Students, supervisors and staff celebrated at annual Graduate Student Recognition Awards

PhD student Wei Zhao, Computing and Software, receives congratulations from Doug Welch, Vice-Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies. Zhao received the inaugural Dean’s Award for Outstanding Leadership and Contributions to the International Graduate Student Community. Zhao has built an online information network to support Chinese graduate students at McMaster.


Innovative. Caring. Dedicated. Inspiring.

These words were used – and used often – throughout the stories shared at the 21st Annual Graduate Student Recognition Awards Reception. Members of the graduate community, their family and friends came together to celebrate the efforts of students, supervisors and staff who have had a positive impact on so many aspects of life, both on campus and beyond.

The annual awards highlight graduate student leadership, excellence in teaching, service to the community, and communicating the broader impact of research. The awards also provide an opportunity to acknowledge excellence in supervision and support for graduate students.

The annual Graduate Student Recognition Awards are delivered in partnership by the Graduate Students Association and the School of Graduate Studies. This year, the reception was hosted at the Phoenix.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients, all of whom have made significant contributions to McMaster University.

President’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision

  • Bruce Gaulin, Physics and Astronomy
  • John N. Lavis, Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact
  • Tony Porter, Political Science
  • Wilfrid Waluchow, Philosophy

Tony Porter, Political Science, receives his President’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision from David Farrar, Provost and Vice-President, Academic.

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Communicating Graduate Research

This award is presented to the top five finalists of McMaster’s Three-Minute Thesis Competition.

  • Tsz Wing Cheung
  • Gautham Krishnaraj
  • Sophie Wilkinson
  • Matthew Berry
  • Nourhan Shalaby

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Leadership and Contributions to the International Graduate Student Community

  • Wei Zhao

GSA Award for Contributions by Non-Academic Staff

  • Manuela Dozzi, Political Science

Manuela Dozzi (right), graduate administrator in Political Science, stands on stage beside Ashley Ravenscroft, director of operations at the GSA. Dozzi received the GSA Award for Contributions by Non-Academic Staff.

Mary Keyes Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service to McMaster

  • Maryam Badv
  • Ahmad Firas Khalid

GSA Keith Leppmann Teaching Assistant Excellence Award

  • Danial Qureshi
  • Tarushika Vasanthan

GSA Millennium Award for Community Service

  • Alan Santinele Martino
  • Gerald Mak

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