Thakur is the founding engineer and chief technology officer (CTO) of Tally Rewards, a platform that helps small and medium-sized businesses create customer loyalty programs. The platform allows customers to automatically earn rewards through linked payment cards, while providing businesses with data on customer visits, spending and engagement.

Building a company is demanding in its own right, but while helping lead the company's product development and technical strategy, he is also completing a software engineering degree at 91亚色.

Balancing those responsibilities hasn鈥檛 always been easy.

"There have been periods where assignments, exams, product deadlines and company responsibilities have all happened at the same time," he says.

The challenge has grown alongside the company, as his role has expanded beyond engineering to include leadership, team development and long-term planning.

For Thakur, balancing a startup while completing an engineering degree has become an education in itself.

"It has forced me to become much more intentional with how I manage my time and prioritize what actually needs my attention,鈥� he says.

The opportunity to gain that kind of hands-on learning while studying was one of the reasons he chose 91亚色.

"91亚色 stood out to me not only because of the engineering program, but also because of the entrepreneurial support and pathways available to students," he says.

Thakur says the overlap between classroom learning and real-world experience has accelerated his growth. Concepts introduced through his coursework, including software design, testing and large-scale software development, often influence how he approaches challenges at Tally Rewards.

Classroom learning was only part of the experience. 91亚色鈥檚 entrepreneurship programs have also shaped his approach to building a business. In addition to his software engineering coursework, Thakur has pursued opportunities through Lassonde's BEST (Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology) program and entrepreneurship courses available through .

Designed to help students develop the skills and understanding needed to launch a startup, these learning opportunities encouraged him to think beyond technology and focus on understanding users, validating ideas and building sustainable businesses.

As a result, Thakur has gained new insights into his role as CTO at Tally Rewards.

"Being a CTO isn't only about being a strong engineer. It's also about helping a team make good decisions and ensuring that what we build actually supports the direction of the business,鈥� he says. 鈥淪ome of the most important work happens before you write any code.鈥�

The combination of technical and venture creation education has been one of the most valuable aspects of Thakur's 91亚色 experience.

"My engineering courses at Lassonde have given me the technical foundation to build reliable systems, while the entrepreneurship experiences have helped me understand why those systems should be built and who they should be built for," he says.

Looking ahead, Thakur hopes to continue growing as both an engineer and entrepreneur while completing his degree.

"University is actually a unique environment to experiment because you're surrounded by people who are learning, building and willing to help," he says.

Despite the challenges of juggling both, Thakur believes students interested in entrepreneurship should take advantage of the opportunities available at 91亚色 and not wait until they feel fully prepared before pursuing an idea.

"A lot of students assume they need to have the perfect idea, a complete skill set or a detailed plan before they can build something," he says. "In reality, a huge part of entrepreneurship is learning as you go."

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91亚色鈥檚 has launched a new to prepare learners for careers in the field.

Designed for professionals working in human resources, health care, insurance, rehabilitation, occupational health and safety or related fields, the three-month, part-time program is delivered through a blend of synchronous and asynchronous online learning. It includes three courses focused on the theory, applied knowledge and workplace skills needed to support employees through disability-related transitions.

The first cohort begins in Winter 2027.

"With an aging workforce and rising disability claims, particularly related to mental health, there is a high demand across the province of Ontario and Canada for disability management professionals to help employers reduce workplace absences and facilitate safe returns to work," says Francis Fung, program advisory committee member.

Disability management efforts, says Fung, must address issues beyond legal compliance and duty to accommodate and give more consideration to inclusive workplace practices.

鈥淚 am excited that the 91亚色鈥檚 School of Continuing Studies is launching a program that will prepare learners in recognizing disability as a human diversity and focus on a person-centred approach in disability management," he says.

The certificate covers functional interviewing, job-demand analysis, workplace accommodation, case co-ordination, professional documentation and communication for sensitive workplace conversations. Learners will also develop graduated return-to-work plans that balance employee needs with workplace and operational realities.

