Awards Celebrations
The Faculty of Science is a community of excellent researchers, instructors, students, and staff. We are proud of the accomplishments and achievements attained by the members of our faculty. Please join us in congratulating members of our community who have been recognized for their excellence.
Dr. Andre Buret
2024 Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
Recipient: Dr. Andre Buret, Professor in the department of Biological Sciences.
Dr. Buret was elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in recognition of his demonstrated leadership and distinctive contributions to advancing health sciences. Election to Fellowship in the Academy is considered one of the highest honours for individuals in the Canadian health sciences community.
Dr. Chris Clarkson
2024 NSERC Synergy Award for Innovation
Recipient: Dr. Chris Clarkson, Professor in the department of Earth, Energy and Environment.
Dr. Clarkson was awarded the NSERC Synergy for his role as the founder and Director of the Tight Oil Consortium. The Synergy Awards for Innovation are intended to showcase innovation and the benefits of uniting strengths to make the most of Canadian ingenuity.
Find out more about this award | NSERC Profile | UToday Story
2024 ASTech Award in Energy
Recipient: Dr. Chris Clarkson, Professor in the department of Earth, Energy and Environment.
Dr. Clarkson was awarded the ASTech Award for Energy which recognizes leadership and significant contributions through the discovery, application or implementation in the energy or cleantech sectors that advance science or technology.
Find out more about this award | UToday Story
2024 John Franklin Carll Award for Distinguished Professionals
Recipient: Dr. Chris Clarkson, Professor in the department of Earth, Energy and Environment.
Dr. Clarkson was awarded the Society for Petroleum Engineers’ John Franklin Carll Award for Distinguished Professionals to recognize his distinguished contribution in the application of engineering principles to petroleum development and recovery.
Dr. David Eaton
2024 JSA Award for Contributions to Observational Seismology
Recipient: Dr. David Eaton, Professor in the department of Earth, Energy, and Environment.
Dr. Eaton was honoured for his outstanding contributions to observational seismology by the Eastern Section of the Seismological Society of America.
Find out more about this award
2024 American Geophysical Union Fellow
Recipient: Dr. David Eaton, Professor in the department of Earth, Energy, and Environment.
Dr. Eaton was recognized for his exceptional contributions to Earth and space science with the rare distinction of being named an AGU Fellow.
Dr. Eric Donovan
2024 American Geophysical Union Fellow
Recipient: Dr. Eric Donovan, Professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy.
Dr. Donovan was recognized for his exceptional contributions to Earth and space science with the rare distinction of being named an AGU Fellow.
Dr. Jerrod Smith
2024 Killam Undergraduate Mentorship Award
Recipient: Dr. Jerrod Smith, Associate Professor (Teaching) in the department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Dr. Smith was recognized for his exceptional pedagogical and supervisory practices that promote the integration of teaching and research.
Dr. Timothy Friesen
2024 Killam Emerging Research Leaders
Recipient: Dr. Timothy Friesen, Assistant Professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy.
Dr. Friesen received this award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to research as an early career scholar.
Dr. Ann Gregory
2024-2026 cohort of CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program
Recipient: Dr. Ann Gregory, Assistant Professor in the department of Biological Sciences.
Dr. Gregory is 1 of 10 emerging research leaders selected (from a pool of 285) to be a member of the 2024-2026 cohort by the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR). She will join the MacMillan Multiscale Human team, creating a map of the human body to drive medical advances. Her work studying the human virome is a perfect fit. This award celebrates her incredible research thus far and will help her continue to advance her important work. Dr. Gregory is the first member at the University of Calgary to hold this incredible distinction.
Dr. Marina Gavrilova
2024 UCalgary Lecture of a Lifetime
Recipient: Dr. Marina Gavrilova, Professor in the department of Computer Science.
Dr. Gavrilova was honored with this prestigious distinction in recognition of her impressive accomplishments and career. She shared how her research contributes to the vibrancy of our city and addresses society's greatest challenges
Dr. Jim Stallard
2024 Distinguished Educator Award from the Statistical Society of Canada
Recipient: Dr. Jim Stallard, Professor (Teaching) in the department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Dr. Stallard won the Distinguished Educator Award for his extensive and sustained excellence in the practice of teaching statistics through significant contributions to evidence-based pedagogy and in leadership in statistical education in Canada.
