Career Week: February 3-11, 2026

Join us for SMU Career Week from February 3-11! This week-long series of activities is designed to support students and new alumni at all stages of their academic journey as they plan their professional futures.

Career Week includes both virtual and in-person events, offering insights, connections and unique perspectives from valued community partners, SMU subject matter experts, employer partners and alumni. You’ll be inspired to explore, plan and build a strong foundation for success. 

Thank you to Sobeys, our Career Week sponsor. Join the Sobeys event on February 3 to learn about a career in retail with Sobeys.

Accessibility Information: We aim to make our events inclusive for everyone. Please email cel@smu.ca with any accessibility requests or specific accommodations.  

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Career Week 2026 Events

Sobeys – Retail Reimagined

The careers you don’t expect at Sobeys    

Tuesday, February 3
4-6 p.m.
Loyola 290

“It’s all about people!” You'll hear this echo through the halls of Sobeys—and now we're inviting you to experience it firsthand. 

Join us for an evening with leaders who've shaped one of Canada's most iconic retailers, born and raised right here in Nova Scotia. Hear directly from Sobeys executives and former students who've turned internships into thriving careers. Discover what it really takes to succeed in retail, from supply chain to store operations, and everything in between. 

This isn't just another corporate presentation. It's your chance to connect with people who have walked your path, ask the questions that matter, and explore opportunities with an organization that's deeply rooted in Nova Scotia.

Come ready to connect, learn and see why at Sobeys, it really is about the people. 

Open to all students, this free, reception-style event includes food, swag bags and the chance to network directly with Sobeys recruiters. Registration is required.  

Register here.

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Summer Job & New Grad Career Fair

Wednesday, February 4
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Loyola 290

Forty organizations in one room, ready to talk with students and recent graduates from Arts, Science, and Commerce. Whether you're seeking a co-op work term, internship, summer job or full-time work after graduation, this fair is for you!

• Learn more here

• Register on Career360

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Year 2 at SMU Lunch & Learn

Wednesday, February 4
Noon-1:30 p.m.
Loyola Academic 178

Second year students: this session is for YOU! Learn how to separate career myths from facts and find out how you can leverage your university experience for career success.

Register here.

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Rise and Thrive: Unlocking Black Brilliance Panel

Thursday, February 5
4-6 p.m.
Sobey 422

At this panel event, you will learn about empowerment, growth and excellence in career development, as well as strategies for overcoming barriers and taking initiative in your professional life. It’s about moving beyond survival to success and flourishing in your career. Learn about the unique creativity and innovation that Black alumni bring to their respective fields as we create spaces where Black excellence is seen, valued, and elevated.

Register here.

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Get a Job with the Government of Canada

Friday, February 6
12-1 p.m.
Online event 

Join the Public Service Commission of Canada to learn about the various job opportunities for students and graduates, including the Federal Student Work Experience Program, Co-op and the Research Affiliate Program.

Learn about support programs for Indigenous students and students with disabilities, and ask about the types of careers you can pursue with the Government of Canada. 

Register here.

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Networking Event for International Students

Friday, February 6
1-3:15 p.m.
Loyola 186

Recruiters from several industries will share tips and strategies for job search success in this interactive session featuring both a larger panel presentation and smaller breakout discussion groups. Listen, ask questions, network and get the inside scoop on what employers want!

Limited spaces available.

Register here.

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Resume Development: Beyond the Basics

Friday, February 6
2-3 p.m.
Online event

Explore, learn and build a resume that truly reflects your unique self and helps you stand out from the competition! This webinar will help you develop a professional resume that reflects a collection of your strengths, experiences and skills in a way that employers can easily understand.

Register here.

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LinkedIn Photoshoot

Monday, February 9
2-4 p.m.
Student Centre 401

Elevate your LinkedIn profile with a new professional photo! Come by Career & Experiential Learning to have your headshot taken by a professional photographer, for free. Be sure to sign up for a slot in the Career360 calendar. Remember to dress in professional attire!

Register here.

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How To Help People in Your Career

You don't have to be a therapist (unless you want to!)

Monday, February 9
4-5:15 p.m.
Loyola Academic 173

Are you considering a career as a therapist because you want to help people? This session explores various options and possibilities for supporting individuals and communities, while also delving into the career pathways for different types of therapists.

Register here.

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From Student to Leader: On-Campus Jobs Explained

Tuesday, February 10
2:30-4 p.m.
Loyola Academic 277

Interested in an on-campus job or leadership role for next year or this summer? Join Peer Success Coaches to learn what roles are posted in February, hear peer tips on applying, and explore the benefits of these positions. You'll gain insights from Career Services Professionals on how to identify the skills gained from these roles and make them transferable to a professional job.

Register here.

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B.Ed. Network & Prep Fair

Tuesday, February 10
4-6 p.m.
Sobey 422

Considering applying to Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programs? Have questions about admission requirements and whether you're on track? Bring your questions—and transcripts—to the B.Ed. Network & Prep Fair. Connect with representatives from B.Ed. programs across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, along with SMU Academic Advisors and Career Coaches. You'll receive personalized guidance, get confirmation that you're on track, and discover ways to strengthen your application.

Register here.

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Grad Expo

Wednesday, February 11
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Anne J. & Albert T. Isaacs Commons

Are you graduating in 2026? Attend the Grad Expo to learn about alumni benefits, student loan repayment, resources for new graduates, and more!   

Register here.

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Workplace Wellness & Accessibility

Wednesday, February 11
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Loyola Academic 179

Learn how to self-advocate at work, tips on identifying inclusive job postings and employers, as well as how to navigate and request workplace accommodations.

Register here.

Turning a diagnosis into impact: How Emma McGill is building community through Gluten Free Living

Emma McGill presents at a JA Nova Scotia event

Emma McGill sits comfortably between two worlds, science and entrepreneurship. An astrophysics and anthropology student, Emma is also the founder of Gluten Free Living. With support from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, the growing initiative focuses on supporting people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance.

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Emma’s journey into entrepreneurship began long before she ever thought of starting a business. At 12 years old, she was diagnosed with celiac disease, a moment that quickly reshaped everyday life for her and her family. Suddenly, grocery shopping became expensive and time-consuming, with gluten-free alternatives costing significantly more and often falling short in quality.

“I was told by my doctor that celiac disease was one of the easiest illnesses to live with because you just have to change your diet,” Emma recalls. “But that doesn’t mean it’s easy.”

As she grew older, Emma became more aware of how isolating the condition could be. Eating out with friends, attending work events or finding reliable information often came with stress and uncertainty. What stood out most was the lack of accessible, centralized support for people navigating similar experiences.

This gap is what inspired Gluten Free Living, with the platform currently growing through community events and social channels. It aims to create safe spaces where people can connect, share information and find trusted gluten-free options. In the long term, Emma envisions Gluten Free Living as a fully developed app that brings together verified health information, restaurant resources and practical financial tools, including an AI-powered assistant to help users navigate Canada’s complex celiac-related tax credits.

