York University continues to advance its research excellence with the addition of new York Research Chairs (YRCs) representing a diverse range of disciplines aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration.
The internal program supports York researchers with a five-year renewable appointment that supports and enhances research capacity of both established and emerging faculty members across various disciplines.
This year's YRCs are the 12th cohort to be appointed - as of July 1 - since the program was first launched by the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation (VPRI) in 2015.
"The York Research Chairs program is a vital initiative that highlights our commitment to fostering a vibrant research culture at the University," says Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor. "By supporting our outstanding scholars as they engage in innovative projects - from advancing artificial intelligence applications to transforming our understanding of intellectual and developmental disabilities - we are not only enhancing knowledge and discovery but also ensuring that our research makes a tangible impact on people's lives both locally and globally. Congratulations to the new chairholders - your leadership is essential in shaping the future of research at York."
Modelled after the Canada Research Chairs program, YRCs are selected through an open, peer-reviewed process based on their research achievements and leadership contributions.
It is designed to provide a similar level of support as the federal government's Canada Research Chairs program, and consists of two tiers: Tier 1, established research leaders who are full professors; and Tier 2, emerging research leaders within 15 years of their first academic appointment and early-career researchers within five years of their first academic appointment.
"This program continues to elevate the University's research profile by fostering innovation and collaboration that will advance and strengthen the work of York researchers across various fields of study," says Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation. "In the face of a challenging fiscal environment, York remains deeply committed to investing in research leadership. The York Research Chairs program reflects this priority, enabling us to support outstanding scholars whose work has meaningful impact at the local, national and global levels. These new YRCs exemplify the vision, creativity and excellence that define York's research community, and we are proud to champion their contributions through this vital initiative."
Chair-holders benefit from increased research funding, opportunities for collaboration and the ability to attract high-quality graduate students. Five of the eight new appointments are funded by Connected Minds: Neural and Machine Systems for a Healthy, Just Society - a major, $318-million, York-led research initiative focused on socially responsible technologies.
The 2025 Tier 1 York Research Chair appointments are:
York Research Chair in Reliable Artificial Intelligence
Aijun An - Lassonde School of Engineering
A professor of electrical engineering and computer science, An focuses her research 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.
York Research Chair in Foundations of Operator Algebra
Ilijas Farah - Faculty of Science
Farah, a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, is a world-leading expert in mathematical logic and operator algebras. He will continue discovering deep and unexpected applications of logic to operator algebras, a field that underpins much of modern mathematics.
York Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience of Memory
Shayna Rosenbaum - Faculty of Health
Professor of psychology and vice-director of the Connected Minds program, Rosenbaum is a clinical neuropsychologist and cognitive neuroscientist who studies the neurocognitive basis of memory, spatial navigation and decision-making in aging and age-related neurological conditions.
York Research Chair in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Jonathan Weiss - Faculty of Health
A professor in the Department of Psychology, Weiss focusses his research on mental health in autistic people and those with intellectual disabilities, including their causes, interventions and service use.
York Research Chair in Law, Finance and Debt
Stephanie Ben-Ishai - Osgoode Hall Law School
A professor and Distinguished Research Professor, Ben-Ishai will explore the dynamics between law, finance and debt in Canada. Her research focuses on the use of, and disparities in access to, bankruptcy's extraordinary legal tools.
The 2025 Tier 2 York Research Chair appointments are:
York Research Chair in Safe AI for Health Equity
Elham Dolatabadi - Faculty of Health
An assistant professor in the School of Health Policy & Management, Dolatabadi 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-centered design.
York Research Chair in Black Sonic Cultures
Ola Mohammed - Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
In the Department of Humanities, Mohammed is an assistant professor whose research investigates Black cultural production, Black social life and Black being with particular focus on the sonic dimension of anti-Blackness in Canada.
York Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and the Law
Jonathan Penney - Osgoode Hall Law School
An associate professor and social scientist, Penney's research lies at the intersection of law, technology and human rights, with an emphasis on emerging technologies like AI, machine learning and automation.
York Research Chair in Law, Policy and Personalized Healthcare
Ian Stedman - Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
A professor in the School of Public Policy and administration, Stedman's research focuses on the technologies and policies driving greater personalization in health care, with a specific emphasis on genomics, artificial intelligence and the experience of those living with rare disease.
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.
