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The title, awarded for a period of four years, acknowledges mid-career faculty members who have already distinguished themselves as international scholars.

The Senate recognized Laura’s work on observational cosmology and galaxy evolution, and the effects of galactic environments on this process. The Senate also recognized Laura’s contributions to teaching, including the advancement of astronomy across Canada and internationally as well as the development of an innovative and popular course in astronomy data analysis at McMaster.

Laura is a Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy and a member of the Origins Institute within the Faculty of Science. Her research is funded by the Natural Science and Engineering Council of Canada. Laura received the Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award in 2013 and the John C. Polanyi Prize for Physics in 2009. She has served in many research-related leadership roles, including chairing the Gemini Observatory Science and Technology Committee and the Joint Canadian Space Astronomy Committee.