2023 Faculty Excellence Award Recipients

2023 University Cup recipient:

Frank Tough's Métis Archival Project (MAP) lab land claim research has made significant contributions and measurable impacts to the protections and promotions of Métis Nation rights. The MAP Lab does applied archival research using historical records for the litigation of Métis rights. Additionally, the lab has digitized thousands of scrip records and created an online database that allows Métis people to investigate their genealogy by searching the names of their ancestors. The impacts of his teaching and leadership are highly regarded by both his colleagues and students and his service to the university and the community-at-large are deserving of this prestigious award.

2023 University of Alberta Distinguished Professor recipients:

  • Greg Goss, Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
  • David Olson, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Greg Goss's research focuses on integrating physiological data into conservation management decisions for inland freshwaters as they face more sustainability challenges in the future. He will use the funds provided by the award to support the partial salary of at least one Indigenous intern each summer, with additional funding provided through the I-STEAM pathways project. Funds are planned for the student to attend a conference in their research field, helping them to engage with the scientific community.

David Olson studies the physiological and environmental factors that contribute to both term and preterm birth (PTB), aiming to create practical applications that will improve the health of mothers and babies. He will use the funds provided by the award to support research on identifying a novel precision diagnostic using artificial intelligence to predict the risk of PTB based on chronic stress, and examine possible methods of blocking PTB. This research is in collaboration with the Department of Physiology and Dr. Matthew Guzdial, Department of Computer Science at the University of Alberta, all working to create an innovative solution to PTB.

2023 Vargo Teaching Chair recipient:

  • Fatima Mraiche, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry - Department of Pharmacology

Fatima Mraiche's Vargo Teaching Chair Project, Unveiling the Impact of Undergraduate Research: Exploring New Horizons in the Department of Pharmacology’s Pilot Study at the University of Alberta, will focus on the development of a research-based learning platform to document and assess undergraduate research activities. Fatima is investigating the connection between transporters and cardiovascular disease as well as lung cancer. Her research in teaching and learning is focused on developing, implementing, and evaluating curricula and assessments, as well as integrating a variety of instructional methods. Fatima’s work aligns with the emphasis on experiential and work-integrated learning, and could be expanded to other departments and faculties.

For a complete list of academic awards and recipients visit the teaching award database. Use the search tool or navigate to the award you are interested in. For discipline specific awards select the appropriate field of study and determine which award(s) are applicable then click search. Click on "Show award recipients..." to view the list of past recipients of that award.