Saint Mary's team has impressive finish at Enactus World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan

Enactus Saint Mary’s team and faculty advisers from Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

Presenters pitching at the top 16 round of competition

Co-Presidents: Paige Bigelow BComm’24, Susan MacInnis, Courtney Dingle and Gabe Martin

Accesstructure team: Hannah Meagher, Ashish Ganapathy and Aneesa Hussain

Early Stage competition presenters: Maya Campbell, Lydia Lee, Vaishali Sachdeva and Rebecca Sullivan

The Saint Mary’s University Enactus team has returned home, buoyed by the thrill of placing in the top 16 in the world, with an exceptional performance at the prestigious Enactus World Cup, held October 2-4 in Astana, Kazakhstan.  

The team's journey to the World Cup began in May 2024, when the Enactus Saint Mary’s team secured the Enactus National Championship title against 49 Canadian post-secondary institutions. This victory propelled them, for the first time in SMU history, to the world's premier stage for student-led business innovation and social impact.  

Facing fierce competition with pioneering solutions 

This year, the Cup brought together teams from 29 countries. The competition was fierce, with talented teams from Germany, Morocco, Republic of Korea and Tunisia, vying for the top prize. While Tunisia ultimately secured the top spot, Enactus Saint Mary's distinguished themselves with their innovative projects, Plastarch and Square Roots, and dedication to social good. Square Roots tackles the twin issues of food waste and food insecurity by rescuing "imperfect" produce that would otherwise be discarded and offering it at affordable prices, and Plastarch is a pioneering enterprise to develop a sustainable bioplastic alternative for food packaging and utensils crafted from an unlikely source—discarded potatoes.  

Co-Presidents of Enactus Saint Mary's, Courtney Dingle and Gabe Martin say," To highlight a specific moment from the 2024 Enactus World Cup that was impactful to our team we would point to the cultural fair that happened before the opening ceremonies. Getting to share local snacks, play field hockey sticks with the other teams, and share our Canadian pride was an amazing experience. Being at an Enactus competition is always such a collaborative experience and that was equally true at the 2024 Enactus World Cup. Meeting teams from across the world and feeling supported by them meant so much to everyone on our team, and it was magical to be able to support students from other countries as well. The 2024 Enactus World Cup was an amazing experience for our team, to get to showcase our work on the global stage and get feedback from such diverse perspectives is something we really value. We are so grateful for all of the support we have had to get to this point and are so proud of every member of our team for their dedication and for the work they have put in to reach this level." 

Courtney Dingle

Gabe Martin

In addition to placing in the top 16 in the World Cup, a team of two Enactus Saint Mary’s team members, Aneesa Hussain and Ashish Ganapathy, and Hannah Meagher from Dalhousie placed second in the Bentley—iTwin4Good Challenge held at the Enactus World Cup with a $2,000 USD prize. Their innovative project, Accesstructure, showcased their commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Accesstructure is platform that automates accessibility audits of campus facilities, identifying non-compliance issues across various legislation and standards. The groundbreaking tool ensures that campus environments are inclusive and welcoming for all students, staff and visitors.  

The Accesstructure team reflects the experience saying, “Our biggest takeaway from the competition was the cultural exchange that took place not only during the cultural exhibition but throughout the remainder of the competition and afterward too. Meeting people from different continents, and sharing food, games, and music amongst ourselves helped us broaden our horizons and gain a richer perspective. Another highlight was participating in the iTwin4Good challenge at the Enactus World Cup, where we had the opportunity to present innovative solutions that address social and environmental issues through technology. This challenge reinforced the importance of creating lasting impact and reminded us that, regardless of the differences in our cultures or backgrounds, we all share a common goal: to build a better, more inclusive future. The connections we made and the ideas exchanged throughout the competition will continue to inspire us as we work towards making a meaningful difference in our communities.” 

“We are so proud of the hard work and everything that the teams have accomplished this year. Square Roots, Plastarch and Accesstructure are leading examples of Enactus project success, the impact students can have on the UN SDG goals, and how a social enterprise can continue to grow, evolve and support sustainability in the community and beyond,” said Catherine Fowler, President and CEO of Enactus Canada. 

Team visiting Canadian Embassy in Astana

Nathaniel Collier, Tyler Hutchinson and Gabe Martin in front of Astana Opera

A student shopping at a souvenir shop

Hanging out at a park in Astana, Kazakhstan

Tyler Hutchinson, Sara Wheeler, Maya Campbell, Gabe Marting in the Astana Grand Mosque

Aneesa Hussain and Mya MacDonald at the shopping mall

Iconic Future Energy Museum Nur Alem

From Halifax to Astana: a once-in-a-lifetime journey  

The journey to the Enactus World Cup was an adventure in itself. Astana, with its futuristic architecture and vibrant culture, provided a stunning backdrop for the competition. 

The team ventured beyond the competition, immersing themselves in Kazakh culture. They engaged with local people, visited iconic architectures, savoured traditional cuisine such as beshbarmak and shashlyk. This cultural exchange fostered understanding and appreciation. 

A visit to the Canadian Embassy in Astana further strengthened their connection with the global Canadian community. They met with embassy officials, discussing the importance of their work and the opportunities and challenges faced by Canadians abroad. 

Almost recovered from intense preparation and competition, a long transcontinental journey and significant time change, the Enactus Saint Mary’s team is already talking about the path to the next National and International championships. 

Join the Enactus Saint Mary's Team! 

Are you a passionate student looking to make a difference? The Enactus Saint Mary's team is comprised of 80 dedicated students from diverse backgrounds, all united by a passion for creating positive change, and is always looking for new members to join its ranks.  If you are interested in joining a dynamic team that tackles real-world challenges, visit their website to learn more about getting involved. 

