The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre opens it's doors for an afternoon at home

Students explored the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at their open house event

On September 17, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre welcomed more than 100 students through its doors for an afternoon of exploring, creating, connecting and most importantly, feeling at home.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Centre became a “home away from home,” with each room offering something different for students to discover. From trading keychains for the chance to win Magnetic World tickets to building robots, exploring AI and enjoying free ice cream, there was plenty happening throughout the afternoon.

At the front door, the “Ask Us Anything” booth gave students a place to start, whether they had questions about entrepreneurship programs, courses, resources, student opportunities or simply wanted to learn more about the Centre.

From there, students could take part in the Trade-Up Challenge, starting with a small item and trading their way up in hopes of winning two Magnetic World tickets. Four special trades were hidden around campus, making the challenge a little more exciting. The custom keychains and special trade items were created by BW Works, an alumni business founded by Brayden White BComm’26.

The Imagination Station gave students a chance to get up close with one of the Centre’s latest featured products, the SmartDuvet. Students could also test their problem-solving skills in the AI Playground Escape Room, build a mini 2D drawing robot with alumni entrepreneur Mohammed Issa, BComm’16, in the STEAM Lab, or grab a free ice cream sundae from Saint Mary’s student Arsh Shaikh’s Flynn’s Dairy Bar.

In the podcast studio, students were invited to pull up a seat by the “fire” and share an idea they would bring to life or a problem they would solve.

More than anything, the Open House gave students a chance to see the Centre not just as a place to access programs and resources, but as a space where they can ask questions, meet people, try new things, and find a community.

Want to see what’s happening next? Sign up for their newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming programs, events, opportunities and everything happening at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Undergraduate students gain summer research experience across campus

This summer, many Saint Mary’s Students were awarded paid positions to conduct research alongside their professors

With the fall term underway, we’re celebrating another successful summer of students working on research in their fields alongside their professors across campus.

These paid positions in labs and in the field are an excellent way for students to expand on the lessons learned in their undergraduate classes and apply their skills to real-world applications.  

Students in the Faculty of Science are often found outside all summer—biology students wear hip waders to study fish, while others track birds as they grow and leave the nest. Chemistry students work on precision equipment in their labs, and psychology and environmental science students do key work that advances their fields of study. A team of astronomy and physics students focused on stars and black holes. Most plan to continue their research in subsequent summers and in graduate school.  

“Students are often part of long-term projects run by professors. The hands-on nature of this work advances their understanding of their chosen subjects beyond what they learn in the classroom,” says Dr. Laura Weir, interim Dean of Science.  

“On top of conducting meaningful research with their team, this work gives our students the tools to think creatively and to test, analyze, and follow projects through to completion — skills they will use in their undergraduate classes, future research and in their careers.”  

These paid research positions are funded by federal government agencies including the National Sciences 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. Award recipients receive funding to undertake 12 to 16 weeks of full-time work between May and August. 

To provide research opportunities to even more Saint Mary’s students, the Faculty of Science introduced a new award category for full-time students two years ago. 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; as long as the student is in good academic standing, their GPA is not a selection criterion. These awards are jointly funded by the Dean of Science Office and various faculty grants.  

“Every year we are impressed with the background our most dedicated and capable students bring to these research positions,” says Dr. Adam Sarty, Associate Vice-President, Research and Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies. “They add skills and a depth of knowledge that they can use immediately in their classes, but the true value is the way they strengthen students’ prospects for post-graduate studies and their careers. These invaluable experiences will serve them as they move through the workforce.”  

“Many students further their academic careers through undergraduate research opportunities like these,” says Dr. Sarty. “The competitive salary is a boost to students who need to work to support their studies, easing their financial burden.”  

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.

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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Iyinoluwa David Amore

Summer research award: First-Year Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Robert Singer (Chemistry) 

Project: I made lobster- and crab-shaped ligands that contain a pyridine group using a CEM microwave. 

Favourite thing about SMU: The Tim Hortons in the Loyola Building. 

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Laura Bartlett 

Summer research award: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Explorer Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Vasiliki Athanasakou (Accounting)  

Project: The project examines strategic partnerships between corporations and nonprofit organizations, with a particular focus on understanding why firms form cross-sector partnerships and how these collaborations contribute to corporate governance and sustainability. My responsibilities include conducting qualitative analyses of corporate partnership announcements, developing databases of nonprofit organizations, and reviewing the academic literature. 

Future plans: I hope to complete a Masters of Economics and study abroad. 

Favourite thing about SMU: The Fred Smithers Centre and the staff there. 

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Sarah Chiasson 

Summer research award: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Colleen Barber (Biology) 

Project: This summer, I studied the European starlings nesting on the campus of Saint Mary’s University. This work involved recording bird songs, documenting materials used for nest building, and analyzing DNA samples collected in the field. I am also continuing my honours thesis project, which examines a specific reproductive strategy used by European starlings whereby females lay eggs in the nest of other females. 

Future plans: I am hoping to continue ornithological research as a graduate student. 

Favourite thing about SMU: The lovely people I have met and the community I have built. 

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Claire Cullinan 

Summer research award: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Christa Brosseau (Chemistry) 

Project: I am working on wrapping up my honours project, which focused on developing a sensitive, low-cost, 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. 

