Grantees

Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate the researchers & their achievements at University of Alberta Nanotechnology Research Center, and enhance societal knowledge & practices in Polymers & Nanomaterials. To be awarded by the Faculty of Engineering to a full time graduate student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence, and whose research will have the most significant practical impact to sustainably develop and recycle polymers and nanomaterials structures and devices

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Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate University of Alberta consistently having the best Nursing program in Canada, and enhance societal knowledge and practices in optimizing Patient care and counseling. To be awarded by the Faculty of Nursing to a full-time graduate student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence, and whose research will have the most significant practical impact in Gerontological, Palliative, and/or Psychiatric Nursing.

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Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate the researchers & their pharmaceutical achievements at University of Alberta medicine programs, and enhance societal knowledge in drug practices, drug discovery & delivery. To be awarded by the Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences to a full time graduate student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence, and whose research will have the most significant practical impact to advance drug administration, patient-drug response, and address critical healthcare challenges.

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Scholarships have been made available through an endowment established by the Samit and Reshma Sharma Foundation for outstanding graduate students in the Faculty of Forestry. Preference will be given to students studying biodiversity conservation, bio-based product development or sustainable forest management practices. Samit and Reshma have set up this endowment to recognize the breadth and depth of UBC’s world-leading expertise in Forestry, as well as to promote research that not only recognizes the value of reflective stewardship of our natural resources but also advances work towards climate change mitigation and adaptation. The awards are made on the recommendation of the Faculty of Forestry, in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. (First award available for the 2024/2025 winter session).

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Scholarships have been made available through an endowment established by the Samit and Reshma Sharma Foundation for outstanding Master of Applied Science students at the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering. Preference will be given to students with specific interest and expertise in the environmental impacts of mining and/or corporate social responsibility. Samit and Reshma have set up this endowment to recognize the historical and economic importance of the mining industry in BC, and to promote opportunities through research and practice to mitigate the environmental impact of this industry. The awards are made on the recommendation of the Faculty of Applied Science, in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. (First award available for the 2024/2025 winter session).

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Scholarships have been made available through an endowment established by the Samit and Reshma Sharma Foundation for outstanding graduate students in the Department of Physics & Astronomy. Preference will be given to students who have participated in or will be participating in research projects with TRIUMF physicists and/or students studying particle physics, nuclear physics, materials research or medical physics. Samit and Reshma have set up this endowment to celebrate the achievements at TRIUMF, one of the world’s largest cyclotron particle accelerators, which is located at UBC. It is their hope that the scholarship recipients will enhance societal knowledge with practical applications of their scientific endeavours. The awards are made on the recommendation of the Department of Physics & Astronomy, in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. (First award available for the 2024/2025 winter session).

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Awarded annually by the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs on the recommendation of the Director of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) to an outstanding graduate student entering or continuing in a degree program in International Affairs. Preference will be given to recipients who demonstrate aptitude for pragmatic approaches to solving international issues. Endowed in 2023 by Gaia Power Inc. for its founder, Samit Sharma. This scholarship was established in honour and appreciation of Canada’s leadership in areas of refugee settlement, peacemaking, humanitarian aid, international law, human rights, governance and democracy.

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Awarded annually by the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs on the recommendation of the Director of the School of Journalism and Communication to an outstanding graduate student entering or continuing in a Journalism degree. Preference will be given to recipients who exhibit leadership that furthers social goals of civil society in Canada and beyond. Endowed in 2023 by Gaia Power Inc. for its founder, Samit Sharma. This scholarship was established in honour and appreciation of Canada’s rule based civil society that requires its five pillars of Judiciary, Legislature, Executive, Public service and Journalism, not to serve any party or person but the country, its residents and its democratic institutions.

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Awarded annually by the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs on the recommendation of the Director of the School of Public Policy and Administration to an outstanding graduate student entering or continuing in a Master of Public Policy and Administration or a PhD in Public Policy. Preference will be given to recipients who exhibit the values of the public sector: respect for democracy, respect for people, integrity, stewardship, and excellence. Endowed in 2023 by Gaia Power Inc. for its founder, Samit Sharma. This scholarship was established in honour and appreciation of Canada’s public service, and its exemplary success in ensuring equitable public policy and law for all.

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Established in 2020 by Gaia Power Inc. founder Samit Sharma, the bursary award is presented to a Grade 12 student proceeding to a Post Secondary School, who in the assessment of the Principal and Staff is the most deserving holistic candidate, showing the best combination of achievements in social, environmental, academic, sports, economic need, peer collaboration and personal improvement.

