The Canada鈥檚 awards are presented annually by Delta Management Group to recognize leaders who have made significant contributions to the clean economy over the previous two years. The Lifetime Contribution Award recognizes senior sustainability leaders whose careers have advanced environmental protection and climate resilience in Canada. 

Recipients are selected from more than 1,000 nominees nationwide.

Winfield, a professor at the , was recognized for a career spanning governance research, institution building, public engagement and student mentorship.

"I really see this as a recognition of the contributions of all of the people I have worked with over the years: colleagues and students at EUC, but also through the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy, the Pembina Institute, and the Canadian Environmental Network," says Winfield.

Gavin Pitchford, CEO of Delta Management Group. says to receive a Clean50 award is truly indicative of nation-wide and personal leadership in the Lifetime Contribution category. "The individuals we chose for the Clean50 this year are true leaders and should be an inspiration for all Canadians.鈥�

Winfield has played a significant role in Canadian environmental policy since 1992, beginning with the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy and later the before moving into academia. He served as a civil society member of Government of Canada delegations to international environmental negotiations and has worked with the North American Commission on Environmental Cooperation, Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD) on international environmental initiatives and projects.  

At 91亚色, Winfield's research has focused on sustainable energy, climate change, environmental law and public policy. He serves as co-chair of 91亚色鈥檚 and is co-founder of the and helped establish the Energy Modelling Hub as a nationally recognized resource. 

As a graduate supervisor and program leader, Winfield has mentored generations of students who have pursued careers in government, environmental organizations, law, research and public policy. 

鈥淭hrough supervising graduate students, he has also built a small army of policy professionals, sending them off into government, law and the non-profit world," says Pitchford. "Three decades in, he is still building the institutions the next generation will need, for the long haul.鈥� 

He is the author of two books and more than 50 chapters and articles. His research has contributed to policy development discussions in Canada and abroad, from testimony before Canada鈥檚 Senate and House of Commons to questions from the Australian Parliament about nuclear energy in Ontario.  

Winfield has also served as an advisor to environmental oversight bodies and contributed to research collaborations examining community energy planning, energy storage, low-carbon transitions and climate governance. He is co-editor of Carbon Federalism: Canadian Climate Governance in a Disrupted World, submitted to the University of Toronto Press last month.

The post 91亚色 professor earns Clean50 honour for sustainability leadership appeared first on YFile.

Marketers and policymakers often assume people sense, think, feel and relate in broadly similar, stable ways. However, new research argues that consumer experiences are shaped by a range of internal and external factors. Stress, sleep loss, aging and illness can all influence how people processes information and navigate marketplaces, leading to hard-to-read fine print, overwhelming store and app experiences and rushed decisions made under pressure.

The argument is set out in 鈥�" published in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. The study was co-authored by Raisa T. Zaman, a PhD candidate at Schulich, together with an international team of scholars from Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Europe.

Drawing on research from psychiatry, neuroscience and neurodiversity studies, the authors argue that variation in how people process the world is universal and constantly shifting, not limited to the one-in-five people who identify as neurodivergent.

鈥淢arketers and policymakers often design for one 'average' mind,鈥� says Zaman, who is conducting her PhD studies under the supervision of Professors Ela Veresui and Russell Belk. 鈥淲hen a store, an app or an ad overwhelms us, we tend to blame ourselves. Our research shows that this is a design error and one that can be avoided.鈥�

To address this, the researchers introduce the STAR (sense, think, affect and relate) framework, which helps practitioners and policymakers identify where marketplace design assumes everyone processes information the same way. They also propose neuropluralist design, a set of eight principles for building more flexible and accessible consumer experiences, including tactics such as adjustable sensory input, multiple ways to engage and self-paced interaction.

The team illustrates the framework using influencer marketing, a global industry valued at more than U.S. $40 billion and one where consumer safeguards can be limited. For example, a sponsorship disclosure can meet legal requirements and still go unnoticed by consumers who are scrolling quickly, multitasking or experiencing fatigue.

The researchers argue that regulators ask not only whether disclosures exist, but whether people can actually notice, understand and act on them.

鈥淲e believe the era of designing for the mythical 'average' consumer has reached its limits,鈥� concludes Zaman. 鈥淲hen systems are designed for variability, they become more inclusive, resilient and effective for everyone.鈥�

The post Schulich research reveals flaws in one-size-fits-all marketing appeared first on YFile.

Founded in 1995 by Caldwell, Canada's Top 40 Under 40 celebrates emerging visionaries, innovators and business leaders who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, leadership and community impact. Over the past three decades, the program has recognized many of Canada's most influential executives, entrepreneurs and changemakers at early stages of their careers.聽

The 2026 cohort includes Nick Frosst, Patrice Njoh and Jonathan Sherman, 91亚色 community members who have demonstrated leadership in AI, consulting and law.

Nick Frosst, former research assistant 

Frosst is a co-founder of Cohere, an AI company that creates large language models and tools specifically for businesses. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Toronto, Cohere builds cutting-edge foundation models and end-to-end AI products that help businesses and governments solve real-world challenges with leading security, data privacy and deployment flexibility.  

