Fund advancing China studies relaunches with new scope
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The York Centre for Asian Research (YCAR) has relaunched the research-focused China Insights Fund (CIF) with a broader scope to reflect the ongoing evolution of China studies.
Bernie Frolic
Originally established to foster research specifically on Canada-China interactions, the CIF’s renewal – made possible by the support of the Asian Business & Management Program (ABMP) – looks to address the dynamic evolution of China studies and the importance of understanding China across historical periods, within its social complexities, and as a key player on the global stage.
“In a world where perspectives are constantly shifting, gaining in-depth, multifaceted knowledge of China is crucial,” states Professor Bernie Frolic, ABMP executive director. “With this relaunch, the CIF supports research that digs deeper, embraces inclusivity and helps us forge stronger connections across borders.”
The heart of the CIF’s renewal lies in its expanded funding opportunities. York faculty, graduate students as well as YCAR associates can apply for support in several key areas: organizing workshops, symposia and conferences that bring leading voices in China-related research to York; pursuing innovative research projects that align with CIF’s mandate; facilitating international collaborations between York scholars and those at educational institutions in China; and providing field research opportunities that offer vital, on-the-ground experiences for graduate students.
Qiang Zha
“This fund is an opportunity to establish YCAR as a hub for forward-thinking research into modern China and its rich historical, cultural and geopolitical significance,” says Professor Qiang Zha, YCAR interim director. “As such, YCAR and CIF are keen to cultivate emerging scholars and promote research that delves into the experiences of Chinese communities in Canada to build Canada’s China competency in the new context.”
By supporting diverse projects, the CIF will generate insights that shape research conversations, contribute to informed policymaking, foster intercultural understanding and strengthen vital international relationships.
YCAR encourages the York community and its associates to explore the potential offered by the relaunched CIF. With significant funding available (a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $20,000 per application, depending on the type of application), the CIF provides scholars with an opportunity to make a difference in the field of China studies.
The CIF Committee has identified specific priority themes for 2024, reflecting its commitment to reimagining China studies and fostering research on the Chinese diaspora in Canada. These themes include training future China studies scholars, networking Canadian scholars in this field and exploring the experiences of Chinese students in academic settings.
Review the full application guidelines and submit proposals by Monday, May 27. For additional information, visit the CIF website.
York researchers advancing global health, sustainability and Indigenous scholarship
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Welcome to the April issue of Aspire, a special issue of YFile highlighting research and innovation at York University.
Aspire is produced by the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation in partnership with the Communications & Public Affairs Division.
Renowned for its high-profile, research-intensive environment, York University fosters a community of forward-thinking scholars and changemakers dedicated to creating positive, global change.
York-led research team invents sustainable de-icing solution Professor Alidad Amirfazli, along with researchers at Jiangsu University of Technology in China, have led an initiative to create more sustainable ways to de-ice vehicles and more.
Innovators look to commercialize research with York fellowship
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By Diana Senwasane
Four aspiring researchers have completed York University’s Commercialization Fellowship program, advancing their potential to bring to market innovations driven by the latest in emerging technologies.
The Commercialization Fellowship program is aimed at preparing and supporting postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows in understanding the process of transforming academic research into a product or service.
Funded by the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, the program started in 2021, providing a group of annual fellows education on intellectual property (IP) and commercialization, exposure to industry and community partners, experiential learning opportunities, and a $7,500 stipend to use towards creating a proof of concept, testing their prototype and completing validation studies.
“Research commercialization can lead to real-world solutions, turning York community’s great ideas into products and services that provide both social and economic benefits,” said Suraj Shah, associate director of commercialization and industry partnerships.
Aspire spoke with this year’s fellows about the program and their products.
Hamed Esmaeili, mechanical engineering Project title: An accelerated strategy to characterize mechanical properties of materials
Hamed Esmaeili
A PhD student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Esmaeili’s research leverages the power of machine learning to create new software that could have widespread application in the automotive manufacturing and construction industries.
His software innovation streamlines the way in which materials’ mechanical properties are characterized, eliminating the need for extensive physical testing.