“The cost of gluten-free food can be two to five times higher than regular food,” Emma says. “I wanted to build something that helps people not only protect their health, but also manage the financial reality that comes with it.”

While entrepreneurship might seem far from astrophysics, Emma sees more overlap than expected. Skills such as problem-solving, communication, teamwork and proposal writing transfer easily between the lab and the business world. Her involvement with Enactus Saint Mary’s has further strengthened those skills, connecting her with a community of students who are driven to create a meaningful impact.

That sense of momentum has only grown following Enactus Saint Mary’s recent World Cup win in Bangkok, Thailand, which Emma believes has energized the broader entrepreneurial community both on campus and beyond. “There’s this excitement now,” she says. “People feel encouraged to build things that matter.”

For Emma, Gluten Free Living is about more than food. It’s about visibility, connection and reminding people that they’re not alone.

“You shouldn’t have to struggle quietly just because something is labelled as ‘manageable,’” she says. “Community makes a difference.”

Interested in learning more about how entrepreneurship can blend with other areas of study? Explore programs and events here.

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Watch Emma’s interview on CTV News

Celebrating 50 years of Geography and Environmental Studies

With 2025 in the rearview mirror, it’s timely to look back at the year’s highlights marking the 50th anniversary of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.

Dr. Amber Silver BSc’10

Dr. Amber Silver BSc’10 was the alumni guest speaker for the department’s special anniversary event on November 20, delivering an Arts With Impact lecture on “Hazardous Weather in Atlantic Canada: Public Perceptions and Responses.”

During her talk, she recalled how studying geography got her back on track as a student and put her firmly on the path toward her dream job. Her first year at another Halifax university hadn’t worked out, so she ended up leaving school. During a break one day on her shift at a Halifax call centre, she flipped through a coworker’s Saint Mary’s University academic calendar.

A course on natural hazards jumped out, “and everything just clicked into place,” she said in a recent interview for Maroon + White. “In that moment, I decided to return to university, but this time to geography.”

Silver had loved geography in high school, but didn’t realize it was available as a university program. She was also fascinated with natural disasters and severe weather such as hurricanes. From the very first class at SMU, she knew she was in the right place. With the program’s focus on experiential learning, she has fond memories of field studies on saltwater marshes and Minas Basin mudflats with Dr. Danika van Proosdij, as well as transformative field trips to Boston and Washington.  

Dr. Amber Silver presented ‘Hazardous Weather in Atlantic Canada: Public Perceptions and Responses’ at SMU

Now Silver works in the U.S., teaching students about the human dimensions of natural disasters as an Associate Professor in the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity at the University at Albany in New York. Her current research focuses on the role of misinformation and disinformation in the public’s understanding of natural hazards and disasters.

Dr. Stephanie Rogers BA’07

Dr. Stephanie Rogers BA’07 also shares fond memories of how she stumbled into the geography program and found her passion. She had been exploring various academic interests when a schoolmate recommended a course taught by a “rockstar instructor,” Rogers recalled in a recent article, Mapping the future from the ground – and the sky. “Once I took that class, I was hooked.”

The rockstar instructor was Dr. Cathy Conrad, and Rogers remembers working with her on a river-related Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps project. She encourages students to get involved in research early. “Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask if a professor has openings in their lab. Without that hands-on experience I obtained in university, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said. 

For Rogers, what began as a curiosity about maps evolved into a career exploring how technology can deepen our understanding of the environment. She is now an Associate Professor and runs the GeoIDEALab in the Department of Geosciences at Auburn University in Alabama. Some of her research uses geospatial data from drones and satellites to study water quality, which offers faster and more flexible methods than traditional field sampling.

Dr. Cathy Conrad is a Saint Mary’s alumna (BA’93) and the mother of a current SMU student and a SMU alumnus. She was in the spotlight during Homecoming Week in October, at a Faculty Author Reading event celebrating 50 years of both Geography and the Patrick Power Library. Conrad’s talk offered a personal autoethnography of her own lived experiences as the mother of a migrant, wife of a migrant and daughter of a migrant, and how that has influenced her own migration research.

Dr. Cathy Conrad presented a Faculty Author talk during Homecoming

Through geography field courses, students can explore physical and human geography in other parts of the world. In March, Conrad brought a class to The Gambia to learn about the West African nation's history, culture and geography. In 2027, the Geography and Environmental Studies department teams up with the History department to offer the “Difficult Heritage – Europe” field course, featuring a 10-day trip to Berlin and Paris to explore heritage sites associated with the Second World War.

Coming up this winter, a new international field course is heading to South Korea, with Dr. Min-Jung Kwak at the helm. The learning starts in seminars here on campus and the field trip will enrich students’ understanding of South Korea's physical and cultural landscapes. The course is a collaboration between the geography and Asian studies programs.

On November 7, Kwak marked Geography’s 50th anniversary by hosting Nova Scotia’s first Korean Diaspora Studies Conference, on the theme of Borders, Boundaries and Displacement. Open to the public, the event included panels and keynotes, plus a film screening and special talk on “The Predicament of (Korean) Diasporic Cinema: An Exploration of Past Lives“. The conference highlighted the growing importance of South Korea and Asia as key economic and political partners for Canada, as well as the rapidly changing demographic landscape in Nova Scotia.   

A speaker at the Korean Diaspora Studies Conference at SMU

Over the past five decades, one of the geography program’s greatest features has been the diversity it offers. Students can study geography as a major or honours in both the BA and BSc programs, and as a minor in a BA, BSc or BES degree. Geography also offers electives and concentrations to students in any program across the university. The program is closely connected to specialized research labs and institutes, such as the Wicked Problems Lab, the Maritime Provinces Spatial Analysis Research Centre, and TransCoastal Adaptations: Centre for Nature-Based Solutions.

It also offers co-op options with government agencies, consulting firms and environmental or planning organizations, such as the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), as students learned at a GIS Day event planned by student Miranda Frison, who is doing a Master of Arts in Geography.

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is digital mapping with both human and environmental applications across disciplines. Two guest speakers from CSA shared their perspectives on career possibilities for students with GIS experience: Jean Bergeron, Mission Scientist for Sun-Earth System Science, and Dirk Werle, Senior Expert in Earth Observation, Utilization, and Services. 

GIS Day at SMU

“GIS Day can introduce people to the subject and how it is used in every industry in some shape and form,” said Frison. Her own thesis research focuses on threatened lichen species in Atlantic Canada; learn more in this Esri Geographical Thinking podcast. As a teaching assistant at SMU and current president of the Geomatics Association of Nova Scotia (GANS), Frison encourages students to learn how to use GIS software to expand their research horizons.

“It has been very rewarding seeing when it clicks for students and as they get excited about possible future projects,” she says.

