Recognizing the minds behind the momentum

Dalhousie has announced this year’s recipients of its most prestigious internal research awards, celebrating excellence, impact, and rising talent across the institution’s diverse research community. Formally presented as part of the university’s annual Legacy Awards in the fall, the honours reflect Dalhousie’s commitment to scholarship that drives discovery, shapes society, and enriches lives.

“From battery science to digital health, ocean sustainability to Indigenous knowledge and representation, this year’s award winners embody the local relevance and global scope of Dalhousie’s research mission,” says Dr. Graham Gagnon, the university’s acting vice-president research and innovation. “Their work is defining excellence across a wide range of fields while helping to shape a better future for Nova Scotians and communities around the world.”

Distinguished Research Professors: A lifetime of achievement

Dalhousie’s highest research honour, Distinguished Research Professorships are reserved for faculty whose careers have been defined by scholarly excellence and enduring impact. The 2025 honourees who have made remarkable strides enhancing our understanding of human health and biology, include:

Dr. Penny Corkum

Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science

Cross-appointment to Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine

Dr.  Corkum is a leading international expert in pediatric sleep and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and an affiliated staff member of IWK Health’s Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Corkum has pioneered innovative digital health interventions that improve the lives of children and families across Canada. She has published over 125 peer-reviewed papers, presented widely, and held more than $8 million in research funding. As a clinician-scientist, her work bridges evidence and practice, a synergy that fuels her real-world impact. 

Learn more about Dr. Corkum's research.

Dr. Andrew Roger

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine

Dr. Roger is a global leader in evolutionary molecular biology. His research on microbial evolution and genomics has transformed scientific understanding of the tree of life, providing deep insights into the origins and diversification of eukaryotic organisms. With over 22,000 citations and 200 publications, including landmark papers in Nature, Science, and PNAS, Dr. Roger has helped build Dalhousie into a leading hub for comparative genomics and evolutionary bioinformatics.

Learn more about Dr. Roger's research.

President’s Research Excellence Award – Research Impact: Shaping the world through discovery

The President’s Research Excellence Award for Research Impact recognizes faculty whose recent research breakthroughs have made a demonstrable contribution to their field and to society. This year’s recipients are making global waves in digital health, ocean sustainability, and social equity:

Dr. Rita Orji

Faculty of Computer Science

In under a decade, Dr. Rita Orji has become a global leader in persuasive technology for health, wellness, and social good. A Canada Research Chair at Dalhousie, she has published over 350 papers, earned more than 10,000 citations, secured more than $38 million in research funding, and contributed to global policy. Her work focuses on personalized digital interventions for diverse communities, advancing physical and mental health, safety and security, and sustainability.

Learn more about Dr. Rita Orji's research.
 

Dr. Ajay Parasram

Departments of International Development Studies and History, Faculty of Arts and Social Science

Dr. Parasram’s work is helping to reshape public dialogue on race and power through the Frequently Asked White Questions and Safe Space for White Questions initiatives – widely recognized multimedia public education projects that deftly bridge scholarly research and community engagement. With clarity, humour, and a profound commitment to anti-racist pedagogy, Dr. Parasram has created a transformative space for interrogating whiteness, colonialism, and systemic power.

Learn more about Dr. Parasram's research.

Dr. Derek Tittensor

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science

Dr. Tittensor’s research is reshaping global marine policy. As Jarislowsky Chair in Marine Ecosystem Forecasting, his work forecasts human impacts on marine ecosystems and informs international decision-making, including contributions to the IPCC. With nearly 18,000 citations and a role informing climate change reporting at highest level, his science-policy leadership helps protect biodiversity, combat climate change, and preserve ocean ecosystems essential to human well-being.

Learn more about Dr. Tittensor's research.

President’s Research Excellence Award – Emerging Investigator: Tomorrow’s leaders, today

The Emerging Investigator award honours early-career faculty who are already making significant contributions to Dalhousie’s research community and beyond. This year’s cohort of seven reflects a dynamic and interdisciplinary researchers driving impact and innovation across fields:

Dr. Stacy Allison-Cassin

Faculty of Management

Dr. Allison-Cassin is redefining how information systems serve Indigenous and marginalized communities. Her research in information justice and decolonization is helping to reshape data governance, access, and equity across academia, libraries, and open-source platforms, including the Respectful Terminologies Platform, a project supported by a $1.4 million Mellon Foundation grant that is transforming cataloguing practices globally.

Learn more about Dr. Allison-Cassin's research.

Dr. Ejemai Eboreime

Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine

Dr. Eboreime bridges implementation science and mental health to address disparities among displaced, immigrant, and African Nova Scotian populations. His EMBRACE project develops culturally tailored mental health interventions, while RESETTLE-IDPs supports trauma-informed care for displaced persons. Since 2023, he has secured over $700,000 in funding, helping to position Dalhousie as a leader in global, equity-focused mental health research.

Learn more about Dr. Eboreime's research.

Dr. Hannah Harrison

Marine Affairs Program, Faculty of Science

Dr. Harrison’s research explores the human dimensions of fisheries, conservation, and coastal access in Atlantic Canada and beyond. Through innovative methods like film and podcasting, her work bridges science, policy, and community engaged research and is reshaping how qualitative marine research informs equitable, evidence-based decision-making.

Learn more about Dr. Harrison's research.
 

Dr. Michael Metzger

Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science

Dr. Metzger is advancing next-generation battery technologies to support the clean energy transition. His work on cobalt- and nickel-free cathodes, sodium-ion alternatives, and battery degradation mechanisms, published in Nature Materials, has attracted global attention. His research group’s discovery of a chemical culprit behind battery self-discharge, caused by PET tape used industry-wide, led to a simple fix that extends battery life and efficiency in everything from EVs to consumer electronics.

Dr. Ruth Musgrave

Department of Oceanography, Faculty of Science

Dr. Musgrave is advancing global understanding of ocean mixing and internal waves—key processes that influence climate and sea level. Her innovative work, spanning from estuaries to ocean basins, informs marine carbon dioxide removal strategies and has positioned her as a rising leader in physical oceanography.

Learn more about Dr. Musgrave's research.

Dr. Alexa Yakubovich

Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine

Dr. Yakubovich leads impactful, community-engaged research on preventing violence against women and gender-diverse people. Her work strengthens health system responses across Canada, earning over $5 million in funding and national media coverage. Her research directly informs policy, advances equity, and supports survivor-centered health interventions.

Learn more about Dr. Yakubovich's research.

Dr. Chongyin Yang

Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Faculty of Science

Dr. Chongyin Yang has emerged as a global leader in battery materials research. His work advances sustainable, high-performance batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage, addressing safety, cost, and supply chain challenges. Through innovations in cathodes, electrolytes, and electrode design, he is helping shape next-generation battery technologies.

Learn more about Dr. Yang's research.