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Early career researchers play a pivotal role in advancing knowledge and tackling pressing global challenges. As part of this recognition, the Vice-Principal Research Portfolio is honouring Heather Aldersey (Rehabilitation Therapy), George diCenzo (Biology), and Suraj Persaud (Mechanical and Materials Engineering) with the Prize for Excellence in Research for Outstanding Emerging Researchers. Their work is driving progress in disability inclusion, sustainable agriculture, and the safety and performance of nuclear energy systems.

“The recipients of this year’s awards exemplify exceptional research output and impact for their stage of career,” says Nancy Ross, Vice-Principal (Research). “Their contributions reflect Queen’s ongoing commitment to supporting talent, creating the conditions for research to thrive, and its role in shaping the future of discovery.”

Each year, faculty deans nominate early career researchers who are within ten years of completing their most recent highest degree. Nominations are reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee of academic peers. Three recipients are selected annually to receive the internal award, which includes a $5,000 prize and recognizes outstanding contributions to research across any field or discipline at Queen’s.

Through their dedication, mentorship, and contributions, these emerging researchers are shaping the future of their fields: 

2025 Winners

Dr. Aldersey is a recognized leader in disability-inclusive development, focusing on fostering inclusion across diverse cultural contexts. Her research uses participatory methods to ensure that the voices of individuals with disabilities and their families are central to addressing the real challenges they face. Dr. Aldersey is a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Disability-Inclusive Development and is a 2025 recipient of the prestigious Dorothy Killam Fellowship.

Notably, she co-developed and co-led a 10-year collaboration between Queen’s University and the University of Gondar (UoG), which facilitated the inclusion of 44 UoG faculty members into Queen’s Ph.D. programs. Dr. Aldersey is also a key figure in the Queen Elizabeth Scholars program, which fosters exchange among researchers in Canada, Congo, and Ghana. Additionally, she serves as the Scientific Director of the International Centre for the Advancement of Community-Based Rehabilitation at Queen’s, and is the Principal’s Advisor on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, a key strategic priority for the university.

Dr. diCenzo’s research addresses global challenges in food security and environmental sustainability while demonstrating a strong commitment to mentorship and community engagement. His research in agricultural microbiology and molecular genetics examines the symbiotic relationships between bacteria and legumes, with a focus on nitrogen fixation, an essential process for sustainable agriculture. As part of this research, Dr. diCenzo co-leads The BENEFIT Project, an interdisciplinary and multi-institutional project leveraging genomics to develop microbial products to reduce agriculture’s reliance on nitrogen fertilizers and improve crop productivity and soil health. He is also the co-lead of the Open Plastics Group, an interdisciplinary and multi-institutional initiative focused on reducing plastic pollution through research and innovation. The high calibre and interdisciplinary nature of Dr. diCenzo’s work have placed him among the 10 most highly funded researchers in the Faculty of Arts and Science and led to him being named a 2025 Ontario Early Researcher Award recipient. 

Dr. Persaud’s research focuses on improving materials performance in nuclear power systems, with an emphasis on corrosion control and stress corrosion cracking. As a University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering Research Chair, he leads work that addresses critical challenges related to the safety and longevity of nuclear energy infrastructure. He is a member of the  at Queen’s and works within the internationally recognized Reactive Materials Testing Laboratory. 

Dr. Persaud was recently named an Ontario Early Researcher Award recipient and brought international visibility to Queen’s by hosting the 2023 Meeting of the International Co-operative Group on Environmentally Assisted Cracking (ICG-EAC), which welcomed around 120 of the world’s top nuclear materials experts to Kingston.

The 2025 Prizes for Excellence in Research will be presented at spring convocation. To learn more about the award and past recipients, visit the Vice-Principal (Research) Portfolio website.