This summer, 12 Chinese students completed an intensive, three-week program at 快播视频 called Jumpstart Your Future: A Career Bootcamp for Undergrads. A collaborative effort between 快播视频鈥檚 Asian Business & Management Program (ABMP) and the Faculty of Science, the summer program embodied the University鈥檚 commitment to a multidisciplinary educational approach. It brought together students from Shandong Second Medical University and Wuxi Taihu University in China, and blended medical and business insights to prepare them for their future careers.

鈥淭he boot camp was meticulously designed to build critical soft skills, enhance business knowledge, and equip participants to become competitive applicants for post-secondary education and the job market,鈥� said Elena Caprioni, ABMP program director.

Students engaged in a combination of dynamic lectures, workshops, networking opportunities and group activities with 快播视频 students, culminating in a capstone project outlining their career roadmap. A key aspect of the program was a series of visits to prominent local institutions, including RBC, the IBM Canada Software Lab, the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and the York Centre for Vision Research, among others.

鈥淭hese experiences provided invaluable real-world perspectives, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical industry insights,鈥� said Caprioni.

The program not only benefited the visiting students but also enriched the learning experiences of 快播视频 students, allowing them to engage with peers from diverse backgrounds and broaden their perspectives.

鈥淥ne of my best memories was hosting a coffee chat that brought together Chinese students with professionals in the medical fields,鈥� said 快播视频 student Tien Thuy Hoang, a member of the Global Leaders of York Science volunteer group. 鈥淲e had a great time exchanging ideas and exploring cultural differences, which made the whole session really special and memorable.鈥�

Hugo Chen, director of international collaborations and partnerships in the Faculty of Science, witnessed the impact of the boot camp on students during their final presentations.

鈥淭he program concluded with these bright minds presenting their individual career plans, reminding us of the importance of such initiatives in shaping the leaders of tomorrow,鈥� said Chen. 鈥淵ork Science is proud to have played a pivotal role in this transformative educational journey and looks forward to continuing this enriching collaboration, fostering growth and nurturing potential in the generations to come.鈥�

The program鈥檚 success in bridging cultural and academic gaps underscores 快播视频鈥檚 commitment to fostering global knowledge exchange. Looking ahead, ABMP and the Faculty of Science will continue to provide in-person programs that enhance cross-cultural interactions, thereby enriching students鈥� cultural understanding and academic experience.

Courtesy of YFile

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Mike Wessinger, co-founder and executive Chair of PointClickCare, the most widely used cloud-based health-care software provider in long-term and post-acute care, spoke to Faculty of Science graduands about his path to success, and offered advice on how they might navigate their own way to a life of accomplishment.

Wessinger shared with graduands that a question he is often asked is, 鈥淲hat is the secret to success?鈥� With the aim of leaving graduands with advice to take with them on their journey ahead, he shared that the answer 鈥� for him 鈥� is hard work and determination, above all else.

鈥淚ntelligence and emotional quotients do matter,鈥� he stressed. 鈥淏ut, in my experience, the people [with great success] are those people who have the highest grit quotient. If they see a wall, they go over, under, around or through it.鈥�

As Wessinger shared his professional journey, he illustrated how he faced 鈥� and overcame 鈥� some walls himself throughout his career. Among the first barriers was when he graduated from university as young man with no prospects, no money and the feeling that he was unemployable. He knew he wanted to be a success at something, but was unsure what direction to take. 鈥淚 had to figure out how I was going to make something of myself,鈥� he said. A break came when his brother helped him find a sales job in the long-term and post-acute care industry. He seized the opportunity and began applying himself. 鈥淚 knew it was time to really buckle down and really get to work,鈥� he said.

Wessinger familiarized himself quickly with everything he could about the industry he鈥檇 joined in order to not only excel in his sales job but find a way to revolutionize it. He hustled 鈥� often sleeping at the office and rarely taking time off 鈥� until he felt he was successful enough for a new challenge: starting his own business.

