The Dean's Office Dispatch is the Faculty of Science's weekly e-newsletter for students, faculty and staff.

President's Research Excellence Awards

Earlier this week, several Faculty of Science researchers were named 2025 recipients of the President’s Research Excellence Awards, which recognize the research achievements of Dalhousie faculty at all stages of their career.

Winners will be honoured at this fall’s Dal Legacy Awards. Here are the 2025 recipients from the Faculty of Science:

Emerging Investigators:

• Dr. Hannah Harrison, assistant professor, Marine Affairs Program
• Dr. Michael Metzger, assistant professor and Herzberg-Dahn Chair for Advanced Battery Research, Department of Physics & Atmospheric Science
• Dr. Ruth Musgrave, assistant professor, Department of Oceanography
• Dr. Chongyin Yang, assistant professor and Tesla Canada Chair, Department of Physics & Atmospheric Science

Research Impact:

• Dr. Derek Tittensor, professor and Jarislowsky Chair in Marine Ecosystem Forecasting, Department of Biology

Distinguished Research Professor:

• Dr. Penny Corkum, professor, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience

LSC entrances update

Facilities Management has replaced the doors at five LSC entrances on the second and third levels. Entrances may be closed at times in the coming days as hardware and electrical work is finalized. It is possible to exit through the Level 3 doors, but entering through them will not be available until the remaining work has been completed.

Meet a Scientist outreach event (July 28)

On Monday, July 28, the Faculty of Science is hosting our "Meet a Scientist" outreach event where attendees are invited to chat with faculty and grad students from across our departments and programs and learn more about the wide range of research being conducted.  

Please share this free, family-friendly event with anyone who may be interested in attending, including future students, alumni, and members of the public who are curious about science. All members of the Dal community are of course welcome to drop by! Refreshments will be provided. 

Date: Monday, July 28
Time: 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. 
Location: Lindsay Children's Room and BMO Community Room (2nd floor), Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road 
Learn more and register via Eventbrite

Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Guest Lecture (July 28)

Everyone is welcome to attend the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience's Guest Lecture on Monday, July 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the LSC, room P4260.

Guest speaker Dr. Mark H. Tuszynski, Director of the Translational Neuroscience Institute at the University of California-San Diego, will give a talk entitled “Neural Stem Cells for Spinal Cord Injury.” Learn more on the Dal events calendar.

Computation and Cognition Conference (Aug 15)

The Computation and Cognition Conference on August 15 explores research on the intersection of cognition, AI, and neuroscience. This event provides a forum for researchers in AI, cognitive science, neuroscience, and psychiatry focused on understanding the computations that underlie behavior. Participation is encouraged from researchers at all stages of their career from faculty to undergraduates, and from across a variety of methodologies - including engineers, experimentalists and theoreticians - investigating brain and behavior in humans, animals, and machines.

This is a great opportunity to connect with peers, network with collaborators, and engage with new ideas. Registration is free, with an optional poster submission. Poster slots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis with abstracts due by August 1. Learn more and register on the conference's website.

Date: Friday, August 15
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Kenneth C. Rowe Management building (Potter Auditorium, Lobby)
 

2025 Faculty of Science Summer Institute Series 

This summer, the Faculty of Science is once again offering a series of sessions focused on teaching and learning open to all faculty, staff, and graduate students. No registration is needed. Please join in-person or online, depending on the format of the session.

The next session, "Writing in Science: Conversation Circle," will take place on Thursday, August 7 in-person.

Learn more and see the full list of upcoming sessions on our myDal site (login required). Recordings of past sessions hosted online and supplemental material will also be added as they become available. Any questions about the Summer Institute can be directed to Dr. Leanne Stevens, associate dean academic (ADAScience@dal.ca).
 

Would you like to make a submission to the Dean's Office Dispatch? Email communications.science@dal.ca with a brief summary of your notice, a supporting link or email address, and a photo/image if you have one.