At the heart of the evening celebration was the recognition of the perseverance of Indigenous students pursuing science degrees at the University of Manitoba. The event marked an important milestone for Wawatay and its growing community, with heartfelt acknowledgements of student accomplishments and a feast shared in unity.

The evening honoured three exceptional graduates:

• Taylor MacLeod [BSc/22]
• Brandon Wozniak [BSc/25]
• Jenessa Martel [BSc/25]

Each graduate was celebrated for their hard work, determination and contributions to the Wawatay community. As part of the celebration, they were gifted handmade graduation medallions to honour their achievement and the significance of their academic journey. Their stories reflect the essence of what Wawatay stands for: academic achievement, cultural identity and supporting one another as a community.

In the weeks leading up to the celebration, students were invited to reflect on their experiences in Wawatay and the connections they’ve built over the past year.

“I loved that I got to meet so many wonderful people, both students and staff, throughout the Wawatay school year,” shared one student.

Another added, “The best part of being in Wawatay is that it’s like being in a family.”

The dinner served as a recognition of individual accomplishments, a celebration of community, and collective resilience. It brought everyone together in a space of reconnection, reflection and shared joy.

Wawatay was created as a space where Indigenous students could thrive. It was created to be a space where many Nations, languages, teachings and life experiences are welcomed and celebrated. From students raised in ceremony and language to those reconnecting with their heritage, Wawatay affirms that all these stories matter, and all these stories belong.

While rooted in science education, the Wawatay student community is inclusive of Indigenous students pursuing science-related degrees across other faculties. The program also ensures students are aware of and connected to other Indigenous-led programs on campus. Many Wawatay Scholars are active in the Indigenous Circle of Empowerment, Bison Spirit and other cultural and leadership opportunities.

Together, Wawatay Scholars are building a space where Indigenous excellence shines in many forms. A space where students can bring their whole selves into their learning, supported by a community that honours their strengths, identity and potential.

As the program continues to grow, events like the Annual Wawatay Celebration Dinner reflect the core values of Wawatay: love, support, academic success, and a deep commitment to Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing.

At the Faculty of Science, the Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a wide range of programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. Condensed matter physics for example is a field of research where a unique blend of theoretical and experimental work happens and students can easily participate in research as Bently Turner, a graduate student in Physics and Astronomy tells us.

[Condensed matter physics] allows for this neat blend between theoretical and experimental work”, Turner says, “It’s very accessible to students. I started research in my first year on some very basic systems … and now my work, building off of that, has become significant to other researchers in the condensed matter field.

Other fields of research in the Department include astronomy and astrophysics, biophysics and the physics of soft matter, condensed matter physics, mathematical and theoretical physics, medical physics, and subatomic and particle physics. Researchers in the Department of Physics and Astronomy are leading groundbreaking projects in various areas; some have fantastic laboratories.

A student working with the Bruker D8 Discover X-ray Diffractometer.

The Department also prepares students for future career opportunities through exposure to extensive interdisciplinary training, providing them with problem-solving and other diverse skill sets. Alumni from the Department have pursued careers in engineering, technical, or finance firms, as well as developing new medical devices or techniques.

As Robert Stamps, professor and department head, tells us, diversity and inclusion are woven into the identity of the Department. We hear the same message from students and faculty members, from diverse genders and backgrounds, who feel supported and encouraged to learn, do research, and teach in a collaborative space.

Watch the full YouTube video on the Faculty of Science’s channel, to learn more about the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Lalonde is passionate about and committed to giving back to the communities she is a part of. She volunteers with her Métis community as the treasurer of Seven Oaks Métis council, here in Winnipeg. Lalonde works at the Faculty of Science Dean’s Office as the Wawatay program development specialist. “[Wawatay] is a program that helps immerse students; and connect them with their culture and take their ways of knowing which a lot of people call Indigenous ways of knowing, but which is just the students’ way of knowing and applying it to what they’re learning in that Western science environment. It’s valuable, to actually be part of that community as well, and helping the students establish a community on campus,” says Lalonde.

Lalonde’s recent accomplishment, being among Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards as the Amex Emerging Leader, comes to no one’s surprise as she is an extraordinary example of making bold decisions and exploring new perspectives. To watch the full interview with Lalonde, please visit the Faculty of Science’s YouTube channel.

Register now for the Solar + Storage seminar.

This seminar is free but registration is required. Light refreshments will be served.