Initially, that business was selling existing electronic health records and financial software technology to nursing homes across Canada, but over time he found himself underwhelmed by the product he was selling. This technology is just not working, he thought at the time. It鈥檚 not making a big impact on these organizations. He believed the long-term and post-acute care space 鈥� and especially the seniors who lived within 鈥� deserved something more.

Wessinger and his partners decided to build their own solution, one that was ahead of its time: an electronic health records software that wouldn鈥檛 be installed on-site, but hosted on servers with clients accessing them through the internet. 鈥淲e had no idea we were talking about software as a service (SaaS),鈥� Wessinger said. 鈥淧eople couldn鈥檛 sell SAS back then. Nobody was talking about the cloud. We fundamentally changed the game.鈥�

Not everyone shared that sentiment at the time. As Wessinger moved ahead with PointClickCare, it was the year 2000, shortly after the infamous dot-com bubble had burst, a time when many were wary of internet-based businesses. As Wessinger approached venture capitalists and banks with his startup idea, he joked that doors tended to close the instant he explained his mission to put seniors鈥� health records online.

Wessinger had to find a financial solution somehow, and he found it close to home. 鈥淭he only people that were kind of enough to fund us go by the name of 鈥楳om,鈥� 鈥楧ad,鈥� 鈥楿ncle,鈥� 鈥楢unt鈥� and 鈥楩riend from Hockey Team,鈥欌�� Wessinger said. With that came not just the usual high financial stakes of making a startup succeed but personal stakes, too. 鈥淚 felt this enormous obligation to be successful,鈥� he said.

Two decades later, PointClickCare is now one of the largest privately held software companies in Canada, with over 1,500 employees, and serving over 22,000 skilled nursing facilities across North America. 鈥淭he thing I鈥檓 most proud of is that there are some two million seniors today that I know are getting the right care because they鈥檙e utilizing our software,鈥� he said.

While the journey of a startup firm may be succinctly summarized in an honorary degree recipient鈥檚 address, the reality is a long road full of challenges, long hours and 鈥� sometimes 鈥� sacrifices. While Wessinger told graduands hard work is the 鈥渉ack to success,鈥� he offered some cautionary advice as well, for the ambitious. 鈥淧eople that are like me 鈥� forward-looking, a leader of an organization, trying to do something incredible 鈥� live in the future,鈥� he said. While that can help those looking to advance their careers and businesses realize their goals, it can come with a risk, he noted.

Living, mentally, in the future all the time can remove a person from the present. 鈥淵ou have to stop and live in the now because that鈥檚 all you have,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 can remember my family would see me at the dinner table and sometimes say, 鈥榃here are you?鈥� I鈥檇 say, 鈥業鈥檓 right here.鈥� They鈥檇 say, 鈥楴o you鈥檙e not.鈥� They were right. I wasn鈥檛. I was somewhere else. Along the way, as you鈥檙e achieving great things, remember to stop and celebrate and live in the present.鈥�

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During the Faculty of Science Spring Convocation ceremony on June 14, 2024, Mike Wessinger will receive an honorary degree from 快播视频. He is among eight individuals receiving honorary doctorates during the 2024 Spring Convocation ceremonies at York in recognition of their contributions to community building, advocacy for social justice and philanthropy.

Wessinger is the current executive Chair of the board for PointClickCare 鈥� a software provider helping long-term and post-acute care providers 鈥� which he co-founded and served as chief executive officer of from 1995 to 2021. Throughout his leadership, he led the company to become the first cloud-based health information system for the senior care industry, and North America鈥檚 largest care collaboration network.

In his role as executive Chair, Wessinger continues to champion corporate culture, enhance governance, recruit diverse talent, and partner with internal and external boards and teams to solve critical health-care challenges. Outside of PointClickCare, he is also co-chair of the C100 board of directors, where he actively leverages his years of experience to coach and mentor leaders at the helm of rapidly scaling tech companies.

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The Faculty of Science held the 3rd annual meeting of its Dean鈥檚 Special Advisory Board on Thursday, May 30, 2024, to discuss and advise on pressing issues relevant to science education, including industry demand for science programs; equity, diversity, and inclusion; challenges and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship, and the successful community integration of the Faculty.

