2013 IODE War Memorial Scholarship Award Winners
Kieran Findlater
Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, BSc (with distinction) 2005, University of Alberta; MSc 2009 from the University of British Columbia and now is studying for PhD in Environmental Studies at the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES) within the same university. His research focuses on the interactions between energy systems and climate change adaptation, by finding feasible adaptation strategies that both reduce our vulnerability to this change and reduces our energy footprint. Kieran has received numerous NSERC (Natural Science and Engineering Research Council) awards including the Armand Bombardier Canada, the Killam Doctoral Award, the 2009 Olav Slaymaker scholarship for top UBC student plus several other prestigious awards. As an analyst at Canada’s National Agroclimatic Research Service, Kieran worked on quality assessment and analysis of climate data for Agriculture Canada, and in South Africa, on a CIDA internship, in the area of Water Governance. This resulted in two co-authored publications in the well regarded international journals Climate Research and Environment, plus five high-level energy papers and three peer reviewed publications. In addition to his stellar accomplishments, Kieran has also shown great leadership qualities. In 2010 he was the primary engine behind UBC’s highly successful International Development Research Network – a large group of scholars, policy makers and community beneficiaries brought together for a major conference at UBC’s Institute for Global Studies, and has sat as president of the departments student society for two years running. Kieran currently spends substantial extra-curricular time primarily rock climbing, cycling and snowboarding and spent five years competing in triathlon and played competitive soccer since the tender age of four. His referees refer to him as exciting, erudite, exacting and as the “new breed” of emerging scholar – ones whose work crosses both high thresholds of interdisciplinary academic excellence coupled with civic relevance. |
Tyler McKenzie Grant
Born in Oakbank, Manitoba, Tyler received his Bachelor of Science (Bio-E) from the University of Manitoba in 2010 (with distinction) and entered the highly competitive Doctor of Philosophy Biomedical Engineering field at the University of Oxford, UK. Because tendon disease is so painful, disabling and a major healthcare problem, Tyler has chosen to investigate the microstructure-function relationship of the shoulder tendons, using this knowledge to develop biomimetic “patches” intended for tendon repair, and which will promote production of extracellular matrix proteins, required for maintaining tissue integrity. Due to his stellar academic performance, Tyler has been awarded several NSERC Scholarships (Natural Science and Engineering Research Council) throughout his studies, a Rhodes Scholarship in 2010, plus numerous other honours and awards. His first publication to the Journal of Anatomy was well received, as were his talks and works at several prestigious conferences. Lauded for his leadership and strong commitment to research, he has become an excellent ambassador for biomedical engineering. Apart from research, Tyler has become very involved in the community life at Oxford, using his skills in skating and volleyball to promote sporting interests in underprivileged youth, while still promoting public outreach projects he initiated in Canada. Described by his referees as a brilliant young engineer, and having all the hallmarks of a dedicated and successful scholar, Tyler is poised to develop new, novel biomedical technologies that will be the key to addressing the treatment of major crippling diseases. |
|
Anita Melnyk
Anita Melnyk was born in Ottawa. In 2007, Queen’s University conferred a BSc degree (Honours with distinction) and in 2010 she graduated from the University of Ottawa with MSc. She is now pursuing a doctorate in Biology at the University of Ottawa. Anita’s research is focusing on the evolution of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic (disease causing) microbes. This is a pressing health problem as researchers investigate how microbes become resistant, the costs of resistance mutations and how to manage effective treatment methods. Ms Melnyk’s future career goals are to work in Canada where there is a collaborative atmosphere among research labs as an applied researcher, but with opportunities for science outreach and education. The pharmaceutical industry will benefit from her research in the design of future drugs. Already a worthy recipient, Anita has been awarded two NSERCs (Natural Science and Engineering Reseach Council), during her masters and doctoral programs. She has been the recipient of a number of University of Ottawa Excellence Scholarships and other awards. In addition to her academic awards, Anita has presented her findings at numerous conferences and has published four journal articles, three of them as first author. Anita’s volunteer experience spans diverse age groups. She has participated in Let’s Talk Science program which brings science to elementary school age children. In the secondary panel, she has designed and taught several different units, entitled: Biological Diversity Mini-Course, for an enrichment program. She also belongs to SWEET (Symposium on Women Entering Ecology and Evolution Today) and PAGSE ( Partnership Group for Science and Engineering) which is a cooperative association of 25 different national organizations that represent Canadian science and engineering community to the Government of Canada. Anita enjoys playing soccer and baseball, hiking, canoeing and knitting. Ms Melynk comes highly recommended as an outstanding young researcher. |