In her lecture, Dr. Silver emphasized how geography opens up versatile career paths in public health, transportation, urban planning, education, research, policy development and so much more. She said she was honoured to acknowledge the geography program’s many accomplishments in her lecture.

“To say [the program] does a phenomenal job of preparing students for the interesting, dynamic and unique discipline of geography is an understatement. It expects a lot of its students—but it gives students so much in return,” said Silver.

Related

• Weathering the Journey: How One Alum Found Her Calling

• Learn more about Geography at SMU

• Learn more about Environmental Studies at SMU

• Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

Digging deeper: Unearthing Beechville's past through research and real-world learning

When Anthropology Professor Dr. Jonathan Fowler first walked into the community of Beechville over a decade ago, he thought he was taking on a small side project. "I began working at Beechville as an archaeologist in 2013," he says. "What began as just a little sidebar exercise grew over time."

The deeper he stepped into the woods with community members, students and new technology, the more he realized the work wasn't just about mapping the past – it was about reconnecting a community with its own history.

Beechville, founded just over 200 years ago by formerly enslaved people who self-emancipated during the War of 1812, carries a legacy that feels alive beneath the forest floor.

““Anytime we encounter the remnants of places that were formerly inhabited, we kind of encounter an echo of humanity. There’s this still resonant human story remaining in the things left behind.””

— Dr. Jonathan Fowler

Dr. Jonathan Fowler with Ben Sheffar at Beechville

That story is especially powerful because many of today's Black Nova Scotians trace their connections back to these freedom fighters. "A lot of that story has been kind of lost through the process," Dr. Fowler says. That's why the Beechville community chose to work alongside Dr. Fowler and his students, as "collaborators and co-creators of knowledge," committed to uncovering and understanding the site together.

For Dr. Fowler, the project quickly became far more than research. "It's been really, really interesting and also very emotionally and personally satisfying," he says. "This is exciting work. It's academic work. It's community work… It's kind of soul craft."

A classroom under the canopy

Recent graduate Ben Sheffar participated in Dr. Fowler’s Beechville field school

One of the first students to step into the thicket was anthropology student Ben Sheffar BA'25, whose academic path took a turn the moment they joined Dr. Fowler in the field.

Before working on the project, Ben admits their ideas of archaeology came from TV: a "dramatized version." But Beechville changed all that. "I did not fully grasp how systematic and organized everything truly is on archaeological sites," they say.

Even with museum experience under their belt, the reality of the work – deep brush, uneven terrain and the need for quick adaptation – came as a surprise.

Dr. Fowler remembers watching students like Ben transform. On day one, the forest was disorienting. Within days, something shifted.

““Seeing the students get out of the classroom, get into the brush...There’s a kind of experiential learning that takes place only in that environment. You can’t do it with PowerPoint on campus.””

— Dr. Jonathan Fowler

In the field, learning becomes hands-on in a way the classroom can't replicate. Students begin to recognize signs of the old community just by looking closely at the forest floor, such as shallow cavities in the earth where cellars were located, and linear stone features that once formed walls or boundaries. They even learn how to spot old gardening areas by noticing unusual piles or patterns of rocks. "All of this is without digging yet," Dr. Fowler explains. "We start with remote sensing and then move on to our bushwhacking."

Ben recalls the on-the-ground learning vividly. Technology that worked in the classroom was suddenly challenging to use in a dense forest. "This required us to adjust our strategy and use a different method in the field," Ben says. "That adaptation is central to the work."

When community brings the past to life

Both point to community connections as the heart of the project.

Beechville resident Bev Jarvis-Alfenick, seen in Ben’s video: Uncovering Beechville: Surveying a 19th century settlement built by Black Refugees

For Ben, the most powerful moment came when Beechville residents joined them on site. "Working with community members, specifically having them in the survey space and sharing personal experiences about the area where their families might have been for at least a hundred years — it made the work 10 times more important to be trusted with those stories."

Dr. Fowler says research becomes most meaningful when academic perspectives and community knowledge come together.

"Community has their own perspective, informed by its traditions, memories and experience; a very intimate kind of experience on the land," he explains. When that insight meets the archeological and archival work he brings to the project, something more profound emerges. "When you put those two things together, you get a resulting picture that brings together these two incomplete experiences."

A new kind of storytelling

For Ben, the Beechville project was a chance to merge two passions. "I had started making videos for classes… it began on a smaller scale in high school, but significantly increased," they say. So, when the field school came up, they saw an opportunity and approached Dr. Fowler about creating a video that could serve both the research and the community.

Ben used their passion for storytelling and video to highlight the Beechville project

Ben filmed almost every day in the forest, often carrying a large tripod and camera, and later sorted through over a terabyte of footage to shape the story. What mattered most was capturing lived experience: "I consciously included at least one person each day who could reflect on the topic, which makes the lessons highly valuable."

The process showed Ben what was possible. "It cemented my ability to perform this type of work if I commit to it," they share. For the community, the video became a bridge – a way to see and feel the research in a more accessible and human way.

Dr. Fowler believes this kind of storytelling is essential. "It's not enough to do good science in the field," he says. "You really have to put a lot of emphasis on knowledge mobilization and communication."

Lighting the spark

Dr. Fowler often says his job isn't simply to teach, but to ignite curiosity. "I'm just there trying to strike those sparks into the tinder. Job number one is: can I make a little flame? If the flame starts, everything else follows."

For Ben, that spark caught quickly. Their experience through the Beechville project – which combined fieldwork, community connection and filmmaking – clarified the kind of work they want to pursue. Today, the recent graduate works full-time as a media professional at Detect in Burnside, expanding their camera kit and even becoming a licensed drone operator. It's work that blends everything Ben loves, letting them keep growing as both a storyteller and a researcher at heart.

And in Beechville's forest, where history, community and curiosity meet, those sparks continue to shape students and the stories they help bring to life.

Watch Ben’s video: Uncovering Beechville: Surveying a 19th century settlement built by Black Refugees on YouTube.

Ancient Olympics shines the spotlight on Arts

Students in Sveva Savelli’s ‘Sport and Leisure in the Ancient World’ course held a demonstration on the Huskies field

Students dusted off their togas and olive branches this fall, taking history to the field for a dynamic outdoor reenactment of the Ancient Olympics as part of Dr. Sveva Savelli’s popular course “Sport and Leisure in the Ancient World.”

Cross-listed in both the Ancient Studies and Health, Wellness, Sport and Society (HWSS) majors, Dr. Savelli’s course draws attention to the historic origins of the sports we know today and examines the impact they had on the societies that shaped them.

Dr. Savelli is an associate professor of Ancient Studies and Intercultural Studies in the Department of Languages and Cultures. She also runs the Metaponto Archaeological Field School in southern Italy—so she is no stranger to providing opportunities for hands-on learning.

The Ancient Olympics demonstration was featured on CTV News, Global News and The Chronicle Herald

During the demonstration, students performed reenactments of the Ancient Olympics on the field at Huskies Stadium, bringing history to life for their peers, their professor, and the media.