During the meeting, it was announced that current Board Member, Dr. Mark Lievonen, will take on the role of Chair from Reza Moridi, who has served as Chair since the Board鈥檚 inception in February 2021.

鈥淲e are thrilled to have Dr. Lievonen moving into the role of Chair of our Advisory Board,鈥� says Rui Wang, Dean of the Faculty of Science. 鈥淢ark is a passionate supporter of Canadian science, innovation, and economic development, having served as President of Sanofi Pasteur Limited, Co-Chair of Canada鈥檚 COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, and within numerous high profile industry boards and organizations.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Reza Moridi for his service to this Board over the past three years. His insightful and forward-thinking guidance has been deeply valuable to our Faculty.鈥�

The Dean鈥檚 Special Advisory Board is comprised of a diverse group of industry and community leaders with expertise in and commitment to the advancement of Canada鈥檚 science, technology, academic, and non-profit sectors.

Dr. Lievonen, C.M., led the Canadian vaccine division of Sano铿� to become a billion-dollar enterprise in Canada. Currently, he is a member of the Federal Government鈥檚 Council of Expert Advisors. He has been honoured to serve many industry organizations. He is a Director of Quest PharmaTech, Sona Nanotech, Biome Grow, the Biologics Manufacturing Centre, VIDO, and the Gairdner Foundation. Previously, he served as a Director of Oncolytics Biotech and Acerus Pharmaceuticals. He is a past Chair of Rx&D (now Innovative Medicines Canada), BIOTECanada, the Ontario Genomics Institute, and the Centre for the Advancement of Health Innovation, Vice-Chair of Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, and Director of the Public Policy Forum.

Dr. Lievonen is a passionate advocate for public health access, education, and giving back to his community. He is a former Chair of the Markham Stou铿�ville Foundation and served as an ex-o铿僣io member of the Markham Stou铿�ville Hospital Board. He served on the 快播视频 Board of Governors and as a Director of the 快播视频 Development Corporation. He is also the founder of Sano铿� Biogenius Canada, a program that has fostered young scientists for over 20 years. He is a recipient of the Queen鈥檚 Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medallions, Lifetime Achievement Awards from Life Sciences Ontario and the Pharmaceutical Sciences Group, the Canada Medal from The Chemical Institute of Canada, a 快播视频 Bryden Alumni Award, and an Honourary Doctor of Laws degree from York. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2015, named a Chevalier de l鈥橭rdre National de Merite by the government of France in 2007, and was inducted into the Canadian Healthcare Marketing Hall of Fame in 2013.

Dr. Lievonen holds a BBA in accounting and an MBA in 铿乶ance and marketing from 快播视频鈥檚 Schulich School of Business. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and was elected as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 2007.

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New faculty members further York鈥檚 scientific innovation, impact

The Faculty of Science welcomed 12 new high-calibre researchers and instructors to its five departments and one division. By recruiting talented faculty members with diverse backgrounds, world views and expertise, we are ensuring the best learning experience for our students and cultivating integrity and principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in our community.

Record growth in experiential education opportunities

Experiential education allows students to deepen their learning and apply theories learned in the classroom to hands-on, paid work experiences. Over 2022-23, the Faculty of Science鈥檚 experiential education program saw record growth, with co-op applications increasing by 180 per cent and internship applications increasing nearly 140 per cent over the previous year. As well, this past summer, 110 student opportunities were posted by 21 employers.

Leading pharmaceutical technology innovation

Our chemists are leading a team of researchers and industrial leaders in training the next generation of technologically advanced graduates for the pharmaceutical industry. Supported by a new NSERC CREATE grant worth $1.65 million, the Technology-Enhance Pharmaceutical Discovery (TEPD) program will train Master鈥檚 and PhD students with the technical and managerial skills to capitalize on disruptive technologies that aim to impact Canada鈥檚 research and development in the pharmaceutical industry.

Strengthening community engagement

The Faculty of Science鈥檚 sense of community and its ability to tackle challenges have been bolstered by our community member鈥檚 willingness to engage with each other and with our university partners centrally, through various initiatives including our year-long Community 2022 initiative; these events were attended by hundreds of faculty and staff through to the program鈥檚 conclusion in Summer 2023. More.