About Enactus 

Enactus is a global nonprofit organization that empowers students to use entrepreneurial action to address social and environmental challenges. Enactus chapters around the world work together to develop and implement innovative projects that create positive change. Through Enactus, students gain valuable skills in leadership, teamwork and entrepreneurship, while also making a meaningful impact on their communities. 

Enactus can be followed @enactus. To learn more, visit enactus.org.

Enactus students count down to the World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan

Gabe Martin

Gabe Martin is Co-President and a lead presenter for Enactus Saint Mary's at the Enactus World Cup. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Political Science. As an active member of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, he credits the Centre with “helping him find out what he was good at and get better at it.”

We asked Gabe to share with the SMU Community what the team has been working on for the upcoming Enactus World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan.

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Last May, Enactus Saint Mary’s competed against 49 schools from across Canada at the Enactus Canada National Exposition in Toronto. For the first time in the team's 20-year history, Saint Mary’s was named Canadian national champions. The team will represent Canada in Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 2 to 4, competing against 29 teams around the world.

Enactus presenters share their presentation at the university’s send-off celebration on September 24

As our team prepares to travel to Kazakhstan, our focus is split on many different tasks, including competition prep, continuing to run our businesses, and helping new members get involved for the upcoming school year. Throughout the team, there is a high level of excitement for both the competition and the other activities that will take place this year. In September, the team provided a market value of $20,000 of food to students and the wider community completely for free!

Once we arrive in Kazakhstan, the team will compete in three rounds before a world champion is named. It is exciting to note that Saint Mary’s University will also represent Canada in the early-stage competition at the World Cup, and two of our team members, along with a student from Dalhousie, will represent Canada in the iTwin4Good challenge. During the competition, you can follow the team’s journey through the Enactus and Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre’s social media channels.

The team has received these opportunities because of the work put in by countless individuals on many businesses. Two of these projects that the team will be highlighting in Kazakhstan are Square Roots and Plastarch. Square Roots is a business focused on addressing the issues of food waste and food insecurity in Canada by purchasing farmers' “seconds” produce and providing it to communities for a 56% discount compared to grocery store prices. Plastarch is developing a bioplastic alternative to restaurant single-use items out of potato starch.

The Enactus Saint Mary’s team

Representing Canada at the Enactus World Cup is a huge undertaking for the team, but it is an opportunity we could not be more grateful to have. The history of Enactus Saint Mary’s goes back more than 20 years; hundreds of students have come through the program and laid the foundation for this team to be in the position we are today. Enactus makes a lifelong impact on everyone who gets involved. Many students from past years who deserved to have won the national title put us in the position we are in now, so when 22 of our students go to Kazakhstan to represent Enactus Saint Mary’s, it is for every student that was ever a part of the program.

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About Enactus

As a global organization, Enactus gives students the opportunity to apply creative problem-solving through entrepreneurship to some of the world's greatest challenges. This is summed up through their value statement: “Young leaders everywhere use innovation and business skills to ensure that all people thrive in a sustainable world.” Enactus Canada is an independent organization under the global brand and consists of 76 post-secondary institutions across the country. It is responsible for organizing and running regional and national-level competitions every year.

Carly the Robot, Imagination Station at SMU

Carly the Cat Robot

You might have seen something new prowling the halls around the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Meet Carly the Cat Robot, named in honour of Carleton, the much-loved late campus cat.

Carly is a groundbreaking service robot designed to assist with tasks and engage and inspire through advanced robotics and AI technology.

Alongside Carly, the Centre is excited to introduce the Imagination Station, a platform showcasing innovative, sustainable technologies and designs to inspire future innovators.

Product offerings change frequently and visitors have a chance to win some of the exciting items on display!

Visit the Imagination Station at the Inspiration Studio (SH212) in the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre to learn how to win!

Enactus Saint Mary’s is heading to the World Cup!

Enactus Saint Mary’s at the 2024 National Exposition

The countdown is on…Enactus Saint Mary’s, who won the Enactus National Exposition in May, is headed to Kazakhstan for the World Cup competition from October 2-4!  

Enactus is the largest student leadership organization in the world and strives to solve environmental, social and economic issues through entrepreneurial action. Enactus chapters from around the world work to address global issues and showcase their successes through regional, national and worldwide competitions.   

The Saint Mary’s University team was named the 2024 Enactus National Champions in May 2024 by the country’s largest experiential learning platform, Enactus Canada, and a judging panel comprised of top Canadian CEOs. The Enactus Saint Mary’s team has been building toward this championship, having placed in the top 4 in the National Championships 11 of the last 13 years. “We are immensely proud of the Saint Mary’s Enactus team,” says Robert Summerby-Murray, President of Saint Mary’s University. “These students are passionate change-makers, driven to do business well and for the good of the world.“

The team was recognized for their ability to enable social, environmental and economic impact through entrepreneurial action. Their success stems from a passionate commitment to fostering positive change through two key projects:  

Plastarch

This pioneering business tackles the escalating problem of plastic waste by offering a sustainable alternative for restaurant food packaging and utensils. Their solution lies in an affordable, durable and food-safe bioplastic crafted from an unexpected source—potatoes slated to be discarded. Plastarch not only mitigates plastic pollution but also promotes a circular economy by finding a valuable use for food waste.  

Square Roots

This initiative addresses the twin issues of food waste and food insecurity. At the farm level, 30% of harvested produce is dumped into landfills due to cosmetic imperfections despite being perfectly healthy. Square Roots rescues this "imperfect" produce that would otherwise be discarded, offering it at affordable prices to those with limited access to healthy food. The team recently received a $100,000 investment from the Government of Nova Scotia for expansion, and their goal is to operate in more than 50 locations across Canada and the US by 2026. 

““Enactus Saint Mary’s University is a model of team success and social entrepreneurship. We are proud to have them represent Enactus Canada at the World Cup. From their leadership on Square Roots to their innovative ideas on uses for potato waste and single-use utensils, we are confident the team will be a top competitor amongst the 29 other countries represented at the World Cup.””

