��ݮ��Ƶ News - Health

Q and A with the Experts: Measles

Pamela Smyth — Fri, 16 May 2025 19:02:11 +0000

��ݮ��Ƶ expert discusses risks and protections as disease once eliminated in Canada makes a comeback

Measles — or Rubeola — was eliminated in Canada in 1998, but it’s back with more than 1,600 measles cases reported in Ontario alone this year. Canada could lose its elimination status if measles continues to spread past October 2025, one year after the outbreak started.

Dr. Zahid Butt, a professor in the School of Public Health Sciences at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ, discusses the risks and protections.

How bad is measles? 

Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, red and watery eyes and a rash that spreads from the face to the trunk and then limbs. If you’re not vaccinated and you get measles, the possible complications are serious. You might develop pneumonia, brain inflammation, deafness, or blindness, and complications could lead to death in some cases. Measles is airborne and highly contagious. A person with measles can infect another 12 to 18 susceptible or unvaccinated people. In comparison, the reproduction number or R0 for COVID-19 is around three.

Who is most at risk from measles?

Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals, children under five, adults over 20, pregnant individuals and immunocompromised individuals are at most risk of infection. Individuals who recover from measles have permanent immunity to the disease, and it is always better to get vaccinated than get the disease.

Who should get vaccinated? 

High vaccination coverage — more than 95 per cent — is necessary to stop the transmission of measles in a population. Children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, which covers measles, mumps and rubella. They should get one at 12 months and the second at 18 months of age. Adults born before 1970 should have one dose of MMR vaccine.

What does it mean to have an elimination status for measles in Canada?

To have elimination status means that there has been an interruption in the continuous transmission of a disease over a one-year period. Canada can retain its elimination status if we stop the transmission of the disease before mid-October 2025. Since vaccination is the best way to stop the spread of measles, it is imperative that people check their vaccination records. If they are under-vaccinated or unvaccinated, they should speak to their health-care provider or go to a walk-in clinic to get their measles vaccines as soon as possible.

(Photo credit for banner image: Natalya Maisheva/Getty Images)

Health

Research

Champions of change

Bernice Ma — Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Meet six world-class researchers, alumni and students who are applying boundary-breaking approaches to redefine sports, recreation and tourism

Dr. Michelle Rutty

As Canadians contend with climate-induced environmental changes like wildfires, flooding and melting glaciers, Dr. Michelle Rutty (MES ’10, PhD ’14) has been exploring the relationship between environmental changes and the global tourism sector.

Her research is among the first to use the power of virtual reality (VR) technologies to provide immersive, realistic experiences that enable communities to better understand their current and future climatic risks.

As director of the deTOUR Lab, Rutty supports the use of VR environments where users experience a destination before or after climate-related disasters impact it. “We’ve developed VR environments for ski resorts and golf courses that are experiencing record warm conditions and drought and are currently working on a VR simulation of glacial retreat in Jasper National Park,” Rutty said.

Recognizing that visual content is more persuasive than textual narratives for shifting emotional values, Rutty leverages VR as a public engagement tool to promote dialogue around climate-induced environmental change. “Visual media can both simplify the complexity of climate science while eliciting emotional responses,” she explained.

Rutty is committed to methodological innovation that accelerates environmental action in the tourism sector. Her scholarship has been recognized for research excellence with awards from around the world.

Greg Mittler

When a group of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) students pitched the idea of introducing video games and esports at ��ݮ��Ƶ back in 2018, few imagined it would grow to be the largest network of its kind in Canada.

Under the leadership of Greg Mittler (BA ’14), the first full-time esports coordinator at a Canadian university, the program has grown to approximately 60 esports athletes who compete in several collegiate-level titles across North America.

Intent on making space for inclusivity in the sports world, Mittler shared that the initiative is also one of the first to have a marginalized genders team.

“We’re expanding into the community at large, focusing on more comprehensive goals with the ��ݮ��Ƶ Region Esports Commission and the University’s Interdisciplinary Network for Esports. Our ambition is to grow to be a significant influence in the country,” he said.

Last year, in collaboration with Conestoga College, Mittler and his team hosted WaterLAN — an esports tournament — where 16 schools came to the region to compete. The two-day event generated more than $75,000 in economic impact.

In 2024, Mittler’s team more than doubled those numbers, with help from approximately 50 student staff and volunteers that organized programming for thousands of students.

Christina Sullivan

During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Christina Sullivan (BASc ’23) was introduced to the world of Formula 1 (F1) by her sister Veronica through the Netflix series Drive to Survive, and was instantly captivated by the sport. When her co-op term was cancelled due to the pandemic, Sullivan channelled her new passion into an academic project on F1 cars.

Shortly after, when her social media algorithm pushed an ad for an industrial placement at Williams Racing in the U.K., she applied and was thrilled to secure a one-year contract.

Today, as a full-time wind tunnel systems engineer with the company, Sullivan’s work ranges from designing and fabricating printed circuit boards and electrical harnesses to developing data acquisition systems and ensuring wind tunnel data accuracy.

“My main responsibility is the development and maintenance of our F1 wind tunnel model. All the aerodynamic developments that are seen on the car during races are first seen on this model in the wind tunnel,” she added.

Sullivan’s proudest achievement is leading the electrical design of the new wind tunnel model that Williams will test for the 2026 F1 season. She says that working with many multidisciplinary teams on bespoke systems and innovative control networks was an extremely rewarding experience.

Dr. Daniel Scott

The future of tourism and sports events like the Olympics are highly influenced by global change. That’s why Dr. Daniel Scott’s (MA ’93) research focuses on the transition of the tourism sector to a low-carbon economy and its adaptation to the complex impacts of a changing climate.

In a recent study commissioned by the International Olympic Committee to increase understanding of potential host cities in a warmer world, Scott’s research revealed that only 52 of 93 potential Olympic Winter Games host locations will remain climate-reliable by the 2050s and just 46 by the 2080s.

The outlook is more troubling for the Paralympic Winter Games, with only 22 climate-reliable sites by the 2050s and 16 by the 2080s. “Climate change is altering the geography of winter sports and is a growing threat to the cultural legacy of the Olympic Winter Games,” Scott said.