鈥淐reating learning and working environments where everyone can participate and succeed is a core value of 91亚色鈥檚 School of Continuing Studies and mine,鈥� says Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, assistant vice-president of continuing studies at 91亚色.

"By learning from industry professionals and engaging with real-world cases, students gain the knowledge and experience to help organizations create more inclusive workplaces and ensure people have the support they need to succeed."

Graduates will be prepared to pursue roles such as disability case manager, return-to-work co-ordinator, accommodation specialist, accessibility adviser and disability management consultant.

for the inaugural Winter 2027 cohort.

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Remmel did not set out to be the co-author of a paper tracing more than three decades of forest fragmentation research.

Even when Sanjana Dutt, a PhD candidate at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Poland, first reached out seeking advice on her dissertation, co-authoring a paper was never part of the plan.

Dutt had come across Remmel's work on forest change analysis, landscape metrics and forest fragmentation, areas he has spent much of his career studying while developing new ways to map, quantify and compare changes in forest landscapes.

Seeking guidance for a section of her dissertation, she contacted him because of his expertise in the field and his extensive experience measuring and analyzing changes in forest landscapes. Dutt was looking for advice on how to organize and synthesize a large and growing body of research focused on forest fragmentation and the various techniques scientists use to analyze it.

The phenomenon occurs when large, continuous forests are broken into smaller, isolated patches, often because of roads, farming, resource extraction and development. As forests are divided, fewer areas remain deep within the forest, creating conditions that can affect wildlife habitat, biodiversity and ecosystem health. Because scientists and conservation planners rely on fragmentation research to understand those impacts and guide conservation efforts, accurately measuring fragmentation has become increasingly important.

Advances in satellite imaging potential, remote sensing algorithms, computing power and cloud-based analytical platforms have transformed how scientists study forests. Those developments have given scientists more ways than ever to assess fragmentation and track changes across landscapes, leading to a rapidly expanding body of research and analytical approaches.

Making sense of that increasingly complex landscape of methods was one of the reasons Dutt sought Remmel's advice. She wanted to better understand how the field's analytical techniques had developed over time, where they overlapped and how researchers could meaningfully evaluate their findings.

Remmel, meanwhile, saw value in how Dutt's aspirations would benefit not just her, but others.

鈥淟arge review and synthesis papers are useful ways to build visibility and benchmarks for burgeoning academics,鈥� he says.

Remmel, who teaches in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, says they exchanged numerous messages, worked together to refine the study's methodology and identified areas where additional research and context were needed. As the collaboration developed, so too did the scope of the project, eventually leading to Dutt asking Remmel to be co-author on a comprehensive review of how forest fragmentation research has evolved over the past three decades.

The resulting paper, , examines how scientists have measured and analyzed forest fragmentation over the past 35 years while identifying opportunities to make future research more consistent and useful for conservation decision-making.

Dutt conducted a systematic analysis of 138 studies published between 1990 and 2025, grouping them into 12 methodological categories ranging from traditional measures of forest patch size and shape to more recent approaches involving connectivity modelling, remote sensing, time-series analysis and three-dimensional forest mapping.

鈥淭he work identifies a long history of metric development that has evolved to consider many parameters that influence the quantification of forest fragmentation,鈥� says Remmel.

The review found that research has expanded dramatically over time as advances in satellite imagery, remote sensing and computing created new ways of studying forests. Yet scholars have not abandoned older approaches in favour of a single better method, instead continuing to build an increasingly complex toolbox of techniques.

This has created challenges, the authors say. Differences in scale, data, methodology and reporting can make fragmentation studies difficult to evaluate side by side, making it harder to tell whether results reflect genuine differences in forest conditions or simply different ways of measuring them.

鈥淭his is an important reminder that just inventing new tools does not necessarily solve problems,鈥� Remmel says, 鈥渂ut that figuring out how to apply and compare results consistently carries tremendous weight and benefit.鈥�

Consistent results matter because forest fragmentation research is not only theoretical. Investigators, conservation planners and policymakers use it to monitor environmental change, assess ecosystem health and guide management decisions. If methods are not clearly documented or results cannot be compared, it becomes harder to translate research into repeatable and actionable results.

