As a new year emerges, YFile looks back on 2016 to share with readers a snapshot of the year’s highlights. “Year in Review” will run as a four-part series and will feature a random selection of top news stories published in YFile. Here are the stories and highlights for April to June 2016, as chosen by YFile editors.
April
Bergeron Centre
York U celebrates the official opening of the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence
The traditional image of an engineering school filled with bespectacled students toting calculators in pocket protectors was officially vanquished on Friday, April 8, with the opening of the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence at York University.
Glendon team competes in Translation Games and brings home first place
The Glendon team began preparing for the games in the fall of 2015 with the help of several faculty members, and this training paid off. Glendon took first prize for their team translation of a song into French. Individual team members also placed third and fourth in the annual competition.
NSERC awards $1.65M to York-led research partnership
An academic-industry partnership led by York University has received a total of $1,650,000 through the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada’s Collaborative Research & Training Experience Grants Program.
Lillian Meighen Wright Centre
York U celebrates opening of Lillian Meighen Wright Centre in Costa Rica
A shining example of York University’s leadership in partnering with international communities to build a better world and advance its global impact was celebrated April 25 with the official opening of the Lillian Meighen Wright Centre, the landmark building of York’s EcoCampus in Costa Rica.
Schulich launches one-year Master of Management degree program
Schulich School of Business announced a new 12-month Master of Management degree program, the first of its kind in Canada. It will officially launch this fall with the start of classes.
York scientists partner with industry on $1.7M grant for drug development
Faculty of Science researchers, Professors Derek Wilson, Sergey Krylov and Chun Peng, have received a Collaborative Research & Development Grant from the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada to advance the R&D of biopharmaceuticals. The funding is valued at more than $1.7M, including industrial and in-kind contributions.
May
Project led by York prof receives Minister’s Award for Environmental Excellence
A provincial project spearheaded by Faculty of Environmental Studies Professor Lewis Molot was recognized with a prestigious award. The Ontario EcoSchools project is a recipient of the 2015 Minister’s Award for Environmental Excellence.
Two York faculty earn Pioneer of Change Award
A prestigious distinction that honours immigrants as nation builders will highlight the work of two York faculty members during the 2016 Pioneers for Change Award Gala: Ananya Mukherjee-Reed, dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, and Marat Ressin, founder of the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute.
Mobile Water Kit
York U invention a breakthrough in rapid detection of E. coli
An invention by York U researchers was a breakthrough in rapid detection of the deadly E. coli bacteria in water. The hydrogel-based rapid detection system reduces the time it takes to detect E. coli from a few days to just a couple of hours.
Cinespace family donation gives York U students unparalleled studio experience
The AMPD Motion Media Studio @ Cinespace will give students the opportunity to explore cinematography, 3D gaming, motion-performance capture, virtual reality, interactive image mapping and digital post-production.
Six emerging and established researchers newly appointed York Research Chairs
Professors Nantel Bergeron, Ellen Bialystok, Chun Peng and Stepan Wood were appointed Tier 1 York Research Chairs. Professors Jimmy Huang and Amro Zayed were appointed Tier 2 York Research Chairs. The York Research Chairs program serves as an internal twin for the Canada Research Chairs program.
June
Professor Emeritus Allan Carswell
York University receives $1M gift from Carswell Family Foundation for graduate student scholarships
On Tuesday, May 31, York University announced and celebrated a $1-million gift from Professor Emeritus Allan Carswell and the Carswell Family Foundation. The gift will establish Carswell Scholarships for graduate students in the Faculty of Science and the Lassonde School of Engineering.
York-led research team developing ‘Active Data’ technology for new ways to use greener electricity
The team led by School of Information Technology Professor Stephen Chen will develop Active Data-based technologies, which will give utility companies the opportunity to balance the grid with flexible user demand. The technology is based on a simple premise of using green energy to do things that need to be done at a time when green energy is abundant.
An artist’s view of a newborn giant planet. Image by Mark A. Garlick
Newborn giant planet found orbiting an infant sun
The discovery of a giant planet known as a hot Jupiter orbiting an infant sun represents a major step forward in understanding how planetary systems form and evolve, says an international team of astronomers including some from York University.
York University researchers awarded more than $5.6M by NSERC
The Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada announced Thursday, June 23, that 32 researchers at York University have been awarded more than $4.9 million in NSERC grants, while 10 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows have received a total of $700,000 in funding for scholarships and fellowships.
Check back in the next edition of YFile for Year in Review: Top headlines at York University, July to September 2016.