Vanier scholar working on improving the performance and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries
Funding from a prestigious Canadian scholarship will help a new chemical engineering doctoral student improve the performance and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries.
Manh-Kien Tran will receive $50,000 annually for the next three years from the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship to further develop his research focused on building a smart cloud-based battery management system.
“I believe that advancements in energy storage systems will pave the way to a safer, cleaner, and more energy-efficient society,” says Tran. 
As a recipient of a Vanier scholarship, Tran is motivated to reach his full potential as a researcher.
”I feel that I have a greater responsibility to contribute to my research field as well as my community," he says.
Vanier scholar Manh-Kien Tran
Tran, who earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in chemical engineering at Waterloo, served as the controls and system modeling and simulation team lead for the University of Waterloo Alternative Fuels Team (UWAFT) for over a year.
He chose to stay at the University for his doctorate because of its “world-class research facilities, knowledgeable and reputable advisors, and amazing community.”
After completing his PhD, he plans to pursue a post-doctoral fellowship to further his research in smart monitoring systems and then continue on with a career in academia.
Tran was one of three across campus to be awarded a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship this year.
The federal government launched the scholarship program in 2008 to strengthen the country’s ability to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning.
