Patrick Samaha, a senior undergraduate in Engineering Science – Biomedical Systems Engineering at the University of Toronto, embodies a life philosophy rooted in resilience and a commitment to ‘going the second mile.’ Raised in a third-world country amid personal adversity, Patrick gleaned values of humility, gratitude, and bridging socio economic divides. His narrative unfolds on a global scale through research internships and civic engagement endeavors in Switzerland and the United Kingdom, further solidifying his commitment to effecting impactful international change. These experiences have crystallized into a dedicated mission to foster a better world through science and community engagement.

Witnessing the transformative power of scientific breakthroughs and community impact as beacons of hope has ignited a fire within him to inspire others to join this noble cause. The immersion in diverse perspectives and leading-edge methodologies from some of the best minds across the globe has endowed Patrick with a distinctive skill set and a profound understanding of the global landscape of biotechnology. Driven by a passion to contribute to cancer research, inspire STEM education, and advance global healthcare solutions, he emerges as a fervent advocate dedicated to shaping a transformative future in the fields that deeply resonate with him.

Erin Richelle is a fourth year student studying Nutrition at Acadia University in  Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Throughout her degree, Erin has actively sought out  opportunities to reach beyond her comfort zone and make space for personal growth.  Through her efforts, she has taken on various clinical and applied job opportunities in nutrition, embarked on a semester abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has used her  knowledge to help design an interdisciplinary food chemistry course now being offered at  her institution. Her work in developing lecture materials, class demonstrations, and the  overall synthesis concepts in chemistry and nutrition have helped grow her interest in the  field of food science. Erin’s work is now in the process of being integrated into  curriculum requirements for a consumer food program specialization in Acadia’s  nutrition department. Her hope is to help promote interdisciplinary collaboration within  her university and introduce food science to future students who want to explore  opportunities in the food industry. Erin’s leadership philosophy valued throughout her  endeavors is to empower both herself and others to embrace change and take chances.  She is a strong believer in the power of discomfort, because it allocates space for growth  as an individual, student, and leader.

Nicholas Qiu is a committed third-year student at Memorial University of Newfoundland pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a major in chemistry. Nicholas initiated an organization called LearnFreely, bringing students together to combat systemic discrimination by providing quality and accessible education to local high school students in hopes of better preparing students for the transition to university and to create a more inclusive university landscape. His efforts have proven to be successful in raising awareness towards accessibility issues in education through community fundraisers and social events and in training students to be future leaders in STEM. In addition, he plans to expand the organization to encompass all of grade school and university to support a larger demographic. Nicholas is also passionate and grateful for the opportunity to conduct research, developing essential lab skills and knowledge that he passes on to students as a teaching assistant to inspire students by connecting core concepts to real life applications. Finally, Nicholas is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment in his department as Vice President of the Chemistry Society, where he actively organizes events and offers educational support to encourage students to form meaningful relationships.

Sara Pollanen is a third-year Bachelor of Health Sciences student at Queen’s University and is committed to enhancing educational opportunities within the health sciences and advocating for environmental conservation efforts.

Sara’s journey began with volunteering at the Pickering Reading Circle in 2015, sparking her passion in education. At Queen’s, Sara founded the Healthcare and Sciences Research

Workshops, an accessible initiative dedicated towards connecting students with research experts, enhancing career development for diverse backgrounds in academia. As elected President of the Health Sciences Society, she spearheaded several equity-based bursaries, including the MCAT book bursary, a nationwide collaboration between medical students and aspiring undergraduates.

Beyond academia, Sara is an avid environmental steward. Her firsthand experiences collecting debris in Lake Ontario as a scuba diver fueled her passion of conservation. As prior president of the Queen’s Conference on Ocean Sustainability Sara organized conferences for leaders in the field. Additionally, as Co-Chair of Sustainability and Issues of Kingston’s Society for Conservation Biology, Sara contributes to youth environmental education while advocating for community-wide climate action.

Sara further contributes to education and academia through multiple projects, most-notably her study researching smoking behaviours over 60-years to analyze impacts of educational access on population health.

Allison is a current fifth-year undergraduate student at Western University completing an Honours Bachelor of Science with an Honours Specialization in Environmental Science and a Major in Biology. Allison’s academic pursuits reflect her interests in environmental sustainability, sustainable development, environmental and population health, and equity in both health and education systems. Allison has harnessed her interests through grassroots work in sustainability education and programming, intercultural engagement, health equity employment, and research. Currently, she is a Co-Lead Coordinator of the Western Sustainability Leaders Program and teaches basic science education to rural youth classrooms with Let’s Talk Science amongst various other activities, including research. Her current research involves the politicization of Ontario lands, with aims to delineate a definition of environmental value to be embedded in political frameworks in future discussions about land use. However, she has also undertaken research involving the effects of fear on wildlife, as well as the interplay of climate change education delivery on the mental wellness of youth in North America. In the future, Allison hopes to marry her interests with formal education in primary health care and public health, where she envisions a career continuing to advocate for equity and sustainability in institutions and legislative spaces.

