UOIT Faculty of Science graduate receives full scholarship to University of Oxford
July 30, 2009
Matt Hennessy, a 2009 graduate of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology's (UOIT) Bachelor of Science (Honours) program with a double-major in Applied and Industrial Mathematics and Physics, will cross international waters this fall to continue his studies at the University of Oxford in England.
Hennessy is one of three international students receiving a full studentship, valued at 27,000 pounds (C$51,300), to attend the prestigious university, where he plans to pursue a Master of Science in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing.
Hennessy was encouraged to apply for the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Studentship, which is designed specifically for students entering the Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing program, by his Mathematics professor Dr. Greg Lewis, who has been a UOIT faculty member since the university's inception in 2003. The Oxford program trains students to solve real-world problems by modelling them mathematically.
"I am thrilled to receive this very generous scholarship," said Hennessy. "Not only will it allow me to pursue graduate studies at one of the most well-known post-secondary institutions in the world, but it will enable me to grow my passion for both math and physics, which grew dramatically during my time at UOIT thanks to my fantastic professors and the intensive curriculum of my programs."
During his time at UOIT, Hennessy worked as both a teaching assistant and a research assistant with the Faculty of Science. He also presented a research project at the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics' annual meeting in San Diego, California in July 2008, where he won one of four best undergraduate poster prizes.
He has discussed his research at several conferences in Canada and the United States; was awarded a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) post-graduate scholarship in March 2009; is a two-time NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award recipient; was part of a three-student team that received an honourable mention in the Mathematical Contest in Modelling in February 2009; and received funding to participate in the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences Graduate Industrial Mathematics Modelling Camp, the BC Industrial Math Summer School and five other mathematical modelling workshops.
He also submitted a paper on his fluid dynamics research to the Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics, where it is currently under review, and presented his research at the Canadian Applied and Industrial Mathematics Society's annual meeting in London, Ontario in June 2009.
"I am excited to have this opportunity to travel overseas to further my education and look forward to meeting new people, exploring Oxford as a place to live and study and perhaps one day finding employment as a professor myself," Hennessy added.
UOIT's Faculty of Science is committed to excellence and innovation in technology-enhanced and interdisciplinary teaching as well as research relevant to the needs of society and the environment. Dedicated to creating and sharing scientific knowledge, infusing the thrill of discovery and inspiring vision, determination, independence, critical thinking and integrity in its students, it prepares them for rewarding careers as the next generation of highly skilled scientists and professionals.
About Ontario Tech University
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