University of Ottawa recognizes two young researchers

OTTAWA — The University of Ottawa is pleased to announce that Milena Parent and Jeremy Kerr are the recipients of the Young Researcher of the Year Award. The award is presented annually to two members of the University of Ottawa Faculty who have made exceptional contributions to research and training students.

Milena Parent is an associate professor at the School of Human Kinetics and was selected for her valuable contribution in the field of sport management and community-based partnerships in sports. Dr. Parent’s research focuses on organization theory and strategic management, primarily in the context of large-scale sporting events. She is interested in the relationship between the organizing committee and its various stakeholders; a topic being explored in her current research project titled Democratic Governance and the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Dr. Parent is also interested in sport-based community partnership in the context of sport and physical activities, as well as youth engagement and participation in sport.

Jeremy Kerr is an associate professor in the Department of Biology and receives the Young Researcher Award for his contribution to improving conservation activities through his research in the fields of macroecology and global change biology. Dr. Kerr’s research seeks to discover specific causes for biodiversity decline and the effects of rapid environmental change on the distribution of species. This work has led to major discoveries that will affect prospects for recovery of endangered species, and reveals how climate change is already modifying biodiversity in Canada. His work has also generated new applications in surprising areas, such as models of malaria prevalence in children in sub-Saharan Africa that may guide life-saving interventions.

“I am proud to recognize these two outstanding researchers for their commitment to research and for the inspiring work they accomplish everyday,” said Mona Nemer, vice-president, research. “Already successful researchers and devoted professors, Milena and Jeremy will certainly become influential leaders in their field.”

The Young Researcher of the Year Award was created in 1995 in order to recognize excellence and encourage leadership and innovation in young researchers. The award is accompanied by a $10,000 research grant.

The University of Ottawa is committed to research excellence and encourages an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge creation, which attracts the best academic talent from across Canada and around the world.