The awards honour efforts carried out in the past three years, and faculty are eligible to receive an award in each category once every 10 years. Recipients recognized for research impact are nominated by their faculty peers, while those celebrated for student mentorship are nominated by their students. Professors receiving the community engagement award can be nominated either by a fellow faculty member or through self-nomination.
This year's accolades include one Innovation Award, two Graduate Mentorship Awards and one Public Engagement Award:
Innovation Award: Established Researcher
Ping Wang, professor of electrical engineering and computer science
Wang is a pioneering researcher in the field of wireless communications - and an instrumental part of the Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Department at Lassonde. Since joining the school in 2018, she has made tremendous impact on both Lassonde and York's research capacity, while continuing to push boundaries and redefine her field.
Wang's recent efforts to shape the future of artificial intelligence-powered, next-generation communication networks secured her a position as a Tier-2 York Research Chair, enabling her to further advance this cutting-edge field. With over 250 high-impact publications in top-tier journals and 28,000 citations, she has also played a pivotal role in propelling York University to a top spot in the ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects for telecommunications engineering - a first-time achievement for the school.
Wang's visionary research embodies the spirit of innovation and excellence, from performance modelling to artificial intelligence-enabled resource allocation technologies for mobile communication networks. Her contributions have garnered widespread acclaim, including being named an Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineering (IEEE) fellow in 2022 and earning recognition on N2Women's list of Rising Stars in Computer Networking and Communications. Beyond her academic achievements, Wang has significantly impacted the field through her role as an editorial board member for IEEE and as Chair for numerous conferences.
Graduate Mentorship Awards
Regina Lee, professor of earth and space science and engineering
In the dynamic realm of space science and engineering, creating a nurturing and inclusive environment is as crucial as the technical breakthroughs that drive the field forward. At the heart of such an environment is the leadership of Lee, director of Lassonde's Nanosatellite Research Lab and one of this year's recipients of the Graduate Mentorship Award.
Under her guidance, the lab has become a hub where students of diverse backgrounds not only excel but are also supported in their pursuit of groundbreaking research and personal growth. This positive atmosphere includes collaborative meetings, where students present their research and receive constructive feedback, creating a space for continual learning and improvement. Lee's students consistently rave about her support, insightful guidance, and encouragement to pursue academic and professional opportunities such as research conferences. She has also facilitated numerous industry, leadership and experiential learning opportunities, equipping her students with the skills and experience necessary for successful careers after graduation.
As an example of her commitment to student growth, Lee invited her students to participate in a crucial part of her nanosatellite research through the Canadian Space Agency's STRATOS campaign. This project provided students with a unique opportunity to assist with research while integrating findings into their final theses and gaining exposure to a realistic space mission. Lee's dedication to education and mentorship serves as inspiration for her students to contribute meaningfully to the field of space science and engineering.
Satinder Kaur Brar, professor of civil engineering
Receiving the Graduate Mentorship Award, Brar is celebrated for her profound impact on her students' academic and professional journeys. As the James and Joanne Love Chair in Environmental Engineering and director of the One WATER Institute at York, she serves as an exemplary and supportive guide for her students.
Despite overseeing numerous student researchers, Brar continues to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to mentorship by providing personalized support and valuable insights to each student. Her extensive professional network grants students access to valuable resources and opportunities, like industry internships and participation in esteemed guest lectures.
Beyond her technical guidance, Brar prioritizes her students' well-being, advocating for a balanced lifestyle that supports both health and research excellence. She also fosters an environment grounded in equity, diversity and inclusion principles, using innovative teaching methods to enhance the student experience.
Under her guidance, many students have achieved notable success and transitioned into impactful roles in academia, government research and industry. Her mentorship serves as both a catalyst and guide for the personal, professional and academic growth of her students.
Public Engagement Award
Matthew Perras, associate professor of civil engineering
Perras has been honoured with the Public Engagement Award in recognition of his exceptional efforts to make complex geological concepts accessible to the broader public. His work has not only fostered community engagement but has also become a valuable asset in teaching civil engineering courses at Lassonde.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional classroom settings were disrupted, Perras seized the opportunity to enhance learning by creating engaging video content. His initiative began with short, informative videos for his course on geological processes and quickly evolved into a dynamic project on YouTube. Now in its third season, this project known as the "Welcome to the Classroom" series, provides students with captivating insights into geological phenomena, supporting their academic journey and growth.
In 2022, he expanded his YouTube channel to create "GeoMechanic" to enhance public engagement and extend educational outreach beyond Lassonde and York. His efforts are supported by his student Bora Suda, who helps lead recording and editing tasks. By adding new and engaging segments on the channel's weekly Geo-Roundups, Perras has effectively mobilized knowledge through videos - from detailed explorations of metamorphic rocks to timely updates about earthquake and volcanic activity. His videos have captivated viewers around the world, garnering more than 1,000 subscribers, 130,000 views, 4,000 hours of watch time and 990,000 impressions to date. Building on this success, he recently launched "GeoMechanic" on TikTok, where he shares bite-sized educational clips to help inspire curiosity and connect with a wider audience.
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.
