Cape Breton University Recognizes Research and Teaching Excellence
Cape Breton University recently celebrated its annual research and teaching awards for 2024, honouring eight distinguished faculty members across five categories.
Dr. Catherine-Leviten Reid, Associate Professor of Community Economic Development, received the prestigious聽President鈥檚 Award for Research Excellence. This award acknowledges her national leadership in housing policy research, advocating for housing as a fundamental human right.
Dr. Tanya Brann-Barrett, Associate Vice-President of Academic and Research, says research is a foundational to CBU鈥檚 academic excellence. 鈥淲e are so proud to highlight the important work that faculty are doing as teachers, as well as through their exceptional research pursuits,鈥� says Dr. Brann-Barrett. 鈥淩esearch is advancing the knowledge and expertise that CBU faculty share with our students in the classroom, while supporting local, national and international priorities.鈥�
Other honourees included Dr. Heather Schmidt聽and聽Dawn White, each receiving an聽Instructional Leadership Award. Dr. Schmidt, an Assistant Professor of Psychology, is recognized for her service as a teaching chair in Allyship and Decolonization, supporting professional development among her colleagues. Ms. White, a Senior Lab Instructor in Communications, was celebrated for her leadership in the growth and evolution of the Dr. Mary A. Lynch Communication Lab, the longest-running lab of its kind in North America.
The President鈥檚 Award for a Rising Researcher was presented to Dr. Alana Pindar, Assistant Professor of Biology. Dr. Pindar is recognized for her expertise in bees and pollination, with a focus on land use planning and food security. She is also known for her role in recreating Mabel Bell鈥檚 gardens on the grounds of the Alexander Graham Bell Museum in Baddeck.
The聽CBU Alumni Association鈥檚 Distinguished Teaching Awards聽were presented to聽Dr. Maya Giorbelidze, Assistant Professor in the Shannon School of Business,聽and聽Dr. Heather Schmidt, with her second award of the evening. Each was commended for exceptional contributions to the student experience at CBU, highlighting their dedication to individual student needs and learning outcomes.
The聽Margaret Dechman Community-Engaged Research Champion Award聽was presented to聽both Dr. Marcia Ostashewski聽and聽Dr. Jason Loxton聽for their unique 福利免费在线看-focused research endeavors. Dr. Ostashewski, an Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology, was recognized for her work on equity, diversity and inclusion, particularly her ongoing partnerships with Membertou First Nation. Dr. Loxton, a Senior Lab Instructor in Geology, was lauded for his voluntary research to support the Cape Breton Fossil Centre and the Sydney Mines Heritage Museum. Dr. Loxton serves as curator, integrating paleontology with local heritage preservation, public education and 福利免费在线看 empowerment.
President and Vice-Chancellor, David C. Dingwall, honoured the recipients with words of gratitude during the ceremony. 鈥淭hrough your work, you inspire change, empower future generations and contribute to thriving communities. Your dedication does not go unnoticed and Cape Breton University is proud to celebrate your accomplishments,鈥� President Dingwall shared. 鈥淭he achievements we celebrate tonight demonstrate the impact of research and teaching, not only within our university but far beyond.鈥�
Congratulations to the recipients of CBU鈥檚 research and teaching awards!
In the photo:
(L-R) Maya Giorbelidze, Alana Pindar, Jason Loxton, Marcia Ostashewski, Catherine Leviten-Reid, Heather Schmidt, President David C. Dingwall, Tanya-Brann Barrett, Associate Vice-President, Academic and Research. Missing from photo: Dawn White