Frosst plays a key role in the company鈥檚 research efforts with a focus on delivering top-tier user experiences for customers. Prior to founding Cohere, he was the first employee hired by Geoffrey Hinton at Google Brain鈥檚 Toronto lab, where his research focused on capsule networks, adversarial robustness and model interpretability.  

Frosst is a former research assistant at 91亚色's Tsotsos Computer Vision Lab at the where he worked on visual saliency prediction algorithms, focusing on benchmarking and optimization from 2013-15.

Patrice Njoh, alum (IMBA '13) 

Njoh is a partner at Deloitte Canada, where she advises senior executives on AI, technology, workforce transformation and enterprise change. She has partnered with some of Canada鈥檚 largest financial institutions and public sector organizations to adopt new technologies, redesign work and improve services used by millions of Canadians.  

A frequent speaker on AI, leadership and the future of work, the alum helps shape the global conversation on how organizations can harness emerging technologies responsibly. She champions practical, people-first adoption strategies that help organizations realize value from innovation while building trust and long-term resilience.

Beyond Deloitte, she serves on the board of The Kickback Foundation and mentors emerging leaders shaping the next generation of Canadian business. 

Jonathan Sherman, alum (JD '14) 

Sherman serves as executive Chair of Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, a partner in its Capital Markets and Public M&A Group and founder of its Cannabis Law Group. He is the youngest partner in the firm's history and a trusted advisor on some of the market鈥檚 most significant and complex transactions. 

His practice focuses on emerging high-growth industries, including technology, beverage alcohol, gaming, cryptocurrency and real estate.  

Sherman, an alum of , has advised on major capital markets and corporate transactions, and provides strategic and legal advice to a range of industry leaders, entrepreneurs and investment dealers. He also plays a central role in shaping Cassels鈥� strategic direction, and he is frequently invited to share his expertise and perspectives on business and law by journalists, conferences and academic institutions. 

The post 91亚色 talent recognized among Canada's top young leaders appeared first on YFile.

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."

The post Ontario invests $101M to expand enrolment in STEM, health, education at 91亚色 U appeared first on YFile.

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.

The post 2026 91亚色 U Alumni Awards recognize five distinguished leaders appeared first on YFile.

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.

The post Empathy, immersive technology drives 91亚色 professor's approach to dementia care appeared first on YFile.

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.

The post $1M gift makes space for creativity at 91亚色鈥檚 Markham Campus appeared first on YFile.

Silicon has been the foundation of modern electronics for decades, powering everything from computers to smartphones. Around the turn of the century, however, Baumgartner says researchers discovered that carbon-based materials, including some plastics, could be engineered to conduct electricity.

The finding led to a class of materials known as organic semiconductors, which are lightweight, flexible and potentially less expensive to manufacture than conventional electronic materials.

Despite their promise, and existing use in OLED displays in televisions and phones, they still lag behind silicon in many applications because they do not move electricity as efficiently. Scientists are working to overcome that limitation, including by refining a process known as doping, which involves introducing small amounts of another material to enable electricity to move more efficiently through a semiconductor.

While doping is widely used in traditional silicon-based electronics, researchers are still working to understand exactly how it functions in organic materials and how it can be made more effective. Improving that process could enhance the performance of carbon-based semiconductors and expand their use in future electronic devices.

鈥淒oping is one of the few levers to enhance the electronic performance of semiconductors,鈥� says Baumgartner. 鈥淒iscovering new ways of doping is critical to further drive this technology into our daily lives.鈥�

For Baumgartner, Caputo and their collaborators, one of the biggest unanswered questions involved dopants known as Lewis acids. Researchers have known these materials can significantly boost the performance of organic semiconductors. One Lewis acid in particular, tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (BCF), has repeatedly delivered better results than existing theories would predict, making it one of the field's enduring puzzles.

鈥淭here have been considerable inconsistencies in the literature,鈥� says Baumgartner. 鈥淭he parameters point to a different, yet unknown, mechanism for the doping with Lewis acids that we set out to unravel.鈥�

In work in Nature Materials, Baumgartner and Caputo brought their chemistry expertise to a collaboration with researchers from Concordia University and the institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) specializing in device physics. Together, the interdisciplinary and inter-university team investigated why certain Lewis-acid dopants appeared to perform better than existing theories could explain.

鈥淲e have approached the work as a truly integrated team allowing us to leverage each of the different disciplinary pillars of the project to the fullest extent,鈥� says Caputo.

Researchers wanted to know why BCF performs so well and whether an overlooked process might be at work. They proposed and tested a new method called degradation-assisted doping, which suggests that the very process scientists typically try to avoid, a dopant breaking down, might help the material conduct electricity more effectively.

To investigate that possibility, the team combined laboratory experiments with theoretical modelling and computer simulations. By tracking what happened during the doping process and comparing the results against existing theories, they looked for evidence of the missing mechanism they suspected was at work.

Conventional wisdom suggests dopants should remain as stable as possible while they do their job. Instead, the researchers found evidence that the partial breakdown of the molecule can help the process continue. In effect, the breakdown removes a roadblock that would otherwise limit how much electrical charge can move through the material.

