2026 Killam Awards underscores excellence supporting student research

From creating community scholars to preparing students for careers after graduation, two University of Calgary faculty members have been honoured for their mentorship and supervision supporting student research and personal growth.

Drs. Gregor Wolbring and Thomas O’Neill are the recipients of the 2026 Killam Undergraduate Mentorship and Graduate Supervision and Mentorship Awards.

“Congratulations to Drs. Wolbring and O’Neill who have built a community with their respective students that supports real-world research skills,” says Dr. William Ghali, MD’90, vice-president (research). “Their efforts enrich the student experience and foster critical thinking, empowering the next generation of scholars and innovators.” 

Killam Graduate Supervision and Mentorship Award 

Dr. Thomas O’Neill, BA’05, PhD 
Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts

As the director of the Individual and Team Performance Metrics Lab, O’Neill’s research on team effectiveness and performance has generated practical solutions adopted by organizations across Canada and around the world. His lab is a hub for training, facilitation and collaboration built on a foundation of trust, respect and innovation, with more than 75 alumni with careers spanning academia, industry, government and the Canadian military.

O’Neill empowers his graduate students to be their best selves by building strong relationships, providing opportunities and support, along with continuous development of research and practical abilities. He believes that excellence is not an individual achievement, but is cultivated within a community that respects and cherishes each person’s unique qualities.

He has formally supervised more than 60 trainees across all levels, preparing them for rigorous scholarship and real-world practice while tailoring opportunities for growth to each student’s goals. He fosters an open and respectful environment with former students still reaching out to him for advice and mentorship.

“This award means the world to me, because it isn’t about my achievements, but it’s about the impact and the positive experiences of my graduates,” O’Neill says. “It’s about what my graduates said about me after they graduated. They didn’t have to support me with this application, or provide strong letters of reference, but they did. That’s a huge emotional booster, and it’s a feel-good kind of thing to know I’ve made someone’s life a little bit better through our work together.”

Learn more about O’Neill’s teaching and research.

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Killam Undergraduate Mentorship Award  

Dr. Gregor Wolbring, PhD
Professor, Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine

In the Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies (CRDS) program, Wolbring’s research explores the lived reality of people with disabilities. He approaches mentorship by viewing his students not only as learners, but as agents of change who will shape society. He believes all students have the potential to act as allies to people with disabilities and can make a positive difference in the lives of people with disabilities and others, during and after their degree. This includes becoming a community scholar and producing needed data as community members outside of the university.

He has supervised more than 62 undergraduate students and has created a community through the “The WolbPack” where he supports students in building self-esteem in their work, while creating a supportive, safe space to ask questions and challenge ideas. His students’ work, which can be classified as ability judgment justice research, is not only of benefit to people with disabilities, but to everyone.

Wolbring encourages his students to learn by doing through undergraduate research and building a long-term research path during their degree. He believes this allows them to identify with being a community scholar.

“I am excited to receive this award, because I also see this as an award for my students, giving WolbPack members, past and present, a sense of validation for all their hard work and their vision that has shaped and continues to shape the WolbPack,” Wolbring says.

Learn more about Wolbring’s research and the WolbPack.