Schulich Leader Scholarships

Will Kwan, a machine learning engineer at Google, founded startups while still studying computer science at the ��Ƶ. Haleema Khan discovered a passion for bioengineering at U of T and, as a master's student at McGill University, is now developing a new type of rapid, super-accurate DNA testing for bacteria and viruses. Danny McInnis, who graduated from U of T in mechanical and industrial engineering, works for Logitech in Ireland – and, on the side, made a documentary about small businesses surviving the pandemic.

All three U of T alumni were supported by Schulich Leader Scholarships during their time at the university.

“Because the award alleviated the financial burden of paying for school, it really let me try different things,” says McInnis. “That’s been instrumental in my learning. If I had been worried about working a job to pay for school, I would have been less inclined to take all those cool risks, and being able to has had a lasting impact on me.”

Established by philanthropist Seymour Schulich and distributed through the Schulich Foundation, the Schulich Leader Scholarships are four-year awards for Canada's top students in science, technology, engineering and math. The program, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, awards up to 100 scholarships annually – with 10 of the awards going to U of T students in 2021.

“Warmest congratulations to Seymour Schulich and the Schulich Foundation on the 10th anniversary of these very important scholarships,” said U of T President Meric Gertler. “And thank you for the difference you’ve made, by supporting Canada’s next generation of leading innovators and problem-solvers. The Schulich Leader Scholarships help ensure that our greatest young minds can take advantage of the opportunity of a stellar education, so they can realize their full potential.”

With a passion for STEM, U of T recipients of the Schulich Leader Scholarships are flying high

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 13:13:54 +0000

With a passion for STEM, U of T recipients of the Schulich Leader Scholarships are flying high

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 10/20/2020 - 09:13

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Schulich Leader Scholarships recognize Canadian students with academic excellence who exemplify leadership and embrace STEM fields. The scholarships were awarded to 10 U of T students this year.

Janet Rowe

Topic

Our Community

Computer Science

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Meric Gertler

Schulich Leader Scholarships

St. Michael's College

Adele Crete-Laurence remembers the moment when she really started to feel like a leader. “In air cadets, I worked my way up to second-in-command of the whole squadron,” she says. “As I stood in front of everyone on parade, I thought back to when I first started cadets and thought, ‘That person in the front seems so old! And now, I’m that person’. It was just amazing.”

Leadership skills not only propelled Crete-Laurence to the ��Ƶ, but also to a prestigious, top-level entrance award: a Schulich Leader Scholarship.

Founded in 2011 by philanthropist Seymour Schulich through the Schulich Foundation, Schulich Leader Scholarships recognize Canadian students with academic excellence who exemplify leadership and embrace the STEM fields – science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In 2020, the Schulich Foundation awarded Schulich Leader Scholarships to 10 U of T students. The scholarships last for four years and are valued at $80,000 for science, technology or mathematics students and $100,000 for engineering students. Recipients become part of the Schulich Leaders Network.

That network excites Crete-Laurence as she embarks on an engineering degree with plans to work on sustainability in aerospace. She says she loves meeting new people. “I’ve had a few experiences in a group with a lot of students that were very driven and had a lot of interests – like me – and it’s always a really energizing experience,” she says. “And I always leave it with just a lot of joy.”

Aaron D’Mello, who is studying computer science and hopes to launch a career in software development and artificial intelligence, agrees. “Meeting the Schulich Leaders from past years over calls online – that’s been great,” he says. With an interest in music, academics and athletics, D’Mello says collaborating with others is a big part of why he loves math so much.

“There’s definitely an answer to most questions, so there’s that instant feedback,” he says. “But even to get the answer, there are so many methods and perspectives you can take. Just collaborating with other people can give you more tools. And when you finally get it …you have so much satisfaction out of finally cracking that problem.”

D’Mello led a team of more than 10 students to initiate a school-board-wide chess tournament in Ontario’s Durham Region – and wrote software to manage the player pairings.

An entrepreneur and a business leader, Schulich is one of Canada’s most generous philanthropists. He has given $200 million to support the Schulich Leader Scholarship endowment and help launch the next generation of technology innovators.

Crete-Laurence hopes to be one of those innovators.