Still, believing that tourism can be a global force for good, he is committed to advancing global tourism that is compatible with planetary boundaries. As a leading scholar in the field, Scott’s research has been cited in more than 550 policy documents in more than 30 countries and by multiple international government organizations.

Haley Baxter

With her mom as her soccer coach and her dad a strong advocate for women’s sports, Haley Baxter’s (PhD in progress) research on women in volunteer sport coaching was greatly influenced by her parents.

Recognizing that there is little research in this field, her work aims to fill the gap. “My research looks at how to create and support pathways for young girls to become volunteer coaches,” Baxter explained.

Through meaningful engagement with club leaders, coaches and youth, her research highlights the lack of specific targets, strategies and gender-based initiatives for recruiting women and girls to coach.

Noting that club leaders recognize the need for intentional recruitment, she found they also feel unsupported by sports governing bodies, most of which prioritize high-performance coaching instead.

Baxter’s findings underscore the need for targeted recruitment strategies and better support systems to engage women and girls in volunteer coaching roles. She hopes her research helps the sport system recognize the importance of supporting gender-based initiatives at the community level of sport.

Dr. Kristine Dalton

Dr. Kristine Dalton (OD ’07, MSc ’10) is a distinguished leader in sports vision and concussion rehabilitation, with a remarkable track record in Paralympic winter sports.

In 2014, she founded the Sports Vision Clinic at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ to help athletes improve their performance. After seeing many athletes with vision problems after a concussion, Dalton teamed up with Dr. Tammy Labreche to launch a specialized service focused on treating patients with various brain injuries.

“Our team works collaboratively with physicians, optometrists, physiotherapists, athletic therapists and other health-care providers in the community to support the multidisciplinary care patients with brain injury need in their recoveries,” she said.

In 2015, Dalton pioneered a research project that focused on understanding how athletes use their vision to ski. Her research revolutionized classification rules for Para Alpine and Para Nordic skiing, ensuring fair competition for athletes with vision impairments.

In collaboration with the International Paralympic Committee, World Para Snow Sports and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, the groundbreaking work has expanded global eligibility for these sports.

Co-op and Experiential Education

Magazine

Research

Flourishing through adversity

Bernice Ma — Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Dr. Nel Wieman discovers her passion for helping people and becomes Canada’s first female Indigenous psychiatrist

Dr. Nel Wieman (BSc ’88, MSc ’91)
Chief medical officer, First Nations Health Authority

I spent most of my formative years seeking out an identity. As a survivor of the Sixties Scoop, I was taken away from my biological family and shuffled around to five or six different foster homes before being adopted by a Dutch immigrant family at the age of four.

Growing up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, I experienced and witnessed racism a lot. I was kicked and called racial slurs. Yet perhaps the most dehumanizing experience at the time was being grouped with other First Nations kids daily to be inspected by my Grade 4 teacher who felt it important to ensure we were clean behind our ears and under our nails.

This made me feel deeply ashamed of who I was. However, as I watched busloads of First Nations kids being brought in from the nearby reserves to my school every day, while I sat on a bus with white kids, I always felt like I was on the wrong bus.

I knew that to thrive after high school, I would have to move away, and that desire to find a home somewhere else led me to the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ. Being a track and field athlete, the most natural fit felt like kinesiology, so I told my parents that my life’s dream was to be a kinesiologist, and off I went. That decision changed the trajectory of my life.

Being a first-year student at ��ݮ��Ƶ was the first time I realized that I was smart, capable and could do whatever I wanted to do.

After completing my undergraduate degree, I continued with a master’s in biomechanics at ��ݮ��Ƶ and thought I would likely stay and do a PhD and continue working in a lab. But as I was doing my research, which involved analyzing the gait of elderly participants, I realized that they trusted me, and I really enjoyed hearing their stories. It was then that I knew I was meant to work directly with people and switched to medicine.

Shortly after starting medical school at McMaster University, I was serendipitously invited to a meeting by the Native Physicians Association of Canada. I still don’t know how they found out about me, but flying out to Edmonton, Alberta and walking into a room with 20 other people who looked like me was the first time I felt like I had a family.

They taught me where the greatest needs were in First Nations communities. I recognized then that it wasn’t quite the time for an Indigenous neurologist — the specialization path I was headed on in medical school.

“I understand the importance of exercising my privilege and power to advance systemic change — and so my mission for helping people continues.”

— Dr. Nel Wieman (BSc ’88, MSc ’91)

There was, and continues to be, too much trauma in First Nations communities. This affects their mental health, and for some, results in substance use — a fact I couldn’t ignore — so I knew it was an area where I could flourish and make a difference.

I became the first female Indigenous psychiatrist in the country and spent the first eight years working at a newly developed community-based mental health clinic on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.

Today, as chief medical officer of the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia, I advocate for cultural safety in medical schools and the health system. Whether meeting with our provincial partners or leveraging social media to amplify injustices, there’s a never-ending list of things for me to tackle.

However, having experienced and witnessed firsthand how First Nations peoples are treated differently in accessing and experiencing the health-care system, I understand the importance of exercising my privilege and power to advance systemic change — and so my mission for helping people continues.

Health

Community

Magazine

Connecting ��ݮ��Ƶ’s best students with Canada’s best companies

Sam Charles — Thu, 08 May 2025 01:09:34 +0000

True North Fund partners with ��ݮ��Ƶ to develop a Canadian talent pipeline to help strengthen the country’s top 100 tech firms

Chris Albinson, co-founder and managing partner of Canadian venture capital fund True North Fund and co-founder of C100, says Canada is at a critical juncture in its continuing evolution as a global innovator. He says the country and its tech leaders need to work harder to retain the best and the brightest.

“We really need to build the narrative of 'Canada or bust!' The time for 'Cali or bust' that we hear from students has come to a close,” says ��ݮ��Ƶ-based Albinson. “For the first time we have a critical mass of global leaders based in Canada. We need to connect them to our best students. Considering the geopolitical environment we’re in, now is the time.”

