Angelica Galante

Creating an inclusive language-learning experience

Angelica Galante, Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrated Studies in Education: Since joining 黑料网爆吃瓜 in 2019, Galante has worked at the forefront of research in applied linguistics, including linguistic discrimination and justice, and exploring new ways to learn and maintain languages.

In a multicultural country such as Canada, many people speak more than one or two languages, particularly in major metropolitan areas such as Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Galante鈥檚 research has demonstrated that multilingual speakers are rarely able to use all the languages they speak in all contexts.

For example, while switching between languages at home and work is a part of everyday life for many, some spaces restrict linguistic practices to one language only, often English or French. Even for those who speak more than one or two languages, learning a new language, including one or both of Canada鈥檚 official languages can be a challenge. To address this issue, Galante is exploring how educators can create a language-learning experience that acknowledges their students鈥� linguistic backgrounds.

鈥淩eceiving the President鈥檚 Prize is a humbling recognition of the many years of hard work to bridge the linguistic divide between English and French in Canada,鈥� says Galante, who speaks Portuguese, Spanish, English, French and Italian. 鈥淏y moving towards plurilingual education, people can learn languages more easily, maintain their plural identities, and classes can be more inclusive.鈥�

New methods and approaches to applied linguistics: Galante鈥檚 work is changing the way second languages are taught nationally and internationally. As an academic, Galante鈥檚 research has demonstrated that people learn languages more easily when they also learn about the related cultures, traditions, behaviours, and beliefs 鈥� a concept known as plurilingualism. Plurilingualism can make language education more inclusive by not only teaching people to speak the language but also educating them about how languages are used across cultures.

Galante is the Founder and Director of the Plurilingual Lab at 黑料网爆吃瓜, a hub for research in pedagogy, professional development, and equity, diversity and inclusion in plurilingual education.

She also serves as the President of the L鈥橝ssociation canadienne de linguistique appliqu茅e, which was successful in their bid to bring the Association internationale de linguistique appliqu茅e conference to Canada in 2027.

Impacting the next generation of educators: As an early-career researcher, Galante has shown a strong record of research projects and funding. Her work is published in top-tier international journals, and her research and expertise are showcased at international teacher associations, such as The International Association for Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages, and in the media.

In addition to pedagogical research, she has designed and validated the Plurilingual and Pluricultural Competence scale, a new quantitative method that measures diverse language practices among multilingual populations. Her innovative work is advancing educational research in areas of equity, diversity and inclusion, and anti-discriminatory practices.

鈥淚 hope my work can amplify the voices of linguistically and culturally marginalized populations in Canada and work towards legitimizing their multi/plurilingual practices,鈥� says Galante.

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Jianyu Li

Engineering innovative technologies to address critical challenges in clinical settings

Every year, around two million people die from hemorrhage or blood loss. But what if new technologies can help remedy this?

Working at the intersection of mechanics, chemistry and biomedical engineering, Jianyu Li is leading highly innovative research focusing on finding a solution to this global health issue. With the help of his lab, Li鈥檚 research is focused on enabling technologies to improve health and address critical clinical problems, including hemorrhage control, wound healing, and the repair and regeneration of intervertebral discs and meniscuses.

鈥淩eceiving the President鈥檚 Prize is a true honour, and I鈥檓 deeply thankful for the support from my research team and department that made this possible,鈥� says Li.

A pioneer in the world of biomaterials: As an early career researcher, Li has established an innovative and transdisciplinary research program at 黑料网爆吃瓜. In addition to attracting millions of dollars in funding from numerous granting agencies, Li鈥檚 expertise in biomaterials and bioadhesive technologies is acknowledged around the world with 55 published articles to date in high-profile journals and over 100 speaking engagements in Canada and internationally.

In 2019, an exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum in New York celebrated his work on high-performance medical adhesive materials. From 2020 to 2023, Li was ranked among the World鈥檚 Top 2 per cent of Scientists by Elsevier.