Dr. Denis Leahy
Fellowship in The Association of Commonwealth Universities
Recipient: Dr. Denis Leahy, Professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy.
Dr. Leahy was awarded Fellowship in the Association of Commonwealth Universities. This Fellowship facilitates collaboration between ACU members across the Commonwealth.
Dr. Ashley Scott Causton
Beyond Benign's Green Chemistry Education Challenge Award
Recipient: Dr. Ashley Scott Causton, Associate Professor (Teaching) in the department of Chemistry.
Dr. Causton has been awarded an Green Chemistry Education Challenge Award from Beyond Benign. This award supports the integration of green chemistry education into courses and curricula.
Dr. Glenn Dolphin
2023 UCalgary Teaching Award
Recipient: Dr. Glenn Dolphin, Associate Professor (Teaching) in the department of Earth, Energy, and Environment.
Dr. Dolphin was awarded the 2023 UCalgary Teaching Award - Full-Time Academic Staff (Associate Professor - Teaching) which recognizes the outstanding efforts of educators whose curiosity, ambition and leadership has enriched student learning.
Dr. Lauren DeDieu
2024 Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award
Recipient: Dr. Lauren DeDieu, Associate Professor (Teaching) in the department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Dr. DeDieu has been awarded the 2024 the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award from the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences for her dedication to excellence and innovation in mathematical education.
Dr. Renate Scheidler
2024 Krieger-Nelson Prize
Recipient: Dr. Renate Scheidler, Professor in the department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Dr. Scheidler was awarded the Krieger-Nelson Prize from the Canadian Mathematical Society. This award recognizes outstanding research by a woman or female-identifying mathematician.
Dr. Robin Cockett
Doctor Honoris Causa
Recipient: Dr. Robin Cockett, Professor in the department of Computer Science
Dr. Cockett was awarded Doctor Honoris Causa from the Tallinn University of Technology. This Honorary Degree recognizes Dr. Cockett's contributions to computer science in Estonia.
Dr. Benjamin Tutolo
Top 40 Under 40 2023
Recipient: Dr. Benjamin Tutolo, Associate Professor in the department of Earth, Energy, and Environment.
Dr. Tutolo was recognized for his incredible contributions to geochemistry. He’s the first UCalgary researcher to be part of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover team.
Dr. Lauren DeDieu
Top 40 Under 40 2023
Recipient: Dr. Lauren DeDieu, Associate Professor (Teaching) in the department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Dr. DeDieu was celebrated for all her amazing efforts to empower students of all ages to transform their fear of math into confidence, and for running program that combat gender bias in her field.
Dr. Christoph Simon
2024 Optica Fellow
Recipient: Dr. Christoph Simon, Professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy.
Dr. Simon was elected to the 2024 Class of Fellows for his contributions to quantum information science and quantum optics, including fundamental tests of quantum phenomena and development of quantum networks. Fellows are Optica members who have served with distinction in the advancement of optics and photonics.
Dr. Masaki Hayashi
2023 Robert N. Farvolden Award from the International Association of Hydrologists
Recipient: Dr. Masaki Hayashi, Professor in the department of Earth, Energy, and Environment.
Dr. Hayashi was awarded this honor in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the disciplines of earth science and engineering, which emphasized the importance of groundwater.
Dr. Glenn Dolphin
2023 Biggs Award for Excellence in Earth Science Teaching from the Geological society of America
Recipient: Dr. Glenn Dolphin, Associate Professor (Teaching) in the department of Earth, Energy, and Environment.
Dr. Dolphin was recognized for his innovative and effective teaching of earth science.
Dr. Justin MacCallum
2024 Early Career Investigator Award from the Biophysical Society of Canada
Recipient: Dr. Justin MacCallum, Associate Professor in the department of Chemistry, and Associate Dean (Graduate and Post-Doctoral Scholars).
Dr. MacCallum was recognized as an emerging leader, having made outstanding contributions to the field.
Dr. Kelly Munkittrick
Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2023 Canadian Ecotoxicity Workshop
Recipient: Dr. Kelly Munkittrick, Professor in the department of Biological Sciences.
Dr. Munkittrick was awarded the Canadian Ecotoxicity Workshop’s Outstanding Contribution Award for his ecotoxicology research programme and its many impacts across Canada.
