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Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada


The Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship administered by the NSERC provides financial support to high-caliber scholars who are engaged in master’s programs in the natural sciences or engineering. The award is valued at $17,500.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada funds visionaries, explorers and innovators who are searching for the scientific and technical breakthroughs that will benefit our country. They are Canada’s largest supporter of discovery and innovation. They work with universities, colleges, businesses and not-for-profits to remove barriers, develop opportunities and attract new expertise to make Canada’s research community thrive. The agency gives Canadian scientists and engineers the means to go further because the organization believes in research without borders and beyond frontiers.


2019-2020 Award Recipient

Kristina MuiseKristina Muise – Bioscience, Technology, and Public Policy

Through obtaining an award through the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada, I was able to devote my time to my research project. Overall, my thesis aims to understand the hibernation physiology and behaviour of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus), a species of bats resistant to the invasive fungal disease called white-nose syndrome (WNS). My research addresses mechanisms underlying the expression of hibernation in bats and aims to understand why some species are less susceptible to WNS than others. Big brown bats can tolerate comparatively drier hibernation conditions as compared to other hibernating species, which overall may explain their resistance to WNS. Throughout the duration of my research, I had the help of my advisor, Dr. Craig Willis and colleagues of the bat lab to provide assistance with my project. Additionally, I had an immense amount of help and support from other students within my cohort in the Bioscience program.


2020-21 Award Recipients

Colleen RobertsonColleen Robertson – Bioscience, Technology, and Public Policy

I am researching the climate change resilience of historically grazed grassland ecosystems in Riding Mountain National Park with Dr. Rafael Otfinowski and the Prairie Lab. Grasslands are one of the most threatened ecosystems in North America, and over 90% of remaining grasslands are impacted by grazing. With the changing climate, it is important to know the long-term impacts that management activities, like domestic grazing, have on grassland ecosystems. Tri-council funding supports deserving research projects, acknowledging the importance of grassland conservation and research. I developed my love for grasslands while working with Parks Canada, where I had many opportunities to work in the prairies of Riding Mountain National Park. I hope this research will help define the management and restoration of grasslands that have been impacted by grazing and keep grasslands ecosystems intact and sustainable. This project would not be possible without the support and dedication of Dr. Otfinowski, and the resource conservation team at Riding Mountain National Park always encouraging me to be the best scientist that I can be.


Jenna FleetJenna Fleet – Bioscience, Technology, and Public Policy

I am currently studying the effects of transgenerational acclimation and phenotypic variation on a freshwater fish species response to elevated carbon dioxide, under the supervision of Dr. Caleb Hasler. What inspired me to take on this research is its interdisciplinary approach which I hope will build more insight into understanding long term effects of elevated carbon dioxide exposure on a freshwater fish species. Ultimately, I hope this knowledge will be used to help advocate for more enforced protection of aquatic ecosystems. I applied for this award because I thought it would help support my development as a researcher. In addition to financially supporting the continuation of my research, this award contributes to my success by encouraging and propelling the continuation of my education and prospects. Many have helped make this possible including my supervisor Dr. Caleb Hasler and Jamie Card, Dr. Kimberley Mathot and Dr. Sally Leys for their continual support and source of inspiration.


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