Latest Vanier Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships announced at Waterloo

Six University of Waterloo doctoral students have been awarded the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS). One postdoctoral scholar has received the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, as announced on Monday, November 28.

The Vanier CGS program awards up to $50,000 per year for three years. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health.

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are worth $70,000 per year for two years.

Across Canada, 166 doctoral students received the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, while 70 received Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships. 

“The recipients of this year’s Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships demonstrate the breadth and depth of impactful research that takes place at Waterloo,” says Dr. Jeff Casello, associate vice-president of graduate studies and postdoctoral affairs. “These scholars are tackling global challenges – managing the environment, promoting health and well-being, developing energy systems, and accelerating our understanding and application of quantum methods.  We are thrilled to support these colleagues as they achieve their personal and academic goals, and as they propel Canada to a leading role in advancing society’s future.”

The University of Waterloo attracts world-class doctoral students who transform and disrupt the status quo. Waterloo Vanier scholars are working on everything from cancer imaging, quantum photonic sensors, the geometry of spacetime, watershed management, developmental trauma and metallic nanoparticles.

Waterloo’s Vanier recipients are:

Nathanael Bergbusch, School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability (SERS) whose Vanier research includes the project titled “Moving towards sustainable watershed management: integrating environmental flows into environmental assessment through co-creation with Indigenous Nations.” Bergbusch is working under supervisor Dr. Simon Courtenay. Read Nathanael’s full story.

Benjamin Ecclestone, Department of Systems Design Engineering, working with Dr. Parsin Haji Reza on the Vanier-funded research project “Label-free histological imaging for immediate cancer diagnosis.” Read the full story.

Benjamin MacLellan, working with Dr. Roger Melko in the Department of Physics and Astronomy on the project “Quantum photonic sensors: enabling measurements with unprecedented precision using entangled photons.” Read Benjamin’s full story.

Tales Rick Perche, Department of Applied Mathematics, on the Vanier-funded research project “The geometry of spacetime in terms of quantum measurements.” Perche is working with supervisor Dr. David Kubiznak. Read the full story about Tales.

Ahmed Saieed, Department of Mechanical Engineering, working with supervisor Dr. Jean-Pierre Hickey on the project “Combustion of dispersed metallic nanoparticles in a non-reacting gas for thrust generation.” Read the full story on Ahmed.

Jackson Smith, Department of Psychology, working with Dr. Dillon Browne on Vanier-funded project “The ripple effect of complex developmental trauma: a longitudinal exploration of individual, family, and economic consequences in an international sample.” Read Jackson’s story.

We extend heartfelt congratulations to all our Vanier winners and wish them all the best in pursuing their studies at the University of Waterloo, supported by their graduate studies community.

Dr. Effie Pereira, Waterloo’s Banting winner, is working with Dr. Daniel Smilek in the Department of Psychology, focusing the Banting research on the project “Measuring the fluctuating mind: identifying attentional styles as a new way of predicting performance.” Read the full story.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Pereira to the University of Waterloo postdoctoral scholar community.