Arts and Science Faculty Honoured

Roisin O’Connor, Department of Psychology

Dr. O’Connor has established an impressive record of research productivity and funding since coming to Concordia in 2009. She has already made a substantive contribution to research on the antecedents of substance use in adolescence and young adulthood, developed important interdisciplinary collaborations, and has been active in training of graduate students both in research and through her work in the Clinical Psychology Training program.

Letters of nomination from her colleagues identify her contributions to the field as exceptional compared for faculty at her level, and testify to her impact both within Canada and internationally.

Dr. O’Connor has received funding from both CIHR and FQRSC. It is worth noting, that her grant from CIHR was given the top ranking in her committee. She has 23 publications and has contributed to two book chapters.

Adam Radomsky, Department of Psychology

Dr Radomsky’s colleagues in the Department of Psychology wrote in their nomination that “his work has led to a greater understanding of the role of information processing in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder …. Dr. Radomsky has been able to instill new and original ways of thinking about OCD and to develop new approaches to its treatment.

He has given more than 55 invited addresses and published more than 45 research papers and 5 book chapters in the last 11 years. He has received more than 1.5 million in research grants from agencies such as CIHR, FRSQ and SSHRC since his arrival at Concordia in 2001.

Dr. Radomsky was instrumental in the creation of the Centre for Clinical Research in Health last year for which he presently serves as Director.

Yves Gélinas, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Since joining the department 11 years ago, Dr Gélinas has developed a state-of-the-art research infrastructure at Concordia that is unique in Canada and he has established a broad network of external collaborators specializing in global earth sciences and biochemistry associated with air, soils, and freshwater. In doing so, he has established a solid reputation as a high profile and innovative researcher.

Yves has published 26 papers and about 50 peer reviewed articles. He has secured more than 2.1 million in external funding from funding agencies including NSERC; CFI and FRQ-NT.

He has worked with 22 Concordia graduate students and mentored 35 undergraduate students in his lab.

Nikolay Gospodinov, Department of Economics

In the words of Greg LeBlanc, Chair of the Department of Economics: “throughout his time at Concordia University, Nikolay Gospodinov has been among the top researchers in the Department of Economics. Despite completing his second term as graduate program director, Nikolay has managed to maintain his research output at an exceptional level.”

He has published 23 articles, 21 in high quality peer reviewed journals and 2 in edited volumes, and has recently published a book entitled Methods for Estimation and Inference in Modern Econometrics. The vast majority of Nikolay’s work has appeared in highly ranked journals, with nearly half appearing in top 10 academic journals. As well, his paper in Econometric Review was recognized as the top paper in that Journal for 2004-5. He has made numerous conference and seminar presentations, and received significant funding from SSHRC and FQRSC.

Sandra Weber, Department of Education

In the words of Richard Schmid, Chair of the Department of Education, Sandra Weber’s “contributions to both educational research methodologies and to teacher education can be considered as hallmarks in the evolution of educational research.”

“Early in her career Dr. Weber carved out a significant niche in the educational research community with a highly innovative program of research linking teacher identity and popular culture. Throughout her career, through a rigorous and prolific research program, Dr. Weber has made an outstanding contribution to the field of teacher education in Canada and abroad. This work extended into an equally significant and innovative program of research and scholarship in the areas of media literacy and girlhood. This work is unique in Canada and well known around the world.”

She has published widely in some of the most prestigious national and international educational journals, she has been involved in numerous research and development projects at local, national and international levels.

Dale Stack, Department of Psychology

Dale Stack’s contributions to research into socio-emotional development in early childhood, especially the central role of touch in the establishment of parent-child relationships, have garnered international recognition from her peers and colleagues.

Throughout her career at Concordia, Dr Stack has maintained an impressive record of research productivity. She has a history of sustained grant support from national and provincial funding agencies, including CIHR, SSHRC; FRSQ and FQRSC. Her achievements are not limited to research. She has contributed to the Centre for Research in Human Development and more specifically to the Concordia Longitudinal Risk Study. She was a driving force behind the creation of the Concordia University Psychology Internship Program, which allows students to pursue doctoral level clinical training at a consortium of Montreal Hospitals.

