2014 IODE War Memorial Scholarship Award Winners
Jacquelyn Cragg
Jacquelyn was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia. She received her Bachelor of Science in 2007 and her Masters of Public Health in 2011 at the University of British Columbia. She is pursuing her doctorate in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) at the University of British Columbia within the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre which brings together a multi-discipline team of specialists and people with spinal cord injuries. Jacquelyn’s focus is determining if individuals with SCI have a higher risk of stroke, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes compared with able-bodied people. Her research will help establish clinical practice guidelines for management of cardiovascular disease among SCI individuals, with the long term goal of improving their quality of life. Due to her stellar academic performance, Jacquelyn is a Killam (UBC top scholarship), NSERC and MS Society of Canada Scholar and has also been awarded the Minerva Foundation Women in Science Award. Her outstanding publication record in high impact journals, has received international recognition. Aside from her academic pursuits, Jacquelyn has volunteered at the Vancouver and London Paralympic Games (2010-2012), assisted with the Vancouver Recovery Club at the 24/7 drop-in and street outreach for disadvantaged people seeking recovery from addiction. She has mentored high school students with barriers to education, allowing them the chance to take Science 101 at UBC. Jacquelyn has been described by one of her referees as an academic and community superstar and leader. 
Christopher Collier
Born in Kelowna, British Columbia, Christopher received his first degree from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance in 2007. He then obtained a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus) in 2011 and is pursuing his doctorate at the University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus) in Electrical Engineering. Christopher’s research will develop a terahertz spectroscopy integrated chip with enhanced bio-sensing capabilities that will help develop a new era of cancer detection systems, especially for breast cancer tumors without an invasive biopsy. He is the recipient of numerous NSERC awards at the undergraduate and graduate level and was granted a Killam Memorial Doctoral Fellowship. Christopher has published his research findings in a number of good journals and presented at conferences. His volunteer work is impressive, spanning career fairs, robotic workshops, Summer Scholars Optics Workshops for Aboriginal students, tutoring, and participating in elementary and high school science outreach programs within the Aboriginal community. Christopher also is working towards his black belt in Karate. Chris uses his musical talents to provide music for church services and at concert fundraisers that supports people struggling with addiction and homelessness. He is described as “a great communicator, a careful researcher, and a considerate citizen of our School.” |
Cassandra Churchill
Born in Brandon, Manitoba, received her Bachelor of Science (with Great Distinction) in 2009 and her Masters of Science degree in 2011 from the University of Lethbridge and is currently at the University of Alberta, pursuing her doctorate in Chemistry. Cassandra’s research examines cancer chemotherapies and the development of new drugs through the use of computers to study the structures and properties of molecules. As a computational chemist, her practical applications will put her research at the frontier of pharmaceutical anti-cancer drug development and a future leader in the field of medicinal chemistry. Through the development of new drugs, there will be improved efficiency, fewer side effects and the ability to overcome resistances. Cassandra’s publication record and academic achievements has resulted in her being awarded several prestigious provincial and national awards, Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship and NSERCs (National Science and Engineering Research Council) in both her undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral programs. She has actively supported science development through volunteering with Let’s Talk Science and WISEST (Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, and Technology) summer research programs for young women in high school. Ms. Churchill comes highly recommended as an outstanding young research. 
Elzbieta (Ela) Przybylo
Ela was born in Poland and became a Canadian citizen in 1995. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies in 2009 and her Master of Arts in English and Film Studies in 2011 from the University of Alberta. She is pursuing her doctorate at York University in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies. Her research topic is Asexuality (nonsexuality) and Intensification of Sexuality in Contemporary North American Contexts. This intensification of sexuality is when sex is fused with health and pleasure and when sexual identification is a precondition of social existence, self-making and modernity. Ela’s research is original and with her numerous publications and conference presentations, it will affect future health and citizenship studies. She has received a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Scholarship (SSHRC) at the masters and doctoral levels, the prestigious Ralph Steinhauer Award given by the Alberta government and the Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement for research work at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. With her Bachelor of Design in Visual Communications (with distinction) (2007) from the University of Alberta, Ela is a designer, artist, published poet and photographer. She uses her creative talents in visual design, working with various women organizations. Being of Polish heritage, she is an active member in the community teaching children Polish language and culture. Ms. Przybylo has been described as intellectually curious, driven, and deeply committed to her project. |
Cameron Mang
Cameron was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. He received his Bachelor of Physical Education (Sports Performance) in 2008 and Masters of Science (Neurophysiology) in 2010 from the University of Alberta. He is now studying for his doctorate at the University of British Columbia in Rehabilitation Sciences. Cameron’s research topic is promoting neuroplasticity and motor learning: the influence of aerobic exercise and (epi)genetic variation on brain- derived neurotrophic factor. This research has implications for improving recovery of movement for stroke victims. His project thesis will answer questions that require the instersection of three relatively distinct fields, namely exercise physiology, motor learning and genetics. “There is a crucial need for the development of longer term exercises and rehabilitation strategies after a neurological injury.”
For Cameron’s research talents, he has been awarded NSERC scholarships at the undergraduate, masters and doctoral level and a Canada Graduate Scholarships for his masters and doctoral programs. Through an award from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (Foreign Study Supplement), Cameron trained at the Neural Control of Movement Lab at the University of Copenhagen. This lab is a leader in the field of exercise and motor learning. He has an impressive publication record and has presented his work at high profile international and national scientific conferences.
Cameron has an extensive background of volunteer work in the community, especially around adaptive physical exercise for children, youth and adults with disabilities, even travelling to Nepal as an exercise therapist for children.
