When she received the letter of confirmation, Lisa Brown, E.I.T., Edmonton, “almost collapsed,” says a University of Alberta Faculty of Engineering online story. The V on the envelope gave it way – she was receiving the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.

The U of A PhD student’s research topic is a current one. Ms. Brown is exploring different options for contaminated groundwater and tailings pond water. Her specialization is subsurface transport, fate and characterization of oilsands naphthenic acids in soil and groundwater systems.

The Vanier is worth $50,000 for up to three years, so now Ms. Brown can relax and focus on her research. However, she will also need time to spend with her horse, Pedro, as the two are busy competing at many events.

Ms. Brown volunteers for Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology and also serves on the Engineering Faculty Council at U of A.

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program is named in honour of the late Georges Vanier, distinguished Canadian soldier, diplomat and the governor general of Canada from 1959 to 1967. Recipients are doctorial students from Canada and around the world who are recognized as leaders in their research and communities.