Leadership
Dr. Jane Goodyer, Dean
Dr. Jane Goodyer is Dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University in Toronto. As chief academic and administrative officer, Jane leads an inclusive community of engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs towards achieving Lassonde’s strategic academic goals.
Prior to joining Lassonde in 2018, she worked for 12 years at Massey University, New Zealand, in various leadership roles, including Head of the School of Engineering and Advanced Technology. Having led New Zealand’s first Degree Apprenticeship pilot program, she’s now introduced this extraordinary first in Canada. Launched in Fall 2023, the fully work-integrated Digital Technologies program is a uniquely flexible, cost-effective alternative to traditional university study that allows learners to be fully employed and gain a qualification, without going into debt.
Jane is driven to make education more accessible, advancing women and other underrepresented groups in engineering. In 2016, she launched engineering outreach programs for girls across New Zealand. Today, she continues this work through Lassonde’s k2i (kindergarten to industry) academy, engaging youth and K-12 educators in hands-on, free STEM programs. Since 2020, k2i has reached 27,000+ students, teachers, families, and community members, spending 230,000+ hours in virtual and face-to-face engagements, and generating almost $6M in funding. They design their work alongside some of the largest and most diverse public-school boards in Canada, collaborating to dismantle systemic barriers to opportunities in STEM.
In July 2023, Coventry University, U.K., honoured Jane, an alumna, with an Honorary Doctorate of Technology. This recognition was bestowed in acknowledgment of her exceptional contributions to engineering education and her dedicated efforts in advancing the role of women in the field. As a first-generation learner who has faced many personal struggles, Jane is passionate about opening doors for others.
Dr. Franck van Breugel, Vice Dean
Professor van Breugel received his MASc from Eindhoven University of Technology, carried out his doctoral research at the Dutch Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science, and received his PhD from the Free University, Amsterdam.
Prior to his role as Vice Dean, Professor van Breugel was director of the Electrical Engineering & Computer Science graduate program (2015-18), vice-chair and chair of York’s Senate (2017-19), as well as chair of Lassonde’s Faculty Council (2020-2022). Since 2016, he has primarily taught courses in Lassonde’s software engineering program. His current research focuses on the development of techniques and tools to analyze software, in particular, software that relies on randomness as used in fields such as security and artificial intelligence.
As Vice Dean, Professor van Breugel works in close collaboration with senior school and University administrators to ensure academic programming adheres to quality assurance processes and procedures; advances faculty excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service; promotes the School’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion; and partners with the Dean and other senior leaders to develop and oversee policies and procedures that involve the School’s employees.
Dr. Peter Park, Associate Dean, Research, Innovation, Enterprise & Partnerships
As Associate Dean – Research, Innovation, Enterprise & Partnerships, Dr. Park is responsible for providing leadership and direction to support the School’s high-impact research and scholarship enterprises across the various academic disciplines and departments of the School. He works in collaboration with the Faculty’s Organized Research Units (ORUs) to raise York’s research profile and oversees multiple units within the Office of Research, Innovation, Enterprise and Partnerships. These include the Office of Research Support, responsible for delivering coordinated support for research program development and proposal submission; Lassonde Professional Development, responsible for the coordinated delivery of research and training services to government, industry, and non-profit clients, engagement in regional economic development, and supporting business innovation and entrepreneurship; and Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (BEST), responsible for developing purposeful and progressive entrepreneurship in Lassonde’s undergraduate and graduate students, and faculty.
Previously, Dr. Park was Chair of the Civil Engineering Department. His expertise is in transportation safety and security (highways and railways), intelligent transportation systems, transportation planning and advanced statistical analysis. In addition to his academic experience, he has ten years of experience in national and international consulting as a traffic safety analyst, transportation engineer and planner. He has authored and co-authored numerous papers published in top journals and various conference proceedings. He has also delivered more than 30 technical reports for various North American agencies.