In their letter of nomination, a number of Dr Stack’s colleagues in the Department of Psychology noted that external referees have rated her as “among the top 5% of scholars in the field”, and described her studies on touch as “exquisite examples of methodological expertise.

Hussein Merhi, Department of Sociology and Anthropology

In the words of Fran Shaver, Hussein Merhi’s “commitment to undergraduate students and his passion for undergraduate teaching are evidenced in his teaching philosophy. He starts from the position that the quality of knowledge students acquire is more important than the quantity of the covered materials and successfully translates this position into a winning classroom style.

Whether it be the strong support system he has in place for his students, his assurance that classroom location, size, lighting and equipment are appropriate for his students’ needs, or the course packs he has developed along with an SPSS tutorial, his teaching style and philosophy bring teaching to the next level.

In her letter of nomination, one student notes that: “Dr. Merhi is a truly exceptional professor. His teaching is so clear, precise and methodical that, almost magically, it makes statistics accessible and meaningful. He even manages to dissipate the terror some of us face when it comes to numbers and formulas. In short, Dr. Merhi is a miracle worker.”

Hussein Merhi, Department of Sociology and Anthropology

In the words of Fran Shaver, Hussein Merhi’s “commitment to undergraduate students and his passion for undergraduate teaching are evidenced in his teaching philosophy. He starts from the position that the quality of knowledge students acquire is more important than the quantity of the covered materials and successfully translates this position into a winning classroom style.

Whether it be the strong support system he has in place for his students, his assurance that classroom location, size, lighting and equipment are appropriate for his students’ needs, or the course packs he has developed along with an SPSS tutorial, his teaching style and philosophy bring teaching to the next level.

In her letter of nomination, one student notes that: “Dr. Merhi is a truly exceptional professor. His teaching is so clear, precise and methodical that, almost magically, it makes statistics accessible and meaningful. He even manages to dissipate the terror some of us face when it comes to numbers and formulas. In short, Dr. Merhi is a miracle worker.”

Sébastien Robidoux, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Since joining the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in 1988, Sébastien Robidoux has been responsible for the delivery of a large array of core courses at the 200 and 300 level. He teaches such a large array of courses that undergraduate students have joked that one can pursue a major in chemistry. and a minor in Dr. Robidoux at the same time!

Dr. Robidoux’s teaching evaluations attest to his effectiveness. He is consistently ranked above the Departmental and Sector means in his overall ratings as a professor.

For many students, Dr. Robidoux has been more than their favorite professor – he has been a valued mentor. In his letter of nomination, one student stated “Dr. Robidoux’s professionalism as an educator was always in evidence. The dedication to his students’ learning was displayed by his long hours of tutorials held in his office, the wealth of supplemental study materials he would provide for students and the high standard that he maintained in his courses.”

As the Co-op Education Program Director, professor Robidoux was diligent in his efforts to ensure his students succeed. He scheduled follow-up meetings with all of his students and their employers to ensure that everyone was getting the most out of their placements.

Jean Krumel, Department of Political Science

Jean Krumel has served the Department of Political Science for more than 40 years. During this time, she has seen the Department experience “a dramatic renewal and extraordinary growth in enrolment numbers and faculty complement, has always been available for any type of committee service, and provided invaluable support to the newly created Azrieli Institute of Israel Studies when they were without a staff person.

Ms. Krumel responded to each and every challenge with cheer, diplomacy, courtesy, intelligence and enthusiasm, offering solid support to old and new faculty, students and staff. Her “exemplary work ethic” is an example for emulation and her tireless dedication and willingness to go the extra mile are exemplary as well.en a valued mentor. In his letter of nomination, one student stated “Dr. Robidoux’s professionalism as an educator was always in evidence. The dedication to his students’ learning was displayed by his long hours of tutorials held in his office, the wealth of supplemental study materials he would provide for students and the high standard that he maintained in his courses.”

As the Co-op Education Program Director, professor Robidoux was diligent in his efforts to ensure his students succeed. He scheduled follow-up meetings with all of his students and their employers to ensure that everyone was getting the most out of their placements.