Posted by Three Maritime students have been awarded $2,500 scholarships to continue their education in fields that will enhance health research or innovation. The Future Health Research and Innovation Scholarships are awarded on behalf of the IWK Health Centre Research Department to foster awareness of health research among youth.
Created in 2015, the annual scholarship is given to three grade 12 students, one from each Maritime province, who plan on continuing their education at a Maritime post-secondary institution in a field that will enhance health research or innovation. The 2019 winners are Nova Scotia’s Mohamed Nashnoush, Prince Edward Island’s Robyn Gallant and New Brunswick’s Sophie Inkpen.
“The IWK’s Future Health Research and Innovation Scholarship program promotes early stage engagement in health research and encourages our youth to see themselves as the solution in striving for a healthier tomorrow,” says Kathleen Leadon, director of research operations at the IWK Health Centre. “We are proud to offer this program to our Maritime community and privileged to be a part of the journey for these exceptional students.”
Sophie Inkpen and Mohamed Nashnoush are both heading to Halifax this September as they start in the Bachelor of Medical Sciences Program at Dalhousie University. Robyn Gallant will begin her Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health at Saint Francis Xavier University.
“This scholarship will help me significantly in the pursuit of my academic goals,” says Inkpen. “To be recognized by an establishment as well known as the IWK is quite an honour.”
Applicants were required to write an essay demonstrating their interest in health related research and innovation and how it will improve the health and well-being of children, women and families in the Maritimes. In light of the recent increase of harmful algal blooms, Inkpen chose to write her essay about potentially controlling and reducing toxic algal blooms—specifically Cyanobacteria—in maritime lakes.