WWF-Canada named 91亚色 as one of seven Canadian post-secondary institutions recognized for translating environmental commitments into conservation initiatives, learning opportunities and community action.

During the 2025-26 academic year, 91亚色's Office of Sustainability, Facilities Services, Biodiversity Working Group, faculty, student organizations and community partners worked collaboratively to advance initiatives spanning ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, sustainable food systems and environmental leadership.

91亚色 is transforming its campuses into places where environmental action is not only studied but put into practice, says Nicole Arsenault, director, Office of Sustainability. Students, staff, faculty and community members participated in biodiversity monitoring, pollinator garden stewardship, sustainable food programming at the Maloca Garden and Earth Month activities.

Those efforts translated into hands-on sustainability learning and measurable action across 91亚色鈥檚 campuses, including the planting of close to 400 trees and campus cleanups that collected 36 bags of litter.

鈥淥ur campuses are important places for both learning and biodiversity,鈥� says Arsenault. 鈥淓arning the Living Campus certification for a third consecutive year reflects 91亚色鈥檚 ongoing approach to sustainability as something we put into practice across our campuses."

WWF-Canada highlighted 91亚色鈥檚 biodiversity work, including the planting of native vegetation to restore an area of Glendon Campus affected by a water main break.

The University鈥檚 wider habitat enhancement work included naturalization, invasive species management, biodiversity monitoring and stewardship of campus green spaces.

As well, students and staff recorded more than 200 species observations during two inventories of plants, wildlife and other biodiversity on campus.

The Sheila Colla Pollinator Garden 鈥� a memorial garden celebrating the late 91亚色 Professor Sheila Colla 鈥� provides another example of biodiversity in action, bringing together research, remembrance, community participation and conservation to create habitat for pollinators at 91亚色.

Through these initiatives, Arsenault says 91亚色 community members developed knowledge and skills related to ecological restoration, waste reduction, biodiversity conservation and sustainable food systems.

鈥淏y bringing together students, faculty, staff and community partners, we鈥檙e creating opportunities for hands-on learning while restoring habitat, supporting biodiversity and advancing the goals of 91亚色鈥檚 Sustainability Strategy 2030," she says.

The work advances priorities identified in 91亚色鈥檚 Sustainability Strategy 2030, Sustainability Policy, University Academic Plan and Well-being Strategy, as well as its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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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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To answer this, 91亚色 researcher Jonathan Michaels is investigating how the brain recognizes rhythm, anticipates patterns and coordinates movement with sound, work that has earned him a Brain Canada Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research award.

Michaels is one of 26 early-career researchers across Canada selected for the program, which supports emerging scientists pursuing high-risk, high-reward research with the potential to improve brain and health outcomes. The program is supported by the Azrieli Foundation and Brain Canada through the Canada Brain Research Fund, a partnership with the Government of Canada (Health Canada). 

鈥淭his award gives our lab the freedom to pursue an ambitious question about how learning changes the brain,鈥� says Michaels. 鈥淎s an early-career researcher, having support to follow an unexpected finding and test where it leads is especially valuable. I鈥檓 grateful to Brain Canada and its partners for making that possible.鈥� 

The $100,000 award will fund his project 鈥�,鈥� which investigates how reward helps the brain turn rhythmic sounds into predictions that guide movement.听

An assistant professor at 91亚色鈥檚 , Michaels will study this learning process through experiments with monkeys, tracking how the animals learn to anticipate sounds and timing their movements. By studying activity across multiple brain regions, he hopes to identify how rhythm-processing signals emerge and spread throughout the brain.

In a preliminary experiment, a monkey listened to repeated tones paired with small juice rewards. Brain regions involved in movement and motivation began responding to the rhythm. Even more interesting, he says, is that the brain can continue tracking the rhythm after the reward is gone, suggesting that learning had changed how the brain responded to the sounds. 

This is foundational research into how the brain learns to connect sound and movement, says Michaels. In the longer term, that understanding could inform approaches to movement rehabilitation. 

