November 20, 2024
Fostering innovation through diverse perspectives
Waterloo welcomes emerging postdoctoral scholars to receive funding from Provost fellowship programs
A recent luncheon welcomed the 2024 cohort of postdoctoral scholars through the Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars and the Provost’s Program for Black and Indigenous Postdoctoral Scholars. These programs are designed to attract the most accomplished postdoctoral leaders from top universities across the globe.
The Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars provides funding to emerging scholars who are prepared to engage in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research at the University of Waterloo. The Provost’s Program for Black and Indigenous Scholars reduces barriers for Black and Indigenous scholars in a supportive environment that fosters inclusivity, a sense of belonging and a culture of engagement.
"Waterloo is excited to host again this year the Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars and the Provost Program for Black and Indigenous Postdoctoral Scholars. Through these programs, we are attracting a new generation of rising stars whose contributions will shape research and enrich the University’s interdisciplinary and inclusive community," said Justin Wan, interim co-associate vice-president, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.
"Our postdoctoral scholars advance research that crosses disciplinary boundaries and creates solutions to global challenges. Additionally, through the Provost’s Program for Black and Indigenous Scholars, Waterloo continues to build a diverse, inclusive academic environment that enables Black and Indigenous scholars to thrive and lead within our community."
Meet the 2024 recipients of the Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Scholars:
Faculty of Mathematics, Cheriton School of Computer Science
Faculty of Arts, Department of Communication Arts
Dr. McKendrick’s research is at the intersection of virtual reality, drama and Human-Computer Interaction, providing unique opportunities to engage in hands-on projects across disparate domains.
Paula Sanchez Nunez de Villavicencio
Faculty of Arts, Department of English Language and Literature
Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
Dr. Sanchez Nunez de Villavicencio’s research focuses on how and why people trust or distrust the wearable technologies we develop, and how we engage with intimate and personal technology.
Faculty of Mathematics, Department of Applied Mathematics
Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Dr. Rezaeian’s research aims to develop a 3D cancer-on-a-chip microfluidics device to replicate tumor conditions and create a computational framework to predict treatment outcomes.
Faculty of Arts, Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business
Faculty of Engineering, Department of Management Science and Engineering
Dr. Smith’s research examines ways to develop and evaluate Interactive Digital Narratives to satisfy pro-social learning experiences.
Faculty of Environment, Department of Knowledge Integration
Faculty of Arts, Department of Social Development Studies, Renison College
Dr. Schussler’s research explores how to bridge gaps between universities and community organizations making social change.
Faculty of Arts, Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business
Dr. Cmentowski’s work looks at sedentary lifestyles and a promising solution to motivate people towards more physical activity called exergames that combine gameplay with strenuous exercises.
Faculty of Arts, Department of Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies, St. Jerome’s University
Faculty of Environment, Department of Knowledge Integration
Dr. Kim’s research seeks to examine the nuanced links between online and real-world manifestations of misogyny and develop new methodological tools and frameworks to guide gender-based violence prevention and intervention efforts.
Faculty of Health, Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences and the Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Public Health Sciences
Dr. Mills’ research involves developing nutrition programs and resources for older adults living in the community and evaluating their effectiveness.
Meet the 2024 recipients of the Provost’s Program for Black and Indigenous Scholars:
Faculty of Science, Department of Biology
Dr. Adigun’s research focuses on sustainable agriculture, how we can enhance crop productivity and how we can advance our understanding of plant-microbe interactions.
Faculty of Environment, Geography and Environmental Management
Dr. Amoak’s research investigates the impact of water security and participatory water governance on women's empowerment throughout their life in East Africa.
Faculty of Health, Recreation and Leisure Studies
Dr. Bigby’s research involves working alongside Indigenous and Tribal communities, including her own, to be able to explore and document how tourism can be a vehicle for resurgence, or (re)connecting people to traditional culture, community and Country (living lands, waters and non-human kin).
Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry
Dr. Cross’ aims to quantitatively describe the correlation between the degrees of freedom of ferroelectric nanocrystals (NCs) with respect to their crystal and electronic structure, at the nanoscale and ensemble level, when interfaced with ferromagnetic NCs, in multiferroic nanocomposites.
Faculty of Mathematics, Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science
Dr. Gyamerah’s research explores how to help companies and individuals overcome the loss of crop yield due to extreme and volatile weather events.
Faculty of Arts, Department of Anthropology
Dr. Daoud’s research explores ruling Islamists’ approaches to minorities in the Middle East and North Africa.
Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry
Dr. Leudjo Taka’s research looks at biodegradable and recyclable materials that can overcome the limitation in energy storage, industrial separation, textile and food packaging.
Faculty of Science, School of Pharmacy
Dr. Okeke’s research focuses on the interplay between lifestyle factors, environmental toxins and neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain) in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Applications are now open for the 2025 cohorts of the Provost’s programs for Interdisciplinary Scholars and Black and Indigenous Scholars. Each award in these programs is valued at $70,000 per year and a one-time research fund of $5,000. You can learn more about the research currently underway in these programs as well as information for applying on the Postdoctoral Scholars website.
Applications for both opportunities are due December 2, 2024, by 9:00 a.m. EST.
