CEPS Graduate Students Receive NSERC Funding

Seven students in CEPS programs spanning chemistry, computer science, engineering and physics receive funding.

Research happening within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS) has transformative potential for our world. Our researchers are pursuing innovative programs that range from leveraging artificial intelligence to improve daily life, to combining nuclear physics techniques with medical physics to advance cancer therapies.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) advances this research through funding initiatives such as scholarships and awards for top graduate students.

Seven University of Guelph graduate students from CEPS were awarded NSERC scholarships in the 2021–22 competition, in support of their cutting-edge research.

Three CEPS master’s students received the Canada Graduate Scholarship-Master’s, which is designed to support high-calibre students and enable them to fully concentrate on their studies in their chosen field:

• Sofiya Makar, M.Sc. in Computer Science, supervised by Dr. Ali Dehghantanha
• Sangeet-Pal Pannu, M.Sc. in Physics, supervised by Dr. Paul Garrett
• Jagandeep Saraya, M.Sc. in Chemistry, supervised by Dr. Derek O’Flaherty

At the doctoral level, four PhD students from the College received awards. Three received funding from the NSERC Post-Graduate Scholarship-Doctoral program, which provides financial support for high-calibre students enrolled in doctoral programs:

• Angela Kohut, PhD in Computational Science (Artificial Intelligence), supervised by Dr. Stefan Kremer (Computer Science) and Dr. Steffen Graether (Molecular and Cellular Biology)
• Austin Pounder, PhD in Chemistry (Organic Chemistry), supervised by Dr. William Tam
• Erika Ziraldo, PhD in Engineering (Industrial Engineering), supervised by Dr. Michele Oliver

One PhD student received an award from the Canada Graduate Scholarship-Doctoral program, which supports some of the country’s most exceptional students enrolled in doctoral programs:

• Devin Hymers, PhD in Physics (Medical Physics), supervised by Dr. Dennis Mücher

“Each of these seven students has vastly different research focuses, but all of their excellent work feeds a common goal of the University, that is to improve our society and to advance what is possible in our fields,” says Dr. Leonid Brown, Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies) in CEPS. “I am very impressed by the caliber of graduate students selected this year. We are excited to follow their progress. Congratulations to all.”

Congratulations to all recipients. See the full list of University of Guelph recipients here.