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Achievements in advising, research, internationalization and service were honoured during the Faculty Awards presentation Thursday, May 15th at the Student Learning Commons.

“It is a privilege to recognize the exceptional individuals whose dedication to advising, research, internationalization and service continues to elevate our faculty and inspire our community,” said Dean Dr. Heather Bruce. “Their contributions reflect the very best of what we strive for at the Faculty of Agriculture—excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact both locally and globally.”

Congratulations are extended to the following recipients:

2025 Achievement in Internationalization Award - Audrie-Jo McConkey Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture.

This award serves to recognize and celebrate the achievements of those who have contributed to one or more of the numerous aspects of internationalization on the Agricultural Campus.  

Audrie-Jo has been an avid international ambassador at Dalhousie contributing to virtual and physical student mobility, community engagement initiatives, development projects and study abroad opportunities. Her work has broadened the knowledge and skills of Dalhousie students and international partners alike.

“…her passion for the student experience, both domestic and international is what the Faculty should strive for,” said one colleague.

Audrie-Jo’s cultural sensitivity and responsiveness to international initiatives in Uganda, Saint Lucia, Kenya, Philippines and the United States is impressive. She is passionate about creating domestic classroom experiences and curriculum that are inclusive and culturally sensitive. She is engaged globally and takes every opportunity to support student mobility projects that encourage global thinking and provide transformative experiences for all involved.

She is a problem-solver who thrives in a collaborative setting, who easily navigates cultural challenges to build strong and respectful relationships with development project partners.

“She has demonstrated dedication to project work and exemplified quality in development and delivery of short courses with our partner institutions. She has shown empathy in helping to strengthen agriculture and aquaculture systems globally and compassion in strengthening the economy of developing countries through training in value-addition and processing.”

2025 Staff awards for Excellence in Service – Margaret Savard, Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences

This award recognizes and celebrates Margaret’s wide ranging and impactful contributions to the Faculty of Agriculture. Margaret goes above and beyond her responsibilities as the Administrator of the Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, with dedication and a strategic approach to her work.  

Margaret works with tact and diplomacy, is an excellent listener and creates a sense of calm and approachableness that draws colleagues, students and campus visitors to her for assistance. Her high level of commitment to her job and the people she serves is evident.

She is always available to support researchers, technicians and students one-on-one or in groups.

Here are a few highlights from Margaret’s nominators:

Ms. Savard consistently demonstrates her ability and willingness to work positively, respectfully, and effectively with others. She brings positive energy to the team.

Margaret consistently provides high quality expertise and a focus on the broader vision and strategy of our department, Faculty and the university.

2025 Outstanding Graduate Supervision Award - Dr. Quan (Sophia) He Department of Engineering

This award recognizes faculty members who provide exceptional support, supervision and advising for graduate students.

Dr. He has supported nine Post Doctoral Fellows and supervised 13 doctoral and 16 master’s students. She is a committed researcher and inspiring mentor. Many of her graduate students have been recipients of prestigious awards either throughout their studies with her or during their careers.

One of Dr. He’s most notable qualities is her unwavering commitment to graduate student mentorship. She has played a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of researchers and has inspired students and colleagues to pursue excellence in their scholarly pursuits.

“Dr. He has led by example with deep curiosity and passion for research. Through regular lab meetings she exposes her students to a wide range of research and provides each student the opportunity to showcase their research, findings and achievements,” commented one colleague

One of the most remarkable aspects of Dr. He’s leadership is her unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students and postdoctoral fellows.

“Today, I am proud to lead my own research group as a Distinguished Professor at Minjiang University, supervising 20 graduate students. My journey as a researcher—and my ability to mentor others—is directly shaped by Dr. He’s exceptional guidance, unwavering support and unparalleled mentorship,” commented a former student.

“Dr. He has always been understanding of student progress and does everything within her power to remove roadblocks to student success. She is always keen to have us learn about every piece of equipment available, take additional training, develop further skills or attend conferences to ensure our professional development and assist us in our careers after graduation.”

‘Dr. He strikes an ideal balance between allowing students the independence to explore their research while providing invaluable guidance when needed. Her passion for research is evident in her daily presence in the office, always making time for her students despite her heavy workload.”

2025 Early Career Research Excellence Award - Xiaohong Sun, Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences.

This award serves to recognize and celebrate Dr. Sun’s many contributions to research at the Faculty, and was selected based on the originality, independence of thought, overall quality and impact of her research.

Dr. Sun joined the Faculty of Agriculture in July 2022 and has steadily grown her research base. Her research focus on sustainable food proteins and bioactive peptides has resulted in an impressive publication record of 16 peer-reviewed articles and one book chapter in less than a three-year span. She has secured significant funding, including the highest NSERC Discovery Grant funding per year among early-career researchers in this field.

She is an emerging global leader in the scientific community and serves as the editor of Food Chemistry: X (Elsevier). She was named an outstanding reviewer for Food & Function Journal in 2022, signifying her commitment to maintaining high academic standards.

Under Dr. Sun’s supervision, students in her research program have delivered 10 conference presentations and received 10 awards or scholarships, including the Killam Predoctoral Scholarship Level 2. Their success is proof of Xiaohong’s hard work and dedication to her field.

This is what her colleagues and students had to say about her work:

“Dr. Sun exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding early-career researcher, an exceptional scientist, a dedicated mentor, and an inspiring leader.”

Dr. Sun is an outstanding supervisor who continuously encourages high-quality research and critical analysis. She fosters a culture of excellence, ensuring her students develop strong fundamental research skills while emphasizing the importance of impactful scientific contributions.”

Dr. Xiaohong Sun exemplifies the qualities of an exceptional early-career researcher. Her innovative research, commitment to excellence and extensive service contributions position her as an outstanding candidate for the Early Career Research Excellence Award.