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Celebrating Ericka De Oliveira: Winner of the Nicholas Reid Memorial Award 2026!

We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on Ericka De Oliveira, this year’s recipient of the Nicholas Reid Memorial Award!

Ericka is an outstanding PhD Candidate whose dedication to environmental protection bridges the gap between groundbreaking laboratory research and passionate community leadership.

Innovative Environmental Research

Ericka’s research focuses on developing novel passive sampling methods for PMTs (persistent and mobile toxic substances), including harmful chemicals found in plastics and PFAS. Her innovative work is already making a tangible global and local impact:

  • Policy Integration: Her methods are now enabling the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to include PMT plastic additives as target substances in official environmental monitoring.
  • Global Collaboration: Actively collaborating with researchers from the EU-based ZeroPM Consortium—an EU Horizon 2020 project driving the EU Chemicals Strategy toward zero PMT pollution—to deploy passive samplers in support of their environmental mission.

Leadership and Community Impact

Beyond her academic achievements, Ericka is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, education, and mentorship. She regularly gives back to the community by:

  • Environmental Cleanups: Volunteering with the UofT Trash Team on local cleanups and plastic pollution education.
  • Public Science Advocacy: Bringing science to the general public through TMU events like Science Rendezvous and Soapbox Science.
  • Empowering the Next Generation: Supporting Women in STEM initiatives and mentoring students navigating academic and career pathways.
  • Campus Leadership: Serving on the Executive Team of the Student Leadership Committee at Urban Water TMU, and frequently speaking about her research to visiting VIPs during tours of Urban Water.

 

Please join us in congratulating Ericka De Oliveira on this incredible achievement and thanking her for her ongoing efforts to protect our ecosystems!