Prompted by conversations at last spring’s convocation with University President and Vice-Chancellor Vivek Goel and Faculty of Engineering Dean Mary Wells, Albinson says they started exploring more ways to connect ��ݮ��Ƶ’s best students with Canada’s top private companies. That work has culminated in a partnership between True North and the University.

“As much as we’re proud to see our students thriving around the world, we also have a responsibility to show them they can build ambitious, meaningful careers right here in Canada,” Wells says. “Partnerships like this one with True North connect our students to top-tier co-op opportunities and help them see the possibilities that exist at home. I want them to see themselves not just working in Canada but also helping to build it for the future.”

Team True North is modelled after Canada’s “Own the Podium” Olympic strategy which focuses on providing resources to athletes with the highest potential for success. By merging True North’s roster of tech companies with ��ݮ��Ƶ’s co-op network, it creates a pipeline for growth and innovation in Canada.

Using an objective global standard data, True North identifies the top performing tech companies in Canada. The True North branding will provide students with the knowledge and confidence that they will have a meaningful and fulfilling co-op or full time experience at a global leader, right here in Canada.

At the bottom of each job description for these companies, it will read: “This company is part of Team True North, a comprehensive group of Canadian tech firms with performance and growth rates that match the top 1 per cent of companies worldwide.”

Some students might be surprised to learn that companies such as Arctic Wolf, Clearpath Robotics, 1Password, eSentire, Miovision Technologies and Faire are not only based in Canada but local to the ��ݮ��Ƶ region.

From the beginning, the world’s top high-tech companies have come to the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ to recruit its students. They are frequently drawn to ��ݮ��Ƶ by its track-record of developing leaders and innovators across sectors. For students, especially those seeking co-op experience, they are keen to join these large companies for the prestige and bragging rights.

The University has more than 8,000 employer partners across more than 70 countries including major tech companies such as Microsoft and Google. Despite data that shows every dollar invested by a business in a ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op student creates a greater economic gain, small and medium-sized companies may worry there might not be a critical mass of co-op applicants to draw talent from.

“We’ve heard that all high performing Canadian firms know about ��ݮ��Ƶ, but aren’t sure there are opportunities for them to recruit the University’s top students when competing against the world’s biggest companies,” Albinson says. “The same is true on the other side of the equation, that many students simply don’t realize the global leading opportunities right here in Canada, and we want to change that.”

Of Canada’s top 100 highest performing private companies, two-third are already working with ��ݮ��Ƶ co-op students. Albinson wants to close the gap with the remaining third of companies who he believes are missing an opportunity. “If we want these companies to compete globally, we need to connect them to ��ݮ��Ƶ’s talent pipeline, and vice versa, we need ��ݮ��Ƶ’s students to know and seek out these global Canadian companies.”

Companies like Faire, an online wholesale marketplace for retailers and brands, are already benefiting from its relationship with the University. With offices in San Francisco, Salt Lake City and ��ݮ��Ƶ, it employs more than 200 staff, many with University of ��ݮ��Ƶ connections.

“Our region is fortunate to be the epicentre of innovation in Canada,” Albinson says. “Our new partnership with the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ will help connect Canada’s best students with Canada’s best companies.”

Co-op and Experiential Education

Entrepreneurship

Global Futures

Economic Futures

Technological Futures

Planting the seeds for innovation and curiosity

Sam Charles — Tue, 06 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

More than 100,000 children and youth from across the region are discovering the wonders of science and technology through the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ

Ask a 10-year-old in ��ݮ��Ƶ region about the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ and they may tell you about the time they played with Nao or Talos, the humanoid robots housed in ��ݮ��Ƶ Engineering’s RoboHub.

Every week, elementary school-aged students from across the region, visit campus as part of the Kids on Campus and "Mentor" lab programs to learn about a variety of topics including AI and technology literacy. Their visits can include stops at the RoboHub, Institute for Quantum Computing, Crash Labs (MME) and WatiMake Lab. Not only do these programs become a foundation for the students’ future success, but they play a role in maintaining the region’s strengths in developing talent and technology.

In the past five years, Engineering Outreach has offered more than 3,000 programs and reached nearly 100,000 youth.

“Our region benefits from having one of Canada’s most innovative universities here in our backyard,” says Sophie Nasato, senior manager Engineering Outreach. “There is nothing like seeing the spark that ignites in the eyes of so many of the young people who visit our campus when they program a robot or learn how technology impacts their world.”

The impact of the University goes far beyond the sharing of knowledge, innovative research or launching of start-ups. Through outreach programs led by each of its faculties, ��ݮ��Ƶ engages and motivates children and youth in its community to be curious and explore. From STEM programs to the arts and sports, the University seeks to inspire its broader community.

There are many factors that draw students and researchers to ��ݮ��Ƶ. Its reputation for being cutting-edge and its co-op program are two of the biggest, but its connection to community is another.

Fourth-year Mathematical Physics (co-op) and Astrophysics minor student, Lauren Brown first experienced ��ݮ��Ƶ outreach as an eight-year-old attending ESQ summer camp. “Outreach played a major role in my decision to ultimately attend ��ݮ��Ƶ,” she says. “While I enjoyed my schooling, I strongly benefited from learning about topics outside of the standard curriculum, surrounded by like-minded individuals.”

Brown attended ESQ summer camps and Go Eng Girl programming for five years. She says she also benefited from Engineering Outreach classroom workshops. “It was a full-circle moment when I started attending schools in the region to teach students about the same topics I had been interested in back then. I decided to work with Outreach because I wanted to give back to the community that helped me grow into the learner I am today.”

��ݮ��Ƶ was established in the 1950s with the goal of helping tackle some of the world’s most daunting challenges. Today, ��ݮ��Ƶ continues to share with the world innovative solutions to global challenges while working in collaboration locally to ensure they are addressed in its own surrounding communities.

These challenges include preparing a workforce that is agile and ready for whatever tomorrow brings. That work doesn’t simply begin when first-year students step onto campus. For many youth in the ��ݮ��Ƶ region, it starts in elementary school with a trip to campus, a classroom workshop with ��ݮ��Ƶ students, or by attending a summer camp.

