Voices of Lassonde
Student
Reza Mirhadi
Undergraduate student (final year)
Mechanical Engineering
What I love most about Lassonde is how academic and extracurricular opportunities complement the School’s sustainable vision and help create well-rounded engineers. The stories and achievements in the 2022-2023 Impact Report are a testament to the way Lassonde supports students in their journey.
Ever since I was a child; I have been passionate about mechanical design. I enjoyed playing with Legos and building anything I could imagine like cars, planes, ships and more. This early enthusiasm led me to pursue Mechanical Engineering at Lassonde, where I could refine my skills and hone my passion to make a positive impact in the world.
At Lassonde, I have been privileged to learn from professors with years of industry experience in both technical engineering and business entrepreneurship. They put a lot of effort and passion into their teaching, making abstract topics more practical and engaging. I especially enjoy my design classes that allow me to apply theoretical and engineering concepts to real, global challenges in areas such as energy, housing, water and more.
Beyond the classroom, Lassonde has given me many opportunities to nurture my interests in entrepreneurship and engineering, including through the Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (BEST) program. I completed the BEST certification, which includes four courses in business and law, participated in competitive entrepreneurship events such as the BEST Startup Experience, and served as a judge and student mentor for UNHack. One achievement I am especially proud of is receiving the BEST Technology Impact Award for Capstone Day. I think my experience in the BEST program helped transform me into a versatile and well-rounded engineer.
In addition, I was the Academic Advocacy Director of the Lassonde Engineering Society where I acted as a liaison between students and professors. I also won the York Engineering Competition and participated in the Ontario Engineering Competition. These experiences were all incredibly valuable in shaping my student experience.
I found learning outside the classroom the most valuable part of my educational experience. Through Lassonde’s co-op program, I worked at AFA Systems, an automation company where I was responsible for four automation projects. I had the opportunity to perform mechanical design and manage manufacturing, assembly, troubleshooting and shipping. I also took on an internship opportunity at Hatch, a consulting firm where I was employed as a Mechanical Project Engineer in the Energy Technologies, Tech Delivery Group. I worked on a research and development project which allowed me to perform mechanical design, manufacturing and prototyping research. Throughout my journey at Lassonde, I have developed and refined my problem-solving, leadership and communication skills. I am not only proud to become a Lassonde-trained engineer, but I am also confident that the experiences offered through the School have prepared my peers and me for an exciting future of tackling engineering challenges across the world. As this report shows, Lassonde empowers us to create a positive impact in countless ways both within and outside of York University.
Alum
Praise Ayorinde
Graduate, Bachelor of Computer Science and minor in Psychology (2019)
Software Development Manager, Amazon
As Lassonde showcases its impact in the 2022-2023 academic year, I have a special opportunity to reflect on my own time at the School. I feel a sense of pride knowing my journey began at an upstanding University that is making a difference through community outreach, research advancement and interdisciplinary, inclusive initiatives. It’s these remarkable programs and opportunities that initially drew me across the world to Lassonde.
When I first started studying computer science at the School as an international student from Nigeria, I not only had to learn a new subject but also navigate an unfamiliar country. Since Lassonde offered such a diverse environment, it was easy for me to build my own supportive community. The professors were always very approachable and thanks to their guidance, I progressed from a beginner in my field to a Software Development Manager at Amazon.
While completing my degree, I had many opportunities to collaborate with others, build teamwork skills and gain hands-on experience. I really enjoyed developing my own code through labs and assignments, rather than only learning through theory.
Lassonde also provided me with experiential learning through the LURA program, allowing me to conduct independent research, supervised by Professor James Elder. He was extremely helpful in teaching new concepts and guiding me through my project which involved creating a 3D model of an intelligent camera for detecting speeding cars on the highway. I was exposed to new technology and following my final research presentation, I received my first professional opportunity to work at a company from Lassonde’s Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology (BEST) program.
One initiative of which I am particularly proud from my time at Lassonde is my work as co-president of Excel Lassonde, a student-led tutoring organization. When I first started, we had about 10 tutors, and by the time I graduated, there were nearly 50. Looking back at where I started and how far I have come has inspired me to help others succeed.
To give back to the Lassonde community, I recently established an international scholarship – so students can achieve their dreams without worrying about financial burdens. I also provide interview preparation support for students transitioning into their careers.
My experience at Lassonde helped me discover my passions and develop the skills I use today in my role at Amazon, where I manage a team, plan projects and develop code to solve different problems. In the future, I would like to continue making an impact and start my own company related to education.
I am one of many alumni who are profoundly grateful to be a part of the Lassonde community.
Dean
Jane Goodyer
Dean, Lassonde School of Engineering
The challenges we face in engineering and science are dynamic and complex. Yet, it is our unwavering commitment to innovation, discovery and progress that fuels our resolve to overcome these obstacles and create a better future.
This report is a testament to our collective efforts in the 2022-23 academic year and the impact we continue to make as we work together to tackle the world’s greatest challenges and realize our Strategic Academic Plan together with the University’s Academic Plan.
At Lassonde, our dedication to advancing interdisciplinary research has never been stronger. As you explore this Annual Impact Report, you’ll see many examples of the ways we’ve collaborated with faculty across York University and with partners at institutions worldwide over the past year. Notably, 38 Lassonde faculty members are advancing the future of socially responsible technologies through the interdisciplinary $318.4M Connected Minds project, a pioneering initiative that draws upon expertise in various engineering disciplines, including computer vision, software engineering, artificial intelligence and more.
Through this project and many others, we continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, addressing global issues and working in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Our emphasis on ideation and creativity flourishes thanks in large part to our multidisciplinary focus and strong partnerships.
In 2022-23, we expanded collaboration with various educational institutions, healthcare associations, government organizations, businesses and community and industry partners to develop innovative solutions. We created opportunities that brought people together to enable knowledge mobilization, through various events, including hosting the Humanitarian Response Network of Canada’s triannual meeting.
As always, pioneering new teaching models and advancing experiential learning are at the forefront of our endeavours. This year, we launched Canada’s first fully work-integrated degree program, welcoming our inaugural cohort. Initiatives like the new BEST Bridge to Startup Initiative provided students with invaluable entrepreneurship experiences for hands-on learning and empowered them to bring design concepts to life. Additionally, we introduced new modes of learning, including a redesigned common core of engineering courses offered in ‘blocks’.
We remain steadfast in our dedication to making the field of engineering more welcoming and accessible to underrepresented groups in STEM, after all, the challenges of the future require diverse perspectives rooted in decolonization, equity, diversity and inclusion. We continue this work through initiatives like our k2i academy, as we collaborate with public school boards to offer free hands-on STEM programs to youth, thereby reducing educational inequities and dismantling socioeconomic barriers. This year, our efforts through the k2i academy have been recognized with the Ontario Minister’s Award of Excellence in the category of Equality of Opportunity.
I hope that as you journey through this report, you feel as excited as I do about how we’re not only advancing the frontiers of knowledge but also preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists to meet the challenges of the next century.
Land Acknowledgement: York University recognizes that many Indigenous Nations have longstanding relationships with the territories upon which York University campuses are located that precede the establishment of York University. York University acknowledges its presence on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. The area known as Tkaronto has been caretaken by the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat. It is now home to many First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities. We acknowledge the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement to peaceably share and care for the Great Lakes region.