Purpose
Awarded on recommendation of the University of Toronto Mississauga Department of Biology, the Roberta Bondar Graduate Student Excellence Award recognizes outstanding Ph.D. candidate(s) at the Department of Biology who are UTM affiliated, in honor of their demonstration of outstanding research excellence and positive contributions to extracurricular activities that enhance community life at UTM.
Eligibility
Applicants must be a full-time Ph.D. graduate student who has successfully completed their appraisal (or transfer) exam and are supervised (or co-supervised) by a UTM based faculty member in the Department of Biology.
Applicants should demonstrate outstanding research excellence that has resulted in significant contributions to their field of study as well as a continued potential to advance their field. Examples include peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences.
Applicants should also demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing the student experience of their peers through their engagement in extracurricular leadership roles and involvement in community life at UTM. Examples may include hosting workshops for graduate students, serving on departmental committees, etc.
Value
TBD
Duration
Annual award
Nomination Process
Applicants or nominators must submit a completed application package as ONE .pdf file by May 1, 2026. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. Please note all applications will be considered for both the Roberta Bondar Graduate Student Excellence Award and the Josef Svoboda Graduate Fellowship in Biology - please only submit ONE package.
A completed application package will include the following:
- A 1-page summary letter highlighting significance of achievements.
- Curriculum vitae outlining the applicant’s publication record plus any academic achievements, scholarships and awards received and extracurricular involvement during the duration of the applicant’s Ph.D. Extracurricular involvement at UTM should be clearly distinguished.
- Two Letters of Recommendation. It is recommended that the applicant or nominator seek out one letter from a faculty member and another from a fellow graduate student in the department that can speak to the applicant’s leadership and contributions to UTM Biology.
Disbursement
Through ROSI/ACORN.
Award Announcement
The award will be presented at the fall Meet & Greet event.
Past Winners
- 2025: Areej Al-Dailami (Lange Lab)
- 2024: Sonia Evans (Phillips Lab)
- 2023: Timothy Fernandes (McMeans Lab)
- 2022: Matthew E. Bergman (Phillips Lab); Ahmed Hasan (Ness Lab)
- 2021: James Santangelo, (Ness & Johnson Labs)
- 2020: Ruth Lillian Rivkin (Johnson Lab); Arjan Banerjee (Stefanovic Lab)
- 2019: Lauren Barth (Sprules Lab); Celina Baines (McCauley Lab)
About Roberta Bondar
Dr. Roberta Bondar is a Canadian neurologist, astronaut, and environmental advocate renowned for her pioneering contributions to space science and environmental education who completed her PhD in neuroscience with the UTM Department of Biology. In 1992, she became the first Canadian woman, the second Canadian, and the first neurologist in space, serving as a payload specialist aboard NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-42 mission. During this mission, she conducted over 40 experiments in the Spacelab, focusing on the effects of microgravity on living organisms and materials. Following her spaceflight, Dr. Bondar led an international space medicine research team in collaboration with NASA, studying the neurological impacts of space travel and drawing connections to conditions such as stroke and Parkinson's disease. Her work has been instrumental in understanding how the human nervous system adapts to low-gravity environments. Beyond her scientific endeavours, Dr. Bondar is an accomplished photographer and environmental advocate. She established The Roberta Bondar Foundation in 2009 to promote environmental education through art and has published several nature photography books. Her legacy continues to inspire advancements in science and environmental stewardship.