March 2021 Awards and Accolades

Congratulations to the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation alumni, faculty, staff and students being recognized this month!

Faculty Recognition

Valerie Carson was recognized with the U of A’s Celebrate! awards to recognize teaching, learning and research excellence. Valerie was awarded the Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists - The College is Canada’s first national system of multidisciplinary recognition for the emerging generation of Canadian intellectual leadership. Members are elected based on excellence and demonstrated impact in the early stages of their academic careers.

Zac Robinson was awarded the 2021 Environment Grant from the Alpine Club of Canada. The ACC Environment Grant is issued annually from a permanent fund to be used to create a legacy of environmental improvement. Wilderness is a diminishing and irreplaceable resource of great intrinsic value not only to those who recreate in its spaces, but to everyone on our planet. The focus of the Environment Grant is wilderness conservation rather than recreation enhancement. It is the ACC’s goal to be able to act quickly and decisively in order to protect our wild spaces from being lost. The purpose of the grant is to provide support that contributes to the protection and preservation of mountain and climbing environments, including the preservation of alpine flora and fauna in their natural habitat.

Undergraduate Student Recognition

Sofia Ivanchikov was awarded the President’s Centenary Entrance Citation award. The President’s Centenary Entrance Citation, the most prestigious citation, is awarded to the top student with an admission average of 95% or above entering an undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta. Years as a competitive gymnast taught Sofia Ivanchikov about determination and motivation. Years as a competitive gymnast taught Sofia Ivanchikov about determination and motivation.

Kestrel Martin has been awarded the President’s Entrance Citation is awarded to students with an admission average of 95% or above entering an undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta.

Lauren Maier was awarded the Barbara A. Horwitz and John M. Horowitz Undergraduate Research Award which is presented annually to undergraduate students who are presenting their research at the APS annual meeting at Experimental Biology (EB). APS is the largest physiological society in the world and it's journals and conferences are likely the most important venues for our work. “This is a really fantastic achievement by Lauren. Because of this award she is also in the running for a presentation award to be adjudicated during the conference in early April.” Craig Steinback

Graduate Student Recognition

Joao Henrique Falk Neto was awarded the Graduate Student Teaching Assistant Award. The purpose of these awards is to recognize Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) who are especially skillful and dedicated teachers at the University of Alberta. Only GTA appointments held for University of Alberta courses during a graduate student's current academic program (as a graduate student of the University of Alberta) will be considered.

Zachery Fielding is one of the 2021 UAlberta Three Minute Thesis finalists. The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an academic competition that assists graduate students in fostering effective presentations and communication skills. Participants have just three minutes to explain the breadth and significance of their research projects to a non-specialist audience. Watch the video of Zachery presenting his three minute thesis here. Voting is open March 29 to April 1 for People’s Choice award - vote here.

Athletics Recognition

Congratulations to Golden Bears Curling Alumni members Brendan Bottcher, Brad Thiessen, Karrick Martin as they won the 2021 Brier Champions.

Amanda Rummery is a Steadward Bears Para-athlete who trains out of The Steadward Centre. She competes in the T46 category (single arm impairment above elbow) and recently set a new personal best and Canadian record at a track meet in Victoria setting a new Canadian record in the 400m, T46 category. She is currently trying to qualify to make the team for the Tokyo Paralympics.