Pharmaceuticals are also slipping through wastewater plants, while heavier rains are pushing flood systems to their limits.

�첥��Ƶ’s One WATER Institute is at the centre of the response. Acting as a trans-disciplinary hub, the institute connects researchers, students and municipal staff to address the region’s most urgent water challenges.

“We focus on research that matches what municipalities actually need, from detecting contaminants to building flood resilience,” says Farshad Dabbaghi, research associate at One WATER.

Collaboration is central to One WATER’s approach. Research themes are co-created with municipal partners during round-table sessions, ensuring that priorities – from flood mitigation to watershed health – reflect real community needs. “We build partnerships through joint proposals, lab visits and working groups,” Dabbaghi says.

Earlier this year, One WATER convened 11 research clusters with York Region staff to focus on operational challenges including urban flood modelling, ultraviolet disinfection, climate resilience, nutrient recovery and the removal of emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and microplastics. Through faculty presentations and roundtable discussions, this work is already informing policy, guiding infrastructure upgrades and helping to design pilot projects for local water systems.

Graduate students across �첥��Ƶ are driving much of this progress. At the , Pratishtha Khurana explores how pharmaceutical residues – antibiotics and antidepressants among them – persist in treated wastewater, shaping new strategies to protect public health. In the same spirit of inquiry, Gaurav Bhardwaj investigates the impact of microplastics on the microbial communities essential to wastewater treatment, providing practical guidance for upgrading treatment plants.

York researchers are also tackling water challenges in some of Canada’s most remote communities. In Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, York PhD candidate Caroline Duncan recently completed a multi-year, community-based study on water safety, combining quantitative monitoring with local engagement. Her findings have informed subsequent research on microbial water quality, microplastics and climate impacts in northern communities, now being advanced by York alumni Audrey Tam (MASc), Élan Chalmers (MASc), Mohammed Ibraheem (MASc) and Victoria Carroll (PhD).

In Ontario, PhD candidate Michael De Santi, MASc candidate Maranath Hormiz and PhD graduate Ahmed AlSayed are applying machine learning to boost water system efficiency for the Ontario Clean Water Agency, working under the guidance of Professors Usman Khan and Stephanie Gora.

By aligning academic innovation with municipal needs, One WATER equips communities to navigate water complexities with science-based solutions.

“We want to help municipalities manage complex water issues with solutions they can use,” Dabbaghi says. “That’s the difference York can make.”

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The Governor General's Academic Medals are considered the highest honour earned by exemplary Canadian scholars throughout every level of academia. This year’s awardees offered words of gratitude to their peers and mentors, and expressed what the medals mean to them, ahead of their Spring Convocation ceremonies.

Bianca Bondi

Bondi completed her PhD in the clinical-developmental psychology and clinical neuropsychology programs at �첥��Ƶ, where her research focused on how early brain development is shaped in children who experience a stroke around the time of birth. Working in partnership with the Hospital for Sick Children, she studied the factors that support or hinder recovery in medically complex children. Her graduate studies also included extensive clinical training in pediatric hospital settings and community mental health agencies.

She chose �첥��Ƶ for its strong commitment to interdisciplinary and socially responsible research. Bondi says she found a training environment that supported both academic excellence and community impact, guided by outstanding faculty and a collaborative research culture. She is especially grateful to her supervisor, Professor Debra Pepler, for her mentorship and support throughout her studies.

“York nurtured both my clinical and scholarly growth,” says Bondi. “I’m eternally grateful to the Department of Psychology (), and to Professor Pepler, whose unwavering guidance made this achievement possible.”

Bondi says receiving the Governor General’s Gold Medal is especially meaningful because it reflects not only academic accomplishment but also the relationships and purpose behind her work.

“This honour recognizes the many children and families who entrusted me with their stories,” Bondi says, “and the mentors who believed in me along the way.”

Bondi is currently completing a clinical-research fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children and working toward licensure as a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist. Her goal is to lead integrated, inclusive programs that improve early diagnosis, expand access to mental health services and enhance developmental outcomes for young children at neurological risk.

