Faculty Graduate Mentoring Awards
2025-2026 Award Recipients
Five Carleton University professors were recognized with a Faculty Graduate Mentoring Award during a ceremony held on campus on April 7, 2026.
Graduate students from across all disciplines submitted nomination letters in support of their supervisors, highlighting the meaningful impact these faculty members have had on their academic journeys as well as their personal development.
This award recognizes professors who demonstrate exceptional dedication to graduate education through their roles as supervisors and research mentors. Sponsored by the Office of the Vice-President (Research, Innovation and International) and Graduate Studies, the award underscores the significant and lasting influence that strong mentorship can have on graduate student success.
This Year’s Recipients
Below are the recipients (in alphabetical order), along with selected excerpts from their students’ nomination letters:
Shireen Hassim, Canada Research Chair in Gender and African Politics
- “Shireen advises and guides with integrity and consistency. Her expectations are clear, her commitments unwavering, and her support steadfast. In a system where graduate students often feel invisible or expendable, Shireen’s mentorship communicates something profoundly different: that our ideas matter, our struggles are legitimate, and our growth is worth sustained investment.”
- “Throughout my time working with her, Prof. Hassim has shown me, in countless ways, what it means to be an exceptional mentor. Her guidance is always detailed and thoughtful, tailored to my challenges and questions, and she continually fosters a supportive environment that makes me feel truly seen and valued. Her belief in me has made a real difference in my journey.”
- “Prof. Hassim’s sponsorship of my participation in the doctoral workshop at Makerere University (gave me) the opportunity to workshop my doctoral research with senior scholars and doctoral colleagues, receive detailed, constructive feedback and, most importantly, build lasting professional networks with doctoral colleagues (who have) become an important part of my academic and professional development.”
Christine Koggel, Professor and Graduate Supervisor in the Department of Philosophy
- “Christine has been for me an intellectual model, inspiring me with her passion for social justice, and her ability to connect ideas. Her work on development ethics, relational theory, and feminist philosophy has profoundly shaped my research interests.”
- “Christine is an attentive pedagogue who recognizes and nurtures talent, remains patient with the intellectual and psychological complexities of academic development, and treats all students with unfailing kindness and respect. Those who work with her tend to arrive where they hope to be, or as in my case, in places they could not have imagined before encountering her guidance.”
- “I have never had a mentor who is so devoted to my professional development. Christine offers detailed feedback and support and consistently makes herself available to help me and my peers. Many see her as the heart of the Philosophy department.”
Sana Mohsni, Associate Professor of Finance
- “Being her PhD student is the greatest fortune of my academic life. She celebrates our successes and stays present during setbacks. Her mentorship has shaped not only my PhD journey but also my values as a new scholar and future mentor. From her I have learned rigorous scholarship, a commitment to high standards, and how to mentor students with patience and care.”
- “Thanks to her continued guidance and partnership, I have successfully secured various prestigious awards, scholarships, and grants throughout my program—achievements that I believe would not have been possible without her strategic support and mentorship. Prof. Mohsni views her role as preparing students not just to complete a thesis, but to launch an independent and impactful career.”
- “Dr. Mohsni has been a constant source of professional and personal guidance for me. She is always available to meet, highly responsive, and provides thoughtful feedback even on short notice. Her guidance also led to my receiving several awards including SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, KPMG-CRIW Graduate Burssary and OGS. Helping me secure funding reflects her deep understanding that financial stability is essential for sustained academic progress.”
Sreeraman Rajan, Canada Research Chair in Sensor Systems
- “What truly sets Prof. Rajan apart is his dedication to student success beyond the official syllabus. He frequently held additional classes and problem-solving sessions outside of the scheduled hours to clarify topics that remained vague to us. He offered one-on-one online meetings to provide personalized guidance for students struggling with complex questions or concepts. His substantial support and effort had a profound impact on my academic journey.”
- “Dr. Rajan is exceptionally accessible. Whether through email, phone or in-person discussions, he makes himself available and is always willing to put in extra effort to help his students overcome challenges. His responsiveness and willingness to listen create a supportive and trusting environment where students feel comfortable seeking guidance.”
- “Starting my master’s degree was intimidating but he has been nothing but supportive, approachable and encouraging from day one. His guidance pushes me to explore ideas and take important leaps in my research while also reminding me that it is okay to not have everything figured out right away. Both his confidence in my abilities and his honesty have played a huge role in helping me build confidence in myself.”
Mostafa Taha, Associate Professor with the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering
- “Dr. Taha is always supportive, patient, and willing to help. He explains ideas clearly, gives useful feedback, and guides me whenever I face difficulties in my research. He makes time for my meetings, listens carefully, and treats every question with respect.”
- “I am really grateful for how he has helped me grow as an academic in so many ways. He guided me through the process of publishing my first papers, something I never thought I could achieve.”
- “He doesn’t just give advice from a distance. He rolls up his sleeves and works with us to figure out how to overcome obstacles. He is always there to ensure we have everything we need to succeed, whether it is tools, devices, or simply his time and support.”
CONGRATULATIONS!