Canada Research Chairs position FSc at the forefront of future-defining research

The national Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program recognizes world-leading researchers in a variety of fields. The Faculty of Science gained one new and two renewed Canada Research Chairs (CRC): Kohitij Kar received a new CRC Tier II in Visual Neuroscience; Christopher Caputo received a renewed CRC Tier II in Main-Group Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry; and Raymond Kwong received a renewed CRC Tier II in Environmental Toxicology.

$4M in NSERC Discovery Grants support scientific innovation at York

More than 20 faculty members from the Faculty of Science were collectively awarded over $4 million in NSERC Discovery Grants to continue advancing scientific innovation. The funding is enabling our researchers to independently pursue long-term research programs, innovative research activities, diverse partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Science Explorations Summer Camp offers expanded opportunities for youth

Our Science Explorations Summer Camp for Grades 3 to 8 featured curricula with a greater emphasis on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including a new week-long program called Sustainable Science. Overall, our summer youth programming welcomed more than 500 students who engaged in 27 unique camp themes in the areas of environmental chemistry, space adventures, forensic chemistry, structural engineering, and more.

Faculty of Science hosts science deans from across Canada

Our Faculty hosted the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Council of Deans of Science (CCDS) to share knowledge and strengthen pan-Canadian advocacy for science education. The three-day event was attended by 30 science and associate deans from universities across Canada.

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Congratulations to Faculty of Science students Arman Sadr and Mustafa Abdulkadhim for receiving Robert J. Tiffin Student Leadership Awards, which recognize students whose leadership has contributed to the growth, development and vitality of 快播视频.

Sadr, a BSc student in the biomedical science program, has been involved with Bethune College since his first year at York, most recently serving as the president of the Bethune College Council, where he represented and supported the growth of the community. Sadr has also served as the executive vice-president and vice-president, athletics, for the council.

Abdulkadhim, an Honours BSc student in the biomedical science program, has served as a class representative for STEM courses and has been a member of the Science Student Caucus and volunteered as a research assistant for multiple labs. He has also been a peer tutor with the Undergraduate Psychology Student Association and a member of the Committee on Examination and Academic Standards.

Their names, along with the other recipients, will be added to the awards display wall in the Vari Hall Rotunda.

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快播视频 Faculty of Science Associate Professor Derek Jackson, and Kyle Belozerov, a sessional assistant professor, have partnered with Science Engagement Programs to develop a new Spark Lab virtual reality (VR) research course that will introduce high school students to pharmaceutical chemistry.

Spark Lab courses are week-long sessions designed for students in grades 9 to 12 who are interested in gaining hands-on experience in the science labs. The Faculty of Science offers courses in the experimental and research categories.

Experimental courses are developed and taught by York undergraduate and graduate students, teacher candidates, or Ontario-certified teachers, while research courses are developed and led by graduate students and/or professors and are based on the research they are conducting at York.

Students enrolled in the new Pharmaceutical Chemistry research course 鈥� which runs from July 17 to 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Keele Campus 鈥� will explore modern pharmaceutical chemistry through hands-on laboratory drug synthesis experiments and by using virtual reality (VR) to examine their structure and how they interact with their targets. By the end of the week, students will have a deeper understanding of biological molecules and the foundations of drug action in the human body.

As a postdoctoral researcher at the Emory University Medical School, Belozerov worked on pre-clinical development and testing of drug candidates targeting an aggressive form of brain tumor called glioblastoma. He also has taught pharmacology to students in the nursing program at York.

Jackson鈥檚 expertise is in organic chemistry, a field of study that is used to synthesize the molecules found in a large number of medications, ranging from everyday medicines, like Tylenol, to complex and life-saving cancer medications. The professors have combined their respective areas of expertise to develop an engaging and dynamic summer lab course for curious Toronto high schoolers.

For more information about Belozerov and Jackson and their pharmaceutical chemistry course, visit the Science Engagement Programs website.

To register for this course, .