Their hard work, dedication, and exemplary presentation skills attracted the attention of CTV, Global News and the Chronicle Herald, as they showcased the unique education opportunities available in the Faculty of Arts.

“While I was developing this class, I was thinking about the students who are not able to participate in the field school,” says Dr. Savelli.

““Here at Saint Mary’s, we provide many opportunities for students to experience the ancient world, and this is a way to experience it on campus.””

— Dr. Sveva Savelli

Dr. Sveva Savelli

Courses like these are part of the curriculum for the HWSS major in the Bachelor of Arts— accompanying a new wave of sports-related programming supported by the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health.

The HWSS Major is geared towards students looking to launch a career in sport and ensures they are equipped to approach the industry from all angles: historical, political, social, psychological and more. Knowing where sport has been equipping students to take the industry to new heights, and the material is already resonating with students.

“Doing this Ancient Olympics project has really shown how these sports have changed over time,” says Liam Van Loon, fourth-year Environmental Studies major and varsity hockey player.

“Being an athlete myself, I see what modern-day athletics is like and how the culture operates, and it's neat to throw it in rewind and see what’s... laid the foundation for what we have today.”

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Interested in more sports education? Check out the Health, Wellness and Sport in Society major and certificate and Sports Business major and certificate. Apply now for Fall 2026!

President’s Award for Excellence in Research: Dr. Diane Crocker

Dr. Diane Crocker is a Professor in the Department of Criminology and Acting Associate Dean of Arts, Curriculum and Student Affairs

As a national leader in criminology and restorative justice research, Dr. Diane Crocker is transforming how our communities address gender-based violence. She is widely recognized for her innovation in bringing together diverse partners to design practical solutions for complex social issues. Her collaborative approach connects academia, government and community groups, centering the voices of survivors in policy and program improvements.

Research with meaningful community impact is at the heart of Dr. Crocker’s work. She is a current member of the Research Nova Scotia-funded project CIRCLES-NS (Creating Integrated Restorative Communities for Locally Engaged Solutions). She was a co-investigator with the Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative and a member of the Policy and Research Advisory Board for the Mass Casualty Commission, the independent public inquiry created to provide recommendations to help keep communities safer in the aftermath of Nova Scotia’s mass casualty in April 2020.

With support from a team of student and community-based researchers, Dr. Crocker led an evaluation of Nova Scotia’s provincial action plan, Standing Together to Prevent Domestic Violence. She participates in the national effort iMPACTS: Collaborations to Address Sexual Violence on Campus, and works closely with Nova Scotia’s universities to develop effective sexual violence prevention and response policies. Her co-edited book, Violence Interrupted: Confronting Sexual Violence on University Campuses (MQUP, 2020), provides a collection of essays on research related to campus sexual violence in Canada. She has authored the book Crime in Canada (OUP, 2012) and many book chapters, journal articles and over 80 research and policy reports commissioned by government and community organizations.

She has received significant research funding, securing nearly 50 grants and research contracts, many in partnership with federal and provincial government departments. Dr. Crocker is a research partner with PREVNET: Canada's Healthy Relationship Hub and she holds a research fellowship at the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research in New Brunswick. She is a research associate with the Restorative Research, Innovation and Education Lab at the Schulich School of Law and a member of Justice Canada’s Advisory Committee for the National Restorative Justice Research Network. She has also advised the Department of National Defence and organizations as far away as Australia’s National Office for Child Safety.

Dr. Crocker is considered an essential ally in the work to eradicate gender-based violence. With Bridgewater’s Be the Peace Institute, she has helped amplify survivors’ voices through projects like Pathways to Justice and Voices of (In)Justice, promoting trauma-informed and restorative responses. Her collaboration with Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) has enhanced public safety by improving reintegration supports for individuals transitioning from incarceration.

As an educator and mentor, Dr. Crocker has supervised more than 25 honours and graduate students and trains early-stage researchers and community volunteers, fostering future leaders in community-engaged scholarship. In 2018, she received the President’s Award for Exemplary Service, having served on numerous committees and initiatives at Saint Mary’s, such as the Research Ethics Board and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Advisory Committee.

Dr. Crocker holds both a PhD and MA in Sociology from York University and a BA in Anthropology from Memorial University. Since joining Saint Mary’s in 2000, she has held increasingly senior academic roles, including Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (2013-2018), Chair of the Department of Criminology (2019-2024), and currently Associate Dean of Arts, Curriculum and Student Affairs.

The President’s Award for Excellence in Research honours continued exceptional contributions to research and scholarship conducted by a full-time Saint Mary’s University faculty member. More information can be found at smu.ca/fgsr/presidents-award.

Celebrating excellence: Saint Mary’s faculty recognized for external research funding

Dr. Adam Sarty recognizes researchers during a recent reception

Researchers at Saint Mary’s University were recently recognized for their success in securing over $10 million in external funding to engage in important work in their fields. The funding received was in the form of research contracts, Canada Research Chair positions and tri-council grants.

Saint Mary’s researchers are focused on such diverse topics as black holes, seaweed-based bioplastics, generating resilience in youth service, improving small-scale fisheries, building healthy leadership systems, innovations in job interviews, and creating culturally sensitive, trauma-informed tools with First Nation communities.

A celebration to honour 116 researchers from the faculties of Science, Arts, the Sobey School of Business and two staff members from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre took place in the McNally Theatre Auditorium on October 10.

Special mentions were given to Dr. Paul Muir in Mathematics and Computing Science for receiving consistent NSERC funding over 40 years. Dr. John Young, Professor Emeritus, was also acknowledged for becoming the fifth Honorary member of the Nova Scotia Institute of Science for his contributions to mathematics and chemistry over 75 years.

The calibre of research happening here at Saint Mary’s University is something that we should all be proud of, congratulations again to all of those that have been recognized.

SMU Monster Fest explores diversity of monstrous topics

Things are looking strangely monstrous around campus this week, as Saint Mary’s University hosts Nova Scotia’s first Monster Fest.

Since the dawn of humanity, people have been preoccupied with monsters and monstrosity. How many different monsters are out there in our imaginations and in reality? Why are we so fascinated by them? What do monsters reveal about us?

These are just a few of the questions Monster Fest 2025 is exploring this week in events across campus and at Halifax Central Library. Celebrating the rapidly expanding field of monster studies, the four-day international conference features academic panels with 50+ speakers, free horror film screenings, a Bazaar of the Bizarre and more. It culminates in a Monster Ball costume party on Hallowe’en night.

Dr. Michele Byers and Dr. Lindsay Macumber in costumes created by NSCAD students at Monster Fest

The conference was developed by two professors in the Faculty of Arts who were inspired by the Festival of Monsters at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dr. Lindsay Macumber teaches the popular “Monsters” course at Saint Mary’s, open to the public through our Arts for Everyone program. She had been preparing a panel of four speakers for this fall’s Santa Cruz event, including herself, a colleague and two SMU students.

