Next-Gen
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Student accomplishments
Concordia students competing at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games delivered strong performances across figure skating, women’s hockey and freestyle skiing, showcasing the university’s continued presence on the international stage.
Several athletes — including Zachary Lagha (pictured below), Emma Nonnenmacher, Alice Philbert and Marion Thénault — advanced deep into competition, gaining valuable Olympic experience against the world’s top competitors. Representing both Canada and France, the student athletes displayed a successful balance of elite sport and academic pursuit on the global stage.
Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha
Four graduate students were named winners of the 2025 Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®) and Ma thèse en 180 secondes after distilling their complex research into a three-minute presentation for a non-specialist audience. The annual event challenges master’s and PhD students to communicate their work using only one slide and no jargon. Megan Mc Manus, a doctoral student in the Department of Biology, claimed first place for her presentation, while Marie-Sophie Roy, Nabeel Chaumun and Alina Gutierrez Mejia won second place, third place and People’s Choice Award, respectively.
The Stingers women’s hockey team captured U Sports national silver after a strong 2026 championship run — coming up short in the final against Université de Montréal Carabins, but solidifying their place among Canada’s top programs. Captain Jessymaude Drapeau played a key role throughout the season, driving offence and anchoring the team’s performance. She was named both RSEQ and U Sports Player of the Year, and head coach Julie Chu was named RSEQ Coach of the Year — the sixth time she has received the honour.
The Concordia Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) was recognized with a national Engagement Vitality Award from the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering for its remarkable growth and renewed student engagement. After nearly dissolving due to low participation, the group rebuilt itself to approximately 180 active members in just two years — through technical training, tutoring, networking events and competitive design teams.
Students shone across multiple academic competitions over the past year. A team from the Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration won gold for a second consecutive year at the National Public Administration Case Competition, showcasing strong policy analysis and problem-solving skills. The Concordia Moot Law Society captured gold at both the Capital Cup and Centre Block Cup, underscoring excellence in legal reasoning and advocacy. Meanwhile, John Molson undergraduate teams continued their international success, earning silver at the University of Navarra International Case Competition and the Belgrade Business International Case Competition.
Doctoral candidates Sara Lucas and Kay Ponthieux are the latest recipients of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships — one of Canada’s highest academic honours. Valued at $150,000 over three years, the scholarships recognize exceptional academic achievement, leadership and research potential. Lucas and Ponthieux were recognized in 2025 for their innovative work in musicology and history, respectively, highlighting interdisciplinary approaches that strengthen the understanding of cultural memory, pedagogy and identity within Canadian society.
Wendy Mbog, an undergraduate engineering student, won the Délie ta langue! public-speaking competition, taking first place for her presentation on the French expression “Les chiens aboient, la caravane passe.” Representing Concordia at the national finals, Mbog delivered an engaging speech that linked the expression to themes of resilience and perseverance in the face of criticism. Her performance stood out for its clarity, stage presence and persuasive storytelling, earning top honours among finalists from universities across Canada.
Faculty of Fine Arts students took part in “Re:Archive,” an interactive installation created in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) at Nuit Blanche, Montreal’s annual all-night art festival. Set up as a participatory digital studio, the work let visitors manipulate archival footage and see their edits instantly projected on surrounding walls.
Artist Billie du Page took home a Félix for Best New Artist at the 2025 ADISQ Gala for “Révélation de l’année” — Quebec’s equivalent of a Grammy Award. Also nominated for Song of the Year and Album of the Year, she performed during the ceremony, marking a milestone in her career. In between performances and recording sessions, du Page is working towards her BA at Concordia. “When I saw that the Communications program offered a specialization in sound, I knew that was for me,” she says.
Billie du Page | Photo credit: Marie-Michèle Bouchard
Faculty honours
Leadership in environmental engineering, equity and climate research has earned three major honours for a Gina Cody School associate professor. Chunjian An received the Leadership and Advocacy for Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity and Accessibility Award from the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering for his community-engaged work with Indigenous partners. An was also honoured with the Mehran Alaee Early Career Researcher Award from the Chemical Institute of Canada for his research on oil and plastic pollution control and sustainable remediation. Most recently, An received a Dorothy Killam Fellowship — one of Canada’s top research honours — for his work on protecting fragile shorelines and advancing spill-response science in Arctic and coastal ecosystems.
Chunjiang An, associate professor at the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science
Elena Kuzmin, assistant professor of biology and Canada Research Chair in Synthetic and Functional Genomics, has been named a member of the Global Young Academy (GYA) — a first for Concordia. The GYA is an international network of early-career scientists recognized for research excellence and leadership. The appointment emphasizes Kuzmin’s research on complex genetic interactions — the way mutations in multiple genes combine to influence biological processes, health conditions and disease predisposition. “Being part of the Global Young Academy is an incredible opportunity to contribute to international discussions on science and research while collaborating with top scholars from around the world,” she says.
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council awarded its Impact Award – Partnership to Jason Edward Lewis, professor in the Department of Design and Computation Arts, for his leadership in Indigenous-led research-creation. The award, one of Canada’s highest honours in the social sciences and humanities, recognizes Lewis’s role as co-founder of Concordia’s Indigenous Futures Research Centre and for leading major international collaborations such as the Abundant Intelligences program. His work connects artists, scholars, students and Indigenous communities across Canada and around the world, fostering innovative approaches to artificial intelligence, digital media and Indigenous futures.
Three members of the university community have been inducted into the Royal Society of Canada, joining the ranks of the country’s most accomplished scholars, scientists and artists. Hannah Claus, associate professor, Department of Studio Arts, and Damon Matthews, professor, Department of Geography, Planning and Environment, were named fellows. They were recognized for their work in Indigenous art practices and climate science, respectively. Hassan Rivaz, professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was inducted into the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists for his work in AI-driven medical imaging.
Royal Society of Canada honourees (from left): Hassan Rivaz, Hannah Claus and Damon Matthews
Nadia Myre, professor in Concordia’s Department of Studio Arts, and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Art Practice, has been awarded the Prix Paul-Émile-Borduas — Quebec’s highest honour in visual arts. The award recognizes her nearly 30-year career shaping contemporary Indigenous art practice. An Algonquin member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, Myre is known for landmark works such as Indian Act and The Scar Project, which explore belonging, memory and reconciliation. The award highlights her influential role as an artist, educator and cultural leader, as well as her impact on decolonizing and expanding contemporary visual arts in Quebec and beyond.
Professor Nadia Myre with Quebec’s Minister of Culture and Communications, Mathieu Lacombe.
