News release

Dalhousie Graduate Students Receive Scholarships

Labour and Advanced Education (Jan. 2011 - Aug. 2021)

NOTE: Information on several recipients follows this release.


Graduate students at Nova Scotia universities have been awarded scholarships to help them stay in the province to do research that could lead to new products and more opportunities.

More than 100 Dalhousie students were awarded provincially funded scholarships for 2015-16 to conduct research in areas like medical technology, magnetic materials, and the language abilities of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Several recipients are co-supervised by Dalhousie and Cape Breton universities.

"These scholarships help support graduate students who are committed to continuing their education and research here in Nova Scotia," said Labour and Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan. "Not only will these scholarships help more students and young people build a life and career here in Nova Scotia, they will also help boost our economy as research turns into new products and more opportunities."

Bonita Squires is the first candidate in Dalhousie's Faculty of Health Professions' new Health PhD program and one of this year's recipients.

"I believe the work I'm doing will help improve literacy education for children who are deaf and hard of hearing, and I wouldn't be able to do the required research without this scholarship," said Ms. Squires. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my research here in Nova Scotia and I hope to make a difference in the lives of children who are deaf and hard of hearing."

Universities administer the graduate scholarship program using existing Canada Graduate Scholarship application processes and selection committees. Universities are encouraged to maximize funds by leveraging other available research funding to ensure as many students as possible benefit.

Recipients were selected based on their research potential, academic standing, and the link between their research and Nova Scotia's priority areas like health and wellness, oceans and marine technology, information and communications technology, and life sciences.

Government is phasing in the graduate scholarship program over four years, at which time it will invest $3.7 million annually.

This program is part of government's Make it Here initiative to connect young Nova Scotians with government programs for education and training, and entering the workforce. The Make It Here website is at http://makeithere.novascotia.ca/.


Following is more information on several of this year's scholarship recipients at Dalhousie University:

  • Bonita Squires, a PhD student originally from British Columbia, is studying the language abilities of children who are deaf and hard of hearing in an effort to improve literacy education.

  • Christopher Samson, a PhD student from Little Anse, Richmond Co., is part of a team working to improve imaging and surgical treatment of the middle and inner ear.

  • Simon Meynell, a master's student from Halifax, is developing new magnetic materials to make high-speed, low-power electronic devices.

  • Tahazzud Hossain, a master's student in environmental studies from Bangladesh, is working with professors from Cape Breton University and Dalhousie to identify the opportunities that might exist in the link between environmental performance of the Sydney and Halifax ports, and their ability to attract and retain port tenants and international clients.

  • Dinesh Thapa, a master's student in pharmacology from Nepal, is working to develop more effective and non-addictive drug therapies for chronic pain.

  • Shane Forbrigger, a master's student from Hatchet Lake, Halifax, is developing an improved method for more realistic surgical virtual simulation.