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At this fall’s convocation, two exceptional McMaster students received the Governor General’s Academic Medal, one of the most prestigious student awards in Canada. Established in 1873, the award recognizes exceptional academic achievement. Earning this accolade not only places this year’s recipients among the top students to graduate from McMaster; it places them among the top students in all of Canada.

One of this year’s winners is familiar to our department, as he is studying with Dr. Giuseppe Melacini.

RASHIK AHMED, FACULTY OF SCIENCE

Ahmed received his Honours BSc in biochemistry from McMaster and is graduating with a PhD in the biochemistry and biomedical sciences program. His doctoral research focuses on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

He is passionate about advocating for patients and families suffering from neurodegenerative disorders and disseminating research in this area.

He has been supported by the Canada Institute of Health Research CGS-M and CGS-D fellowships and is a recipient of the Thomas Neilson scholarship.

He is grateful to his PhD supervisor, Giuseppe Melacini, for fostering in him a passion for scientific research and commitment to the dissemination of knowledge and mentorship of students.