2023

Cynthia Musah, PhD in Geography

Cynthia Musah will be travelling to Uganda and Kenya to kickstart her international research project on women’s empowerment and health in low- and middle-income countries, in both rural and urban communities. This research project, part of the larger Women’s Rise program, prompts Cynthia to work towards developing a culturally sensitive understanding of, and thus advocacy of, women’s health-related needs in low- and middle-income countries.

Menatalla Ellag, Master’s in Systems Design Engineering

As a Visiting Graduate Student at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University, Menatalla Ellag is pursuing a MASc in Biomedical Engineering. Driven by her passion for the intersection of medicine and engineering, she chose to join the Wyss Institute and work under the guidance of Dr. Donald Ingber and Dr. Mike Super on the Sugar-to-Fiber project, which is part of a collaboration with Kraft-Heinz.

Nilushika Gamage, Master's in Sustainability Management

Nilushika will be conducting an in-depth field analysis of one of the marine protected areas in Sri Lanka to support her master’s thesis. Her research focuses on enabling a transition from vulnerability to viability of small-scale fisheries within marine protected areas. Obtaining firsthand field experience will allow Nilushika to gain practical knowledge, develop essential skills, and establish a solid foundation for professional growth towards a career as a researcher. 

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Magdalena Kaczmarczyk, master's in Architecture

As a recipient of the Graduate Studies International Experience Award, Magdalena (she/her) was given the opportunity to travel to Rome, Italy, during her Master’s of Architecture degree. Thanks to the scholarship, she was able to join the current undergraduate cohort as part of the Rome program, an otherwise integral experience that was lost during her undergrad degree due to Covid-19. In addition to this foundational experience, Magdalena was able to further develop her thesis and engage with her research material in a personal way. 

Sophie Hillcoat, master's student in Mechanical Engineering

In her three-month research visit at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Gottingen, Germany, Sophie is investigating the use of pore-network models to represent porous materials used in the development of thermal protection systems. She will be exposed to realistic materials used in the implementation of such systems which will enhance the value and applicability of Sophie’s own research at the University of Waterloo.

Ruyel Miah, PhD student in Sustainable Management

Travelling to India and Bangladesh, Ruyel will research complex small-scale fisheries' social-ecological systems. He will interact with the fisheries there and observe the situation of their communities to better understand the vulnerabilities that they face and assess the ways to address these vulnerabilities. His research focuses on why small-scale fishers experience a lack of human rights, justice, and dignity and why they are left unprotected against external influences.

Navya Vikraman Nair, PhD student in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development

Navya has travelled to India to investigate the socio-ecological factors that influence the sustainability of local fishing communities and the implications for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services of wetlands. She analyzed the resilience of the ecosystem through habitat degradation, water pollution, and overexploitation. Navya’s research will contribute to fostering collaborations between the hosting institution, local organizations, and academic communities and promote cross-cultural understanding.

Justin Kyung Park, master's in Architecture

Justin has travelled to Italy as part of the Rome Program offered to Undergraduate Architecture students. This opportunity was not available during the Covid-19 Pandemic for Justin, so he is now enrolled during his graduate years to fill the gap in his studies. This experience has expanded his horizons through on site lectures and curated trips to small towns and major architectural destinations, and inspired his thesis research which looks at visualizing historical narratives and prospective futures of the built environment through augmented reality. 

Amanda Nova, PhD student in the School of Public Health Sciences

Travelling to Leuven in Belgium, Amanda is working towards finishing her dual PhD with UWaterloo and KU Leuven. By researching in Belgium, she has gained access to datasets on an international scale. Collaborating with the Belgian research and graduate team, policymakers, and clinicians, she is learning about both health care systems and looking at new ways of monitoring quality of life in nursing homes. 

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Adebusola Adekoya, PhD student in the School of Public Health Sciences

Adebusola is currently undertaking her PhD dissertation as a visiting postgraduate research student at the University of Edinburgh, where she is examining the process of policy development and implementation of Canada’s BC Silver Alert, United States Silver Alert, and Scotland’s Purple Alert. In collaboration with Professor Heather Wilkinson, the Purple Alert research group, Police Scotland, and Alzheimer Scotland, she is conducting a multiple case study and engage stakeholders to analyze factors for successful implementation of alert systems.

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