Like many universities in Canada and around the world, financial challenges facing 91亚色 stem from external pressures and public policy resulting in significant strain. Despite this, the University is committed to advancing priority projects that invest in students鈥� academic experiences 鈥� from new programs and formats to improved learning spaces 鈥� through the University Fund (UF).

The University Fund was established to support strategic institutional initiatives, provide operating funding support to Faculties where needed, and enable emergency funding.

This year, the UF prioritized Faculty submissions supporting cross-Faculty collaboration and focused on improved teaching and learning experiences for students such as new active learning classroom spaces.

鈥淭he UF investment will help convert underused spaces into larger capacity, active learning classrooms that represent an important shift in curriculum delivery that is responsive to the evolving needs of 91亚色 students,鈥� says Chlo毛 Brushwood Rose, vice-provost, teaching and learning. 鈥淭hese new flexible, technology-enhanced environments will support our mission to foster inclusive, innovative and high-impact teaching and learning.鈥�

The UF is also advancing access to entrepreneurial supports and programming through the YSpace Network, the pan-University innovation hub.

鈥淭he network ensures entrepreneurship and innovation at 91亚色 reach all students, researchers and faculty members with an idea worth building,鈥� says David Kwok, director, entrepreneurship and innovation at YSpace. "This financial support from the UF will accelerate the development of the YSpace Network, co-designed in collaboration with the , to build a unified and connected voice for entrepreneurship that reaches every Faculty and every campus through expanded activities and initiatives at 91亚色.鈥�

In addition to active learning classroom expansion and the YSpace Network, other supported projects include:

• The implementation of the proposed new undergraduate degree framework (pending Senate approval) through funds to support a new degree audit tool, revisions to the undergraduate calendar and the development of advising resources.
• Collaborative curriculum development between (AMPD), Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) and Markham Campus to explore a communications and digital media production degree.
• A collaborative and unified Faculty of Science- approach to a broader pan-University integrated outreach and access program for children and youth that can strengthen student pathways into 91亚色鈥檚 Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine and Health programs.
• Hiring of a dedicated Indigenous student recruitment officer.
• Within the , integration of non-degree studies offerings with undergraduate programs to bridge academic and professional learning.
• BorderPass, an immigration management platform to support the study permit process for all incoming international students requiring a Provincial Attestation Letter.
• Modernization of the 91亚色 booth at the Ontario Universities鈥� Fair.
• A two-year pilot program to increase the availability of the Markham-Keele shuttle during peak periods to better match service with class start and end times.

鈥淭he innovative, new curriculum development project between AMPD and LA&PS is a top priority that has the potential to support more students in a program that will position them well for the future,鈥� says Brandon Vickerd, AMPD dean. 鈥�91亚色 has long been recognized as a leader in interdisciplinarity, and this new collaboration, along with other cross-faculty projects like the Science-Lassonde collaboration also funded this year, builds on a strong foundation that supports today鈥檚 and future students.鈥� 聽

The UF does not spend funds directly but, through the Fund Council鈥檚 advice and recommendations, allocates them to Faculties and divisions in support of time-specific strategic initiatives.

Visit 91亚色鈥檚 University Fund website for more information.

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The approval allows Aretek to move ahead with a three-storey student housing project at the University of Windsor, expected to be the largest 3D-printed concrete building in North America by volume.

Researchers at 91亚色鈥檚 have been working with the company to test materials, monitor performance and generate the technical evidence needed to bring an emerging construction method closer to real-world use.

Liam Butler, associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, has been working alongside Aretek 鈥� formerly known as Printerra 鈥� through a multi-year research partnership anchored at the Keele Campus. Aretek is one of the few Canadian companies specializing in additive concrete construction, commonly known as 3D-printed concrete.

The collaboration involves developing lower-carbon concrete mixes, full-scale structural testing, performance monitoring, long-term durability testing and the kind of technical evidence regulators need before approving an entirely new way of building.

"This is definitely putting 91亚色 on the map as a key collaborator," says Butler.

The road to that approval, however, was not straightforward. Unlike conventional construction materials, 3D-printed concrete has no formal building code or standard anywhere in the world.

"Aretek has had to overcome the fact that there is no template for how to evaluate these new systems. They've had to create their own through demonstration and testing," says Butler.

Rather than wait for new regulations, Aretek worked within existing masonry standards to design and test a 3D-printed wall system. It applied for code approval through a regulatory pathway that allows builders to prove a new method can meet safety and performance requirements, even when it is not yet covered by existing building codes. Butler was directly involved in that process, called on by Aretek to support discussions with the Building Materials Evaluation Commission on behalf of these new innovative materials.

"We've been asked as academics to join these conversations with building officials to help support their application for these regulatory approvals," he says.

