Shannon Buck from the Integrated Science (iSci) Program received the Schulich Leadership Scholarship. The prestigious award, granted to 50 graduating high school students each year, recognizes excellence in academics, leadership and innovation. Shannon was drawn to iSci’s interdisciplinary curriculum and experiential opportunities.

“I love all of the sciences and math, so learning how to use them all together in one program sounded perfect for what I want to learn and do,” she says.” I firmly believe that many things must be learned with the world as one’s classroom!”

Sebat Mohamed from the Life Sciences Program received the McMaster Students Union Academic Achievement Award and the Burke Memorial Ring, both of which recognize academic excellence and contributions to the McMaster community. She also received the Emerging Health Leaders Exceptional Leader Scholarship and the prestigious President’s Award, which recognize leadership at McMaster and beyond. She credits opportunities within SIS and McMaster for making her the leader she is today.

“Surrounding myself by people who are passionate about the same things as me made me really want to give back to the school and the community,” she says.

Ushma Purohit from the Life Sciences Program received The Albert Lager Prize for Student Initiative and the Rotary Club of Burlington Community Contribution Award, both of which recognize leadership and community involvement. She also received the Science Alumni Award and the President’s Award, prestigious awards that honour academic excellence and community service. Ushma says the Life Sciences Program allowed her to explore her many passions and put knowledge gained in the classroom to work in the community.

“It allowed me to make the most of my undergraduate experience,” she says. Ushma was volunteering at the Canadian Mental Health Association in Hamilton when she heard she had won the President’s Award. “It was such a perfect way to end my four years at Mac,” she says.

Shaarujaa Nadarajah from the Life Sciences Program received the McMaster Student Union Honour M Award and The Albert Lager Prize for Student Initiative, both of which recognize leadership and community service. She says the Life Sciences Program inspired her to take use the knowledge she gained in the classroom to make the world a better place.

“I would learn about different diseases and then go out and fundraise for these causes,” she says. The McMaster experience “is not just the 9-to-5 lecture in a classroom,” she adds. “It’s about developing a person who is more socially aware and working towards creating a brighter world.”

Monish Ahluwalia from the iSci Program received the L. R. Wilson Leadership Scholar Ward, which recognizes upper-year undergraduate students with exceptional leadership potential. Monish says the interdisciplinary nature of the iSci Program has positioned him well for a leadership role in science.

“It allows you to do so much,” he says of the program. “I really like the broad-based, ‘Jack-of-all-trades’ approach and I find it’s really applicable to leadership.”

Hannah Dies from the iSci Program received the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship to support her MD/PhD studies at Queen’s University. Hannah’s application entitled “Integrated optical and plasmonic microfluidic sensing devices as portable sensors for biological applications” was ranked third in the country. The Vanier Scholarship program aims to support world-class doctoral students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement.

“It allows you to do so much,” he says of the program. “I really like the broad-based, ‘Jack-of-all-trades’ approach and I find it’s really applicable to leadership.”

Mike Gill from the iSci program received the Venture for Canada Fellowship. He was one of 50 successful graduates out of 1,700 applicants. The fellowship connects top Canadian graduates with fast growing Canadian startups to prepare these students to becomes entrepreneurial leaders across Canada.