Future plans: I will be attending McGill University for a master's in the Integrated Program in Neuroscience. I will be working at the Douglas Research Centre examining whether alterations in cerebral blood flow network organization link modifiable lifestyle behaviours (e.g., physical inactivity, sleep disturbance, smoking) to persistent negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in severe mental illness. 

Favourite thing about SMU: My favourite thing about SMU is the Dr. Brosseau student office (which has a kettle for tea!). 

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Chloe Delano 

Summer research award: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Jason Ivanoff (Psychology) 

Project: My summer project is to support ongoing cognitive neuroscience research in the lab. Over the summer, I will create training materials for EEG equipment and data analysis, assist with participant recruitment and data collection, help program research experiments, and conduct literature reviews and meta-analyses to support current studies. 

Future plans: I plan to continue my education by pursuing a master's degree in Sport Psychology, with the goal of expanding my knowledge and developing a career in this field. 

Favourite thing about SMU: My favourite thing about SMU was the opportunities it provided to grow both personally and professionally. I was able to explore potential career paths, gain valuable experiences, and build lasting friendships and connections that made my time at SMU memorable. 

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Mitra Gokulnath 

Summer research award: Dean of Science Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Aldona Wiacek (Astronomy and Physics / Environmental Science) 

Project: Investigating the presence of tiny ice crystals known as "diamond dust" in the Canadian Arctic atmosphere and how they influence climate systems. 

Future plans: To pursue an Honours degree building on this research and continue to graduate school after completing my undergraduate studies. 

Favourite thing about SMU: My favourite thing about SMU is the support and encouragement I’ve received from professors. Feeling that my hard work is recognized has been incredibly motivating, and having mentors who genuinely believe in me has made a huge difference in my university experience. The opportunities I’ve been given and the confidence my professors have placed in me have made me feel truly valued as a student. 

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Mackenzie Hayduk 

Summer research award: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Vincent Hénault-Brunet (Astronomy and Physics) 

Project: Intermediate-mass black holes could explain how supermassive black holes grow, but few convincing detections exist. This project finds the mass of an intermediate-mass black hole in the globular cluster Omega Centauri by modelling the orbits of five fast-moving stars. 

Future plans: My undergraduate research and conference experiences have only made me more excited to take the next step toward my Ph.D. in astrophysics (hopefully in Germany/Korea) after I graduate. My extracurricular experiences through SMU as a Varsity athlete, BGO tour guide, and outreach officer have also added to my long-term career goals of continuing community engagement and athletics throughout my career in research.  

Favourite thing about SMU: My favourite things are the communities I have been welcomed into as an astrophysics student, athlete, and outreach enthusiast. Whether discussing research-related problems with fellow undergrads, racing against my teammates, or meeting passionate high school students and teachers, I appreciate the opportunities SMU facilitates for building connections.

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Alexa Ikejiani 

Summer research award: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Explorer Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Nicole Conrad (Psychology) 

Project: This summer, we are investigating different exogenous factors that promote good mental health outcomes in children with reading difficulties. This review uses a dynamic systems framework that understands mental health as an emerging interaction between the individual and their environment. This framework helps highlight the role of environmental supports and the potential barriers that individuals may face in accessing them. 

Future plans: I plan to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, with research focused on literacy development, early psychoeducational assessment, and improving the long-term outcomes for children with reading difficulties. 

Favourite thing about SMU: My favourite thing about SMU is the welcoming and supportive community. This community has been a major driving force behind my success as both a student and an emerging researcher. Here at SMU, I feel very connected to my peers, professors, and supervisors, making me excited to come to campus every day, even during the slower summer months! 

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Sydney Lewis 

Summer research award: Dean of Science Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Danielle Tokarz (Chemistry) 

Project: Used ultrafast laser microscopy to investigate the structure of biological samples, such as collagen fibrils and banana starch, under various conditions. 

Future plans: Completing an Honours degree in Chemistry. 

Favourite thing about SMU: The small class sizes. 

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Claire MacLean 

Summer research award: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Christa Brosseau (Chemistry)  

Project: Examining redox processes of natural methylxanthines using a technique called electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. 

Future plans: Gap year before continuing on with grad school 

Favourite thing about SMU: The small class sizes and access to research opportunities 

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Benjamin McIsaac

Summer research award: Dean of Science Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Rob Thacker (Astronomy and Physics) 

Project: I am using computer simulations and statistical tools to study galaxy cluster mergers and how the gas within them mixes. More specifically, I am attempting to determine which regions are mixed primarily by diffusion and which regions are mixed primarily by folding. 

Future plans: I am currently exploring my options after completing my degree, including the possibility of pursuing graduate studies in astrophysics or a related field. 

Favourite thing about SMU: The smaller class sizes and the accessibility of professors 

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Keegan Riggs 

Summer research award: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Luigi Gallo (Astronomy and Physics) 

Project: Using normalized excess variance to detect ultra-fast outflows in active galactic nuclei. 

Future plans: I’m planning on getting my master’s degree, then PhD, and becoming a professor 

Favourite thing about SMU: I like its location in the city. 

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Daryan Schaefer 

Summer research award: First-Year Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Danielle Tokarz (Chemistry)  

Project: This summer, I’m working on improving our laser imaging system so that it can use backward Second Harmonic Generation (SHG), a technique that allows us to study thicker samples such as teeth. Using backward SHG imaging, I hope to gain a better understanding of how regenerative endodontic treatments promote healing and tissue regeneration, and how the regenerated tissue compares to original tissue. 