A short description of the seminar

Canadian Solar is constantly examining the emergence of solar + storage across global markets. It is a fact that the demand for renewable energy sources continues to surge. We have seen the installed storage capacity double in the past year and anticipate that the new technologies powered by AI will further accelerate these trends.​ This surge underscores the importance of integrating energy solutions to ensure grid stability and reliability. 

​This seminar will include the following and more:

• The global trends in solar energy and the future of solar + storage, as we see it from the business and the technical perspective
• Acknowledging the impact of Dr. Shawn Qu in the renewable energy sector​
• Sharing a case study: the future is already happening and Canadian Solar is contributing to the advancement of clean energy

About the speaker

Colin Parkin, President, e-STORAGE

Colin Parkin is the President of e-STORAGE, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. He has been a driving force in Canadian Solar’s journey for the past fifteen years and a key contributor to its remarkable growth and success. Colin is renowned for his ability to build and lead teams across multiple markets, advancing technology, product development and integrating solar and energy storage opportunities. With a keen eye for innovation and a passion for sustainable energy solutions, Colin has played a pivotal role in driving the solar + storage revolution and expanding the business into global markets.

Mr. Parkin has extensive management experience in renewable energy, energy storage and photovoltaic solar sectors in both Canadian and international markets. His expertise includes project development and management, structured project finance and engineering procurement construction management.

Previously, Mr. Parkin served as Vice President of the Energy Group at Canadian Solar Inc. In this role, he oversaw the development of an operationally asset-managed 8-gigawatt project pipeline across various global regions. He was involved in significant asset sales and project financing transactions with top investment groups and lenders.

Before joining Canadian Solar, Mr. Parkin worked at Photowatt International, developing high-volume manufacturing processes for photovoltaic solar modules using advanced Spheral Silicon technology. He also managed the design and integration of capital equipment for a new photovoltaic module production process.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Parkin worked at Automation Tooling Systems (ATS), coordinating the development and commercialization of advanced medical diagnostic equipment, where he collaborated with doctors, engineers and scientists to bring sophisticated diagnostic systems to market.

Mr. Parkin founded and served as CEO of Integrated Manufacturing Technologies (IMT), where he led the business development and expansion of automated manufacturing solutions for the automotive industry.

Mr. Parkin studied Manufacturing Engineering at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, Canada.
Colin Parkin’s leadership and innovative approach have significantly contributed to the growth and success of Canadian Solar Inc. in the renewable energy industry.

About e-STORAGE

e-STORAGE is a subsidiary of Canadian Solar specializing in designing, manufacturing and integrating battery energy storage systems for utility-scale applications. The company offers its proprietary LFP battery solution, Solbank, comprehensive EPC services and innovative solutions to enhance grid operations and integrate clean energy. e-STORAGE has successfully implemented over 4.5 GWh DC of battery energy storage solutions in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and China. The Company operates two fully automated, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities with an annual production capacity of 20 GWh.

About Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 in Canada and is one of the world’s largest solar technology and renewable energy companies. It is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules, provider of solar energy and battery energy storage solutions, and developer of utility-scale solar power and battery energy storage projects with a geographically diversified pipeline in various stages of development. Over the past 22 years, Canadian Solar has successfully delivered over 118 GW of premium-quality, solar photovoltaic modules to customers across the world. Likewise, since entering the project development business in 2010, Canadian Solar has developed, built, and connected around 10 GWp of solar power projects and 3.3 GWh of battery energy storage projects across the world. Currently, the Company has approximately 1 GWp of solar power projects in operation, 7.4 GWp of projects under construction or in backlog (late-stage), and an additional 19.9 GWp of projects in the advanced and early-stage pipeline. In addition, the Company has 600 MWh of battery energy storage projects in operation and a total battery energy storage project development pipeline of approximately 55 GWh, including approximately 3.5 GWh under construction or in backlog, and an additional 51 GWh at advanced and early-stage development. Canadian Solar is one of the most bankable companies in the solar and renewable energy industry, having been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2006. For additional information about the Company, follow Canadian Solar on LinkedIn or visit www.canadiansolar.com.

The symposium will include a series of short talks from the computer science department faculty and researchers, as well as a job fair to connect the near-graduation students with the broader tech community in Winnipeg. There will be food and drinks while the attendees network with each other and build connections. 

This is a paid event and registration is required to join the event. You can register now through the Faculty of Science Eventbrite.

The 2024 Science Spark 3K Pitch Competition presented by BAM is happening on April 8th, 1:00 p.m. in Marshall McLuhan Hall (204 UMSU University Centre) as 9 teams of science students pitch their innovative ideas and compete for a chance to win a $3,000 cash prize! The event is free but registration is required.