“Recently, I earned my pilot and glider licenses and became very passionate about aviation,” she says. “I know a lot of people say that we shouldn’t fly because it creates emissions, but aviation is a really key industry for travel and for trade, so it’s not effective if we just ignore it. I’m really interested in how we can make it greener and improve the technology through different forms of energy. As I’ve learned more about energy in physics class, I’ve become even more passionate about how technology and going green intersect.”

“Seymour Schulich embodies truly visionary leadership,” says U of T President Meric Gertler. “He sets a wonderful example for these ambitious students, as a successful entrepreneur and a leading light in Canadian philanthropy. “On behalf of the ��Ƶ, I would like to thank him for enabling these exceptional students to join our academic community. We’re delighted to welcome them to U of T.”

“These inspiring students have the talent and commitment to lead our world to a positive future,” adds Sandy Welsh, the university’s vice-provost, students. “Supporting them in exploring their passions and relieving financial stress allows them to focus on academic achievement and to take advantage of the university’s rich extra-curricular learning environment. We’re tremendously grateful to Mr. Schulich for his vision for educating the best and brightest of Canada’s diverse young generation, and thrilled to do our part in helping them thrive as leaders.”

The students are grateful, too.

“It was incredible to hear I got the Schulich Leader Scholarship,” says D’Mello. “The financial aspect is a really big deal because now I can focus on getting the most out of my education. But also, it’s just a huge honour. I’m really proud of it and I hope that through my education and through my career, I can make Mr. Schulich proud, too.”

“I want to express my true gratitude to Mr. Schulich,” adds Crete-Laurence. “He has really made an impact on me. Being called a leader has renewed my sense of confidence as I go into what I know will be a challenging degree, and I’m going to seize every opportunity that arises for me.”

U of T’s 2020 Schulich Leaders have many accomplishments under their belts, from building apps to schools and businesses. Here are this year’s recipients of the Schulich Leader Scholarship:

Mallory Bond, mathematics and physical sciences, Trinity College

Bond’s dual passions for math and music are just the beginning of her wide-ranging interests, which include competitive choir, ballet, tap dancing, lifeguarding and swim coaching. She’s launched a music program for at-risk youth and helped build a school in Kenya. She says she hopes to continue making a positive impact with the Schulich Leader network.

Aaron D’Mello, computer science, U of T Scarborough

D’Mello doesn’t just love math. As a tutor who’s been volunteering for four years, he helps others appreciate it, too. He’s placed on the honour roll at four University of Waterloo math competitions; inaugurated and managed school-board-wide chess tournaments in Durham Region; and is a track athlete, a top-level pianist, an air cadet and a Reach for the Top alumnus.

Daniel Hocevar, computer science, St. Michael’s College

Hocevar skips his own curling team, playing at the provincial level, and has already founded a tech startup, Curling Analytics – a first step to creating accessible sports analytics apps. In high school, he enjoyed the robotics club and, at U of T, he’s looking forward to diving into artificial intelligence, computer vision and other innovative technologies.

Jessie Ritter, computer science, mathematics and statistics, U of T Mississauga

Ritter hopes to take her entrepreneurial ambitions to the next level at U of T Mississauga. At her home in Bancroft, Ont., she has already created a golf ball business, managed an egg-selling operation, sold her organic produce to supermarkets, looked after 14 beehives and co-led an initiative to feed hungry families.

Matthew Toohey, computer science, University College

With music, travel, gaming, coding, volunteering, audiovisual club, a black belt in karate and even a popsicle stick bridge-building championship on his resume, Toohey brings a well-rounded energy to U of T. He had already built himself a desktop computer by Grade 9, and he’s looking forward to learning about fields such as computer security and privacy at U of T.

Adele Crete-Laurence, engineering science

Crete-Laurence earned pilot and glider licenses as an air cadet, where she rose to second-in-command of her squadron and won the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence. And she still found time to debate with the Model United Nations, study piano and sing in a choir. She hopes to make contributions to aerospace engineering and become fully involved with the U of T Engineering community.

Zack Fine, engineering science

Fine didn’t just build his own 3D printer at his high school, he used it to design, build and sell fidget spinners, and founded a 3D printing club for good measure. He was also involved in math and coding clubs, student government and Reach for the Top. He looks forward to getting just as involved in U of T Engineering’s vibrant club and research community.

Aditi Misra, engineering science

From nanomedicine to robotics and sustainability, Misra has already delved into the gamut of engineering initiatives, and looks forward to more collaborations at U of T. Her achievements include a National Academy of Engineering award for her essay proposing a flywheel energy storage system for Mississauga, Ont., as well as a nanomedicine research proposal.

