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Faculty of Arts and Science post-doctoral fellow Shideh Ahmadi has earned the American Chemical Society (ACS) Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Recognition Program award for Leadership in the Promotion of Inclusion and Belonging.

This award recognizes individuals who actively strengthen a culture of inclusion within the scientific community.

“I was nominated for my long-standing work mentoring diverse trainees, organizing EDI-focused programs like the Leaders Overcoming Great Inequalities in Chemistry (LOGIC) and Queen’s Chemistry Inclusivity Diversity Equity Awareness Society (Q.C.IDEAS), supporting international and underrepresented students, and building community spaces—such as the I-EDIAA Library at Queen’s—that promote belonging, accessibility, and collaboration,” says Dr. Ahmedi.

“Personally, this award is very meaningful because inclusion and belonging have shaped my own journey as an international scholar. Supporting students—especially those navigating new environments, cultures, or barriers—has always been a priority for me. Receiving recognition for this work reinforces the importance of compassion, mentorship, and community in science.”

Dr. Ahmedi adds the award highlights that leadership in EDI is not separate from research excellence—it strengthens it. “It encourages me to continue building spaces where trainees feel valued, supported, and able to thrive. It also motivates me to take on more leadership roles in shaping an inclusive academic culture.”

Dr. Ahmedi is supervised by Dr. Nick Mosey and Dr. Gregory Jerkiewicz, two academics who were instrumental in shaping her career.

Her research focuses on designing cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient materials for renewable energy. She uses computer simulations—essentially virtual experiments—to understand how atoms interact on the surfaces of materials used in hydrogen production, fuel cells, and chemical reactions. By modelling these reactions on a computer, she can predict which materials work best and why. This helps researchers develop more sustainable catalysts for clean energy technologies without the cost and time of traditional lab experiments.

“Together, their mentorship has given me a strong foundation—scientifically and professionally—and has encouraged me to engage in leadership, teaching, and community-building roles,” she adds.

Learn more about the award on the .