Future plans: Get my DDS at Dalhousie Dentistry and then complete an MD-integrated Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency. 

Favourite thing about SMU: The piano in the Student Centre. 

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Chloe Staple 

Summer research award: First-Year Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Hany Fahmy (Economics)  

Project: I'm helping my economics professor complete textual analysis. This means I'm assisting machine learning in constructing a news-based climate policy sentiment index. After labelling a few thousand sentences, we will be training the AI, which will later be used by him. 

Future plans: As a first-year student, I'm still not completely sure of my future; however, I plan on doing a double major in Accounting and Finance, and after graduation, I will hopefully complete my CPA and CFA. 

Favourite thing about SMU: My favourite thing about SMU is the Enactus team. Everyone is so kind there, and being surrounded by like-minded students makes me want to work even harder towards my goals. Participating in the Enactus Regionals and Nationals in Montreal this year was an amazing experience! 

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Benita Tabuku 

Summer research award: Dean of Science Undergraduate Summer Research Award (BSc student in Computing Science) 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Hai Wang (Finance)  

Project: I am working on a research project that analyzes risk-related information in public firms' 10-K reports. Using Python, we extract and analyze relevant disclosures to assess the firms' Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) maturity. 

Future plans: I am currently considering career paths in either data analytics or computer networks and cybersecurity. This summer research position is a great opportunity for me to learn more about data analytics and gain hands-on experience, which will help me better understand the field and decide which career path is the best fit for me. 

Favourite thing about SMU: My favourite thing about SMU is living in residence. I like being close to my classes, there is no need to commute, and I can even wear heels during the winter semester! I am also close to my friends and campus activities. Some of my favourite moments have been the simple ones, like playing Uno with my friends in the floor lounge. Living in residence has been one of the best parts of my university experience :) 

Megan Barkhouse 

Summer research award: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Anne Dalziel (Biology) 

Project: This summer, I worked on my Honours project researching the persistent effects of low salinity exposure on the gene expression of Eastern oysters, and how this affects their performance when re-exposed to low salinity. I am learning and using a lot of new procedures and skills in the lab. I also feed and care for the fish in the SMU fish lab. 

Future plans: I am very interested in medicine, and so I plan to continue my education and pursue a career in the medical field as either a researcher or a physician. 

Favourite thing about SMU: The campus is very beautiful in the spring when all the flowers are blooming! 

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Kiera Blackadar 

Summer research award: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Explorer Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Margherita Cameranesi (Psychology) 

Project: This summer, I have been assisting with the FYRe-NS Finding Your Resilience study, researching gender-based violence experiences of young newcomers to Nova Scotia. Participants are surveyed about their experiences of resilience, community, mental health and service needs upon their arrival in Nova Scotia. This project aims to identify service gaps in education, healthcare and social services to detail areas for improvement. 

Future plans: I plan to pursue a career in clinical psychology and am interested in both forensic and trauma therapy specializations. I hope to apply my educational experiences to advocate for policy and systemic changes, pushing for improved mental healthcare access and supports for justice-involved individuals. 

Favourite thing about SMU: My favourite thing about SMU is the shared dedication of both faculty and students in creating learning opportunities outside of the classroom and in building community. Regardless of year of study or your desired level of campus involvement, there are so many ways to get engaged in campus life. Be it volunteering, guest lectures, research participation, or societies and clubs, there are numerous accessible ways to broaden your horizons and build your circle at Saint Mary's. 

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Zane Collins

Summer research award: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Ellie Goud

Project: I investigated the effects of liming on lakeshore sphagnum moss physiology and growth. In the field, I used an instrument known as the Licor 600 to measure chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in sphagnum moss growing in different lime treatments. To measure differences in morphology, I collected shoots from each treatment and measured select functional traits, including capitulum area, dry mass, and fascicle density. The final part of this project will be sending samples off for isotope analysis to gain information on their lifetime photosynthesis.

Future plans: Once I have completed my undergrad, I hope to pursue a master’s degree and continue to work on research in the field of plant ecology.

Favourite thing about SMU: My favourite thing about SMU is the people.

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Kristen Cowan 

Summer research award: Dean of Science Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Vincent Hénault-Brunet (Astronomy and Physics)  

Project: This research project investigated the effect of forming fewer low-mass stars early on in Milky Way-like globular clusters. This distribution of stellar masses, known as a bottom-light initial mass function (IMF), is thought to fit observational data well and may be more suitable for studying globular clusters than the universally adopted Kroupa IMF (2001). 24 N-body simulations were run using the Cluster Monte Carlo Code (CMC) comparing the two IMFs to quantify their effect on long-term evolutionary properties of the cluster, and the Black Hole populations that form within. 

Future plans: I hope to further the scope of this study in future research and obtain a Master of Science in Astronomy. I hope to build a career in research on black hole formation channels and star cluster dynamics, as well as science communication and education. 

Favourite thing about SMU: The plant wall in the Atrium 

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Ariel Day 

Summer research award: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Explorer Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Veronica Stinson (Psychology) 

Project: I am working on several ongoing projects focusing primarily on victim impact statements (VIS) and offender character evidence (OCE) in court sentencing decisions. We are looking at how the submission of VIS and OCE impact the sentencing decision (length, 'severity', considerations) across Canada, as well as investigating the demographics of individuals who submit victim impact statements, to identify the barriers that victims face in the court process. We are also working on a project that explores the use of virtual or hybrid components in court proceedings in Nova Scotia. 