Laurence Butet-Roch

Butet-Roch earned her PhD in environmental studies at �첥��Ƶ, where her research explored how to document environmental harm without reinforcing the idea that communities facing pollution are damaged or expendable. Focusing on Canadian news coverage of Aamjiwnaang First Nation, located in southern Ontario’s Chemical Valley, her work used participatory methods and photography to develop new ways of portraying frontline communities that honour their complexity, strength and resilience.

She expressed deep gratitude to her supervisor, Cate Sandilands, and advisors Dayna Scott and Lisa Myers, whose guidance challenged and refined her thinking throughout her studies. She also credits the broader community for its inspiring and insightful contributions to her academic journey.

“I see this award as a signal of the importance of challenging prevalent ways of seeing and reporting in Canada and of approaching research with an engaged and collaborative ethos,” says Butet-Roch. “This award is not mine alone, it also belongs to all those who contributed to this project, especially the members of Aamjiwnaang First Nation with whom I’ve been working. To all of them, chi miigwech for trusting me with this work.”

Butet-Roch will continue her research as a postdoctoral fellow in art history and communication studies at McGill University, supported by the Fonds de Recherche du Québec. Her current work furthers her inquiry into extractive visualities, representational justice and the politics of visibility in petroculture.

Vladimir Kanic

Kanic completed his MFA in visual arts at �첥��Ƶ, where he explored how living algae could be used to create art. He treated algae not just as a material, but as a creative partner. His work looked at how humans and non-human life can connect, and how art might help repair the environment. This included developing new carbon-absorbing sculptures, a patented type of concrete made from air pollution, and algae-based artworks that use artificial intelligence to communicate their life processes.

"The sculptures are made from carbon captured as algal biomass, a new material that looks like glass and paper had a baby, and they incorporate living algae cultures that actively capture carbon and produce oxygen, and more biomass for sculpting. These processes have been patented as a biotech for producing bioconcrete," he says.

What started as a small algae farm in his studio eventually grew into large, interactive installations and innovative green technology. Kanic credits York’s support for creative, unconventional research as key to making that possible, and he is especially thankful for the guidance of Professor Marissa Largo in the throughout his studies.

“With immense support from my mentors, this humble beginning evolved dramatically,” says Kanic. “The University gave me the space to dream – and to bring those dreams into existence.”

He is honoured to receive the Governor General’s Gold Medal, which he sees as validation of risk-taking and boundary-pushing in the pursuit of new creative possibilities.

“This medal is deeply personal,” Kanic says. “It’s a recognition of all the risks, uncertainties and countless moments of doubt. It gives me the drive to continue exploring, creating and imagining new possibilities.”

Looking ahead, Kanic plans to expand his biomedia practice by integrating carbon-capturing living artworks into architecture, urban design and smart city infrastructure. He is also pursuing doctoral opportunities and collaborative partnerships that support his ongoing exploration of how art, science and technology can intersect to produce hopeful responses to climate change.

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A delegation from CIFAL York attended the event, taking part in a United Nations Institute for Training & Research (UNITAR) panel on how academic institutions are leading in climate-related innovation and impact through sustainability education and research. CIFAL York is part of UNITAR’s global network of training centres for knowledge exchange and capacity building among government officials, the private sector, academia and civil society. 

The event included a news conference for this year's United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Youth Climate Report, which highlighted the importance of empowering youth to have voices in climate reporting, as well as CIFAL York’s strategic approaches to environmental education and awareness.

“We’re thrilled to be among world leaders at COP29 advancing solutions to global challenges like climate change,” said David Peters, �첥��Ƶ’s interim provost and vice-president academic. “Through our partnerships, research and academic innovation, we’re bringing positive change to communities around the world.” 

The �첥��Ƶ community is working together to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), and the University’s achievements were recently recognized in the 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. York is positioned among the top 40 universities globally and in the top 100 in nine SDGs. 