That support was possible because of what 91亚色's Keele Campus offers. Aretek conducts research and development out of 91亚色's Climate Data-Driven Design (CD3) facility 鈥� a civil engineering lab that gives access to full-scale industrial 3D printers. For Butler, that full-scale capacity is one of the partnership鈥檚 most important advantages.

"Most research around the world in 3D-printed concrete is at the lab scale, using lab-sized printers or even printers that fit on a desktop," says Butler. "We actually have access to a full-scale industrial-size printer. The acceleration from lab scale to adoption is greatly shortened. New mixes we design can be immediately tested at the full scale. That is a very unique aspect of this research project."

One of the partnership's central research objectives is reducing cement content in 3D-printed concrete mixes. Cement is essential to the rapid-hardening properties that 3D printing requires but it is also one of the construction sector's most significant environmental liabilities. The cement and concrete sector accounts for around seven per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

"Reducing that cement content in mixes, even by 20 or 30 per cent, could have a large-scale impact across the sector," says Butler.

The partnership also extends into workforce training. As Aretek trains construction workers in 3D-printing methods, those workers need a new skill set: learning to operate robotic printing systems, manage material preparation, read digital files and follow safety protocols specific to additive construction equipment.

"Like any sector that is evolving and changing, there's always a degree of upskilling that's going to have to be involved," says Butler.

The Windsor project, once complete, could also make it easier for future projects to move through approval processes elsewhere.

"Once one solution has been approved by a certain jurisdiction, it sets an important precedent," says Butler. "It will open the floodgates to a lot of other projects and jurisdictions."

Looking ahead, Butler expects 3D-printed construction to grow rapidly with hybrid structures that combine 3D-printed concrete and mass timber or precast concrete. This could lead to more sustainable material mixes and an increasing number of companies entering the space. He hopes 91亚色 remains at the centre of that evolution.

For Butler, that close connection between university research and industry application 鈥� such as the Windsor project 鈥� is what makes the partnership significant.

"It's a wonderful mechanism for creating positive impact," he says, "being able to upscale directly from research to new real-world applications."

With files from Mzwandile Poncana

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The life and work of McElroy, who spent 15 years at 91亚色's , was built on a lifetime of scientific contributions and knowledge sharing through mentorship and field research.

After earning his PhD at 91亚色 in the late 1970s, McElroy returned to 91亚色 in 2011 as a CSA/ABB/NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Atmospheric Remote Sounding. He brought with him a breadth of experience and accomplishments, which he translated to meaningful research and teaching.

Among his most notable accomplishments, McElroy was the co-inventor of the Brewer ozone spectrophotometer in the early 1970s. The instrument measures how much ozone is in the atmosphere by analyzing sunlight as it passes through it. At the time, it marked a major advance in how scientists could track changes in the ozone layer. It went on to underpin global monitoring efforts and informed public and scientific understanding of ozone depletion, including the heightened awareness of the issue in the late 20th century.

He also co-developed the UV Index, a public-facing tool used around the world to show how strong the sun's ultraviolet radiation is. It provides simple guidance that helps people make decisions about sun exposure, such as when to seek shade or apply sunscreen. Widely adopted in weather reporting, it has become a familiar part of how people assess their risk when spending time outdoors.

McElroy continued to build on his contributions over a 36-year period with Environment Canada, where he served as a senior research scientist. It became a defining focus of his career, as he advanced work in ozone science, atmospheric physics and remote sensing. He developed new techniques to track atmospheric gases from the ground, from aircraft and from space, helping scientists better understand how the Earth鈥檚 atmosphere is changing across different environments.

His research extended into space-based observation as well, including contributions to Canada鈥檚 SCISAT mission 鈥� a satellite designed to study the chemistry of the Earth鈥檚 atmosphere 鈥� through the MAESTRO spectrophotometer, an instrument used to measure ozone and other gases from orbit.

Much of his research is reflected in hundreds of scientific publications, many of which have been widely cited. His work was also recognized with numerous national and international honours. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2009 and received the Patterson Medal from Environment Canada and the United Nations Environment Programme Innovators Award.

During his time at 91亚色, he helped train students and early-career researchers, often introducing them to the rewards of working in remote environments, from the High Arctic to international monitoring stations.

His legacy lives on in the careers of the many students and colleagues he helped to shape at 91亚色, in the instruments still operating around the world and in the data that continues to inform environmental research and policy.

The memorial and celebration of life will take place at 91亚色's Keele Campus, Bethune College, Room 203, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Colleagues, former students, collaborators and family will gather both in person and online to reflect on his impact.

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An investment of $2.1 million, , will fund transformative work examining history, human behaviour, digital technologies and critical infrastructure to better understand and improve well-being, equity and resilience across Canada.

