University of Guelph researchers have been honoured with prestigious federal awards from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for research that has had exceptional benefits for Canada and Canadians alike. 

Dr. Beth Parker, professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, College of Engineering and director of the University’s Morwick 360 Groundwater Research Institute is one of only two in Canada to receive the NSERC Donna Strickland Prize for Societal Impact of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research this year. 
 
Dr. Mike Dixon, professor emeritus in the School of Environmental Sciences (SES), Ontario Agricultural College and director of the University’s Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility, and colleagues Drs. Youbin Zheng and Thomas Graham, SES, have received the NSERC Synergy Award for Innovation.

The University of Guelph is the only university to receive two NSERC prizes in 2025. This is the first time a University of Guelph researcher has been awarded the Donna Strickland Prize, and the fifth time a U of G researcher has received a Synergy Award for Innovation since 2018. 
 
“I am incredibly proud of our researchers for being recognized with these prestigious NSERC awards,” says Dr. Shayan Sharif, interim vice-president research & innovation. “These honours not only celebrate individual excellence but also reflect the collaborative spirit and dedication to societal impact that define our research community here at U of G.” 
 
“The University of Guelph continues to innovate and deliver effective solutions by leading research into real-world challenges,” says Guelph MP Dominique O’Rourke. “The research of Dr. Beth Parker in the field of groundwater and the research of Drs. Dixon, Zheng and Graham around vertical farming and sustainable agriculture are guiding solutions for some of the most pressing issues for Canada and beyond. It is incredible to see the innovation at the University of Guelph and how their remarkable researchers continue to improve life.” 
 
These awards are part of the 2025 NSERC Prizes announcement made last week by Alejandro Adem, president of NSERC, to recognize the outstanding research contributions of 28 individuals (19 researchers and 9 industry partners) with prizes totalling $4.05 million. 
 
The researchers will receive their awards at a ceremony in Ottawa on Nov. 5.