“I still remember seeing my fingerprint for the first time and participating in energy and water filtration activities in grades four or five when ��ݮ��Ƶ scientists visited my class,” says Tasbiha Saif Ansari, a third-year student in the Science and Business program at ��ݮ��Ƶ. Today, Ansari volunteers with the outreach team at the Faculty of Science.

Often in collaboration with community partners and schools, ��ݮ��Ƶ provides outreach programming that includes camps, the Earth Science Museum, clubs, workshops, conferences and community events. This programming is designed for all youth, with an emphasis on those historically under-represented in STEM and under-served populations.

Simone Sankhe is finishing up her first year as a Math and Business major — a joint program between ��ݮ��Ƶ and Wilfrid Laurier. “Attending ESQ at a young age made STEM feel exciting and accessible, and it definitely helped spark the passion that led me to where I am today.”

Not only did Sankhe participate in ESQ camps and Leader in Training programming at ��ݮ��Ƶ, but she was a high school leader in 2023/24, and part-time outreach instructor for the past two years. “It's honestly incredibly rewarding. I love working with Engineering Outreach because we're able to work with so many kids from different backgrounds and it's always so impressive to see how much they already know, and how their interest in STEM is growing."

Helping young Canadians discover STEM

“We’re trying to give every young person in our area, whether they are 7 or 17, the chance to immerse themselves in science and technology,” says Nasato. “The interest and demand from the community continues to grow, and we are grateful to our many donors and partners for supporting the expansion of these offerings.”

The programs are supported by ��ݮ��Ƶ and many generous individual donors and organizations. As lead sponsors, Actua and Let’s Talk Science play an important role in expanding many of the programs to ensure under-served populations have an opportunity to participate. Actua provides funding for many of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s engineering outreach programs while Let’s Talk Science supports science outreach.

While most engineering programs are funded by sponsors and donors, both Faculties largely rely on volunteers, co-op students and staff. Between the Let’s Talk Science program, campus lab days and the Earth Science Museum, the Faculty of Science annually connects with close to 10,000 students ranging from grades 1 to 12.

The campus lab workshops, that take place in April and May, draw grade 11 and 12 classes from across the region and as far as Toronto and Windsor.

“All of our programming is about removing barriers, and letting young people explore and discover,” says Heather Neufeld, manager Science Outreach. “Our overall goal is to help feed people’s curiosity and sense of wonder when it comes to science and learning.”

It is often a full-circle moment for outreach staff and volunteers when they work with young students. “I love when students ask ‘big’ questions because these often lead to fruitful discussions and provide an opportunity for students to ask scientific questions outside of the typical school structure, and without the added pressure of grades,” Brown says. “When students think critically and are interested enough in the material to ask scientific questions, it reminds me of my own experiences at that age, and it is amazing to be a part of that experience for them.”

Everyone involved from participants to instructors benefits from outreach according to Neufeld. “Not only are we inspiring young minds to explore and discover STEM topics, but outreach is also a great opportunity for our student volunteers to connect with the public, share their passion, and explain complicated topics in a way we can all understand.”

Inspired by its long-standing connections with the community, the University continues to foster these connections with the goal of having a positive impact locally and globally. Outreach plays a lasting role in encouraging young and old to be curious and explore what’s possible.

Here is a selection of University of ��ݮ��Ƶ outreach programming:

ESQ Summer Camps led by the Faculty of Engineering with support from the Faculty of Science includes a variety of hands-on activities that explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and feature STEM mentors and tours of exciting spaces on ��ݮ��Ƶ’s campus. Campers will experiment with new technology, develop valuable skills, and connect with friends. Camps are offered in four grade ranges: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 and 8-9. Find out more about other programs hosted by Engineering Outreach.

You can keep up with the variety of opportunities offered by Science Outreach by signing up for their mailing list. Public lectures, community events and opportunities for both students and schools are shared monthly.

The Student Art Innovation Lab is a mobile Faculty of Arts outreach program that hosts workshops and exhibitions.

Ecology Lab at the Faculty of Environment provides enrichment programs and workshops that include both field and lab activities designed for the students.

The Faculty of Mathematics offers a variety of outreach and enrichment programs to promote mathematics and computer science.

The Faculty of Health has been opening its doors for more than 50 years to host Kinesiology Lab Days. The program introduces high school students to kinesiology — the science of human movement.

��ݮ��Ƶ’s Athletics and Recreation department offers summer youth camps where campers can explore new skills, try out exciting activities and grow into confident Warriors.

Technological Futures

Velocity Up Start powers the next generation of business leaders

Sam Charles — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Combining its expertise in research with a leading entrepreneurial ecosystem, ��ݮ��Ƶ is leading Canada’s innovation economy

When an idea takes flight, it can soar — especially when it is supercharged. The University of ��ݮ��Ƶ has long been known as one of Canada’s most innovative universities and ranks number one amongst Canadian universities for producing the most successful entrepreneurs with undergraduate degrees. In large part that stems from its exceptional students and researchers that actively uncover solutions to challenges facing humanity and the planet. Their startup aspirations are supported by a comprehensive entrepreneurial ecosystem and one of the most progressive IP policies in the country.

Unlike many Canadian universities, ��ݮ��Ƶ’s IP policy provides complete ownership to its inventors. That support doesn’t stop there. When an idea takes hold at ��ݮ��Ƶ, tools and resources are readily at hand to navigate the entrepreneurial process. Supports like Velocity’s Up Start program are designed to propel startups into impactful commercial ventures.

“��ݮ��Ƶ is a great place for anyone who has even an inkling for entrepreneurship,” says Seun Adejunti (MBET ’24), the founder of MedInclude and a 2024 Up Start recipient. “��ݮ��Ƶ, Velocity and the larger ecosystem elevates that thinking and the kind of supports and calibre of people you interact and work alongside.”

Since 2008 Velocity has helped the founders of more than 400 startups grow to a collective enterprise value of $35 billion, create thousands of jobs, and impact lives around the world.