“For designers and engineers, this software offers a way to prototype new parts or evaluate existing materials without ever having to set foot inside a lab,” said Esmaeili.
This could prove useful in many industries such as infrastructure – when it comes to designing and testing structures, like buildings and bridges, to ensure they can withstand forces and automotive manufacturing – where components of a car, like the doors or brakes, consistently operate under various load conditions.
Esmaeili’s software allows users to input specific parameters – such as material composition, environmental conditions and processing factors – resulting in a comprehensive prediction of a material’s behaviour when subjected to external loads.
While the project, under the supervision of Reza Rizvi, an associate professor at the Lassonde School of Engineering, is still under development, the implications are vast. Being able to predict how materials will respond in different environments – without the need to physically test each variation – can dramatically accelerate innovation, reduce costs and promote sustainability in manufactured components, making this an advancement in the manufacturing industry with far-reaching impact.
Esmaeili said the Commercialization Fellowship has helped him utilize code development software and allowed him to conduct validation experiments in the laboratory to ensure the software effectively predicts material behaviour.
He has completed the back-end code of his software and is currently working on developing the front end for the desktop version in the coming months.
Lauren Turner, kinesiology and health science Project title: Digital Decision Support for Exercise and Type 1 Diabetes
Lauren Turner
A PhD candidate in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Turner’s doctoral research has resulted in the creation of a decision support platform designed to transform how individuals with Type 1 diabetes approach exercise.
Addressing the fine balance between maintaining glucose levels and staying active, the platform allows users to input data about their current glucose levels and planned physical activities. Based on an extensive database of research and insights, it provides personalized recommendations on carbohydrate intake to maintain safe glucose levels during exercise.
“Anyone with Type 1 diabetes can use it,” said Turner. “We’re also hoping that it can be a clinic tool to help individuals, especially those newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, understand how their needs may differ depending on their different types of activity and their current blood glucose levels.”
While exercising has numerous health benefits for individuals living with Type 1 diabetes, it can also make blood glucose management difficult and, in extreme cases, lead to potentially severe consequences, such as low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), which could result in dizziness, confusion, seizures or even death.
The platform, led under the supervision of Michael Riddell, a professor in York’s School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Faculty of Health, directly addresses and alleviates these risks, offering a layer of protection and confidence to those affected. And unlike traditional insulin pumps, which may only adjust glucose targets and/or insulin delivery, this platform offers actionable advice for its users.
Turner credits the fellowship with helping her to advance the project and said the monthly check-in meetings, advice on how to bring her idea to market, and hearing about events and opportunities were highlights of the program.
Turner and her team have been working closely with a web developer to develop the platform and they hope to launch it shortly.
Parham Mohammadi, electrical engineering and computer science Project title: PowerSync: Intelligent V2G Charging with TinyML Analytics
Parham Mohammadi
A PhD student in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Mohammadi’s project hones in on tiny machine learning (TinyML) to infuse electric vehicle (EV) chargers with unprecedented levels of intelligence and autonomy, giving them the ability to make decisions without relying on a centralized control system.
TinyML uses artificial intelligence algorithms within the EV charger to independently manage and adapt its operations – ensuring grid stability, predictive maintenance, fault analysis and more. It aims to not only streamline operations but significantly mitigate the potential for system-level power issues as the number of EVs and chargers continue to enter the market.
The project, supervised by Afshin Rezaei-Zare, an associate professor at the Lassonde School of Engineering, reflects a broader shift toward a smarter, more efficient way of managing energy resources, especially as we pivot to renewable and clean energy solutions. Through the integration of TinyML technologies, EV chargers can seamlessly synchronize with the energy grid, efficiently distributing power without overwhelming the system.
“For the everyday consumer and the environmentally conscious, this project is a pivotal step toward sustainable electric vehicle adoption,” said Mohammadi. “By integrating smart, autonomous chargers into the energy grid, we’re looking at a smoother, more reliable transition to green mobility solutions across the globe.”
Mohammadi said the Commercialization Fellowship provided him with critical information for commercialization, IP management and connections with lawyers through the IP Innovation Clinic.
He is currently in the process of developing a prototype, which is anticipated to be completed mid-summer.
