Anffany Chen and Jeremy Johnson, recipients of the 2009 TRIUMF High School Fellowship
The British Columbia Innovation Council (BCIC) recently announced the grade 12 students selected to participate in TRIUMF's High School Fellowship program this summer. Anffany Chen of Vancouver and Jeremy Johnson of Victoria were chosen from among 89 other nominated students to participate in the six-week research experience designed to provide both practical research know-how at a world-class facility and a chance to explore some of the career opportunities available in the field of physics. Both Chen and Johnson will receive a $3,000 award upon completion of the program.
The Fellowship, instituted in 2004, is granted to graduating BC high school students with a passion for physics who are entering their first year of undergraduate studies in sciences or engineering. Anffany will be studying physics at the University of California, Berkeley this fall while Jeremy will be studying Engineering Physics at the University of British Columbia.
"I have always enjoyed science and discovery," says Jeremy, who was inspired to pursue studies in physics by his high school teacher's love and enthusiasm for the subject which he imparted on all his students. Jeremy hopes his time at TRIUMF will provide him with valuable experience that will translate into a future career in research. Anffany's passion for science developed at a young age, "My parents initiated my obsession with science when I was a child. They valued education and encouraged me to explore my interests, especially my curiosity into the amazing world of nature." Anffany's experience as the leader of her high school Science Olympics Team also opened up many new opportunities which further attracted her to the study of science, particularly theoretical physics. She looks forward to strengthening her laboratory and analytical skills through research work at TRIUMF and learning more about quantum physics, her favourite subject in the vast field of science.
TRIUMF is dedicated to inspiring young people to learn more about particle and nuclear physics and to sharing with them the excitement of the scientific adventure through research activities with real-world applicability. The High School Fellowship program helps achieve these goals and the TRIUMF community looks forward to welcoming the two budding young scientists, Anffany and Jeremy, to the laboratory this summer.
"Congratulations to Anffany and Jeremy who both demonstrated their passion and curiosity for science," said Dean Rockwell, CEO of BCIC. "We are excited about supporting their experience through this program as it immerses them in the real-world environment of leading scientists at TRIUMF. Through programs such as these, our goal is to encourage students to pursue a career in science and technology."
Past Recipients (from left): Reka Moldovan (2004), Jacob Cosman (2005), Aidan Chatwyn-Davies & Elizabeth Du (2006),
Andy Cheema & Jany Gao (2007), and Darien Niarmir & Sen Mei (2008)
-- Meghan Magee, Communications Assistant