Graduate Awards

Physiology and Pharmacology Graduate Program


Graduate Opportunity Scholarship

The Department of Physiology and Pharmacology is dedicated to increasing representation of racialized and marginalized groups in the broad fields of Physiology and Pharmacology through equity and inclusion best practices. We aim to recruit and retain a diverse representation of outstanding students who will contribute toward research excellence in Physiology and Pharmacology. The goal of the Opportunity Scholarship is to attract Canada’s most promising and diverse graduate students. Preference will be given to students who are Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis), 2SLGBTQIA+ and students with a disability.
Number of awards: Up to 2 per year
Value of award: $15,000

Instructions for completion of scholarship application:
Step 1: Candidates must apply and receive initial academic acceptance to the Graduate Program in Physiology and Pharmacology: https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/physpharm/graduate/index.html
Step 2: Upon receiving initial academic acceptance to the Graduate Program, candidates must complete the application form. Please submit the completed application form along with a current CV to Olga Krougly no later than August 1, 2023. Please include ‘Opportunity Scholarship’ in the subject line of the email.


Mogenson Trust Physiology and Pharmacology Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship was established by many generous donations to the Mogenson Trust. Donations were made to the Mogenson Trust by family, friends and colleagues in memory or in honour of the following individuals: Bill Bottom, G. Murray Fraser, Margaret P. Moffat, Gordon J. Mogenson, Hari and Gundrun Sharma, George W. Stavraky, and Esme Walker.

These awards are given annually to full-time Masters or Doctoral students in the Physiology and Pharmacology program, or students that have recently graduated from the Physiology and Pharmacology program. Awards will be based on academic achievement and research excellence.

In October of each year, the Graduate Studies Committee will consider nominations for each of the awards. The awards are presented at the Annual Department Banquet and Awards Ceremony which coincides with the Department Research Day and Stevenson / Gowdey Lectures. 

Questions regarding the nomination process for the awards can be sent to the Interim Graduate Program Administrator, Olga Krougly.

G. Murray Fraser Award

This award was established by the family in memory of Murray Fraser. Awarded annually to an outstanding individual that completed the requirements for the M.Sc. degree in Physiology and Pharmacology within the previous 12 months (September 1 to August 31).

Evaluations of the candidates will be based on a) the quality of the M.Sc. thesis as indicated by the thesis assessment forms, the quality and number of publications, and scholarships received; and b) the candidate's overall contributions to the Department including teaching and leadership.

Nomination package must include:  a) letter of nomination from the candidate’s supervisor; b) the candidate’s updated curriculum vitae.

Bill Bottom Award

This award was established in memory of Bill Bottom, long-time employee of the former Department of Physiology. Awarded annually to an outstanding individual that completed the requirements for the M.Sc. degree in Physiology and Pharmacology within the previous 12 months (September 1 to August 31).

Evaluations of the candidates will be based on a) the quality of the M.Sc. thesis as indicated by the thesis assessment forms, the quality and number of publications, and scholarships received; and b) the candidate's overall contributions to the Department including teaching and leadership.

Nomination package must include:  a) letter of nomination from the candidate’s supervisor; b) the candidate’s updated curriculum vitae.

Margaret P. Moffat Award

This award was established in the memory of Dr. Marnie Moffat, a faculty member in the former Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, to recognize excellence in research and academic performance. Awarded annually to an outstanding individual that completed the requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Physiology and Pharmacology within the previous 12 months (September 1 to August 31).

Evaluations of the candidates will be based on a) the quality of the Ph.D. thesis as indicated by the thesis assessment forms, the quality and number of publications, and scholarships received; and b) the candidate's overall contributions to the Department including teaching and leadership.

Nomination package must include:  a) letter of nomination from the candidate’s supervisor; b) the candidate’s updated curriculum vitae.

Esme Walker Award

This award was established in memory of Esme Walker, a long-time associate of the former Department of Physiology. Awarded annually to an outstanding individual that completed the requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Physiology and Pharmacology within the previous 12 months (September 1 to August 31).

Evaluations of the candidates will be based on a) the quality of the Ph.D. thesis as indicated by the thesis assessment forms, the quality and number of publications, and scholarships received; and b) the candidate's overall contributions to the Department including teaching and leadership.

Nomination package must include:  a) letter of nomination from the candidate’s supervisor; b) the candidate’s updated curriculum vitae.

Hari and Gudrun Sharma Award

This award was established in the names of Dr. Hari and Gudrun Sharma to recognize and encourage excellence in research and academic performance. Awarded annually to a continuing Ph.D. student in the Physiology and Pharmacology program who has a minimum of 2 consecutive terms of full-time registration, and shows outstanding achievement in research.

Nomination package must include:  a) letter of nomination from the supervisor highlighting the candidate’s outstanding research achievements; b) the candidate’s updated curriculum vitae.

Gordon J. Mogenson Award

This award was established in the name of Dr. Gordon J. Mogenson who was a former Chair of the Department of Physiology. This award is given annually to a continuing Ph.D. student in the Physiology and Pharmacology program who has a minimum of 2 consecutive terms of full-time registration, and shows outstanding achievement in research.

Nomination package must include:  a) letter of nomination from the supervisor highlighting the candidate’s outstanding research achievements; b) the candidate’s updated curriculum vitae.

George W. Stavraky Teaching Award

Established by the Stavraky family in memory of George Stavraky a long-time faculty member of the former Department of Physiology. This award is given annually to a continuing M.Sc. or Ph.D. student in the Physiology and Pharmacology program who has shown outstanding ability in teaching at the undergraduate level.

All students who have held a Teaching Assistant appointment in the Department during the previous academic year (September 1 to April 30) are eligible. 

Nomination package consists of a letter of nomination from a Course Manager or another faculty member who is familiar with the candidate’s performance as a Teaching Assistant. If possible, a secondary letter of recommendation should be included.

Physiology and Pharmacology David Armstrong Graduate Student Award

This award was established in the memory of Dr. David Thomas Armstrong, a valued faculty member with Physiology, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Western University. Awarded annually to a full-time graduate student in a Masters’ or Doctoral program in Physiology and Pharmacology at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, based on academic and research achievement. Preference will be given to a student studying women’s health and/or endocrinology.

Nomination package must include:  a) letter of nomination from the candidate’s supervisor; b) the candidate’s updated curriculum vitae. Selection will be made by the Graduate Studies Committee.

Physiology and Pharmacology Graduate Student Council Award

Established and funded by the PPGSC, this annual award will recognize a graduate student in the Physiology and Pharmacology program who has demonstrated leadership and made an outstanding contribution to the Department. The award is presented at the Annual Department Banquet and Awards Ceremony which coincides with the Department Research Day and Stevenson / Gowdey Lectures.

All graduate students in the Physiology and Pharmacology program are eligible to be nominated.  Students who have graduated are eligible for up to one year following their graduation.  Any member of the Department (faculty, staff or student) may nominate a candidate for the award. The winner will be determined by a vote of the Department’s graduate students.

Nominations should include a letter describing the nominee’s outstanding leadership contributions to the Department or to the graduate student body.  Emphasis should be placed on contributions made within the last 12 months.

The nomination deadline is typically early October each year. Please follow this link to nominate a graduate student.

Questions regarding the nomination process for this award can be sent to the Graduate Program Administrator, Olga Krougly.

PPGSC Nomination Form