Dr Jane Watson was a Biology Department Faculty member for 20 years (1996-2016). Jane taught several courses in the Department including first-year introductory zoology and third-year courses in vertebrate zoology, animal behaviour, and population and community ecology. She also maintained an active research program, specializing in sea otter and kelp forest ecology. Upon her retirement in 2016, Jane was awarded the VIU Academic Emeritus designation in recognition of her many outstanding contributions. Throughout her time at VIU, Jane was a visionary leader in promoting undergraduate student travel to biological conferences. The Dr. Jane Watson Biology Conference Fund was established in 2018 to support Dr. Jane Watson Biology Conference Awards. Students who are completing their Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and are conducting their BIOL 490 or BIOL 491 independent research project in the year of application are eligible to apply for this award to attend or present at a scientific conference. The amount awarded varies with conference costs.
Award Recipients
- Ally Badger, 2021
- Genevieve van der Voort, 2019
- Jillian Campbell, 2019