Future plans: I want to get my Master’s degree and PhD in forensic psychology. 

Favourite thing about SMU: The community 

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Grace Hallewell 

Summer research award: First-Year Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Nicole Conrad (Psychology) 

Project: This summer I have been a research assistant as part of Dr. Conrad’s Literacy Lab in the Department of Psychology. Our main research this summer has focused on children who experience difficulties with reading. The aim of this research is to review previous studies and identify which aspects of these children’s environments have been shown to improve or maintain good mental health. 

Future plans: I plan to graduate from SMU in 2028 with Honours in Psychology and a minor in English. Afterwards, I will continue my education in the field of psychology by completing a master’s degree and a PhD. I am interested in pursuing a career that involves both research and working with clients. 

Favourite thing about SMU: I like SMU's size because it lets you get to know other students and faculty members better. 

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Rohen Hayne 

Summer research award: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. David Chiasson (Biology) 

Project: I am working on a project aimed at identifying key factors that support nitrogen-fixing symbiosis in legume plants. We use molecular biology, genetics, and microbiology techniques to study this relationship. 

Future plans: Explore future opportunities in science and healthcare. 

Favourite thing about SMU: The Atrium 

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Enrique Jaldo 

Summer research award: Dean of Science Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Greg Christian (Astronomy and Physics) 

Project: Working together with my professor to understand the 26Al(P,y)27Si reaction that occurs in stars, by simulating them in particle accelerators and trying to determine the most optimal angle for neutron detectors 

Future plans: Astrophysicist 

Favourite thing about SMU: Working with a close-knit community that is always open to helping each other out 

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Maddie Lloyd 

Summer research award: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. David Chiasson (Biology) 

Project: Contributing to research on how plant signals influence bacterial gene regulation through protein expression, purification, and the study of protein–DNA interactions. 

Future plans: Become a dentist. 

Favourite thing about SMU: The campus. 

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Dylan Main 

Summer research award: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Explorer Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Jamie Livingston (Criminology) 

Project: Along with Dr. Livingston, I am conducting a scoping review to examine how civilian (non-police) mental health crisis response programs define and operationalize the concept of a crisis. As these programs continue to expand as alternatives to police-led responses, there is considerable variation in how crisis situations are understood, assessed, and managed. I am looking for evidence on definitions of crisis, eligibility and exclusion criteria, risk and safety assessments, and the circumstances under which police involvement is required.  

Future plans: Psychologist / Counsellor 

Favourite thing about SMU: The cool study spots around campus and great experiences with professors (shoutout Dr. Cameron and Dr. Bourgeois) 

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Muhammad Arham Mussawar 

Summer research award: Dean of Science Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Stavros Konstantinidis (Mathematics and Computing Science) 

Project: This summer project will explore new ways to find patterns in two related pieces of information at the same time. 

Most existing research looks at how to match a pattern within a single word or sequence. In this project, we will study how to match two-dimensional patterns to pairs of words. These pairs could represent related data, such as two genes, two programming expressions, or two connected strings of information. 

The goal is to develop and analyze algorithms, using ideas from pattern expressions and finite-state machines, that can recognize these kinds of paired patterns efficiently. This work could help identify relationships between paired data in areas such as biology, programming languages, and data analysis. 

Future plans: I am entering my fourth and final year of an Honours Computer Science degree. My main academic interests are algorithms, theoretical computer science, and artificial intelligence. This summer research project connects closely to my future plans because I hope to continue studying this area through my honours thesis, especially topics related to pattern matching, finite-state machines, and formal languages. 

After completing my undergraduate degree, I am considering pursuing a master’s degree to further develop my research skills and deepen my knowledge in theoretical computer science and AI. In the future, I could see myself working either as a software engineer or continuing in academia with the goal of becoming a professor. Through this project, I hope to strengthen my skills in algorithm design, coding, research writing, and presenting research. 

Favourite thing about SMU: My favourite thing about SMU is the supportive academic community. As a Computer Science student, I appreciate the opportunity to learn from amazing professors who are approachable and passionate about their fields. The welcoming environment at SMU has made it a great place to learn, ask questions, and grow as a student. 

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Evan Spencer 

Summer research award: Dean of Science Undergraduate Summer Research Award 

Faculty supervisor: Dr. Robert Singer (Chemistry)  

Project: The project is focused on the synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene derived ligands with main group donors and studying their coordination to various transition metals and main group atoms. The main goal of the research is to study the bonding and geometry of these coordination complexes and discover structures that have never been synthesized before. This is made possible by characterization by single crystal X-Ray diffraction which provides data regarding the exact location of the atoms in a given crystalline material which can be used to determine the structure of the compound. 

Future plans: After finishing my Honours in Chemistry at SMU next year, I plan to attend graduate school to obtain my PhD in chemistry focusing on inorganic chemistry and X-Ray crystallography. I hope to stay in academia for my career as well, with the goal of becoming a professor of chemistry. I am passionate about teaching and research and hope to apply that to my own research group in the future, which would be directed towards providing undergraduate students with opportunities to perform meaningful research. 

