Graduate Student Award of Merit

Julianne Gerbrandt is a doctoral candidate in Education Studies at the University of New Brunswick, where she defended her dissertation in January 2026 under the supervision of Dr. Karla Culligan and Dr. David Wagner. Her research examines the practices families use to support their children’s learning in elementary French immersion mathematics, centering often-overlooked forms of parental knowledge and care. Drawing on poetic inquiry and reflexive thematic analysis, her work challenges deficit narratives in both mathematics education and second language research and introduces original methodological concepts — sticky sampling and analytical bifocalism. She has also contributed to the theorization of pivoting, a concept gaining traction in mathematics education that draws on desire-based frameworks to reorient damage-centered storylines toward strengths-based possibilities. Her scholarship has been recognized through a SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship, the L2RIC Doctoral Scholarship, the Webster Fellowship in Early Childhood Education, and the Sherman Fellowship in Early Childhood Education, among other awards.

In addition to her research, Julianne is deeply committed to teaching and teacher education. She has taught courses in French immersion literacy, mathematics education, and second language theory at UNB, and is currently an instructor in a French immersion pre-service teacher education program. She is also a co-investigator on a longitudinal study exploring the influence of Philosophy for Children workshops on language development and wellbeing in diverse French immersion classrooms. Her research dissemination has taken her to international venues, including conferences in New Zealand and Poland, and professional development engagements across Canada.

Julianne’s service reflects a sustained commitment to graduate community and institutional leadership. She served as President of the Graduate Education Society, Co-Chair of the Atlantic Education Graduate Student Conference, and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the conference proceedings. She has delivered professional development for FSL teachers across Canada and contributed to institutional hiring and program renewal at UNB’s Faculty of Education.

Sarah Hartery is a Ph.D. candidate in the Division of BioMedical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), under the supervision of Dr. Christopher Kovacs. Her research investigates bone and mineral metabolism during the reproductive cycle and fetal development, addressing fundamental questions in maternal–fetal physiology with implications for maternal health, fetal growth, and bone and mineral disorders.

Her research excellence is recognized through competitive national and institutional funding, including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Postgraduate Scholarships – Doctoral (NSERC PGS-D), the Memorial 100 Scholarship, and the Dean’s Excellence Award from MUN. She has authored publications in high-impact journals, such as the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research (JBMR), co-authored textbook chapters, and presented her research at international conferences, including the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) Annual Meeting.

Sarah demonstrates exceptional leadership within the graduate community. As President of the Medical Graduate Student Society (MGSS) and representative on the Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC), she represents graduate students at the faculty and institutional levels and advocates for improvements to graduate training, student well-being, and academic engagement. As Secretary of the Women in Science and Engineering Graduate Student Society (WISE GSS), she contributes to initiatives that support and empower women and gender-diverse trainees, including organizing the Annual WISE GSS International Women’s Day Conference.

Beyond academia, Sarah demonstrates a longstanding commitment to community service and inclusive recreation. She has held leadership roles in aquatics programming across the province and volunteers as a swimming instructor with Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador, where she provides adapted programming and has been recognized as a Gold-Level Volunteer.

Sarah is honoured to receive the SWAAC Graduate Student Award of Merit and remains committed to advancing and supporting women in academia through leadership, mentorship, and advocacy.

Marie-Pier Mazerolle is a doctoral student in the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program at the Université de Moncton, where she is training to become a clinical psychologist. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the same institution. Her research focuses on individual factors influencing the production of facial expressions in the context of deception. More specifically, she examines the role of intelligence and personality traits in the modulation of emotional facial expressions, from both fundamental and applied perspectives.

During her undergraduate studies, Marie-Pier distinguished herself through academic excellence and strong engagement within the student community. She was awarded three undergraduate research scholarships and worked within the Social Cognition Laboratory, contributing to projects on facial expressions, emotional development, and reading motivation in youth. In parallel, she was actively involved in university life, serving on student association boards and working as a crisis responder, peer helper, and student mentor. Upon completing her degree, she received the Governor General’s Academic Medal (Silver), as well as the Université de Moncton’s Ordre du Mérite Bleu et Or.

As a recipient of a doctoral scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and an O’Brien Foundation Fellowship, Marie-Pier continues her involvement in teaching and mentorship. She works as a lecturer and co-supervises students in the Social Cognition Laboratory. She is also engaged in governance and mental health advocacy, notably as a board member of the Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) and as an executive member of the student section of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). She is particularly committed to promoting equitable access to French-language mental health services in New Brunswick, where Francophone communities are in a minority context.

Through her research, teaching, and community engagement, Marie-Pier contributes to advancing psychological knowledge while promoting greater accessibility to mental health services.

SunMin Park is an MSc candidate at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB, under Dr. Jill Rourke’s supervision. Supported by the NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship, her research explores the bioactivity of artificial sweeteners in the gut, with a focus on cell signaling, metabolism, and their implications for health and food safety.

Studying at a small, close-knit institution has shaped SunMin’s passion for making science accessible, inclusive, and community driven. As the coordinator for the Together Time Intergenerational Literacies Program, she co-created interdisciplinary STEAM literacy experiences for children and families in rural NB and NS, fostering curiosity and confidence among young learners. She has also supported young scientists of Korean heritage across Canada as a national youth executive with the Association of Korean Canadian Scientists and Engineers, building inclusive spaces for mentorship and representation in STEM. Today, she volunteers on the organizing committee for ComSciCon-Flagship, supporting graduate student training in communicating science and engaging diverse communities beyond academia.

Her passion has also led her to Parliament Hill, where she advised federal Ministers of Health and Environment, applying her scientific training to support evidence-informed decision-making, operations, and outreach.

Outside the lab, SunMin’s work is driven by a strong interest at the intersection of science, health, advocacy, and youth engagement: mobilizing lifesaving initiatives through MtA Gives Blood, championing youth voices nationally and globally with UNICEF Canada and Young Diplomats of Canada, and advancing gender equity for women and girls in sports as the International Olympic Committee’s Young Leader for Canada.

In recognition of her leadership, SunMin was named a 2023 3M National Student Fellow and was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. She is honoured to receive the 2026 SWAAC Graduate Student Award of Merit and looks forward to learning from and contributing to a community of women leaders shaping higher education.