Kristin Elaine Reimer
Kristin Reimer was born in Cambridge, Ontario. She received her Honours BA from the University of Waterloo in Peace and Conflict Studies in 1998; her B. ED from the University of Ottawa in 2007; her M.A. ED in 2009 and is currently working on her doctorate at the University of Ottawa. Kristin’s field of study is Education and her research on Restorative Justice (RJ), from the students’ point of view, as applied to schools to create safe, supportive and healthy learning communities. Kristin’s research is also being conducted in Scotland, through the University of Edinburgh. Her two main questions are: How do students perceive RJ in schools? What do students perspectives reveal about the politics of RJ in schools? Her research will help schools to understand the impact of RJ and to implement policies and practices. Kristen chose the University of Ottawa for her masters and doctoral programs because of the Faculty of Education’s commitment to integrate themes of peace, justice and human rights within classrooms. Ms Reimer holds a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship (SSHRC), Margaret Haughey Master’s Award from the Canadian Association for the Study of Educational Administration, an Outstanding Graduate Student Paper Award from Citizenship Education Research Network and a University of Ottawa Dean’s Scholarship plus other scholarships and awards. Kristin has already published two, first author papers in refereed journals and has presented at a number of conferences and scholarly meetings. She has also received excellent student course evaluations for the teacher education courses she has taught. Kristin has an extensive extra-curricular participation in organizing institutes, fairs and film series to promote peace and social justice issues. She is a member of a Support Team for a Colombian refugee family. She lends her time to various programs with the Ontario Provincial Courthouse in Ottawa. Ms Reimer’s scholarship in social justice and restorative justice is respected at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Education and throughout Canada. |
Gabrielle Trépanier-Jobin
Gabrielle Trépanier-Jobin was born in Laval, Quebec. Gabrielle received her BA in Communications with Honours from the University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM) in 2006 and a Masters in Communications in 2009. Currently, she is enrolled in a joint Ph.D program in Communications at UQAM/UdeM/Concordia, the only inter-university and bilingual program in North America.
Gabrielle’s research in Communication encompasses cinema, gender studies, digital culture while also integrating ideas from philosophy, sociology and literature. Some of her research is focused on cheating while playing online video games. Ms Trépanier-Jobin is an excellent teacher, using the latest technology to captivate her students.
Gabrielle is described as meticulous, dynamic and innovative. She has received two Joseph-Armand Bombardier Grants (SSHRC) for her masters and doctoral programs. She was awarded the Best Master Thesis in Women’s Studies, plus a FQRSC and Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundations awards. To date, Gabrielle has presented at many conferences, published a book, contributed to book chapters and journals, thus demonstrating her aptitude as a researcher.
Gabrielle’s post-doctoral studies will be at MIT Comparative Media Studies in Boston and Concordia Technoculture Art and Games. Following this, her goal is to be a Professor in a Canadian University.
As a volunteer, Gabrielle has been a mathematics and French tutor, a fundraiser and a conference organizer.
One Professor noted, Gabrielle demonstrates a great deal of activity and innovative research methods to arrive at her conclusions.
Gabrielle Trépanier-Jobin was born in Laval, Quebec. Gabrielle received her BA in Communications with Honours from the University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM) in 2006 and a Masters in Communications in 2009. Currently, she is enrolled in a joint Ph.D program in Communications at UQAM/UdeM/Concordia, the only inter-university and bilingual program in North America.
Gabrielle’s research in Communication encompasses cinema, gender studies, digital culture while also integrating ideas from philosophy, sociology and literature. Some of her research is focused on cheating while playing online video games. Ms Trépanier-Jobin is an excellent teacher, using the latest technology to captivate her students.
Gabrielle is described as meticulous, dynamic and innovative. She has received two Joseph-Armand Bombardier Grants (SSHRC) for her masters and doctoral programs. She was awarded the Best Master Thesis in Women’s Studies, plus a FQRSC and Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundations awards. To date, Gabrielle has presented at many conferences, published a book, contributed to book chapters and journals, thus demonstrating her aptitude as a researcher.
Gabrielle’s post-doctoral studies will be at MIT Comparative Media Studies in Boston and Concordia Technoculture Art and Games. Following this, her goal is to be a Professor in a Canadian University.
As a volunteer, Gabrielle has been a mathematics and French tutor, a fundraiser and a conference organizer.
One Professor noted, Gabrielle demonstrates a great deal of activity and innovative research methods to arrive at her conclusions.