CIFAL York was represented at COP29 by Mark Terry's ongoing research project, the Youth Climate Report – a partner program of the UNFCCC – and his graduate student, Peyman Naeemi. Terry is a professor in York’s Department of Communication & Media Studies and the executive director of the UNFCCC's Youth Climate Report.   

“York’s contributions at the COP put a spotlight on the important role universities play in education and youth engagement as we confront the world’s big environmental issues,” said Terry. “Universities are at their best when they leverage the innovation they drive in education and research to make communities and the world around them better.” 

CIFAL York’s leadership in environmental education was also underscored by the practical, hands-on approaches it promotes, which have become benchmarks for effective communication in the field. Its innovative use of tools such as virtual reality and drone-based programs exemplify its commitment to immersive learning experiences that foster environmental awareness and active community participation. These transformative methodologies are part of CIFAL York’s broader efforts to engage and empower individuals to confront pressing climate challenges through accessible and impactful education. 

Naeemi, a PhD student at �첥��Ƶ who supports the creation of training tools and products as CIFAL York’s multimedia unit lead, said it was “a great honour” to debut the film he directed at COP29’s Canada Pavilion and engage audiences in a compelling narrative about the effects of climate change on wildlife. 

His animated film, Jonathan, is a symbolic story underscoring the urgent need for environmental consciousness by following a bird who rallies animals to protest and confront the ongoing climate challenges. 

“Debuting my film to an audience of people from around the world working together toward the common goal of tackling climate change was a remarkable opportunity to leverage filmmaking for education,” said Naeemi. “This kind of creative storytelling is one of the ways York is fostering an informed and proactive community in the fight against climate change.” 

Learn more about �첥��Ƶ’s progress on the UN SDGs by visiting York’s SDG Week website and following the University on social media. 

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This year’s LIF initiatives focus on a range of topics, spanning from green roof innovation to exploring planetary skies. Through these projects, faculty members are committed to advancing scientific research and creating solutions for a more just and sustainable world.

Learn more about this year’s LIF projects below.

Project: “Assessing Hydraulic and Thermal Performance of Green Roof” by Magdalena Krol

Krol, an associate professor of civil engineering, will leverage her expertise, and that of civil engineering Professor Usman Khan, as well as the testing capacity of the , to compare the performance of conventional roofs against green roofs.

Green roofs have the ability to both mitigate flood risk by retaining storm water and reduce energy costs of buildings and homes. Currently, there is limited research that critically evaluates the performance difference between conventional and green roofs, creating a significant knowledge gap in urban sustainability.

This project – a first of its kind – aims to bridge the gap by constructing modules of both roof types and monitoring their behaviour under realistic conditions such as fluctuating temperature, precipitation and humidity. Using various tools and technologies, data will be collected over time to analyze specific performance indicators, including storm water retention and energy dissipation.

Establishing a thorough understanding of green roof efficiency is crucial for further development of design guidelines and encouraging the adoption of these systems in urban areas.

Project: “Interpretable Learning of Bio-signaling Systems via Data-driven Graph Analysis” by Gene Cheung

A professor of electrical engineering and computer science, Cheung’s initiative will build on existing research exploring the use of a graph-based tool to evaluate and classify biological signals, as well as evaluate the response of cells, in the eye.

In collaboration with Andrew Eckford, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, as well as Yuji Nakatsukasa, an associate professor at the University of Oxford, the researchers will apply their expertise to refine the graph-based classifier to determine exactly which cells are responding to particular visual information.

This advanced tool has the potential to increase understanding of the visual system, helping inform the development of assistive technologies for visual impairments. The project also serves as a foundation for future work that aims to extend analyses to more diverse and complex biological signals.

Project: “Perceiving Planetary Skies through Space, Time, and Experience” by John Moores

Moores, an associate professor in the Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, will pursue a project that blends art and science to create space-themed immersive experiences inspired by data gathered from planetary skies. This research is driven by the idea that engaging with planetary data in a more captivating way can help reshape our understanding of other planets.