Register now!

Watch the full interview on the Faculty of Science’s YouTube channel.

1. How to ensure 5G network security with AI – An interview with rising talent Azadeh Tabiban, assistant professor, department of computer science.

2. The dinosaur in the coal mine – Will Bugg received a 2023 University of Manitoba Distinguished Dissertation award for his PhD research in Biological Sciences.

3. CBC Sudbury: ‘Hunting highways’: How human infrastructure changed the relationship between wolves and deer – Wolves Voyageurs Project led by Sean Johnson-Bice, PhD candidate at the department of biological sciences.

4. As you lichen: UM research receives NSERC Alliance International Collaboration Grant – (Watch the exclusive interview with John Sorenson, professor, associate head undergraduate at the department of chemistry).

5. On being appointed as a Distinguished Professor – Can-Ming Hu’s journey in science, professor at the department of physics and astronomy.

6. Discovery of two potential polar ring galaxies – New research suggests these stunning rare clusters might be more common than previously believed. Learn more about Jayanne English’s prominent role in this collaboration who is an associate professor at the department of physics and astronomy, an expert in astronomy image-making and has recently been appointed as a member of the Order of Canada.

7. Microbes, not chemicals: Reducing GHGs through sustainable fertilizer alternatives (Watch the exclusive interview with Ivan Oresnik, professor at the department of microbiology, co-leading the $6 million crop production research project).

8. Four new Royal Society of Canada scholars named at UM (Watch the exclusive interview with David Herbert, professor at the department of chemistry, Faculty of Science Research Chair in Fundamental Sciences (Physical Sciences), elected to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars).

9. Preventing the evolutionary escape of viruses – Fabian Rohden, PhD student in the Faculty of Science, was named as Vanier Scholar for his microbiology research at UM.

10. Can we improve antibiotics against superbugs? Exploring New Strategies for Burkholderia cepacia Complex Infections – An interview with Silvia Cardona, professor and associate head graduate at the department of microbiology.

11. Cancer treatment – One big step closer – Jörg Stetefeld, professor, (Tier 1) Canada Research Chair in Structural Biology and Biophysics, and his team at the Faculty of Science are pushing the boundaries of knowledge when it comes to cancer treatment.

12. UM scientists recognized by Canadian Bioscience Award for promoting inclusion – Ute Kothe, professor and department head at the department of chemistry.

13. Nature News and Views article: on the visualization of a magnetic field using X-rays in a stellar graveyard (or pulsar wind nebula) authored by Samar Safi-Harb, professor at the department of physics and astronomy and Canada Research Chair in Extreme Astrophysics, Tier 1, Indigenous Initiative Committee Chair.

Tony Williams [BScHons/77]

Tony’s intellect and passion for science were evident from his university days. With his degree in hand, he ventured into the corporate world, eventually founding PBI Actuarial Consultants Ltd. in 2008. His expertise transcended the boardrooms; Tony became an important partner with Indigenous communities across Canada. His actuarial acumen proved invaluable, shaping the futures of First Nation Settlement Trusts and vital funds. His commitment to social justice found a purpose, leaving an indelible mark on the lives he touched.

Retirement in 2016 didn’t mark the end of Tony’s contributions; instead, it ushered in a new chapter of philanthropy and volunteerism. As the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Verna J Kirkness Foundation, he tirelessly championed Indigenous education, opening doors for numerous students. His vision materialized in the Wawatay program at the University of Manitoba, bridging gaps and providing opportunities for Indigenous students in the field of science.

“Tony’s support and advice as Wawatay launched and developed helped the project flourish and gain interest by Indigenous students, especially those who participated in the Verna J Kirkness Program” – Carrie Selin [PhD], Wawatay Academic Program Lead.

Tony’s generosity was broad, breaking barriers that hindered Indigenous enrollment in higher education and paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.

Tony was not just an alum of the University of Manitoba; he was a pillar of support and inspiration. He served as a member of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Science External Advisory Council and the Wawatay Advisory Council, bringing his wisdom and passion to shape the future of education. His dedication extended beyond his time, as he generously gave to numerous awards benefiting Faculty of Science students. These awards, including the Graduate Science Research Scholarship for Indigenous Students, the Wawatay Project for Indigenous Achievement, the Lewis Bursary, the Faculty of Science Bursary Fund and the Faculty of Science Endowment Fund, transformed the lives of countless students, providing them with the means to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

“Tony was a champion for students in the Faculty of Science, opening pathways for their futures through his philanthropy and contributing valued advice to the faculty through his participation on our external advisor board” Brian Mark [PhD], Dean, Faculty of Science.