The CRC program bolster research excellence and advances the development of knowledge that benefits society, the economy and the environment.

"Canada Research Chairs drive new knowledge that strengthens Canada鈥檚 global competitiveness and addresses real-world challenges," says Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation. "Across 91亚色, this research reflects a commitment to tackling complex issues 鈥� from advancing Indigenous knowledge and addressing addiction, to shaping the future of AI and strengthening critical infrastructure 鈥� in ways that deliver tangible benefits for communities in Canada and beyond."

Alan Corbiere 鈥� Canada Research Chair in Indigenous History of North America (Tier 2, renewal)
Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

An assistant professor in 91亚色鈥檚 Department of History, Corbiere鈥檚 research focuses on Anishinaabe language, oral traditions and material culture.

Corbiere uses approaches such as the study of treaty negotiations and wampum belts to challenge and reshape historical narratives while supporting the revitalization of Indigenous knowledge and culture.

Matthew Keough 鈥� Canada Research Chair in Addiction Vulnerability (Tier 2)
Faculty of Health

Keough is an associate professor in 91亚色鈥檚 Department of Psychology, a clinical psychologist and a senior scientist with Homewood Research Institute. He studies the causes of addictive behaviours and develops evidence鈥慴ased treatments with a focus on heavy drinking, cannabis use, concurrent disorders and digital interventions for young adults.

Keough also received $100,000 through the Canada Foundation for Innovation鈥檚 which supports research infrastructure projects through its partnership with the CRC program.

Jennifer Pybus 鈥� Canada Research Chair in Data, Empowerment and Artificial Intelligence (Tier 2, renewal)
Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Associate professor in the Department of Politics and director of the Centre for Public AI, Pybus studies how social media, mobile platforms and AI use personal data.

Her focus is on strengthening data literacy, supporting informed public debate and examining issues of digital sovereignty and data governance in Canada.

Pirathayini Srikantha 鈥� Canada Research Chair in Reliable and Secure Power Grid Systems (Tier 2, renewal)

Srikantha, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, develops AI鈥慸riven and transactive energy solutions.

The aim of her research is to improve the reliability, security and resilience of electrical power grids and support the design of trustworthy energy systems.

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The initiative, led by Stephanie Gora, assistant professor at the , received $250,000 from the Government of Canada鈥檚 New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) . The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) program supports bold, interdisciplinary research that tests new ideas and aims for real鈥憌orld impact.

Gora鈥檚 project focuses on drinking water quality in multi鈥憉nit rental housing, where water safety is impacted by the actions of water utilities, tenants, landlords/building owners and regulators.

鈥淭his funding gives us the freedom to step back and take a 鈥榩roblem-first鈥� approach to understanding and improving water safety in rental housing that prioritizes the lived experiences of tenants, as well as building owners and management,鈥� says Gora. 鈥淭he goal is to co-develop technologies and frameworks that address the real barriers to safe water in rental housing."

While Canada has invested heavily in protecting drinking water, quality of water from the tap 鈥� particularly in rental buildings 鈥� remains difficult to assess and address, she adds.

Expertise in engineering, housing and urban planning will come together to examine both the technical and social dimensions of water quality. Gora is joined by co鈥憄rincipal investigator Katherine Perrott (University of Waterloo) and co鈥慳pplicants Judy Duncan (ACORN Canada), Liam Butler and Razieh Salahandish (91亚色), along with Brian Doucet (University of Waterloo) for the project, titled 鈥溾�楥an I drink the tap water?鈥� An interdisciplinary action framework for water quality assurance in multi鈥憉nit rental housing.鈥�

According to Gora, research and policy following the 2000 Walkerton water crisis focused primarily on protecting municipal sources, treatment plants and distribution systems. However, conditions within buildings are a separate risk where aging plumbing, construction materials and maintenance practices can significantly affect water quality by the time it reaches residents鈥� taps.

These challenges are particularly pronounced in rental housing, where tenants have limited control over infrastructure and limited access to information.

Multi鈥憉nit buildings constructed before 1960 are more likely to contain lead-bearing plumbing components and lead solder, but water quality issues are not limited to older housing stock. Newer and high鈥憆ise buildings can also experience problems related to water stagnation and interactions between the water and materials used for plumbing.

In January 2024, more than 200 tenants were evacuated from a newly built student apartment building in Hamilton, Ont., due to poor water quality, highlighting the scope of the issue.

The 91亚色鈥憀ed project responds to these gaps by integrating scientific testing with lived experience.

Researchers will begin by testing water samples and interviewing tenants, building owners or managers to understand how water quality issues arise and how they are handled in real-world settings. The team will test how point-of-use and distributed water quality sensors monitor water safety in real time.

The findings will help the team develop a data-driven water safety framework for multi-unit rental buildings using an approach that considers social, environmental and economic impacts while encouraging collaboration among sector partners to clarify shared responsibilities.