鈥淚'm excited to continue building knowledge that could have meaningful impacts on health and well-being,鈥� says Michaels. 鈥淏eing recognized alongside outstanding researchers from across Canada is both an honour and a motivation.鈥� 

This is the second recognition for Michaels this year; his contributions to the study of neuroscience earned him a Brain Star Award from the Canadian Association for Neuroscience for his research investigating the power of prediction. 

He is the principal investigator at the at 91亚色, where he leads a team of researchers on work to understand how the brain learns and controls skilled movement with the goal of improving recovery from injury and disease.听

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The project 鈥淒eveloping LGBTQI+ Health Surveillance Capacity in Canada: Longitudinal Linked-Data Analyses of Primary Care, Prevention, Chronic Disease, Disability, and Unmet Need鈥� aims to generate evidence that can help reduce health inequities and improve health care services, programs and policies for sexually and gender-diverse communities. 

The study is led by Antony Chum, associate professor in 91亚色's , with co-principal applicant Yihong Bai (University of Manitoba) and co-principal knowledge user Jennifer Rayner (Alliance for Healthier Communities). The team also includes co-investigators from 91亚色 and partner institutions, including 91亚色 graduate鈥嬧�� Alex Abramovich and 91亚色 postdoctoral research fellow Peiya Cao, as well as Brittany A. Jakubiec, Caley B. Shukalek, David Brennan, Devan Nambiar and June Lam. 

Previous research on 2SLGBTQIA+ care has largely focused on mental health and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, including HIV. As a result broader health needs remain understudied. Addressing this gap is important because stigma, discrimination and barriers to inclusive care can delay screening and treatment, contributing to poorer outcomes, says Chum. 

The project aims to develop public health surveillance capacity for 2SLGBTQIA+ populations in Canada using census, survey and health administrative data, the team will track the outcomes of millions of Canadians over periods of up to 20 years. The findings will provide a comprehensive picture of their health and examining primary care access, cancer screening and incidence, vaccination, chronic disease, disability, and preventable emergency department visits and hospitalizations. 

The findings will identify when and where gaps in care emerge and who is most affected. Working with community and health system partners, the team will use this evidence to inform improvements in primary care, preventive services and chronic disease management for 2SLGBTQIA+ people across Canada. 

The funding was awarded through CIHR鈥檚 Advancing 2S/LGBTQI+ Health Through Research program. 

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Presented by the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), the awards honour individuals whose work has made a significant impact in communities across Ontario. This year鈥檚 awards are presented to Distinguished Research Professor Carl E. James, student Tonny Muzira and alum Rana Espiritu Nasrazadani. 

Lifetime Achievement Award: Carl E. James, Distinguished Research Professor and Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora at 91亚色 

Awarded to an individual for significant contributions over their lifetime to advance human rights. 

One of Canada's leading scholars on race, racialization and education, James has has spent decades examining the experiences of marginalized communities and the barriers they face in education and society. 

His research has shaped public policy and education practices across Canada. Notably, his report Towards Race Equity in Education: The Schooling of Black Students in the Greater Toronto Area helped spotlight inequities in Ontario's education system and informed discussions about academic streaming and student success. 

James holds the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora at 91亚色's Faculty of Education and has served as equity advisor to the dean. Through community partnerships and the national Securing Black Futures initiative, he works to improve educational experiences and expand pathways to post-secondary education for Black students.

鈥淚t is always a privilege to be recognized for contributions to community 鈥� particularly when the contribution helps to advance human rights and social justice," James says. "I am pleased to receive this recognition knowing that others have worked with me to make this possible.鈥� 

The Lifetime Achievement Award adds to numerous honours recognizing James' impact as a scholar, educator and community leader. His influence extends beyond research and is reflected in the generations of students, educators and community members he has inspired. 

Distinguished Service Award: Tonny Muzira, Bachelor of Public Administration

Awarded for outstanding contribution to advancing human rights.  

Muzira is an organizational policy and development specialist whose work focuses on housing, public health equity and community empowerment, particularly for Black immigrant and refugee communities in Ontario. 