2024-2025 Faculty Graduate Mentoring Award Winners
- Patricia Ballamingie, Professor in Geography and Environmental Studies
- Joseph Bennett, Associate Professor in Biology
- James Milner, Professor of Political Science and Director of Migration and Diaspora Studies
- Liam O’Brien, Professor in Architectural Conversation
2023-2024 Faculty Graduate Mentoring Awards
- James Casteel, Associate Professor in Modern and Contemporary European History
- Robert Coplan, Chancellor’s Professor in Psychology
- Catherine Cullingham, Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology
- Francine Darroch, Health Sciences Assistant Professor and founder of Carleton’s Health and Wellness Equity Research Group
- Nafiseh Kahani, Assistant Professor in Systems and Computer Engineering
- Isaac Otchere, Professor of Finance
Winners of the 2022-2023 FGMAs
- Mojtaba Ahmadi – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Edana Cassol – Health Sciences
- Adelle Forth – Psychology
- Jason Jaskolka – Systems and Computer Engineering
- Luciara Nardon – International Business
- Alex Wilner – International Affairs
Winners of the 2021-22 FGMAs
- Linda Duxbury – Sprott School of Business
- Martin Holcik – Health Sciences
- Minjoon Lee – Economics
- Robyn McQuaid – Neuroscience
- Justin Paulson – Sociology & Anthropology
- Omair Shafiq – Information Technology
- Benjamin Woo – Journalism & Communication
- Winnie Ye – Electronics
Winners of the 2020-21 FGMAs
- Onita Basu – Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Shelley Brown – Psychology
- Jennifer Bruin – Biology
- Mark Forbes – Biology
- Heath MacMillan – Biology
- Alexis Shotwell – Sociology & Anthropology
- Robert Teather – Information Technology
Winners of the 2019-20 FGMAs
- Kyle Biggar – Biology
- Susan Braedley – Social Work
- Janna Fox – Linguistics and Language Studies
- Audrey Girouard – Information Technology
- Julie Murray – English Language and Literature
- Brian Schmidt – Political Science
- Dale Spencer – Law and Legal Studies
Winners of the 2018-19 FGMAs
- Ali Arya – Information Technology
- Robert Biddle – Computer Science
- Marie-Eve Carrier-Moisan – Sociology & Anthropology
- Shulabh Gupta – Electronics
- Merlyna Lim – Journalism & Communication
- Ashraf Matrawy – Information Technology
- Marina Milyavskaya – Psychology
Winners of the 2017-2018 FGMAs
- James R. Green – Systems and Computer Engineering
- Irena Knezevic – Communication
- Jeremy Laliberte – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Sreeraman Rajan – Systems and Computer Engineering
- Susan Whitney – History
- Alex Wong – Biology
- Jayne Yack – Biology
Winners of the 2016 FGMAs
- Adrian Chan – Systems and Computer Engineering
- Sonia Chiasson – Computer Science
- Ian Marsland – Systems and Computer Engineering
- Janet Siltanen – Sociology
- Myron Smith – Biology
- Dwayne Winseck – Communication
- Michael Wohl – Psychology
Winners of the 2015 FGMAs
- Natasha Artemeva – Linguistics and Applied Language
- Patricia Ballamingie – Geography and Environmental Studies
- Cheryl Harasymchuk – Psychology
- Andrea Howard – Psychology
- Hans-Martin Jaeger – Political Science
- Carol Payne – Art History
- Owen Rowland – Biology
- Jaffer Sheyholislami – Linguistics and Applied Language
Winners of the 2014 FGMAs
- Robert Coplan – Psychology
- Maria DeRosa – Chemistry
- Adelle Forth – Psychology
- Gerald Grant – Sprott School of Business
- James Opp – History
- Cristina Rojas – Political Science, NPSIA
- Marc St-Hilaire – Information Technology
- Garry Tarr – Electronics
- Sarah Todd – Social Work
- David Wood – Linguistics and Language Studies
Winners of the 2013 FGMAs
- Jit Bose – Computer Science
- Steven Cooke – Biology
- Matthew Holahan – Neuroscience
- Deepthi Kamawar – Cognitive Science and Psychology
- Evangelos Kranakis – Computer Science
- Evelyn Maeder – Criminology and Psychology
- Isaac Otchere – Business
- Joanna Pozzulo – Psychology
- Paul Van Geel – Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Paul Van Oorschot – Computer Science
Winners of the 2012 FGMAs
- Hymie Anisman –Neuroscience and Health Psychology, Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience
- Andrew Brook – Philosophy and Cognitive Science
- Aaron Doyle – Sociology & Anthropology, the Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice & the Institute of Political Economy
- Linda Duxbury – Sprott School of Business
- Lenore Fahrig – Biology
- Matthew Johnson – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering & Canada Research Chair in Energy and Combustion Generated Air Emissions
- Nicolas Papadopoulos – Sprott School of Business
- Timothy Pychyl – Psychology and the School of Linguistics and Language Studies
- Claire Samson – Earth Sciences
- Gabriel Wainer – Systems and Computer Engineering
Winners of the 2011 FGMAs
- Alfonso Abizaid – Neuroscience
- Susan Bertram – Biology and Assistant Dean, Faculty of Science
- Amir Banihashemi – Systems and Computer Science
- Lorraine Dyke – Sprott School of Business
- Uma Kumar – Sprott School of Business & Director, Research Center for Technology Management
- Jo-Anne LeFevre – Director, Institute of Cognitive Science
- Banu Örmeci – Canada Research Chair in Wastewater and Public Health Engineering & Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- David Rogers – Canada Research Chair in Medical Physics & Professor, Department of Physics
- Roland Thomas – Sprott School of Business
- Bill Willmore – Institute of Biochemistry, Departments of Biology and Chemistry
Winners of the Inaugural 2010 Faculty of Graduate Mentoring Awards
- Sue Aitken – Biology and Institute of Biochemistry
- Craig Bennell – Psychology
- Josh Greenberg – Journalism & Communication
- Sheryl Hamilton – Journalism & Communication
- Louise A. Heslop – Sprott School of Business
- Norman Hillmer – History
- Vinod Kumar – Sprott School of Business
- Thomas Kunz – Systems and Computer Engineering
- Ken Storey – Biology, Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biochemistry
- Halim Yanikomeroglu – Systems and Computer Engineering