Quinton Fiering found inspiration in water. While previously analyzing Arctic Ocean samples gathered by other students in Trent’s Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences and Biogeochemistry, the fourth-year Biology student with a minor in Chemistry knew he wanted to go North and discover what it’s like to collect his own samples.

Hands-on research, expert guidance by Canada research chair in aquatic sciences and biogeochemistry and Trent University professor Dr. Céline Guéguen, and academic success created a fluid path that has led him to being named this year’s recipient of the Peter Gzowski Northern Scholarship.

Named after Trent’s eighth chancellor Peter Gzowski, the annual scholarship recognizes an academically outstanding undergraduate who has shown a demonstrated interest in northern and polar studies, and who has engaged in northern research as part of his or her undergraduate studies.

“It means a lot to me to receive such an esteemed award,” said Mr. Fiering, “I am glad the scholarship recognizes Trent’s research in the Canadian North. Attention to Northern issues is paramount for the conservation of Northern ecosystems, water resources, and ways of life.”

His work was part of a collaborative research project studying the impacts of hydroelectric damming in Northern Quebec on sea ice formation and composition in Hudson’s Bay. Accompanied by a research technician from the University of Manitoba, he set out to the Hudson’s Bay communities of Sanikiluaq, Nunavut and Kuujjuarapik, Quebec to collect water samples himself. Coming full circle, he returned the samples to Trent’s Laboratory of Aquatic Sciences and Biogeochemistry for fellow students to analyze.

“Through the support of Dr. Guéguen and many other amazing faculty and students, I gained valuable practical experience in research techniques, scientific writing, and communication,” states Mr. Fiering. “I also gained insight into the design of broad, large scale environmental studies, and their execution by the researchers both in the field and back at the lab. I also had the opportunity to learn how to operate one of Trent's mass spectrometric instruments for sample analysis.”

Additionally, Mr. Fiering received an Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) scholarship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) that enabled him to work in Dr. Guéguen's laboratory – amazing research experience for an undergrad.

While considering a career in research, Mr. Fiering plans to complete his Honours thesis this spring before pursuing graduate studies in Biology and Biochemistry.