— Catherine Fowler, President and CEO of Enactus Canada

Enactus team members get ready to cheer on the Saint Mary's presenters at the National Exposition

The team, led by Co-Presidents Gabe Martin and Courtney Dingle, along with Susan MacInnis and Paige Bigelow BComm’24, features 27 students from the Sobey School of Business, Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science. Twenty-one students will make the trip to the World Cup, along with staff from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges. Saint Mary’s is the only university representing Canada in this competition with support from the Saint Mary’s community, Halifax Mayor Mike Savage and Premier Tim Houston BComm’92.

“Representing Canada on the world stage is beyond exciting,” says Courtney Dingle. “We had the opportunity to go to the Enactus World Cup last year, and what an incredible opportunity it was to collaborate and come up with new ideas for the world’s biggest challenges.”

“This year, we are so excited that we can showcase our work to that global audience and find new ways to collaborate to help us scale our impact across the world,” says Gabe Martin. Hear more from Gabe’s perspective in this piece he shared with the SMU community: Enactus students count down to the World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan.

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Enactus Send-Off Celebration

Enactus Saint Mary’s students, program alumni, staff and supporters joined together for a Send-Off Celebration on September 24. Global presenters wowed the crowd with their award-winning presentations. Others, including President Robert Summerby-Murray, shared words of encouragement as the team prepares for the global competition. Below is a photo gallery of the event.

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Support Enactus Saint Mary’s 

To ensure that 21 of Enactus Saint Mary’s students can travel to Kazakhstan and continue to develop their groundbreaking projects, we are seeking your generous support. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a significant difference. Let's show the world the incredible talent and innovation that Saint Mary's University has to offer! Support the team

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Meet the team

Meet some of the Enactus Saint Mary’s team members who are headed to Kazakhstan in October.

Gabe Martin

Hometown: Ottawa, ON

Program: Entrepreneurship and a minor in Political Science

Team role: Co-President

Read more

Susan MacInnis

Hometown: Sydney, NS

Program: Double degree in Finance and Computing Science

Team role: Outgoing Co-President

Read more

Jonzel Robichaud-Lorde

Hometown: Moncton, NB

Program: Accounting and Global Business Management

Team role: Global presenter

Read more

Olivian Sanderson

Hometown: Pugwash, NS

Program: Accounting and Management

Team role: Presenter and Project Manager

Read more

Rashid Khan

Hometown: Ballia, India

Program: MBA

Team role: Co-Vice-President of Tech

Read more

David Campbell

Hometown: Tantallon, NS

Program: Entrepreneurship and Computing Information Systems

Team role: Co-Vice-President of Tech

Read more

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Follow for updates

Watch rounds of competition in Kazakhstan this October on the live stream of the Enactus World Cup!

Follow the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and Enactus Saint Mary’s on social media for more updates:  

• Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

• Enactus Saint Mary’s on Facebook and Instagram.

Saint Mary’s University to welcome young scholars as new Shad Canada partner

High school students from across Canada can now apply for a distinct summer academic experience at Saint Mary’s University thanks to a new partnership with Shad Canada. As a Shad campus, Saint Mary’s will host Shad’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) and entrepreneurship program for students in grades 10 and 11.

“Every summer, more than 1,500 students come to Shad to discover new areas of study, access post-secondary academics, business and community leaders, and reach new heights of personal development,” said Tim Jackson, Shad Chief Executive Officer. “We are thrilled to have Saint Mary’s join the team to deliver an incredible program steeped in entrepreneurship, research and international collaborations.”

Shad students collaborate for 27 days to design solutions to real-world problems such as food security, water management, or waste. Saint Mary’s hands-on approach to these challenges, combined with its robust business, science, mathematics, and arts programs, will provide a solid foundation for supporting students in their Shad design challenge.

“Shad Canada’s focus on entrepreneurship and community-building aligns with Saint Mary’s strategic priorities,” said Saint Mary’s President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “We are thrilled to partner with Shad and welcome young scholars from across Canada to Saint Mary’s and Halifax.”

Students from across Canada apply to participate in Shad programs. Once selected, students are paired with a university away from their home community and live on campus for the duration of the program. To learn more about Shad or to apply for the 2025 program, please click here.

For more information about the Shad Saint Mary’s program, contact Laura.Stiles-Clarke@smu.shad.ca.

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About Shad Canada

Shad Canada is a STEAM and entrepreneurship program for students in grades 10 and 11. During the month-long program, students live on campus and participate in a real-world design challenge that prepares them to take on social and economic challenges. Shad’s program is transformational and life-changing, and many Shad alumni go on to innovate and start their own businesses. Shad has 26 campus partners, a network of more than 23,000 program graduates and has been running STEAM programs since 1980. Learn more at shad.ca.

Student Employment Initiative program expands to Canadian domestic students

Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce that the Student Employment Initiative Program (SEI) will expand to include Canadian domestic student candidates in consideration for employment opportunities through Saint Mary’s.

The Student Employment Initiative Program is designed to assist students with disabilities in securing employment contracts, gaining volunteer experience, and developing their professional skills and competencies. The Program is a shared initiative between Career and Experiential Learning (CEL) and the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility (FSC), which aims to increase equitable access to employment, help bridge gaps in opportunities, and reduce barriers that students with disabilities may experience.

Previously, the Program was restricted to students and recent alumni (up to six months after graduation) who are permanent Nova Scotia residents and are registered through Nova Scotia Student Loans with a declared government-verified disability. However, the newly established CIBC Accessible Student Employment Program has enabled the SEI Program to expand to include Canadian student participants from other provinces and territories within the Program. Canadian students and recent alumni must be active, registered students with the FSC or have their disability documentation verified by the FSC.