A great idea needs to be nurtured

Startups flourish in an environment that champions collaboration and mentorship. Up Start is a program jointly managed between Velocity and ��ݮ��Ƶ’s Commercialization Office (WatCO), created to support ��ݮ��Ƶ student researchers, founders and recent alumni in turning their technology into a product and emerging startup.

Startups like MedInclude, a platform that simplifies communication between practitioners and patients. “The financial support from Up Start was helpful for adding talent, but it was the mentorship that made the biggest difference,” Adetunji explains. “It was like having executive talent on your team without paying executive fees.”

Those mentors supported Adetunji in developing a pricing strategy and projections to take her platform to market.

Velocity and the ��ݮ��Ƶ entrepreneurship ecosystem works with founders, like Adetunji, to build extraordinary companies that scale and last. It thrives through breaking down barriers, fostering mentorship, developing networks and building a strong community that help entrepreneurs navigate the process of commercialization. Velocity startups turned international businesses such as Vena Medical and Vidyard have maintained their operations locally and have successfully expanded their business across Canada and globally.

“At WatCO, our focus is on helping researchers protect their intellectual property and determine the best path forward — whether that’s licensing to an existing company or launching a new startup,” says Scott Inwood, director of commercialization at WatCO.

MedInclude is currently being piloted at Grand River Hospital (now part of the ��ݮ��Ƶ Regional Health Network) within its Renal Program. The collaboration is another important step for the platform as it continues to commercialize.

According to Adetunji, every step of the process has educated the next. “There are so many great learnings that we are taking from each phase, and it is broadening our understanding and perspectives as we continue the process.”

For hundreds of startup founders at ��ݮ��Ƶ, Up Start is the wind that supercharges their ideas into successful commercial ventures. Companies like GreaseTech have recently entered the market while other like Pragmatica, Quip Medical, Strivonix (LimberLabs), PatientCompanion, Voltra Energy, and Doro continue to find success in the market.

“Through the ��ݮ��Ƶ Ventures partnership, we’re able to connect research teams with Velocity’s renowned support for founders to accelerate their path to the market,” Inwood says.

Up Start recipients, like Adetunji, say the support they receive extends beyond the period of the award, and continues to positively impact their success months and years down the road.

Meet the 2024 recipients of Up Start funding

ArcticEdge Technologies - Next-generation moisture barrier protection for firefighters

ARC Insights - Sophisticated data collection and analysis framework supporting numerous sectors across industry and medicine

TensorOne Inc. - Autonomous drone technology that utilizes acoustic sensors for increased accuracy and effectiveness

Evolv Biotech - Wastewater purification system designed for heavy industrial tailings ponds

NewGen Health - Medical technology tool supporting health-care practitioners to stay up –to date with the latest medication guidelines

Sanad Labs - Patient-first logistics tool supporting health-care facilities to automate mobility assistance for post-operative patients

Mobilitek - Power-assist and autonomous solution for health-care mobility equipment

Doro - Mental health tool that provides accessible, immediate and tailored support

Innowind - Vortex generator that augments turbine performance under extreme loads

Quatomed - Pharmaceutical and biotech assistive solution, provides data-driven feedback to complex research environments

Hormone Harmony - Real-time hormone monitoring and personalized guidance solution empowering users to manage their symptoms

AgrUS - Ultrasound technology that analyzes the grade quality of agricultural livestock before processing

Technological Futures

Accelerating drug development with AI

Ryon Jones — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 10:34:13 +0000

��ݮ��Ƶ researchers use machine learning to predict how new drugs could affect the body

Developing new drugs to treat illnesses has typically been a slow and expensive process. However, a team of researchers at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ uses machine learning to speed up the development time.

The ��ݮ��Ƶ research team has created "Imagand," a generative artificial intelligence model that assesses existing information about potential drugs and then suggests their potential properties. Trained on and tested against existing drug data, Imagand successfully predicts important properties of different drugs that have already been independently verified in lab studies, demonstrating the AI's accuracy.

Traditionally, bringing a successful drug candidate to market can cost between US$2 billion and US$3 billion and take over a decade to complete. Generative AI is posed to transform drug discovery by harnessing large amounts of drug data across diverse areas.

The image from the study shows a correlation between pairs of pharmacokinetic (PK) properties for a single drug. Each drug has its unique chemical profile and set of PK property values. The goal of the diagram is to show the distribution similarity between the real reported pairs of PK properties correlation from in vitro studies and those generated by the researchers' model. This is important to show that the tool can be helpful in guiding and reducing the cost of large in vitro assays and studies to accelerate pre-clinical drug discovery.

"There's an enormous pool of possible chemicals and proteins to investigate when developing a new drug, which makes it very expensive to do drug discovery because you have to test millions of molecules with thousands of different targets," said Bing Hu, a PhD candidate in Computer Science and the lead author on the research. "We are figuring out ways that AI can make that faster and cheaper."

One of the major challenges in pharmaceutical medicine development is understanding not only how a drug might affect the body in isolation but also how it might interact with other drugs or a person's lifestyle. This information is particularly difficult to gather because scientific studies of drugs usually only focus on the drugs' predetermined properties, not on how they may interact with other drugs.

Ultimately, the team hopes medical researchers can use Imagand in the future to understand how drugs interact, allowing them to eliminate potential new drug candidates that would have bad side effects or interactions.

"For example, this AI-enabled process can help us understand how toxic a drug is, how it affects the heart, or how it might interact negatively with other drugs commonly used in treating an illness," said Helen Chen, a professor in the School of Public Health Sciences and Computer Science at ��ݮ��Ƶ. "This is one example of how AI is helping us move towards more precise, personalized care."

The research, titled "Drug discovery SMILES-to-pharmacokinetics diffusion models with deep molecular understanding," is currently in preprint.

(Banner image credit: jittawit.21/Getty Images)

Builders attract builders

Angelica Sanchez — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 15:54:30 +0000

Velocity and Socratica’s builder communities help ��ݮ��Ƶ students find their people and build their entrepreneurship side

Before Velocity became the centre of entrepreneurship at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ, it was a group of innovative students living in the ��ݮ��Ƶ dorm life and hosting weekly meetups at Minota Hagey, also known as Velocity residence. Today, thousands of students from all backgrounds take part in Velocity’s experiential entrepreneurship learning program.

