It’s time to celebrate our 2024 Vanier Scholars

Six doctoral students from across McMaster are receiving this year’s Vanier Graduate Scholarship, Canada’s most prestigious graduate award.

Vanier Scholars are recognized for their academic excellence, research potential, and leadership skills – qualities that have come to hallmark McMaster’s vibrant graduate and postdoctoral community, says Vice-Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies, Steve Hranilovic.

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship was launched in 2008 and is open to students from Canada and abroad. The Scholarship is intended to attract top-tier graduate researchers from around the globe. Recipients of the award receive $50,000 annually for up to three years.

Since the inception of the program 16 years ago, the Vanier Scholarship has been awarded to 119 students at McMaster – a testament to the exceptional quality of graduate programs across the university.

Hranilovic says the newest scholars follow in the footsteps of those who came before them – they are exceptional students who promise to leave a lasting impact on McMaster’s long tradition of research excellence.

“To our six new Vanier Scholars, welcome. This is an important and well-deserved recognition of your extraordinary academic accomplishments, as well as your research and leadership potential,” says Hranilovic.

“Your research is bringing innovative solutions to real-world challenges we face across our communities. You truly are making a difference in the lives of so many people.”

2024 Vanier Scholars

Arnav Agarwal, Health Research Methodology
Arnav’s research focuses on the development of an international ‘living’ guideline that incorporates the best available evidence on drug therapies for adults with type 2 diabetes. Learn more about Arnav.

Monika Dutt, Health Policy
Monika’s research focuses on policies around paid versus unpaid sick leaves. Her findings will inform labour justice organizing and public health practice. Learn more about Monika.

Zachary Kroezen, Chemical Biology 
Zachary’s research focuses on using metabolomics to provide better insights into childhood obesity and what exposures in early life may contribute to obesity in adults. Learn more about Zachary.

Bridget Marsdin, Social Work 
In collaboration with Six Nations of the Grand River, Bridget’s research will look at the unique Haudenosaunee cultural approaches to sexual health and well-being, with a goal to enhancing community sexual health and well-being. Learn more about Bridget.

David Gonzalez Martinez, Chemistry
David is looking at ways to use 3D bio-printing to create a model of a lung that stretches as lung tissue stretches during breathing, leading to more effective treatments for lung cancer. Learn more about David.

Akansha Prasad, Biomedical Engineering  
Akansha is working on the development of smart food packaging to help curb food waste in Canada. Smart packaging aims to monitor product spoilage in real time. Learn more about Akansha.