In addition to support in securing employment and volunteerism opportunities, the Program provides accommodation assistance to create supportive and equitable work environments. Once enrolled in the Program, students are also provided with professional career guidance, working one-on-one with a CEL Career Coach and Career Counsellor to plan and prepare for career readiness during and after their studies.

Students gain work experience in the field

Opportunities include working on accessibility and inclusion projects

Visit the Student Employment Initiative Program to learn more or register with SEI. For information and resources on experiencing disability at Saint Mary’s, visit the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility.

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For Employers

Offered year-round for part-time or full-time work placements, the Student Employment Initiative Program team collaborates with employers to create job postings that are inclusive and welcoming. Offering employers subsidized employment opportunities when hiring through the Program, registered businesses receive a 50% wage subsidy, while not-for-profit organizations may be eligible for up to a 75% wage subsidy. Funding also supports employers in any additional workplace accommodations required for the student to fulfill the role, such as adaptive technology, furniture, and more.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, the Program generated an outstanding 75 work terms – the largest in the Program’s history – and invested $3,600 in work term accommodations, assisting in making work environments more accessible for all. The Program nearly matched its record in the 2023-2024 academic year, generating 71 work-term placements.

To learn more or create an SEI-registered career posting, visit the Student Employment Initiative Program. For more information on creating inclusive, accessible work and study environments, read A guide for faculty and staff: five ways to support institutional accessibility or visit the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility.

Research Award winners enjoy paid summer internships across campus

Undergraduate students are conducting research with faculty members again this summer, thanks to funding from federal grants, generous donors and Saint Mary’s.

The halls and classrooms at Saint Mary’s are a little quieter after the end of the winter term and the excitement of convocation, but students keen to engage in research activities are creating a buzz on campus.

Every summer, a group of students are chosen to receive undergraduate student research awards. These awards allow students to conduct research and scholarly projects with professors in their fields. These paid internships allow 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.

A new category of award was introduced for full-time students in the Faculty of Science for summer 2024 to include a wider array of students. Designed for student-professor teams who propose a research project together, the Dean of Science Access to Research Awards focus on the proposed research project; the student's GPA is not a selection criteria as long as the student is in good academic standing. These awards are jointly funded by the Dean of Science Office and various faculty grants.

These summer research award programs are a great opportunity for our students. However, there are many other opportunities for students to work alongside professors. With research taking place year-round in labs and in the field, students are encouraged to connect with professors to discuss additional opportunities!

Benefits

“Summer research placements give students a chance to experience research work that complements their academic studies,” says Dr. Adam Sarty, Associate Vice-President, Research. “This program of Research Awards provides our most engaged and talented students with experiences that not only raise their connection to their studies but also greatly enhance their road to success post-graduation in either the job market or in pursuit of graduate studies. A good number of professors start their academic journey through these kinds of undergraduate research experiences.”

Selecting student researchers

For most positions, students earn their positions based on their academic record, breadth of experience and background, and their application letter—they can apply after their first year of full-time study. If chosen, they are matched with a professor whose work is a fit for their desired research. The Dean of Science Access to Research Award winners are selected based on the prospective value of the experience to both the student and supervisor.

Previous wins aren’t considered in the selection process; however, 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.

Learn about this year’s student researchers

Learn about student research opportunities at Saint Mary’s.

Taylor Adams

• Fourth year, Honours Biology

• Supervisor: Dr. Laura Weir

• Research: Conducting research on Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) evolution by sexual selection. I will be constructing a pedigree to link reproductive success of lineages with different morphological and behavioural characteristics.

Molly Carruthers 

• Fourth year, Psychology

• Supervisor: Meg Ternes

• Research: I will be working with Meg on research relating to deception detection

Sarah Chiasson

• Third year, Environmental Science

• Supervisor: Dr. Colleen Barber

• Research: This summer I’ll be studying European Starlings with Dr. Colleen Barber’s lab, studying the birds’ behaviour, including mate choices and parental investment. To do so, we survey the European Starling population on campus, tracking the individuals through their life cycle.

Claire Cullinan

• Third year, Biology with a certificate in forensic science

• Supervisor: Dr. Christa Brosseau

• Research: I will be doing biochemistry research on the development of diagnostic sensors for healthcare applications. I will be using plasmonic metal nanoparticles to develop nanoparticle-based sensors.

Noha Jereen Hoque

• Fourth year, Honours Physics

• Supervisor: Vincent Hénault-Brunet

• Research: Our research group aims to explore the content, formation, and evolution of black holes in globular star clusters, which are spherical, tightly bound clusters of tens of thousands to millions of old stars around the Milky Way. We need to understand how black holes form, stay and change within these clusters to explore our universe at very large distances.

Abby Jolly

• Third year, Social Justice and Community Studies

• Supervisor: Dr. Val Marie Johnson 

• Research: This summer I will be partnering with the Centre for Migrant Worker Rights Nova Scotia, doing research on access to healthcare for seasonal agricultural workers in Nova Scotia. 

Alicia MacDonald 

• Third year, Psychology 

• Supervisor: Dr. Nicole Conrad

• Research: We will be doing a pilot study on a measure of reading comprehension in grades three and four children. We will also be writing a paper on orthographic knowledge and spelling outcomes.

Mimi MacNeily BSc’24

• Major: Psychology 

• Supervisor’s name: Dr. Tiffany Vu

• Research: Assisting in the development and testing of theories grounded in marketing, psychology, and behavioural economics pertaining to charitable giving, sustainability, and consumer well-being. 

Jillian Marks

• Second year, Engineering

• Supervisor: Dr. Jane Ferguson

• Research: Using innovative methods to measure key properties of molten salt mixtures for the development of clean energy sources.

Tehya Mohammed

• Second year, Chemistry and Physics

• Supervisor: Dr. Robert Singer

• Research: We are optimizing the N‑Demethylation process of alkaloids to make it greener. This is an important step in the synthesis of compounds like naltrexone and naloxone. 

