Four PhD students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) have earned the NSERC Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral (CGRS D), one of Canada's most prestigious and competitive awards for doctoral researchers.
The 2026 recipients are:
- Ahmed Metwally Hegazy
- Angeline Lafleur
- Andy (Andres) Schang
- Michael Ross Spinazze
Awarded through a national competition, the CGRS D recognizes exceptional PhD students whose academic excellence, research achievements and leadership potential position them among Canada's most promising emerging scholars.
Introduced as part of the federal Tri-Agency harmonization initiative, the CGRS D brings together Canada's premier doctoral scholarship programs under a single framework, including the former Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. The program represents a significant investment in the next generation of research leaders and innovators.
The achievement of four ECE students in a single competition highlights the strength of the department's graduate programs and research ecosystem. ECE PhD students are advancing knowledge across a broad spectrum of fields, including artificial intelligence, communications and information systems, computer software and systems, nanoengineering, and power and energy systems. Their work addresses complex challenges and expands the boundaries of engineering knowledge.
This success reflects not only individual talent and dedication, but also the collaborative culture and mentorship that define the graduate student experience within ECE. Working alongside internationally recognized faculty members and research teams, students pursue ambitious ideas and explore solutions to some of today's most pressing technological challenges.
As recipients of Canada's flagship doctoral research scholarship, Ahmed, Angeline, Andy and Michael join a distinguished community of scholars recognized for their exceptional promise, leadership and contributions to advancing knowledge.