Department of Earth Sciences

Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry

Department of Chemistry

Department of Physics

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(L-R) Professor Jonathan Abbatt, University Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar and Associate Professor Debra Wunch (supplied images)

Three researchers from the Faculty of Arts & Science have received honours from the American Geophysical Union (AGU) for their outstanding contributions to Earth and space sciences.

Barbara Sherwood Lollar, University Professor in the department of Earth sciences who is cross-appointed to the department of chemistry and the department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, presented the Carl Sagan Lecture – an honour reserved for a scientist who embodies the late astronomer’s interest in astrobiology and science communication – at the union’s annual conference, AGU23.

Jonathan Abbatt, a professor in the department of chemistry, gave the Jakob Bjerkness Lecture at AGU23 in recognition of his impact in advancing understanding of the atmosphere and Earth’s climate.

Debra Wunch, associate professor in the department of physics who is cross-appointed to the School of the Environment, received the AGU’s Atmospheric Sciences Ascent Award, which recognizes early- and mid-career researchers.

Read the Faculty of Arts & Science story

Watch University Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar’s lecture (under the “Awards and Honours” tab)

Watch Professor Jonathan Abbatt’s lecture (under the “Awards and Honours” tab)

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Ting Li and Corliss Sio recognized with Dorothy Shoichet Women Faculty in Science Award of Excellence

lanthierj — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 21:59:24 +0000

Ting Li and Corliss Sio recognized with Dorothy Shoichet Women Faculty in Science Award of Excellence

lanthierj Tue, 12/12/2023 - 16:59

David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics

Dorothy Shoichet Women Faculty in Science Award of Excellence

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Ting Li and Corliss Sio (supplied images)

Two early-career researchers from the Faculty of Arts & Science are recipients of the Dorothy Shoichet Women Faculty in Science Award of Excellence: Ting Li, an assistant professor in the David A. Dunlap department of astronomy and astrophysics; and Corliss Sio, an assistant professor in the department of Earth sciences.

The award was established in 2016 by University Professor Molly Shoichet to help early-career female researchers focus on their research.

Li’s research goal is to better understand the formation of the Milky Way Galaxy and galaxies in the nearby universe.

“I am profoundly honoured to have been selected as the recipient of the Dorothy Shoichet Award, and I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to my department for nominating me,” says Li, “especially as I embark on establishing an optical instrumentation lab in my department and take on the role of chairing a large international collaboration.”

Sio’s research lies at the intersection of isotope geochemistry, experimental petrology and numerical modeling. She was instrumental in winning a major Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) grant for the GEMINAE lab (Geochemistry of Elements and Metal Isotopes in Nature and Experiments).

“I am incredibly honoured to receive this award and am grateful for Professor Shoichet’s generosity and my department’s support,” says Sio. “This award could not be better timed, coming while I am in the thick of building a laboratory that will be the first of its kind in Canada.”

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Daniel Gregory receives Early Career Teaching Award

lanthierj — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 20:36:14 +0000

Daniel Gregory receives Early Career Teaching Award

Teaching

lanthierj Fri, 04/16/2021 - 16:36

Early Career Teaching Awards

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Daniel Gregory, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Arts & Science, has been recognized with an Early Career Teaching Award.

Gregory, who joined the department of Earth sciences at the St. George campus in 2018, specializes in economic geology and geochemistry – and his approach to teaching emphasizes bridging the gap between academic research and industry advancements.

Gregory uses a variety of methods to spark students’ curiosity. He uses a portable XRF, a common tool in the mining industry, to teach how hydrothermal fluids change rock chemistry through blind target exercises and offers students opportunities to teach what they have learned through flipped classroom techniques and the use of imperfect rock samples to identify gaps in learning and reasoning. During the past year, he developed an online field course that allowed students to complete a simulated field-based mapping excursion. He often includes industry-level competitions, such as open data challenges, to encourage students to think beyond classroom applications.

“I emphasize experiential learning approaches to let students immerse themselves into the problem solving process,” Gregory says, “Providing realistic opportunities –such as open data mining challenges – for students to 'show what they know' is a holistic approach to apply their knowledge to real world problems.

“In the near future, I will also work with a team of other professors to develop and use strategic board games to teach key concepts in mineral exploration.”

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Four University of Toronto faculty members recognized for outstanding teaching

lanthierj — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 18:34:29 +0000

Four University of Toronto faculty members recognized for outstanding teaching

Teaching

lanthierj Fri, 04/16/2021 - 14:34

Early Career Teaching Awards

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Information

Department of Computer Science

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(L-R) Olivier St. Cyr, Danielle Bentley, Jacqueline Smith, Gregory Daniel

The University of Toronto has recognized four faculty members – Danielle Bentley, Daniel Gregory, Jacqueline Smith and Olivier St-Cyr – with Early Career Teaching Awards for the 2020-2021 academic year.

The awards honour outstanding teachers who demonstrate great commitment to student learning and engagement, and to teaching innovation. Winners receive $3,000 and are celebrated at an Excellence in Teaching reception.

“These extraordinary teachers have provided a truly exceptional experience for students in an unprecedented time,” said Mark Schmuckler, U of T’s acting vice-provost, academic programs and acting vice-provost, innovations in undergraduate education. “From the creation of community-engaged learning opportunities with grassroots organizations, to the establishment of learning communities for students newly admitted to competitive programs, or the development of online excursions that simulate field-based work, their creative and innovative approach to teaching and learning has inspired and engaged students.

“The university congratulates them on their remarkable accomplishments.”

