Two U of M professors, Dr. Lori Wilkinson and Dr. Juliette Mammei, have been elected to the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), one of the country’s highest academic honours. The RSC recognizes excellence in arts, social sciences and sciences, while promoting knowledge and innovation both in Canada and globally.

Alain-G. Gagnon, president of the RSC, commented to UM Today that “the RSC is proud to welcome these inspiring scholars, artists, and creators whose peers have recognized their exceptional contributions to the world of science and culture and the well-being of Canada.” He added, “the impact of their work will continue to be felt in the development of public policies for years to come, while contributing to the well-being of our society.”

Dr. Juliette Mammei is an associate professor in physics and astronomy and holds a Ph.D. in nuclear physics. She is an international leader in subatomic particle research, advancing knowledge in nuclear and nucleon structure. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and her M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, and at the U of M, she has taught introductory physics courses in addition to some upper level physics courses.

Her current research focuses on nucleon structure and testing critical theories of the standard model of particles and interactions.

“I think that the recognition is partially from my research, I am a world-known researcher in subatomic physics or nuclear physics, but I think it’s also partially because of my outreach work,” said Mammei.

Mammei actively engages in outreach programs aimed at introducing Indigenous students in Canada to nuclear physics and broader science concepts. One of her main goals is to increase Indigenous representation in science by addressing a significant barrier — meeting the requirement to entering the physics program. According to her, many rural high schools lack teachers for physics, math and science as they “have a hard time keeping teachers.”

Her proposed program aims to substitute high school physics requirements with university-offered alternatives to help students overcome this hurdle.

“One of my goals would be to increase the numbers of Indigenous students particularly in science because I am a scientist,” said Mammei, reflecting on her passion for the field.

Mammei’s interest in science was sparked early, influenced by her parents’ love for science fiction, especially Star Trek. “I’ve always wanted to be a scientist,” she said. Despite her passion, financial support was not available.

Mammei also highlighted the gender imbalance in her field, specifically noting that within the MOLLER collaboration of around 100 collaborators, she is one of only two female professors.

Currently, Mammei is working on a major experiment totaling US$60 million — largely funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. Mammei said that the experiment intends to measure the weak charge of the election, which has previously been measured, but the experiment will measure it five times more precisely.

Further reflecting on her journey, she credits a high pre-SAT score that earned her a full tuition scholarship as a key turning point. “I was quite lucky to score very high on a test in the U.S. called the pre-SAT […], I scored so high on that and got a full tuition scholarship to a college and if that hadn’t happened, I am not sure where I would be.”

Balancing a busy personal life with her career, she acknowledges the challenges but emphasizes the importance of pursuing one’s dreams. Mammei also encouraged Indigenous students to seek support, follow their passions, reach out for guidance while living their dream.

Dr. Lori Wilkinson, a professor in the department of sociology and criminology, also received the RSC recognition. As the Canada Research Chair in Migration Futures, Dr. Wilkinson is widely celebrated for her work in immigration and refugee resettlement over the past 25 years. She also serves as the director for Immigration Research West, a multidisciplinary group that educates Canadians about the contributions of newcomers.

In an interview with the Manitoban, Wilkinson reflected on the honour of being elected to the RSC. With characteristic humility, she expressed her appreciation, stating, “it’s a huge honour, I don’t feel like I really deserve it, but it’s humbling to be part of a community of scholars who have contributed so much to not only the development of Canada and academics in Canada, but their worldwide output and knowledge.”

Recognizing this accolade as a shared achievement, Wilkinson highlighted the collective efforts behind her work. “This recognition indeed not only represents my work but also the tireless work of many individuals and organizations committed to improving the lives of newcomers, I am very grateful to be part of this community.”

As someone deeply committed to community engagement, Wilkinson emphasized the importance of her connections with various organizations.

“I am a person who works very hard to link with the community and to connect with different organizations so that my research can help make lives better for refugees both here in Canada and elsewhere.”

Wilkinson’s journey into immigration research was shaped by her personal experiences growing up. She explained how her childhood curiosity about global conflicts sparked her interest in refugee issues. “When I was a kid, I used to watch the news a lot because my mom and dad watched the news, and when I was seven or eight years old, I remember one of the first questions I asked my mom and dad about world events was actually around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” she said.

In addition to her academic and professional accomplishments, Wilkinson credited her family, especially her husband, for being an essential source of support throughout her career. She expressed deep gratitude for their unwavering encouragement, acknowledging that their strength has helped sustain her work.

Mario Pinto, the U of M’s vice-president (research and international), praised the scholars by telling UM Today that “these UM scholars have demonstrated leadership in the world of science and to the well-being of our society. I congratulate the honorees on this well-deserved recognition by their peers and the Royal Society for their advancing their respective fields in Canada and around the world.”

The RSC will be celebrating new fellows, members and award recipients at the 2024 Celebration of Excellence and Engagement from Nov. 7 to 9 in Vancouver, British Columbia.