Special lecture looks at the important role of fundamental research in advancing discoveries

In recent years, research has increasingly experienced pressure to justify itself, a phenomenon that is especially true for “fundamental” or “basic” research. The important role of basic research for society and how it is funded are at the heart of a special lecture titled, "Funding Basic Research, Promoting Excellence, and Building Trust", which will be delivered […]

York researcher receives Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award

Arturo Orellana, professor of chemistry in the Faculty of Science & Engineering, is the recipient of a $60,000 Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award for Organic Chemistry, awarded in the amount of $20,000 per year over three years. “On behalf of the York research community, I would like to congratulate Professor Arturo Orellana on his receipt […]

Changing water chemistry leaves plankton defenseless

Imagine that the players on your favourite football team were smaller than their opponents, and had to play without helmets or pads. Left defenseless, they would become easy prey for other teams. Similarly, changes in Canadian lake water chemistry have left small water organisms known as plankton vulnerable to their predators, which may pose a serious environmental […]

Professor Robert Haché is York's new vice-president research & innovation

Robert Haché, a molecular and cellular biologist and biochemist, will assume the role of vice-president research & innovation at York University for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2011. The announcement of Haché's appointment was made yesterday by York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “I am thrilled that Dr. Haché is coming to York University,” said Shoukri. “Dr. […]

York chemistry students in the top 10 at southern Ontario chemistry conference

York University chemistry students Jason Gregor and Fatima Panju placed among the top 10 at the 39th Southern Ontario Undergraduate Student Chemistry Conference (SOUSCC), the largest undergraduate chemistry conference in the country. Above, toasting their success, from left, Reihaneh Shankaie, Fatima Panju, Maisam Halabi, Derek Wilson, Jason Gregor, Mark Sever, Luba Bryushkova and Mihiret Kedida. (Dana […]

Professor Lewis Molot on why Canadian phosphorus ban will help our lakes

Excessive phosphorus dumps have become a major problem for Canada’s waterways, says Professor Lewis Molot, an environmental scientist in York University’s Faculty of Environmental Studies, wrote the National Post Jan. 6 in a story about a little-known move by the federal government banning the substance: The federal government brought in new regulations last July effectively […]

Faculty of Science & Engineering's research awards honour three professors

The work of three researchers from the Faculty of Science & Engineering (FSE) was honoured during the FSE Honours & Awards night on Nov. 18. The evening saw the presentation of the faculty's inaugural internal research awards to chemistry Professor Dasantila Golemi-Kotra, recipient of the 2010 Early Researcher Award; biology Professor Chun Peng, recipient of the 2010 […]

Schiff lecturer will take a different look at atmospheric analysis on November 18

Barbara J. Finlayson-Pitts, professor at the University of California, Irvine, will give the 20th Annual Harold I. Schiff Lecture in York’s Senate Chamber on Nov. 18. Organized by the York University Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry and the Faculty of Science & Engineering, Finlayson-Pitts’ talk, “Reactions at Interfaces in the Atmosphere:  Challenges and Opportunities”, starts at […]

Prof publishes long-awaited biography of astrophysicist mother

It has taken many years of toiling, but York Professor Emeritus Paul Herzberg has now completed a biography of his mother Luise Herzberg, the wife of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Gerhard Herzberg (Hon DSc. '69) and an astrophysicist in her own right. Luise Herzberg, Astrophysicist: A Memoir is more than just a tribute to his mother, […]

Two undergraduate researchers place second at chemistry conference

Two York University chemistry students have won second place in two separate categories at the 38th Southern Ontario Undergraduate Student Chemistry Conference (SOUSCC), the largest undergraduate chemistry conference in the country. The competition provides undergraduate students with a unique opportunity to present their research projects and network with fellow chemists. Right: Nadine Wellington shows her excitement […]