High School Health Science Research Bursary Awards 2011 Bursary Placements
Number of Bursaries Awarded 2004-2011 Applicants Recipients 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 68 54 45 34 40 12 15 11 12 12 12 4 6 6 10 12 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Status of Past Award Recipients (2004-2010) 50 46 40 33 30 20 14 10 0 Returned to Mentor's Lab Pursued Health/Life Science Studies Published or Presented Work / Obtained External Funding
Following my placement with Dr. Raha in 2007, I returned to the lab working as undergraduate student for 3 years where my skills knowledge and experience developed resulting in receiving a CIHR summer fellowship award and acting as a mentor for youth interested in pursuing a career science. ~ Alya Bhimji, 2007 Award Recipient My bursary placement with Dr. Fox-Robichaud, back in 2007, is where I received an early interest in and motivation to pursue research. It was because of this experience I won a research assistantship scholarship and met my current PI whom I ve worked with for the past 3 years and published 3 papers. I owe these accomplishments to the experience and time I spent working as a bursary student where my interests and aspirations were nurtured. ~ Erik Yao, 2007 Award Recipient
As a grade 11 student accepted in to the bursary program last summer, I was able to apply what I learned toward my grade 12 courses. The bursary experience gave me a better idea of what a career in medical sciences looked like. This is one of the reasons why I decided to attend McMaster. ~ Farhat Hossain, 2010 Award Recipient The program allowed me to break into the worked of research early in my academic career. The program has helped me beyond I can describe. It provided me with an unforgettable learning experience, where I interacted with peer mentors, and made my first contact with a university professor. ~ Brandon Tang, 2010 Award Recipient
Demographics of Award Recipients by Ontario Regions Southern Region 3% 4% Central Region Eastern Region 7% 86% Golden Horseshoe Region
Having the background experience provided through the bursary program, I returned to my mentor s lab taking on a much more independent and focused project. It is a rare and fortunate opportunity for a freshman to go into a lab setting. ~ Dylan DeMarco, 2010 Award Recipient The bursary award experience truly provided a focus to my future academic endeavours that have been fueled by an intense work ethic and determination that has stemmed from the bursary program. ~ Claudia Frankfurter, 2010 Award Recipient
Without the bursary program, it is unlikely that I would have had any true lab experience until a 3 rd or 4 th year thesis project in university. My aspirations for the future are no longer strictly geared towards the clinical side of medicine, but rather more towards the research side of things. Without the bursary program, my options for the future would have been extremely narrowminded. ~ Ryan Pirie, 2008 Award Recipient Through first-hand experience, I have learned about the research process and how to think critically about research findings and the significance; developed a variety of laboratory skills; and gained knowledge of immunology and current issues in this research field. ~ Vivian Leung, 2009 Award Recipient
Through my bursary award experience, my mentor introduced me to the field of psychology and because of her influence I took two introductory psychology courses in my first year. Without her influence, I would have never learned how much I love psychology and probably wouldn't have chosen psychology as my minor. ~ Mila Mirceta, 2009 Award Recipient The bursary program opens the door for future research, even as early as first or second year in university. Professors see the past experience and are more willing to take you into their research project. ~ Dominik Nowak, 2009 Award Recipient
I had an amazing time and the experience opened me up to a career that I would not have considered otherwise. I was also able to sit in during some of Dr. Steiner s sessions. By the end of my summer with Dr. Steiner, I was sure that I wanted to go into neuropsychology! ~ Christina Nowak, 2007 Award Recipient This opportunity is and there is no other way to word this phenomenal. I have acquired many new skills and techniques that have deepened my understanding of the world of research and medicine. ~ Pavneet Dhaliwal, 2008 Award Recipient
Grade 12 (76%) Grade Level of Award Recipients 2004-2011 Grade 11 (24%)
My bursary award experience gave me a huge head start on my university biology labs. It gave me hands-on experience that few high school students are able to get, and helped me realize what careers in medical research entail. ~ Kristin VanSlingtenhorst, 2007 Award Recipient The bursary experience helped me win one of the twenty international summer student research awards given out by the Endocrine Society (2007). As well, my work in the lab since being awarded the bursary has resulted in authorship of two manuscripts. ~ Lisa Kellenberger, 2004 Award Recipient
A very insightful and hands-on experience into the world of research. ~ Vimarsha Swami, 2008 Award Recipient The HHS Bursary Award gave me real-life laboratory experiences that served as a starting point for what will likely be my lifelong intrigue for scientific discovery and advancement in the medical sciences. ~ Jennifer Shing, 2005 Award Recipient
Gender of Award Recipients 2004-2011 Male (32%) Female (68%)
This program has been a great experience for me, especially in terms of gaining a new appreciation of current medical research and how that research is conducted. Also, living on my own in a new city was an interesting and educational change for as me well. ~ Kate Henbest, 2008 Award Recipient The bursary award has had a profound impact on my academic goals. After working with Dr. Singh, I knew for certain that my future was in the healthcare field. ~ Anh Nguyen, 2004 Award Recipient
Grade Point Average of Students Per Year Applicants Recipients 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 90% 95% 91%92% 89% 94% 91% 92% 90% 92% 91% 94% 90% 92% 90% 92% 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Our 2011 Bursary Recipients Tahmid Abdullah Leo Akioyamen Hannah Aikman
Our 2011 Bursary Recipients Colin Hardy Dayna Austin Romina Hassanzadeh
Our 2011 Bursary Recipients Christina Liao Alexandra Mushka Elizabeth Liao
Our 2011 Bursary Recipients Muhammad Qureshi Mason Stothart Laura Riano Merchan