As a result, the authors argue that future progress will depend less on developing new metrics and more on improving consistency and transparency through clearer reporting of how studies are conducted.

Remmel's hopes for what impact the work will have are rooted, in part, from the way it helped Dutt make sense of a complex and rapidly growing field.

鈥淪he was forced to think about broad timelines, developments and contributions, and how they fit into the bigger picture,鈥� he says, resulting in a structured starting point for researchers looking to understand the forest fragmentation literature. 鈥淭his certainly benefitted her but also makes some of this foundational literature review work less strenuous for others who will read this work later.鈥�

Remmel says that value extends beyond this particular project. As academic literature continues to grow, he believes there is benefit in periodically stepping back to assess the state of a field, identify key developments and help researchers understand how current knowledge has evolved. Reviews such as this one can help clarify where a field has come from, where it stands today and where opportunities for future research may exist.

There was also personal value in the project for Remmel. Looking back over the review, he realized that the earliest period it covers coincided with his own graduate training. Over the decades that followed, he built a career studying forest change, spatial metrics and landscape pattern dynamics, adapting alongside the field as new methods and technologies emerged.

鈥淭his is a paper that I could have written based on my experiences,鈥� he says.

Instead, Remmel says he is grateful to have contributed to a project that brought together decades of study while helping a new generation of scholars navigate the field.

鈥淚 am thrilled that not only did someone else take on this responsibility but that they reached out to me for involvement too,鈥� he says. 鈥淭his is the circle of academic life in action and that makes me tremendously humble and thankful.鈥�

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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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Earlier this year, Bronson was in his basement doing something he had never done before: memorizing lines for his first one-person show, The Last Hornblower, which debuted at the Hamilton Fringe Festival this month.

Written and performed by Bronson, the show reflects his career specializing in existentialism, world religions, literature and philosophy by pairing the Norse mythological story of Ragnarok 鈥� a final battle in which the gods knowingly march toward their fate 鈥� with a contemporary story about a pilot living with Alzheimer disease.

By linking modern and ancient narratives, Bronson wants audiences to see themselves as part of a much longer human story.

"It's important to feel your roots and to feel that you're connected, not just to your parents or your background, but to stories stretching back thousands of years, with themes we're still drawn to today 鈥� whether we recognize it or not," says Bronson.

Helping people discover those connections is also central to Bronson's work as an educator in 91亚色's Department of Humanities.

Among his courses are 鈥淕ods and Humans,鈥� which examines interactions between gods and humans in literature, art and philosophy, and 鈥淭he Modern Age: Shapers & Definers,鈥� which explores influential figures who defined modern artistic and intellectual traditions.

Both draw on stories, beliefs and ideas from different eras, cultures and religious traditions 鈥� but rather than treating them as historical artifacts or texts belonging to someone else's belief system, Bronson encourages learners to look for relevance to contemporary life, and to their own lives.

One way he does this is by pairing ancient texts with modern examples from popular culture to illustrate how older works continue to inform the art, narratives and ideas that resonate today.

A discussion of movement and dance in a Hindu scripture, for instance, might lead to a contemporary film, documentary or other example of dance in modern culture, allowing students to consider how similar ideas continue to surface in contemporary life.

"The scripture might be 2,000 years old. That's not changing," says Bronson. "But what's changing is the ways that we see it today."

Those moments when "a light goes on" are among Bronson's favourites. A student who may have had little exposure to a particular religion, philosopher or cultural tradition suddenly recognizes something familiar in an ancient story and, in turn, sees themselves reflected in it.

For Bronson, those realizations can be transformative.

"When they see that their interests or their experiences are connected to something larger, longer, more longstanding, it adds a kind of dignity to it," says Bronson.

It was those moments of recognition that unexpectedly led Bronson toward theatre.

