University of Calgary

Science PhD one of two U of C students named Vanier scholars

Maruf MonwarMaruf Monwar

May 6, 2009

 

University of Calgary doctoral science student Maruf Monwar is among the inaugural winners of a generous and prestigious new federal scholarship.

Monwar and Franz Zemp, who began his PhD in medical science in September, are two of 166 national and international scholars to win the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, worth $50,000 each year for up to three years at Canadian universities.

Monwar began his PhD in computer science at the beginning of 2007 and is supervised by Marina Gavrilova. He is examining ways of creating safer security systems using more than one biometric system, for example scanning a person’s iris and face.

“If we only use one system, such as iris scanning, there’s more of a chance for error than if we use multiple systems,” said Monwar, who is originally from Bangladesh and recently became a Canadian.

Hon. Gary Goodyear, minister of state (science and technology), announced the recipients on May 30 in Ottawa. At full capacity, the program will support up to 500 scholars annually.

Zemp, a Canadian, began his PhD in medical science in September. Working with co-supervisors Peter Forsyth and Dan Muruve, he looks at ways of using viruses to attack brain cancers.

 “In the last five years, this area has been picking up speed,” Zemp said. “The viruses specifically infect cancer cells and leave the healthy cells alone.”

“I’m pretty thrilled,” Zemp said about winning the scholarship. “It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Dr. Rose Goldstein, U of C’s vice-president (research), appreciates the new opportunities created for graduate students.

“These generous Vanier scholarships reward true scholarship and investigation. They mark a real investment in our doctoral students,” said Goldstein.

The Vanier scholarships are administered by Canada’s three federal research granting agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

“The value and prestige of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships put them on par with such highly renowned scholarships as the Rhodes scholarships in the United Kingdom and the Fulbright scholarships in the United States,” said Chad Gaffield, president of SSHRC.

For more information on the Vanier scholarships, see www.vanier.gc.ca.