Your Impact | Alumni | University of Guelph

Your Impact

Our students, researchers and faculty thank you

Thank You From Our Students

A first-year PhD student in the College of Social and Applied Human Science’s new Social Practice and Transformational Change program, Amy Kipp is committed to conducting research that helps make positive social change. She’s specifically interested in practices that create caring communities. “I’m truly honoured to have received the Brock Doctoral Scholarship, which will support me and my research in numerous ways. This award will help enhance my capacity. Watch Video.

Amy Kipp , Brock Doctoral Scholarship Recipient

Catherine Dang entered the Bachelor of Engineering program, specializing in Biological Engineering, Co-op option, in 2016. She is the recipient of the Peter Chisholm Engineering Student Leadership Scholarship. Says Dang, “This scholarship gave me financial footing to continue my community efforts, but beyond that also provided mentorship, encouragement and a reminder that the work leaders do is incredibly important. Thank you to my mentor, John Patterson, who was always around, providing a friendly face and pointing me in the right direction.

Catherine Dang, Peter Chisholm Engineering Student Leadership Scholarship Recipient

Lisa Wedel is in her third year of Human Kinetics (major) and French (minor). She is the Middle Blocker for the Gryphons Women’s Volleyball team and the recipient of the Tawnya Gvoich Scholarship for Women. Says Lisa, “This generous contribution has helped lift the financial burden of post-secondary education, allowing me to focus on achieving excellence in both the classroom and on the court,” says Wedel. “This past academic year my team won bronze at OUA finals and also marked my third year of earning Academic All-Canadian status.

Lisa Wedel, Tawnya Gvoich Scholarship for Women Recipient

Andrew Nixon is in his second year of the PhD management program in the School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management at the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics. Says Nixon, “The generosity of the Arrell Family Foundation is the reason I decided to pursue a PhD at the University of Guelph. Being a recipient of an Arrell Scholarship is transformative: not only does it signify scholars as future food system leaders, but it also equips them with all the resources necessary to live up to that potential.

Andrew Nixon, Arrell Scholarship Recipient

Bila Souza Bekili is a fourth-year student, majoring in Accounting. My main goal is to become a forensic accountant. I’m determined to eradicate or fight corruption that generates poverty in most African countries. Particularly my country the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Atilola Real Estate Scholarship in Business contributed to the progress and helped me polish off my education and knowledge. As an African student I feel proud and lucky to be the first person to get the scholarship and hope to have one in my name one day to inspire future generations.

Fourth-year student, Majoring in Accounting, Bila Souza Bekili

Thank You From Our Researchers

Prof. Wei Zhang, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, says, “My research team is developing inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease as early-phase therapeutic molecules to treat COVID-19 patients. I am truly grateful to receive funding from an anonymous gift through U of G’s COVID-19 Research Development and Catalyst Fund. This gift will greatly help us to contribute to the global efforts in combatting COVID-19.”

Wei Zhang, Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

Prof. Cezar Khursigara, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and director of U of G’s molecular and cellular imaging and mass spectrometry facilities, says, “The Mason Research Fund has had a major impact on our laboratory. The grant has allowed our team to uncover new mechanisms that promote antibiotic resistance in the cystic fibrosis (CF) pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Studying these mechanisms will help us design the next generation of antimicrobials to target this life-threatening pathogen.

Cezar Khursigara, Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

As the founding director of U of G’s International Institute for Sport Business and Leadership, Prof. Norm O’Reilly is a leading scholar in the business of sports. “Through the generosity of RBC, our graduate students and faculty are able to tackle the challenges facing sports leaders, and create positive impact globally,” he says.

Norm O'Reilly, Founding director of U of G’s International Institute for Sport Business and Leadership

Thank You From Our Faculty

Engineering professor Kevin Keener holds the Barrett Chair in Sustainable Food Engineering at the University of Guelph. “The Barrett Family Foundation’s generous gift to support the Barrett Chair in Sustainable Food Engineering has vastly improved my ability to leverage University resources in tackling global issues,” he says. “These combined resources have been invaluable in attracting award-winning student researchers to the University from four continents: Europe, Asia, South America and North America.

Kevin Keener, Barrett Chair in Sustainable Food Engineering

Prof. Robert Cline has made generous donations to the pomology research program of the Department of Plant Agriculture. Tree fruits such as apples, peaches, pears and cherries are an important part of the Canadian diet and the Ontario economy. His support will accelerate research and support graduate students in investigation of factors influencing this rapidly changing industry, improving fruit yield and quality, and addressing environmental issues in tree fruit production.

Dr. Hugh Earl Cline, Chair of the Department of Plant Agriculture.

Prof. Ann Pegoraro, holder of the Lang Chair in Sport Management, says, “The generous donation by Stu and Kim Lang will propel the University of Guelph forward in its mission to create substantial and sustainable change in the world. The establishment of dedicated research chairs and student scholarships allows the Lang School of Business and Economics to bring together the brightest minds to tackle the issues facing businesses and communities around the world, ultimately turning knowledge into action and providing solutions that #improvelife for all.”

Ann Pegoraro, Lang Chair in Sport Management

"I am thankful for the generosity of The W. Garfield Weston Foundation that has supported my research in pollinator conservation. Partnerships like this show a commitment to improving the health of wild pollinators that are crucial to our food system. I research various impacts climate change has on Canada’s declining wild bee population, of which there are nearly 900 species. This donation helps propel the research to better understand which stressors are most significant and find better ways to help safeguard these important species."

Alana Pindar , Research Associate

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