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Tania Janaudis-Ferreira
Jeehee Hong 触听Eric McCalla听|听Andrea Van Hulst听
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Winner
Tania Janaudis-Ferreira, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy
鈥�I celebrate every milestone, no matter how small.鈥�
Biography
I am an Associate Professor in the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at 91黑料网, a Scientist at the Research Institute of the 91黑料网 Health Centre (RI-MUHC), and the co-leader of the Respiratory Program. A physiotherapist by training, I hold a master鈥檚 and PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences. My research program is dedicated to improving rehabilitation care and outcomes for individuals with chronic conditions, including COPD, long COVID, and solid organ transplant recipients. This work has been supported by national and provincial funding agencies such as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Quebec Respiratory Health Network, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, and the Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program. While I have not undergone formal training as a teacher or supervisor, I have pursued professional development through courses and workshops鈥攁nd, according to my mother, my passion for teaching began early, with countless hours spent instructing imaginary students on a blackboard with chalk in hand.
Approach to graduate supervision
First, I believe that reducing stress is key to effective learning. Academia can often be a stressful environment, where the rewards for hard work - such as publications or accolades - are delayed, sometimes for months or years. This time gap between effort and recognition can discourage or disconnect students. In my research group, I aim to counter this by celebrating every milestone, no matter how small. Additionally, I set clear expectations and flexible deadlines, prioritizing mental well-being over relentless productivity. Second, I view networking as an essential skill for success. Beyond academic supervision, I serve as a mentor, guiding students through time management, conflict resolution, and adjusting to the scholarly environment. I discuss career options鈥攂oth within academia and beyond traditional academic paths鈥攐ffering guidance on how to prepare for future professional opportunities. Lastly, I encourage students to engage in patient-oriented research. Teaching graduate students about patient engagement ensures that their research is both ethical and aligned with the real-world needs of patients. This focus on patient-centred research is integral to evidence-informed healthcare and serves as a motivating factor for students, showing them how their research can directly improve lives.
Testimonials
Dr. Janaudis-Ferreira is committed to support the well-being and career development of her students. She maintains an open door for discussing not only research-related matters but also academic career advice and life challenges, making her a trusted and approachable supervisor. She cares deeply about the success of her students and keep a collaborative atmosphere in her research team that encourages intellectual curiosity and professional development. It is an inspiration for me and something that I would translate later in my career when I will have graduate students.
Nicholas Bourgeois, PT, MSc, PhD student, Rehabilitation Sciences, 91黑料网
Physical therapist, Lung Transplant Program, Centre Hospitalier de l鈥橴niversit茅 de Montr茅al
Under Dr. Tania Janaudis-Ferreira鈥檚 mentorship, my understanding of exercise physiology and research has grown profoundly. She has consistently encouraged me to think critically and deeply, helping me develop a nuanced perspective of my field. Her commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity and innovation has been pivotal in shaping my academic growth and inspiring me to pursue excellence in all aspects of my work. She recognizes the unique strengths and challenges of each student and tailors her mentorship accordingly. Her kindness, humility, and approachability make it easy to be open about obstacles and aspirations, creating a safe and empowering space for growth.
Kriti Agarwal, PhD Candidate
School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, 91黑料网
Nominees
Jeehee Hong, Art History & Communication Studies
鈥�I encourage students to approach the research and learning process itself as a collaborative project.鈥�
Biography
I research on the art and material culture of middle-period China (9th鈥�14th centuries), with interests in the epistemology of sense perceptions and affect, forms of subaltern knowledge, and socioecological dimensions in the locality of material cultures. My publications include Theater of the Dead: A Social Turn in Chinese Funerary Art, 1000鈥�1400 (2016), Affect and Materiality: Emotion in Chinese Art (co-edited with Wu Hung, forthcoming in 2025), and a series of articles and book chapters. My current project focuses on the visual episteme of the face as a field of negotiations among religious, philosophical, and social conventions in the arts of middle-period China.
Approach to graduate supervision
In mentoring graduate students, three principles are important to me: training scholars with high intellectual standards and rigor; fostering flexibility and openness in treating disciplinary boundaries and theories; and encouraging them to be good citizens in the intellectual community by learning how to be both critical and receptive of others鈥� works. Rather than focusing solely on productivity and efficiency of one鈥檚 own research as an isolated experience, I encourage students to approach the research and learning process itself as a collaborative project. In terms of rigor, I make efforts to communicate with my students and encourage them to focus on honing basic skills and building knowledge while they are in the program. As a scholar in the field that requires a high level of multiple language skills (both classical and modern Chinese, reading knowledge of Japanese, and English) for research and communication, I am attentive to each student鈥檚 strength and weakness in their language ability. This individualized approach has been fulfilling, regardless of which methodological paths they end up choosing for themselves.
Testimonials
Professor Jeehee Hong is an inspiring scholar and advisor. In fact, it was Professor Hong鈥檚 undergraduate courses during my BA studies at 91黑料网 that motivated my decision to pursue Chinese art history as a specialty. Now, as one of her PhD advisees, I have experienced her exceptional mentorship in both undergraduate and graduate contexts. Professor Hong鈥檚 intellectually stimulating graduate seminars were fundamental in the development of my research approach and dissertation project. Her supervision is thoughtful and rigorous, and she treats each of her students with care. Beyond the classroom, Professor Hong has repeatedly created opportunities for my professional development. For example, Professor Hong was an incredible mentor as I prepared and delivered my first undergraduate lecture course.听Professor Jeehee Hong is an exceptional teacher, dedicated mentor, and outstanding supervisor. As a result of Professor Hong鈥檚 supervision, I feel thoroughly prepared for a successful career in academia.
