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Researchers recognized for originality, impact

Concordia's Senate recognizes six scholars from across the university with research awards to support their work.
May 30, 2011
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By Karen Herland

Source: Concordia Journal

University researchers in fields as diverse as alternative energy sources, community development and microbiology earned research awards this year. | Photo Concordia University
University researchers in fields as diverse as alternative energy sources, community development and microbiology earned research awards this year.

Six scholars have been singled out based on their exceptional records of original scholarship and knowledge dissemination. On May 20 Senate approved recommendations for four university research awards and two Petro-Canada Young Innovator Awards.

Each year, the awards are given to Concordia faculty members, upon recommendation from their respective Faculties, in recognition of their exceptional achievements and contribution to advancement of knowledge. Recipients have been instrumental in building a productive training environment for students and increasing the visibility of Concordia through their research and creative activities. Vice-President Research and Graduate Studies Louise Dandurand personally acknowledges the excellence of their research activities and congratulates the researchers.

Established Researchers

Margie Mendell (School of Community and Public Affairs) is director of the Karl Polanyi Institute of Political Economy and has published three books, seven edited volumes and over 60 peer-reviewed papers in the areas of social economy, social justice and community empowerment. She helped establish the Graduate Diploma in Community Economic Development. Her contributions to the field of social economic research have been supported by both provincial and federal funding sources along with the International Development Research Centre.

Ted Stathopoulos (Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering) received the Jack E. Cermak Medal from the Engineering Mechanics Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He has over 168 refereed papers, 15 book contributions and 253 conference proceedings under his belt and was recently appointed editor of the International Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics. He has received funding both from governmental granting agencies and private industry.

Emerging Researchers

Dave Secko (Journalism) combines degrees in microbiology/immunology and journalism quite literally in the field of science journalism. His broader research interests include journalistic and social ethics and public engagement. Secko has secured more than $1.3 million in research funding from both social science and health science granting agencies. He has published more than 150 journalistic and 13 peer reviewed pieces since arriving at Concordia and established the Public Engagement Portal as a hub for democratic dialogue on a number of issues.

Alexandre Champagne (Physics) has revitalized the Department of Physics, in no small part with his innovative work in nanoelectronics and quantum materials. He has an exceptional funding success rate of 100 per cent and has been awarded more than $1 million to date. He is the first Concordia researcher to be admitted as a member of the Regroupement Québécois sur les Matériaux de Pointe. He was named a Petro-Canada Young Innovator in 2010.

Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award

Zeynep Arsel (Marketing) researches consumer choice and trends in fashion and home design and social media. Her work examines the connection between cultural narratives and individual consumption practices. It is funded by provincial and federal granting agencies.

Zhigang Tian (Concordia Institute for Information Systems Engineering) has researched systems reliability, energy systems, design optimization and pattern recognition, and holds research grants to pursue work in these fields. Tian earned the Best Paper Award for Quality Control and Reliability at the 2005 Institute of Industrial Engineers Research Conference.

Related links:
•    Concordia's Office of Research



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