Find out more about the award (page 23)
Dr. Warren Piers
2024 CIC Medal from the Chemical Institute of Canada
Recipient: Dr. Warren Piers, Professor in the department of Chemistry.
Dr. Piers was awarded the CIC Medal in recognition to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the science of chemistry. This is the CIC’s top award.
Dr. Dan Shugar
2023 Killam Emerging Research Leader Award and Grant (NSERC) from the University of Calgary
Recipient: Dr. Dan Shugar, Associate Professor in the department of Earth, Energy, and Environment.
Dr. Shugar was honored as an early career researcher for outstanding contributions to research (NSERC).
Dr. Jennifer Love
2023 Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Recipient: Dr. Jennifer Love, Professor in the department of Chemistry
The RSC recognizes Canadian leaders in research and innovation. Dr. Love is recognized for her numerous research and leadership accomplishments. Her program spans the traditional boundaries of organic and inorganic chemistry. Her research program aims to discern the fundamental reactivity of late transition metal catalysts to develop new, cost-effective and low waste reactions for the synthesis of new materials and pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Venkataraman Thangadurai
2023 Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Recipient: Dr. Venkataraman Thangadurai, Professor in the department of Chemistry
The RSC recognizes Canadian leaders in research and innovation. Dr. Thangadurai is an internally renowned chemist, recognized for his many contributions to the field. His present research involves the development of novel solid-state materials for modern all-solid-state metal batteries and solid oxide fuel cells. His ground-breaking work on lithium solid electrolytes enables the replacement of unsafe organic electrolyte in current Li-ion batteries.
Dr. Joe Harrison
2023 Member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists, Royal Society of Canada
Recipient: Dr. Joe Harrison, Professor in the department of Biological Sciences
The college recognizes multidisciplinary early-stage career scholars who have demonstrated a high level of achievement. Dr. Harrison is a celebrated early career researcher who has made major achievements to the field of biological sciences. He has made pivotal contributions to the field of microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics through the study of biofilms. His discovery of heat-sensing enzymes and biofilm susceptibility to toxic metals inform new approaches in chronic infectious diseases treatments.
Dr. Lauren DeDieu
2023 PIMS Education Prize
Recipient: Dr. Lauren DeDieu, Associate Professor (Teaching) in the department of Mathematics and Statistics
Dr. DeDieu was awarded the Education Prize from the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Science. This prize is awarded to members of the PIMS community who have made significant contributions to education in the mathematical sciences, focusing on contributions at a broader level with an impact beyond the nominee’s institutions and encouraging activities which have enhanced public awareness and appreciation of the mathematical sciences.
Dr. Elena Braverman
2023 Fellow of the Canadian Mathematical Society
Recipient: Dr. Elena Braverman, Professor in the department of Mathematics and Statistics
Dr. Braverman is a Fellow of the CMS, class of 2023. The Fellowship recognizes CMS members who have made excellent contributions to mathematical research, teaching, or exposition; as well as having distinguished themselves in service to Canada’s mathematical community.
Dr. Kyla Flanagan
2023 3M National Teaching Fellowship from the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Recipient: Dr. Kyla Flanagan, professor in the department of Biological Sciences
Dr. Flanagan received this prestigious national recognition due to her expertise incorporating case studies into biology courses, with some of her cases being accessed tens of thousands of times, as well as her passion for providing undergraduate students with equitable opportunities within experiential learning. In addition to her impact with students and in teaching, Dr. Flanagan’s educational leadership is also seen at the institutional level in her work on fostering faculty resilience.
Dr. Rei Safavi-Naini
2023 International Association of Cryptologic Research Fellowship
Recipient: Dr. Rei Safavi-Naini, professor in the department of Computer Science
Dr. Safavi-Naini is the fifth Canadian, and the first Canadian woman to receive this recognition (fewer than 100 Fellowships have been awarded to date). Dr. Safavi-Naini is an expert in information security and privacy research, and she is being recognized “for significant contributions to cryptography and its application to information security, and exemplary service to IACR and the cryptography community.”
