Lora Vassiliadis is a 2025 Canada Student Merit Award winner. She achieved this award for obtaining the highest standing of her class in the fourth and final year of her degree. Here is a brief biography of the winner.
Lora graduated from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Chemical Physics with a minor in Mathematics. Upon graduation, Lora was amongst the top five graduates with the highest mark in an Honours Programme at Trent University, earning her the prestigious Symons Medal.
During her undergraduate career, Lora was awarded two NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards to work as a Research Assistant in Prof. Vreugdenhil’s Inorganic Materials Research Lab at Trent University. Over two summers, Lora conducted research on the characterisation of naphthenic acids from oil sands process water as well as battery materials by catalytic graphitisation of carbon substrates.
Lora’s passion and success in chemistry was rewarded through the Graham Hartley Prize in Chemistry for the top mark in first year Chemistry courses and the Physical Science Student of Excellence Prize for the top mark in Physical Chemistry.
Outside of the lecture halls and labs, Lora was also a Varsity Athlete on the Trent University Women’s Lacrosse Team, securing both a Silver and Bronze Medal from the Ontario University Athletics Championships during her time on the team. She also gives back to her local and science community through leadership and volunteer roles as a member of the City of Peterborough Youth Council, the BWXT Community Liaison Committee, and as a Co-chair on the Organisation of Canadian Nuclear Industries Youth Shadow Council.
Lora is currently a Master of Management student at Trent University gaining a business background to apply to her future science career. She will pursue a Master of Nuclear Engineering Degree next and is excited for a career in the energy sector.
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