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The program highlights contributions that position 91亚色 as an instutition for research excellence and transformative innovations. 

Research contributed by more than 60 faculty members reflect the breadth of the University's research strengths, spanning sustainability, law, AI, chemistry and the social sciences.

"I am exceedingly proud to be part of an institution that contains the kind of excellence we are celebrating," says Lisa Philipps, interim president and vice-chancellor. "91亚色 is an institution that offers educational experiences to our students that are informed by this deep research, scholarly and creative excellence; and a place where we also make it part of our mission to reach outside the metaphorical walls of the University to share and collaborate with communities, industry, policy-makers, the media and the wider public."

The recipients demonstrate the purposeful research that is fundamental to real-world change, says Amir Asif, vice-president, research and innovation

The annual awards program serves as an opportunity to recognize the excellence, creativity and ingenuity of 91亚色' research community.

Awards

President鈥檚 Emerging Research Leadership Award (PERLA)
Christopher Caputo, associate professor in the Faculty of Science, received this award for his contributions to sustainable chemistry and materials science. His research advances the use of Earth鈥慳bundant elements as alternatives to rare and precious metals, addressing key environmental and sustainability challenges while influencing catalytic and materials science.

A Tier II Canada Research Chair and recipient of the John Charles Polanyi Prize in Chemistry, Caputo has secured more than $4 million in research funding. His work has resulted in 21 patents and strong industry engagement, demonstrating the translation of discovery into application.  

The President鈥檚 Emerging Research Leadership Award was also awarded to Emily Kidd White, associate professor at , for her pioneering scholarship at the intersection of law, emotion and constitutional theory. Her work applies the philosophy of emotion to legal analysis, examining the gap between formal legal reasoning and the lived realities of legal practice, particularly in international law. 

Her research has shaped scholarly conversations across disciplines and established her as a thinker of global influence, strengthening 91亚色鈥檚 research profile and academic mission. 

President鈥檚 Research Excellence Award
Presented to Jimmy Huang, professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, this award recognizes his contributions to information retrieval, data mining, AI and natural language processing. A Tier 1 91亚色 Research Chair and founding director of the Information Retrieval and Knowledge Management Research Lab, Huang has played a leading role in shaping the future of AI research, including some of the earliest systematic evaluations of large language models.

Huang has secured more than $7 million in external research funding and his work has influenced practice across industry and health care. His mentorship record includes supervising 16 postdoctoral fellows, 23 doctoral students and 32 master鈥檚 students, many of whom have gone on to academic careers.  

President鈥檚 Research Impact Award
Kerry Kawakami, professor in the , received this award聽for the influence and reach of her scholarship on unconscious bias. Her research has reshaped how systemic inequality is understood across academic,聽legal聽and institutional contexts, extending well beyond the聽post-secondary聽sector.

Kawakami鈥檚 work has informed legal practice and judicial decision鈥憁aking, including professional development programs for the Law Society of Ontario, expert testimony and keynote addresses. Her research has been cited in multiple U.S. Supreme Court decisions, demonstrating its impact on public understanding, policy and the pursuit of justice. 

The awards ceremony also highlighted faculty in other categories. 

Book Awards, Literary and Artistic Achievements
Six honourees received this award for their books, creative works and exhibitions that received national or international recognition from peers and leading cultural institutions. 

Major Grants
Recognition for researchers leading significant, externally funded research initiatives that advance knowledge and address complex societal challenges was awarded to seven honourees. 

Other Learned Societies, Fellowships and Awards
91亚色 awarded 12 honourees with this award for their leadership and contributions that have been recognized through election to learned societies, prestigious medals, professional fellowships and national or international honours. 

Outstanding Early Career Awards
Four honourees earned this award to recognize the notable achievements of 91亚色鈥檚 early-career researchers whose work shows strong promise and leadership within their fields. 

Significant Knowledge Mobilization &Impact Awards
For knowledge mobilization and impact outside of academia, 14 honourees were recognized with this award. 

91亚色 Research Chairs, Canada Research Chairs and Distinguished Research Professors
Fifteen honourees were celebrated for these appointments that support research excellence and scholarly leadership at the highest level in their respective fields. 

Royal Society of Canada & Governor General Awards
Two honourees earned this distinction, recognizing faculty who have made remarkable contributions in their research pursuits related to science, humanities and the arts. 

View the slide deck below to see a full list of recipients. 

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Now in its 14th year, the award honours Robert J. Tiffin, who served as 91亚色鈥檚 vice-president, students, for nine years. University community members nominate individuals who demonstrate leadership and make valuable contributions to 91亚色.   

This year鈥檚 recipients represent a wide range of disciplines and leadership pathways, says Yvette Munro, vice-provost, students. 