Dr. Don Lawton
2023 Project Achievement Award from APEGA
Recipient: Dr. Don Lawton, professor in the department of Geoscience
Dr. Lawton and the Carbon Management Canada team working at the Newel County Facility were recognized for “giving Alberta a head start in the environmental research game. By studying and developing techniques and technologies to contain and store carbon dioxide underground, it’s helping us move towards a greener tomorrow.”
Dr. Don Lawton
2022 Patricia J Lee Trail blazer Award from Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists
Recipient: Dr. Don Lawton, professor in the department of Geoscience
Recipients of this award have made significant contributions to the field of energy geoscience. Dr. Lawton and Dr. Osadetz (Programs Development Manager, CMC) received this important recognition for their ground-breaking advances in our understanding of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) over the last two decades.
Dr. Casey Hubert
2022 ASTech Award for Outstanding Achievement in Health: Research
Sector: Alberta’s Wastewater COVID-19 Monitoring
Recipient: Dr. Casey Hubert, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, and Dr. Xiao-Li (Lilly) Pang, University of Alberta – representing the Pan-Alberta Team Monitoring COVID-19 in Wastewater
The ASTech Awards recognizes important successes in the innovation ecosystem in Alberta. Dr. Hubert is part of the team identifying and tracking what can be found in our wastewater and sharing this critical information with the public. Using an efficient and economically effective method, the team uses molecular tracking technology to measure, in real time, the levels of COVID-19 in communities. This technology produces evidence-based data and can be used to measure other infections such as the flu, and is shared publicly to inform officials and citizens alike to make decisions about the health of their communities. The Pan-Alberta COVID-19 wastewater monitoring program builds on several successful COVID-19 wastewater projects that have been led by researcher teams from the University of Alberta and UCalgary respectively, in partnership with Alberta Health Services, The City of Calgary, and EPCOR.
Dr. Paul Barclay
2023 Optica Fellows Class
Recipient: Dr. Paul Barclay, professor in the department of Physics and Astronomy.
Dr. Barclay is being recognized for pioneering work in the field of diamond quantum nanophotonics and optomechanics, and revealing new physical phenomena using nanophotonic resonators. He has served with distinction in the advancement of optics and photonics through distinguished contributions to education, research, and society.
Dr, Marina Gavrilova
2022 Killam Annual Professor Award
Recipient: Dr. Marina Gavrilova, professor in the department of Computer Science.
The Killam Annual Professors are awarded annually to outstanding nationally and/or internationally recognized professors at the University of Calgary. Winners of the Killam Annual Professor award will have demonstrated excellence in one or more of the following primary areas: Research; Student supervision and undergraduate and/or graduate teaching.
Dr. Mindi Summers (center)
2022 Killam Undergraduate Mentorship Award
Recipient: Dr. Mindi Summers, associate professor (teaching) in the department of Biological Sciences.
The Killam Undergraduate Mentorship Award recognizes excellence in mentorship at the undergraduate level, which may include extensive involvement of undergraduates in research, supervision of undergraduate research projects, and pedagogical practices that promote the integration of teaching and research.
Dr. Ken Barker
2022 Fellow of Canada’s Association of Information Technology Professionals
Recipient: Dr. Ken Barker, professor in the department of Computer Science
CIPS Fellow Membership has been awarded to professionals in the Information Technology sector who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the IT profession or industry in Canada. Being awarded the CIPS Fellow status is earned recognition of significant development or outstanding contribution to the advancement of the profession, computer technology, the ICT sector or the adoption of ICT.
Dr. Jana Vamosi
2022 Emerald Award in Wildlife & Biodiversity; Emerald Foundation
Recipient: Dr. Jana Vamosi, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences
The Emerald Awards are issued to individuals who are raising the bar in addressing environmental and climate change issues. These environmental awards celebrate excellence across all sectors, showcasing Albertan environmental projects and initiatives that have addressed and mitigated the effects of local, regional, and global environmental issues by achieving excellence aligned to current environmental priorities.