Changing the future of clinical practices: In addition to his numerous research contributions, Li is also an active participant in technology transfer and commercialization. He has created seven patents and successfully launched ClickClot, a spin-off company dedicated to commercializing a novel hemostatic technology developed in his lab that can quickly stop heavy bleeding

鈥淭he invaluable support from 黑料网爆吃瓜 Engine and the Technology Transfer Office has been instrumental in facilitating technology transfer and fostering entrepreneurship, allowing research innovations to make impacts beyond the laboratory,鈥� says Li. 鈥満诹贤�爆吃瓜鈥檚 vibrant research environment and collaborative partnerships have been pivotal in advancing my transdisciplinary research and enriching its impact.鈥�

Li will be honoured at the Faculty of Engineering Convocation ceremony on May 30.

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S茅bastien Jodoin

A leading voice in human rights-based health and environmental law

When he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2015,听S茅bastien Jodoin was in survival mode, coping with symptoms and treatments, and rebuilding his whole approach to life.

鈥淟ike 65 percent of people with multiple sclerosis, I used to experience symptoms of heat sensitivity when the Montreal weather became hot and humid. This lived experience led me to realize that people with disabilities were differentially affected by climate change, yet were completely neglected in climate adaptation efforts,鈥� says Jodoin.

Jodoin has an exceptional record of accomplishments, including an extensive portfolio of publications in leading journals across multiple disciplines and a remarkable track-record of securing research funding from national and international agencies. He is a committed educator, supervisor, and mentor, and has enthusiastically served the University through academic service. This August, he will begin his new position as the Associate Dean for Research in the Faculty of Law.

Jodoin鈥檚 expertise is also highly sought-after by policymakers, activists and the media. His research has gained the attention of G7 leaders responsible for disability issues, and he has provided advisory support to the Canadian government and the UK鈥檚 Department for International Development.

One-of-a-kind initiative: Drawing on his lived experience with MS and his interdisciplinary training in law, political science, and environmental studies, Jodoin founded the Disability-Inclusive Climate Action Research Programme, the only research program of its kind focused on disability-inclusive climate action.

鈥淭hrough close collaboration with organizations of people with disabilities, my team and I generate, co-produce, and translate knowledge at the intersections of disability and climate justice,鈥� Jodoin says. 鈥淚 am committed to ensuring that climate solutions are developed and implemented in a manner that protects the rights of people with disabilities and empowers them as knowers, makers and doers in the climate movement.鈥�

Jodoin is also an active presence in the media, making the connection between climate change and disability a key point of discussion. In addition to sharing his influence through podcast engagements, including the CBC鈥檚 flagship environmental show What on Earth, Jodoin is also the creator and co-producer of the Enabling Commons podcast, which centers the knowledge and leadership of people with disabilities in the world鈥檚 efforts to address the climate crisis. In 2023, he received the Changemaker Prize under the aegis of the President鈥檚 Prize for Public Engagement through Media, awarded to individuals whose dedication to sharing their knowledge with the media and the public has had a major impact on society.

Jodoin has completely recovered from the physical symptoms from his first MS relapse and has managed to stay relapse-free for eight years.

鈥淚 feel so incredibly grateful to 黑料网爆吃瓜 for the role it has played in my success during the past decade. I am indebted to the talented and dedicated team of doctors, researchers, and nurses at The Neuro that have made my recovery possible,鈥� he says.

鈥淚 am also grateful to [Faculty of Law] Dean Robert Leckey, who supported me every step of the way during this improbable journey, most notably by putting in place the conditions that enabled me to thrive as a law professor. I met the love of my life when I was a student at 黑料网爆吃瓜 twenty years ago and there is no way I could have tackled MS without her undying love and support.

鈥淚 always say that I embody the Made by 黑料网爆吃瓜 motto more than most 鈥� even my immune system was 鈥榤ade鈥� by 黑料网爆吃瓜,鈥� says Jodoin.