From the Provost’s Desk: Congratulating the Recipients of the 2024 Awards for Faculty Excellence

Ava is highly regarded for her exceptional teaching and educational leadership. Reflecting her passion for fostering student success, Ava’s Vargo Teaching Chair Project aims to leverage data from Learning Management Systems to identify students at risk of academic jeopardy. The project will use data to develop predictive models and algorithms to uncover patterns among students facing academic challenges. By utilizing this data proactively, tailored support and interventions can help to remove barriers to success and students’ well-being. This initiative embodies Ava’s dedication to teaching excellence and creating a supportive learning environment where every student can thrive. 

David’s remarkable work and leadership have merited national and global attention. His career has been devoted to advancing and making transformative contributions to women’s pregnancy health and perinatology, particularly in his groundbreaking research on preterm birth. Individually and collectively, he has received a total of nearly $50M in competitive funding. Through his efforts and those he has supported, trained, mentored and recruited, he has established the U of A as a world leader in pregnancy health and perinatology. David's relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence elevates the standard of care for mothers and babies and also ensures that future generations of researchers and practitioners will continue to build upon his legacy.

Tian is an internationally recognized leader in mechanical engineering, known not only for her exceptional research, but also for her excellence in teaching and commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in engineering. As an expert in multi-scale modeling and simulation of soft materials and interfaces, she established at the U of A a highly successful research program that studies materials essential to areas such as nanotechnology, biomedicine, energy and the environment. Her teaching excellence is reflected in consistently high student ratings, pivotal role in curriculum improvements, and impactful outreach activities. Tian's leadership in the Faculty of Engineering highlights her unwavering commitment to improving educational outcomes while profoundly impacting her field and the U of A community.

Biao’s distinguished research in process control, with a focus on control performance assessment, fault diagnosis and soft sensors, has revolutionized multiple industries over his thirty-year career. His groundbreaking methods have significantly enhanced efficiency and safety across industries such as chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas, pulp and paper and mineral processing. With the support of this award, Biao will further advance automation systems using data analytics and machine learning innovations. These efforts aim to address the challenges posed by stricter environmental regulations while maintaining economic profitability. His planned activities include engaging students in transformative research projects, offering invaluable mentorship and hands-on training, and cultivating industry partnerships. This project will equip students to lead future innovations in a number of sectors. 

Carla is a highly esteemed expert in human nutrition, whose research on nutrient intake, energy metabolism and the dynamics of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue have made a significant impact in her field. With the support of this award, Carla will develop and distribute a new plant-based protein cookbook, designed to promote muscle health through innovative and complete protein recipes. This exceptional publication will offer carefully crafted recipes that combine various plant protein sources, aiming to form a "complete protein" — a blend of amino acids optimal for muscle health. The cookbook will champion health equity, sustainability and supporting the diverse dietary needs of all communities. 

Hasan is well-known for his work in experimental therapeutics, specifically focusing on designing functional biomaterials to realize the potential of innovative therapeutic agents. His research, particularly in bone regeneration and anti-cancer therapies, has set new standards in his field. With the support of this award, Hasan will launch a transformative project to recruit and train Indigenous students in science and engineering at the University of Alberta. The initiative includes targeted outreach programs in collaboration with faculty and Indigenous communities, offering hands-on research and learning opportunities. The project seeks to address low representation rates among Indigenous students while fostering diverse opportunities and long-term success in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. 

A renowned kinesiologist, Normand leads a research program that focuses on the pivotal role of exercise in the multidisciplinary approach to preventing and managing diabetes. With the support of this award, Normand plans to establish a Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Research at the University of Alberta. The project will be designed to meet the needs of graduate students and supervisors, filling critical gaps in current local and global diabetes research opportunities. By leveraging existing courses and resources, this new certificate will elevate training, enhance student recruitment and equip future leaders in diabetes research. 

As the director of the Re:Cognition Lab, Ben has led a diverse research and teaching career taking a multifaceted approach to psychology. With the support of this award, his project will harness the educational power of games to transform STEM learning. The project will create three immersive teaching games: Total Chaos, which explores the pedagogical possibilities of a mathematical card game; Tight Rope, a flexible game system tailored to specific educational content; and Publish or Perish, a game designed to teach the scientific publication process. This initiative aims to integrate gamification as a valuable tool, promote scientific literacy and build vibrant communities around the intersection of games, science and education. 

David is well known for his research in synthetic biology and engineering microbial cells for therapeutic and biotechnology applications. This award will support David’s development of a multi-disciplinary graduate training program, integrating teaching and research in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering for biomedical and bioindustrial applications. In addition to the development of program structure, courses and content, this project will further identify key partners — laying the groundwork for a network of research and teaching groups that can share knowledge, resources and even a trainee exchange program. This cutting-edge initiative will provide invaluable education, support and professional development to students in this rapidly growing field. 

Thao’s extensive expertise in language education and innovative teaching methods has made a profound impact on her students. With the support of this award, Thao will develop a new guided French program, culminating in a certificate of completion for Campus Saint-Jean students. Founded in Thao’s highly successful teaching practices, this program will accompany and encourage students to live a real experience of French outside the classroom. The French Engagement Program will emphasize linguistic engagement and linguistic risk-taking both of which are key to fostering motivation and autonomy in new language learners. Using diverse methods of integration, the program aims to enrich, complement and transform academic French into a social and cultural exploration that enhances the student experience.