[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Alenia_Kysela.jpg” caption=”Alenia Kysela”]A McMaster University graduate has been awarded a prestigious Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation doctoral scholarship, the premier award in Canada for studies in the social sciences and humanities.

Alenia Kysela, who graduated from McMaster University's arts and science program in 1994 and from McMaster's doctor of medicine program in 1997, is among 14 scholars selected for the award. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Toronto and works in the field of international health, in particular HIV primary health care in under-resourced settings.

Each year, up to 15 doctoral students are chosen through a highly rigorous selection process. All scholars are doctoral candidates in the social sciences and humanities and are pursuing research touching upon one or more of the four themes of the foundation: human rights and social justice; responsible citizenship; Canada and the world; and humans and their natural environment.

Kysela will receive $35,000 per year for up to four years plus an additional $15,000 annually to support her research-related travel. She will be matched with a mentor who will be a prominent national and international leader in her field.

“It is truly an honour to be one of the 2004 Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholars,” Kysela said. “This award gives me the freedom to pursue my academic interests with the support of an outstanding organization of unique individuals. I am looking forward to engaging with others, sharing ideas, and working through critical issues that are central to our global society.”

Roy L. Heenan, chairman of the Board of the Trudeau Foundation, said: “I am delighted with this addition to our 12 Trudeau scholars appointed last year, which helps bring new talent to solving some of society's most pressing issues. The Trudeau scholars will make a significant difference in the quality of debate on public policy in Canada.”

The 14 new Trudeau scholars are pursuing their doctorates across 10 different disciplines at 10 universities in Canada and one university overseas. Ten of the students are Canadians, one is Portuguese and one is Burundian.

A complete profile of each Trudeau scholar can be found at www.trudeaufoundation.ca.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome these remarkable young people to the foundation's growing national and international network,” said professor Stephen J. Toope, president of the Trudeau Foundation. “I am confident that they will make invaluable contributions as future leaders in their areas of research.”

The new scholars will participate in the first Trudeau Public Policy Conference, to be held in Montreal in October, on the theme “Ideas Move  Sharing Knowledge Across Cultural Boundaries and Security Barriers”.

The Montreal-based Trudeau Foundation, established in 2002 as a living memorial to the late Prime Minister, encourages public debate and supports exceptional research on issues of public policy.