鈥淭he depth and breadth of leadership shown by our students is remarkable and we continue to see the meaningful ways they contribute to 91亚色," says Munro. 鈥淲hether they are supporting students across the University, within their Faculty or in groups built around shared interests or lived experiences, their leadership helps strengthen the 91亚色 community.鈥� 

Recipients of the award play a vital role in shaping the 91亚色 student experience and enhancing the character of 91亚色, says Tiffin. 鈥淭hey have led, not because they were asked, but because they cared enough to step forward. Through their contributions they have nurtured a 91亚色 tradition of a university that embraces new ideas and innovative thinking.鈥� 

The winners were celebrated on May 6 at 91亚色鈥檚 Keele Campus. 

2026 Robert J. Tiffin Student Leadership Award recipients

Devonte Ellis, bachelor of education

Ellis has made extensive contributions to 91亚色's Music department and the Faculty of Education. He has been a festival coordinator, president of the Music Education Students鈥� Association and previous Chair of music's leadership council. He is also the founder and director of the Lions drumline and marching band. Additionally, Ellis has worked in student governance across the University in multiple positions and says one of his most impactful achievements has been as president of the Faculty of Education Students鈥� Association.

Isabella Gouveia, bachelor of arts (specialized honours) in history and concurrent education

Gouveia has been actively involved in student engagement at 91亚色. She began as an Orientation Week lead captain for Founders College, followed by the Orientation director of partnerships and integration. In this role, she built relationships with various departments and staff and supported transitioning students across the University. Her orientation involvement also led her to serve as president of Founders College Student Council for two years.

Anaum Fatima Iqbal, bachelor of education

Iqbal has been a long-standing active participant of Calumet College and is now president of Calumet College Council. She actively spearheads new initiatives for the council, including converting one of the college鈥檚 spaces into a multi-faith prayer space and tacking food insecurity by providing free monthly breakfasts to college members. Iqbal has also been the vice-president of athletics and a student success mentor lead for the college.

Dipanpreet Kaur, bachelor of arts (honours) in English and professional writing

Kaur has been involved across campus since her first year, with involvement across the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) and 91亚色鈥檚 international community. She is the president of the International Student Association of 91亚色, a council member of the Dean鈥檚 Circle of Student Scholars and was the marketing director for Peace by PEACE. Kaur says her most meaningful contribution has been supporting international students as they adjusted to university life, which inspired her to step into larger leadership roles.

Rubaljeet Kaur, bachelor of commerce (specialized honours) in accounting

Kaur is dedicated to creating spaces at 91亚色 where others can feel seen and have their voices heard. She is the founder and president of the Asian Women in Commerce Association, a community of more than 30 members that addresses representation gaps in business leadership, and hosts the Women in Law Association podcast. Kaur also holds leadership roles with the Social Work Students鈥� Association, LA&PS, 91亚色 International and 91亚色's Asian Youth Network.

Jaryeon Lee, master of science in kinesiology and health science

Lee鈥檚 passion for health sciences is apparent through her leadership in the field. As president of the Kinesiology and Health Sciences Graduate Student Association, Lee expanded outreach, strengthened the academic and professional community within the department and launched a new mentor-mentee program. She was also a graduate student representative on the Academic Council of Kinesiology and Health Science and is currently a representative for the Kinesiology and Health Science Curriculum Exercise meetings.

Nikan Movahedi, bachelor of science (specialized honours) in kinesiology and health science

Movahedi has led numerous initiatives at 91亚色 focused on health research and education. He is a coordinator for the largest health-oriented conference dedicated to undergraduate researchers in Canada and established the 91亚色 Blood Initiative, 91亚色鈥檚 first structured transportation system to local donation centres. Additionally, Movahedi is a student health ambassador and a student representative for the and has been both a volunteer research assistant and mentor.

Simone Elizabeth Pimenta, bachelor of business administration (honours) specialization in marketing and strategic management

Inspired after attending Orientation Week in her first year, Pimenta decided to serve as an Orientation Week executive the following year, followed by Orientation Week Chair for the Schulich School of Business. Pimenta has been heavily involved with the as the current president of the Undergraduate Business Society, as a former mentor for Schulich Women in Leadership and as a senior advisor for the Schulich Business Law Association.

Tariq Salim, bachelor of electrical engineering

Salim has been very involved in the throughout his degree. He has served as a WeekZer0 leader and vice-chair, where he executed programming and created an inclusive environment for new students to feel comfortable and confident. Salim has been an electrical engineering program representative within Lassonde, advocating for student concerns, and is currently the Lassonde representative for Bethune College Council.