Mr. Mang comes highly recommended as having an outstanding future as a leading Canadian neuroscientist.
Cameron was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. He received his Bachelor of Physical Education (Sports Performance) in 2008 and Masters of Science (Neurophysiology) in 2010 from the University of Alberta. He is now studying for his doctorate at the University of British Columbia in Rehabilitation Sciences. Cameron’s research topic is promoting neuroplasticity and motor learning: the influence of aerobic exercise and (epi)genetic variation on brain- derived neurotrophic factor. This research has implications for improving recovery of movement for stroke victims. His project thesis will answer questions that require the instersection of three relatively distinct fields, namely exercise physiology, motor learning and genetics. “There is a crucial need for the development of longer term exercises and rehabilitation strategies after a neurological injury.”
For Cameron’s research talents, he has been awarded NSERC scholarships at the undergraduate, masters and doctoral level and a Canada Graduate Scholarships for his masters and doctoral programs. Through an award from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (Foreign Study Supplement), Cameron trained at the Neural Control of Movement Lab at the University of Copenhagen. This lab is a leader in the field of exercise and motor learning. He has an impressive publication record and has presented his work at high profile international and national scientific conferences.
Cameron has an extensive background of volunteer work in the community, especially around adaptive physical exercise for children, youth and adults with disabilities, even travelling to Nepal as an exercise therapist for children.
Mr. Mang comes highly recommended as having an outstanding future as a leading Canadian neuroscientist.
IODE War Memorial Scholarships
IODE’s Living Legacy
As World War I ended, The National Chapter of Canada IODE initiated a living memorial to 60,000 Canadians whose lives were sacrificed. This War Memorial, approved at the 1918 Annual Meeting in Montreal, provided bursaries for university studies in Canada to children of men killed or permanently disabled in the Great War.
Immediately, a campaign to raise $500,000 began and by 1920 the first bursaries were awarded. Each province was assigned one award of $250 a year for four years (later increased to $300). Where there was no candidate, the bursary went to another province.
In 1929, the War Memorial Fund of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire was enacted by special act (Bill 8) of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario.
The War Memorial Committee in each province chose candidates based on their school record, health and character, the war service of their father and the family’s financial circumstances. Both principal and interest of the Fund provided these bursaries until 1937. No awards were offered during the war years and bursaries ended in 1965 and scholarships based on academic excellence continued to be offered.
The War Memorial Post Graduate Scholarships began in 1921 for one college graduate from each province to spend one year at a British University. Among the first to hold this scholarship for 1922-1923 at King’s College, University of London, was Bertha M. Lawrence from Alberta.
The value of a scholarship was $1,400 until 1930 when it was raised to $1,600. Post Graduate Scholarships used only the Fund’s income. No awards were offered during the war years and when peace was finally declared, in 1946, the members of IODE decided to establish a Second War Memorial to honour the memory of forty some thousand men and women who lost their lives for Canada and in defense of freedom. The Post Graduate Scholarships from the two War Memorials Funds were originally offered in specific fields of study.
Today, there is no such restriction. Applicants must be Canadian citizens and in at least the second year of their doctoral program. Scholarships valued at $15,000 are now awarded to students attending Canadian or Commonwealth universities. A committee in the province of the candidate’s first degree makes selections and forwards nominations to the National Chapter where the final decisions are made. The National Selection Committee is comprised of five IODE members and three professors from different universities. The National Chapter of Canada IODE War Memorial Scholars have made important contributions to Canada and the world in medicine, science, business, politics and academia.
As World War I ended, The National Chapter of Canada IODE initiated a living memorial to 60,000 Canadians whose lives were sacrificed. This War Memorial, approved at the 1918 Annual Meeting in Montreal, provided bursaries for university studies in Canada to children of men killed or permanently disabled in the Great War.
Immediately, a campaign to raise $500,000 began and by 1920 the first bursaries were awarded. Each province was assigned one award of $250 a year for four years (later increased to $300). Where there was no candidate, the bursary went to another province.
In 1929, the War Memorial Fund of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire was enacted by special act (Bill 8) of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario.
The War Memorial Committee in each province chose candidates based on their school record, health and character, the war service of their father and the family’s financial circumstances. Both principal and interest of the Fund provided these bursaries until 1937. No awards were offered during the war years and bursaries ended in 1965 and scholarships based on academic excellence continued to be offered.
The War Memorial Post Graduate Scholarships began in 1921 for one college graduate from each province to spend one year at a British University. Among the first to hold this scholarship for 1922-1923 at King’s College, University of London, was Bertha M. Lawrence from Alberta.
The value of a scholarship was $1,400 until 1930 when it was raised to $1,600. Post Graduate Scholarships used only the Fund’s income. No awards were offered during the war years and when peace was finally declared, in 1946, the members of IODE decided to establish a Second War Memorial to honour the memory of forty some thousand men and women who lost their lives for Canada and in defense of freedom. The Post Graduate Scholarships from the two War Memorials Funds were originally offered in specific fields of study.
Today, there is no such restriction. Applicants must be Canadian citizens and in at least the second year of their doctoral program. Scholarships valued at $15,000 are now awarded to students attending Canadian or Commonwealth universities. A committee in the province of the candidate’s first degree makes selections and forwards nominations to the National Chapter where the final decisions are made. The National Selection Committee is comprised of five IODE members and three professors from different universities. The National Chapter of Canada IODE War Memorial Scholars have made important contributions to Canada and the world in medicine, science, business, politics and academia.