During the 2023 Toronto refugee housing crisis, Muzira helped coordinate advocacy efforts that secured a federal commitment for emergency housing relief for hundreds of refugee claimants sleeping outdoors. He has since contributed policy recommendations to the City of Toronto on chronic homelessness. 

As co-founder of the Centre for Black Development Options Canada (CBDOC), Muzira has championed issues affecting Black immigrants and refugees, including organizing Toronto's first International Conference on Black Immigrants and Refugees in 2024. His work also supports HIV prevention and equitable access to sexual and reproductive health services for Black newcomers. 

"Receiving the Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Award is a profound honour," says Muzira, a student at the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.听"Daniel Hill showed that human rights are built through steady work in our communities, and I accept this award on behalf of the refugees, newcomers, youth and colleagues at the Centre for Black Development Options Canada who do that work every day. Housing, health and belonging are not charity. They are rights, and we will keep fighting until every person in Ontario can claim them."聽

Young Leader Award: Rana Espiritu Nasrazadani (BA 鈥�20, MPPAL 鈥�22), 91亚色 Senate representative, 91亚色 Alumni Board member 

Awarded to a person under age 30 for their outstanding contribution to advancing human rights.  

Nasrazadani is a disability rights advocate and policy advisor whose work focuses on accessibility, human rights and education. 

Drawing from her lived experience and professional expertise, she works to advance the rights of people with disabilities and address systemic barriers to equity and inclusion. Through her advocacy and policy development work, she has led initiatives and informed policies that strengthen accessibility, challenge ableism and foster inclusion in education and public policy.  

Recognized for her contributions to disability rights and accessibility, Nasrazadani was named one of 91亚色's inaugural Top 30 Alumni Under 30 in 2021. An active member of 91亚色's alumni community and a Senate representative, she has contributed to several University accessibility initiatives, including advising on the accessible design of the 91亚色 Markham Campus. 

"I am deeply honoured to receive this award," says Nasrazadani. "To be recognized alongside such inspiring leaders and changemakers is truly humbling. This recognition is deeply personal to me, reflecting both the progress made in advancing accessibility, inclusion and disability rights, and the work that continues ahead." 

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The ESR is a comprehensive review of 91亚色鈥檚 policies, practices and workplace culture. It aims to examine how systems across the employee lifecycle 鈥� from recruitment and hiring to career advancement and retention 鈥� guide equity outcomes. 

鈥淭he goal is to better understand where 91亚色 does well and where there remains room for improvements in our continuous efforts to foster an inclusive working environment,鈥� says Parissa Safai, interim vice-president equity, people and culture. 鈥淚nput from 91亚色鈥檚 faculty and staff is essential to advancing equity across the University.鈥� 

The survey provides an opportunity for employees to share experiences, observations and perspectives on how systems are working in practice, and insights will be used to inform recommendations related to employment equity. 

91亚色 staff and faculty members are invited to complete this survey regardless of whether they identify as a member of an equity-deserving group.  However, those who self-identify as part of five equity-deserving groups 鈥� women, racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community 鈥� will have the opportunity to express interest in follow-up engagement opportunities, such as focus groups or one-on-one conversations.  

鈥淭he Employment Systems Review reflects 91亚色鈥檚 ongoing commitment to employment equity, human rights and continuous improvement, aligned with the University鈥檚 DEDI Strategy, the Action Plan on Black Inclusion and the Indigenous Framework,鈥� says Safai. 

The survey opens Oct. 5 and closes Nov. 5 and is available online.听

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The funding, announced Sept. 29, adds additional seats to 91亚色 programs that prepare graduates for professions that are critical to communities and the economy, including nursing, social work, engineering, teaching and other fields facing strong demand for skilled talent. The new seats will be available for student enrolment as early as the Fall 2026 academic year.

The expansion is part of Ontario鈥檚 $1.7-billion investment to create 70,000 new student spaces in priority sectors, including STEM, health care, education and the skilled trades.

At 91亚色, the 5,260 newly funded seats include 3,814 seats in STEM programs, 748 seats in health programs and 698 seats in education programs.

