Actua's 2025 National Conference took place in Ottawa from January 22 - 24, 2025.
Actua is a network-driven organization, proudly representing over 40 universities and colleges across Canada, delivering hands-on STEM programming to youth in every province and territory.
Dr. Mohammad Al Janaideh, a professor in the School of Engineering, is a recipient of the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award and became a Humboldt Fellow. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation presents approximately 20 Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Awards annually to internationally renowned academics from abroad in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments in research.
Dr. Manjusri Misra was named as one of The SustainabilityX® Magazine's 2024 Global 50 Women In Sustainability Awards™ recipients. The theme for this year, "Embrace Boldness," highlights the fearless and visionary women across the globe who are taking bold steps in advancing sustainability and driving meaningful change. This year's awards honour 50 women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in sustainability, driving transformative change across the globe.
Dr. Mostafa Elsharqawy, an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering at the University of Guelph, has been recognized among the world’s top 2% of scientists for 2024, as ranked by Stanford University. This prestigious acknowledgment celebrates his significant research contributions in sustainable energy and water technologies, including geothermal systems, seawater desalination, osmotic power, and energy recovery devices. Dr.
The Alumni Volunteer Award honors those who have demonstrated unwavering loyalty and dedication to the University through their volunteer efforts. Since its inception in 1994, the award has recognized alumni who have given generously of their time, energy, and leadership to support students, faculty, and fellow alumni. This year’s award is presented to Dr. Daniel J. Gillis, BSc '00, MSc '02, PhD '10, for his extraordinary volunteer contributions.
Each year, U of G recognizes recently tenured faculty members who have accomplished significant research, training and knowledge mobilization achievements with the U of G Research Excellence Awards. The $5,000 awards are sponsored by the Office of Research and the Office of the Provost.
Dr. Kevin Keener, Engineering Professor and Barrett Family Chair, is the recipient of the 2024 Lalit and Aruna Verma award for Excellence in Global Engagement for global efforts in tackling food sustainability through educational programming and collaborative research in food engineering. The award recorgnizes outstanding contributions made towards global advancement and recognition of the profession of agricultural and biological engineering.
Dr. Justin Slater has been awarded the 2024 Banting–CANSSI Ontario Discovery Award in Biostatistics. Dr. Slater’s project, “Statistical Emulators and Discrepancy Functions for Agent-Based Models for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV),” seeks to improve the tracking of HCV, which spreads through activities like drug use and sexual contact. By developing advanced statistical emulators, he aims to speed up and refine agent-based models that simulate HCV dynamics, including undiagnosed cases.
On March 19th, SoCS Professor Ritu Chaturvedi was awarded the Central Student Union (CSA) 2024 Teaching Excellence Award, along with SoE Professor Dr. Mohamad Abou el Nasr. This award is a student-nominated award that recognizes professors' "significant contributions to teaching through their dedication, innovation, and commitment to excellence".
Congratulations Dr. Chaturvedi!
Dr. Moussa is recognized by the Engineering Institute of Canada, Honours, Awards and Fellowships Committee and inducted as an 2024 EIC Fellow (FEIC) for his “excellence in engineering and services to the profession and to society”