McMaster has nine Vanier Graduate Scholars and one Banting Fellow for the 2014-2017 academic term.

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are Canada’s most prestigious awards for doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows (respectively), working in the health sciences, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities.

Vanier Scholars receive $50,000 a year for up to three years of research, while Banting Fellows receive $70,000 a year for up to two years of research.

“Our government is investing in developing, attracting and retaining the world’s most promising young research talent to ensure Canada remains a leader in discovery and applied research,” said Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology).

“Recipients of Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are world-class researchers who will make the breakthrough discoveries and innovations that Canadian jobs, our economy and our quality of life depend on.”

Vanier Scholarship winners include: Ritesh Daya (Neuroscience), Jake Pyne (Social Work), Jenna Smith (Rehab. Science), Alannah Hallas (Physics and Astronomy), Stephanie Jones (Biology), Vincent Leung (Chemical Engineering), Shuai Liang (Chemistry and Chemical Biology), Jake Nease (Chemical Engineering) and Clorinde Peters (English and Cultural Studies).

Paul Barrett from the Department of English and Cultural Studies is McMaster’s Banting Fellow.

Read more about Jake Pyne, a PhD candidate in Social Work and Gender Studies who is quickly becoming one of the country’s most recognized names in the field of transgender research and advocacy.