Cheyenne Schmidt-Harlick, bachelor of arts (honours), double major in psychology and Indigenous studies

Schmidt-Harlick has made a lasting impact on Indigenous student support and representation across the University. During her time as president of the Indigenous Students Association at 91亚色 and as a student success mentor for Indigenous Student Services, she created welcoming spaces through advocacy, programming and relationship building. Additionally, Schmidt-Harlick held roles as a marketing coordinator for the Undergraduate Psychology Students Association and as a student health ambassador.

Amy Yeung, bachelor of science in kinesiology and health science

Yeung, a kung-fu practitioner for more than 16 years, revived and rebuilt the Martial Arts Club at 91亚色, which now has more than 75 members. Through the club, Yeung shares cultural traditions, community building and provides an accessible space for physical activity. Inclusivity is at the forefront of Yeung鈥檚 leadership practices within the Martial Arts Club, where the needs of women, 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC and differently abled members are continuously advocated for.

Niemat Yusuf, bachelor of arts (specialized honours) in psychology

As president of Black Students in Psychology, Yusuf successfully restructured the organization and scaled the executive team from six members to 24. She also expanded cross-campus partnerships and launched a peer mentorship initiative to support upper-year Black psychology students. Yusuf has volunteered in peer advocacy and mentorship roles for the Centre for Sexual Violence, Response, Support & Education, the Black Student Mentorship Program and the Undergraduate Psychology Student Association.

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The $1.3-million funding was awarded through CSA鈥檚 Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) program, which backs research at Canadian universities that contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge and space technologies.

A key goal of the program is to give students and early鈥慶areer researchers hands鈥憃n experience, helping strengthen Canada鈥檚 space sector by training highly qualified personnel and equipping students with practical, job鈥憆eady skills. Through applied, interdisciplinary research and exposure, students learn to navigate space career challenges in everything from instrument testing and system design to fieldwork and advanced manufacturion.

That combination of scientific advancement and experiential learning is evident across the FAST鈥慺unded work now underway at 91亚色.

鈥淎s a result, the project will develop, in our students, more specialized scientists who can go on to operational roles not only with our project, but with space exploration missions and space agencies around the world,鈥� says John Moores, associate professor and grant recipient.

Those four projects and their associate professors are:

John Moores, associate professor

Project: Mars Atmosphere Gas Evolution 鈥� Flying Localization Investigation (MAGE鈥慒LI)

Moores received $436,500 to lead an initiative improving how scientists detect and understand rare gases in the atmosphere of Mars. The work relies on a highly sensitive instrument, called an ICOS spectrometer, that can measure tiny amounts of specific gases.

The research focuses on gases such as methane, which may be linked to possible microbial life below the planet鈥檚 surface, and chlorine, which can be associated with volcanic activity. The project aims to shed light on what may be happening beneath Mars鈥� surface and how the planet continues to change.

鈥淭he support of the CSA and the Canadian government is critical to my research. It funds the specialized equipment we need to test our instruments and make more precise measurements," says Moores.

Before the instrument can be used in space, the team will test it in the lab using gas mixtures and soil materials similar to those found on the planet. In the final year of the project, the instrument will be taken to Iceland and mounted on a drone to see how well it can detect gases released from the ground. 鈥淚n doing this work we鈥檙e demonstrating what this instrument is capable of," says Moores, adding the results will help guide how similar tools could be used in future planetary missions.

Nima Tabatabaei, associate professor

Project: Molecularly Imprinted Opto鈥慒luidic Platform for Ultra鈥慡ensitive Detection and Quantification of Biomarkers in Space

Tabatabaei received $288,090 to create compact health monitoring technology designed for use during space missions. The goal is to help astronauts monitor their health in real time using simple, non鈥慽nvasive measurements, even in the challenging environment of microgravity.

The research, conducted with co鈥慽nvestigator Professor Pouya Rezai of George Mason University, combines several technologies into one small, modular system. It includes a device that automatically collects and processes saliva samples, materials that selectively capture health鈥憆elated molecules and a highly sensitive sensor that can detect extremely miniscule changes in those molecules.

The platform is designed to track biological markers linked to stress, inflammation and exposure to radiation, which are key concerns for astronauts on long missions. Together, these measurements could help inform earlier health decisions and reduce risks during space travel.

鈥淭his grant gives us the chance to start a new area of space鈥慺ocused health research,鈥� says Tabatabaei. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also an opportunity to contribute Canadian technology that could advance future human spaceflight.鈥�

Beyond exploration, the technology could also be adapted for health testing in northern communities on Earth, where access to traditional medical facilities may be limited.

Gerd Grau, associate professor

Project: Food Production in Space: 3D鈥慞rinted Capillary Hydroponics with Integrated Sensing

Grau received $291,000 to advance new ways of growing food during long鈥慸uration space missions.

