2022 PHAS Staff Service Awards Presented to Janelle Van Dongen and Kirsty Dickson

This year the PHAS Department celebrated two staff in recognition of their significant contributions and dedication to the department for 2022: congratulations to PHAS Engineering Technician, Janelle Van Dongen, and Communications Coordinator, Kirsty Dickson!

The PHAS Department staff service awards are presented annually at the PHAS Department Christmas luncheon, to staff who have contributed greatly towards the Department in the areas of service, administration and leadership.

Janelle has a long and diverse history in PHAS which include her years as an undergraduate student, graduate student and postdoctoral fellow.

Currently working in PHAS technical services as manager of the HEBB demo room equipment, Janelle is known for her expertise in optics, mechanical skills and teaching experience (both in instructing and creating student and teacher resources for physics) as well as being a supportive and collaborative colleague. A tremendous technical support for faculty, staff and students, Janelle has facilitated and assisted with numerous workshops, technical training sessions, experimental projects, Janelle was recently one of this year’s Faraday show presenters, leading lessons for children in the physics of water and supporting our student instructors with their demonstrations and experiments. 

Kirsty Dickson started with the PHAS Department as interim Undergraduate Coordinator in 2019, moving into the position of Communications and Outreach Coordinator in March, 2022. Responsible for communicating news and events happening across the department, she also coordinates conferences, workshops and competitions for faculty and students as well as a variety of public outreach programming in physics and astronomy (Phenomenal Physics camps, the annual Faraday Show, Physics Olympics and Physics Olympiad events and Ember/Girl Guide and Scouts visits). 

Thank you Janelle and Kirsty for all you bring to the Department!