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2023 Awardee: Kayden Pillar

2022 Awardee: Mariah Maurer 

2021 Awardee: Juno Lee 

2020 Awardee: Bailey McCormack

Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate the achievements at one of Canada's oldest Agricultural College at the University of Guelph. It is hoped the award will enhance societal knowledge & practices in sustainable farming practices, food security & animal nutrition. Students registered full-time in any graduate program offered by the School of Environmental Science, Department of Animal Biosciences, or the Department of Plant Agriculture at the Ontario Agricultural College conducting research on sustainable farming practices, food security, ecosystem biodiversity and/or animal nutrition are eligible. Selection will be based on outstanding academic achievement and research excellence with the most significant practical application on sustainable farming practices, food security, ecosystem biodiversity and/or animal nutrition.

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Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate the University of Guelph’s achievements in developing food varieties like Millenium Asparagus, Yukon Gold Potato etc. It is hoped the award will enhance societal knowledge in nutrition, health & wholesome foods. Full-time students registered in the MSc or PhD in Human Health and Nutritional Sciences offered by the College of Biological Science, or the MSc or PhD in Applied Human Nutrition offered by the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, conducting research on human health and fundamental or applied nutrition are eligible. Selection will be based on outstanding academic achievement & research excellence with the most significant potential impact in human health and nutritional sciences.

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Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate the achievements at one of Canada's oldest Veterinary Colleges at the University of Guelph. It is hoped the award will enhance societal knowledge & practices to improve health & wellbeing in animals. Students registered full-time in a thesis-based graduate program offered by the Ontario Veterinary College who are conducting research to improve the health and well-being of animals are eligible. Selection will be based on research excellence as measured by peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations within their current graduate program. In the event of equally qualified candidates, the student with the highest graduate academic program average will be selected.

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An endowment fund has been established at the University of Manitoba in 2023 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate food & plant science researchers at University of Manitoba, who developed the world-renowned vegetable oil "Canola". It is hoped that the award will further societal knowledge & practices to enhance crop resilience in the face of climate change and mitigate the threat of pests & pathogens migrating northward who pose a substantial challenge to crop production. The purpose of the annual award is to reward a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievements and research excellence for graduate studies in Food Science and/or Plant Science.

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An endowment fund has been established at the University of Manitoba in 2023 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation in memory of 369 people including 268 Canadian citizens who died in 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing in Canada's deadliest case of domestic terrorism, & to celebrate Canada's first Human Rights museum in Manitoba. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & practices to handle conflict by peaceful means that safeguard human rights from both the government & anti-government groups. The purpose of the annual award is to reward a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence for a graduate studies in Human Rights and/or Peace & Conflict studies.

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An endowment fund has been established at the University of Manitoba in 2023 by the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate Microbiology researchers at University of Manitoba and at Canada's National Microbiological Lab located in Manitoba, for their achievements against dangerous pathogens. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & practices for preserving our environment & develop therapeutic targets to treat infectious diseases. The purpose of the annual award is to reward a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievements and research excellence for graduate studies in Microbiology and/or Medical Microbiology & Infectious diseases.

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Established in 2023 by the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate the achievement of researchers in genomic and RNA sciences at the University, expecting that the award will enhance societal knowledge and practices in the advancement of Genomic Medicine. Awarded annually to one graduate student on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and research excellence by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Preference will be given to students conducting research on Genomics and RNA Sciences.

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Established in 2023 by the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate Canada's first mechanical engineering program, officially inaugurated at McGill University in 1873. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge and practices in human-machine interactions. Awarded by the Faculty of Engineering annually on the basis of academic merit to one of its outstanding graduate student enrolled in a Master’s program pursuing research under the supervision of a professor within the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

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Endowed in 2023 by the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation in loving memory of their father Mr. Ram Ratan Sharma, who at the age of 36 years did not recover from a neurosurgery on 30 November 1982. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge and practices in the advancement of Brain Science. Awarded annually to one graduate student on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and research excellence by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Preference will be given to students conducting research on epilepsy, Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia and/or other neurodegenerative disorders.

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Established in 2024 by The Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate McMaster University’s renowned strengths in aging research. This scholarship will enhance societal knowledge & practices to optimize the health and longevity of Canadians through leading-edge research, interdisciplinarity and stakeholder collaboration. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation from the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) to graduate students who demonstrate academic and research excellence and whose projects have the greatest potential for practical impact in health and aging.