Similarly, more than 100 ��ݮ��Ƶ student volunteers came together to grow Socratica into one of Canada's (and possibly the world's) fastest-growing student maker collectives in just three years. Today, both the Velocity and Socratica communities stemming from ��ݮ��Ƶ are recognized as global leaders and have thousands of members, building and innovating across the world.

Socratica saw more than 2,500 students show up to cheer on their peers at their 2025 Symposium, held at the ��ݮ��Ƶ Memorial Recreation Complex. Ten ��ݮ��Ƶ students took to the stage to present their projects, some passion and some business, and all impressive. An additional 60 student and organizations showcased their creations throughout the venue. Projects spanned across art, engineering, business, design, poetry and everything in-between.

“Socratica is unlike anything I've seen in my years working with students. They've created something remarkable — a community where everyone from artists to tech entrepreneurs work side by side as builders,” says John Dick, senior director of Founder Development at Velocity.

In 2023 Socratica met with Dick to talk about how community is built and how to strengthen student opportunity. Socratica and Velocity have partnered ever since, establishing Velocity’s central community space, also known to students as “the Dungeon.” The space creates an opportunity for like-minded students to connect and build their projects. Their work is featured through showcases, competitions and challenges.

In summer 2024, Socratica helped to reimagine Velocity's student-led networking and innovation space in the Math and Computing building, MC 2037. Members Zubrintha Radtina, current Global Business and Digital Arts student in Faculty of Arts, and University of ��ݮ��Ƶ alumni Courtney Bye (BGBDA ‘23) and Anthea Tawiah (BGBDA ‘24) designed the mural to illustrate the collaborative spirit and creativity at ��ݮ��Ƶ.

Velocity and Socratica allow students to find their place at any stage of an idea. Whether they’re just starting out or further along, they meet students where they’re at. People are coming together to do things that bring them joy, whether it’s writing, designing or engineering, they have connection and the freedom to explore and be innovative.

“There is incredible potential in our universities when students dare to dream big,” Dick says. Velocity's programming complements the low-stakes Socratica approach, allowing students to take their love for building beyond ��ݮ��Ƶ and out into the world through entrepreneurship.

From Socratica life to Velocity life

There are thousands of ��ݮ��Ƶ students creating and innovating across all industries, from music and events to clean technology. Here are a few Socratica members whose startups have benefitted from Velocity's support:

Voltra Energy, founded by computer engineering student Alexander Stratmoen and former student Aryan Afrouzi, is an API provider building an operation system for the electrical grid. They’re making it easier to deploy high power electrical infrastructure like EV chargers or battery assets, and interconnect these with the grid and real time energy markets. By abstracting this complex ingestion layer, it’s possible for the dreams of smart grid to become a reality, allowing increased capacity to the existing electrical infrastructure, and reduction of the cost of energy. A large portion of Socratica’s 2025 Symposium was powered by Voltra Energy. Stratmoen and Afrouzi built a demonstration micro grid that ran off their software with battery storage and inverters.
Wygo, developed by ��ݮ��Ƶ engineering students, Jocelyne Murphy and Christopher Oka, are making in-person event process and execution simpler. They are an accelerator for community builders that provides tools and a built-in audience for everyday people to workshop, test, iterate and scale their ideas for facilitating in-person connection.
Nyquist, a co-pilot for the processing of hardware engineering, is being developed by engineering student, Anson Yu and mathematics student, Hudhayfa Nazoordeen.

Join Velocity and Socratica at ��ݮ��Ƶ and build your entrepreneurship side.

��ݮ��Ƶ recognizes graduate supervisory excellence

Bernice Ma — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:25:37 +0000

Celebrating professors from across the University for their support and guidance of graduate students

Graduate student success is built on strong mentorship, and this year’s four Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision winners exemplify what it means to be outstanding mentors, advisors and role models.

Each year, the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ recognizes faculty members who go above and beyond in guiding, supporting and inspiring their graduate students. This year’s winners recognized outstanding supervisors from the faculties of Arts, Environment, Health and Mathematics.

“As a university, we recognize the profound impact that dedicated graduate supervisors have on the academic and professional journeys of our students,” says Dr. Justin Wan, co-associate vice-president, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.

“The recipients of this year’s award exemplify the mentorship, guidance and commitment that foster an environment where graduate students thrive. We are proud to celebrate their outstanding contributions to our graduate community,” adds Dr. Clarence Woudsma, co-associate vice-president, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.

Dr. Evan Risko

Dr. Evan Risko, a professor of cognitive psychology and director of the Cognition and Natural Behaviour Laboratory in the Department of Psychology, has demonstrated a profound dedication to supporting students at the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels in his highly productive lab. He has successfully supervised eight master’s theses and four PhD dissertations to completion, with an additional two master’s and six PhD students currently under his supervision. In addition, Risko has mentored two postdoctoral fellows.

In numerous letters of support, Risko was praised for his accessibility, responsiveness and quick feedback, as well as his unwavering dedication to helping students develop the skills and confidence to conduct independent research.

His colleagues and students alike emphasized his humanity and commitment to student success. One colleague remarked, “[Dr. Risko] stands out not only because of the depth of his contributions to mentoring his own students, but also the breadth of his graduate supervision activities. He goes above and beyond to create novel experiential learning opportunities for his students and in his role of associate chair, Graduate Studies, has worked tirelessly to improve graduate student experiences across the entire Department of Psychology.”

Dr. Susan Elliott

Dr. Susan Elliott is a professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management and University Research Chair in Medical Geography. As a health geographer with a distinguished career, she has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles related to the global environment and health. Her research spans the built environment, socially constructed risks and the physical environment's effects on health, always emphasizing the integration of science and policy. Her work is characterized by a transdisciplinary approach that includes partnerships with knowledge owners and users.

In her role as the head of the GoHelP lab at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ, Elliott has supervised and mentored 27 master’s students, 17 PhD students, and 16 postdoctoral felllows. These former students are now conducting innovative geographical research, drafting new health policy, and advocating for health and social equity in a range of venues: academic institutions, all three levels of the Canadian government, governments abroad, industry and private sectors, and local and international NGOs.

