By Elizabeth Kleisath
Communications Officer, Advancement
In the Faculty of Science, students are immersed in a culture of experiential education as they pursue their studies. In preparation for the rapidly evolving and technological world of tomorrow, the Faculty provides our students with the foundation to be leaders and inspire meaningful change on our planet. Scholarships are key to this goal, helping students alleviate the financial stresses of academic studies.
Generously funded by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), the Faculty of Science has introduced the new CNL Undergraduate Science Scholarship, awarded to an upper year science student each fall. We are pleased to celebrate the first recipient of this scholarship, Milena R., alongside Science’s many scholarship recipients at this week’s Student Awards Banquet.
This award is incredibly meaningful to me as I have worked in co-op placements that directly overlap with Canada’s nuclear sector, and truly believe in the potential that we, as scientists, have to harness the power of the nuclear sector to make the world a better place. In my post-graduate life, I hope to continue down this path, as I truly believe in the potential of the nuclear sector to come to our aid in this climate emergency.
Milena is currently finishing her fourth year in honours biochemistry, coop, and has pursued opportunities to learn about the nuclear industry through both coop terms and during undergraduate research opportunities with Dr. Graham Murphy, who works closely with the Canadian nuclear sector.
“As the first recipient of the CNL Science Scholarship, I’ve seen Milena inspired by CNL’s commitment to supporting exceptional students interested in nuclear science,” says Meaghan Middleton, Director of Advancement in Waterloo Science. “We are excited about the future of this collaboration with CNL and the positive impact it will have on bright, motivated students within the Faculty of Science.”
CNL is Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, and a world leader in developing nuclear technology for peaceful and innovative applications. Through the establishment of the CNL Undergraduate Science Scholarship, alongside scholarships in the Faculty of Engineering, the University of Waterloo and CNL are cultivating a closer academic-industry relationship and enriching the opportunities for students interested in nuclear science.
“At CNL, we are committed to fostering the education of next generation of scientific leaders who will drive innovation in Canada’s nuclear sector,” says Gina Strati, Director, Academic Partnership Program, CNL. “The CNL Undergraduate Science Scholarship was established to support talented students like Milena, who demonstrate an exceptional academic promise and a passion for nuclear and its potential to address global challenges. By investing in the education and development of future scientists and engineers, we are strengthening the academic-industry partnership and ensuring a skilled workforce that will advance nuclear technology for the benefit of society.”
For those inspired by the discovery and exploration currently being pursued in the Faculty of Science, we invite you to connect with the Director of Science Advancement to learn how your generosity can make a meaningful impact. Philanthropic support is transformative in advancing scientific research and enabling groundbreaking discoveries that can bridge the gap between today’s technologies and tomorrow’s reality.