Favourite thing about SMU: My favourite thing about SMU is access to research for undergrads. This is an opportunity that most students across Canada do not have, but due to the size of our institution, students are able to contribute to meaningful research and run their own research projects, which is not the case at larger institutions. My other favourite part about SMU is the size of my department. The chemistry department is small enough that I know all the professors and they know me, and most of the students as well. This allows for easier access to support and guidance while also having the ability to form connections much more easily. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Saint Mary's

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to recognize and reflect on the intergenerational harm that residential schools have caused to Indigenous families and communities, to honour those who have been affected by this injustice, and to ensure public commemoration of this history as a vital part of the reconciliation process.

In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, administrative offices will be closed and there will be no classes or labs on Wednesday, September 30. The Patrick Power Library will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check smu.ca/dining for food service hours.

Orange Shirt Day

September 30 is also known as Orange Shirt Day , which began in 2013 to honour Indigenous children forced to leave their families to attend residential schools. Members of the SMU community are encouraged to wear their orange shirts to campus on Tuesday, September 29, ahead of the September 30 closure. Orange t-shirts are available to purchase at the SMU Bookstore, with proceeds going to the Mi’kmawey Debert Indian Residential School Legacy Project.

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Events on campus

Smudging Ceremony and Webinar

Thursday, September 24, 2026

• 2:15 p.m. Smudging ceremony in the Quad area

• 2:50 p.m. Welcome and opening remarks | CLARI (Atrium Room 340)

• 3:00 p.m. Webinar screening: Honouring Indigenous Leadership: Perspectives for a Shared Future

• 4:00 p.m. Debrief and discussion

Smudging is a cultural ceremony practised by a wide variety of Indigenous peoples in Canada and other parts of the world. Although practices differ, smudging is used for medicinal and practical purposes as well as for spiritual ceremonies. The practice generally involves prayer and the burning of sacred medicines, such as sweetgrass, cedar, sage and tobacco. All are welcome to attend.

Image: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Honouring Indigenous Leadership: Perspectives for a Shared Future (Webinar)

English with French and ASL interpretation

This session invites participants into a thoughtful conversation on the leadership, truths and lived experiences shaping Indigenous futures across Canada and Turtle Island. Grounded in community knowledge and guided by those closest to the work, the session will explore the realities of Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, the ongoing fight for First Nations child rights, and the calls for justice from the MMIWG2S movement.

RSVP here to attend the screening in CLARI

Watch the other daily lunch and learn webinars offered by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, happening September 21-25.

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Residence Life Booth

Monday, September 28, 2026

Join the Res Life team in the Loyola Colonnade outside of Tim Hortons to write “What Truth & Reconciliation means to me” on a paper orange t-shirt. The notes will be posted on the Res Life bulletin board in Loyola Residence.

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Qomuti - SMU’s space for Indigenous students

Located in Loyola Academic Room 286, Qomuti (pronounced ho-mo-dee) is a Mi’kmaw word meaning “a place of safe haven.”

Qomuti was designed and named in consultation with students and built with intention: a space where Indigenous learners can study, share, smudge without barriers and feel seen.

To access the space, students can contact Kylar Johnson, the Indigenous Student Advisor. Students can also meet with Kylar in his office located in the Burke Building. Learn more about this space.

Kylar Johnson and students gather in Qomuti

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Patrick Power Library

Permanent Mi'kmaw Heritage Exhibit – Visit the Library to see Ta’n Etl-klo'tasik koqoey (a phrase meaning “where the items are kept or taken care of”), an exhibit celebrating the enduring legacy and culture of the Mi’kmaq people. This exhibit features a collection of Mi’kmaw cultural objects selected by community members, and is on loan from the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History.

The Patrick Power Library has developed a resource collection that includes books and videos related to Truth and Reconciliation. All books can be borrowed with your SMU ID card or accessed online using your SMU email and password.  

Other resources to support learning and reflection about Indigenous culture and experience include: 

Indigenous Studies Research Guide – Your starting point for academic and community-based resources on Indigenous research topics, featuring suggested journals, search strategies, databases, government information and other resources. 

SMU Theses on Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Research – Discover original research by Saint Mary’s University community members in the Institutional Repository. 

Streaming Media Collections – Watch Indigenous films and documentaries through the NFB, CBC Curio, Films on Demand, Audio Cine and Criterion databases. Access is available through the Library. 

The library will be featuring an Indigenous puzzle and Mi'kmaq colouring sheets at the activity table and there will be Orange Shirt Day buttons available while supplies last.    

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Related links

• Indigenous Community online hub

• News for and about the Indigenous community at Saint Mary’s

• More information on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

185 learning opportunities connect Atlantic students with real-world challenges through Experience Ventures

Students across Atlantic Canada will have access to 185 opportunities to tackle real-world challenges with innovative businesses and organizations while building the problem-solving, collaboration, creativity and adaptability skills needed to thrive in a changing world.

For the third year, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary's University is bringing 185 experiential learning opportunities, offering honorariums to students across Atlantic Canada through its continued partnership with Experience Ventures for the 2026–27 program year.

Powered by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary and funded in part through the Government of Canada's Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative, Experience Ventures connects post-secondary students with businesses and organizations through hands-on learning experiences. Students apply their knowledge to real challenges, develop entrepreneurial thinking and contribute meaningful solutions while earning an honorarium.

The renewed partnership will expand opportunities for students at universities and colleges across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. At the same time, businesses gain access to talented students who bring fresh perspectives, creative ideas and new approaches to complex challenges.