Siamak Derakhshan, electrical engineering and computer science Project title:Fully Soft-switched AC/DC Bi-directional Converters with High Power Factor and Minimal Low-Frequency Voltage Ripple
Siamak Derakhshan
A third-year PhD candidate in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Derakhshan’s research aims to revolutionize on-board EV chargers. Deviating from traditional unidirectional charging methods, which function only to charge, Derakhshan has created a bidirectional converter, allowing the charger to not just power a car but also harness its battery power.
The innovation unlocks tremendous possibilities – from lighting up homes during blackouts or emergencies to contributing power back to the grid during peak demand.
Under the supervision of John Lam, an associate professor in the Lassonde School of Engineering, Derakhshan’s converter enhances existing on-board EV chargers in the market by making modifications such as reducing the size of the traditionally bulky capacitor by 20 times, which improves the lifespan of the on-board charger, its efficiency and reduces the potential for thermal issues such as overheating.
“What we are trying to do is to improve the reliability, efficiency and power density of these converters,” he said. “We are designing better and more robust control systems to better support the power grid.”
Derakhshan says the fellowship’s workshops helped him understand the importance of IP and patenting his idea. He also found value in being able to connect with industry and showcase his work to industry partners.
Derakhshan has designed the prototype for his converter and has successfully tested it for charging. He is currently working on the next phase to test the bidirectional component.
SAS students shine at prestigious Canadian case competition
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Two School of Administrative Studies (SAS) students, and one alumnus, took top prizes at the 16th annual Canadian Marketing League (CML) – the largest marketing case competition in the country – which gives passionate marketing students the opportunity to demonstrate and gain real-world business experience.
Formerly known as Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec, CML recently hosted 270 student contenders hailing from 26 universities nationwide. Participants engaged in complex marketing challenges – provided by leading companies such as Microsoft, McDonald’s, Kraft Heinz and Environics Analytics – to win top spots in the competition.
For several years, CML has provided York marketing students an opportunity to excel, succeeding in the competition itself, gain experiential learning, and demonstrating their abilities. “This platform has offered fantastic opportunities,” says Professor Pallavi Sodhi, who dedicated countless hours this year mentoring students in preparation for CML. “For students, it has provided transformative experiences to showcase their marketing skills, determination and passion. Companies have benefited from groundbreaking ideas to address their most challenging business issues and access ready-to-go marketing talent.”
This year, Amanda Volpato, a fourth-year York SAS student majoring in marketing, won the first place, securing the esteemed CML grand prize of $20,000. It marked not just a professional accomplishment but a personal one, too. Seven years ago, Volpato arrived in Canada from Mato Grosso, Brazil knowing little English and struggling with mental health challenges. Nonetheless, she persevered to become an up-and-coming – and now award-winning – marketer. “Participating in CML has truly shown me that sticking to a strong work ethic is always worth it. For any international student who is struggling with mental health and may be reading this, don’t give up, there is light at the end of the tunnel,” she says.
In addition to Volpato, other members of SAS also won awards.
The Top CML Alumni award was presented to Jacky Li, a former student and Top 10 CML winner in 2014, who is now a strategy director at renowned creative marketing and communications agency Cossette, and continues to serve as a mentor to numerous students, emphasizing the value of experiential learning.
Nicole Rodrigues, a fourth-year bachelor of commerce student, was also recognized, earning her the second prize of $750 for her role as a campus engagement leader. As one of the 47 campus managers, Rodrigues actively promotes CML at York through information booths and class talks.
These York community members add to an ever-growing catalogue of students and alumni who have earned top prizes at CML – a tradition bound to continue.
About the Competition: Canadian Marketing League/Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec was launched in 2007, with the goal to bridge the gap between classroom and industry. Today it has grown to be the largest marketing case competition in Canada, structured in a 3-phase process mirroring the intensity of NHL/NBA. To date more than 50 competitors have been awarded career-starts at major corporations and more than $575,000 in prize money has been awarded.
York student becomes 3D printing CEO
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Nick Di Scipio, a master of applied science candidate in mechanical engineering at York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering, is the CEO and founder of Pantheon Prototyping, an additive manufacturing (3D printing) company that has grown to provide services to major corporations.