鈥�91亚色 welcomes the Government of Ontario's investment in new post-secondary seats,鈥� said Lisa Philipps, 91亚色 Unviersity's interim president and vice-chancellor. 鈥淎t a time of real uncertainty beyond our borders, Canadians are focused on building our own strength and looking after one another. This investment does exactly that. It opens doors for more Ontario students and prepares the nurses, social workers, engineers, teachers and innovators our communities are counting on."

The funding strengthens 91亚色鈥檚 capacity to educate future professionals in sectors facing growing workforce needs and is part of Ontario鈥檚 largest post-secondary seat expansion in more than a decade.

The seats were allocated through a competitive provincial proposal process that evaluated institutional strengths, regional sector needs and student demand. Institutions worked with employers and community partners to determine where additional capacity could have the greatest impact. Allocation of the first 30,000 seats was announced in May.

鈥淥ur province鈥檚 greatest strength is our highly skilled workforce 鈥� and those workers are trained at our world-class colleges and universities,鈥� said Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security Nolan Quinn. 鈥淭his investment ... will ensure more students have the opportunity to train for good-paying careers that protect and strengthen our communities, industries and province.鈥�

The $1.7-billion initiative is part of a larger, historic $6.4-billion provincial commitment to post-secondary education aimed at strenghtening Ontario鈥檚 labour market in fields linked to economic growth and public services.

The investment comes as 91亚色 continues to expand educational opportunities and grow programs that respond to emerging societal needs. By increasing access to STEM, health and education programs, the University will be able to welcome more students while contributing to the development of a highly skilled workforce for communities across Ontario.

"We thank Minister Quinn and the government for this commitment to Ontario's students and our shared future," said Philipps. "91亚色 is ready to do our part."

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For more than 25 years, the 91亚色 U Alumni Awards have celebrated alumni who embody the principles of 91亚色, have achieved the extraordinary and are fostering innovation and growth in their respective fields.

This year鈥檚 outstanding recipients are Amanda Coombs (BA 鈥�19), Laurie Fox (MBA 鈥�12), Keith Loo (MBA 鈥�12), Shayla S. Dube (BSW 鈥�09, MSW 鈥�10) and Randy Williamson (JD 鈥�88).

鈥淪ince 2000, the Alumni Awards have celebrated alumni who have created positive change in their communities and the world around us,鈥� says Heather Auden, director, alumni engagement. 鈥淭his November, we are so excited to honour this year鈥檚 recipients of the 91亚色 U Alumni Awards who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their communities while creating a legacy for future alumni to aspire to.鈥�

One to Watch:鈥� Amanda Coombs (BA 鈥�19), executive director, Back 2 Basickz Youth Support Services

This award recognizes an alum who has made a significant impact in their field and/or community within 15 years of a bachelor鈥檚 degree or 10 years of a professional/graduate degree.

Coombs is the founder and executive director of Back 2 Basickz Youth Support Services, a non-profit organization providing mental health, academic, employment, mentorship and justice-related services to youth.

Her work focuses on creating pathways to meaningful employment, education, entrepreneurship and economic independence. She has partnered with 91亚色 to deliver Passion Into Profit, an entrepreneurship initiative providing youth with training, mentorship and funding to transform their ideas into businesses.

She served for 14 years as a tenant representative in the Jane and Finch community and later completed two terms on the Toronto Community Housing Corporation Board of Directors, advocating for residents and systemic improvements.

Tentanda Via:鈥� Laurie Fox (MBA 鈥�12), campaign director, Will Power

This award goes to an alum who has demonstrated innovative, unconventional and daring leadership and success, reflecting the University鈥檚 motto 鈥淭he way must be tried.鈥�

Fox is the director of Will Power, a public awareness campaign inspiring Canadians to think differently about their charitable giving and leave a charitable gift in their will.

She has worked in the non-profit sector for more than two decades and has seen the need in communities and across the country rise. She is on a mission to show Canadians the power they have to do more in this world by giving in a different way.

The Will Power campaign runs a website, with free tools and resources, where visitors can explore the contribution they can make with a gift in their will, while still supporting loved ones.

Excellence in Entrepreneurship: Keith Loo (MBA 鈥�12), co-founder and CEO, Skinopathy

This award goes to an alum who has excelled in entrepreneurship that has led to positive change in their field or the community.