Student Success

Experience Ventures gives students the opportunity to take what they’ve learned in the classroom and put it into practice through real-world projects with businesses and organizations.

For students like Subhan Nadeem, a Saint Mary’s student who took part in the Fall 2025 Project-Based Experience, the program provided an opportunity to apply his computer science knowledge to a real business challenge. During his placement, Subhan developed a tool for lead generation and email automation, using his knowledge of algorithms, APIs and AI systems to create a practical solution for a client.

A student presents at the Sustainable Retail Hackathon, an Experience Ventures event at Saint Mary’s in 2025

“The most impactful part of my Experience Ventures placement was developing an AI-driven solution for a business. It allowed me to combine my technical knowledge with real-world problem-solving, directly contributing to a client’s business growth.”

For Subhan, the impact extended beyond the placement itself. The hands-on experience strengthened his interest in technology development, AI and entrepreneurship, while giving him practical experience he can carry into his future career.

“I would gladly participate again. This experience helped me apply my technical skills to real business challenges … and gave me valuable hands-on experience for my future career.”

Stories like Subhan’s demonstrate the value of experiential learning: students gain more than experience for their resumes. They develop the confidence, adaptability, problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial mindset needed to navigate an evolving world of work.

The Impact of Experience Ventures

Experience Ventures continues to create meaningful connections between students, businesses and organizations across Atlantic Canada. Through hands-on projects and paid experiential learning opportunities, students gain practical experience while organizations benefit from fresh perspectives and new ideas.

Impact from 2024–26 

• Students engaged: 335

• Businesses and organizations engaged: 84

• Atlantic provinces served: 4

• Honorariums awarded: $198,350

• Student satisfaction: 96.4%

These results highlight the growing impact of experiential learning across the region and the strength of the partnerships that make these opportunities possible.

“The broad reach of the Experience Ventures program is only possible through the strength of our national partner network. We are delighted to have our regional lead school, Saint Mary's University, leading the expansion of our program across Atlantic Canada,” said Sarah Topps, Senior Director, Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives (Acting), Experience Ventures.

Through its continued partnership with Experience Ventures, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre is helping bring these opportunities to more students across the region while strengthening connections between post-secondary institutions and the business community.

“Experience Ventures gives students the opportunity to move beyond the classroom and tackle real challenges alongside innovative businesses. These experiences help students build confidence, strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset and develop the skills employers value most: the ability to collaborate, adapt, take initiative and find creative solutions. We're excited to continue expanding these opportunities across Atlantic Canada,” said Michael Sanderson, Director, Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Students participated in a Engineering Hackathon in partnership with Qalam Health Solutions in 2025

Learning by Doing

Experience Ventures is built around entrepreneurial thinking, identifying opportunities, approaching challenges creatively, taking initiative, collaborating with others and developing innovative solutions.

For students like Subhan, these experiences show how classroom concepts translate into solving real business problems. Working directly with organizations helps students navigate ambiguity, communicate across disciplines and apply their knowledge in practical settings.

These capabilities are increasingly valuable across every industry and help prepare students for their careers from day one.

Five Ways to Gain Experience

Students can participate in one of five experiential learning opportunities:

1. Hackathons – One- or two-day intensive events where teams solve real business and social innovation challenges.

2. Challenges – Multi-week interdisciplinary projects where students develop solutions for partner organizations.

3. Project Experiences – Part-time placements where students complete defined projects with businesses over up to 80 hours.

4. Student-in-Residence Placements – Opportunities to work with multiple businesses during a term, gaining diverse industry experience.

5. Interdisciplinary Team Projects – Collaborative placements where students from different academic backgrounds work together to solve complex business challenges.

The 2026–27 program includes 185 opportunities across these five streams. Recruitment began in the summer for Project Experiences, Interdisciplinary Team Projects and Student-in-Residence Placements, while Hackathons and Challenges will launch throughout the fall.

Why Businesses Participate

Experience Ventures helps organizations access talented students from a wide range of disciplines who bring curiosity, creativity and fresh perspectives to real business challenges.

By working alongside students, businesses can explore new ideas, advance projects and gain insight from the next generation of innovators, while helping shape the skills and experiences students need to succeed.

“We're not hiring students just yet, but if an opportunity arose, we would hire the intern who worked on our project. It's a great way to get to know someone in a professional capacity in a very low-risk environment,” said Kevin Buchan of Novastorms Data Analytics Inc.

For businesses, Experience Ventures is more than an opportunity to get support on a project. It provides a chance to build relationships with emerging talent, see students in action and discover potential future employees

Get Involved

Students and businesses interested in participating are encouraged to submit an interest form to receive updates on upcoming opportunities and application dates.

Eligible participants must be undergraduate students enrolled at a Canadian post-secondary institution and legally entitled to work in Canada. Students may participate in one Experience Ventures placement during the 2026–27 program year.

Through its continued partnership with the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre is creating meaningful experiential learning opportunities that empower students, strengthen businesses and foster entrepreneurial thinking across Atlantic Canada.

Welcoming our newest professors in the Faculty of Science

With the excitement of a new academic year, Saint Mary’s is pleased to welcome new professors to the Faculty of Science who bring research expertise in psychology, biology, earth science, environmental science, mathematics, and computing science. Read below to meet our new faculty members!

