York University Professor Jane Heffernan’s leadership in developing the next generation of researchers has earned her University-wide recognition in postdoctoral supervision.
Heffernan, a professor in the Faculty of Science, was named the 2025 Postdoctoral Supervisor of the Year by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS). The award recognizes supervisors whose excellence in mentorship shapes scholars’ professional growth, research trajectories and long-term careers.
"I am very honoured and so thankful," says Heffernan.
Heffernan brings a wealth of research expertise to the scholars she mentors, combining leadership in infectious disease modelling with a focus on evidence-based health policy. She directs York’s Centre for Disease Modelling and leads the Modelling Infection and Immunity Lab, applying mathematical and computational tools to map, predict and control the spread of infectious diseases. Through this work, she advances immunology and epidemiology while informing the development of new medicines, vaccines and public health policy.
Heffernan's influence in her field extends to the next generation of research leaders under her mentorship, earning her this year’s Postdoctoral Supervisor of the Year recognition.
“As she mentors emerging researchers across Canada and the United States, she embodies the generosity and excellence this award celebrates,” says vice-provost and dean of graduate studies Alice MacLachlan, who along with associate vice-president research Pina D’Agostino, presented the award.
Over the past 17 years, Heffernan has supervised more than 25 postdoctoral fellows. Eight of them contributed to her nomination letter for the award, recognizing the high standard of mentorship she provides. “Her profound impact on the professional and personal development of her postdocs is unmistakable and deeply appreciated by those who have had the privilege of working under her guidance,” her nominees wrote. They also praised her compassion and approachability, noting how she makes her postdocs feel supported, fosters a culture of open communication and mutual respect, and actively creates opportunities.
Heffernan brings this philosophy to life by guiding her mentees through all aspects of academic research. “I try to structure the postdoc experience in a way for them to experience what it's like to be a researcher, with mentoring, collaborations, manuscript and grant writing, and conference participation,” she says.
MacLachlan underscored the impact of supervisors like Heffernan, saying: “Research excellence is central to York as an institution. What we discover and create, teach and share, shapes our identity as a scholarly community. Postdocs – and all who support them – are central to this vocation.”
For Heffernan, that guidance is important – but so is one more thing; “I just greatly enjoy working with postdocs as they grow into independent investigators and effective collaborators,” she says.
For more information on the Postdoctoral Supervisor of the Year Award, visit the FGS website.