The letters of support in Elliott’s nomination package highlight the strong research training, supportive mentorship and sense of community that she provides to graduate students. They note that Elliott’s open-door policy and genuine interest in their personal and professional lives create a supportive environment. Her mentorship continues as students graduate and enter the workforce. One student noting that, “she is always a ‘phone text’ away.”

Dr. Ellen MacEachen

Since joining the School of Public Health Sciences in 2014, Dr. Ellen MacEachen has demonstrated a unique blend of characteristics that serve her well as a mentor, supervisor, advocate and champion for professional development among graduate students and others. Letters of support for her nomination note that she is dedicated, encouraging, inspiring and responsive, and also encourages her students to achieve their full potential in a caring and productive way.

Even as MacEachen became head of the School in 2021, she has continued to prioritize student advancement and gives her time meaningfully. She has simplified many administrative processes and created new learning avenues for students, including opening opportunities to engage with her extensive international networks in academic and non-academic settings.

“From my observation, Dr. MacEachen provides outstanding support to students without creating a reliance that would be to their detriment,” said Dr. Samantha Meyer, the School’s associate director of graduate research programs. “She has high expectations and those who know her will easily envision her wide smile in greeting students as she provides a welcoming environment and sense of belonging.”

Dr. M. Tamer Özsu

Dr. M. Tamer Özsu, a professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, has an outstanding record of graduate supervision. He has guided 19 doctoral students and 40 master’s students to completion, and has also supervised 15 international visiting graduate students along with 11 postdoctoral researchers. Many of his students have earned prestigious accolades themselves, among them the Alumni Gold Medal, Governor General’s Award, NSERC Doctoral Dissertation Award, SIGMOD Test-of-Time Award and ICDE Best Paper Award.

The letters submitted in support of his nomination from former graduate students highlight Özsu’s commitment to their academic success and his unwavering support for their personal and professional growth. His former students recount the lasting impact of his mentorship, which extends beyond research to career development and personal guidance.

“An outstanding graduate supervisor must also be an outstanding leader,” wrote one of his nominators. “I fondly recall Tamer’s leadership and how it shaped my success as a graduate student. He consistently championed my work — both within the research community and at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ — ensuring I had every opportunity to excel. At every stage, he provided the perfect balance of autonomy and support. But above all, Tamer is a remarkably selfless mentor who always puts his students and their success first. He is not only an exceptional academic but also an extraordinary mentor and an even more extraordinary human being.”

All winners receive a $1,000 cash prize, ��ݮ��Ƶ-crested certificate, and will be celebrated at the Celebration of Teaching Excellence and Innovation in October.

Nominations for the 2025-2026 competition will open in fall 2025.

Awards, Honours and Rankings

Research

��ݮ��Ƶ celebrates Co-op Students of the Year

Darren Mc Almont — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 18:00:00 +0000

At the 20th annual awards ceremony, ��ݮ��Ƶ announces winners from each of the six faculties for their impactful contributions

For 20 years, the Co-op Student of the Year awards have celebrated ��ݮ��Ƶ’s most outstanding co-op students. From using artificial intelligence (AI) to help combat microbial resistance to enhancing patient care and integrating sustainability into logistics, this year’s award winners are making real-world impact that extends far beyond the workplace.

“��ݮ��Ƶ’s co-op students continue to make significant contributions on their work terms,” says Dr. Norah McRae, associate provost of Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE). “These incredible students have thrived in evolving workplaces and are a source of inspiration. I’m excited to celebrate the 20th year of these awards and look forward to seeing how our students continue to impact the workforce.”

Congratulations to the 2024 Co-op Students of the Year:

Jarett Dewbury, Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering
Hoang Do, Faculty of Environment, Environment and Business
Michelle Kao, Faculty of Science, Physics and Astronomy
Sarah Larochelle, Faculty of Health, Kinesiology
Kennedy Taylor, Faculty of Arts, Legal Studies
Linda Wang, Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science

CEE celebrated award recipients at a hybrid ceremony on March 25, where honourable mentions and the Velocity Co-op Problem recipients were also recognized. The Velocity Co-op Problem award recognizes students for providing the best analysis of an important problem relevant to a co-op employer or their industry.

Announcing the 2024 Co-op Students of the Year

Watch video on YouTube

Jarett Dewbury (he/him), Faculty of Engineering

Jarett Dewbury’s research during his co-op work term at the Tadesse Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) focused on using AI-driven diagnostics to address antimicrobial resistance in low-resource settings.

The third-year Biomedical Engineering student worked in the lab in spring 2024. In his role as a visiting researcher, he explored how accessible technology could better diagnose bacterial infections, which are responsible for 30 per cent of deaths in low-resource communities.

“Growing up, I always saw myself working in the medical space,” Dewbury says. “I’m able to combine my math and physics interests in the medical field ...I also get to work behind the scenes to develop tools that can make clinicians’ lives easier and improve how we treat and diagnose various diseases.”

In collaboration with the MIT-Google Program for Computing Innovation, Dewbury helped develop AI models to more accurately classify pathogens on portable devices.

“It’s really cool to see what companies are doing, but I think the biggest perspective I’ve gained is realizing how much work there is still left to do and how many exciting new possibilities remain to be explored,” he says.

One of Dewbury’s proudest accomplishments during his work term was publishing a first-author paper at the International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR) — one of the most prestigious AI conferences. The opportunity helped him gain confidence as a researcher that he will carry throughout his career.

Learn more about Dewbury’s story

Hoang Do (he/him), Faculty of Environment

Hoang Do has always been fascinated by the economic growth of his hometown, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. However, he realized the city had less of a focus on environmental and social sustainability than it did on the economy.

In his Fall 2024 work term, the Environment and Business student set out to learn as much as he could about sustainability and worked as a corporate sustainability coordinator at Purolator.

“I was very fortunate to be part of a lot of inaugural projects,” Do shares. “With sustainability, the field is always changing, and companies need to navigate the field and try to adapt to new technologies and regulations. I am proud that my contributions will have a lasting impact on the company’s approach to sustainability moving forward.”