Launched in 2021, Pantheon Prototyping is supported by a team of engineering, design and manufacturing experts who look to create functional products for various companies, layer by layer, leveraging the many benefits of additive manufacturing such as low production cost and enhanced product function.
Nick Di Scipio
Di Scipio’s interest in 3D printing began in his first year as an undergraduate student at Lassonde. “After getting my own 3D printer, I started printing different tools and parts for my classmates, charging a small fee. From a single printer in my basement, I created my own company.”
He credits his ability to do so, in part, to the diverse courses and experiential learning opportunities he had at York and Lassonde, which exposed him to interesting technologies that inspired his curiosity and helped advance his technical skills.
“Lassonde is where I honed my skills as a mechanical engineer, learning the art of problem solving, engineering design, professional communication and more,” he says. “Lassonde was also where I first worked with 3D printers, and that exposure helped drive the creation of Pantheon. I learned that I could take 3D printing to the next level for students, business founders and other clientele.”
The Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (BEST) program was also pivotal to the growth and development of Pantheon Prototyping. Di Scipio’s experience in the program helped him gain essential business skills like accounting, creating a business model and developing a compelling business pitch.
Through the program, he received support, funding, networking opportunities and valuable mentorship from Professor Andrew Maxwell, BEST program director and Bergeron Chair in Technology Entrepreneurship.
“Nick has demonstrated the entrepreneurial characteristics that enable engineers to be changemakers,” says Maxwell. “Pantheon is a great example of deploying a new technology to maximize benefits for Lassonde and York.”
In recent successes, Di Scipio had the opportunity to work with automotive industry leader Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA). While attending the Collision Conference in 2023, Di Scipio met the president of APMA, and months later, Pantheon Prototyping was hired to create 3D-printed corporate gifts and merchandise as part of the company’s new initiative Project Arrow, which aims to create Canada’s first zero-emission concept vehicle.
Harnessing the power of 3D printing, Di Scipio developed a unique, interactive business card (kit card) and customized, scaled-down model of the Project Arrow car, among other tailor-made products.
Working with prominent companies like APMA has enhanced Di Scipio’s entrepreneurial experience and allowed him to become an important part of monumental projects.
With the support of Lassonde behind him, Di Scipio will continue to advance the capabilities of Pantheon Prototyping and elevate the company to new heights. What started as a simple idea has grown into a well-respected organization with big plans for the future, like launching sub-brands to create highly specific products and tackle different markets.
“When I first decided to create a startup, I was an undergrad engineering student with zero experience in what it takes to run a business,” he says. “You don’t need a business background to be an entrepreneur; all you need is a good idea, a strong vision of where you want to take your idea and the determination to make that vision a reality.”
Dahdaleh Institute accepting global health research grant applications
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Now in its fifth year, the Critical Social Science Perspectives in Global Health (CPGH) research program looks to continue to provide seed grants to support research that meets the three themes of the Dahdaleh Institute: planetary health; global health and humanitarianism; and global health foresighting.
Every year, the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research provides four seed grants, each valued at up to C$7,000, to initiate novel and innovative ideas that take a critical social science approach to global health research.
In past years, funded projects have advanced research to improve safe water optimization in the Canadian North, study Black anxiety among families with children in and out of the criminal justice system, harness social media data to aid infectious disease outbreak surveillance and more.
The grant is tied to the annual CPGH Workshop, which will take place this year on Tuesday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. All are welcome to attend this hybrid workshop.
The sakura cherry trees situated across York University’s Keele Campus are expected to reach peak bloom over the next week, providing an annual – but short-lived – opportunity for the community to take in their natural beauty.
Peak bloom, when 70 per cent of the blossoms on a sakura cherry tree have opened, typically only lasts a short time: four to 10 days. Those looking to enjoy the pink and white blossoms on Keele Campus – one of only a few places in the Greater Toronto Area that has the trees – are encouraged to seek them out soon.
The best display of sakura cherry trees is located adjacent to Calumet College. However, trees are also located in pockets around the campus, along Campus Walk, and there is a small group outside the Tait McKenzie Centre.