This year's winners are:

Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Danielle Bentley of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Assistant Professor Daniel Gregory of the department of Earth Sciences in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Jacqueline Smith of the department of computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science
Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Olivier St-Cyr of the Faculty of Information

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University Professor, alumnus elected to U.S. National Academy of Engineering

lanthierj — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 20:43:01 +0000

University Professor, alumnus elected to U.S. National Academy of Engineering

lanthierj Fri, 02/19/2021 - 15:43

Alumni

U.S. National Academy of Engineering

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Women in STEM

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University Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar is one of 23 new international members of the NAE (Photo by Diana Tyszko)

Barbara Sherwood Lollar, a University Professor in the Faculty of Arts & Science’s department of Earth sciences, has been elected one of 23 international members of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE).

Alumnus Jonathan P. How, a professor in the department of aeronautics and astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was elected as one of 106 national members.

The NAE elects those who have made outstanding contributions to “engineering research, practice, or education,” and to “the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.”

A renowned geochemist, Sherwood Lollar was recognized for her “contributions to understanding of the evolution of Earth’s groundwater and atmosphere.” How, who received a bachelor's degree of applied science from ��οin 1987, was recognized for his “contributions to decision-making and control” of intelligent autonomous aerospace vehicles.

“As one of Canada’s most renowned earth scientists, Barbara is no stranger to noteworthy honours and with this recognition from the National Academy of Engineering, she continues to bring recognition to earth sciences, the Faculty and the university,” said Professor Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science.

“From her discovery of billion-year-old water and her exploration of geochemical life processes taking place deep beneath the planet's surface, to her important work on groundwater quality and remediation, Barbara Sherwood Lollar is making an extraordinary impact on our understanding of life on this planet and others,” said University Professor Ted Sargent, vice-president, research and innovation and strategic initiatives. “The University of Toronto congratulates her on this important recognition of her leadership.”

See the complete list of new NAE members

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Barbara Sherwood Lollar receives Royal Society of Canada’s 2020 Willet G. Miller Medal

lanthierj — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 13:46:54 +0000

Barbara Sherwood Lollar receives Royal Society of Canada’s 2020 Willet G. Miller Medal

lanthierj Wed, 09/16/2020 - 09:46

Royal Society of Canada

Women in STEM

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(photo couresy Barbara Sherwood Lollar)

In recognition of her groundbreaking research in geochemistry, Barbara Sherwood Lollar, a University Professor in the Faculty of Arts & Science’s department of Earth sciences, has received the prestigious 2020 Willet G. Miller Medal from the Royal Society of Canada.

“In a time of COVID-19, climate change and the increasing urgency to tackle the challenges of our relationship to this planet with equity and justice,” Sherwood Lollar says, “research in Earth sciences occupies a central role through its investigation of the land, water, soil and atmosphere we all share.”

Sherwood Lollar is renowned for her research into the geochemistry of ancient waters and geochemical life processes occurring kilometres beneath the planet’s surface – as well has her work on groundwater quality and remediation. A Canada Research Chair in Isotopes of the Earth and Environment, she is also co-director of the Earth 4D Subsurface Science and Exploration program at CIFAR, the Canadian-based global research organization

“Barbara Sherwood Lollar’s extraordinary achievements range from her remarkable discovery of billion-year-old water in the Canadian Precambrian Shield, to her important work on contaminants in groundwater – work that helps guide environmental policy,” said University Professor Ted Sargent, vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives. “The University of Toronto congratulates University Professor Sherwood Lollar on this important recognition.”

The award will be presented to Sherwood Lollar on Nov. 27 as part of the Royal Society’s week-long Celebration of Excellence and Engagement.

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Barbara Sherwood Lollar awarded Killam Prize in Natural Sciences

lanthierj — Tue, 26 May 2020 14:13:39 +0000

Barbara Sherwood Lollar awarded Killam Prize in Natural Sciences

lanthierj Tue, 05/26/2020 - 10:13

Killam Prize; Faculty of Arts & Science

Women in STEM

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(photo by Perry King)

Geochemist Barbara Sherwood Lollar has received this year's Killam Prize in Natural Sciences from the Canada Council for the Arts.

“It is an extraordinary honour to share this with many ��οcolleagues,” says Sherwood Lollar, “both this year and in past years. My team and I are extremely grateful.

“Canada Council for the Arts’ commitment to scholarship through the Killam Prizes and Fellowships is a timely reminder of the vital role that fact-based research plays in serving society — both as a source of fundamental understanding and as a driver for fact-based decision making.”

Sherwood Lollar, a University Professor in the department of Earth sciences in the Faculty of Arts & Science, was recognized for her pioneering work in energy sources, water and microbial life deep beneath the Earth’s surface — including the discovery of billion-year-old groundwater within the Canadian Precambrian Shield. Her work is important to geologists, geochemists and astrobiologists studying the possibility of life beyond our planet. She also studies the remediation of near-surface groundwater that contains organic contaminants such as petroleum hydrocarbons.

Sherwood Lollar’s many honours include Fellow of the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Canada, Companion of the Order of Canada, the C.C. Patterson Award, the NSERC John C. Polanyi Award, the Logan Medal and the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal.

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Ted Sargent and Barbara Sherwood Lollar awarded Killam Prizes

lanthierj — Tue, 26 May 2020 14:09:32 +0000

Ted Sargent and Barbara Sherwood Lollar awarded Killam Prizes

lanthierj Tue, 05/26/2020 - 10:09

Killam Prize