On July 15, the Federal government announced the . Canada’s most prestigious awards for doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows, these awards support the next generation of research leaders, spanning the health sciences, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities.
Twenty-six McGill graduate students earned Vanier Scholarships, worth $50,000 each year for three years of study and research. The four McGill Banting Fellows each receive $70,000 a year for up to two years of research.
“The great challenges our world is facing right now, like COVID-19 and a changing climate, have emphasized just how important science and research are in our society,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “Here in Canada, we have some of the world’s most highly accomplished scientists and researchers. The recipients of this year’s Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships could not be more deserving of these prestigious awards. They will bring critical new insights to their fields, help ensure that cutting-edge discoveries and innovations continue to propel Canada as a global leader, and contribute to a healthier, greener, more equitable and more prosperous future.”
“To build Canada’s world-class research ecosystem, we must foster the development of Canada’s next generation of researchers,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health. “These talented individuals have bright futures ahead of them and will make discoveries that make life better for Canadians. Congratulations to this year’s Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships recipients. We are so excited to see what you will do next.”
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
The Vanier CGS program was launched in 2008 to help Canadian institutions attract and retain highly qualified doctoral students in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health research. 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.
“As Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, it gives me great pride to see the outstanding achievements of McGill doctoral students who earn national recognition,” said Dean Josephine Nalbantoglu. “Vanier Scholars are chosen not only for their academic excellence, but for their research potential and leadership; Vanier Scholars are therefore well-positioned to make lasting and meaningful contributions to their areas of study and to the communities they belong to, including McGill. This year’s cohort of Vanier Scholars are a testament to the level of student excellence McGill attracts.
SPGH well-represented among the most recent Vanier Scholars
Emmalin Buajitti is a PhD candidate in Epidemiology supervised by Dr. Jill Baumgartner, Associate Professor at the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health. SPGH Professors are also co-supervising two other recent Vanier Scholars: EBOH and Sociology prof Amélie-Quesnel-Vallée co-supervises Family Medicine PhD student Anish Arora. EBOH Professor Celia Greenwood and EBOH Associate member Dr. Brent Richards co-supervise Tianyuan Lu, who is pursuing a PhD Quantitative Life Sciences.