Michael Lecchino is an Italian-Canadian student and dedicated volunteer from Montréal, Québec. Quadrilingual—fluent in English, French, German, and Italian, he studies marketing at Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business. Michael’s passions extend from designing visual identity systems to exploring the great Canadian outdoors, where he finds joy in snowboarding, hiking, and kayaking. These activities not only reflect his love for nature but also enrich his multifaceted approach to leadership and innovation.

Michael’s leadership is anchored in empathy, collaboration, and a commitment to servant leadership, evident in both academic settings and community projects. His international experiences have informed his dedication to creating supportive, mentored environments, making education more inclusive and engaging. Recognized with awards like Quebec’s Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal and the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association Meritorious Bursary Award, Michael has demonstrated a profound dedication to his community, academic excellence, and the pursuit of inclusive initiatives.

Driven by a vision to uplift educational communities, Michael fosters environments where innovation, inclusivity, and social responsibility intersect, contributing to societal betterment. His endeavours showcase a relentless pursuit of a more connected, empowered, and diverse educational landscape, embodying the spirit of leadership that shapes a more inclusive and effective future.

Douye was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and after leaving his hometown, he observed the disadvantages newcomers face in accessing educational opportunities. Motivated by this experience, he co-founded “For the Diaspora,” a website that has connected underrepresented students to educational opportunities and research at the University of Calgary. Advocacy and representation are a core part of Douye’s educational experience. Through his work with the Canadian Organization for Undergraduate Health Research, he has worked to increase diversity in the research ecosystem and worked as an executive member of the African Studies Task Force, which has secured over $850,000 to expand the learning opportunities for Black students. Douye is engaged in various community-based projects as he believes that leadership is more than the hierarchy of positions within an organization; instead, at its root, leadership is authentic service to the communities one cares about. He tries to live this belief through his positions as an undergraduate student, as he believes servicing his community is an integral part of his life’s work. Douye aspires to a career rooted in public service and hopes to work for Doctors Without Borders and champion health equity.

Basmah Hendy is a third-year student pursuing an Honors in Neuroscience at Dalhousie University. As an Egyptian/Canadian, she is passionate about improving access to education for underrepresented students and has led multiple initiatives in her community to accomplish this. This includes founding a mentorship program at local high schools, developing teaching tools for visually impaired students, and organizing student career workshops. Basmah is also a teaching assistant at Dalhousie and works closely with instructors to evaluate course structure and improve student outcomes. She embraces her heritage to build strong communities and promote collaboration between students and faculty. Basmah places immense value on scientific literacy and representation, and advocates for brain health and inclusivity with Parkinson Canada, Because Everyone’s Ability Matters (BEAM), and Halifax Brain Awareness Week. Her research focuses on understanding the importance of mitochondria in neurodegenerative diseases and developing strategies to improve drug delivery to the central nervous system, which she has recently presented at conferences and research days. Ultimately, she aspires for a career that incorporates her love for scientific research with her passion for improving access to higher education. Basmah is also a Governor General Bronze Medal and Dalhousie Chancellor’s Scholarship recipient.

Berry Genge is a 4^th-year Sustainable Design Engineering student at the University of Prince Edward Island. Early in her university career, Berry began to become heavily involved in the engineering student help centre. Through this role, she has worked to fill the gaps that engineering students find in their education. This includes the introduction of professional development opportunities and engineering-specific career days, but has also grown to include networking events that partner with local organizing bodies within the engineering profession. Concurrently, Berry has been a leader within her engineering society executive team and has led advocacy efforts to improve the quality of life of marginalized groups within her faculty. Berry has been awarded several campus-wide distinctions, including the inaugural “Panther for Life” campus-spirit award. Acknowledging that even small efforts can lead to lasting change, Berry works to create a spread of “small ripples” within her campus in the hopes that it leads to a greater change for all.

Sonoma is a second-year student at Bishop’s University pursuing an BA in Music Performance with a Musical Theatre Concentration and an English Minor in Lennoxville, Quebec on the traditional territory of the Abenaki. Sonoma is actively engaged in arts advocacy and is serving her second term as Humanities Senator on the Bishop’s University Student Representative Council (BUSRC). Her commitment to building a case for the humanities is evident through her active participation in Bishop’s vibrant arts community, and leadership as Junior Co-Captain of the competitive dance team and Co-Lead of the Bishop’s University Music Society. Her role as an Online Learning Technology Consultant has been a transformative experience that allows her to use empathetic instructional design in 21st Century classrooms. Sonoma is incredibly grateful for being recognized as a Chancellor’s Scholar, and the recent opportunity to study in London, as a Bishop’s experiential learning grant recipient. Her dedication to amplifying the voices of others is reflected in her approach to acting as a generous scene partner and servant leader. Honoured with the BUSRC Academic Impact Award in April 2023, Sonoma continues to shape her pathway as a performing artist with the purpose of creating a sense of belonging for everyone.