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Dr. Mark Bowler

Department: Psychology

Specialty: Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Classes: Graduate Statistics

Hometown: Detroit, Michigan, USA

PhD: University of Tennessee

Research focus: My primary area of investigation is in Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) as an indicator of employees’ willingness to advocate for their organization by examining its relationships with employee attitudes, individual differences, job demands and resources, well-being, leadership, and workplace behaviors. My secondary area of research examines how health-oriented and health-promoting leadership shape employee health, well-being, recovery behaviors, and work engagement, with particular attention to the individual and contextual factors that determine when these leadership approaches are most effective.

Awards/funding: My notable awards and funding include the ECU Distinguished Doctoral Faculty Mentor Award (2021), ECU Honored Instructor Awards (2022, 2023), and the BB&T Faculty Leadership Scholar Fellowship, co-PI on a $1.999 million NSF-funded project, along with publishing 26 peer-reviewed articles including work in the Journal of Applied Psychology and Organizational Research Methods, and chairing 11 doctoral dissertations and 35 master’s theses.

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Dr. Thamali Kariyawasam

Department: Biology

Specialty: Synthetic biology, microalgal biotechnology, living biomaterials, regenerative medicine, and sustainable biomedical applications.

Classes I’m teaching/planning to teach: Biology 2321 (Cell Biology)

Hometown: Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

PhD: University of British Columbia

Research focus: My research focuses on engineering photosynthetic microalgae as programmable cell factories for the production and delivery of therapeutic biomolecules. I develop living biomaterial systems that combine genetically engineered microalgae with advanced biomaterials to provide localized oxygen and sustained delivery of bioactive molecules for tissue regeneration and wound healing, while advancing sustainable healthcare solutions.

Dr. James Steenberg

Department: Environmental Science / Geography and Environmental Studies

Specialty: Trees and forest ecosystems

Classes: GEOG 3386, ENVS 3410

Hometown: Halifax

PhD: Toronto Metropolitan University

Research website: https://sites.google.com/site/jamessteenberg

Research focus: My research is focused on the ecology and sustainable management of both urban and commercially managed forests. This research leverages geomatics, statistics and spatial statistics, ecosystem modelling, and empirical field research to characterize, analyze, and monitor forests to inform sustainable management.

Awards/funding: NSERC Alliance (current), Killam Postdoctoral Fellowship, Fulbright Award

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Dr. Carson Kinney

Department: Earth Science

Specialty: Metamorphic Petrology and Geologic Mapping

Classes I’m teaching/plan to teach: ERTH 1204, ERTH 2400, ERTH 3305, ERTH 4301; Generally how to make geologic maps

Hometown: Petawawa, ON

PhD: University of Waterloo

Research focus: I love to study how the Earth’s crust is formed, the rocks which comprise it, and how it records the cooling of our planet using numerical models to pair with field observations.

Notable awards: Dr. Kinney has recently received the Jack Henderson Best PhD Award from the Canadian Tectonics Group as well as the W.B Pearson Medal for the most creative earth science PhD thesis from the University of Waterloo. He is excited to share his love of making maps and recording which rocks make constitute the continental crust on which we live.

Dr. Jillian Kendrick

Department: Earth Science

Specialty: Metamorphic and Igneous Petrology

Classes: Understanding the Earth (ERTH1200), Mineralogy (ERTH2301), Igneous Petrology (ERTH3312), Metamorphic Petrology (ERTH3313)

Hometown: Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia

PhD: University of Waterloo ‘22

Research website: www.jilliankendrick.ca/

“I have a particular interest in early Earth, and have been working to understand how continental crust was formed and how it has evolved through geologic time.”

Notable awards: Dr. Kendrick has recently received an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship and a W.B. Pearson Medal, and was a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship winner as a graduate student. She is an enthusiastic contributor to science outreach initiatives including science fairs and workshops.

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Dr. Jake Chinis

Department: Mathematics and Computing Science

Specialty: Analytic Number Theory

Classes: Introduction to Analytic Number Theory

Hometown: Montreal, QC

PhD: From McGill University

Research website: https://sites.google.com/view/jakechinis/home

Research focus: Means values and correlations of multiplicative functions.

Notable awards: Cat Dad of the Year (*in perpetuity, self-nominated)

Dr. Nikita Neveditsin 

Department: Mathematics and Computing Science 

Specialty: Natural language processing, health informatics, artificial intelligence 

Classes: Advanced Computer Programming and Problem Solving, Exploring Generative AI, Natural Language Processing and Large Language Models, Artificial Intelligence 

PhD: Saint Mary’s University

Research focus: Small language models, neuro-symbolic AI, low-resource AI, text representations.

Awards: AARMS junior researcher travel award, NAACL SRW grant. 

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About the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s:

Home to nine academic units that offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary's University prepares students for a future in science. Our students have found success in careers across Canada and around the world in professional fields such as health care, engineering, teaching, research and more.

Saint Mary's science and engineering students have access to a range of academic student supports to help them succeed, including the SNAP Centre which offers free academic tutoring by Dean’s List students, and Science Advisors who guide students on their academic journey.

Thanks to our small, community atmosphere, many of our undergraduates participate in their professors’ research projects—a valuable experience that can be hard to come by at larger institutions.