Christopher K.W. Adolphe, engineering science

A goalie for AAA hockey since 2017, Adolphe also found time to co-found a Duke of Edinburgh Club, focused on global citizenship, at his Toronto high school. He has a passion for emerging technological fields such as AI, biotech and virtual reality and has already participated in a project designing tech-driven solutions to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.

Azeem Mohammad, electrical engineering

Joining a drone-building club in high school gave Mohammad a passion for engineering, while years of volunteering fed his interest in helping humanity. He is looking forward to exploring a wide range of topics, meeting other students passionate about engineering, and building a career that allows him to have a positive impact on others.

'A part of my identity now': Meet U of T's four Schulich Leaders

perry.king — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000

'A part of my identity now': Meet U of T's four Schulich Leaders

perry.king Wed, 09/25/2019 - 00:00

Cutline

U of T's four Schulich Leaders, from left: Caleb Lammers, Adam Glustein, Aidan Britnell and Tommy Moffat (photos by Perry King)

Perry King

Topic

Our Community

Dublin Awards. Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Schulich Leader Scholarships

STEM

Trinity College

U of T Mississauga

Undergraduate Students

As they begin their post-secondary lives, four ��Ƶ recipients of prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarships have already forged a bond.

Aidan Britnell, Adam Glustein, Caleb Lammers and Tommy Moffat are four of 50 students nationwide named Schulich Leaders, a scholarship program that recognizes and connects top students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Selected among 1,400 nominees, the 50 students have been recognized for a combination of community, business and entrepreneurial leadership, as well as academic excellence and financial need. They receive entrance scholarships valued at $100,000 for undergraduate studies in engineering, and $80,000 for students in science or mathematics – and gain access to a large network of students and mentors.

It is that network that Britnell, a Burlington, Ont., native who is attending U of T Mississauga, finds just as valuable as the scholarship funding.

“I feel more like a leader in the sense that I’m able to connect and network with all the other people through the Schulich network,” says Britnell, who will be studying in the computer science, mathematics and statistics program.

In 2012, businessman and philanthropist Seymour Schulich established a $100-million scholarship fund to encourage students to become the next pioneers of global scientific research and innovation. To date, about 370 Canadians have been named Schulich Leaders.

“These students will make great contributions to society, both on a national and global scale,” Schulich says. “With their university expenses covered, they can focus their time on their studies, research projects, extracurriculars, and entrepreneurial ventures.

“They are Canada’s next generation of technology innovators.”

U of T News spoke to U of T's four new Schulich Leaders about their interests and their first few weeks on campus.

Aidan Britnell

From King’s Christian College in Burlington, Ont.
Computer science, mathematics and statistics student
U of T Mississauga

As a high school student, Aidan Britnell first volunteered and then worked in the school’s IT department, maintaining its server and network infrastructure.

“It was really good for gaining practical operations experience,” he says.

Working there from Grades 9 to 12, he says he was grateful for the opportunity to try things he wouldn’t normally get a chance to do. In Grade 11, he successfully pitched a mobile app he created that allowed students to store their student cards electronically.

“It’s better for students because it’s always with you – you never lose your phone – and it’s better for the school because you don’t have to print plastic cards and get some company to print them,” says Britnell, recalling his pitch.

Students continue to use the app, he says, adding that he hopes to develop a similar app for other schools.

He intends to specialize in information security.

For now, he is adjusting to life at U of T Mississauga, where he says he has been able to connect with other students.

“There’s so many different orientation events. I’m not scared, just excited for learning and meeting new people.”

Caleb Lammers

From St. Ignatius High School in Thunder Bay, Ont.
Mathematics and physics student
St. George campus

When his high school didn't offer any STEM-related clubs, Caleb Lammers and his friends decided to create their own.

With a teacher’s help, they established the school’s first robotics team with an organization called FIRST Robotics, which builds robot fighters for competitions.

The team became very popular, with 25 to 30 students participating each school year.

“By the end of it, I was loving the programming I was doing and having fun teaching the younger kids and giving them a real introduction into it. It was an awesome time,” says Lammers, who is studying at Trinity College.

Lammers combined his love for linguistics and science in the Canada-Wide Science Fair, where he won a bronze medal for a labour-intensive project comparing the speech patterns of children, teenagers and adults. His passion for mentorship led him to establish a private tutoring business.

As a Schulich Leader, he says his goal at U of T is to be challenged intellectually. He is also considering exploring his interest in teaching. “Teaching is something that I found real value for and I love watching students learn,” he says.

Adam Glustein

From Northern Secondary School in Toronto
Engineering science student
St. George campus

Adam Glustein had the highest academic average in his high school's graduating class and was named a national biology scholar with distinction. He also held leadership positions in the school’s athletic association and STEM group, and took part in math tutoring outside the classroom.

He comes to U of T with a number of interests, including genetics, nanotechnology and software engineering, and chose engineering science in U of T's Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering to try out different things before committing to a specialty after second year.

He says he likes the challenge of the rigorous curriculum.

“When you go there, it feels different than a regular classroom – they’re challenging you to succeed,” says Glustein, who is leaning towards pursuing biomedical engineering after second year. “It’s not in a way that I found to be competitive against other people, but it’s a way that brings all of us together and we have to tough it out.”

Glustein loves the tradition around U of T and appreciates the culture among the engineering community – a growing bond, he says.

Becoming a Schulich Leader is “a part of my identity now,” he says. It’s something of which he is deeply proud.

“It’s a nice culmination of all the effort I put in.”

Tommy Moffat

From Assumption Catholic Secondary in Burlington, Ont.

Tommy Moffat begins his Schulich experience as a junior quantum engineer with Rigetti, a quantum computing firm based in California. Deferring his U of T admission for a year, Moffat will first have a chance to work in the field about which he is passionate.

“This year has been a lot about learning as much as possible, even more so than before, about quantum computing,” he says. The Burlington, Ont., native intends to study engineering science when he returns.

His position at Rigetti is the culmination of different STEM opportunities throughout the years. It began for him as a 10-year-old, taking part in STEM camps with E-Bots, a program that builds robots for competitions. Moffat came to lead an E-Bots team, incorporating programming, building and design into his seminars.

“It was a fortunate culture to be in, at an early age,” says Moffat of E-Bots. “The standards were really high. There was always a question of how we always aim to be the best.”

His interest in quantum computing also bloomed through his participation with the Knowledge Society (TKS), a STEM program that teaches concepts like genetic engineering, virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

“Through TKS, I was able to gain access to some opportunities, some mentors, different inroads into the field,” he says.

So far, Moffat has consulted on network infrastructure for Fortune 500 companies, including Airbnb, and has spoken about quantum computing at large technology conferences.

Moffat says he is honoured to be named a Schulich Leader. “Meeting everyone made me really excited for the network possibilities it opens up,” he says.

Meet U of T's four Schulich Leaders who want to make a difference on campus and in the world

geoff.vendeville — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 13:47:55 +0000

Meet U of T's four Schulich Leaders who want to make a difference on campus and in the world

geoff.vendeville Mon, 09/17/2018 - 09:47

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“I guess it's a cliché but I want to make a difference in whatever way I'm the most useful,” says Eli Scott, an engineering science student and Schulich Leader (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

Geoffrey Vendeville

Topic

City & Culture

Awards

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Schulich Leader Scholarships

STEM

Trinity College

Undergraduate Students

The four students who come to the ��Ƶ with prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarships haven’t known each other long, but they appear to be fast friends after going out for sushi during their first weekend in Toronto.

“We all vibed so well,” says Sidrah Rana, a science student and Schulich Leader at U of T's Trinity College. “I've never had such a good dynamic with people after a first meeting.”

They have similar interests, having all come to U of T on the scholarship for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) students, but they also seem to share a desire to make the world a better place – whether through biomedical innovation or political leadership.

The U of T Schulich Leaders are among just 50 high school graduates across Canada who received the scholarship, an initative of business leader and philanthropist Seymour Schulich. “The students will make great contributions to society, both on a national and global scale," says Schulich. "With their university expenses covered, they can focus their time on their studies, research projects, extracurricular, and entrepreneurial ventures.

"They are the next generation of technology innovators."

The scholarship is valued at $100,000 for undergraduate studies in engineering, and $80,000 for students in science or mathematics.

The four high-achievers spoke to U of T News as they began their undergraduate journeys.

Sidrah Rana

Schulich Leader Sidrah Rana at Café Reznikoff on the downtown Toronto campus (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

There's something Sidrah Rana wants you to know about her: She's not perfect. She's open about having overcome self-doubt and insecurities to get where she is today – a scholarship-winning science student.

She grew up in Mississauga and comes to U of T, with her identical twin sister, from White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville, Ont., where she graduated from the demanding international baccalaureate program.

Straight As didn't always come easily to Rana. Science wasn't her forté, and math didn't come naturally to her, she says. In fact, a middle school teacher appeared surprised when Rana said she would be taking science in university.

“I was constantly being put down by other people and told I wouldn't go anywhere,” she says. “My goal was to prove them wrong and get good grades. Not only that, I also wanted to show I could accomplish things outside of school.”

Rana's marks improved dramatically when she realized that she learns differently from many of her peers. While some students can memorize an equation and apply it, Rana says she has to understand the bigger picture and the fundamentals behind a theory in order to know how to use it.

In her free time, she writes short fiction as a creative outlet.

She's eager to get involved in research in university and delve deeper into the subjects that interest her, particularly astronomy, physics and chemistry.

Eli Scott

Eli Scott, an engineering science student and Schulich Leader, at Convocation Hall on the downtown Toronto campus (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

Eli Scott swapped life on a 50-acre farm, where she could walk for kilometres and still be at home, for a shared dorm room at U of T's Chestnut Residence in downtown Toronto. She credits her duties at home in Renfrew, Ont., in the Ottawa Valley – where she helped care for her grandfather's sheep and three horses named Tanzee, Quinn and Ellie – for teaching her discipline.

“You're getting up at 6 a.m., feeding the horses, or driving to grandpa's to feed the sheep, take the sheep to the sale barn on Mondays,” she says. Asked if university will be a breeze after that, she says without missing a beat: “It definitely smells nicer.”

Scott chose a different path than her parents, who are both English teachers. She's one of only 25 students across the country to have won a Schulich Leader Scholarship in engineering, and is enrolled in U of T's rigorous engineering science program.

Scott was a diligent student in high school at Renfrew Collegiate Institute, her mother Kim Acres told a local newspaper. “Despite the pressures of adolescence and life, Eli has never let her academics take the back seat, often working hours each night on homework and assignments.”

She plays hockey and basketball, and has supported special education programs, including the Special Olympics and a peer-interaction program.

She's thinking about specializing in biomedical engineering, but hasn't made up her mind and is even considering a career in politics or policy-making. “I guess it's a cliché but I want to make a difference in whatever way I'm the most useful,” she says.

Daniel Hoogsteen

Daniel Hoogsteen, a Schulich Leader who intends to study math and physics at U of T, at the Trinity College dining room (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

Daniel Hoogsteen has Dutch ancestry, but his first visit to the Netherlands came in 2015 when he was part of the celebrations marking the 70^th anniversary of VE-Day and the Canadian liberation of the country. In Wageningen, he marched with the Burlington Teen Tour Band past cheering crowds and Canadian and Dutch dignitaries, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Dutch royal family.

“There’s a different kind of energy there,” he recalls. “Still 70 years later, they were very thankful to the Canadian people for the sacrifices of the troops to liberate them at the end of the Second World War and have so much appreciation for Canadians.”

He played the sax with the Nelson High School band, from Burlington, Ont. They were hard to miss in their red band jackets with a maple leaf on the back. “It was almost like being a celebrity,” he says.

Hoogsteen also plays the bagpipes, but his neighbours in St. Hilda's residence at Trinity College may be relieved to know he's left them at home for now.

In addition to music, he's passionate about math and science. “I've always loved numbers and the way they can quantify and express the world around us,” he says. He intends to study math and physics at U of T, and wants to get involved in student government.

“Having a chance to exercise your opinions and your voice is important,” he says. “It's a skill set that comes fairly naturally to me — not just leadership, but advocacy.” He has served as a page at Queen's Park and on youth advisory councils for his MPP Eleanor McMahon and MP Karina Gould, working on sustainable energy, bike lanes and mental health.

He says he helped start a scholarship for graduating high school students in Burlington, who either overcame mental health challenges, started a wellness initiative or who plan to do research in the field.

“There's a place in my heart for both science and math and looking at society and how it all works together,” he told the Burlington Post.

His first impression of U of T? “It's big,” he says. “It's a little intimidating but it's exciting. It seems like there's always something going on.”

Markus Kunej

Markus Kunej, an engineering science student and Schulich Leader, on St. George Street (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

Markus Kunej found inspiration for an award-winnning science fair project through wanting to help his grandmother, Emmy Kurtz, who has glaucoma.

He developed a smart belt, which he called the Echo Belt, that helps visually impaired people navigate obstacles in 360 degrees. “It has sonar sensors on the outside and vibration motors on the inside, so it detects obstacles using the sensors and provides haptic feedback. The closer an object is in one direction, the stronger it vibrates,” he explains.

Kunej had the opportunity to test the belt at a school for the visually impared in his hometown of Brantford, Ont. “It's a nice feeling when you get to build something and see it help a group of people,” he says. “It reinforced the idea that I'd like to help the world in whatever way I can.”

When he got the email saying he had won a Schulich Leader Scholarship to study engineering science at U of T, he spat out his peanut butter-flavoured cereal in surprise, he says.

He has enjoyed building things since he was a boy playing with Lego and is keen on specializing in either robotics, aerospace or machine learning.

He wasted no time immersing himself in the U of T engineering community, taking a plunge in purple face paint with his fellow students during orientation.

“My nails have been a bit of a problem,” he says. “I put on clear nail polish as a trick to help make it come off, but I forgot to put some on my toes and they're going be purple for a couple of months.”

His first days among students in his program have been positive, he says. “The community seems awesome, especially in engineering science. It doesn't feel competitive within it. It feels like everyone's in it together and willing to help out.”

A passion for science connects U of T's new Schulich Leaders

rasbachn — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 19:26:12 +0000

A passion for science connects U of T's new Schulich Leaders

rasbachn Thu, 09/28/2017 - 15:26

Cutline

"My parents' philosophy is that you either lead society or society leads you," says Schulich Leader Andres Lombo (photo by Jessica MacIssac)

Xarissa Thompson

Author legacy

Xarissa Thompson

Topic

Our Community

Schulich Leader Scholarships

Faculty of Arts & Science

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

��Ƶ Scarborough

Venture capitalist and champion of higher education Seymour Schulich established the Schulich Leader Scholarships in 2011. Every year since, the ��Ƶ has welcomed these talented science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students, who have also shown a commitment to their communities, to programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science and Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.

Xarissa Thompson spoke to this year's Schulich Leaders about what brought them to U of T.

Andres E. Lombo
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, engineering science
(photo above)

What drew you to the ��Ƶ?

The most important thing for me is the community. I was in an International Baccalaureate program with 37 other people. I really liked the sense of a close community, all working towards the same goal and graduating together.

What brought you to engineering?

My parents were both engineering professors in Colombia and they encouraged me in pursuing whatever crazy idea I had as a child. My parents’ philosophy is that you either lead society or society leads you. You have to take your curiosity and let it push you into exploring the world. And most times this will lead you into something that will really impact society.

You’re passionate about sharing science with kids. How have you helped to do that?

I founded Voyage Science with friends. There’s a stigma that STEM is for nerdy kids. Science should be open to everyone and I wanted to inspire that. Voyage Science did interactive presentations in the gym, not as a lecture, but by presenting awe-inspiring experiments. We’d come in with lab coats and goggles and they’d know something crazy was going to happen. It really created excitement and I also discovered that teaching is one of the best ways to learn.

And your future plans?

I am currently very open to a wide range of interests within engineering. I came to U of T because I really like the academic challenge, I want to dig into the nitty-gritty of every single topic that interests me.

Carl Pinter
Faculty of Arts & Science, studies in life sciences
U of T Scarborough

(photo by Dawnelle Brown)

Why did you choose the ��Ƶ?

Toronto is diverse, exciting, and offers so many opportunities. I see the ��Ƶ as a place to develop into a mature and learned adult.

What sparked your interest in science?

When I was seven, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. If it wasn't for science, I would be dead. Thirty years ago my disease was very difficult to treat, and 50 years ago it was a death sentence. While I cannot pay back the doctors and the medical staff who helped me, I can pay it forward by contributing to the realm of science.

What are some of your other interests?

One of my biggest passions is musical theatre and singing. I sang in my school’s choir and jazz group and have been involved the fall musical since grade nine. This past year I was cast as the lead in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Performing allowed me to connect with a lot of people and increased my confidence.

What are your plans for the future?

I see university as a time of exploration and discovery. I’m excited to start to experience what is out there. I don't want to plan too far ahead or close myself off to any particular area. I want to experiment.

Jack Stanley
Faculty of Arts & Science, studies in life sciences (microbiology and molecular genetics)
Trinity College

What drew you to the ��Ƶ?

What U of T offers simply cannot be matched anywhere else in Canada. At the university, I can participate in cutting-edge research, or gain valuable work experience at a startup or larger company in Toronto’s technology sector. U of T offers nearly limitless possibilities to become involved in STEM in one capacity or another.

What drew you to STEM? Why do you want to pursue a career in the STEM field?

I have always been a naturally curious person, and I enjoy learning how the world around me actually works. I discovered that I love working in a hands-on environment when I volunteered at an anatomy laboratory at UVic. Nearly any STEM subject fulfills my insatiable desire to ask questions and find answers. It’s where I can have the most impact on the world.

And your future plans?

I plan to move on to grad school and further my study in microbiology. Microbiology is really interesting because you are affecting people. Tech is moving so fast, you can examine things on such a small level. I truly believe that the intersection of biology and technology will be incredibly important in the near future and I want to be a part of that.

Aidan Aird
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, engineering science

Why did you choose U of T?

The Schulich Leaders Scholarship was definitely a big part of it, but also the prestige of the engineering program. It’s consistently one of the top ranked, not just in Canada, but globally.

What got you interested in engineering?

My parents really encouraged and supported me in exploring whatever I was interested in. As kids, my sister and I spent a lot of time at the zoo, the ROM and the Ontario Science Centre, which really sparked my interest in science and engineering. It led me to be interested in science fairs, and in grade seven I was fortunate to advance to my first of four national science fairs.

You’re very interested in encouraging others to explore STEM. How have you done that?

A couple of years ago my sister Keeley and I started STEM Kids Rock, a science outreach program for kids. We have an extensive collection of prehistoric fossils, exotic insects and unique minerals that we take to community centres, museums, libraries, schools, and community events. We have over 50 student volunteers that have helped inspire over 100,000 kids.

You have also worked a lot in philanthropy.

I’m very passionate about ending youth homelessness and have even slept on the streets a few times during the winter, in order to get a better idea what it may be like to be a homeless youth and to help raise funds and awareness. It was tough. It was really eye-opening to think that kids do this every single night and then still go to school. I struggled to do it one night a year.

What are your future plans?

I look up to people like Elon Musk or Bill Gates, who really give back through philanthropy, and I aspire to one day be like them.

Schulich Leader Scholarships

For 10 years, Schulich Leader Scholarships have increased access to higher education

Read more about the Schulich Leader Scholarships at Boundless

With a passion for STEM, U of T recipients of the Schulich Leader Scholarships are flying high

'A part of my identity now': Meet U of T's four Schulich Leaders

Aidan Britnell

From King’s Christian College in Burlington, Ont. Computer science, mathematics and statistics student U of T Mississauga

Caleb Lammers

From St. Ignatius High School in Thunder Bay, Ont. Mathematics and physics student St. George campus

Adam Glustein

From Northern Secondary School in Toronto Engineering science student St. George campus

Tommy Moffat

From Assumption Catholic Secondary in Burlington, Ont.

Meet U of T's four Schulich Leaders who want to make a difference on campus and in the world

Sidrah Rana

Eli Scott

Daniel Hoogsteen

Markus Kunej

A passion for science connects U of T's new Schulich Leaders

Andres E. Lombo Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, engineering science (photo above)

Carl Pinter Faculty of Arts & Science, studies in life sciences U of T Scarborough

Jack Stanley Faculty of Arts & Science, studies in life sciences (microbiology and molecular genetics) Trinity College

Aidan Aird Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, engineering science

From King’s Christian College in Burlington, Ont.
Computer science, mathematics and statistics student
U of T Mississauga

From St. Ignatius High School in Thunder Bay, Ont.
Mathematics and physics student
St. George campus

From Northern Secondary School in Toronto
Engineering science student
St. George campus

Andres E. Lombo
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, engineering science
(photo above)

Carl Pinter
Faculty of Arts & Science, studies in life sciences
U of T Scarborough

Jack Stanley
Faculty of Arts & Science, studies in life sciences (microbiology and molecular genetics)
Trinity College

Aidan Aird
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, engineering science