Research into entangled photons and arctic governance at the University of Waterloo was recognized recently as two promising graduate students received prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships to help them pursue and complete doctoral degrees.
Jean-Philippe MacLean, a Physics and Astronomy PhD candidate in the Faculty of Science and the Institute for Quantum Computing, received a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Vanier Scholarship. His research focuses on developing a room-temperature diamond interface for storing and manipulating photon with n the Quantum Optics and Quantum Information group. This research is a step towards building the necessary components of quantum communication technologies enabling optical applications for quantum information.
Tahnee Prior, a global governance PhD student at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, will use her Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) award to define a new governance framework to address the emerging and complex issues caused by climate change, resource extraction, migration and potential inter-state conflict in the Arctic.
“The University of Waterloo is home to some of the best and brightest emerging academics in the country,” said James Frank, associate provost, graduate studies at Waterloo. “The opportunity provided to them by these Vanier scholarships ensures their great work will continue to have a significant impact around the globe.”
Vanier scholarships are valued at $50,000 per year over the course of three years.
“The Vanier scholarship is a great opportunity for young researchers to engage in some of the transformative research happening in Canada,” said MacLean. “It is a privilege to be part of this community.”
"I am humbled and grateful to join a network of fantastic Canadian researchers, all of whom are working on cross-cutting issues,” said Prior.” The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship will support more in-depth fieldwork in the Arctic, which will be instrumental to the final outcome of my research work."
The Government of Canada launched the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program in 2008 to strengthen Canada's ability to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and/or humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health.