At Purolator, Do created a first-of-its-kind customer analysis tool to help meet emission reduction targets. The company rolled out the tool to 17 of its most profitable clients.

“I've realized that sustainability doesn’t just encompass environment majors and experts, it's a collaboration between different stakeholders as well,” he says. “You have to involve accounting, finance, communications and consulting folks. I was very fortunate to be able to meet and network with them, which will help with my professional development.” 

On top of his regular duties, Do also took it upon himself to apply for the Government of Canada’s Net Zero Challenge on behalf of Purolator. The challenge was featured in Purolator’s sustainability report.

Do’s entire team felt the impact of his positivity and offered him the opportunity to return to Purolator for the following work term. His commitment to environmental sustainability and making a tangible impact will reach far beyond his time at Purolator and the University.

“I still plan to eventually return to Vietnam and contribute to the environmental sustainability movement there, which has started to gain some traction but will now need more development and research.” 

Learn more about Do’s story

Michelle Kao (she/her), Faculty of Science

Michelle Kao, a third-year Physics and Astronomy student, worked on advancing space missions during her Fall 2024 co-op work term as a research assistant at the National Research Council Canada, Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre. Kao is also the 2024 winner of the Experiential & Work Integrated Learning Ontario (EWO) Co-op Student of the Year.

During her co-op work term, Kao developed a suite of tools to optimally schedule observing programs and calculate the observing efficiency of CASTOR, a Canadian flagship space telescope. She was able to show how one survey could be reoptimized to nearly double the observing efficiency, saving up to $6 million.

“My biggest impact during my co-op was developing a software tool that can give the science team a big picture of how to make the space mission more efficient,” Kao shares.

She presented her results to an international audience of engineers and scientists and received praise for her methodology, presentation skills and ability to field challenging questions. She credits many of the courses she took in her program for preparing her for the challenges she faced during her work term.

“Co-op made me realize how versatile the skills are that I learned in the astronomy program,” Kao says. “We have a really strong background in math and physics, and those skills are all transferable and very essential in the space sector.” 

Kao built on her passion for the space industry and gained the confidence to explore what her astronomy degree could bring to her career through her co-op experience.

Learn more about Kao’s story

Sarah Larochelle (she/her), Faculty of Health

Sarah Larochelle’s experience with patient care and work to improve clinic efficiency were the highlights of her co-op work term as an administrative assistant at PhysioMira Physiotherapy. In her role, Larochelle, a fourth-year Kinesiology student, used her passion for health care to support both staff and patients.

“Everyone deserves proper treatment and to feel like they’re truly being cared for, not rushed through an appointment. That’s what ultimately drove me towards kinesiology, and hopefully, physiotherapy in the future,” Larochelle says.

Building on what she learned about anatomy, physiology and exercise rehabilitation from her coursework, Larochelle took on a wide range of responsibilities in her role at PhysioMira. Her responsibilities included assisting patients with physiotherapy routines, developing exercise programs, maintaining inventory and handling communications with clients.

“My biggest impact was working with a client recovering from orthopedic spinal surgery. I did a lot of research about the surgery and rehabilitation using Canadian resources and developed an exercise rehabilitation program for her. I was able to see significant growth in her recovery,” Larochelle shares.

Her commitment to exceptional performance led to her co-creating more than 1,000 exercise programs for patients. By taking on the program development, she helped to relieve the load on clinicians, which allowed for a 15 per cent increase in patient visits during the term.

Learn more about Larochelle’s story

Kennedy Taylor (she/her), Faculty of Arts

Kennedy Taylor, a third-year Legal Studies student, made a meaningful impact during her winter and spring 2024 co-op work terms as a business analyst at Coeus Health.

Taylor’s role focused on marketing and coordinating a pilot program that empowers healthcare providers to connect with patients in new ways.

Leveraging her leadership skills, Taylor oversaw the development of marketing materials and website content and built external communications with pilot sites.

“What drew me to Coeus Health is how innovative they are,” Taylor says. “As a Legal Studies student, I had never dealt with anything like their products. With technology, AI and chatbots becoming much more relevant, I thought, ‘why not?’ I might as well learn while I have the opportunity.” 

Although Taylor went into the work term with limited technical knowledge, she was able to play a key role in facilitating partnerships between Coeus Health and its stakeholders.

“I did not picture myself working in the health or tech field when I started my degree, but I think the beauty of co-op is that you get the opportunity to try all of these jobs that you never even thought you would,” she says. 

During her work term, Taylor led initiatives that improved patient engagement, streamlined external communications and strengthened the company’s outreach efforts.

“I was able to maintain and openly communicate with all the pilot sites and ambulatory health clinics,” she shares. “I was their main point of contact, so it was up to me to ensure that they had everything they needed and I'm proud that I accomplished that goal.” 

Learn more about Taylor’s story

Linda Wang (she/her), Faculty of Mathematics

During her Spring 2024 work term as a data engineer, Linda Wang played a pivotal role in developing one of RBC Financial Group’s first generative AI (GenAI) use cases in human resources.

Wang, a third-year Computer Science student, utilized AI technologies to develop a solution for the company’s Global HR Advice Centre to streamline responses to employee inquiries.

“The solution that I developed marked one of the first GenAI use cases in the company’s HR department,” Wang shares.

The solution Wang created is called “heyHR” — a pre-call portal for employees to visit when they need to contact HR Advice. The portal directs employees to self-serve resources and a digital agent asks questions while the employee is on hold. It then summarizes the information from the chat for the call agent. The solution led to a 20 per cent reduction in call volume and an average of five minutes of time savings per call, resulting in more than $1.65 million in annual restored productivity.

“Time and cost are always a huge constraint in a business setting because oftentimes you're trying to save money,” Wang says. “Being able to break down complex subjects into simple topics and learning fast are skills that are very important and helped me succeed at RBC.” 

While the impact of this project has the potential to improve the experience for more than 90,000 employees, it was Wang’s willingness to take on complex tasks and work outside of her comfort zone that made a lasting impact on her supervisor.

Learn more about Wang’s story

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