Bishop’s University
Dr. Weraduwage and Dr. Valencia, winners of the 2025 Emerging Scholar Award

Celebrating Excellence: Bishop’s University’s Emerging Scholar Award Winners

Bishop’s University is proud to recognize two outstanding faculty members whose groundbreaking research, mentorship, and leadership have earned them the prestigious Emerging Scholar Award. Dr. Sarathi Weraduwage and Dr. Vivian Valencia exemplify the spirit of innovation and impact that defines this honour. From advancing plant biochemistry and climate resilience to shaping sustainable food systems and public policy, their work is not only transforming their fields but also inspiring the next generation of scholars.

Why Dr. Sarathi Weraduwage Won the Emerging Scholar Award

Dr. Sarathi Weraduwage
Dr. Sarathi Weraduwage (left), Dr. Kerry Hull, VP Academic and Research (right)

Dr. Sarathi Weraduwage has demonstrated exceptional impact as an early-career scientist, making her a highly deserving recipient of the Emerging Scholar Award. Her amazing research on isoprene which is a volatile compound produced by plants, has redefined its role as a signaling molecule and revealed its crucial function in enhancing plant resilience to climate stress. Her work has significantly advanced the field of plant biochemistry, with multiple high-impact publications, including first-author and co-first-author contributions, cited widely in the scientific community.

Beyond research, Dr. Weraduwage has shown outstanding commitment to mentorship and training. At Bishop’s University, she has built a dynamic, collaborative lab where both undergraduate and graduate students thrive and many of whom have presented their work at national and international conferences, an uncommon achievement at their level.

She has secured major grants, including funding from FRQNT and the U.S. National Science Foundation, and is actively working to enhance research infrastructure at Bishop’s. Dr. Weraduwage is also a dedicated science communicator and EDI advocate, with a long-standing commitment to outreach.

Her record of achievement, leadership, and mentorship marks her as an emerging leader in her field, with a trajectory that promises continued innovation and societal impact.

Why Dr. Vivian Valencia Won the Emerging Scholar Award

Dr. Vivian Valencia
Dr. Vivian Valencia (left), Dr. Kerry Hull, VP Academic and Research (right)

Dr. Vivian Valencia exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding emerging scholar through her interdisciplinary, collaborative, and deeply impactful research at the intersection of ecology, agroecology, and public policy. Her work focuses on nature-based solutions and sustainable food systems that support climate resilience and social justice: topics of urgent global importance. As Research Chair in Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Action at Bishop’s University, she has led projects published in top-tier journals such as Science and PNAS, and her contributions have earned her the prestigious Frontiers Planet Prize and invitations to global platforms like the UN FAO and National Geographic.

Her research is rooted in real-world impact, drawing connections between farming practices, biodiversity, public policy, and community resilience. Through innovative concepts like “lighthouse farms” and her hands-on presentation of what the future would look like without good practices with The First Supper.  Dr. Valencia engages students, artists, policymakers, and local communities in co-creating regenerative futures. She has also demonstrated strong mentorship, international collaboration, and leadership in transdisciplinary knowledge mobilization.

Dr. Valencia’s scholarship not only advances academic understanding but also catalyzes meaningful change on the ground. Her bold, inclusive, and visionary work makes her a deserving recipient of the Emerging Scholar Award and positions her as a rising leader in environmental sustainability.

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