^{A photo of Richolette Freckleton}

Freckleton’s commitment to student success also shines through her Fostering Excellence for Black Scholars Workshop, which she initiated with her incredible team and continues to champion. The workshop connects current and incoming graduate students with leading Black faculty researchers and supervisors who share their experiences navigating academia and provide guidance on scholarship and grant success. Through this initiative, Freckleton is helping build confidence, community, and leadership capacity among Black graduate students—empowering them to thrive within and beyond 91��ɫ.

Described by colleagues as empathetic, passionate, inclusive, and student-centred, Freckleton has been instrumental in advancing key DEDI initiatives within the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Through her vision and advocacy, she has strengthened pathways for Black and equity-seeking students, ensuring their academic journeys are supported, visible, and celebrated.

The Excellence in DEDI Award is one of several honours presented through the University’s annual President’s Staff Recognition Awards, honouring staff who go above and beyond to support student success, academic excellence, community engagement, and positive change. Freckleton’s recognition stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to equity—and her transformative impact on 91��ɫ’s graduate community.

Through her leadership and vision, Richolette Freckleton continues to shape a more inclusive future for 91��ɫ’s graduate community—one where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Adedapo is completing his PhD in chemistry at the University of Pretoria. His research project is an investigation of nanoplastic accumulation in drinking water supplies with a lens on risk assessment and sustainable development. He will be supervised by Stephanie Gora in the Civil Engineering Department of the Lassonde School of Engineering.

“It is an honour to receive the Provost's Postdoctoral Fellowship for Black and Indigenous Scholars at 91��ɫ,” Adedapo said.

“My gratitude goes to 91��ɫ for its commitment to fostering diversity and excellence, and to my host supervisor, Prof. Stephanie Gora, for her unwavering support. This unique opportunity will allow me to contribute to advancing sustainable solutions for drinking water management while mentoring the next generation of scientists/engineers. I am excited to embark on this journey of impactful research and intellectual growth as a Black scholar.”

Blayone completed his PhD in digital media studies at the Technology University of Dublin. His research area of interest is Indigenous-AI relations. He will be supervised by Sean Hillier, of the Faculty of Health and Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages (CIKL).

“I am honoured to join 91��ɫ as the 2025-26 Provost's Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellow (Métis Nation of Ontario) with the supervisory support of Professor Sean Hillier,” Blayone said.

^{A photo of Todd Blayone}

Sylvester Aboagye is completing his PhD in electrical engineering at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His stimulating research investigates how humans can improve the achievable data rate, coverage and energy efficiency performances of communication technologies. Specifically, his project focuses on wireless communication networks.

“For this fellowship, I will use optimization theory and machine learning tools to design communication technologies that operate in the terahertz and the visible light spectrum for the next generation of wireless networks,” says Aboagye. “Special thanks to Professor Hina Tabassum, a global leader in this research area, who will be my supervisor for this project at the Next Generation Wireless Networks research lab.”

During the fellowship, Aboagye will be housed with Lassonde School of Engineering.

_{Sylvester Aboagye}

Landing Badji earned a PhD in ecology and ecosystem management from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal. Badji’s cutting-edge research focuses on Chimpanzee self-medication, hormones and human-chimpanzee interactions.

“The Provost’s Postdoctoral fellowship will allow me to study factors affecting the health and behaviour of a critically endangered animal, the savanna chimpanzee, in its increasingly altered natural habitat,” says Badji. “I am looking forward to collaborating with Dr. Valerie Schoof in the Primate Behavioral Endocrinology Lab, and to work with someone who recognizes the importance of supporting scholars from primate-habitat countries in becoming research leaders.

During the fellowship, Badjo will be housed with Glendon.

_{Landing Badji}

Leora Gansworth holds a PhD in critical human geography from 91��ɫ. Her innovative project investigates the environmental health priorities in the Algonquin territory.

“I am so thankful to join the Center for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages as an incoming postdoctoral Fellow. Chi Meegwech/gratitude to Dr. Deborah McGregor, the Osgoode Hall Law School, and the many others who have made this opportunity possible,” says Gansworth. “My research will continue to investigate environmental health priorities as determined by Indigenous Peoples. I am especially interested in working with those who continue to seek mino-bimaadiziwin, a good way of life, in reciprocity with all our relations, and an emphasis on restoring kinship with migrating eels.”

During the fellowship, Gansworth will be housed with Osgoode Hall Law School.

_{Leora Gansworth}

Graeme Reed is a PhD candidate in rural studies at the University of Guelph. He will be advancing his work on Indigenous visions for self-determined climate solutions by working with the Center for Indigenous Knowledges and Languages (CIKL) catalyst project “Indigenous Climate Leadership and Self-Determination Futures.”

“This work is my commitment to deconstruct the dominant assumptions underlying colonial systems of climate solutions to advance solutions grounded in our knowledge systems, legal orders and governance practices,” says Reed. “I’d like to send a chi-miigwech to Profs. Deb McGregor and Angele Alook to agree to walk with me in this journey. I’d also like to send a chi-miigwech to all those Indigenous experts who have walked with me on this path, as well as all those Elders, women, youth, leaders and academics who shared their insight with me.”

During the fellowship, Reed will be housed with CIKL.

_{Graeme Reed}