Our Donors

SFU Physics is grateful for the contributions from our donors who wish to remain anonymous. The kindness of our anonymous donors allows to offer the Ralph Kerr Memorial Bursary, the Scott Wilson Memorial Bursay, as well as the Curzon-Digman Bursary. On behalf of our students, we truly appreciate the support provided and are thankful for these unnamed generous individuals. 

We deeply thank our Charter Faculty Members and their families for their continued support and involvement within the SFU Physics community. 

Dr. John M. D'Auria, Professor Emeritus, Simon Fraser University, was born March 28, 1939 in New York. After completing an undergraduate degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), a PhD in Nuclear Science at Yale University, and postdoctoral research at Columbia University, he was appointed in 1967 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science at newly established Simon Fraser University (SFU). John participated in the early planning of TRIUMF (Canada’s particle accelerator centre), which was founded in 1968, and was pivotal in the creation of SFU’s affiliated nuclear-science program.

During his sabbatical at CERN’s (European Organization for Nuclear Research) Isotope Mass Separator On-Line facility (ISOLDE) in 1975–1976, he was the first author of the paper reporting the discovery of 74Rb, and he became very interested in the facility's isotope-separation technology. This led John to lead a group with modest funding and much resourcefulness to build the TISOL (Test Isotope Separator On-Line) facility at TRIUMF. ISOLDE and TISOL researchers collaborated fruitfully, including an episode where TRIUMF imported, diagnosed and repaired a failed ISOLDE front-end. Notable TISOL successes included estimates of the production of oxygen-16 in the helium burning of dying Red Giant stars (of prime importance in astrophysics), as well as launching the TRINAT (TRIUMF Neutral Ion Trap) experimental facility, which is still active today.

TISOL’s success and John’s persistent advocacy for a rare isotope beam program set the stage for TRIUMF’s decision to pursue construction of its ISAC (Isotope Separator and Accelerator) facility. His expertise was critical in ISAC’s early days when a new generation of rare-isotopebeam scientists were being trained and he was the project leader for ISAC’s flagship experimental facility, the DRAGON (Detector of Recoils And Gammas of Nuclear reactions) mass separator. Under John’s leadership, DRAGON became the world’s premier facility for the study of radioactive capture using radioactive beams. In the years that followed, John remained active in the planning for a new TRIUMF facility to mass produce 225Ac for targeted alpha cancer therapy. John D’Auria, a rebel with a rare isotope beam, was one of a kind, and his talents, drive and booming laugh are sorely missed.

SFU Physics is grateful for the generous support from the friends and family of John D'Auria. We are honoured to have The John D'Auria Memorial Graduate Scholarship in Chemistry and Physics to encourage our students following in John's determined footsteps. 

The Trottier Family

The Trottier Studio for Innovative Science Education and the Trottier Observatory and Science Courtyard have been bringing science education and astronomy to students, and the lower mainland community since 2014, thanks to the generosity of the Trottier Family.

Lorne Trottier’s passion for science and technology began when he was 11 years old when he built his first crystal radio. Wanting to understand how this radio worked quickly morphed into an insatiable curiosity to learn about the functioning of the solar system, the universe, and modern science. This passion helped to propel him into becoming an electronics engineer and to co-found Matrox, a company making specialized computer graphics and video products. Unsurprisingly, Lorne Trottier passed on his passion for science and astronomy to his younger brother Dr. Howard Trottier, who is now an SFU Physics Emeritus Professor, amateur astronomer, and award-winning astrophotographer.

This passion for learning was ingrained by the Trottier parents, who were determined that their four sons would be given a university education, something neither parent had the luxury to pursue. While it wasn’t easy putting four children through university, it was a priority that never flagged and fostered spirited dinnertime conversations about the natural and the political world. Besides Howard and Lorne, brother Elliot is an actuary while brother Marc is a retired child-care worker.