Katherine Myers BSc’24

• Major: Honours Astrophysics

• Supervisor: Dr. Marcin Sawicki

• Research: Studying star formation and substructure trends in distance galaxy mergers using data from the James Webb Space Telescope. 

Keegan Riggs

• Astrophysics

• Supervisor: Dr. Luigi Gallo

• Research: Using data from an x-ray space telescope to analyze blackholes

Madhur Sharma

• First Year, Computing Science and Business Administration

• Supervisor: Dr. Ethan Pancer

• Research: Marketing and AI. We will be analysing the speed of spread and work closely with how virality works to understand the algorithm of different socials.

Daniel Wilson

• Third year, Biology and Geography

• Supervisor: Dr. Erin Cameron

• Research: I'm working on mapping in ArcGIS related to Indigenous knowledge of berry crops in the Northwest Territories and the spread of invasive earthworms in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon. In addition, there's also fieldwork sampling invasive earthworms in North Alberta with the goal of identifying species and determining their rate of spread.

Clara Wrightman-Dillon

• Second year, Astrophysics

• Supervisor: Marcin Sawicki

• Research: I will be analyzing photos from the JWST of the Sparkler Galaxy.

Katherine (Katie) Zinck

• Third year, Chemistry

• Supervisor: Dr. Danielle Tokarz

• Research: I will be using polarization-resolved second harmonic generation microscopy and birefringence to investigate the degradation of otoconia (inner ear crystals that maintain balance) and the structure of teeth.

Megan Barkhouse

• Second year, Biology

• Supervisor: Dr. Anne Dalziel

• Research: I will be involved in the collection, care, and research of stickleback and killifish.

Sydney Blackmore

• Third year, Astrophysics 

• Supervisor: Dr. Greg Christian 

• Research: As per the description found on the SMU research opportunities webpage: the “… project will consist of analysis of recoil singles data from an experiment measuring the 22Ne(alpha, n)25Mg reaction. This reaction is important as a neutron source for the slow neutron capture process, which creates around half of the elements heavier than hydrogen." 

Rachel Crawford

• Fifth year, Biology & Psychology double major, with a certificate in Health, Wellness, and Sport in Society.

• Supervisor: Dr. Nicole Conrad.

• Research: I'll be working with Dr. Conrad to study the effects of orthographic knowledge on reading comprehension in children and to pilot reading comprehension testing materials with elementary school-age students.

Maria Dereje

• Second year, Criminology

• Supervisor: Dr. Veronica Stinson

• Research: A variety of projects and developing research skills

Rebecca ElChater

• Fourth year, Double major in Biology and Psychology, with an Honours in Chemical Biology

• Supervisor: Dr. Clarissa Sit

• Research: I will be studying Fictibacillus enclensis, which is a bacteria that can promote plant growth and act as a natural fertilizer. I will perform extractions and sample analyses to determine its mechanism of action on plants.

Yacklin Huang

• First year, undetermined major.

• Supervisor: Dr. Mengjun Hu

• Research: Discuss Data Analytics topics with supervisor weekly; read classic textbooks of relevant directions to gain important insights.

Zéa Jones

• Fourth year, Anthropology and Religious Studies

• Supervisor: Dr. Sveva Savelli

• Research: Reviewing field notes and aiding in excavations at Incoronata greca, in Italy. 

Zoe MacDonald

• Third year, Psychology 

• Supervisor: Dr. Jim Cameron 

• Research: Very broadly- exploring the psychology of astronomy, as in feelings of awe (often induced via astronomical events) and how it can increase social cohesion/global citizenship identification and prosocial behaviour, as well as more general attitudes and beliefs surrounding astronomy, life in the universe, etc. 

• Baxter Madore

• Fourth year, Honours Computer Science

• Supervisor: Dr. Stavros Konstantinidis

• Research: I am currently modernizing and adding features to the I-LaSer formal language web server at SMU.

 Lindsey McNamara

• Fourth year, Honours Mathematics

• Supervisor: Dr. Mitja Mastnak

• Research: I will be studying the simultaneous triangularization of collections of matrices and further topics in linear algebra/abstract algebra.

Janine Mombourquette

• Fourth year, Honours Biology

• Supervisor: Dr. Laura Weir

• Research: Conducting research with Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes).

Lucy Pothier-Bogoslowski

• Fourth year, Honours Astrophysics

• Supervisor: Dr. Luigi Gallo

• Research: I am working on observational high energy astrophysics with X-ray data taken of active galactic nuclei. This work probes the extreme regions around supermassive black holes.

Sarina Scoville

• Fourth year, Biology

• Supervisor: Dr. David Chiasson

• Research: My research project will encompass molecular and synthetic biology, as well as microbiology. Under the supervision and support of Dr. Chiasson, my research will focus on the identification of genes related to nitrogen-fixation and the symbiotic relationship between nitrogen-fixing bacteria and legumes. 

Connor Smith

• Third year, Chemistry

• Supervisor: Jane Ferguson

• Research: My research this summer is to help design and start construction of an Archimedean density apparatus to measure the density of molten salt systems.

Kaveh Wornell

• Third year,  Biology

• Supervisor: Dr. Laura Weir

• Research: This project will explore the metabolic costs of courtship behaviour in Japanese medaka. In this species, males perform a characteristic courtship 'dance' to attract females and advertise their fertility. Furthermore, the degree to which fin size may increase or decrease the metabolic demands of the behaviour is not known. This work will entail a physiological study to assess the difference between the metabolic rate of males at rest and while they are performing the courtship behaviour.

Commerce student wins Excellence Award for PRME North America Student Leadership

Adrianna Timmons, center, accepts her PRME award

Adrianna Timmons, a dedicated third-year Bachelor of Commerce student at the Sobey School of Business, has been honoured with the Excellence Award for PRME North America Student Leadership. This prestigious award is presented to a remarkable student leader who demonstrates exceptional commitment to advancing the principles of sustainability and responsible business practices, both on their campus and in the broader community.