“We were in the process of getting ready for that, and it just became apparent that it was no longer safe to travel to the United States,” the Study of Religion professor explained in a radio interview this week with CBC Information Morning. “The political situation in the United States is just untenable at the moment, particularly for any of our queer and racialized students. When we are responsible for their safety, it's not something we were equipped to do.”

Her colleague Dr. Michele Byers, coordinator of the Women and Gender Studies program, suggested that Saint Mary’s could host a sister festival for scholars across Canada and beyond. The idea was born, quickly receiving endorsement from the Santa Cruz festival.

“I think there's something really for everyone,” Byers said in the CBC interview. “We have a really broad range of topics, and I think it speaks to the fact that monsters and the monstrous kind of touch every part of life. They make their way to everything.”

Monster Fest lineup

The academic panels examine monstrosity’s significance across diverse lenses such as gender, race, sexuality, ability, religion and Indigeneity. Student and faculty panellists and delegates are here from universities across the Atlantic region and as far as Alberta and even the U.K., with most panels taking place in the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Halifax Central Library hosts two free public lectures and film screenings. Thursday’s keynote speaker is Dr. Novotny Lawrence, Director of the Black Film Centre and Archive at Indiana University, Bloomington. He’ll discuss Black horror with a focus on Nia DaCosta’s film Candyman (2021). Dr. Krista Collier-Jarvis of MSVU offered a “Too Ghoul for School” keynote, focusing on Indigenous horror via Mi’kmaq director Jeff Barnaby’s Rhymes for Young Ghouls.

Dr. Novotny Lawrence

Dr. Krista Collier-Jarvis

The free films are Barnaby’s Blood Quantum, with Collier-Jarvis leading a panel discussion (Oct. 29 at 6 p.m.); and a 50th anniversary screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with an introduction by Dr. Allyn Walker of SMU Criminology, a shadowcast performance by the SMU Drama Society and a Q&A organized by the SMU Pride Society (Oct. 30 at 6 p.m.).

DJ Anita LandBack

Friday’s highlights include a Coven/Community breakfast, a Dark Romance workshop led by SMU students Jodie Hamilton and Jade Newell, and an artist tour of TWO PANSIES: Autumn Star & Shay Donovan at the SMU Art Gallery. The Monster Ball, hosted by DJ Anita LandBack, follows a “Carrie’s prom” theme, with the SMU Drama Society performing pivotal numbers from their hit Carrie: The Musical. Another highlight at the Ball will be wearable art monster costumes created by students at NSCAD University.  

Monster Fest 2025 is supported by many partners and sponsors. Find the full event lineup, bios, lecture abstracts and more at smu.ca/monsterfest.

Related

• CBC Interview: Saint Mary's University is set to host its first Monster Fest!

• NSCAD students bring the horror to Monster Fest

• Festival of Monsters, UC Santa Cruz Centre for Monster Studies

Kane Writers Award: Apply by November 30

Floyd Kane BA’92

The Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award supports aspiring writers of African Nova Scotian and Black/African descent. Valued at $30,000, the award will be presented to an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts upon graduation from Saint Mary’s.

2026 award criteria

To be eligible, undergraduate BA and BES students must:

• be graduating from Saint Mary’s in 2026,

• be Canadian citizens or permanent residents,

• identify as Black/African descended (with priority going to African Nova Scotian students),

• have good academic standing,

• have demonstrable financial need, and

• aspire to a career in writing, broadly defined. 

This award was established through the generosity of alumnus Floyd Kane BA’92, a writer, lawyer, filmmaker and creator of the acclaimed TV series, Diggstown.

It aims to reduce financial roadblocks for graduating students by supporting them in pursuing further studies, training or self-directed projects to advance their writing aspirations. Broadly defined, a career in writing can include (but is not limited to) creative writing, poetry, songwriting, spoken word performance, film/television writing, multimedia creation, or an academic career path in an arts and humanities discipline.

Application deadline: Sunday, November 30, 2025

Learn more and apply today at smu.ca/arts/arts-awards-andfunding

Related

• Class of 2024: Kane Writers Award recipient Rheannon Richards BA'24

• Embracing the power of writing with new Kane Award

• Removing barriers to increase access to education

Undergraduate students lead groundbreaking research on refugee youth resilience

Jacqueline Moore and Melissa Álvarez Del Angel travelled to Manitoba this summer as part of their summer research project

This summer, Honours Psychology students Melissa Álvarez Del Angel and Jacqueline Moore participated in hands-on research in the Finding Your Resilience (FYRe) Lab, led by Dr. Margherita Cameranesi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology.

Melissa, a Bachelor of Science student, was awarded the Dean of Science Access to Research Award. Jacqueline, a Bachelor of Arts student, was awarded the SSHRC Explore Undergraduate Summer Research Award. These competitive awards supported their involvement in the research project.

Melissa and Jacqueline flying to Manitoba

Dr. Margherita Cameranesi, Department of Psychology

Through these opportunities, Melissa and Jacqueline played key roles in an SSHRC-funded, youth-led and community-directed research project involving racialized refugee youth aged 16-21 who resettled in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The research project explores mental health priorities and stories of resilience of 30 youth participants who have been recruited in partnership with the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) to share their experiences post-resettlement.

Melissa and Jacqueline co-facilitated 20 walking interviews – an innovative and participatory method that allows young people to guide researchers through their neighbourhoods while sharing stories of resilience. These walking routes, chosen by the youth themselves, generated rich data through conversation, observation and photos. By allowing participants to set the pace and direction of the interviews, the method helps rebalance power dynamics and honours the voices of young refugees.

During their summer research internships, Melissa and Jacqueline collaborated with IRCOM staff, helped organize research activities and received hands-on mentorship from Dr. Cameranesi on conducting culturally responsive and trauma-informed research. They have gained invaluable skills in community-based participatory action research and in working respectfully with newcomer youth.

The next phase of the project will involve training Melissa and Jacqueline in qualitative thematic analysis, where they will interpret narrative and visual data to help identify the community supports, spaces and relationships that help refugee youth thrive.

This research exemplifies the power of student-facilitated inquiry, community partnership, and inclusive methodologies to advance mental health equity and amplify the voices of underserved youth.

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At Saint Mary’s, small class sizes and access to professors provide many opportunities for undergraduate research. Undergraduate students can experience working as a paid research assistant, taking part in field work, presenting at conferences or even pursuing their original research. Learn more about undergraduate summer research opportunities and follow @smuhalifax to hear from more of our summer research students.

Undergraduate students gain valuable experience with summer research

Saint Mary’s students conduct research with professors in labs across campus every year

With the start of the fall term, we’re pleased to share highlights of another successful summer of undergraduate research in labs across campus.

