Graduate Handbook - Faculty of Health Sciences - McMaster ...

Dr. Thomas Neilson Scholarship
The Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences is pleased to invite nominations for the
2013/2014 Thomas Neilson Scholarship which will be awarded to the Biochemistry and Biomedical
Sciences graduate student deemed to show the greatest potential as an independent scientist at the time
of transfer to the PhD program. This award was established in memory of Dr. Thomas Neilson by his
family, friends and colleagues as a token of their appreciation and respect.
The Neilson Scholarship will be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of
the Departmental Graduate Admissions Committee, based upon performance in the program with
particular emphasis upon the overall academic standing, supporting letters, contributions to teaching, the
seminar presentation, the transfer report, research contributions and publications. The award will not
necessarily be given every year, and may be awarded twice in a given year.
Thomas Neilson joined the Department of Biochemistry in its early years and contributed strongly to its
chemical expertise. Among his colleagues, Tom was widely admired for his consummate skill in organic
synthesis. Within a short time, he developed convenient procedures for the large-scale synthesis of
oligoribonucleotides of defined sequence. This accomplishment was recognized internationally and led to
many fruitful collaborations. To his students, Dr. Neilson was a devoted teacher who gave of his time
generously. Above all, he was a man of sincerity and integrity who earned the trust and affection of those
around him. His career at McMaster sets a worthy example to all of us in academic life.
Nominations should be submitted in the form of a letter to the Chair from the student’s supervisor. It
should outline briefly the achievements of the candidate, and be accompanied by a supporting letter from
another member of the supervisory committee. Nominations must be received no later than November
1, 2013. An announcement of the award will take place in the winter of 2013. The value of the award is
$1,000.
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