Media releases

• $500,000 gift to support women in STEM, aspiring entrepreneurs

  Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 19 April 2023 – R0032

  Women students and researchers working and studying in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), as well as those developing their own business ideas, got a substantial boost Wednesday thanks to a generous gift from Brock University Chancellor Hilary Pearson and her husband Michael Sabia.

  The $500,000 gift — made in honour of noted Niagara politician, journalist and women’s rights leader Laura Sabia — will support students and researchers in the Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering and in the Entrepreneurship Co-op program. Laura Sabia was the mother of Michael Sabia and a strong public advocate for women’s success in business and professional occupations.

  “We are committed to supporting women students and researchers in kick-starting their careers and engaging in world-class research,” says Pearson. “The world needs more women in STEM and more women exploring entrepreneurship, and we can’t think of a better place for them to do that than at Brock.”

  Part of the gift will expand and support the University’s entrepreneurial co-op program, which provides students with the opportunity to dedicate a paid co-op work term to developing and launching their business idea.

  Laura Sabia Entrepreneur positions will include a four-month paid co-op, as well as coaching and mentorship from the Brock LINC, and will give students the time to further develop their business ideas and explore entrepreneurship as a viable career path.

  Another portion of the gift will support the Laura Sabia Scholarships, provided annually to women students in STEM subject areas and, in the future, those applying to the Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering.

  The third part of the gift will fund the Laura Sabia Research Scholar awards for researchers in the Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering, with a priority on women researchers or projects involving women students.

  “This is a wonderful gift that will have a profound impact on Brock students and researchers,” says Lesley Rigg, Brock’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “I applaud Chancellor Pearson and her family for their foresight and vision, and on behalf of the entire Brock community, thank them for their generous support.”

  Sabia was a founding member of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women, was President of the Canadian Federation of University Women, and served on St. Catharines City Council from 1963 to 1968. In 1974, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada “for her devoted service to the cause of the status of women.”

  Much of Pearson’s career in the last two decades has been spent advancing a culture of philanthropy in Canada. She served as President of Philanthropic Foundations Canada for 18 years, working closely with many of the country’s largest private charitable foundations. In 2018, she was named a Member of the Order of Canada.

  Brock University Chancellor Hilary Pearson is available for media interviews about today’s announcement.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  * Doug Hunt, Communications and Media Relations Specialist, Brock University dhunt2@brocku.ca or 905-941-6209

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock experts available to discuss sustainability research as Earth Day nears

  Tuesday, April 18, 2023 | By Brock University

  EXPERT ADVISORY: 18 April 2023 – R0031

  As Earth Day approaches on Saturday, April 22, Brock University researchers whose work explores climate change, sustainability and the environment through different disciplines are available to share their expertise.

  Associate Professor of Engineering Amir Mofidi’s research promotes sustainability in construction, including both new and existing structures. His work looks at extending the life of buildings, reducing carbon emissions linked to use of concrete and steel in new builds, and using engineered bamboo-based structural material as a highly renewable option for the future.

  Research by Brad Millington, Associate Professor of Sport Management, examines the connections between sport and environmental sustainability. His work has focused on topics such as sport’s environmental impacts and corporate environmentalism in the sport industry, including the golf industry’s attempt to ‘green’ the sport and address environmental concerns.

  The work of Professor of Biology Liette Vasseur, who is also UNESCO Chair on Community Sustainability: From Local to Global, connects issues such as community-based ecosystem management, climate change adaptation and resilience, sustainable agriculture and rural communities. She is also available to speak to climate literacy and action, and biodiversity through conservation and restoration.

  Through his research, Garrett Hutson, Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies, explores the social-ecological significance of outdoor experiences to the study of sustainability and society by examining the ways outdoor programs help people form relationships to nature. His recent work looks at drivers of pro-environmental intentions in outdoor programs, such as coming face-to-face with environmental change due to a warming climate.

  Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Jim Willwerth studies how environmental conditions impact overwintering and cold hardiness physiology of grapevines. The Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute Researcher and his team are evaluating grapevine material and new ways to mitigate climate change effects.

  Assistant Professor of Physics Jasneet Kaur, who is cross-appointed to Brock’s Yousef Haj-Ahmad Department of Engineering, specializes in sustainable nanoengineered materials for clean energy technologies. Her work focuses on the design, synthesis, engineering and characterization of these materials and their applications in clean energy storage and conversion devices, smart coatings and water treatment technologies.

  Brock University Associate Professor of Engineering Amir Mofidi, Associate Professor of Sport Management Brad Millington, Professor of Biology Liette Vasseur, Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies Garrett Hutson, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Jim Willwerth and Assistant Professor of Physics Jasneet Kaur are available for media interviews on these topic.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  * Doug Hunt, Communications and Media Relations Specialist, Brock University dhunt2@brocku.ca or 905-941-6209

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  Categories: Media releases