Dr. Christopher Clarkson
2022 SPE Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award, Society of Petroleum Engineers
Recipient: Dr. Christopher Clarkson, professor in the Department of Geoscience
The Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award recognizes outstanding achievements in or contributions to the advancement of petroleum engineering in the area of reservoir description and dynamics. This award was formerly known as the Reservoir Engineering Award and is the largest international award offered by the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Dr. Mindi Summers
2022 Internationalization Achievement Award
Recipient: Dr. Mindi Summers, associate professor (teaching) in the Department of Biological Sciences
University of Calgary International aims to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of students, faculty, staff and community members in progressing our institutional commitment to excellence and leadership in internationalization. Dr. Mindi Summers teaches courses in invertebrate zoology, animal behaviour, evolution, and entomology that incorporate experiential learning, research experiences, and community engagement. Dr. Summers’ research focuses on student learning and undergraduate research experiences in invertebrate biodiversity, urban environments, and plant-pollinator interactions.
Dr. Eva Enkelmann
2022 Elected Fellow, The Geological Society of America
Recipient: Dr. Eva Enkelmann, associate professor in the Department of Geoscience
Society Fellowship is an honor bestowed on the best of our profession by election at the spring GSA Council meeting. GSA members are nominated by other GSA members in recognition of a sustained record of distinguished contributions to the geosciences and the Geological Society of America through such avenues as publications, applied research, teaching, administration of geological programs, contributing to the public awareness of geology, leadership of professional organizations, and taking on editorial, bibliographic, and library responsibilities.
Dr. Jennifer Adams
2022 Calgary Black Achievement Awards
STEM Award
Recipient: Dr. Jennifer Adams, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Tier II Canada Research Chair in STEM Education
This award celebrates an individual who excels in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math and who is creating opportunities for Black community members to get involved and join the field.
Dr. Barry Sanders
2022 Calgary Awards
International Achievement Award
Recipient: Dr. Barry Sanders, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and director of the Institute for Quantum Science and Technology
Quantum science will soon transform our current approaches to computing, information-transfer and security communication. As an internationally acclaimed researcher and scholar, Dr. Barry Sanders, BSc’84, PhD, DSc, has showcased Calgary as the hub for cutting-edge quantum research. He promotes international collaboration and creates opportunities for international students to conduct research in Calgary. He has been a speaker at many prestigious international forums and has presented at NATO workshops on terrorism in Moldova and cybersecurity in Estonia. He has also taught summer programs in countries such as Brazil, Pakistan, India and Morocco. Sanders is particularly interested in supporting developing nations; he believes innovation and scientific cooperation will help transform these nations.
For more information, please visit UToday story
Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Team
2022 Sustainability Awards
Group Staff Award
Recipient: Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Team, University of Calgary
Comprised of members from a variety of disciplines and expertise, the Wastewaster-Based Epidemiology (WBE) team have come together as part of a stellar transdisciplinary effort in which their backgrounds in wastewater engineering, environmental virology and genomics, clinical molecular biology, and project management lead the way to innovation and advancement of wastewater testing. The WBE team is leading a multi-million-dollar pandemic-monitoring effort that spans beyond Calgary to include most Alberta municipalities, neighbourhoods and high-risk facilities. Wastewater testing is being launched in Alberta First Nations.
WBE Team members (bolded are from Science):
Michael Parkins, Casey Hubert (BISI), Kevin Frankowski, Cathy Ryan, Gopal Achari, Jon Meddings, John Conly, Rhonda Clark, Darina Kuzma, Nicole Acosta, Maria Bautista, Jianwei Chen, Carmen Li, Andra Bacanu, Barbara Waddell, Kristine Du, Kashtin Low, Jangwoo Lee, Jordan Hollman, Srijak Bhatnagar, Janine McCalder, Alex Buchner Beaudet, Chloe Papparis, Navid Sedaghat, Puja Pradhan, Jennifer Van Doorn, Kevin Xiang, Leslie Chan and Laura Vivas.
For more information, please visit: 2022 Sustainability Awards Winners
Dr. Kristin Baetz
2022 Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences (CSMB) Awards
Jeanne Manery-Fisher Memorial Award
Recipient: Dr. Kristin Baetz (BISI). Dr. Baetz is also Dean of the Faculty of Science
The award recognizes an eminent Canadian woman scientist who has a distinguished career in the fields of biochemistry, molecular or cellular biology or genetics, resulting from her outstanding contributions to research, teaching or society.
For more information, please visit: CSMB 2022 Award Winners
Share your accomplishments
We know you are making a difference and are proud of your research, teaching and learning practice, and engagement with the community. We want to hear from you so we can share your achievements across the faculty, university and with our community supporters.