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NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards 2023 Recipients

About the Award

The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are meant to stimulate a student’s interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering. Students work closely together with eligible FASS faculty that can supervise their research. The awards are also meant to encourage students to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career in these fields.

2023 Recipients

John Foster
Supervisor: Murray Richardson

John’s USRA research project will help quantify cumulative impacts of surface mining disturbances in streams and rivers of central Yukon.   That is, how do many small mine sites accumulate along drainage networks to the point of causing water quality degradation and losses of aquatic habitat.  This work will also contribute to the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun’s land use planning process, by providing mapping products and empirical evidence of how mining is impacting freshwater resources and ecosystems throughout their Traditional Territory.

Davidson Creek, Yukon
Davidson Creek, Yukon
Confluence of Duncan Creek and Mayo River, Yukon
Confluence of Duncan Creek and Mayo River, Yukon

Marie Blaise
Supervisor: Kasia Muldner

Programming (also called coding) involves writing instructions in a specialized programming language. While programming activities are increasingly included at all levels of education, learning to program is challenging. Our research program is focused on the design and evaluation of instructional interventions, including ones delivered by tutoring systems, aimed to help students learn to code. 

Liza Kahwaji
Supervisor: Jo-Anne Lefevre

Kathryn Jajo-Yacoub
Supervisor: Deepthi Kamawar