Vasudha Kaura, an incoming CivMin PhD student, is the recipient of the 2026 Lassonde International Graduate Scholarship in Mining at the University of Toronto.
“I am proud to be part of the U of T community and deeply grateful to the generous donors for this scholarship and to my supervisor for their continued support,” says Kaura.
Kaura is an international graduate student who completed their master’s degree at University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) in 2026 with an Outstanding rating and hold a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering as a merit-based Gold Medalist. They will begin their PhD at U of T this September 2026 under the supervision of Professor Minghan Xu.”
Prof. Xu gives a warm welcome to Kaura, saying, “Congratulations on receiving the Lassonde Graduate Scholarship, Vasudha! This is an amazing start. Welcome to U of T, CivMin, and our research group.”
“During my master’s, my research focused on converting seafood shell waste into hydrogen and subsequently generating electricity from the produced hydrogen,” Kaura explains. “I integrated the system with wind and solar energy and optimized it to meet electrical demand under different electrification scenarios, considering the real-life geometry and characteristics of buildings. This work developed my interest in sustainable energy systems, renewable energy integration, and energy optimization.”
Continuing, she says, “For my PhD, I will be working on phase change material (PCM)-based thermal energy storage in Northern Canada. My research will focus on developing and optimizing thermal storage solutions, with particular consideration of the challenging cold-climate conditions of Northern Canada.”
Eager to explore one of the most multiculturally diverse cities on the planet, Kaura elaborates, “Beyond academics and research, I enjoy travelling, discovering new places, and connecting with people from different backgrounds and cultures. I also have a passion for poetry writing, which gives me a creative way to express my thoughts and experiences. As I begin my journey in Toronto, I’m especially looking forward to exploring the city, experiencing its diverse culture and communities, and becoming more involved in the University of Toronto community.”