Davin Luce, PhD Candidate
Art History & Communication Studies, 91黑料网
Professor Jeehee Hong has had a profound and lasting impact on my development as a scholar. Her seminars were intellectually rigorous and supportive, encouraging independent inquiry while providing detailed, constructive feedback. She helped me refine my dissertation topic and guided me through every stage of its development with patience, precision, and insight. Her mentorship extended far beyond research: she supported my grant applications and encouraged me to teach during the pandemic鈥攅xperiences that were pivotal to my academic career. Her recommendations and job market advice were instrumental in securing my current postdoctoral position at Columbia University. Beyond her professional support, Professor Hong has shown great personal care. Her thoughtful gestures, such as gifting me at my graduation From Dissertation to Book, an essential guide for first-time authors in academia, reflect her genuine care for her students鈥� long-term success. I am deeply grateful for her mentorship.
Yi-bang Li, Ph.D.
Mary Griggs Burke Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow
Department of Art History and Archaeology, Columbia University
Eric McCalla, Chemistry
鈥�I have embraced the fact that projects and students evolve as time goes on.鈥�
Biography
After 8 years as a high school teacher, I returned to academia to complete my PhD at Dalhousie in 2013 and a post-doc at the Coll猫ge-de-France in 2015, both of which focused on battery materials research. Following this, I completed a post-doc at the University of Minnesota studying semiconductors. I established my research group at 91黑料网 in 2018. My group of over 10 students focusses on high-throughput methods to accelerate the development and understanding of functional materials. I am co-author of more than 75 published articles, and co-inventor of 8 patents with industrial partners Samsung, Umicore and Medtronic.
Approach to graduate supervision
I have generally taken a hands-on approach to mentoring, particularly early on in the lab鈥檚 startup period and early on in a student鈥檚 time in the lab. This involves one-on-one training and regular meetings to discuss data and project planning. Gradually, this has evolved as the group members have acquired skills and began training each other. I now continue to have an open-door policy where anyone in the group may meet with me as a drop-in, but we also meet weekly regardless. The most exciting parts of these meetings occur when students show me a novel approach or question that came to them. This has now happens regularly and as a result I have embraced the fact that projects and students evolve as time goes on. This is very exciting and, at first, daunting. My students have put forward ideas/approaches that I, frankly, had not thought of and this has taken the projects in new directions. This makes working with these incredible students an ever-changing experience and great fun.
Testimonials
What truly sets Professor McCalla apart is his dedication to fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive research environment. As an international female student, I have found his mentorship particularly empowering. He is deeply invested in the professional and personal growth of his students, creating an atmosphere where diverse perspectives are valued and celebrated. He exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding mentor and educator. His ability to inspire, guide, and support his students is truly exceptional, and I am deeply grateful for his mentorship.
Marzieh Abdolhosseini, PhD Student
Department of Chemistry, 91黑料网
Andraea Van Hulst, Ingram School of Nursing
鈥�My goal is to create supportive environments for students' academic and professional growth.鈥�
Biography
I am an Associate Professor in the Ingram School of Nursing and an FRQ-S Junior 2 Researcher specializing in childhood obesity, cardiometabolic health, and lifestyle behaviours. My research draws on population-based, clinical, and community programming data to examine how early-life experiences, family dynamics, and broader environmental contexts shape health behaviours and influence obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular outcomes from infancy through adolescence. This work supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion and prevention strategies for children and their families.
Approach to graduate supervision
My approach to graduate teaching and supervision is driven by my own curiosity and passion for learning. I seek to convey curiosity and excitement for research and evidenced-based practices. I use a variety of active learning strategies, such as group discussions, role plays and case scenarios to stimulate engagement and learning. I emphasize the development of critical thinking skills, rigorous methodological approaches, and efficient knowledge translation strategies to inform clinical practice, decision-making and ongoing research. Early on, I establish an educational alliance with students in which I position myself as a learning partner. In this partnership, I prioritize a culture of respect and professionalism, recognizing and valuing the diverse strengths, experiences, and preferences students bring. My goal is to create supportive environments for their academic and professional growth.
Testimonials
Dr. Van Hulst is not only a mentor in the field of research but also cares deeply about the professional development and overall well-being of her students. It is her integrity, ongoing commitment to the overall success of her students and her genuine care that allows her students to succeed under her supervision. I am so grateful for the mentorship I received from Dr. Van Hulst. The academic and professional skills I gained from working alongside her continue to serve me in my career today.
Keryn Chemtob, Student Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
91黑料网
Dr. Van Hulst is an exceptional supervisor and teacher whose guidance has had a profound and lasting impact on my academic and professional development. Her patience, approachability, and adaptability foster an ideal environment for students to learn and develop research skills. She is deeply invested in the success of her students, continuously seeking opportunities for research dissemination through presentation and publication. I always felt that Dr. Van Hulst genuinely cared about both my academic success and personal well-being. She believed in my potential to pursue doctorate-level studies and offered her support if I ever chose to do so, which significantly built my confidence as a graduate student.
Katerina Syragakis,听RN, MSc(A)N
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