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Paul McNicholas (above) with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, was one of six researchers to be awarded an E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Paul, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Computational Statistics and director of McMaster’s MacDATA Institute, is just the second statistician to ever receive the fellowship. Fellows receive a grant of $250,000 over two years and are relieved of teaching and administrative duties to devote their time and energy to research.

Graeme Luke, Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is the recipient of the 2019 Brockhouse Medal from the Canadian Association of Physics. The award recognizes outstanding experimental or theoretical contributions to condensed matter and materials physics and is named for Nobel laureate Bertram Brockhouse. Graeme and Bertram were colleagues and had offices just down the hall from each other.

Ryan Wylie is one of three McMaster researchers to be supported by the Government of Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund. Ryan, as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, is developing materials for biomedical applications, including cancer immunotherapies. Launched in May 2019, the New Frontiers in Research Fund supports high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary and international research by researchers who are within the first five years of their first academic appointment.

Joanna Wilson, associate professor in the Department of Biology, is one of six McMaster faculty to be named 2019 University Scholars. The award recognizes the achievements of mid-career researchers who have distinguished themselves as international scholars with a commitment to the discovery, communication, and preservation of knowledge, excellence in education and pedagogy.

Greg Atkinson, Manager of Information Technology, received a 2018 President’s Award for Outstanding Service. Greg was recognized for his continuing leadership in connecting colleagues and sharing his expertise in emerging technologies, trends and issues.

Michelle Ogrodnik was one of four teaching assistants to receive the 2019 McMaster Students Union teaching assistant merit award. Michelle was recognized for her outstanding work on KIN4Y03 – Cognitive Neuroscience of Exercise.

Raha Hassan is among the six McMaster doctoral students to receive Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships. Raha, from the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior, is researching behavioral and self-regulatory processes in young children. The scholarships provide $50,000 a year for up to three years.

Cayleih Robertson won the William S. Hoar Award for best student talk at the annual Canadian Society of Zoologists conference. The award encourages and acknowledges excellence in scientific research and communication by students.

Dezi Ahuja won the undergraduate prize at the Southern Ontario Neuroscience Association annual meeting and the inaugural 3 Minute Thesis competition in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behavior.