Seven NSAC Students Awarded NSERC Research Scholarships

Seven NSAC students were honoured for their Undergraduate Student Research Awards from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) on Monday, July 27.

NSERC scholarship winners were Modou Camara, Amanda Greaves, David Hobson, Megan MacEachern, Melissa Moggy, Nichelle Peck and William Vosman. The seven students were recognized for their dedication and excellence in their respective fields of research during a luncheon at NSAC.

Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs) are scholarships that provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to work on a research project in the area of natural sciences and engineering for 16 weeks. The awards are financially supported by NSERC and the student’s supervisors.

“These scholarships are an exceptional learning opportunity,” says Heather Hughes, NSAC’s Manager of Research and Graduate Studies. “While many students apply for USRA scholarships, only a handful are chosen,” says Hughes. NSERC awards are based on numerous criteria including high academic standing, a history of academic excellence, approval from an on-campus scholarship committee and a final approval from NSERC.

Dr. Richard Isnor, Manager of NSERC-Atlantic regional office in Moncton, addressed award winners at the luncheon. “NSAC is one of the most research intensive universities in the country and with the diversity of the research it gives a remarkably wide range of opportunities for its students,” says Dr. Isnor.

“NSERC awards are given to outstanding individuals and at NSAC we believe individuals can make a profound difference. These seven students now have the opportunity to do just that,” says Dr. Richard Donald, NSAC’s Vice President of Research, Extension and Outreach. According to Dr. Donald, NSAC attracts the highest per capita research funding of its competitors. “The fact that our undergraduate students have attracted funding, demonstrates the centrality of research to our education model,” says Dr. Donald.

This year’s USRA funded research will addresses problems for the dairy, mink, blueberry and environmental sector as well as many others.