The discovery explains why BCF has consistently outperformed expectations and provides support for a new method the researchers call degradation-assisted doping. Beyond solving an ongoing puzzle, the finding provides a framework for developing future dopants. The team has already identified additional candidate materials for future study and believes the approach could guide the design of more effective organic electronic materials.

鈥淲ith this initial project, we have only scratched the surface of what is possible,鈥� says Baumgartner. 鈥淲hat sets organic semiconductors apart from traditional silicon-based systems is their inherent flexibility in molecular design using chemical synthesis. In essence, we can play molecular Lego庐 with suitable building blocks and assemble an almost infinite number of different semiconductor materials.鈥�

That flexibility creates opportunities to develop new semiconductors and tailor-made dopants that take advantage of the newly identified mechanism. Over time, those advances could improve the performance of organic electronics and expand their use in technologies where lightweight, flexible materials offer advantages over conventional electronics.

鈥淪ince our work established a comprehensive understanding of the doping mechanism with Lewis acids, this has now opened the door to considerably expanding this strategy to different types of organic semiconductors and Lewis acids,鈥� says Caputo. 鈥淲e hope that our biggest impact will be stimulating the design and development of more powerful organic electronics with semiconductors whose performance is significantly enhanced by Lewis-acid doping.鈥�

The post 91亚色 researchers solve long-standing puzzle in pursuit of better electronics appeared first on YFile.

Since the Hartmans began working together, they have been driven by a question: could some traits commonly viewed as deficits associated with autism be strengths in the workplace?

Earlier studies suggest employees with autism may be more likely to identify problems in professional settings, less likely to rationalize unethical behaviour and less prone to overestimating their own abilities 鈥� traits that could influence how organizations make decisions and respond to challenges.

As awareness and diagnoses of autism have increased, the researchers say their focus has broadened.

鈥淲e are now becoming more interested in what organizations can do to make use of the capabilities employees with autism bring to the workplace,鈥� says Lorne, a behavioural scientist formerly affiliated with the who is now with the University of Toronto.

鈥淭hey need to think about whether their existing systems help or get in the way,鈥� adds Braxton, who completed his master's in psychology at 91亚色 in 2025. Braxton now works with The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to develop and implement training for young adults with autism.

In in Research in Neurodiversity, they reviewed findings from psychology, neuroscience and organizational behaviour to examine how workplace environments influence whether characteristics associated with autism become strengths, challenges or sources of exclusion.

鈥淭his is particularly important when the system has been designed around assumptions about what a 鈥榯ypical鈥� employee looks like, how they communicate or how they should approach their work,鈥� says Lorne.

He and his son synthesized those findings into a framework for understanding how cognitive differences interact with organizational systems.

A central theme of the paper is what researchers call person-environment fit: the idea that workplace outcomes emerge through the interaction between individual cognitive differences and the settings in which people work. Culture, communication norms, management practices and team dynamics all play a role.

The researchers argue that the same characteristic can be advantageous in one setting and challenging in another. For example, employees who question assumptions, point out inconsistencies or communicate more directly may be perceived as difficult or insufficiently collaborative, even when their observations are accurate and valuable.

Another finding outlines workplace cultures that favour conformity or implicit social norms can make employees with autism feel pressured to mask their natural communication style in order to meet expectations. While masking may help individuals navigate those environments, the researchers note it can come at a personal cost, and may also prevent employers from benefiting from the perspectives those staff members bring.

Designing for neurodiversity requires more than accommodation; it requires rethinking how organizations define professionalism, competence, communication and collaboration.

鈥淲hat we've come to appreciate more strongly is how much the expression of an individual's capabilities depends on the environment,鈥� says Braxton. 鈥淧eople need the resources and opportunities to put those capabilities to work.鈥�

The paper offers a series of recommendations designed to help organizations create those opportunities and better align systems with a wider range of cognitive styles.

The recommendations aim to make workplaces less dependent on unwritten social rules and more focused on employees' actual abilities. Among other measures, the researchers call for hiring processes with greater emphasis on demonstrated skills over interview performance, clearer expectations for communication and performance, and work environments that give staff more control over factors such as noise, interruptions and other sensory demands.

They also call for workplace cultures where questioning assumptions and expressing disagreement are viewed as valuable contributions rather than disruptions.

Lorne hopes the paper will encourage employers to think about their HR structures and practices.

鈥淢aking those systems fair and equitable for employees with autism shouldn't be viewed simply as something organizations do for a relatively small group of people,鈥� he says. 鈥淢any of the changes that make workplaces work better for employees with autism can make them work better for everyone.鈥�

That broader message reflects one of the paper's central conclusions: cognitive differences can become strengths or barriers often depends on the settings in which they are expressed.

鈥淥rganizations have a great deal of human potential available to them, and how much of it they actually see depends in part on the environments they create,鈥� says Braxton.

The post 91亚色 research rethinks autism in the workplace appeared first on YFile.

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.

The post 91亚色 students' rocket soars to record result at national aerospace competition appeared first on YFile.