Hydrometallurgy Gordon M. Ritcey Ph.D. Award
2025 Recipient
Fariba Mousavi, Université Laval
Fariba Mousavi is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Metallurgical Engineering at Université Laval, supervised by Prof. Houshang Alamdari. Her research focuses on the use of IrO₂-based mixed metal oxide (MMO) anodes in zinc electrowinning to enhance process sustainability and reduce energy consumption. She investigates the impact of manganese on anode degradation and develops surface activiation protocols to restore anode performance. Through electrochemical testing and surface characterization, Fariba’s work supports the transition from traditional lead-based anodes to more energy-efficient and environmentally responsible alternatives in industrial zinc production.
| 2024 – Noel Devaere, University of Toronto | 2023 – Guillermo Hein Alvial, Queen’s University | 2022 – Maryam Pourmahdavi, Laurentian University |
| 2021 – Konstantina Chalastara, McGill University | 2020 – Kevin Turgeon, Laval University | 2019 – Yan Zeng, McGill University |
| 2018 – Denver Cowan (Queen’s University) | 2017 – Ajanthia Gunaratnam (UBC) | 2016 – A. D. Bas, Laval University |
| 2015 – A. Burns, University of British Columbia | 2014 – R. Tavakoli, University of British Columbia | 2013 – No award |
| 2012 – T. Feldmann, McGill University | 2011 – G. Nazari, University of British Columbia | 2010 – I. Perederiy, University of Toronto |
| 2009 – G. Azimi, University of Toronto | 2008 – F. Xie, University of British Columbia | 2007 – B. Rivera-Vasquez, University of British Columbia |
| 2006 – J. Vaughan, University of British Columbia | 2005 – L. Munholand, Sherbrooke University | 2004 – F. Lagno, McGill University |
About Gordon M. Ritcey
Dr. Ritcey has published over 150 papers, in addition to a two-volume text on solvent extraction; and an authoritative text on tailings management. Seventeen patents have been granted. Dr. Ritcey has been a technical session chairman of numerous national and international conferences as well as conference chairman of several national conferences . He was President of the Metallurgical Society of CIM (1976-77), and during the period 1986-96 he served as Secretary-General of the International Committee for Solvent Extraction. He was the founding editor of the international journal of Hydrometallurgy (1975), and remained as editor for 19 years.
Dr. Ritcey has received numerous honours, including being the first recipient of the Sherritt Gordon Hydrometallurgy Medal; the Alcan Medal; CIM Silver Medal, the University of Liege (Belgium) Medal; the Mendeleev Medal (Russia) and the Carl Hanson Medal (ISEC).
Eligibility
To be eligible for this award, the candidate must be registered in a Ph.D. program in the field of hydrometallurgy during the entire academic year in a Canadian university.
Applications must include:
- A copy of the applicant’s academic transcripts
- A summary of the project, including preliminary results, a discussion concerning subsequent project orientation, and a list of prepared publications or conference presentations (2-3 pages maximum)
To encourage graduate studies in the field of hydrometallurgy, the Hydrometallurgy Section offers an award of $5,000 to honour the accomplishments of a Ph.D. graduate student in the field of hydrometallurgy in a Canadian university. In addition to the cash award, we award one free registration for the conference at which we present the award, plus free admission to the social events we sponsor at that conference.
Submit your application
Email your application package to Georgios Kolliopoulos and Ramanpal Saini, Chairs of Student Support at: Georgios.Kolliopoulos@gmn.ulaval.ca and ramanpal.saini@vale.com
Application deadline: February 10, 2026