On June 27, 2023, at the age of 70, Tony Williams bid us farewell, but his legacy of unwavering dedication, compassion and inspiration will continue to shine brightly. The University of Manitoba mourns the loss of a remarkable soul. Tony’s story is not just one of academic and professional success; it is a tale of a life well-lived, a life that touched hearts, inspired minds and created a lasting impact on the world. As we remember him, we celebrate his achievements and the enduring legacy he leaves behind, a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.

Could you please talk about the key accomplishments and contributions in your field that led to your appointment as a Distinguished Professor? What have you been particularly proud of during your career?

First and foremost, I would like to express my profound gratitude for being appointed as a Distinguished Professor. I am truly humbled by this honor and deeply appreciative of Dean Brian Mark and his office for considering me worthy of this nomination. It comes as a delightful surprise to me that the nomination was successful, as I view myself as just one of the many professors at this university who have a genuine passion for research. We all strive to make distinct contributions in our unique ways, making it challenging to make direct comparisons.

Nonetheless, I am genuinely thrilled that the esteemed individuals serving on the Selection Committee recognize the value of the work carried out by my research group. I would like to dedicate this prestigious honor to the dedicated members of my group, my invaluable collaborators and all those who have offered their unwavering encouragement and support.

As a condensed matter physicist specializing in magnetism since 2005, our group has achieved significant milestones over the past decade. Around 2012, driven by curiosity and the willingness to take calculated risks despite limited resources, I embarked on a journey to explore new frontiers in magnetism, specifically focusing on the strong coupling between microwaves and magnetic materials. In physics, the word “strong coupling” means energy dynamically oscillates between different systems over multiple cycles. This not only held immense scientific interest but also promised significant implications for the advancement of information and communication technologies. Notably, at that time, the exploration of this theme in the magnetism community was akin to uncharted territory. (One pioneer, Prof. Joe Artman at MIT, conducted a strong coupling experiment back in 1953. However, his pioneering work remained largely unnoticed until one of my students stumbled upon it in 2021 and brought it back into the spotlight.)

Also unbeknownst to me in 2012, simultaneously, three other world-leading groups, well-funded at institutions like TU Munich, the University of Tokyo and Yale University, were embarking on similar investigations. A few years later, our independent discoveries, along with those from distinguished institutions, were published in the prestigious journal Physical Review Letters. These achievements garnered global attention and gave rise to what is now known as “cavity spintronics” or “cavity magnonics.”

Subsequently, this field has experienced exponential growth, evolving into an exciting frontier that bridges some of the most cutting-edge disciplines in modern physics, including quantum information and quantum optics, with one of the oldest sciences known to humanity—magnetism. This daring venture would not have been feasible without the dedication and talent of our courageous students. In 2015, UM News showcased two exceptionally bright individuals from our team: Dr. Lihui Bai, who has since become a full professor at Shandong University and Dr. Michael Harder, now an instructor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Their collaborative efforts resulted in our paper published in 2015, which has since been cited over 400 times. That news article also elaborates on the significance and impact of our research in advancing the field of cavity spintronics.

Since then, our research group has continued to flourish, nurturing a cadre of brilliant postdoctoral fellows and students. Notable among them are Dr. Yipu Wang, currently a full professor at Zhejiang University, Dr. Bimu Yao, now an associate professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dr. Yongsheng Gui, a research associate of my group and Ms. Ying Yang, a promising PhD student set to graduate this fall. Notably, half a year before her graduation, she received an enticing postdoctoral fellowship offer from Argonne National Laboratory.

These exceptional individuals have played pivotal roles in pushing the boundaries of our field even further. Several of their remarkable contributions have been featured by UMToday. See “The University of Manitoba interacts with world-renowned researchers” and “UM researchers create ‘Romulan Cloaking Device’“.

Throughout my tenure at UofM, one of my most fulfilling experiences has been the ability to attract and mentor a host of exceptionally talented young researchers and students. Many of these individuals have gone on to establish successful independent careers in academia, which I take immense pride in.