Her deep-seated involvement with the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) is at the heart of Adrianna's commendable achievements. This initiative, a pivotal program under the United Nations Global Compact, champions the cause of sustainability and responsible management education.

Adrianna formed the Sustainable Business Society at Saint Mary’s

As one of two Regional Leaders for North America, Adrianna plays a crucial role in expanding the network of students focused on sustainable development. Her responsibilities encompass working with student organizations, identifying new ones to enhance the network and attending global meetings to refine and advance the initiatives of PRME Global Students. As a representative of PRME, Adrianna actively engages with and speaks at events focused on sustainability, responsibility, and development, furthering the mission of creating a sustainable global economy.

Adrianna was inspired to bring sustainability initiatives to more students at Saint Mary's after attending a PRME Student Leadership Global Forum in New York. Her participation in the forum was funded through the Linton Family Sustainability in Business Trust, established through the generosity of Bill Linton BComm’75 DComm’22 and his wife Marilynne Day-Linton. Accelerating a wide range of initiatives for students, faculty and staff, the Linton Family Trust provides critical support to expand and elevate the Sobey School’s leadership in educating the next generation of business leaders committed to sustainable business.  

Adrianna said of her trip to the PRME Global Forum in New York, "Last year, I had the opportunity to attend the forum, where I spoke with students who had successfully started sustainability societies at their schools. This gave me the courage to start the sustainability society here at Saint Mary's."  

In the Fall of 2023, Adrianna launched the Saint Mary’s University Sustainable Business Society, uniting like-minded students from the Commerce Faculty focusing on sustainability. As its founding President, she rapidly expanded the group to over 80 members in its first year. The society aims to spotlight local, sustainable businesses and entrepreneurial efforts, enhancing student engagement with Halifax's business community and fostering real-world sustainability application and networking opportunities. A notable achievement under her leadership was the organization of a "Careers in a Clean Economy" panel, drawing insights from industry leaders on sustainable business careers to 50 attendees. The Society also initiated The Halifax Green Map project, highlighting ethical, sustainable local businesses and promoting responsible business practices.

In addition to her academic and PRME commitments, Adrianna has demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial initiative and social responsibility through her endeavours outside of the university. Her creation of Accessories for Access exemplifies how she seamlessly integrates her passion for sustainable development with entrepreneurship. This venture is not just a business; it's a mission-driven effort to make a tangible difference in girls' lives in sub-Saharan Africa by funding their education and leadership opportunities.

Adrianna's blend of global perspective and local action truly sets her apart as a leader who envisions a better world and actively works towards creating it.

Measuring the impact of social innovation in Nova Scotia

Saint Mary’s University professor and students receive Mitacs fund to study community projects

Dr. Chantal Hervieux and a team of graduate students will study the social innovation impact of Inspiring Communities

Across the globe, there is growing enthusiasm and support for social innovation and community-based projects that address critical issues such as climate change, equity, employment opportunities and newcomer integration. How can we determine if these projects have a lasting impact beyond their immediate benefits? Can social innovation truly transform societal systems and contribute to a better world?

These essential questions are at the heart of Dr. Chantal Hervieux’s research. As the Director of the ImpactLab at the Centre for Leadership Excellence in the Sobey School of Business, Professor Hervieux has been awarded a substantial Mitacs grant of $255,000. Her mission: to study Inspiring Communities, a Nova Scotia-based not-for-profit organization, and gain a deep understanding of social innovation, its approach, processes and impacts. Given its active involvement in the community, Inspiring Communities serves as an ideal test case and model for others.

Since 2018, Inspiring Communities has played a crucial role in supporting communities across Nova Scotia, from Digby to Cape Breton, using an equity-centred systems change approach. They aspire to build equitable, thriving communities through connecting communities, creating collaborative partnerships, measuring impact and maintaining a strong and sustainable core. By partnering with this organization, Dr. Hervieux aims to document and map their practices, ultimately sharing valuable insights globally.

Anacapri LeBlanc, a Master’s student in Women and Gender Studies, agrees that innovation in Nova Scotia deserves to be highlighted.

““Here, we have a not-for-profit that wants a rigorous assessment to know what’s working, what are strengths and what are the weaknesses in their process. They are very invested in helping Nova Scotians.””

— Anacapri LeBlanc, MWGS student

Anacapri LeBlanc

Jocelyn Li, Co-Executive Director at Inspiring Communities, emphasizes the organization's commitment as an intermediary organization to supporting equity-deserving communities, including historical African Nova Scotian communities, Indigenous people, racialized newcomers, neurodivergent people and people of differing abilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. The organization relies on developmental and other evaluation methods. By sharing their data archives, they aim to chart their progression from evaluation techniques to program models that better serve their equity-deserving members and community groups.

Dr. Hervieux’s work, alongside that of the student researchers, will play a pivotal role in strengthening the evidence base for their programs. Anandalakshmi Anathara Prasenan, a student in the Sobey School of Business Masters of Business Analytics program, highlights the unique opportunity provided by the Mitacs-funded project.

Anandalakshmi Anathara Prasenan

““I chose Saint Mary’s because of its collaborative approach to research, emphasizing local community engagement. Through this project, I gain knowledge about not-for-profits and Atlantic Canada, and benefit from Professor Hervieux’s guidance.””

— Anandalakshmi Anathara Prasenan

Over the next two years, twelve graduate students from Saint Mary’s University will receive internships to conduct research within local communities across Nova Scotia. These students, drawn from programs such as Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Business Administration, and PhD studies, will apply their academic methods to real-world scenarios. They will also participate in training workshops, learning innovative impact assessment methodologies developed by the Centre for Leadership Excellence’s ImpactLab. This approach delves deep into systems and interactions, allowing researchers to trace the path of impact and understand where and how it occurs.

