顿补濒丑辞耻蝉颈别鈥檚 Faculty of Graduate Studies brought together champions of research excellence last month for the annual Killam Celebration, highlighting the impact of the Killam scholars, fellows and prize recipients whose work is transforming the boundaries of knowledge and driving innovation across disciplines.聽
The event recognized the Killam Predoctoral Scholarships, Killam Postdoctoral Fellowships, Killam Postgraduate Medical Scholarships, Faculty of Science Killam Professorships and Prize, and Killam Memorial Chairs. Among this year鈥檚 new Killam recipients are six postgraduate medical scholars, nine postdoctoral fellows, 16 predoctoral scholars, three Faculty of Science professors, and one Faculty of Science prize winner.聽
Learn more: The Killam Trusts at 海角社区app
During the event, master鈥檚 student Anna Gleason from the Department of Biology and doctoral student Devdatta Mukherjee from the Schulich School of Law were also announced as the 2025 George Cooper Prize winners. These awards recognize distinction within the Predoctoral Killam Scholarship competition and are presented annually to the highest ranked master鈥檚 and doctoral students.聽
George Cooper Prize winner Anna Gleason (left) with Bernie Miller, managing trustee of the Killam Trusts.
鈥淭his celebration offers a powerful snapshot of the groundbreaking research happening at 海角社区app and honours the brilliant scholars who are making it possible,鈥� said Dr. Christian Blouin, dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. 鈥淭heir work doesn鈥檛 just advance knowledge 鈥� it drives innovation, tackles global challenges and shapes a better future for all of us.鈥澛�
Killam鈥檚 evolving legacy at Dal
In the coming years, 海角社区app will realign its Killam scholarship funding more closely with the original vision of the Killam Trust by consolidating pre-doctoral funding into a single prestigious PhD program: the Killam Doctoral Scholarship. This change will support 38 new Killam Doctoral Scholarships next year.聽聽
鈥淔or over 50 years, the Killam Scholarships and Awards have provided opportunities for students to come to 海角社区app University from around the world to explore new ideas, build their careers and pursue bold, innovative research,鈥� said Dr. Wanda Costen, 顿补濒丑辞耻蝉颈别鈥檚 provost and vice-president academic. 鈥淭his realignment of the Killam Pre-Doctoral award will help attract top-tier PhD candidates from across Canada and around the world to study at 海角社区app University.鈥澛�
The first Killam Doctoral Scholarship will be awarded in 2026. The award will be for $42,000 per year for three years.聽
Pushing research boundaries
During the event, Killam awardees took to the stage to share their groundbreaking research.聽
Hina Batool, Killam predoctoral scholar at the PhD level, presented her research on the recombinant production and detailed characterization of cribellate spider silk to assess its structural, mechanical, adhesive and biological properties. These insights will support the design of novel biomaterials and address the critical need for better scaffolds in tissue engineering.聽
Hina Batool
Bimpe Ayoola, Killam predoctoral scholar at the PhD level, also joined the stage to share her work. In a context where software systems shape how people live, work and connect but are often developed without considering social consequences, Ayoola鈥檚 research investigates how developers can build socially sustainable systems that promote equity, wellbeing and respect for human values.聽
Bimpe Ayoola
Killam postdoctoral fellow Dr. Elena Koning shared her investigation on the clinical utility of psilocybin treatment as an adjunct to cognitive behavioural therapy for eating disorders. In her research, she aims to address methodological and ethical limitations of psychedelic research using study design adaptations, phenomenological approaches and incorporating lived experience perspectives.聽
Dr. Elena Koning
Last to join the stage was Dr. Blaine Fiss, Killam postdoctoral fellow, who presented on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or 鈥渇orever鈥� chemicals that are found everywhere 鈥� including makeup, cookware and water-repellant clothing 鈥� and causing negative health effects. His solution? The development of a sunlight-driven catalyst that avoids costly, high-energy methods that are currently being used to degrade such materials from the environment.聽
Dr. Blaine Fiss聽