Professor Jianhong Wu, Canada Research Chair in Applied Mathematics in York’s Department of Mathematics & Statistics, will receive a New Pioneers Award for science and technology from the non-profit organization Skills for Change. The award will be presented on Feb. 28 at the 16th annual ceremony at the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre.
Right: Jianhong Wu
Skills for Change, a non-profit agency providing learning and training opportunities for immigrants and refugees, created the New Pioneers Awards to recognize newcomers and their achievements. The awards are presented in six categories – arts, community service, entrepreneurship, science and technology, youth, and Skills for Change graduate.
Wu, an expert in mathematical modeling of ecosystems and infectious diseases, currently leads projects to develop mathematical models and techniques to track the spread of diseases like SARS, influenza and West Nile virus.
“Awards such as this recognize and emphasize the value of mathematics to science and technology today,” said Wu. “In the past, Skills for Change has recognized some very distinct scholars in this category and I am deeply honoured to be included among their company.”
Wu is among many York-affiliated persons to receive New Pioneers Awards. Last year, Michael Siu, York associate vice-president research & innovation, won the award in the science and technology category. In 2005, education Prof. Carl James won the award for community service, while dance Prof. Patrick Parsons won in the arts category in 1999. Alumni Yvonne Ng (BFA ’87), Alfred F. Choo (MSc’ 74, PhD ’79), Lata Pata (MFA ’97), Ismael Cala (BA ’02), Kumarasamy Nehru (BA ’02), Soheil Parsa (BA ’89), Andil Gosine (BES ’96, PhD ’02) and Alok Mukherjee (PhD ’04) are also past winners, as is former student Altaf Quadeer.