Undergraduate Research Symposium

2021 Award Descriptions & Winners

Students participating in the 2021 SU Undergraduate Research Symposium have the opportunity to walk away with cash prizes graciously donated by various departments, faculties and offices at the University of Calgary. 

The Students’ Union would like to sincerely thank the generous support of the following award donors: 

SU Sustainability Award (1 x $1,000, 1 x $500) 

Winner: Avrille Aiello

Runner-up: Subasthika Thangadurai

This award will be given to a student ($1000) and runner-up ($500) who have focused their research on a sustainability-related topic, including energy, water, waste, economics and community development.

Faculty of Nursing Student Impact Award (1 x $500) 

Winner: Faith Moghaddami

This award will be presented to a student in the Faculty of Nursing in recognition of excellence in undergraduate research.

Future Alumni Community Impact Award, sponsored by UCalgary Alumni (1 x $500) 

Winner: Shubh Patel

The  Future Alumni Community Impact Award recognizes an UCalgary undergraduate student and 5-minute thesis presenter at the Undergraduate Research Symposium who demonstrates excellence in research with the potential to make significant impacts on the campus community. Through innovation and/or original application of knowledge, this student and future member of the UCalgary Alumni community will have: improved current conditions for a specific community, pioneered a new approach to connect individuals within a community, or explored a newly emerging field in support of the campus community. This award is shaped around the Community Building pillar in Wherever Life Takes You, a progressive plan to engage UCalgary alumni.

Department of Psychology (1 x $500) 

Winner: Alexandira Lozowchuk

This award will be presented to a student in the Department of Psychology in recognition of excellence in undergraduate research.

Office of the Vice-Provost (Libraries and Cultural Research) (1 x $500 1 x 250) 

Winner: Oyinda Obigbesan

Runner-up: Ganiyat Sadiq

This award will be given to an undergraduate student whose project displays originality and depth in the selection of sources, with close attention made to a consistent citation and a thorough literature review.  Consideration will be given to a project that contributes to the wider scholarly conversation, with plans for dissemination of research and publication.

Faculty of Social Work (1 x $1,000) 

Winner: Bhakti Jani

This award will be presented to a student in the Faculty of Social Work in recognition of excellence in undergraduate research.

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (1 x $1,000) 

This award will be given to a student in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine whose research contributes to the understanding of Animal Health.

Office of the President (1 x $1,000) 

Winner: Stephanie Besoiu

This award is given to an undergraduate student whose research project demonstrates a commitment to excellence, leadership and positive impact in the community. The award celebrates student innovators who apply their skills to create new knowledge and develop solutions to complex challenges.

Program in Undergraduate Research (PURE) Award (4 x $500) 

Winners: Abby Delisle, Jenna Salem, Julie Huynh Le, Madelyn Shuffler

This award will be presented to up to four undergraduate students whose presentations demonstrate excellence in research conducted as 2021 Program in Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) projects.

The GSA Future Innovator award (1 x $1,000, 1 x $500) 

Winners: Sabirna Yohannes

Runner-up: Khushi Arora

The GSA Future Innovator award will be presented to a winner (and a runner-up) who demonstrate excellence in research while showing a potential to make significant impacts in the field in the future, through an innovative and/or original contribution to knowledge, such as an original take on old data, new data to support a changing field, or original work for a newly emerging field.

Faculty of Arts (2 x $1,000)  

Winners: Brianna Henry, Andrew Tran

This award will be given to a student in the Faculty of Arts whose research demonstrates both exceptional skills in their field of study and the potential for global or community leadership.

Schulich School of Engineering (2 x $1,000) 

Winners: Gerard Agravante, Shaakira Gadiwan

This award will be given to students in the Schulich School of Engineering whose research shows potential for practical application in the field of engineering.

Faculty of Science ( 3 x $1,000, 1 x $500)  

Winners: Paula Brandt, Martina Min, Dhruvin Patel

Runner-up: Bethany Chan

Faculty of Science awards will recognize three students enrolled in the Faculty of Science with outstanding poster presentations of novel, innovative and creative scientific research from any discipline represented by the Faculty. An additional award of $500 will be given to a runner up.

Office of the Vice-President (Research) (4 x $1,000)  

Winners: Noga Sharlin, Sarthak Singh, Ana Ramirez Pineda, Irene Manalastas

This award will be given to students who demonstrate leadership through research excellence and commitment to innovation and discovery.

Faculty of Law Award (1 x $1000)

Winner: Ashley Weleschuk

This award will be presented to a JD student in the Faculty of Law in recognition of excellence in research.

Campus Mental Health Strategy Award (1 x $1000)

Winner: Jinyoung “Julie” Baek

This award is given to the student whose research best exemplifies the vision of the Campus Mental Health Strategy (https://ucalgary.ca/mentalhealth) – to create “a community where we care for each other, learn and talk about mental health and well-being, receive support as needed, and where individually and collectively we realize our potential”. The research should address at least one of the six focus areas of the Campus Mental Health Strategy (Raising awareness and promoting wellbeing; Developing personal resilience and self-management; Enhancing early identification and response; Providing direct service and support; Aligning institutional policies, processes, and procedures; Creating and sustaining a supportive campus environment).

Vice Provost Teaching and Learning Award (1 x $1000)

Winner: Arshia Mostoufi

This award, sponsored by the Vice Provost, Teaching and Learning, will be presented to an undergraduate student whose presentation demonstrates excellence in research conducted as a participant of the 2021 Program in Undergraduate Research (PURE) program.