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Established in 2022 by Gaia Power Inc. founder Samit Sharma in honour & appreciation of its past board director Dr. Ajay Sharma & his wife. An outstanding leader, Dr. Sharma graduated from IIT-Roorkee in India, culminating with PhD (1969) in Electrical Engineering from University College London, retired with distinguished career as Rear Admiral from the Indian Navy, & pioneered establishing engineering colleges in North India. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies, at the recommendation of the Program Chair, to students on alternating years, who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and research excellence. On odd years, to a graduate student enrolled in Electrical & Computer Engineering, and on even years, to a student enrolled in the MBA program who demonstrates an interest in intellectual property & knowledge management. Preference will be given to International Students.

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Established in 2024 by The Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate unique nuclear research facilities including Canada's most powerful reactor & major neutron source at McMaster University. This scholarship will enhance societal knowledge & practices in nuclear research in energy and medical isotopes. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to graduate students who demonstrate academic and research excellence and the most significant practical application of nuclear science in engineering, radiation physics, and medicine.

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Established in 2021 by Gaia Power founder Samit Sharma in honor of the reeve of Martin & Moosomin respectively for their pivotal role in enabling Red Lily wind power in their RM, this bursary award is presented to a Grade 12 student proceeding to a post secondary school, who in the assessment of the Principal and staff is the most deserving holistic candidate, showing the best combination of achievements in social ,environmental, academic, sports, economic need, peer collaboration and personal improvement.

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2023 Awardee: Cassia Gagnon

2022 Awardee: Nathan Atkins

2021 Awardee: Jaedyn Moore

Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate the University of Ottawa location in the national capital with access to a rich array of historical resources, including archives, libraries, museums & cultural institutions. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & understanding of historical changes, patterns & lessons to assist current & future problems. To be awarded annually by the Faculty of Arts to a full-time student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence for graduate studies with most significant practical impact in History.

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Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate the first & only Canadian public interest technology law clinic at the University of Ottawa. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & interdisciplinary expertise in law, ethics & policy surrounding technology. To be awarded annually by the Faculty of Law to a full-time student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence for graduate studies with most significant practical impact in Law, Technology & Society.

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Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate the achievement of the Brain & Mind Institute at the University of Ottawa. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & expertise in Brain-Heart interconnectome. To be awarded annually by the Faculty of Medicine to a full-time student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence for graduate studies with most significant practical impact in Neuroscience.

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In 2021, Gaia Power and Samit Sharma established the Gaia Power's Samit Sharma Scholarship for Graduate Engineering and Applied Science to support a graduate engineering student at the University of Regina in an area of important relevance to an engineering industry issue in Saskatchewan or Canada in hopes the endeavor will lead to closer collaboration of industry and academia research, increase employability of student in the relevant research area, and achieve the social objective of service to Canadian society.

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2022 Awardee: Chuyin Tian

2021 Awardee: Chen Lu

Endowed in 2023 by the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to recognize & honor their parent Mrs. Lata Sharma, who single handedly sustained, educated & inspired her family by working hard for over thirty years in the field of agriculture. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & practices for preserving our environment & mitigate climate change. To be awarded annually by College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence for graduate studies with focus on holistic approach to regenerative agriculture and/or soil health sciences.

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Endowed in 2023 by Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate researchers at Global Institute of Water Security (GIWS) at the University of Saskatchewan. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & practices for preserving our environment & mitigating climate change. To be awarded annually by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence in the area of holistic approaches to environmental health sciences and/or water security.

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Endowed in 2023 by the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate researchers at Canada's unique Vaccine & Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) located at University of Saskatchewan, with level 4 containment facilities for new & emerging infectious diseases & vaccines research. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & practices for preserving our environment & fight infectious diseases with effective vaccines. To be awarded annually to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence for graduate studies with a focus on human & veterinary infectious diseases and/or vaccines.

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Created in 2021 in honour of Eric Welbanks, awarded to any returning full-time student on the Kingston campus who demonstrates great potential for success, commitment to their academics and leadership at their school or in the community. Applicants must be able to demonstrate financial need.

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2023 Awardee: Alexander B.

2022 Awardee: Jurryville R Gako-Abad

2021 Awardee: Kapeesh P

Endowed in 2024 by the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate University of Toronto originating the most Artificial Intelligence startups in Canada. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge in extracting useful information from vast datasets across disciplines. To be awarded annually by the Faculty of Arts & Science’s Department of Computer Science to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence for graduate studies with most significant practical impact preferably in computer or data sciences.