Every summer, students are chosen to receive research awards, which allow them to conduct research and scholarly projects with professors in their fields. These paid internships are an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn valuable skills that will serve them well in upper-level courses and eventually in their own honours or graduate-level research.

Many of these award positions are funded by federal government agencies, including the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Awards program and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Others are offered thanks to generous donors, grants and funding from Saint Mary’s. In most cases, awards are made possible through contributions from professors’ research grants. Those who receive awards are provided funding to undertake 12 to 16 weeks of full-time work between May and August.

Now in its second year, Saint Mary’s also offers the Access to Research Program, a unique option for summer research for students whose grades are in good standing after a year of study. These awards are jointly funded by the Dean of Science Office and various faculty grants.

“The Access to Research Program is designed for students who are ready to be engaged in an interesting project with a professor,” says Dr. Sam Veres, Dean of Science. “These projects are proposed by professor-student teams, and are intended to spark an interest in a discipline that may lead to future educational and career opportunities in science.”

This range of summer research award programs is an excellent opportunity for our students; however, there are many other opportunities for students to work alongside professors. Our professors conduct research year-round in labs and the field, and students are encouraged to connect with professors to discuss additional opportunities!

 Benefits

“Every summer our research award programs give students an opportunity to engage in research that complements their academic learning, and each year we are more and more impressed with the calibre of student resumes and their enthusiasm for taking on challenges,” says Dr. Adam Sarty, Associate Vice-President, Research and Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. “These awards give our most dedicated and capable students valuable experiences that have an immediate effect on their skill and depth of knowledge in their upcoming courses—while also strengthening their prospects when pursuing graduate education or entering the workforce.”

“Many professors begin their academic careers through undergraduate research opportunities like these,” says Dr. Sarty, adding that offering a competitive salary for these roles helps to level the playing field for students who need to work each summer to support their studies. “This way, we are helping reduce their financial burden as they balance their finances and education.”

How are students chosen?

Most positions are earned based on academic record, breadth of experience and background, and the student’s application letter. Students can apply after their first year of full-time study. Applications for all faculties are funnelled through one portal, with students indicating their academic background and department preferences. If chosen, they are matched with a professor whose work is a fit for their desired research.

Can students win multiple times?

Previous wins aren’t considered in the selection process; however, strong students with top academic records can earn positions in multiple years. Many Saint Mary’s students have gone on to pursue graduate studies, thanks in part to the experience gained during their summer work on campus.

Interested in applying for a summer research award for next year? Visit this website for updates later in the term, and follow your faculty’s social media for news and deadlines.

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This year’s team of student researchers includes:

Mohammed Abbas
Year at SMU: Third
Major: Biology
Supervisor: Dr. Laura Weir
Description: I studied Japanese medaka fish by measuring anal fins and recording their behaviours to better understand their biology.

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Melissa Alvarez Del Angel
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Bachelor of Science, Honours in Psychology 
Supervisor: Dr. Margherita Cameranesi 
Description: I contributed to a SSHRC-funded research project in the city of Winnipeg, MB, where I co-facilitated 20 walking interviews with racialized refugee youth. These interviews sparked conversations and visual storytelling about the people, places, and resources that support well-being after resettlement. We analyzed the data to uncover the everyday strengths and supports that help refugee youth thrive. This project demonstrated the impact of community-engaged learning and student leadership in advancing mental health equity and refugee inclusion.
Plans: My plans are to complete my thesis, continue learning, and immerse myself in spaces where I can help create meaningful change, even if it’s just in a small corner of the world.

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Madelaine Arsenault
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Chemistry
Supervisor: Dr. Jane Ferguson
Description: Studied how rare earth elements behave in water by measuring their electrical conductivity. The rare earth elements are widely used in clean energy technologies, and understanding their properties can help create a more environmentally friendly extraction process and can support the safe management of nuclear waste.  
Favourite spot at SMU: the 2nd floor of the science building

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Megan Barkhouse
Year at SMU: Third
Major: Biology
Supervisor: Dr. Anne Dalziel
Description: I studied how fourspine stickleback fish adapt to different salinities by looking at marine and freshwater populations.
Favourite spot at SMU: The atrium

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Sarah Chiasson
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Environmental Science
Supervisor: Dr. Colleen Barber
Description: I studied European Starlings as part of my Honours project, which examines a reproductive strategy whereby females lay eggs in the nest of other European Starlings. The project will involve DNA analysis to identify females that take part in this reproductive strategy and to determine the potential motivation behind this strategy. 
Favourite feature at SMU: The trees in the campus quad, especially during the spring when they're all blooming.

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Claire Cullinan
Year: Fourth
Major: Biology with a Certificate in Forensic Science 
Supervisor: Dr. Christa Brosseau
Description: I am working on developing a sensitive, low-cost, and visually detectable colorimetric and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy based diagnostic assay using nanobody functionalized gold nanoparticles for the detection of HER2 (a breast cancer biomarker) to enable more accessible breast cancer diagnostics.
Favourite spot at SMU: the quiet floor of the library.

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Lila Gechtman
Year at SMU: Graduated with a Diploma of Engineering, spring 2025
Major: Mechanical Engineering 
Supervisor: Dr. Mitja Mastnak
Description: Researching simultaneous triangularization (linear algebra) with the hopes of gathering material to write a paper.
Favourite spot at SMU : The second booth in the Atrium (love the sunlight)
Plans: Continuing my Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at Dalhousie University

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Mackenzie Hayduk
Year at SMU: Second
Major: Astrophysics
Supervisor: Dr. Vincent Hénault-Brunet
Description: Orbital modelling of high-velocity stars in Omega Centauri to investigate an Intermediate-Mass Black Hole.
See Mackenzie’s day-in-the-life video on @smuhalifax!

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Rohen Hayne
Year: Second
Supervisor: Dr. David Chiasson
Description: Assisted with research projects aimed at identifying key regulators and transporters involved in bacteria-legume symbiosis.
Favourite spot at SMU: The Atrium
See Rohen’s video about his day-to-day as a summer researcher on @smuhalifax!

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Noha Jereen Hoque
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Physics
Supervisor: Dr. Marcin Sawicki
Description: Since the start of its science operations in 2022, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has revolutionized our understanding of the early universe. Building on this success, my research aimed to push even further into the cosmic frontier by uncovering galaxies so faint and distant that they are virtually invisible, even in JWST’s deep images. This research explores existing, ultra-deep multi-wavelength JWST datasets to detect such elusive galaxies using image stacking techniques. By combining observations taken through different filters, we will enhance the signal-to-noise ratio and reveal sources too faint to be seen at individual wavelengths. We will strategically group filters to isolate specific spectral lines at various redshifts, letting us identify and characterize ultra-faint populations of early ‘baby galaxies’ in the very distant universe.
Favourite spot at SMU: My favourite spot is the undergraduate common room in the Department of Astronomy and Physics. It’s a space that feels both intellectually energizing and personally comforting.