During a visit to the Hamilton Fringe Festival last year, he attended several storytelling-based performances and recognized something familiar: people gathering around stories, wrestling with big ideas and discovering meanings they might not have arrived at on their own.

The experience got him thinking about how those kinds of conversations might take place outside the University and how theatre could provide a space for them.

鈥淭hat's often what we do in academia 鈥� make those connections for students,鈥� says Bronson. 鈥淏ut there are people who aren't going to university, or who have been out of university, or just haven't had that experience.鈥�

Through The Last Hornblower, Bronson hopes audiences encounter something similar to the moments he values most in the classroom: recognizing that ideas they may have thought belonged only to philosophers, religious traditions or ancient myths are also present in their own lives.

More than anything, he hopes they leave with a renewed sense of where they fit within the larger human story.

鈥淲e all appreciate that in art. We all look to art for that,鈥� says Bronson. 鈥淎nd when it happens, we come back to our everyday world, if not elevated, at least slightly changed.鈥�

runs at the Hamilton Fringe Festival until July 26.

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Clark, associate director, program development and academic integrity in 91亚色鈥檚 Office of the Vice-President Academic, will lead 鈥檚 work to support evidence-informed practices across Canada鈥檚 post-secondary sector.

As Chair, Clark will work with colleagues across the country to support institutions, academic integrity practitioners and educators responding to emerging challenges in teaching, learning and assessment.

鈥淧ost-secondary institutions are navigating significant changes in assessment, student learning and academic misconduct, alongside the growing influence of generative AI and other emerging technologies,鈥� says Clark. 鈥淭his environment highlights the need for coordinated approaches that support student success while maintaining public trust in the value and integrity of academic credentials.鈥�

Her appointment reflects her extensive experience leading academic integrity education and prevention initiatives at 91亚色, including collaborating with campus partners, co-facilitating 91亚色 Libraries鈥� Academic Integrity Workshop for Students (offered several times during the year), and delivering workshops and presentations to 91亚色 community members.

As Chair of the University鈥檚 Academic Integrity Community of Practice, Clark works with faculty members, academic units and institutional partners to develop resources, programs and strategies that foster integrity in teaching, learning and research. Her work includes advancing educational approaches that respond to evolving student needs and emerging issues, including the responsible use of new technologies.

"Academic integrity is fundamental to academic quality," says Clark. 鈥淚CAI Canada provides an important space for collaboration, professional learning and the sharing of effective practices."

Clark recently completed a PhD in higher education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Her research examined the roles and experiences of academic integrity practitioners working within post-secondary institutions and contributed to scholarship on how institutions build and sustain cultures of integrity through policy, practice and collaboration.

"I'm looking forward to supporting ICAI Canada's continued growth,鈥� she says, 鈥渁s well as the work to strengthen connections among academic integrity practitioners across Canada.鈥�

Those interested in becoming a member of the Academic Integrity Community of Practice at 91亚色 can reach out to Clark at angclark@yorku.ca.

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When聽Dorin was a doctoral student in the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change and began discussing potential PhD research projects with Colla, her supervisor and one of Canada's leading pollinator conservation scientists, she already knew the questions she wanted to pursue.

With a background in wildlife biology, Dorin had followed growing concern about bee declines and understood the significance of the issue given the critical role pollinators play in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting food production.

鈥淟ike many others, I was deeply concerned about the declines we were seeing,鈥� Dorin says. She considered such question as: 鈥淲hat does effective pollinator conservation look like? How can we engage landowners in taking action to protect pollinators?鈥�

For many doctoral students, refining broad interests into a focused dissertation project can be one of the most challenging parts of the process. Dorin says Colla鈥檚 guidance was instrumental in helping her navigate that challenge.

鈥淪he had an incredible ability to ask the right questions and encourage me to think more deeply about the science,鈥� says Dorin.

With Colla's mentorship, those questions eventually led Dorin to explore what she saw as an overlooked area.