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Endowed in 2024 by the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate the University of Toronto as the single largest contributor of physicians in Canada. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & practices in proactive medical data discovery & diagnostics. To be awarded annually by the Institute of Medical Science within the Temerty Faculty of Medicine to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & interest in research related to predictive patient care using artificial intelligence systems.

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Endowed in 2024 by the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate the University of Toronto location in the business capital of Canada. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & practices in machine learning driven economic research & policy analysis. To be awarded annually by the Faculty of Arts & Science’s Department of Economics to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence for graduate studies with most significant practical impact with preference given to students using machine learning to build & analyze economic models.

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Endowed in 2024 by the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate Astronomy Research Centre at University of Victoria, and recognize its close collaboration with nearby Dominion Astrophysical laboratory of National Research Council's Herzberg Institute. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & understanding of stars, galaxies & universe. One or more scholarships are awarded to academically outstanding graduate students in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, within the Faculty of Science, whose focus of research is enhancing societal knowledge and understanding of stars, galaxies and the universe. Preference is for students who are working with the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre.

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Endowed in 2024 by the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate Ocean Network Canada, a world leading ocean observing facility hosted and owned by the University of Victoria. It is hoped that the award will enhance the societal quest for scientific discovery and solutions that support ocean & planet sustainability for future generations. One or more scholarships are awarded to academically outstanding graduate students in the Faculty of Science whose focus of research is on discoveries and solutions that support the sustainability of our oceans and planet. Preference is for a student in the School of Earth & Ocean Sciences.

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Endowed in 2024 by the Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria and recognize British Columbia for establishing its first and Canada's only Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions in 2017. It is hoped that the award will build knowledge for societal change that promotes mental health & reduces addiction harms. One or more scholarships are awarded to academically outstanding graduate students whose focus of research builds and supports community-wide knowledge that promotes wellbeing with reference to substance use and mental health.

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Established in 2020 by Gaia Power Inc. founder Samit Sharma, the bursary award is presented to a Grade 12 student proceeding to a Post Secondary School, who in the assessment of the Principal and Staff is the most deserving holistic candidate, showing the best combination of achievements in social, environmental, academic, sports, economic need, peer collaboration and personal improvement.

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2023 Awardee: Alva Bieber

2022 Awardee: Keara Hess

2021 Awardee: Laticia Banbury

2020 Awardee: Cambie Lam

Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate the first dedicated Faculty of Mathematics in Canada at University of Waterloo. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge and expertise in mathematics, statistics and computer science. To be awarded annually by the Graduate Studies office to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence for graduate studies with most significant practical impact in applied mathematics.

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Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate the Centers for Ocular Research, & for Sight Enhancement at University of Waterloo. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & expertise for innovation in optometry and vision research. To be awarded annually by the Graduate Studies office to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and research excellence for graduate studies with most significant practical impact in Optometry and Vision Science education and patient care.

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Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate the Institute of Quantum Computing at University of Waterloo. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge and expertise in quantum information and computing. To be awarded annually to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and research excellence for graduate studies with most significant practical impact in quantum information research.

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Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma Foundation to celebrate excellence in Civil and Environmental engineering at the University of Western Ontario. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & expertise in infrastructure impact and environment. To be awarded annually by the Faculty of Engineering to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence for graduate studies with most significant practical impact in Civil & Environmental Engineering.

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Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate Canada's first biophysics department at The University of Western Ontario in 1946. It is hoped that the award will enhance societal knowledge & learnings in quantitative studies of biological & physiological processes. To be awarded annually by Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence for graduate studies with most significant practical impact in Medical Biophysics.

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Endowed in 2024 by Samit & Reshma Sharma foundation to celebrate excellence at Rotman Institute of Philosophy at University of Western Ontario. It is hoped that the award will enhance scientific & philosophical analysis to address complex & socially relevant interdisciplinary questions. To be awarded annually by the Rotman Institute of Philosophy to a student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement & research excellence for graduate studies with most significant practical impact in Philosophy.

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In 2021 Gaia Power Inc. founder Samit Sharma has endowed this award in honour and appreciation of its litigation and arbitration counsel Peter Ruby of Goodmans LLP, which recognizes this outstanding Osgoode alum for his advocacy and professionalism in dispute resolution. It is to be given annually to a student in the JD program who demonstrates financial need and a passion in mooting and/or advocacy.

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2023 Awardee: Alexandra Robbins

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