Prasenan and LeBlanc with Dr. Hervieux

Dr. Hervieux underscores the significance of studying Nova Scotian communities in the context of global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality. In this tumultuous world, Nova Scotia stands out as a beacon of resilience and innovation.

Interim Dean Mark Raymond notes the impactful collaboration between Saint Mary’s University, Inspiring Communities, and dedicated graduate students, “Their collective efforts promise to advance social innovation and contribute to positive change in Nova Scotia and beyond.” 

Saint Mary’s wins Enactus National Social Entrepreneurship Competition

The Enactus Saint Mary's National Team –David Cambell, Jonzel Robichaud-Lorde, Gabriel Martin, Olivian Sanderson and Rashid Khan with the Enactus Canada trophy

The National team pitching their presentation at the Final Round of the competition

The Enactus Saint Mary’s team members in Toronto

The team members cheering at the Enactus Canada National Exposition

The National team and staff from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre: (L-R) Gabriel Martin, Olivian Sanderson, Jonzel Robichaud-Lord, Michael Sanderson, Jason Turner, Rashid Khan, David Campbell, Brennan Daley

The Enactus Saint Mary’s team members in downtown Toronto

Enactus Saint Mary’s alumni Mitch Harrison BComm’17 cheering the Enactus Saint Mary’s team

The Saint Mary’s Enactus team will represent Canada at the World Cup 2024 in Astana, Kazakstan this October

Congratulations to Enactus Saint Mary's students for being named the 2024 Enactus National Champions! The Enactus Canada National Exposition, held in Toronto from May 14 to 16, featured teams from 49 institutions across Canada.

Enactus Canada is a registered charity providing programs to inspire post-secondary students to initiate and operate socially and environmentally positive enterprises. This is the first time the Saint Mary’s team has taken the top prize. As a result, the team is thrilled to be representing Canada at The Enactus World Cup 2024 in Astana, Kazakstan, from October 2 to 4, 2024, with teams from 33 different countries.

In addition to receiving the top honour, the Enactus Saint Mary’s team was named National Champions for two topic challenges, the Innovation and Impact Challenge and the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge, while achieving National Runner-up status in the Canadian Tire Environmental Sustainability Challenge. Additionally, individual recognition came for team member Courtney Dingle, who was named Project Manager of the Year. This achievement is a direct result of their unwavering dedication and the development of impactful projects that address pressing social and environmental issues.

Exemplifying Innovation and Sustainability

Enactus Saint Mary's success stems from a commitment to fostering positive change through two key projects:

• Plastarch: This pioneering business tackles the escalating problem of plastic waste by offering a sustainable alternative for restaurant food packaging and utensils. Their solution lies in an affordable, durable and food-safe bioplastic crafted from an unexpected source—potatoes slated to be discarded. Plastarch not only mitigates plastic pollution but also promotes a circular economy by finding a valuable use for food waste.

  A team representing Plastarch won the Innovation Cup, which was organized by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre in the fall of 2023.

• Square Roots: This initiative addresses the twin issues of food waste and food insecurity. At the farm level, 30% of harvested produce is dumped into landfills due to cosmetic imperfections despite being perfectly healthy. Square Roots rescues this "imperfect" produce that would otherwise be discarded, offering it at affordable prices to those facing limited access to healthy food. The team recently received a $100,000 investment from the Government of Nova Scotia for expansion, and they aim to expand to more than 50 locations across Canada and the US by 2026.

Measurable Impact Through Passionate Effort

The team's relentless efforts and exceptional presentations impressed a panel of esteemed Canadian CEOs who recognized the projects' potential to generate significant social, economic and environmental impact in Nova Scotia. Notably, Enactus Saint Mary's has demonstrated their success in the past year through:

• People: creating four jobs, empowering 27 entrepreneurs, and providing access to nutritious food for 6,300 individuals.

• Planet: a substantial 130,025 pounds of food waste diverted from landfills, a remarkable reduction of 88,055 kilograms of CO2 emissions, and conservation of 19,226,926 litres of water.

• Prosperity: fostering entrepreneurial spirit by launching three new businesses and generating $337,246 in revenue.

Reflecting on the team's success, Enactus Saint Mary's Co-Presidents Susan MacInnis and Paige Bigelow BComm’24 said, "We are incredibly impressed by the team's dedication and resilience over the past year. Each member has contributed their time and creativity to establish new social enterprises and innovate existing ones. Placing first at the Enactus Canada National Exposition for the first time in Saint Mary's history could not have been possible without the support from all the members and alumni who are part of the Enactus Canada Network, Saint Mary's University, and most of all, the community. As we prepare to represent Team Canada at the World Cup in October, we are honoured and excited to continue our impact, fueled by collaboration and a shared commitment to positive change."

Japanese speech nets national prize for computing science student

Liam Jay

A group photo of contestants and judges at the 35th Canadian National Japanese Speech Contest

Liam Jay had never given a speech in English, let alone in a language he was just learning. Even so, with encouragement from his Japanese Studies professor at Saint Mary’s, he competed in the 35th Canadian National Japanese Speech Contest. He ended up winning the Casio Award, one of the top special prizes at the competition, held at the Japanese Embassy in Ottawa on March 24.

“I was really nervous. That was the first speech I’ve written in any language,” says Liam, a computing science major who just finished his first year of studies. His speech focused on his love for books; he has a lot of math books and also enjoys action books, as well as Japanese and Chinese literature.

“English is my first language. Chinese is my second language, though I’m not really fluent. I’m half Chinese, so I hear it a lot at home,” he says, adding he has a better comprehension of Chinese text.  