In my professional journey, I was honored to receive the IEEE Magnetics Society Distinguished Lecturer Award in 2018. Over the course of 12 months and by invitation from some of the world’s most renowned universities, including Yale, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, the University of Paris-Saclay, TU Munich, Peking, Fudan, HKUST and many more, I had the privilege of delivering 53 lectures on Cavity Spintronics across the globe. This opportunity not only allowed me to disseminate knowledge but in essence, I became an ambassador for the University of Manitoba that year, effectively showcasing the remarkable capabilities of our students and research endeavors. For those who may not have been aware of the exceptional potential of Manitoba students before my visits, they undoubtedly left with a positive impression of the caliber of talent we cultivate.

How do you see your role in mentoring and inspiring the next generation of scientists within the Faculty of Science?

My primary role as a physicist and a physics educator, which I enjoy taking, is to cultivate original ideas and guide my students toward curiosity-driven scientific adventure into uncharted territory, free from the pressures of chasing trends or competing in crowded fields.    

Science is about the laws of nature, I believe the best way to become a scientist is by adhering to the essence of science: objectivity, coherence and unwavering honesty in research. I speak for the value of avoiding shortcuts and communicating about science only when we possess a deep understanding of every word we use. I was fortunate to have exceptional mentors during my studies in China, Japan and Germany who exemplified this path. I strive to inspire and support young scientists to follow the same principles.

Could you discuss some of your notable research collaborations, both within the university and with external partners? How have these collaborations influenced your research?

During my 2005 job interview, I identified two significant research strengths at UofM. In the Faculty of Science, Allan Morrish (Distinguished Professor 1984) garnered international recognition for magnetism and magnetic materials research. Meanwhile, in the Faculty of Engineering, Lot Shafai (Distinguished Professor 2002) had elevated UofM’s status in the field of microwave technologies.

Upon establishing my group at UofM, I made a strategic shift from semiconductor research to magnetism, opting for microwave spectroscopy over infrared spectroscopy. These transitions required forging new collaborations both within the university and with external partners, which drove our work forward.

In the field of physics, Allan’s legacy in magnetism is carried on by Johan van Lierop, Bob Stamps, Jacob Burgess and Jesko Sirker. I’m proud to have collaborated with each of them via joint publications, gaining valuable insights beyond my knowledge.

In the ECE department, Lot Shafai, Greg Bridges and James Dietrich have become invaluable resources for my students in all things related to microwaves. Our close collaborations with these esteemed scientists and engineers on campus are a fortunate asset for both my students and me.

I’ve also been fortunate to collaborate on various joint projects with Stephen Pistorius, Fuji Jian, Digvir Jayas, Jiuyong Xie (all from UofM) and external experts like Hong Guo (McGill) and Ke Wu (EPM), which have expanded our research horizons. The list of our international collaborators across the US, Germany, Japan and China, including former mentors, old friends and former students, is too long to be provided here.

Can you share your vision for the future of science education and research within the university? Are there any emerging fields or interdisciplinary approaches that you believe will play a significant role in shaping the future of science?

In 1936, Albert Einstein delivered a speech at the State University of New York at Albany during the tercentenary celebration of higher education in America. The world, universities and science education have all undergone profound transformations since that time. However, I believe that the fundamental principles, core values and significant challenges of high-quality science education remain unchanged, echoing Einstein’s insightful observations:

“Behind every achievement exists the motivation which is at the foundation of it and which in turn is strengthened and nourished by the accomplishment of the undertaking. Here there are the greatest differences and they are of greatest importance to the educational value of the school. The same work may owe its origin to fear and compulsion, ambitious desire for authority and distinction, or loving interest in the object and a desire for truth and understanding and thus to that divine curiosity which every healthy child possesses, but which so often is weakened early. The educational influence which is exercised upon the pupil by the accomplishment of one and the same work may be widely different, depending upon whether fear of hurt, egoistic passion, or desire for pleasure and satisfaction is at the bottom of this work.”

Mentoring graduate students has taught me that imparting scientific knowledge is straightforward, but instilling the importance of genuine motivation in studying science is challenging. I continually strive to enhance my skills in this aspect by voracious reading and by drawing inspiration from esteemed educators in my field, including my friends Profs. Bret Heinrich (SFU), Mark Freeman (UofA), Hong Guo (McGill), Burkhard Hillebrandt (Kaiserslautern) and Chia-Ling Chien (JHU).

Regarding emerging fields and interdisciplinary approaches, I believe that Generative Artificial Intelligence (genAI) and Quantum technology are two major waves poised to have a profound impact on shaping the future of science. The world will undergo a significant transformation if these two emerging technologies converge.