Graduate Students

Wilder and Helen Penfield Research Station: a hub for environmental sciences

admin — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:34:40 +0000

Tucked away on the peaceful shores of Lake Memphremagog, the Wilder and Helen Penfield Research Station blends a serene atmosphere with scientific discoveries. Operated by �鶹��’s Faculty of Science and managed by the Gault Nature Reserve, the station provides a base for research and teaching in limnology, aquatic ecology, and environmental science.

Science showcase celebrates the curiosity driving undergraduate research

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:44:02 +0000

More than 200 undergraduate students presented their work at the 7th edition of the annual Faculty of Science event

From labs to field sites, �鶹�� students brought their discoveries to life at the 7th annual Undergraduate Science Showcase, held on March 25. The event offers students an encouraging, non-competitive space where they can proudly share their research, passion projects, and in-class work, all while strengthening their confidence and science communication skills.

36 Faculty of Science professors receive NSERC Discovery Grants funding

admin — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:55:54 +0000

Thirty-six Faculty of Science professors have been awarded funding through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grant program.

The Discovery Grants program is NSERC's largest and longest-standing program. Discovery Grants support ongoing projects with long-term goals, providing researchers with the flexibility to explore the most promising avenues of research as they emerge.

Adrian Liu receives the 2026 Carrie M. Derick Award for Graduate Teaching and Supervision

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:34:49 +0000

Congratulations to Adrian Liu (Physics), who received the 2026 Carrie M. Derick Award for Graduate Teaching and Supervision!

The Carrie M. Derick Award for Graduate Supervision and Teaching, awarded by the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, acknowledges outstanding contributions to promoting graduate student excellence through supervision and teaching by a faculty member who has been supervising for 10 years or less.

Six Faculty of Science Professors celebrated for outstanding research achievements

admin — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:02:16 +0000

Clockwise from top left: Parisa Ariya (Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences), Bruce Arndtsen (Chemistry), Nikolaos Provatas (Physics), Hanadi Sleiman (Chemistry), Irene Gregory-Eaves (Biology), and Fiona Soper (Biology)

This year, six professors from the Faculty of Science have been recognized among the recipients of the 2026 cohort of Distinguished James �鶹�� Professors, James �鶹�� Professors and William Dawson Scholars.

2026 Fessenden Professorship Awards and Tomlinson Science Awards winners announced

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:45:09 +0000

The 2026 winners of the Fessenden Professorship and Tomlinson Science Awards have been named.

Established in 2007 and named after Canadian electrical engineer Reginald Aubrey Fessenden, the Fessenden Professorship in Science and Innovation Award supports researchers in exploring early-stage concepts, developing intellectual property, and moving innovations toward commercialization.

Faculty of Science announces appointment of four department chairs

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:20:45 +0000

From left: Prof. Yi Huang (Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences), Prof. Laura Nilson (Department of Biology), Prof. Brigitte Pientka (School of Computer Science), Prof. Galen Halverson (Department of Earth and Planetary Science).

The Faculty of Science is pleased to announce the appointment of four department chairs, who began their terms on June 1.

The three new chairs are Prof. Yi Huang (Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences), Prof. Laura Nilson (Department of Biology), and Prof. Brigitte Pientka (School of Computer Science).

Explosions, colour changes, and hands-on science: the �鶹�� Chemistry Outreach Group’s 24 Hours of Science Event

admin — Fri, 15 May 2026 14:07:06 +0000

On Saturday, May 2, families gathered at the Otto Maass Chemistry Building for an exciting day of discovery as the �鶹�� Chemistry Outreach Group held its annual 24 Hours of Science event, which welcomed 220 guests.

The science that changed how we study pain

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:34:18 +0000

Some of Dr. Jeffrey Mogil’s most influential discoveries could be considered serendipity. He may not have set out to revolutionize the field, but what he ended up finding has made a lasting impact in the world of pain research.

Dr. Mogil is a pain researcher and professor at �鶹��, and his CIHR-supported work uncovered two big blind spots: the research had focused almost entirely on male pain and mostly measured one type of pain—and not the type that makes the biggest difference for patients.

Unusual calcite formation discovered at the site of �鶹�� Sustainability Park

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:59:52 +0000

�鶹��’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences is now studying it as part of research about the Island of Montreal

A rock featuring a white calcite vein in a rare ‘petal’ formation has been extracted from the construction site of the future �鶹�� Sustainability Park.

Attached to a chunk of grey stone, the full rock is the approximate size of a microwave. It was discovered by construction workers north of Pine Avenue.

A leap of faith: how Astrid found her path

admin — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:34:32 +0000

Four years ago, Astrid Parrot moved from Senegal to Montreal to study, leaving her home and family for the first time to begin her B.Sc. Honours Chemistry degree at �鶹��. Without a clear picture of what her future would look like, she took what she describes as “a leap of faith."

She immersed herself into university life, living in residence her first year and meeting new people. She had found her place at �鶹��, but uncertainty lingered throughout her degree as she quietly wondered whether chemistry was truly the right path for her.

2026 Faculty of Science Excellence Award winners announced

admin — Tue, 26 May 2026 13:41:53 +0000

Ann Jack (Clerical), Diti Anastasopoulos (Management), and Maxime Leroux (Technical) have been named recipients of the Faculty of Science Excellence Awards.

These awards, announced at the Faculty of Science Council meeting on May 20th, recognize the outstanding contributions made by members of the Faculty’s administrative and support staff during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Read below the citations prepared by the Faculty of Science Excellence Awards Committee.

Appointment of Alanna Watt as Dean of the Faculty of Science

admin — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:48:45 +0000

Dear members of the �鶹�� community,

I am delighted to announce that Prof. Alanna Watt will be �鶹��’s next Dean of the Faculty of Science. The �鶹�� Board of Governors approved her appointment at its meeting on April 23, 2026, and her five-year renewable term will begin on May 1.

AeroCellutions wins second place at the 2026 Biodesign Challenge Summit

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:15:01 +0000

Image from left to right: Emma Louie, Olivia Cozariuc, Meenakshi Pillai, Carolyn Denton, Emmett Olthuis, Anisa Hashemi, Liberté Vaudandaine, Samathar Senso, Mannat Chandok, Emma Bryson.

Siva Reddy (Computer Science and Linguistics) and Katelin Schutz (Physics) awarded 2026 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowships

admin — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:27:55 +0000

Professors Siva Reddy (Computer Science and Linguistics) and Katelin Schutz (Physics) have been named 2026 Sloan Research Fellows.

They are among the 126 early-career researchers in this year’s cohort of the prestigious two-year, $75,000 fellowship sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Fellows are nominated by their colleagues and evaluated based on their research accomplishments, creativity and potential to become leaders in their fields.