CRCs and YRCs use AI to solve real-world problems
York University researchers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to solve real-world problems, including securing power grids, understanding the complexities of the brain, regulating personal data collection, and protecting human and worker rights. Awarded and recognized with Canada Research Chairs (CRC) and York Research Chairs (YRC), these outstanding researchers are driving change through innovation. Below are a few of the University’s CRCs and some of the newest YRCs creating positive change in the AI space.
PROFESSOR VALERIO DE STEFANO (Tier 2) CRC in Innovation, Law & Society, Osgoode Hall Law School. His research examines the impact of AI and algorithmic management on labour dynamics, aiming to develop best practices that protect workers’ rights and eliminate the risk of abuses and fundamental rights violations based on the use of AI at work.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR KOHITIJ KAR (Tier 2) CRC in Visual Neuroscience, Faculty of Science. His research focuses on visual neuroscience and uses the findings to develop AI systems that mimic a brain to develop treatment strategies for mental health disorders. He has received funding from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (Pilot Award), the Brain Canada Foundation Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research program and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), as well as the Ontario Early Researcher Award.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR JENNIFER PYBUS (Tier 2) CRC in Data, Democracy and AI, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. Her research intersects digital and algorithmic cultures to explore the capture and processing of personal data. She collaborates with FemTech Canada to understand how apps are using personal data, while trying to regulate that usage. She examines social media platforms and third parties in the mobile ecosystem to increase critical data literacy and democratic debate about AI.
PROFESSOR JEFFREY SCHALL (Tier 1) CRC in Translating Neuroscience, inaugural director of the Visual Neurophysiology Centre, Faculty of Science. His work involves understanding the complexities of the brain and the decision-making process through the formulation of new mathematical models of computational algorithms. The research could lead to a more robust understanding of brain function and better diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions like dementia and schizophrenia. His research is supported by NSERC funding.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR PIRATHAYINI SRIKANTHA (Tier 2) CRC in Reliable and Secure Power Grid Systems, Lassonde School of Engineering. Her research uses AI and transactive technologies in her unique cyber-physical testbed lab to enhance electrical grid reliability for an aging system prone to hackers and design trustworthy energy markets. She received a National Cybersecurity Consortium grant in collaboration with Cistel Technology, Siemens Canada Ltd., Carleton University and Dalhousie University to lead the End-to-End Cyber-Security Solution for the Power Grid project. She also received an NSERC Alliance-Mitacs Accelerate grant.
York’s newest Research Chairs integrate AI into their work
PROFESSOR AIJUN AN (Tier 1) YRC in Reliable Artificial Intelligence, Lassonde School of Engineering. Her research is on advanced topics in data mining, machine learning and natural language processing, with projects aimed at optimizing big data systems and enhancing domain-specific AI systems, supported through collaborations with IBM and iNAGO Corp. An has received NSERC and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council funding.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR ELHAM DOLATABADI (Tier 2) YRC in Safe AI for Health Equity, Faculty of Health. She studies innovations in foundation and generative AI to advance human-AI complementarity in health care. Her work aims to evolve these models into dynamic, adaptive tools for enhancing health through iterative learning, safety alignment and equity-centred design.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR JONATHON PENNEY (Tier 2) YRC in Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and the Law, Osgoode Hall Law School. His research lies at the intersection of law, technology and human rights, with an emphasis on emerging technologies like AI, machine learning and automation.
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