Prestigious Award Goes to PhD Student

Friday, May 1, 2009

Gina Passante receives the NSERC Vanier Graduate Scholarship

PhD student, Gina Passante was recently awarded the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada's (NSERC) Vanier Graduate Scholarship. Valued at $50,000 per year, for up to three years, it is perhaps NSERC's most prestigious award for doctoral students.
Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) announced the 166 recipients at a ceremony held yesterday in Ottawa. "The Government of Canada recognizes the important role that research excellence plays in furthering innovation and competitiveness in addition to stimulating our economy," said Minister Goodyear.
The recipients of these scholarships are the world's leading doctoral students and the next generation of researchers, professors and industry leaders who will make considerable economic and social contributions in Canada and abroad. As evidenced through this program, Canada is a magnet for top intellectual talent and a global centre of excellence in university education and research.

Launched by the Government of Canada, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health; as well as leadership skills. For more information, please visit: www.vanier.gc.ca
About IQC: Founded in 2002, the mission of the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is to aggressively explore and advance the application of quantum mechanical systems to a vast array of relevant information processing techniques.
A part of the University of Waterloo, IQC creates a truly unique environment that fosters cutting-edge research and collaboration between researchers in the areas of computer, engineering, mathematical and physical sciences.
At the time of this release, IQC has 18 faculty members, 20 postdoctoral fellows and over 73 students and research assistants, as well as a support staff of 10.