Ottawa/CMEDIA: Polar Knowledge Canada reportedly presentd its prestigious 2025 Northern Science Award to Dr. Homa Kheyrollah Pour.
“Polar Knowledge Canada supports research that makes a difference for Northern communities. Dr. Kheyrollah Pour’s innovative work reminds us why collaboration matters. Her commitment to northern science that empowers local voices is exactly what this award is all about. We are proud to celebrate her achievements,” Sue Kerr, Acting President and Chief Executive Officer, Polar Knowledge Canada said.
Presented annually to an individual or team who have made a significant contribution to advancing knowledge and understanding of the Canadian North, Dr. Homa Kheyrollah Pour, Ph.D. was presented Dec 18, 2025 with this prestigious award and Centenary Medal at the ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting gala in Calgary, Alberta.
“The Northern Science Award celebrates the vision and dedication of those advancing knowledge critical to the future of the North. Dr. Kheyrollah Pour’s leadership in community-engaged northern science exemplifies collaborative research that strengthens resilience and ensures northern voices remain central to solutions shaping their future,” Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency said.
Dr. Kheyrollah Pour selection for the 2025 Northern Science Award and Centenary Medal winner was based on the recognition of her exceptional scientific leadership and community-partnered scholarship in freshwater lake monitoring in Canada’s Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.
Her research focuses on climate-driven changes to lake ice, winter road safety and water quality in the Northwest Territories.
An Associate Professor in Geography and Environmental Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University Dr. Kheyrollah Pour is the Executive Director of the Cold Regions Research Centre and Canada Research Chair in Remote Sensing of Environmental Change.
In collaboration with local Indigenous communities, Dr. Kheyrollah Pour has successfully established an ice thickness monitoring network across the territory that integrates in situ sensor technology, remote sensing and Indigenous knowledge.
Ice condition data is made available by the network in real-time to Northern residents, helping communities adapt and respond to increasingly unpredictable ice road conditions.