Moores will work in collaboration with Sarah Rugheimer, an associate professor in the Faculty of Science; Jennifer Steeves, a professor in the Faculty of Health; and Ian Garrett, an associate professor in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design.

The project includes three objectives: utilizing radiative heat transfer techniques to model alien skies, developing immersive exhibits that simulate exotic space environments, and analyzing individuals’ psychological and physiological responses to these space-themed displays.

This interdisciplinary research promises to investigate, inform and inspire, fostering a deeper connection between space and humanity, while advancing understanding of planetary skies.

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Since its release, 900 people have participated in the Microlecture Series, which has gone on to be recognized as best-in-class communications by the International Association of Business Communicators in its OVATION 2024 Awards.

Even with fast-paced developments in the world of sustainability efforts, a year later the microlectures have remained topical resources for those looking to lead more informed, sustainable lives.

There have been changes too, of course. Take Lassonde School of Engineering Professor Shooka Karimpour’s microlecture on microplastics, a subject important enough that it was selected to be this year’s Earth Day theme.

In her microlecture, Karimpour covered how the near infinite use of plastic in our world has led researchers like herself to try to better understand how microplastics – small pieces of plastic debris in the environment – journey through and impact our ecosystem.

Evidence is emerging daily showing how widespread and harmful these contaminants are, but much is still unknown regarding the adverse ecosystem and human health impacts of microplastics due to the challenge of looking at them more closely. �첥��Ƶing their behaviour in water – where Karimpour focuses her research – is especially challenging.

However, according to Karimpour, improvements to detection have been among the changes over the past year.

“The research community globally has been working to establish standardized protocols for detection,” she says. “There are also new technologies designed for detection of microplastics, especially those small ones that aren’t visible to naked eyes."

One example she gives is micro-Fourier-transform infrared reflectance (FTIR) spectroscopy, which allows researchers to visualize and map microplastics in micrometre scales. She also mentions state-of-the-art research equipment, including advanced optical tools, that she uses to assess how microplastic particles interact with the surrounding water and sediments.

"Our new high-frequency particle tracking velocimetry system enables us to track the motion of microplastics in water and develop models that accurately mimic their captured motion,” she explains.

Karimpour is among those contributing to advancements through participation in several multidisciplinary research collaborations focused on the toxicity of aquatic microplastics and source identification.

In one of those projects, she is analyzing – along with Professor Raymond Kwong, a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Biology at York, and PhD student Sejal Dave – the microplastic uptake of these contaminants under dynamic conditions on selective native and invasive species in Lake Ontario, with the hope of potentially using those species as bio-indicators in water.

Efforts like these over the past year have helped advance better understanding of microplastics, but also potential mitigation – which can, of course, also be helped by non-researchers. As academics have continued to work to solve the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges, Karimpour now repeats her advice from last year around the importance of what individuals can do to effect change.  

While she admits it’s nearly impossible to avoid plastics altogether in our daily lives, she encourages incorporating small adjustments that can make a big difference. On a practical level, she says, “what is important is to use plastic-based products with a longer life span, and as much as possible avoid using single-use plastic products.” On a big-picture level, she stresses the need for awareness. “It’s important to stay informed and raise awareness on this growing environmental issue and advocate for policies reducing plastic usage and promoting sustainable alternatives,” she says.

Initiatives like the Microlecture Series can accomplish that.

Looking back on her microlecture one year later, Karimpour is proud of the impact the series has had. She believes it achieved their goal of inspiring the community to tackle societal and environmental issues, including plastic pollution. Since her microlecture was released, she reports having had many inspiring discussions about it with community members – not only from York but from schools across the Greater Toronto Area, demonstrating a broader reach than originally anticipated.

“Seeing how it has resonated with viewers and contributed to their learning journey reaffirms the importance of accessible education and the power of digital platforms in disseminating information,” she says. “I honestly believe there is the will in people – and some companies – for change.”

