Congratulations to the 2024 Geoscience Research Award Winners!
The NAPEGG Education Foundation awards two geoscience awards with $1,000 prizes for best oral presentation and poster by a student during the NWT Nunavut Chamber of Mines Annual Geoscience Forum, along with up to $3,000 for a student to attend and present their research findings at each Territorial Forum/Symposium, in memory of Craig Finnigan, P.Geo.
The NAPEGG Education Foundation is thrilled to announce the recipients of this year’s Northwest Territories (NWT) Geoscience Research Awards and Finnigan Awards for Northern Research, recognizing outstanding Geology and Earth Sciences students presenting research relevant to the territories.
The 2024/2025 recipients include:
Best Student Talk: Michelle Landry, Faculty of Science – Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta
“I sincerely thank NAPEG for awarding me with the Best Student Talk at the 52nd Geoscience Forum in Yellowknife. Accomplishing collaborative research is meaningful and rewarding, I congratulate my fellow researchers on their commitment to conducting and communicating scientific research in the North.”
Best Student Poster Award: Tshepiso Sekhula, Lakehead University
“Winning the award made me realize how important my contribution to science and exploration is. The comments and questions I got at the Geoscience forum provided many insights into further understanding my project. All thanks to STLLR Inc., my supervisor, my family and the people who helped make this a success.”
NWT Finnigan Award: Juan David Bello Rodriguez, PhD of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto
“I am deeply honoured to receive the Finnigan Northern Award, which celebrates the legacy of Dr. Craig Finnigan. This recognition reaffirms my commitment to advancing research in the North and inspires me to further contribute to outreach efforts, comprehension of northern mineral deposits, and the sustainable development of this vital region.”
The NAPEGG Education Foundation is a registered charity supported by donations from the public and members and licensees of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (NAPEG). Since the Education Foundation was established in 2006 it has granted nearly $300,000 to 130 northern students.
Dr. Craig Finnigan was a Professional Geoscientist who spent the majority of his career working across the Canadian North for industry, government and academia. Craig passed away in 2014 at the age of 45 and his passion for geoscientific fieldwork, exploration and student education left an imprint on all those who knew him. Formerly an Adjunct Professor at Western University, these awards are a fitting way to honour Craig’s memory.