2026 Harry B. Barrett Bursary Recipients Announced

Our fund has been doing well over the last few years under the management of the Norfolk Community Foundation. This has allowed us, for the first time, to distribute three $2,000 bursaries to deserving students.  We are thrilled to announce the successful Harry B. Barrett Bursary recipients below with is a brief description of each student’s research work in Norfolk County:

Emily Laver-Shareski, Master of Biology candidate at Western University. 
To monitor the success of the recent re-introductions of the Mottled Duskywing butterfly, an endangered species in Ontario,  in Norfolk County. She will look at the genetic diversity by monitoring the populations over the next few years. Following her graduate studies she hopes to work for Wildlife Preservation Canada and continue her work in conserving and protecting the Mottled Duskywing and its oak savanna habitat.

Thomas Pianta, Master of Science  candidate at University of Waterloo.
Thomas is investigating factors in pre-migratory behaviour in Silver-haired Bats using the MOTUS tracking system. He will look at what influence stress, boldness, and curiosity have on this species, which could influence their migration route. Understanding the migration behaviour of bats will help craft effective conservation strategies for this and other bat species.

Stephanie Di Guglielmo, Master of Science candidate at Western University.
Stephanie is looking at anti-microbial resistance genes in the gut microbiome of several migratory bird species – Swainson’s Thrush, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Purple Martin. She will collect samples on birds migrating either direction in an attempt to determine where contaminants are picked up so as to better address issues of antibiotics in the environment.

Congratulations to Emily, Thomas and Stephanie!