Fifteen students pursuing STEM degrees start at Queen’s this year after receiving the Schulich Leader Scholarships.
The scholarship awards $120,000 to students in engineering and $100,000 to students studying science, technology, and mathematics.
The scholarship was established in March 2012 by Seymour Schulich — a Canadian businessman and philanthropist.
For the 2026-27 academic year, 15 students were awarded the scholarship at Queen’s. Among the recipients were Adrien Grégoire, Eli Temes, India Newell, Joshua Kellerstein, Kaylee Gagné, Lincoln Ho, Sofia Johnston, Teddy Hendler, and Zane Radawiec, all Sci ’30. Damen Marinakis, Leya Tzurkov, Ryan Davis, Sarah Rose, Shiv Patel, and Sophia Gray, all ArtSci ’30, also received the award.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Honours), a Bachelor of Computing (Honours), or a Bachelor of Applied Science. They must also intend to pursue a career in technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, business enterprise, or applied science research.
Four of the Queen’s students who received the scholarship spoke with The Journal about the impact of the award.
Ryan Davis, ArtSci ’30
Davis was sitting in his bed when he received the email informing him he had been awarded the Schulich Leader Scholarship.
He immediately went to show his mother, who had supported him throughout the application process. He said it was difficult to describe his reaction because it was such a “unique experience.”
Davis attended Notre Dame Catholic High School in Carleton Place, Ont., and is studying mathematical physics through direct entry in his first year at Queen’s.
He said he has always been interested in mathematics and took on personal projects during high school involving coding and “modelling-type of systems.”
Davis hopes to pursue a career as a computational scientist and is already considering postgraduate studies. He said Queen’s has the resources to help him achieve his goals.
While researching Queen’s, Davis was drawn to its physics program and had already set up meetings with professors to learn more.
He said he’s thankful for the opportunity to receive the scholarship, calling it “a really unique opportunity,” and saying that “what they’re doing is pretty awesome.”
Lincoln Ho, Sci ’30
Having been accepted to Queen’s through direct entry into Chemical Engineering, meaning that he was admitted into his specific engineering discipline in his first year, Ho was surprised when he received his email as he had not been told when it would arrive.
Ho said he has always been interested in pursuing engineering, seeking out extra curriculars at Pinetree Secondary School in Coquitlam, B.C, that aligned with his interests.
He initially wanted to pursue mechanical engineering, but a “really good high school chemistry teacher” influenced his decision to choose chemical engineering.
Outside of academics, Ho played basketball before switching to volleyball, eventually winning nationals twice. He also taught piano and coding and started his high school’s robotics club.
Ho said the scholarship has relieved financial and academic pressure. While his parents could have supported him financially, he said funding his own education makes it a “personal achievement” he is pursuing for himself.
Damen Marinakis, ArtSci ’30
Marinakis was in his calculus class at Frances Kelsey Secondary School in Mill Bay, B.C., when he received the email informing him that he had received the Schulich Leader Scholarship. Overwhelmed, he handed his phone to his teacher.
Marinakis said he didn’t initially see himself attending Queen’s but is happy to be here after receiving the scholarship.
Having grown up in a family that studied science and mathematics, he said he has always loved school. In Grade nine, he read A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, which got him “thinking in that way.”
Now in general sciences, Marinakis hopes to major in physics.
“I quickly realized that I would want to do something in science, and the further I got with science, I realized that I liked physics the most,” he said.
The scholarship also eased financial pressures, giving Marinakis the freedom to pursue work co-ops for “fun” and “experience,” rather than to make ends meet.
Zane Radawiec, Sci ’30
Having grown up in Comox, B.C., Radawiec attended Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School.
When he received the email that he was awarded the scholarship, he was in disbelief. He said he read the email multiple times to make sure it was legitimate before telling his father. There were tears involved.
Now studying engineering, Radawiec had expected to attend post-secondary school locally despite Queen’s being his top choice.
He thought attending “just wasn’t realistic,” but the scholarship made it possible for him to attend Queen’s.
“It definitely changes the course of my life,” Radawiec said.
Radawiec became interested in engineering after joining his high school robotics club in Grade nine, which he participated in until graduation. He said he enjoyed connecting with others through the club, and that Queen’s sense of community also drew him here.
“The people you meet, that leads where you go next,” he said.
At Queen’s, Radawiec said he is pursuing both academic and personal goals, including his passion for rock climbing.
Tags
scholarship, Schulich leaders, STEM
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