The trees were planted as part of the Japanese government’s Sakura Project, which symbolizes the long-standing close relationship between Japan and Canada and York University’s many cultural and academic ties with Japanese institutions.
The Japanese flowering cherry tree, or sakura, is a revered symbol of Japan. Its blossoming marks the arrival of spring and is celebrated in waka and haiku poetry, and with annual hanami, or flower-viewing, picnics under the full blossoms of the sakura.
In 2003, York was the first university in Canada to participate in the Sakura Project, which had a goal of planting 3,000 trees in Ontario by 2005. More than a decade later, the trees planted on the Keele Campus continue to thrive.
York University program offers teaching practicum in Japan
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York University’s Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate program offers students a unique experiential education opportunity: participate in an international teaching practicum in Japan, in partnership with Meiji University, where they can practice teaching in an English immersion program.
Setting teachers up for success when they’re at the front of a classroom is at the heart of every teaching program. York U’s TESOL Certificate program provides a 50-hour teaching practicum that allows participants to observe and apply what they have learned in a range of English language teaching contexts, including internationally. The Meiji University partnership provides a field experience in a global setting and enables participants to explore their new skills while enjoying the rewards of teaching abroad.
This year’s field experience with Meji University took place in March. TESOL students Denise Suarez, Kelvin Luk and Veronica Ward-Bone travelled to Japan where they worked with 50 students and five faculty from Meiji University. They were able to do so through funding support from York International Mobility Award and the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies (LA&PS).
From left to right: York students Kelvin Luk, Veronica Ward-Bone and Denise Suarez with Meiji students.
Under the supervision of Antonella Valeo, professor and TESOL Certificate Program coordinator in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics of LA&PS, York students participated in a week-long course with formal English language classes led by Meiji instructors.
The York TESOL students helped provide lessons and support, while living together with Meiji students and faculty at a seminar house in a mountain setting just north of Tokyo. Teaching and learning inside and outside the classroom, the experience provided the York students with an opportunity to learn how to run a class, as well as how to support other instructors as teaching assistants.
“Getting to observe the teachers’ different instruction methods and activities, while seeing how the students respond to it in a new context, improved and expanded my own perspectives on teaching,” reflected Suarez.
“It was amazing to see the students’ quick progress in their English proficiency as they became more comfortable talking to us in the new setting,” added Ward-Bone.
“The most valuable things I got out of the trip were the teaching practice in real classrooms and the opportunities to learn about Japanese culture through authentic interactions with Meiji students,” said Luk.
According to Valeo, that is an important part of this opportunity. “This unique international experience helps students broaden their perspectives and experience teaching abroad with personalized support and mentoring,” she says. “For many students, it is a life-changing experience that stays with them long after graduation.”
Message de la présidente
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Chère communauté de York,
En date du vendredi 19 avril, le syndicat SCFP (CUPE) 3903, qui représente les auxiliaires d’enseignement, le corps professoral contractuel et les auxiliaires de cycles supérieurs a ratifié les ententes provisoires conclues avec l’Université, après plusieurs mois de négociations collectives, mettant ainsi fin au conflit de travail.
Je souhaite exprimer toute ma gratitude aux équipes de négociation des deux parties prenantes pour leurs efforts visant à renouveler pour trois ans des conventions collectives qui prennent également en compte les ajustements salariaux rétroactifs liés à la Loi 124, dans le contexte budgétaire difficile où se trouve l’Université.
Maintenant que nous nous apprêtons à reprendre toutes nos activités universitaires, nous devons bien évidemment porter notre attention sur notre population étudiante et appuyer ses ambitions, qu’il s’agisse de terminer le trimestre de printemps, de commencer le trimestre d’été ou encore d’obtenir un diplôme de fin d’études, que ce soit au premier cycle ou aux cycles supérieurs.
Le succès étudiant est au cœur de la réalisation du plan académique de York, qui consiste notamment à bâtir sur notre solide réputation d’excellence pédagogique, sur l’excellente qualité de nos programmes, sur l’interdisciplinarité et l’innovation en recherche, sur des partenariats locaux et internationaux sous le signe de l’engagement, et sur une expérience universitaire chaleureuse et inclusive.