She explains that while a lot of research focuses on crops that depend on animal pollination, such as apples and blueberries, crops that do not require pollinators cover larger areas of agricultural land.

鈥淚f we assume those landscapes don't matter because the crops themselves don't need bees, we're overlooking millions of acres that pollinators may still use,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 wanted to understand what role these pollinator-independent crops play in supporting wild bee populations across agricultural landscapes.鈥�

That realization led Dorin and Colla to take a closer look at vineyards. Although grapes do not require animal pollination, vineyards represent large agricultural infrastructure and could provide important habitat for wild bees.

To explore that possibility, Dorin and Colla studied wild bee communities in 26 commercial vineyards in Niagara Region over two growing seasons. In addition to sampling bees, they examined factors including vegetation between vineyard rows, surrounding land uses, soil characteristics and topography.

The approach reflected one of Dorin's guiding principles throughout the project.

鈥淏ees don't recognize farm boundaries or distinguish between crop types,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hey move freely across the landscape 鈥� nesting, foraging and dispersing where suitable habitat and resources exist.鈥�

For Dorin, taking that broader perspective is essential to developing conservation strategies that reflect how pollinators experience the landscape. The findings, now published in , reinforce that outlook.

鈥淥ur research found a very high abundance and diversity of wild bees in vineyard agroecosystems, showing that these independent crops can support thriving bee communities,鈥� says Dorin.

The study found that bee communities were shaped by a combination of local and landscape-level conditions. Bee abundance and diversity were typically higher in vineyards surrounded by semi-natural habitats such as forests and treed areas. Taller vegetation between vineyard rows was also linked to healthier bee communities.

Another finding involved nesting habitat. Soil conditions were linked to different types of bees, suggesting conservation efforts must consider not only where pollinators find food, but also where they live and reproduce.

The results were the culmination of years of work for both Dorin and Colla.

Finishing the project, however, was not without its challenges. Examining wild bee communities across vineyard environments from multiple angles was an ambitious undertaking. But Dorin says Colla never made anything feel impossible for her students.

鈥淪he genuinely believed we were capable of succeeding,鈥� says Dorin. 鈥淪he trusted her students with meaningful responsibility, but she was always there when we needed guidance.鈥�

And because research rarely goes exactly as planned, she says, there were plenty of moments when that support was needed. Dorin recalls that whether challenges emerged during fieldwork, in the lab or during data analysis, Colla consistently offered advice, reassurance and a fresh perspective.

That commitment to her students remained unchanged, even as Colla faced significant health challenges.

By then, much of the project's fieldwork had been completed and the focus had shifted to data analysis and writing. Dorin says Colla remained actively involved throughout that stage of the research, continuing to meet with her to discuss results and provide feedback.

鈥淓ven during such a difficult time, she was still thinking about her students,鈥� says Dorin. 鈥淭hat says a great deal about the kind of mentor she was.鈥�

After Colla's death in 2025, finishing the project 鈥� even though much of the work had already been completed 鈥� was difficult for Dorin. She says it was impossible not to think about how much Colla would have enjoyed seeing the final dissertation and the resulting publications.

Dorin also believes Colla would have been especially excited by opportunities to share the findings with farmers, land managers and policymakers.

鈥淪he recognized that good science alone isn't enough,鈥� says Dorin. 鈥淪he believed that meaningful conservation requires research, but also policy, community engagement, education and action.鈥�

That way of thinking continues to shape Dorin's own approach to conservation and her goals for this latest study. She hopes the findings will help bridge the gap between science and on-the-ground land management, and encourage new ways of thinking about how wild bees can be supported 鈥� even in landscapes not traditionally considered pollinator habitat.

The work also contributes to a more nuanced understanding of pollinator conservation. Ontario is home to hundreds of species of wild bees, each with different nesting and foraging requirements, making a one-size-fits-all solution for supporting pollinators unlikely. Instead, Dorin says, understanding how different habitats benefit different species can lead to more informed conservation decisions across agricultural ecosystems.

