Three researchers have been awarded with the university’s highest internal research award, the Prize for Excellence in Research. Jennifer Tomasone (Kinesiology and Health Sciences), Cao Thang Dinh (Chemical Engineering), and Chantelle Capicciotti (Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Chemistry, and Surgery) are early-career researchers that have demonstrated significant contributions to research in their fields: physical activity, renewable energy, and glycobiology.
The Prize for Excellence in Research is awarded by the Vice-Principal (Research Portfolio) and celebrate researchers with distinguished contributions to their fields and who have earned their highest degree in the last ten years. Each recipient of the prize is nominated by the Dean of their faculty. Nominations are then reviewed by a selection committee who place an emphasis on representing the diversity of the Queen’s community and its research. The recipients are awarded a cash prize of $5,000.
“I am delighted to present the first Prizes for Excellence in Research of my tenure to such accomplished and inspiring early-career researchers,” says Nancy Ross, Vice-Principal (Research). “It is gratifying to acknowledge researchers early on in their careers and early prizes can be an important foundation for mid- and later career recognition. From climate change to human health and disease, your award-winning research contributions will advance our understanding of people and the planet.”
Dr. Dinh has been designated by Web of Science as one of only three Queen’s researchers most-cited globally in 2021. His research achievements in renewable fuels and chemicals have already attracted the attention of academics and numerous industries worldwide. He has pioneered work on CO2 conversion to fuels and chemicals, specifically focusing on the design of novel electrocatalytic systems using renewable electricity. These technologies provide a compelling route to mitigate climate change and promote widespread deployment of renewable energies, which has further led and inspired other researchers in the field. His achievements in research are especially impressive for someone so early in their career, having earned his PhD in 2013 and joined Queen’s University in 2019. To learn more about Dr. Dinh’s research program, visit his website, Refuel@Queens.
The Prizes for Excellence in Research will be presented at convocation over the next few weeks. To learn more about the awards, or past recipients, visit the Vice Principal (Research) Portfolio website.
This article appeared in its original form on Queen’s Gazette website.