2019 Award Recipients
As this academic year comes to an end, it is our pleasure to announce the recipients of The President’s Award for Excellence in Student Leadership for 2019. This award was established in 2008 to recognize exceptional students who have a record of academic achievement, consistently demonstrate leadership, and make significant contributions to our community.
Laura Fader: Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering
Laura Fader is passionate about promoting engineering, particularly to high school students and young women — volunteering at local schools and events such as Women in Engineering Day or Girl Guide Science Days. While president of the Engineering Students’ Society, she created a mentorship program for more than 600 students. She also served as an orientation leader every year that she was in Canada during her degree.
Fader has represented UCalgary at various engineering competitions and was a member of iGEM Calgary, a team of students who created an award-winning diagnostic device to differentiate between diseases in developing countries. She presented the project on behalf of the Canadian government at the United Nations Biological Weapons Convention. Her capstone project team created a process to produce oxygen on Mars, winning the Schulich Chemical Engineering Capstone Fair and the Chemical Engineering Congress’ Hatch Plant Design Competition — and competing this October at the International Astronautical Congress.
Fader has helped build homes in Mexico through Homes of Hope and in Costa Rica through the university’s ucalgarycares program. During her studies, she completed an internship in Switzerland, studied in Singapore, and travelled to 48 countries. A committed musician, Fader served as VP events and VP finance for Schulich Soundstage.