Having grown up in Nova Scotia and PEI, Liam initially became interested in Japanese culture through music and anime films. His interest in the language soon followed as he wanted to be able to communicate better with a friend in Japan. For an elective, he signed up for the Introductory Japanese (JPNS 1100) course, designed for students beginning the study of Japanese culture and language, both written and spoken.

Dr. Alexandre Avdulov encouraged students to compete in the 26th Annual Atlantic Canada Japanese Language Speech Competition, co-organized by the Department of Languages and Cultures at Saint Mary’s and the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal, with support from the Japan Foundation and Mitsui Canada.

Students at the 26th Annual Atlantic Canada Japanese Language Speech Competition, held in early March at Saint Mary’s

“Participation in the contest is an important language learning and teaching tool, as well as the very first true achievement of a learner,” says Dr. Avdulov. “Besides language excellence and creativity, it requires discipline, diligence, bravery—all the qualities that will be so useful to our students in Japan and anywhere else all through their lives.” 

Saint Mary’s students Liam Jay, Liam Selfridge and Jacky Chiu  at the national contest

Liam and two other Saint Mary’s students, Liam Selfridge and Jacky Chiu , advanced to the national competition, which is organized each year by the Embassy of Japan, the Canadian National Japanese Speech Contest Organizing Committee, and the Canadian Association for Japanese Language Education (CAJLE). Ambassador Yamanouchi Kanji gave the opening remarks and hosted a reception for the 23 contestants at his official residence.

“It is very nice to see a Saint Mary’s student among the winners along with students from the universities with much larger Japanese programs, such as UBC, UFT, York, Western, University of Alberta, etc.,” says Dr. Avdulov. “But to me, our participants are already winners the moment they take the podium, and I am very proud of all of them. What clearly sets our students aside from other schools is not only language excellence but also the content of their speeches. They speak on the importance of culture and cultural exchanges, the value of education, social justice, racism, homelessness and so on. I can only hope they will continue to raise their voices on these subjects in any language beyond the university gates.”

Liam expresses his appreciation to Dr. Avdulov, teaching assistant Miyuki Embree, and Miyuki Arai of the Global Learning & Intercultural Support office for their ongoing encouragement and support in helping him improve and practise his speech. The experience has given him much more confidence in speaking Japanese, which will be helpful this fall. Liam will be taking part in a bilateral exchange program at Hiroshima University, a partner institution of Saint Mary’s since 2005.

“I’ve never travelled beyond North America!” he says. “When I come back, I’d like to take more Japanese Studies courses at SMU – and maybe even try another speech competition.”  

Saint Mary’s is the only academic institution in Atlantic Canada that has a Certificate in Japanese Studies. Offered through the Department of Languages and Cultures, it’s open to students from all faculties and programs across the university. Bachelor of Arts students at Saint Mary’s can do majors and honours programs in Intercultural Studies or Asian Studies, also unique in the region. These are both available as a minor to students across the university who can also pursue a minor or certificate in Chinese Studies or Japanese Studies. In collaboration with the Global Learning & Intercultural Support office, these interdisciplinary programs support student travel to the region, particularly to China, Japan and South Korea.

“It’s wonderful that Liam is pursuing a student exchange program in Japan," says Ms. Arai, Director of Global Learning Services. "I’m even more delighted that Liam will receive a Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) Award to support his study in Japan.

The GSO Program at Saint Mary's is funded by the Government of Canada through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). It's exactly for students like Liam who want to develop intercultural skills while expanding horizons and making global connections.

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Related:

• Certificate of Japanese Studies

• Global Learning & Intercultural Support

Distinguished Delegation Award for Model UN group

SMU’s team represented The Bahamas at Model UN in NYC

SMU delegates at the National Model UN Conference

Saint Mary’s team received the Distinguished Delegation Award

Model UN team in the airport heading to New York

Team dinner at Benihana

Wesley Brouse had been to New York City twice before, but the third time was a charm, as a member of the Saint Mary’s University team at the National Model United Nations conference.

“Going to the UN General Assembly for the NMUN closing ceremony was truly a dream come true,” says Brouse, a finance major who will graduate with his Bachelor of Commerce degree in May. “Getting to sit in the same seats that UN ambassadors from all around the world sit in, surrounded by students from all over the world, felt surreal.”

Saint Mary’s delegation of 10 students represented The Bahamas in the annual UN simulation, coming home with a Distinguished Delegation Award, the equivalent of a silver medal. The team from Dr. Marc Doucet’s Model UN course included students in the Faculty of Arts and the Sobey School of Business, with five political science majors, two finance majors and students from the management and marketing programs.

“Few other delegations were as well prepared as our team was, and that was all thanks to Dr. Doucet,” says Brouse. “Although no one on our team had ever done Model UN before, he ensured we were all experts at it by the time we got to New York. We could not have won the award without him.”

Other highlights of the week in New York included a seminar about the various paths to UN employment and a team dinner at Benihana in Midtown Manhattan.   

“This year’s delegation should be very proud of their award,” says Dr. Doucet, a professor in the Department of Political Science. “Representing a small nation is always a challenge at NMUN. The Bahamas is known to ‘punch above its weight’ at the UN, but our delegates had to compete against larger delegations, with some having considerable past Model UN experience.” 

Brouse learned about the Model UN opportunity from a friend and jumped at the chance to be a part of it this year. With a keen interest in international politics and international law, he figured the Model UN course would be a great way to enhance his knowledge in these areas.

While at the NMUN conference, students from Saint Mary’s participated in a number of committees, simulating the work of the General Assembly’s First, Second and Third Committees, the UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The topics they tackled ranged from the “Relationship between Disarmament and Development” to “Preventing Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” and “Environmental Sustainability in the Textile and Fashion Industries.”

The conference was attended by thousands of students from more than 175 universities and colleges worldwide. In the Distinguished Delegation category, only four other Canadian universities were recognized this year: the University of Ottawa and McGill, McEwan and Brock universities.