That includes, she says, thinking beyond individual farms. Pollinator conservation occurs at the landscape scale, meaning it is not only how a vineyard is managed that matters, but also how nearby forests, hedgerows, roadsides, neighbouring croplands and even soils are managed.

Dorin sees those ambitions as a continuation of Colla's influence.

鈥淭hroughout her career, she showed us that conservation is not something achieved in isolation. It requires connecting science with communities, research with action and people with the ecosystems they depend on,鈥� says Dorin.

Dorin was among the many students, researchers and conservation advocates influenced by that philosophy. The vineyard study 鈥� and the hopes she has for its impact 鈥� reflect lessons Colla instilled throughout her career.

鈥淐ompleting this project without her was bittersweet. I wish she could have been there for my defence and to celebrate these publications, but I feel incredibly grateful that I had her mentorship for so much of this journey,鈥� she says. 鈥淪heila was simply one of the best people I've ever known.鈥�

The post Continuing a legacy: A student, a mentor and a study of wild bees appeared first on YFile.

After two years of inactivity, the Google Developer Group (GDG) chapter at 91亚色 has been revived by a first-year student focused on hands-on learning and long-term leadership.

Soroush Baraouf, a computer engineering student at the , was appointed by Google's regional program team as the founder and organizer of the newly relaunched GDG on Campus at 91亚色 chapter earlier this year.

Part of a global Google-supported network, GDG chapters are student-run organizations that host workshops, project-based learning experiences and hackathons, giving students hands-on exposure to technologies such as cloud computing and AI. The 91亚色 chapter shut down after previous student leaders graduated or moved into upper-year studies.

Baraouf, who moved to Canada from Iran where he had spent years following the GDG network, hoped to be a part of 91亚色鈥檚 chapter. When he arrived at the University, however, he learned the chapter was inactive 鈥� so he took action to relaunch it.

"I could feel the bulb kind of turn on in my mind," he says. "Maybe I can be the person who can build this community."

Beyond his own ambitions, Baraouf saw a broader need: a stronger technical community that could help 91亚色 students make their work more visible to employers 鈥� especially in a competitive recruitment landscape.

"There are so many students at universities like U of T or Waterloo who just get more exposure simply because they attend those schools," he says. "What I wanted to fix was to create a serious community and do serious stuff so recruiters and employers can understand that people at 91亚色 can also get things done."

The chapter's programming is built around that goal. Rather than hosting speaker panels that students leave with little to show, Baraouf is centring the group on what he calls a builder mindset: workshops that begin with a real problem, guide participants through Google tools like Firebase and Google Cloud Platform, and end with a working project students can add to their portfolios.

First-year students are a particular focus, since many are entering the workforce without practical project experience.

"We want to help people actually build solutions 鈥� real-world stuff that solves real problems that they can showcase," he says.

The chapter's scope extends beyond engineering students. Baraouf sees tools like Google's Gemini AI models and cloud hosting as relevant across disciplines 鈥� for business students exploring fintech ideas, arts students using image generation tools or students who want to build and host a portfolio without a technical background.

"No matter what discipline you're in, what level you're at, there's still something you can do with AI," he says.

To keep the chapter from repeating the previous group's fate, Baraouf has built in structural safeguards. The executive team of approximately 23 students is organized into five groups 鈥� technology, academics, operations, finance, and outreach and growth 鈥� each deliberately staffed with both junior and senior students. If upper-year leaders graduate, there are always newer members ready to step into leadership roles.

The relaunch would not have happened without external support. Professor Jeff Harris helped Baraouf navigate 91亚色's club ratification process, while Adeola Omojola, former student and the previous chapter lead, shared key documents and guidance on the Google application process. Becky Phan, Google's regional program lead for North America, helped guide the Google collaboration.

For Baraouf, long-term success of the program means helping 91亚色 students build a stronger technical profile with employers and creating a club that continues well after he graduates. He envisions the club as one that contributes to students鈥� academic experience by partnering with professors on hands-on course projects.

