NBIF Names New Brunswick’s Top Research Mentors
FREDERICTON — COVID-19 isn’t stopping the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) from highlighting some of the province’s best and brightest in research.
Late last week, NBIF named the province’s top research mentors, something that was originally intended to be part of the Top 25 Star Mentors announced at the biennial R3 event in April that was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last fall, NBIF asked its partner universities, colleges, and research institutions across New Brunswick to nominate researchers who have taken outstanding steps to support the development of students and trainees in research.
“New Brunswick is home to extraordinary researchers who are dedicating their time and energy to mentoring the next generation of research professionals,” said Dr. Laura Richard, Director of Research at NBIF. “They play a vital role in supporting the innovation agenda here in New Brunswick and are essential to developing and commercializing new technologies.”
NBIF announced the awarding of three Mentor of the Year prizes:
Start Mentor of the Year, University: Dr. Kenneth Kent, a professor in the Faculty of Computer Science at the University of New Brunswick. He received a $70,000 grant to support the training and development of student researchers.
Star Mentor of the Year, Institution: Dr. Benjamin de Jourdan, a research scientist at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews. He received a $50,000 grant to support the training and development of student researchers.
Star Mentor of the Year, Runner Up: Dr. Stephen Westcott, a professor in chemistry and biochemistry at Mount Allison University. He received a $40,000 grant to support the training and development of student researchers.
Grants awarded to Star Mentors must be used to directly support the training and development of student researchers including student stipends, salaries, research material costs, travel expenses and so forth.
In addition to the Star Mentor awards, three Mitacs Honourable Mention prizes were awarded with each researcher receiving a voucher valued at $1,500. These prizes were awarded to:
• Dr. Rémy Rochette, Biological Sciences Professor, University of New Brunswick Saint John
• Michelle Robichaud, Instructor, New Brunswick Community College, Saint John
• Dr. Mathieu Bélanger, Professor, Centre de formation medical du N.-B./Université de Sherbrooke
“These researchers are dedicated to the pursuit of new knowledge and to providing meaningful support to their mentees. At NBIF, we are pleased to acknowledge their contribution and to provide financial support to their students,” said Richard.