THUNDER BAY – News – A generous donation to Lakehead University’s Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies has allowed the creation of the Northern Lake Superior Research Awards. Lakehead University President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, says that the awards mean a lot to students. “This is a good news story for many of our University’s researchers, as well as Northwestern Ontario”.
Lakehead University a growing research presence
“The Northern Lake Superior Awards will help students learn more about our Great Lake, which, in turn, not only benefits science, but the communities living around it, as well,” continued Dr. Stevenson.
With various University departments matching the contribution, the Faculty has received almost $400,000 to provide research stipends and awards to undergraduate and graduate students’ research projects pertaining to Northern Lake Superior.
“The largest freshwater lake in the world is on our doorstep and provides a unique and special research opportunity for our students,” said Dr. Andrew Dean, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies.
“While the southern portion of Lake Superior is well researched, the northern side is relatively unexplored from a scientific point of view,” Dr. Dean said.
Research topics can range from fish conservation, the effects of climate change, invasive species, or the economic and social impacts of resource development.
Up to 10 undergraduate students will receive research stipends of $600 to help with the costs associated with their respective honours theses. Additionally, every year up to five $12,000 awards will go to graduate students in the Faculty who are in their Masters or Doctoral programs.
“These awards will allow several students to do exciting projects that will have outcomes relevant to the region scientifically, socially and economically,” Dr. Dean said. These awards will contribute greatly to the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies’ efforts to add more field-based curricula into degrees.
“The recent accreditation of the Environmental Science and Environmental Studies degrees by ECO-Canada and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Parks Canada will be further enhanced by the Northern Lake Superior Awards,” Dr. Dean said.
Dr. Rui Wang, Vice President of Research, Economic Development and Innovation believes these awards will increase the level of research within the University. “Lakehead is matching this donation because we see value in our students engaging in research. We are a research-intensive university and we know these awards will encourage more research within the University,” Dr. Wang said.
Recipients will be chosen by a three-member panel of senior Science and Environmental Studies faculty members. The awards will be offered for the next six years starting in March.
