President’s Awards celebrate excellence in graduate supervision

From left to right: Allison Williams, Deborah Sloboda and Manish Verma are this year’s recipients of the President’s Awards for Excellence in Graduate Supervision.

Three outstanding McMaster faculty members are being recognized for their dedication to supporting their students’ success as this year’s recipients of the President’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision.

From serving as academic and research mentors to providing encouragement when things don’t go as planned, to advising students as they navigate their next steps, graduate supervisors play a crucial role.

“Outstanding graduate student supervision is critically important,” says McMaster President David Farrar.

Here are this year’s recipients and their citations:

Allison Williams

Professor | Earth, Environment & Society | Faculty of Science

Williams has built a learning environment where her graduate students feel valued and supported and where open communication is a cornerstone.

As a mentor, she celebrates the individuality of graduate students, recognizing that their needs and life experiences are different. She provides students the space to build their research based on their own personal interests and experiences but challenges them to look beyond their own perspective.

Williams is passionate about professional development and provides a variety of opportunities for students to build their skills. She connects her students to her extensive network of partners and collaborators, providing opportunities for graduate students to present their research, support community projects, or meet potential employers.

A past student writes: “Dr. Williams is a tireless advocate for her students, going above and beyond to support their academic and personal growth. She continually challenged me to push beyond my perceived limits, advocating for me to take on a leadership role on several additional papers and projects to expand my research portfolio. Her unwavering belief in my capabilities pushed me to achieve more than I ever thought possible in graduate school.”

Deborah Sloboda

Professor | Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences | Faculty of Health Sciences

Students describe Sloboda’s lab as an inclusive and supportive space where she gives of her time generously. She can often be found lending a helping hand in an experiment, providing some constructive feedback on a problem, or just checking in to see how things are going.

She encourages students in their professional development activities, whether they are looking towards a future in research, teaching or beyond the academy.

She is a Tier One Canada Research Chair in Early Origins of Health and Disease and her expertise in that area has helped to build collaborative relationships within both the research and broader communities.

Sloboda has leveraged these networks to provide her graduate students with countless opportunities for collaboration and outreach, helping them to grow as scientists and science communicators.

A past student writes: “Dr. Sloboda will believe in you and your research when you are not so sure yourself. She will push you to do your best. She will support you in whatever career path you want to go down. She will have high expectations, tell you what they are and help you grow to meet them. She will always be there to offer guidance when you need it.”

Manish Verma

Professor | Operations Management | DeGroote School of Business

Dr. Manish Verma
Associate Dean, Graduate Studies / Professor, Operations Management

Verma has been instrumental in the enhancement of graduate programs in the Department of Operations Management. He has played a key role in curriculum development, introducing new courses that reflect the latest industry trends and research in the field.

He is dedicated to helping his students navigate their graduate journey so they reach their best possible outcomes. He encourages his students to keep the lines of communication open, and ensures they are on the right path in their research. If they begin to feel overwhelmed or unsure of themselves, he is there to listen and help them find their way.

As a leading expert in logistics and transportation management, Verma has extensive knowledge that he is quick to share with his students. He generously leverages his vast network so that his students can build connections with industry and research collaborators, and has been known to help students move on to a career in industry, secure funding for a project, or land a faculty position.

A past student writes: “Dr. Verma was readily accessible and approachable, offering guidance not only on academic matters, but also on career development and personal growth. His mentorship extended beyond the classroom, instilling confidence and resilience in his students as they navigated various challenges.”