Faculty Graduate Mentoring Awards
2024-2025 Faculty Graduate Mentoring Awards
Four Carleton professors were celebrated with Faculty Graduate Mentoring Awards at a ceremony on campus on March 31, 2025.
Graduate students sent in nomination letters to Graduate Studies in support of their favourite supervisor and described the impact these professors had on their lives and academic paths.
This award is in recognition of faculty who provide exceptional service to graduate students as supervisors and research mentors. Sponsored by Graduate Studies and the Office of the Vice-President (Research and International), these awards reflect the impact excellent mentoring can have on graduate students.
Below are this year’s winners (in alphabetical order),
along with some edited quotes taken from their students’ nomination letters:
Patricia Ballamingie, Professor in Geography and Environmental Studies
- “Dr. Ballamingie is the reason I decided to pursue my MA at Carleton. Her reputation as an exceptional teacher and supervisor led me to an initial meeting where she was able to quickly set me at ease, establish open lines of communication and share some of her profound subject matter expertise. I was impressed from the outset. Dr. Ballamingie’s local food systems field course was an absolute highlight of my education.”
- “I was an adult student returning to school to pursue a master’s degree. Among the other students, I felt an imposter, lacking the academic terminology, experience, and self-confidence to understand my own reality. Trish’s way of grounding graduate level concepts in real-world examples opened my eyes to the richness of my own experience and how it could be understood conceptually.”
- “Her engagement in the content she teaches is immediately apparent in the way she handles her students. She allows students to draw on and share personal reflections and stories, which builds a community of peers rather than a room of strangers.”
Joseph Bennett, Associate Professor in Biology
- “Dr. Bennett has provided me with support and guidance that has been crucial to my success as a postdoctoral fellow. Dr. Bennett not only provides excellent academic support and mentorship, but also prioritizes the health and well-being of the lab and goes to great lengths to ensure that his students and their families feel welcome.”
- “He shows great leadership and respect to the people that he works with, and he gives thoughtful academic and workplace advice. He always comes prepared for meetings and is respectful of everyone’s time. When he leads lab meetings, he begins with updates from every member of the lab. He then proposes a question regarding a relevant topic that is followed by input and opinions from everyone in the group. Some of the topics that he has proposed include how to find a job in our field of study, how to better manage our time, or how to make sure we are dealing with our mental health. He includes everyone and ensures everyone is respected as equals.”
- “Dr. Bennett is a person that leads with his example, his respect for others (and nature of course!), his kindness, his compassion, his honesty, his fairness … he is making a truly positive impact in the world around him and it is an honour and a privilege to work at his lab.”
James Milner, Professor of Political Science and Director of Migration and Diaspora Studies
- “After seven years of working with James, I can say that choosing James as a supervisor was the best decision of my career. He has consistently guided me well and celebrated my progress. He is my biggest academic cheerleader.”
- “James’ ethos and humility make him a unique scholar and mentor who each student deserves to have as their professor and mentor. I had the privilege of working with him for four years as my professor and PhD thesis supervisor. During this time, I learned a lot from him as a person, and more as a scholar.”
- “James has a strong desire to see his students succeed in our careers. For James, it is not about simply checking the boxes to finish the degree but coming out of the degree with a well-rounded portfolio. James is always willing to listen and give helpful advice as I navigate choices in my academic and professional life. Whenever I see a new opportunity for publication or training I ask James, knowing he will give me wise counsel about which opportunities would be most beneficial for my professional development.”
Liam O’Brien, Professor in Architectural Conversation
- “As an international student, I faced challenges while waiting for my visa, but Professor O’Brien stayed in touch throughout, offering reassurance and advice on how to prepare for my studies. His encouragement helped me manage my worries and feel confident when I finally arrived in Canada to begin my program. He also introduced me to his other students to help me settle down and adjust to the new environment. I am deeply grateful for his mentorship, which has profoundly impacted my academic journey. His commitment to his students, insightful teaching, and encouragement to think critically and creatively make him truly deserving of this award.”
- “During my master’s program, I started my family and had two children. Initially, I was hesitant to share this with Prof. O’Brien, fearing it might affect his perception of me as a student. To my relief, he was incredibly supportive. He treated me with empathy and understanding, encouraging me to access financial provisions for maternity leave—something I never even knew existed for students. His flexibility and support allowed me to balance motherhood and academics, and I completed my degree in three years despite my maternity leaves. Prof. O’Brien’s mentorship style is both adaptable and empowering.”
- “One of Dr. O’Brien’s greatest strengths is his ability to create an inclusive and collaborative research environment. Within his group, he fosters a culture of respect, intellectual curiosity, and open communication. Weekly meetings and brainstorming sessions were not only opportunities to advance my research but also platforms to engage with interdisciplinary perspectives and develop collaborative skills essential for working in diverse teams. Dr. O’Brien’s empathy and support have been unwavering throughout my academic journey.”
CONGRATULATIONS!
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