Bien que le secteur postsecondaire ontarien continue d’être confronté à des défis considérables, l’Université York est bien placée pour saisir les occasions qui se présentent à elle pour continuer d’investir dans son avenir.
Ensemble, nous avons accompli tant de choses, et nous avons raison d’être fiers de nos réalisations, comme en témoigne notre ascension régulière dans les classements mondiaux. Publié récemment, le classement mondial QS plaçait l’Université York parmi les 100 meilleures universités au monde dans trois disciplines, soit l’éducation, la langue anglaise et sa littérature, et la philosophie. Nous avons obtenu l’approbation du Gouvernement pour la création d’une école de médecine, ce qui permettra une fois de plus de réaffirmer notre engagement à répondre aux besoins en santé de l’Ontario. Par ailleurs, notre campus de Markham ouvrira ses portes cet automne pour ainsi créer davantage de possibilités pour plusieurs Facultés de faire fleurir le talent nécessaire dans de nouveaux domaines en émergence, au carrefour de l’entrepreneuriat et de la technologie.
Je suis certaine que vous vous réjouirez comme moi de la reprise de toutes les activités universitaires et que vous souhaiterez que l’on s’unisse en tant que communauté pour continuer de travailler à la réalisation de notre vision, qui consiste à offrir aux étudiants et étudiantes de tous les horizons une expérience universitaire positive.
Veuillez agréer mes sincères salutations,
Rhonda Lenton Présidente et vice-chancelière
President’s ambassadors combat food insecurity
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Each year members of the President’s Ambassador Program are tasked with completing a legacy project that aligns with the President’s Pillars and/or University priorities. This year’s focus was on food insecurity faced by students and the community.
The president’s Ambassador Program is for current York University undergraduate and graduate students with unique perspectives who seeking opportunities to represent the University and share their experiences with fellow students, staff, faculty and alumni.
Every year, they have the opportunity to pursue a project that will positively impact the University beyond their tenure. “The Ambassador Program provides an excellent platform for ambassadors to disseminate, exhibit, and implement ideas inspired by their peers,” says Ijade Maxwell Rodrigues, chief of Government and Community Relations & Protocol, who oversees the program. “This initiative frequently catalyzes sustained efforts from campus partners, yielding tangible benefits for the York community.”
President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton with the current cohort of president’s ambassador
The current cohort decided to combat food insecurity among the student population on York U’s campuses and beyond by promoting access to existing services, resources, and other initiatives. After meeting with the Food Services department to pitch and brainstorm ideas, they settled on a plan that mimics the department’s Teaching Kitchen model.
Teaching Kitchen is a cooking class for students that combines nutrition education, mindfulness, culinary instruction using healthful whole ingredients while also addressing food insecurity. A certified chef leads students on the method and technical skills of cooking while a registered dietitian enriches the experience by teaching students students about the nutritional facts of the recipe and offering ingredient alternatives for those with restrictions and intolerances with the aim of improving wellness through food.
The ambassadors sought to develop a food workshop that would allow students with limited funds to create a nutrient-dense, healthy, budget-conscious yet delicious dish. Working with Executive Chef Frederic Pouch and registered dietitian Dahlia Abou El Hassan, the ambassadors were able to create a French-style salad with ingredients commonly found at York Federation of Students’ food support centre, which is available to all students at York University. Abou El Hassan believes this initiative helps address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. “It helps increase food literacy and empower students to make nutritious and affordable recipes in a hands-on environment,” she says.
The ambassadors hosted two successful workshops on April 3, where students engaged in hands-on activities such as chopping, mixing, and tasting their own culinary creations. Those unable to secure a workshop seat were provided with valuable tips, tricks, and resources. Additionally, curious bystanders had the opportunity to enjoy complimentary samples.
Tom Watt, director of Food & Vending Services, expressed gratitude for the collaboration: “We are truly honored that the President’s Ambassadors Program chose to partner with us, recognizing the many excellent campus initiatives available. This partnership underscores the significant work Dahlia and our team are doing, and we are thrilled by the community’s positive response and the ongoing value of the Teaching Kitchen program.”