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Yacklin Huang
Year at SMU: Third
Major: Computing Science
Supervisor: Dr. Somayeh Kafaie
Description: Enhancing NL2Cypher via Out-of-LLM system design and Fine-Tuned LLM combined Approach, under a bigger project mentioned in Can AI Make Medications Safer? Saint Mary’s Prof Says Yes.
Favourite spot at SMU: My Lab (SH420)

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Ella Jackson
Year at SMU: Second
Major: Double Major in Astrophysics and Math
Supervisor: Dr. Vincent Hénault-Brunet
Description: Used spectroscopic data to determine the central velocity dispersion and binary fraction of the globular cluster Palomar 5, in attempt to discern between models which explore the initial conditions of the cluster.

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Katie Kennedy
Year at SMU: Third
Major: Chemistry
Supervisor: Dr. Jason Masuda
Description: My research this summer involved synthesis and characterization of novel ligands.
Favourite spot at SMU: 5th floor of the student centre.

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George Lawless
Year at SMU: Fourth
Plans: Master’s degree
Your major: Chemistry w/ forensic science certificate
Supervisor: Dr. Jason Clyburne
Description: Synthesizing and characterizing novel compounds via organic spectroscopy.
Your favourite spot or feature at SMU: 2nd floor of the Patrick Power Library.

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Alicia MacDonald
Year at SMU: Fourth
Plans: Starting my honours degree 
Major: Psychology 
Supervisor: Dr. Nicole Conrad
Description: We conducted research about childhood and adult literacy skills such as reading and spelling.
Favourite spot at SMU: My favourite spot is the Atrium! 

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Sarah MacDonald
Year at SMU: Third
Your major: Biology
Supervisor: Dr. Laura Weir
Description: Studied and cared for medaka in the SMU Fish Lab
Favourite spot at SMU: the Library quiet zone or the campus Tim’s!

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Zoë MacDonald
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Honours psychology
Supervisor: Dr. Nicole Conrad
Description: Investigated the science of reading! We're testing some newly developed comprehension stories as a team and collating data from a few years back to be analyzed later. Individually, I've been reading more specifically about dyslexia and its relation to mental health as well as resiliency research.
Plans for next year: Graduating spring 2026, deciding between various grad school options or working for a year in a social work/helping professional position.
Favourite spot at SMU: The staff/environment at the Fred Smithers Centre is one of the reasons I opted for SMU and my favourite study spot is either the quiet floors of the library or the newer area next to Tim’s with all of the natural lighting!

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Claire MacLean
Year at SMU: Fourth
Your major: Chemistry
Supervisor: Dr. Christa Brosseau
Description: Used a technique called electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to examine various inorganic complexes in nonaqueous environments.
Favourite spot at SMU: The fifth floor of the Student Center

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Kaley MacMullin
Year at SMU: Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts ‘25 
Major: Honours in Sociology with a minor in history
Supervisor: Dr. Heather Green 
Description: This summer I worked with Dr. Green on her mining dangers research. I looked at Black Lung Disease, accidents and injuries, and mining disasters in Nova Scotia coal mines. I sourced both secondary and primary resources for this project. What I enjoyed most about this topic is getting to know all about Nova Scotia's once thriving economic sector of coal mining, while focusing in on how miners were affected by their working conditions within the mines. 
Favourite spot at SMU: I thoroughly enjoy studying in the quiet zones within the Patrick Power library as they provide a space where students can go and truly focus without many distractions. I also enjoy studying in the cubicle chairs by the windows in the Entrepreneurship Centre. This spot allows me to focus on my work at hand while enjoying the very comfortable chairs and the view of the trees. 

Becky Mason
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Accounting/Economics
Supervisor: Dr Thomas/Dr Hlang
Description: We created an experiment to see how people report their financial earnings compared their taxable earnings, and I learned how to program an experiment in Otree.
Favourite spot at SMU: I love sitting in the Atrium by the living wall and studying. 

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Jorge Meza
Year at SMU: Fourth
Your major: Astrophysics
Supervisor: Dr. Rob Thacker
Description: I have begun using computer simulations to study how galaxies and clusters of galaxies form, starting from a few hundred thousand years after the Big Bang to today. The simulations need very accurate starting conditions, so my research focuses on reducing unwanted structure in the starting conditions that can affect the final results. I have developed tools for creating 3D visualization movies of the simulations and will be using these movies to better understand the underlying physics of how cosmological structures, like galaxies, form.

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Tehya Mohammed
Year at SMU: Third
Major: Chemistry and Physics Major
Supervisor: Dr. Christa Brosseau
Description: I made very thin, functional surfaces on copper metal to prevent corrosion or to use for detection purposes, then analyzed these surfaces with a laser. 
Favourite spot at SMU: The Oaks

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Janine Mombourquette
Year at SMU: Graduated Bachelor of Science ‘25
Major: Honours Biology
Supervisor: Dr. Colleen Barber
Description: I worked in the field and laboratory, studying the genetic relationships between adult European Starlings and their nestlings. I also conducted regular nest checks, including surveying for anthropogenic materials.
Favourite spot at SMU: Any tree on campus with a nest box!
Plans: I started a Master of Science in Applied Science at Saint Mary's University in September 2025.

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Jacqueline Moore
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Honours Psychology
Supervisor: Dr. Margherita Cameranesi
Description: I contributed to a SSHRC-funded research project in the city of Winnipeg, MB, where I co-facilitated 20 walking interviews with racialized refugee youth. These interviews sparked conversations and visual storytelling about the people, places, and resources that support well-being after resettlement. We analyzed the data to uncover the everyday strengths and supports that help refugee youth thrive. This project demonstrated the impact of community-engaged learning and student leadership in advancing mental health equity and refugee inclusion.

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Molly Munroe (she/her)
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Linguistics
Supervisor: Dr. Marisa Brook
Description: The focus of my research placement was sociolinguistics, the study of how language and society interact. In particular, I collected interviews from speakers of the local English dialect, known as Canadian Maritime English or CME. We collected data and analyzed it for features of speech and vocabulary particular to the local community, with a view to create the most comprehensive account yet of our city’s unique variety of English.
Favourite spot at SMU: In warmer weather, I love sitting outside on the quad under the shade of the trees, watching the sunshine filter through the leaves and sipping a coffee while I do my work.

