An innovative training program led by York University Associate Professor Gunho Sohn is one of 16 projects across Canada awarded federal funds to prepare emerging researchers with critical skills to thrive in the country's in-demand sectors.
Sohn, a professor of geomatics engineering in the Earth and Space Science and Engineering Department at the Lassonde School of Engineering, will use the $1.65-million grant over the next six years to develop and deploy "Smart Mobility Advanced Research & Training (SMART)."
The grant was announced July 9 as part of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's (NSERC) Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program, which will invest $26.4 million to support projects that will help new researchers transition into the workforce of Canada's most critical sectors.
The program encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration and provides robust mentoring and mobility opportunities that equip researchers to thrive in a variety of research settings. It supports innovation in natural sciences and engineering while building bridges to health, social sciences and humanities.
Sohn, founding director of York's Mobility Innovation Centre (MOVE), leads cutting-edge research to develop solutions to mobility-related challenges. His work, along with those at MOVE, focuses on enhancing safety, comfort and accessibility while ensuring mobility technologies are responsibly and efficiently integrated into society.
The SMART initiative addresses Canada's urgent need for research talent in next-generation transportation system.
According to Sohn, SMART will prepare graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with advanced, interdisciplinary training in AI-powered, connected and sustainable mobility systems, while emphasizing equity and community impact.
"As director of the SMART program, I am proud to lead this national initiative to train the next generation of researchers and innovators who will shape Canada's transportation future," says Sohn. "SMART brings together leading experts in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, mobility policy and community health to tackle critical challenges in how people and goods move - with a clear emphasis on equity, sustainability and public well-being."
SMART's training will span sustainable transport, mobility analytics and digital twin systems, with a strong emphasis on equity through collaboration with Indigenous and underserved communities. Grounded in two Living Labs - at York University's Keele Campus and Opaskwayak Cree Nation - SMART will develop real-world solutions to improve health, access and food security. Backed by leading academic, civic and industry partners, SMART blends technical training with hands-on experience.
A key pillar of SMART is its partnership with the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, which focuses on co-developing mobility solutions to improve access to health care and fresh food in response to chronic health challenges.
"Working closely with OCN leadership and health providers, our team will co-develop and pilot smart mobility solutions - including data-driven transportation planning and on-demand delivery services," says Sohn, adding that one such initiative supports the delivery of fresh produce from OCN's Vertical Smart Farm directly to community members, helping to address diet-related health issues and promote food security.
Work at the Keele Campus Living Lab will focus on deploying and evaluating real-time mobility solutions in a dynamic urban setting. Sohn will also lead SMART's efforts in digital twin mobility to integrate real-time sensing, AI and simulation to support responsive, inclusive and data-informed transportation systems. He will also oversee the SMART Internship and Exchange Program, which will offer trainees valuable experience with industry, government and community partners across Canada and internationally.
"With SMART, we're not just training researchers - we're building a new generation of innovators who can lead Canada's transition to safer, smarter and more sustainable mobility systems," says Sohn. "The funding from NSERC's CREATE program will prepare emerging talent with the skills, networks and vision to thrive in a rapidly evolving transportation landscape."
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter
