Jennifer Fowlie Named a CIFAR Scholar

Northwestern Engineering’s Jennifer Fowlie has been named a Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) Global Scholar.

Fowlie, assistant professor of materials science and engineering at the McCormick School of Engineering, is one of 15 scholars for the period between 2026 and 2028. Fowlie was selected from a competitive pool of more than 450 researchers from 41 countries. The new cohort of CIFAR Scholars includes scientists from across the globe.

The initiative, in its 11th year, enables early-career researchers to expand their professional networks and pursue ideas with CAD $100,000 of unrestricted research funding. Fowlie and the other 14 researchers will become full members of a CIFAR research program, gaining access to international networks, mentorship, and opportunities for deep interdisciplinary collaboration.

Fowlie was selected in the Quantum Materials category. She grows ceramic crystals at nearly atomic-scale precision to explore electronic phenomena such as superconductivity and magnetism. Her lab investigates how crystal structure shapes these quantum properties, aiming to engineer materials with new and useful functionalities.

CIFAR is a global research organization that brings together leading scholars to collaborate on complex scientific and societal challenges, from artificial intelligence and quantum materials to climate and human health. Founded in 1982, CIFAR supports long-term, interdisciplinary research networks and helps connect academic discoveries with public policy and innovation.