Eligibility

All full-time faculty (defined as Full-time Employees in Mount Royal's faculty collective agreement) are eligible for this award.

All candidates are expected to demonstrate principles and behaviours consistent with the responsible conduct of research.

All candidates for this award must be nominated.

A nominated faculty member may apply for and be granted more than one Faculty Excellence Award in a given academic year. However, a faculty member may only apply for and be granted ONE award within EACH award category (Distinguished Faculty Awards, Teaching and Learning Awards, and Research Recognition Awards) in a given academic year.

A faculty member may not be granted the same Faculty Excellence Award more than once in a lifetime. This applies to all awards in the Faculty Excellence Awards program.

Criteria

Nominees are assessed on the following:

• Demonstrates an impact of supervision on student research and scholarship.
• Identifies a substantial contribution to the growth and development of Mount Royal students’ research and scholarship competencies.
  • Some examples may include partnering with students, supporting students with obtaining research funding, disseminating work, preparing for graduate school, or making connections with the research community.
• Demonstrates alignment with the priority areas outlined in Mount Royal's 2024-2030 Research and Scholarship Plan:
  • Advance knowledge
  • Inform teaching
  • Promote community engagement

Nomination

Eligibility to nominate

Nominations can be submitted by any current Mount Royal student, full-time or contract faculty member, Institute Director, Academic Director, Chair, Associate Dean or Vice-Dean.

Self-nominations are not accepted.

Requirements

• All nominations for the Undergraduate Research Supervision Award must be seconded by either a full-time or contract faculty member (who is not a member of a Faculty Excellence Awards adjudication committee) or a current Mount Royal student.
  • Either the nominator or the seconder for the Undergraduate Research Supervision Award must be a current Mount Royal student.
• Nominations should be accompanied by a statement that includes the reasons for the nomination (maximum 500 words). Specific reference should be made, where possible, to the nominee's qualifications relative to the criteria.
• Nominations should be submitted to the Office of the Provost and must be completed using the nomination form provided on this webpage during the nomination period.
• An mtroyal.ca email address is required to complete a nomination form. Anonymous emails or testimonials will not be accepted.

Application

Application process

1. All candidates for this award must be nominated.
2. The selection committee receives and reviews all nominations to confirm eligibility.
3. Eligible nominees are invited to apply for the award. They are supplied with detailed application instructions.
4. Applicants have approximately three to four weeks to submit their applications.
5. The selection committee reviews the applications and selects the award recipients.
6. All applicants receive a decision letter from the selection committee.
7. Award recipients are expected to be announced by mid-April.
   
   

Application package

Detailed instructions and an application form (in Google Forms) will be provided to nominees who are invited to apply. All application materials are to be submitted in PDF format.

The application package includes:

• Cover letter that articulates how the applicant meets the award criteria and their most significant scholarly achievements as they relate to the award.
  • Cover letter must be two (2) pages maximum with a 12-point font, double-spaced.
• Current Curriculum Vitae (any CV format is accepted – an MRU CV is not required)
• Two (2) signed letters of support. Letters may be provided by individuals, internal or external to Mount Royal, who are familiar with the nominee’s work and contributions. At least one letter from a current or former MRU student is required. Letters must detail the impact that the faculty member has had on students’ research and/or scholarly endeavours. Applicants are asked to refrain from requesting letters from tenurable faculty members.
  

Please note:
Applicants are expected to write for an interdisciplinary audience. Acronyms and jargon should be explained. Full citations for articles and grants (year, authorship order, amount, journal name etc.) must be included.

Dr. Nausheen Sadiq

Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry and Physica
Faculty of Science and Technology

Dr. Nausheen Sadiq, PhD, is passionate about analytical chemistry and stoking the next generation’s enthusiasm for the classroom and the lab.

Since joining Mount Royal in 2021 and establishing her research lab the following year, Nausheen is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that, in her own words, enables students to develop critical skills, gain research experience and disseminate their findings, all while ensuring their success and supporting them after graduation.

“[Dr. Sadiq] truly tries to understand how each student works most effectively and facilitates adequate one-on-one time to ensure student research projects are structured and guided appropriately,” says Mount Royal alumna Catharina Venter, now a master’s student at the University of Alberta. “While she makes every effort to make her students' research experiences fun and enjoyable, she is also willing to set deadlines, challenge and push us to think critically.” 

Nausheen has mentored or supervised a multitude of independent research students, faculty research grant holders, NSERC undergraduate student research awards recipients, Mitacs Globalink interns and volunteer research assistants. 

Since 2022, she has helped 14 students secure $100,000 in funding for student salaries and conference travel. These students have gained valuable experience at international conferences where they connected with subject matter experts and delivered oral and poster presentations, winning first- and second-place poster prizes while competing against graduate students.

Dr. Jeella Acedo

Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry and Physics
Faculty of Science and Technology

Dr. Jeella Acedo is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics. Since joining Mount Royal in 2019, she has led a thriving research program, secured internal and major external grants, established collaborations within and outside Mount Royal, and provided many students with exceptional training and research opportunities. Jeella believes that one of the greatest impacts she could have as a researcher is on her trainees and that it is a privilege to shape the next generation of professionals.

Jeella’s undergraduate research supervision strategy places a strong emphasis on collaboration, mentorship, and skills-building, fostering a team atmosphere and making research accessible. Under her supervision, Jeela’s students have published peer-reviewed articles, secured student research grants, and excelled at conferences, including earning Best Poster and Oral Presentation awards. Many of her trainees have progressed to graduate and professional schools.

A former student says of Jeella, “Dr. Acedo is a role model who I have incredible respect and admiration for in all capacities. Without Dr. Acedo’s support, encouragement, and confidence in me, I would not be where I am today. It is truly a privilege to have been her student.”

Jeella was nominated by students for this award, which reaffirms her dedication to student development and empowerment, and her passion for helping them realize their potential.