Carleton University’s Top 10 Stories of 2025
As the 2025 season comes to a close, we reflect on the groundbreaking research, innovative leadership and inspiring community achievements that defined 2025 for Carleton University.
Take a look back at the year’s Top 10 stories:
Carleton’s Abilities Living Laboratory Advancing Accessibility and Innovation
Centred on the “nothing about us, without us” imperative, the Abilities Living Laboratory engages people with disabilities directly in accessibility research and innovation, supporting collaboration that enables solutions to enhance independence and accessibility for all.
Introducing Carleton University’s New Chancellor
Nikita (Nik) Nanos was installed as Carleton’s 13th chancellor on June 20, 2025. Carleton welcomes a new ceremonial leader and renews a longstanding relationship with an individual motivated by a steadfast desire to serve the community.
Carleton Student’s Innovation Could Transform Maple Syrup Harvesting
Every spring, producers tap maple trees to harvest sap. As temperatures rise, the trees create “buddy sap,” which is unusable for syrup production. A simple test strip created by Shahad Abdulmawjood, a Chemistry PhD candidate, could make detecting it easier and instantaneous.
Researchers Develop Rapid-Response Treatment Centre for Infectious Diseases
Carleton Industrial Design program director Chantal Trudel and her team of research assistants are contributing to the design of the World Health Organization’s Infectious Disease Treatment Module – helping protect doctors and nurses from exposure to pathogens like Ebola. Her team is developing a transparent plastic screen separating health-care workers in “a low-risk zone” from patients in a contaminated “high-risk zone” during treatment.
Carleton Engineering Student Embraces Co-op at Red Bull Racing
Carleton mechanical engineering student Leah Penny has been putting in long hours at the Red Bull Racing Technology Campus in Milton Keynes, England. She is helping to design components for a new internal combustion engine for Red Bull Racing’s Formula One car as part of her co-op work term.
Helping Canadian SMEs Overcome American Tariffs
For Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), economic uncertainty isn’t a distant concern — it’s a daily reality. Carleton’s Technology Innovation Management (TIM) program offers a game-changing strategy to help SMEs adapt and secure their futures with AI-powered tools, digital training and a strategic framework to diversify beyond the American market.
A Scientist’s Mission to Tackle ALS
For Daniel Knight, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research is personal. When he was 19, Knight lost his father to the disease. Now pursuing his PhD in Chemistry, he’s leading groundbreaking research into a novel therapeutic approach for ALS.
Making AI More Effective and Reducing Risks by Replicating Our Brains
Limitations of artificial intelligence include bias and a lack of ethics, opening the door to significant risks. Cognitive science researcher Mary Kelly is addressing these challenges. One of the reasons the architects of AI systems struggle with these issues, she says, is an inability to accurately replicate what happens inside the human brain.
Carleton Journalism Professor Teaches Students How to Handle Trauma
Journalism professor Matthew Pearson is developing methods for teaching students how to cover traumatic incidents and report on people who have experienced trauma – encouraging more sensitive reporting and safeguarding the mental health of media workers.
Carleton University Ravens Reclaim Pedro in Panda Game Victory
In front of a sold-out crowd of more than 23,000 fans at Ottawa’s TD Place stadium, the Carleton Ravens football team reclaimed Pedro the Panda with a thrilling 20-14 victory over the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees in the 56th annual Panda Game.
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