Dr. Suprakash Datta, Associate Dean Academic and Students
Dr. Datta has degrees from the Indian Institute of Technology, India, and the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, USA. He is a well-known and respected researcher in the fields of algorithmic aspects of communication networks and bioinformatics.
Highly committed to improving students’ academic experiences, Dr. Datta has taught a wide variety of courses in both our graduate and undergraduate programs, as well as holding numerous administrative positions at all levels of York University. Having led the Department of EECS as past Vice-Chair and current Interim Chair, Professor Datta consistently exemplifies Lassonde’s values to foster new ideas, interdisciplinary opportunities and collective growth.
As Associate Dean, Academic & Students, Dr. Datta oversees undergraduate and graduate level curriculum development, student academic success and student learning, from onboarding the learner through to graduation.
Mitch Burnie - Assistant Dean, Students
Mitch Burnie is the Assistant Dean of Students. He took on this role in 2020. Prior to this he held the position of Manager, Student Advising at Lassonde.
His goal is to continue providing strategic guidance on a number of key areas including academic advising, engagement, scholarships, academic honesty, co-op, petitions and much more. Student experience, well-being and success is his utmost priority.
Department Chairs
Dr. Mojgan Jadidi, Chair, Department of Civil Engineering
An Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, Dr. Jadidi brings extensive experience in civil engineering education and research, with internationally recognized contributions spanning digital infrastructure, building information modelling, and engineering pedagogy. Her work connects data, design, and decision-making across the infrastructure lifecycle, with a strong emphasis on industry engagement and societal impact. She is widely respected for curricular innovation, including work in extended reality, gamified learning, and the development of integrated first-year engineering learning models.
As Chair, Professor Jadidi will work closely with faculty, staff, students, and university leadership to support the department’s collegial processes, strategic priorities, and shared governance. Her experience positions her well to facilitate constructive dialogue around curriculum, research, and emerging areas of practice, as the department collectively considers how best to prepare graduates for a rapidly evolving civil engineering profession.
Dr. James Whiteway, Interim Chair, Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering
A Professor of Atmospheric Science and Space Engineering, Dr. Whiteway is renowned for his research in the investigation of atmospheres on Earth and Mars through the development and application of laser remote sensing technology. James led the Science Team for the LIDAR instrument on the NASA Phoenix mission that landed on Mars in 2008. A highlight of that work was the discovery of snow falling from Martian clouds. His Earth-based research involves the development and application of laser remote sensing technologies to study atmospheric processes that influence climate and air quality.
As the Interim Chair of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, Dr. Whiteway leads the department in advancing multidisciplinary education and research to create an intellectually stimulating environment that fosters curiosity, collaboration, and innovation.
Dr. Amir H. Chinaei, Chair, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
With expertise in pedagogical leadership in computer science and engineering, research and development in data security and user privacy, software engineering, and information visualization, Dr. Chinaei brings with him an impressive background. He has over 20 years of experience in the software industry and various computer science and engineering departments. He earned his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo and holds MSc and BSc degrees in Software Engineering from the Amirkabir University of Technology—Tehran Polytechnic—and Isfahan University in Iran, respectively.
Having served on numerous committees at York University, Dr. Chinaei is highly committed to improving students’ academic experiences. He has served as the Undergraduate Program Director for the Computer Science, Computer Security and Digital Media programs. He has also previously been recognized for Teaching Excellence in Computer Science at the University of Toronto, where he taught prior to joining York in 2017.
Dr. Aleksander Czekanski, Interim Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering
A University Honorific Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Czekanski brings expertise in computational and experimental solid mechanics, additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and engineering education.
He earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and later completed an MBA at the Schulich School of Business. Before entering academia, Alex contributed extensively to the automotive industry. Since joining York University, he has received several honours recognizing excellence in teaching and research, including the President’s University-Wide Teaching Award and the Lassonde Innovation Award for Established Research.
As Interim Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Czekanski provides leadership and direction for numerous academic and faculty-related matters, including the coordination of programs, resources, opportunities, professional development and mentorship.