Loo is the CEO and co-founder of Skinopathy, an AI health care company helping to transform how patients access dermatology and wound care. Loo has spent his career at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship and health care innovation.

After leadership roles with Microsoft and other global technology companies, he co-founded Skinopathy to make health care more accessible, inclusive and equitable through responsible AI. Today, Skinopathy technologies assist patients, clinicians, long-term care providers and industry partners across Canada and beyond.

Loo is also an educator, mentor and community leader who remains deeply connected to 91亚色, supporting students, entrepreneurs and emerging innovators.

Outstanding Achievement:鈥� Shayla S. Dube (BSW 鈥�09, MSW 鈥�10), sessional instructor, private practice owner and mental health consultant

This award goes to an alum who has achieved distinction in their field and whose integrity and ability inspire alumni, faculty, staff and students.

Dube is an award-winning clinical social worker, psychotherapist, educator and community leader whose multidimensional work spans clinical practice, higher education, mentorship, community building and organizational wellness, advancing racial equity and collective well-being.

For more than 15 years, Dube has provided psychotherapy, mentored practitioners and led culturally responsive interdisciplinary clinical supervision circles.

She brings Ubuntu and Sawubona into practice, helping people feel seen and supported while equipping organizations to build cultures of belonging and well-being.

Outstanding Contribution:鈥� Randy Williamson (JD 鈥�88), lawyer and partner, Aird & Berlis LLP

This award goes to an alum鈥痺ho has made a significant contribution to the advancement of 91亚色 and its students through exceptional service, commitment and/or philanthropic contributions.

Williamson draws upon more than 40 years of experience as a legal adviser, chartered professional accountant, public company senior executive and three-time business owner to help his clients achieve their organizational objectives.

Following a distinguished career in business, he has built a successful law practice by providing value to clients through strategic advice. In 2013, he was appointed to the University's Board of Governors, serving for eight years, including on its Executive Committee. He has served as board Chair of the 91亚色 Development Corporation, and participated in two Chancellor Search Committees and a Presidential Search Committee. He also supported innovation at 91亚色 as the first private sponsor of YSpace鈥檚 Tech Accelerator.

About the awards

The 91亚色 U Alumni Awards were inspired by鈥�Bruce Bryden, an exceptionally committed and influential leader at 91亚色 for many years. He was a member of 91亚色鈥檚 first undergraduate class, was the founding president of the 91亚色 Alumni Association (now the鈥�91亚色 Alumni Board/YUAB) and was a member of the 91亚色 Board of Governors. The 91亚色 U Alumni Awards recognize and honour his vision, exemplary leadership and extraordinary achievements.

Visit the for more.

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Sept. 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, a day to honour Survivors of residential schools, the children who never returned home and the families and communities forever changed by this system.

The day provides an opportunity to reflect on the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools, to deepen our understanding of their intergenerational effects and to renew our shared commitment to truth, healing and meaningful reconciliation. 

For non-Indigenous members of our community, this is a day for learning, accountability and reflection: to listen to Indigenous voices, engage with the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and consider our individual and collective responsibilities. For Indigenous members of our community, it may be a day for rest, remembrance, reflection and care. We ask everyone at 91亚色 to approach Sept. 30 with compassion and humility, recognizing that reconciliation is an ongoing responsibility that requires sustained commitment and action. 

This year marks 11 years since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada鈥檚 final report and 94 Calls to Action. The Calls to Action urge governments, institutions and all Canadians to confront the legacy of residential schools and take meaningful steps toward reconciliation. This anniversary invites us to reflect honestly on the progress made, acknowledge where challenges remain and consider where we must continue to do better. 

At 91亚色, we remain committed to advancing reconciliation, guided by the Indigenous Framework (2017), the Indigenous Framework Review (2024) and the Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2023-2028. These commitments remind us that reconciliation must be embedded across the University, including in teaching and learning, research, policies and practices, and in our relationships. 

We recognize that, as an institution, we are still on a long journey. We are grateful to the individuals and communities who offer guidance, share knowledge and help us understand what meaningful reconciliation requires. We remain committed to building respectful, reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities and to continuing to listen, learn and act. 

We invite all members of the 91亚色 community to reflect on how reconciliation informs your studies, research, practice, teaching and service at the University. We encourage everyone to explore the resources available on 91亚色鈥檚 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation website and to participate in events that create collective space for reflection, remembrance, learning and healing. 

Reconciliation is a responsibility we all share. As a community, may we approach this day with compassion, humility and care, and come together in a spirit of healing, recognizing that meaningful reconciliation begins with listening, is sustained through action and requires all of us to remain committed to the journey. 

Lisa Philipps
Interim President and Vice-Chancellor 

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After two decades as a registered nurse in geriatrics, medical-surgical nursing and high-acuity care, one factor has stood out as essential for patient outcomes.

"I recognized the critical role of empathy in effective clinical practice," she says. "I also recognized it as a clinical skill that can be taught, practised and strengthened."

Research, Peisachovich says, has shown that when patients feel understood by their health care providers (HCPs), they are more likely to communicate openly, adhere to treatment plans and report improvements in their overall well-being. Support from caregivers with higher understanding and higher empathy scores has also been shown to lower complication rates, hospital readmissions and pain perception.

Peisachovich has spent years exploring ways for pracitioners to cultivate patient-centred care, particularly because few training programs focus on developing it. More recently, she has turned to AR as a way to enhance care for people living with dementia.

Dementia, says Peisachovich, is a growing global health priority that places increasing demands on caregivers and HCPs who may not understand what the condition feels like from another person's perspective.

In response, Peisachovich has developed Augmented Reality Education Experience (AREduX), a prototype that simulates some dementia-related symptoms, alongside associate professors Celina Da Silva and Fay Dastjerdi and collaborators from Ontario Tech University.

The goal, she says, is to put providers in the shoes of those they serve to transform dementia care education and improve quality of life for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

鈥淲e wanted to give providers and caregivers an embodied, first-person understanding 鈥� not just a conceptual one 鈥� of what living with dementia can feel like,鈥� she says. 鈥淎ugmented reality made it possible to create that 鈥榲isceral鈥� perspective-taking experience.鈥�

AREduX users wear an aging suit 鈥� designed to mimic physical challenges associated with aging 鈥� and a Microsoft HoloLens 2 AR headset that runs the program. Participants are asked to complete everyday tasks, such as making a sandwich, opening drawers or setting a table. Computer-generated objects and effects 鈥� such as visual distortions, background noise and simulated movement challenges 鈥� are then introduced through AR to recreate sensory, cognitive and physical obstacles those living with dementia may encounter.

The situations users experience while immersed with AREduX were informed by focus groups including caregivers, HCPs and experts in cognitive health and aging. Researchers then tested and refined the scenarios, examining usability and workload while also measuring participants' empathy levels before and after using AREduX.

The findings suggest participants engage more deeply, reflect more authentically and demonstrate measurable growth in compassion and communication skills. For many, the simulation also resonated on a deep emotional level. A defining moment for Peisachovich was when a woman emerged from the AR headset visibly moved, realizing for the first time what her husband may have felt while living with dementia.

Peisachovich and her team plan to pursue further validation of the prototype with larger and more diverse participant groups, address technical limitations of current AR headsets and recruit more training facilitators to run sessions.

Although AREduX was created with dementia care in mind, she believes its applications have wider potential.

鈥淭he same model could extend to rehabilitation and competency-based education more broadly, and to experiential training for other physical and rehabilitation scenarios,鈥� she says, citing stroke rehabilitation, sensory and motor impairment simulations, and disability awareness training as examples.

Her team is pursuing funding to expand the platform across disciplines, build more advanced immersive learning environments and broaden access to the technology.

For Peisachovich, the future of AREduX offers 鈥渢he ability to connect with patients and colleagues on a human level, which is vital for delivering high-quality care.

鈥淲e want to see experiential, empathy-building simulation become a standard part of HCP education rather than a one-off exercise,鈥� she says.

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