To watch Karimpour’s microlecture, as well as the other five in the series – and earn your Sustainable Living Ambassador Badge – visit the Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living website.

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Last week, some 500 Ontario high-school students and their teachers from more than 25 schools gathered in Vari Hall on York’s Keele Campus for the conference, where they spent the day learning how they can make a sustainable and equitable difference in the world – and its future – through a series of activities and workshops hosted in partnership with environmental and community partners from across the province.

“At a time when there is a great deal of despair and ‘eco-anxiety’ concerning the state of the planet, it was inspiring to see young people coming together as active citizens to envision a different future," said Philip Kelly, interim dean of EUC. "Connecting schools and environmentally-focused organizations for thoughtful discussions through events like Change Your World is an important role for the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change in our wider community.”

Students began the day by hearing from the conference's keynote speakers, beginning with Interim Dean Kelly and ending with alumna Alicia Richins, director of strategy and governance for youth sustainability leadership organization Leading Change Canada and creator of multimedia platform the Climateverse.

Richins challenged the audience to consider their passions when choosing what change they should focus on and encouraged them to boldly share ideas, work collaboratively and never give up on their goals to make positive change.

“This annual event is all about showcasing ways youth can lead the change we need in our communities and around the world," said Lily Piccone, strategic enrolment and communications officer at EUC and Change Your World conference co-ordinator. "Through inspiring keynote speakers, like our very own YU alumni Alicia and Joanne, and our community partners, the students can see local citizens that have turned their passion into a profession and are making positive change for people and the planet”

The students were then able to let their interests guide them by choosing two breakout sessions to participate in from a variety of offerings, including: a workshop on how to build resiliency in the face of anxiety about the future; a giant, immersive board game about power, peace and the planet; hands-on time with wind turbine models and solar panels; a tree identification walk; talks on green infrastructure, climate futurism, the importance of wetlands; and much more.

Following their lunch break, participants were treated to a special guest performance by Toronto-based singer-songwriter and climate activist Brighid Fry, recognized as one of the Top 25 under 25 by non-profit organization the Starfish Canada for her work on sustainability in the music industry. Students wrapped up their day of immersive learning with another workshop and enjoyed one final keynote address by community engagement professional and York alumna Joanne Huy, who shared her passion for transforming lives and communities through learning experiences and making local change in the �첥��Ƶ and Jane-and-Finch communities.

Watch the video recap of the day's events below:

For more information about the annual conference, visit the .

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�첥��Ƶ’s Organized Research Units (ORU) are launching the Big Thinking Lecture Series, which will feature researchers, artists and activists taking up some of the world’s most pressing issues and ideas in their fields, from water research and aging to digital literacy and more.

As a leader in research and innovative thinking, York has a lot to show in the ways its faculty and students are helping right the future with big ideas. The new lecture series, which will consist of various talks and artistic events held throughout the calendar year, will see expert York speakers present research and creative works that span their respective fields, which include muscle health, Indigenous knowledges and languages, youth and aging, Canadian studies, technoscience and society, feminist activism, and Jewish social and political thought.

“This bold new series will showcase the depth and breadth of research excellence generated by York’s Organized Research Units and their commitment to fostering critical thought and dialogue on today’s global challenges,” said Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation. “The Big Thinking Lecture Series builds on York’s proud tradition of interdisciplinary scholarship and participatory research. I applaud the ORU directors for bringing this series forward.”

The inaugural lecture of the series, titled “Vision Beyond a Glance,” is presented by the Centre for Vision Research and will feature John Tsotsos, a Distinguished Research Professor in the Lassonde School of Engineering. He will explore the meaning of vision and explain how we effortlessly perform visual tasks many times a day. The in-person event will take place on Jan. 26 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in 519 Kaneff Tower.

For more details about the inaugural event and the series itself, visit yorku.ca/research/bigthinking.

