatest difference by renewing their belief in themselves and in their ability to realize their educational dream.鈥�

YURA鈥檚 current fundraising initiative is focused on study pods in 91亚色 Libraries. The soundproof, bookable spaces offer students private areas for focused study, virtual meetings and collaborative work. The project reflects the association鈥檚 advocating for learning environments and resources that contribute to academic success.

Members will continue those efforts through the annual YURA Challenge fundraising walk, which returns to the Keele Campus on Oct. 6.

Retirees also continue to contribute their expertise to 91亚色鈥檚 academic mission. Faculty retirees remain active as senior scholars, publishing books and articles and participating in research activities. Others serve on committees, mentor graduate students and provide guidance through workshops that help students strengthen presentation and professional skills.

Many members also share their institutional knowledge through volunteer service. Retirees volunteered during Congress 2023 at 91亚色 and continue to contribute to a range of University initiatives and activities.

Research remains another important area of engagement. Through a close relationship with the 91亚色 Centre for Aging Research and Education, YURA members participate in studies examining aging, retirement and well-being. The partnership supports research that informs understanding of aging-related issues and public policy, while giving retirees the chance to contribute to scholarly inquiry from a new perspective.

鈥淚t is uniquely fitting that YURA members participate as subjects in numerous research projects that focus on issues and policies relating to aging and well-being in retirement. For faculty retirees, switching roles from researcher to research participant becomes a novel learning experience,鈥� Woody says.

Lifelong learning is a cornerstone of the association. Throughout the year, members participate in educational sessions and outings focused on topics such as digital literacy, health and resilience, financial and estate planning, and adapting to technological change.

More recently, retirees have participated in Intergenerational Climate Caf茅 discussions organized by YURA member Harvey Skinner, former dean of the Faculty of Health. These conversations bring together students and retirees to explore climate-related challenges and share perspectives across generations.

Other avenues for socializing and participating in cultural outings and educational programming include visits to theatres, museums, galleries and parks, as well as workshops and guest speakers that explore a range of topics.

鈥淪uch outings provide opportunities for members to renew friendships while enjoying cultural experiences and learning more about local history,鈥� says Woody. 鈥淵URA has helped 91亚色 retirees鈥痬aintain鈥痬eaningful connections with colleagues, engage in ongoing learning, contribute time, energy and resources to support current students, and make scholarly and other contributions to 91亚色.鈥�

YURA maintains close relationships with several University partners, including Advancement and Alumni Engagement, Pensions and Benefits, and the Association of Retired Faculty and Librarians. 91亚色 retirees also serve on key University bodies, including the Pension Fund Board of Trustees, the All-University Pension Committee and the Retirement Planning Centre Advisory Board.

Beyond 91亚色, the association is connected to national and international organizations, including the College and University Retiree Associations of Canada and the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education, helping members stay informed about issues affecting retirees in higher education.

Operated entirely by volunteers, YURA continues to help retirees to stay engaged, strengthen relationships and contribute to the University community. Four decades after its founding, the association remains an important bridge between 91亚色 and the retirees whose expertise, experience and commitment continue to contribute to the institution鈥檚 mission.

鈥淚ts existence for four decades bears witness to the commitment and dedication of its members,鈥� says Woody. 鈥淲e look forward to the future and issue a warm invitation to all retirees to join the association.鈥�

For more, visit the YURA website or send an email to yura@yorku.ca.

With files from Diane Woody and Steve Dranitsaris

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