Growing plants in space presents unique challenges, including how to deliver water and nutrients to roots without gravity, manage limited resources and reduce the amount of equipment that must be launched from Earth.

The initiative will advance technology that uses 3D printing to create precise channels that guide water and nutrients to plants. Designed to be manufactured directly in space, the system aids hydroponic food production and can be adjusted for different types of crops. Built鈥慽n sensors will help monitor plant health and detect problems early, improving efficiency and yields.

鈥淭his grant allows us to take a body of work we鈥檝e been developing for years and apply it in a completely new context,鈥� says Grau. 鈥淚t opens up research directions that wouldn鈥檛 be possible without space鈥慺ocused funding from the Canadian Space Agency.鈥�

While the research is aimed at supporting future space travel, the approach could also benefit food production in remote regions on Earth, including northern Canada.

Cuiying Jian, associate professor

Project: Pixelized, Flexible Sensing Network Using Laser鈥慖nduced Graphene for Health Monitoring

Jian received $291,000 to develop a lightweight, flexible sensor technology that can monitor human health in space and in remote environments on Earth.

Working with co鈥慳pplicant Professor Razieh (Neda) Salahandish, Jian鈥檚 team is using a form of graphene 鈥� an ultra鈥憈hin, conductive material 鈥� to create wearable sensor patches that can measure temperature, movement and moisture across different areas.

鈥淭his grant allows us to explore graphene in these new ways,鈥� says Jian. 鈥淭here鈥檚 real potential here to create tools that are both scientifically innovative and widely accessible.鈥�

Unlike traditional devices that monitor just one part of the body, the system is designed to collect data from multiple locations at once. This could make it possible to build a more complete picture of someone鈥檚 physical condition.

A key part of Jian鈥檚 project is also closely aligned with one of the broader aims of the FAST program: student training and hands鈥憃n learning. 鈥淭his grant enables the recruitment and training of emerging researchers,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 aim to create an environment where the next generation not only learns how to conduct research, but also understands the underlying principles. Both the 鈥榟ow鈥� and the 鈥榳hy鈥� are essential.鈥�

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DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, is the world's largest funding organization for international academic exchange. Through its Research Grants program, it provides funding to support doctoral students and post-doctoral research at a German university.

For Barakov, a political science PhD candidate with a master鈥檚 degree from 91亚色, the funding will help enhance his dissertation via archival research and interviews with local residents. His thesis compares urban outcomes across 35 years of state socialism and 35 years of capitalism in the cities of Berlin, Germany and Sofia, Bulgaria. He will be hosted at Humboldt University in Berlin, working in coordination with the Georg Simmel Center for Metropolitan Studies. Following his time in Germany, he will do similar research in Sofia.

鈥淚 plan on visiting a variety of different archives specifically with the aim of understanding East German approaches to urban planning, as well as conducting interviews with local residents,鈥� says Barakov.

Muci, also a political science PhD candidate, will be based at the Center for Post-Kantian Philosophy at the University of Potsdam for the first half of his time abroad, before relocating to the University of M眉nster. He will further his research on Marx and Marxism in Berlin by examining original sources related to the philosopher's doctoral dissertation at the University of Berlin from 1837-41, including letters from editors of a journal with which Marx collaborated.  

鈥淚'm looking at the origins of this conception of the world in the only philosophical work by Karl Marx 鈥� his dissertation with which he graduated at the University of Jena in 1841,鈥� explains Muci, whose work is supervised by 91亚色 Professor Marcello Musto. 鈥淚'm interested in broadening the genesis and I need the archives to do that.鈥�

HajiHosseinKhani is a computer science graduate student with a master鈥檚 from 91亚色, which she earned following an undergraduate degree in her home country of Iran. She will be joining the Institute for Data Science, Cloud Computing and IT Security (IDACUS) at Furtwangen University for a project that will focus on developing a comprehensive decentralized finance dataset. The project will then develop a self-defending AI architecture that will resist adversarial attacks, with stress-testing of the model to follow.

鈥淭he goal of this project is that we want to design a secure transformer-based AI model to detect and mitigate the malicious activities in the decentralized finance sector,鈥� says HajiHosseinKhani.

She notes this collaboration follows another that she participated in with the Polytechnic University of Madrid. Her supervisor, Professor Arash Habibi Lashkari, was also a DAAD scholar for his postdoc and helped HajiHosseinKhani design a collaboration with Professor Christopher Reich that saw her start at 91亚色鈥檚 Behaviour-Centric Cybersecurity Center (BCCC), and finish the final seven months at IDACUS.

Political science Professor Heather MacRae is a DAAD ambassador at 91亚色. She is also Barakov鈥檚 supervisor and a past DAAD scholar who did graduate fieldwork at the University of Freiburg. She is thrilled to have had so many successful applications from 91亚色 students.