The Trottier Family aims to bring science outreach to young people through The Trottier Family Foundation partnership with SFU. Howard Trottier’s deep involved and passion for science outreach inspired him to create SFU’s Starry Nights program in 2007. “When people come to campus and look through our telescopes, I want them to feel the mystery and the excitement of the universe. If I can have that impact on a young person and give them a sense of passion about the natural world, then I think it’s good for them and for society and as an educator, that’s a wonderful experience” says Howard Trottier.

Through the Trottier Foundation the brothers hope to grow their science outreach, among young people in particular, and to help others develop and pursue a passion for the field. We at SFU Physics thank the Trottier's for their dedication to helping others explore their passion for learning. 

"I am honored to support the University that provided me with a solid foundation on which to build my career. That humble physics degree led me to forming my own company in California where I have been residing since 1983. So, it’s only fair the Kapahi Family does its part to support SFU.” - Ray Kapahi, BSc 1972

From a young age, Ray learned the value of helping others from his father Tilak (Raj) Kapahi. Raj taught his children that if there is anything you want in this world, go out and give it to others. Through helping others, you enrich the world around you and also your own life. 

Ray’s family also valued education, which brought him, his brother Naveen and his sister Neera to Simon Fraser University. Looking back at his time in Physics, SFU Professors Dr. Palmer, Dr. Rieckhoff and Dr. Curzon went above and beyond for Ray serving as educators and mentors. Thanks to SFU, Ray’s physics and math education became the foundational building blocks with which he would build a career and vocation centered on the environment.

After graduating in 1972, Ray went on to obtain a Masters in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto (1975). From there he worked at several environmental consulting firms focusing on air quality impact analysis. In 1995 Ray made the bold move to start his own firm, which he sold in 2017. He has since founded another firm focusing on air quality and use of advanced models to analyze movement and control of odors. 

With career success came the opportunity and privilege to help others. Carrying on in his father’s footsteps Ray wanted to give back to the educational institution that opened doors and allowed him to be so accomplished. This led to the creation of the Ray Kapahi and Denise L. Wesleder Bursary in Physics. It is his wish that this bursary will help remove financial barriers and allow the next generation of bright young people to obtain the education they need to change the world.

Ray’s love for the sciences is second only to his love for wife and partner Denise L. Wesleder. Denise, too, has devoted much of her life to selfless giving. Her work within the non-profit world ushers a faith community of 5,000 families along a continuum of hope, service and stewardship. Her expertise and experience over 20 years translates to frontline organizational development, managing all business functions and administering programs which represent the lifeline of the parish and, therefore, its members. Denise knows firsthand the difference financial gifts make. Through her tireless efforts in countless fundraising events, seasonal appeals and capital campaigns, she has witnessed an outpouring of generosity—a generosity that produces results in hearts, spirit, and the growth of the physical campus, including a church, parish center and a school. A steadfast advocate of promise and potential, Denise’s professional work and personal commitment represent the best in changing lives and building futures.

Ray and Denise hope their giving will have a ripple effect, and that those he helps will be inspired to pay it forward and help others. To the recipients of the Ray Kapahi and Denise L. Wesleder Bursary in Physics, Ray shares: “I feel honoured to support you. I believe in you and I am rooting for you. Go after your goals and dreams and don’t give up. I wish you the best of success.”

"Work hard; and be patient. To be a successful spectroscopist, one must have patience. And don’t forget to have fun – science should be fun!”

- Kirk H. Michaelian                           

Kirk H. Michaelian, PhD, is an emeritus scientist with Natural Resources Canada. He previously worked as a research associate at the University of Alberta and as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto. The author of over 175 papers, and two books, on spectroscopy and related topics, Dr. Michaelian received his PhD from the Faculty of Science at Simon Fraser University.

His research focuses on instrumentation and signal recovery in photoacoustic and Raman spectroscopy with special emphasis on hydrocarbon characterization. He is an Honourary Fellow at the Canadian Light Source in Saskatoon, an adjunct professor at the Universities of Toronto and Calgary and a Board member for the Alberta/Canada Fusion Technology Alliance (an organization working on fusion as an energy source).

SFU Physics is thankful for Kirk H. Michaelian's generous support of graduate students at his alma mater through the Kirk H. Michaelian Graduate Scholarship in Physics.