On July 3, the group hosted the Engineering & AI Innovation (EAII) Case Competition at Google's Toronto headquarters 鈥� an event where students learn how Google is evolving in engineering, and then pitch AI-based solutions to Google engineers for feedback and discussion.

"We set out to prove GDG 91亚色 U is different: a club built on real technical depth, real ambition, real standards," says Baraouf. "Judging by the room that day, we made our case."

Students interested in joining can become members through the chapter's website at .

Executive applications for the current cycle are now closed, but general membership is open and a new round of leadership recruitment is planned for September.

With files from Mzwandile Poncana

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The 91亚色 graduate, who received a BSc in kinesiology and exercise science in June, discovered her early interest in health science had deepened after taking Regional Human Anatomy 3460 and 3465 with Assistant Professor Nicole Ventura.

鈥淗er teaching style just really resonated with me,鈥� says El-Dassouki.

A professor at 91亚色鈥檚 , Ventura creates opportunities for students to understand the human body using virtual dissection tools and synthetic cadavers.

She joined 91亚色鈥檚 School of Kinesiology & Health Science in Fall 2025 and now teaches courses on advanced regional anatomy using modern technology.

In the anatomy lab, Ventura is precise, direct and calm, pushing students to get every detail right without losing sight of the individuals who donated their bodies to science.

That mix of respect and rigour earned her major teaching awards during her nearly 10 years on faculty at McGill University.

There, Ventura taught labs using real human cadavers, an experience she describes as 鈥渁 privilege.鈥� Like many institutions, 91亚色 does not have a human body donor lab 鈥� but it does have a wealth of virtual dissection tools and synthetic cadavers for physiology and anatomy students to work with.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really given me a new opportunity and a new challenge to teach and think about anatomy in a different way,鈥� Ventura says.

Still, there are limitations to teaching with virtual bodies. For example, dissecting a flesh-and-embalming-fluid cadaver forces students to confront death at a very personal level, Ventura says. It can be difficult 鈥� or impossible 鈥� to get the same depth of emotional resonance working with a virtual or synthetic body. And for those who go on to work in surgical medicine, donor bodies offer a very realistic window into what they can expect when operating on a patient, from the colour of organs to the thickness and texture of tissues.

But virtual dissections also offer serious advantages. For one, they are much more accessible. With online tools, students can 鈥渄issect鈥� a body anywhere, anytime, for as long as they need. 鈥淚 could just open it at home and study it for hours, which was great,鈥� El-Dassouki says.

When 91亚色 moved courses online during COVID-19 lockdowns, those virtual tables went from an add鈥憃n to a lifeline, says Professor Nicolette Richardson who teaches anatomy alongside Ventura. The software also allows for bigger class sizes while ensuring that each student still gets direct lab experience.

The virtual software is updated regularly, which gives students access to a wider range of bodies than they might see in a more standard lab setting. They can learn about 鈥渇olks of different ethnicities, different genders, and get access to things like clinical case studies,鈥� Richardson says.

For Ventura, this is an important feature. She says it helps students, especially those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, better connect to the material.

Synthetic cadavers 鈥� or 鈥渟yndavers鈥� 鈥� are also a crucial part of 91亚色鈥檚 anatomy and physiology labs. These synthetic bodies are extremely lifelike, and give students a tactile experience. 鈥淚t allows them to actually get their hands in there,鈥� Richardson says.

And this approach, too, has some advantages: unlike real bodies, where the organs and tissues all tend to be a similar shade of pinkish-brown, the syndavers are brightly coloured, enabling students to easily distinguish between different structures. As well, the models can be reused because they don鈥檛 need to be removed after dissection and pose no biohazard risks. 91亚色 currently has one full-bodied synthetic cadaver, as well as several independent lower and upper limbs.

According to a 2025 comparative study published in the peer-reviewed medical journal , students using virtual dissection tables achieved learning outcomes comparable to those in traditional cadaver laboratories, though each method provided distinct educational experiences.