鈥淭his is amazing. To my knowledge, after 15-plus years in my role, it鈥檚 the best record we鈥檝e had,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t really speaks to the way that 91亚色 International has been promoting the opportunity and working with people in our community. It helps put 91亚色 back on the radar for German scholarly communities as well.鈥�

MacRae notes the DAAD network is very active in Canada and provides opportunities for future funding.

Muci, who has spent time in Germany doing a joint degree with the University of Bologna in Italy and the University of Bielefeld, is looking forward to knowledge exchange with the research group.

Barakov says the DAAD funding has provided the means to advance his dissertation research.

鈥淭he longstanding tradition of academic exchange between Germany and Canada more broadly has very much played a foundational role in securing the possibility to actually go to Berlin in person, conduct work there and engage with their research community,鈥� he says.

Faculty members and students interested in learning more about the DAAD programs and funding available to support research and study in Germany can contact goglobal@yorku.ca.

With files from Suzanne Bowness

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When Ibrahim Rfifi joined Lassonde Motorsports 鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 student-led Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) team at the 鈥� in his first year, he expected to find the kind of hands-on program common at many engineering schools, where students design, build and compete with a race car while applying concepts learned in the classroom.

Instead, he found a group still building the structure needed to make that possible. Despite attempts since Lassonde opened in 2012, the team had never completed a vehicle or entered a Formula SAE competition.

Rfifi, along with fellow Lassonde student Michael Rozenfeld, decided to change that.

As president of the group in early 2025, Rififi, now a third-year mechanical engineering student, led an effort to rebuild the organization. He emailed hundreds of students across the Lassonde community inviting them to help relaunch Lassonde Motorsports.

He made a passionate case for renewed commitment to the program and outlined a plan to guide the group toward developing a competitive Formula SAE vehicle through two core principles: consistency and organization. He also stressed the value the group could provide in practical experience, where students could apply classroom concepts while developing skills valued by employers.

Rfifi and Rozenfeld, the club's vice-president, received more than 100 expressions of interest from students across a range of engineering disciplines. Membership was narrowed down to roughly 70 students, prioritizing those most willing to commit to an organized, accountable engineering program built on sustained contribution. That approach, Rfifi says, was essential to the team鈥檚 long-term viability and ability to build a complete vehicle.

Attention then shifted to organization. Members were divided into five groups, each focused on a specific subsystem of a Formula SAE race car, creating clear divisions that reflect how a vehicle is built in the real world. Leadership within each group was split between two student leads, a framework intended to ensure progress and accountability. The groups looked after powertrain, vehicle dynamics, body and aerodynamics, and research and development.

With organization and membership in place, the program shifted its focus to training. 鈥淢ost of us had never worked on a car before,鈥� Rozenfeld says. 鈥淗onestly, we all started at practically zero on the skill scale.鈥�

Workshops and weekly design sessions led by team leads and more experienced members became a core part of skill development for newer recruits. Sessions focused on computer-aided design, simulation and how components were prepared for fabrication, were designed to reduce barriers while steadily building technical capability.

Learning extended beyond the University through research lab visits, industry nights and technical tours that connected students with engineering environments and the aerospace, energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.

For Rfifi and Rozenfeld, these opportunities fulfilled a broader goal. 鈥淭hese hands-on learning experiences show students what engineering looks like outside of textbooks,鈥� says Rfifi.

With restructuring, committed membership and ongoing training in place, 2025 was spent working toward the milestone that had defined its revival: completing its first Formula SAE race car.

University teams from around the world build race cars specifically for Formula SAE competitions, a global student engineering series where vehicles are evaluated on both design and real-world performance.

Guided by an entry deadline, Lassonde Motorsports set its sights on the Formula SAE Michigan 2026 competition, held each May, as its first competitive entry point. The group is in the final stages of its project, which will ship to Michigan to compete against more than 100 other universities.

While expectations are measured 鈥� Rfifi says even passing technical inspection would be an accomplishment 鈥� the team feels it has already achieved something significant given its journey. 鈥淛ust getting to the competition with a completed vehicle is already a huge achievement,鈥� Rfifi says.

Whatever the outcome, he and Rozenfeld sees Lassonde Motorsports as the beginning of a longer-term program and has set a goal to make the group a lasting fixture within the engineering school. Future plans include expanding into additional competition categories, such as electric vehicle development, alongside creating a more permanent operational structure that can be passed from one cohort of students to the next.

鈥淎 first-year student should be able to come in and find a thriving motorsports team,鈥� Rfifi says. After leading its rebuild, he hopes the result is a program that offers students experiential engineering experience, structured learning and a place to apply their skills in a real-world setting.

鈥淭here are people waiting for an opportunity like this,鈥� says Rozenfeld.

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