Meet our 2026 Recipients

Émilie Bilodeau

Émilie Bilodeau is a PhD candidate in Engineering at École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) in Montréal. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Construction Engineering and a Master of Applied Science in Infrastructure Engineering from ÉTS and is a Professional Engineer. Her doctoral research focuses on developing innovative decision-support tools to help municipalities prioritize interventions in drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. By integrating asset management, risk assessment, geographic information systems (GIS), climate change, and urban densification, her work supports more resilient, sustainable, and evidence-based municipal water management.

Alongside her doctoral research, Emilie is a lecturer in civil engineering at ÉTS, where she teaches hydrology and municipal water systems. She is actively involved in the Canadian water sector through leadership, teaching, and public service. She serves as President of the CentrEau Student Committee, contributes to the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA), and is a citizen member of the Public Works and Technical Services Commission for the City of Trois-Rivières. She regularly presents her research at national and international conferences and has received several prestigious scholarships recognizing her academic excellence, leadership, and contributions to engineering research.

Before pursuing engineering, Emilie spent nearly a decade as an audio technician with CBC/Radio-Canada. Her transition from broadcasting to engineering reflects the determination and perseverance that have shaped her academic and professional journey. Passionate about knowledge mobilization and engineering education, she is committed to bridging the gap between research and practice. Through her research, teaching, and community engagement, she hopes to help municipalities make informed infrastructure decisions while inspiring the next generation of women in engineering.

Neela Hassan

Neela Hassan is a PhD Candidate in the department of Sociology and Legal Studies at the University of Waterloo. Her research examines the intersection of gender-based violence and immigration status, with a particular focus on the experiences of women with precarious immigration status in Canada. Neela is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Provost's Distinguished Inclusivity Doctoral Entrance Award, and the Fulbright Foreign Student Program. Inspired by her own experiences as a former refugee, she is a strong advocate for the rights of migrant and refugee women and their access to support and services in Canada. This commitment has shaped both her academic and professional journey. Neela has published on migration, refugee protection, gender-based violence, and social inequality in academic journals, edited volumes, and media outlets. Beyond academia, Neela is passionate about grassroots work and giving back to the community.

She previously served as President and CEO of the Graduate Student Association at the University of Waterloo and has been involved in initiatives supporting refugee claimants, international students, and newcomer communities.

Elizabeth Baguley

Elizabeth Baguley is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary. Prior to beginning her PhD, she completed a Master of Public Health at the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Science at the University of British Columbia. Her doctoral research focuses on improving the care of individuals living with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), with an emphasis on patient-reported outcomes, health-related quality of life, and health services research.

Elizabeth has a strong record of research achievement, including authoring multiple peer-reviewed publications and presenting her work at national and international conferences, including the Canadian Liver Meeting, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL).

Beyond research, Elizabeth is passionate about leadership and community engagement. She serves as President of the Graduate Industry and Consulting Association at the University of Calgary, Vice President of the Calgary Chapter of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), and Treasurer of the Canadian Liver Foundation's Calgary Chapter, while also mentoring graduate students in her program. Her contributions to research and volunteer service have been recognized through several prestigious awards, including the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Outside of academia, Elizabeth enjoys running, strength training, golf, and baking sourdough. As a proud Kappa Kappa Gamma alumna, she is honoured to be recognized as a recipient of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation of Canada Scholarship and is grateful for the Foundation’s continued support of women pursuing higher education.