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Douglas Mutch
Year at SMU: Graduated, Bachelor of Arts ‘25
Major: Sociology
Description: Qualitative analysis of a large sample of newspaper articles relevant to multiculturalism in Canada, to produce a research paper on the subject.
Favourite spot at SMU: Much of my time at SMU has been spent in the McNally Arts Commons so it holds a special place in my heart.
Plans: Graduate school in Toronto

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Khoi Nguyen 
Year at SMU: Second
Major: Engineering
Supervisor: Jane Ferguson
Description: Determining the density of molten salt using customized apparatus.
Favourite spot at SMU: Engineering 301

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Jeremy O'Connell
Year: Fourth
Plans: I graduate in 2026 and then pursue a master's in mathematics.
Major: Mathematics and Economics 
Supervisor: Dr. James Rickards 
Description: I worked on Apollonian circle packings, which are a bunch of circles tangent to one another packed inside of a larger circle in a way which depends on the radius of each circle. I am trying to prove that in each circle packing that allows, there are more perfect square radii than what we expect there to be.
Favourite spot at SMU: room AT214 (The math room)

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Chloe Oxner
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Earth Science
Supervisor: Jacob Hanley (jacob.hanley@smu.ca)
Description: My work involved producing geological maps with GIS software, sample preparation and organization, petrographic analysis completed by optical and electron microscopes, conducting field work to collect rock samples for projects, and data management. The work helped with the projects in Dr. Hanley’s lab group. These projects are focused on understanding the factors that influence the deposition of tin and tungsten in granitic magmatic systems in the Appalachians, which will help revise exploration models for these types of systems.
Favourite spot at SMU: The Oaks! It's the perfect quiet spot on campus to enjoy some of the nature on campus. The Geology department has made an interactive installation that shows all the different rocks and how they were formed!  

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Rozana Rashid
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Global Development Studies
Supervisor: Dr. Gavin Fridell
Description: Assessed fair trade on SMU campus to create a report for the SMU community.
Favourite spot at SMU: The community room at the Homburg Centre

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Keegan Riggs
Year at SMU: Third
Major: Astrophysics
Supervisor: Dr. Luigi Gallo
Description: Used the fractional variability spectrum to detect ultra-fast outflows in AGN.
Favourite spot at SMU: Burke Building

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Sarina Scoville
Year at SMU: Graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Spring 2025 
Major: Biology
Supervisor: Dr. David Chiasson 
Description: My research encompassed isolating and characterizing proteins of the symbiosome membrane to further understand the symbiotic relationship between legumes and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. 
Favourite spot at SMU: Sobeys Inspiration Hub
Plans: Genetics Technology Program at The Michener Institute

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Minh Vo
Year at SMU: Second 
Major: Economic
Supervisor: Hany Fahmy
Description: Performed textual analysis to construct a news-based measure of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) risk and assess its impact on financial markets.
Favorite spot at SMU: I like to go to the library. I usually go there when I need to study or run on deadlines.

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Lucas Wright
Year at SMU: Second
Major: Biology
Supervisor: Dr. Laura Weir 
Description: Fish facility maintenance & observed mating-related behavioural patterns among different sex ratios of Japanese Medaka.
Favourite spot at SMU: The atrium! The skylight is awesome. 

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Clara Wrightman-Dillon
Year at SMU: Third year
Major: Astrophysics
Supervisor: Dr. Greg Christian
Description: I used a combination of experimental data and simulations to determine a resonance energy of the 22Ne(α,γ)26Mg reaction by analyzing gamma-ray spectra. This reaction occurs in AGB and massive stars, and is important for the synthesis of elements heavier than iron. The recoil mass spectrometer, DRAGON, at TRIUMF supplied the experimental data while simulations were run using GEANT.
Favourite spot or feature at SMU: Currently, the physics undergrad room in the Atrium is my favourite spot. It’s a nice, cool room to get work done with other research students around.

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Laryssa Wysoczanskyj
Year at SMU: Second 
Major: Anthropology
Supervisor: Dr. Margaret MacDonald
Description: Research for Dr. MacDonald's upcoming book on the education of Christianity in the Early Roman Empire. My work involved a lot of reading and organization of photographs of artefacts and features.
Favourite spot at SMU: 2nd floor of Patric Power library, where all my favorite books that I will never have time to read are. (But if you ask the librarians, they will say my favorite spot is doing the library puzzle...)

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 Katherine Zinck
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Chemistry
Supervisor: Dr. Danielle Tokarz
Description: Used laser microscopy to investigate the structure of biological samples, including starch, collagen fibrils, and teeth.
Favourite spot at SMU: The second floor of the science building.
Plans: Dental school at Dalhousie University

Saint Mary’s University announces Dr. Karly Kehoe as Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada

Dr. Karly Kehoe, Faculty of Arts

Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce that Dr. Karly Kehoe, a distinguished scholar in the Department of History, has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC). This prestigious honour recognizes Dr. Kehoe’s groundbreaking historical research on the displacement and migration of religious minorities from the Scottish Highlands and Ireland, and their settlement in Atlantic Canada.  

“By examining these communities’ roles in the process of colonization, she illuminates the broader consequences of socioeconomic and religious exclusion,” said the RSC’s September 4 announcement. “Her influential scholarship and exceptional public outreach informs global migration and integration strategies, including world-leading initiatives to support displaced academic researchers.” 

From Margaree Forks, Cape Breton, Dr. Kehoe holds the esteemed Canada Research Chair in Atlantic Canada Communities at Saint Mary’s. She is the board chairperson and academic lead of the Gorsebrook Research Institute for Atlantic Canada Studies. 

She served as president of the RSC’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists (2020-2022), and received the King Charles III Coronation Medal this past April after being nominated by the RSC. She is the founder and lead of the RSC’s At-Risk and Displaced Academics and Artists (ARDAA) program, among other programs to support researchers whose work has been disrupted by war, conflict and threats of violence.  

“We are very proud of Dr. Kehoe’s achievements and her election to the Royal Society of Canada,” said Dr. Adam Sarty, Associate Vice-President, Research and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. “Through her pioneering research and advocacy leadership, she is making a profound impact on policymakers and the global academic community, while highlighting the high calibre of scholarly work here at Saint Mary’s.” 

Kehoe is currently on a two-month research fellowship at the University of Edinburgh's Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, working on her project “Activating Colonial Privilege: The Imperial Strategies of Highland Catholics, 1750-1820”.  

Kehoe is a fellow of both the Royal Historical Society and the International Science Council (ISC). She is the convenor of the Scottish Historical Review Trust and co-edits the Histories of the Scottish Atlantic book series with Edinburgh University Press. Recent publications include Empire and Emancipation: Scottish and Irish Catholics at the Atlantic Fringe (University of Toronto Press, 2022), and The Scottish Highlands and the Atlantic World: Social Networks and Identities (Edinburgh University Press, 2023; co-edited with Annie Tindley and Chris Dalglish).  

The Royal Society of Canada Fellowship is among the highest honours a Canadian scholar can receive, celebrating outstanding achievement in the arts, humanities and sciences. 102 new Fellows have been elected by their peers for their outstanding scholarly achievements.  

On Friday, November 14, the RSC will induct the 2025 Fellows and Members of the RSC College at a ceremony in Montréal as part of its annual Celebration of Excellence and Engagement. 

Related: 

• Dr. Karly Kehoe receives King Charles III Coronation Medal 

• History professor joins International Science Council Fellowship 

• Saint Mary’s University historian unveils discoveries on Catholic migration in Atlantic Canada