Tito Scaiano scholarship fund established

Tito Scaiano shares a laugh with a group of graduate students.

 
World-renowned chemist Juan Cesar “Tito” Scaiano is the recipient of two $1-million research grants and, in collaboration with the University of Ottawa, is creating an endowment fund for Faculty of Science students working on their PhDs.

“The awards I received have given me the opportunity to create this endowed fund,” Scaiano explains. “I could have used this money for my own research but I wanted it to have a lasting effect and share this with the University of Ottawa and its surrounding community. I also wanted to share this with the whole Faculty of Science and not just chemistry.”

Professor Scaiano has donated $250,000 for the fund, which the University will match for a combined total of $500,000. Both parties will solicit donations to double this amount and create a $1-million endowed fund.

The funds will support Faculty of Science students who maintain a minimum average of 8.5 on 10 and are registered in a doctoral program for three to five years.

Scaiano received the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal in 2002 and the Premier's Platinum Medal for Research Excellence in 2004 – two of the world's most prestigious research awards. Scaiano, who is recognized as the “global dean” of photochemistry, has won numerous other awards over the course of his career, including the first Distinguished Professor Award from the University.