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Selected to be shown at several events throughout the , wrapping up early next week in Dubai, Turning Tides explores the progress of . Following the 10 targets of SDG 14, it uses sharks as an indicator of ocean health and builds upon past work of marine biologist David McGuire to determine current areas of success and opportunities for improvement in marine conservation.

“We were really grateful that the United Nations (UN) wanted to show the film,” says Guido. “And I think if any legislation or policy change can come from that, that would be even more exciting.”

Interestingly, Guido began her post-secondary studies in fashion design – not science or environmental studies – with the hopes of focusing on sustainable apparel and tackling textile waste. To her surprise, she was met with roadblocks. “No one really wanted to talk about it,” she explains. “And in the fashion industry, it’s like this big, hidden secret. Everyone knows it’s bad, but no one cares, so I wanted to see if I could address sustainability in a different way.”

She worked in fashion for a couple of years before deciding to pivot – first, becoming a scuba diver, then taking a two-year diploma in environmental sustainability at Lakehead University and finally enrolling in York’s master’s program in environmental studies. The graduate program provided Guido with many experiential learning opportunities that served as the basis of her research for Turning Tides, including a stint at a non-governmental organization called Shark Stewards, where her interest in marine biology, ocean conservation – and sharks, specifically – flourished.

It took Guido about six months to put the film together, with the help of a video editor and a supervisor, York Adjunct Professor Mark Terry. She credits Terry, a passionate filmmaker himself, for helping craft her documentary into a more professional style that could capture the attention of a global organization like the UN. Her other supervisor, Associate Professor Leesa Fawcett, provided critical support in the research phase of the project.

As for what’s next for Guido and her film, her short-term plan is to submit it to film festivals and pitch it to schools as an educational resource.

“If there's an opportunity to make more films, if there's an opportunity to conduct more research, I would be extremely interested in that,” she says, “but expanding the reach of the film and the knowledge it provides is our top priority.”

Pre-registration for the film screening is required. To RSVP, by Wednesday, Dec. 13. For more information, see the .

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The winning collaborative project looks to better understand turbulence in stratified flows, notably scenarios where a fluid has variable density. One application of particular interest is developing more robust mathematical models for characterizing the turbulence-enhanced mixing of heat in the ocean, a leading area of uncertainty in global climate modelling and a topic of direct importance to global society.

The INCITE program, run by the Office of Science at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), grants 75 computational intensive science projects access to the world's fastest supercomputers, located at the DOE's Argonne and Oak Ridge national laboratories, to further innovation across the fields of science, engineering and computer science.

Couchman's co-project was among 108 total proposals received by INCITE this year from international researchers or research organizations asking for supercomputer access. The evaluation process was highly competitive, with proposals evaluated over the course of four months based on computational readiness, the scalability of a project's code and algorithms, and more.

Couchman's team was awarded use of Frontier, the largest supercomputer in the world, in 2024 to perform numerical research simulations, allowing the researchers to simulate turbulent processes with unprecedented resolution, leading to more accurate and universal turbulent models. They hope what they learn won't just apply to the mixing of heat in water, but how pollutants mix in the atmosphere and more.

The research team is made up of individuals from Duke University, the University of Washington and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in the U.S., as well as the University of Cambridge in the U.K.

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Throughout the summer term, Dahdaleh global health interns have been undertaking exciting research projects that address critical global health challenges.

On Aug. 30, eight interns will reflect on their internship and deliver a short presentation about the experience, knowledge and skills they have gained, and will share progress on their research projects, including:

• experiential-based simulation learning;
• effects of resource insecurity on health outcomes;
• mental and emotional health and wellness;
• post-pandemic public health reforms; and
• impact of human behaviour on antimicrobial resistance.

To learn more about this event, or to register to attend, visit yorku.ca/dighr/events/5th-summer-global-health-intern-symposium.

Lunch will be provided. All are welcome to attend.

The Dahdaleh Institute is currently hiring the next cohort of global health interns for the upcoming Fall/Winter 2023-24 academic year. All interested applicants are encouraged to visit the DIGHR website to learn more.

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