Ultimately, the key to successful physiology instruction lies in cultivating genuine student engagement, regardless of the type of cadavers they practice on. 鈥淚 just think anatomy is really cool,鈥� Ventura says. 鈥淚t allows people to have a better understanding of their own bodies, which is pretty unique in itself.鈥�

El-Dassouki agrees. She plans to pursue a career in physiotherapy, and credits her enthusiasm for the field to professors like Ventura and Richardson.

鈥淚 have recommended 91亚色 to so many people applying to universities, just because I loved it so much.鈥�

With files from Joanna Thompson鈥�

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Recent work led by bachelor of science in nursing (BScN) students Hadier Kandil and Yucheng (Chuck) Wang examines how health care systems can better support providers and patients.

鈥淪tudent research reflects a strong culture of inquiry in the School of Nursing, where projects align with Faculty priorities and health system needs,鈥� says Professor Larnes Joy Nabarreti, who supervised the work.

Kandil鈥檚 project explores a proposed paid residency model for nursing students completing their integrated practicum. The research considers how structured financial and clinical support could strengthen the transition from education to professional practice while contributing to workforce stability.

The study examines strategies aimed at improving preparedness for clinical roles and addressing ongoing pressures in Canadian health care systems. The findings point to the importance of structured transition supports in preparing students for professional responsibilities. By examining how a residency model could be implemented, the research highlights potential pathways to improve student experience and long-term workforce sustainability.

A second project, led by Wang, focuses on nil per os (NPO) practices in emergency departments 鈥� a medical term meaning 鈥渘othing by mouth,鈥� or the restriction of food and fluids before procedures. The research examines the clinical and operational factors affecting patients who may face extended wait times, and evaluates how these NPO protocols intersect with patient comfort and safety in high-demand health care environments.

By analyzing these factors, the inquiry identifies the need to balance clinical protocols with patient-centred care, particularly in environments where delays prolong restrictions. This work contributes to ongoing discussions about how emergency departments can maintain safety standards while improving patient experience.

Their findings have been shared with national and international audiences, extending their relevance beyond the University.

鈥淭he work of undergraduate students shows how early research experience helps develop key competencies for future nurses, including critical thinking, clinical reasoning and systems-level awareness,鈥� says Nabaretti. 鈥淚t also highlights how students can contribute to discussions often led by more established researchers, especially on practical issues in care delivery.鈥�

This focus on student research was reflected in a recent school-wide event that showcased emerging work and collaboration.

In May, the School of Nursing hosted its inaugural Research Day for faculty, students and partners to share their projects, including prevention, health equity, nutrition and HIV/AIDS care.

One project examining a peer-led approach to supporting nursing student mental health received the Student Award. The presentation, titled 鈥淧romoting Nursing Student Well-Being Through Mental Health Peer-led Initiative,鈥� was authored by Zahra Mujadidi, Giada Romano, Chuqiao Li, Harmann Bhatia and Yong Qi Su, and supervised by Professor Ruth Robbio.

The program featured the annual June Awrey Lectureship, which honours the founder of 91亚色鈥檚 School of Nursing. This year鈥檚 speaker, Elaine Johnston (Waaskonenhkwe), an Anishinaabe nurse with 40 years鈥� experience, shared Indigenous perspectives on advancing reconciliation in health care.

鈥淓laine鈥檚 talk helps students understand how Indigenous knowledge shapes learning and nursing practice,鈥� says Robbio. 鈥淕uided research opportunities build on that by supporting academic development and generating insights for health care policy and practice.鈥�

Four 91亚色 students were also recently recognized by the Registered Nurses Foundation of Ontario, with awards for academic excellence and leadership potential. Michelle Hermans (PhD student) earned the Lynn Kirkwood Research Award; Tiina Ranta (PhD student) received the Research in Mental Health Nursing Award; Alessia Lamanna (MScN student) was awarded the Nursing Research Interest Group Award; and Eseimuede James Ehiagwina (BScN) was the recipient of the Charlotte Noesgaard Memorial Scholarship.

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