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This publication is a collection of our Faculty's highlights and accomplishments from 2022, showcasing how we are striving to make York Science a great place to study, to research, and to be proud community members.

In this report, you will find highlights about our:

• efforts to embed principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) into how we lead, research, and teach;
• honours and awards recipients, including new members of the Royal Society of Canada and the winners of our Faculty of Science Research and Teaching Awards;
• research funding totaling $20.6 million, including an incredible $7.25 million grant from the International Development Research Centre of Canada to establish the Global South Artificial Intelligence for Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness and Response Network;
• research and innovations, including vacuuming DNA from air to monitor biodiversity and the creation of a more sensitive rapid antigen test;
• work to enhance teaching and learning excellence by offering new resources and development opportunities for our instructors, and through pedagogical innovation in our courses.
• new programming, including a Data Science program and revamped offerings in Science, Technology & Society, including new courses focused on EDI;
• new international education experience programs and initiatives, such as our 2+2/2+3 Undergraduate International Collaboration Education Program;
• and more!

We hope you enjoy reading our 2022 Annual Review: .

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The three-day event was attended by 30 science and associate deans from universities across Canada, and featured talks by experts on topics including: research data storage and security; the emergence of AI (artificial intelligence) and its effect on academic integrity; student and employee mental health and well-being; equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) in science education; an update on NSERC (the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) funding mechanisms; and internationalization strategy.

鈥淥ur CCDS AGM presented a critical opportunity to build relationships with deans and associate deans in science education across our country,鈥� says Rui Wang, dean of York鈥檚 Faculty of Science and CCDS president.

Several York community members played a role in guiding the AGM鈥檚 conversations. Provost & Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps provided opening remarks, highlighting the rapid pace of change in academia, the need for administrators to be nimble and responsive and to promote ample dialogue with colleagues about a shared vision. Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation, addressed attendees at the conference banquet, highlighting the recent successes of York鈥檚 Faculty of Science, including its prowess in infectious disease modelling, spectroscopy, and astronomical exploration, and calling for continued collaboration amongst CCDS member institutions.

The event also included a networking reception and tour of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory.

As a result of the AGM, moving forward the CCDS has committed to several united initiatives that will bolster the advocacy of science education, including:

• strengthening its effort to present an organized and united voice for science education and research across the nation, raising public awareness of the critical importance of science education and research, positioning science and research as a national priority, and working together with tri-council and other funding mechanisms to increase funding to science research program and the training of highly qualified personnel;
• continuing to facilitate institutional collaboration and communication via multiple channels for science education and research among all Faculties of Science in Canada;
• exploring channels to enhance its organizational functions to include leadership training possibilities for deans and associate deans of science; and
• promoting best practices and strategies, including but not limited to EDI, accessibility, student and employee well-being and mental health, international collaboration, emerging AI challenges on academic integrity, and research data storage and security among membership Faculties of Science of CCDS.

鈥淲e were successful in our objectives: to learn from each other, share knowledge about pressing issues and challenges in science education, and further our collective voice to help drive positive change by advocating for science education and research as a national priority,鈥� says Wang.

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Career | Fit programs are short online programs for currently enrolled university undergraduates and college students that supplement academic courses. Free to students who identify as Asian (whether South, East, Southeast, Central or West Asia), these sector-specific programs are designed to bridge theory to practice by featuring a hands-on, realistic project guided by a mentor from a Fortune 500 organization.

鈥淲e believe that experiential education can be a crucial factor in launching a successful career, and we are thrilled to be offering these opportunities at no cost to students thanks to the generous sponsorship of RBC and their focus on fostering greater diversity and inclusivity,鈥� says Elena Caprioni, program director at ABMP.

"We're excited about Career | Fit programs because they offer the opportunity for students to stand out to potential employers by demonstrating that they take the initiative to learn relevant, practical new skills and can make a contribution from day one,鈥� said Hugo Chen, interim assistant dean, Strategic Enrolment Management & Science Engagement
Programs, and director, International Collaborations & Partnerships. 鈥淭hese programs will help open career doors for our science students.鈥�

See the Career | Fit programs website for more information.

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