Saint Mary’s students showcase their social enterprises in Mexico

Saint Mary’s Enactus students with other Enactus members in Mexico City

Enactus Saint Mary's was invited to represent Enactus Canada at the Enactus Mexico 2026 National Exposition, bringing Saint Mary’s student entrepreneurs to an international stage in Mexico City.

Held August 23–24 at Centro Banamex, the event brought together approximately 500 students from 15 schools, showcasing nearly 50 projects across three competitions: Next Gen Leaders, Mentoractus and the National Competition. Teams presented innovative ideas that combined technology, entrepreneurship and sustainability to address real-world challenges.

Members of the Enactus SMU team representing Canada

Alongside Saint Mary's University, students from the United States, Puerto Rico and Colombia also showcased their projects alongside teams from Enactus Mexico, creating an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from different approaches and connect with students across the Enactus network.

Representing Canada in Mexico was more than a competition; it was a chance to learn, connect and bring the Saint Mary’s perspective to an international audience. For Mia Makhlouf, Co-President of Enactus SMU and an Engineering student, the experience was an exciting opportunity to connect with students and entrepreneurs from around the world.

The event gave students the opportunity to apply business and entrepreneurial skills to meaningful social and environmental challenges in their communities.

Learn more about Enactus SMU and get involved in student entrepreneurship through the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre’s website.

Sobey School research secures $219,000 SSHRC Grant to tackle Canada’s productivity challenge

Dr. Mohammad Rahaman

Saint Mary's University’s Sobey School of Business continues to advance high-impact, policy-relevant research with a major national funding success.

Dr. Mohammad Rahaman, Canada Research Chair in International Finance and Competitiveness, has been awarded a prestigious Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada Insight Grant valued at $219,000 over three years (2026–2029).

The funded project, “Banking on Intelligence: The Role of Private Credit Markets in Advancing AI Investment, Innovation, and Productivity,” addresses one of Canada’s most pressing economic challenges: lagging business-sector productivity relative to other advanced economies.

Although Canada is a global leader in artificial intelligence research, firms have struggled to translate innovation into widespread productivity gains. AI adoption remains uneven and resource-intensive, requiring sustained investment in data infrastructure, R&D and talent.

This research introduces a new perspective by focusing on private credit markets, banks and non-bank lenders, the primary source of financing for most firms. The project will examine how access to credit shapes AI adoption, the economic channels linking financing to innovation, and how lenders act as governance mechanisms by disciplining misleading AI-related disclosures.

“This project is about understanding how we finance the future of the Canadian economy,” said Dr. Rahaman. “AI has enormous potential to drive productivity, but without the right financial infrastructure, that potential will remain unrealized. Our goal is to identify how credit markets can unlock that transformation.”

The research is conducted in collaboration with Dr. Najah Attig of Dalhousie University, highlighting strong regional partnerships within Atlantic Canada.

By combining large-scale financial datasets with advanced econometric and natural language processing techniques, the project aims to generate actionable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and business leaders.

This award underscores Sobey School's commitment to rigorous, business-focused research that addresses real-world challenges, reinforcing its role as a leader in advancing Canada’s innovation and competitiveness agenda.

Eclipse-viewers gather for Saint Mary’s event

On August 12, astronomers and curious community members gathered in front of the Burke Building at Saint Mary’s to view the partial solar eclipse. Researchers and staff from SMU’s Burke-Gaffney Observatory (BGO) set up solar telescopes and provided eclipse glasses to anyone who wanted a safe glimpse of the event.

Halifax observed a partial eclipse with about 30% coverage, according to Tiffany Fields, Astronomy Technician for the BGO. In an interview with CBC News about the viewing event, Tiffany said, “Sharing this excitement, enthusiasm and wonder with the public is so vital and so important and also so fun. […] there’s sort of always that wonder of what’s going on in space. And so I really enjoy being able to share that with people.”

The Burke-Gaffney Observatory at Saint Mary’s is open to the public and focuses on education in the Department of Astronomy and Physics along with public outreach, including open houses and tours. Check the Burke-Gaffney Observatory website to learn more about upcoming solar and lunar events.

See videos below for news coverage of the event.

CBC News

CTV News

Dr. Laura Weir named Interim Dean of Science

Dr. Laura Weir

Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce that Dr. Laura Weir will serve as interim Dean of Science for the next year.

An accomplished scientist and Associate Professor in the Department of Biology since 2016, Dr. Weir researches fish behaviour and evolution, and collaborates with government scientists to identify the effects of climate change on fish population size and structure. She has received research funding from international, federal and provincial agencies to support her work. During her time at SMU, she has mentored over 40 students through undergraduate, graduate and postdoc research.

In the classroom and lab, Dr. Weir is an enthusiastic and thoughtful professor who has taught Biology courses at all undergraduate levels at SMU. She is particularly passionate about creating a positive experience for new students in first-year courses; her teaching focus this year is guiding students through their first-year biology laboratory activities.  

“Dr. Weir is a highly respected professor and administrator,” says Dr. Sam Veres, Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic and Research. “Laura is passionate about ensuring that Saint Mary’s students receive an exceptional educational experience, and as a colleague, Chairperson, and Associate Dean, I have seen her dedication to supporting faculty to help achieve this. The Faculty of Science is in excellent hands with her appointment as Interim Dean for the next year.” 

Most recently, Dr. Weir was Acting Associate Dean, Student Affairs and Supports, and previously served as the Chair of the Department of Biology.