British Columbia - Two British Columbia grade 12 students have been selected to participate in the TRIUMF High School Fellowship program for science excellence. Andy Cheema of North Saanich and Huan (Jany) Gao of Maple Ridge were chosen from 92 of the province's finest science students to take part in a six-week opportunity to participate in a research project at TRIUMF, Canada's world-class subatomic physics research laboratory in Vancouver. In addition, they will each be offered a $3,000 fellowship award upon completion of the term.
"A warm welcome to Jany and Andy! We are pleased to have two very promising young scientists join our laboratory. TRIUMF is delighted to sponsor this annual fellowship program through which we are identifying and encouraging BC's future scientists," said Dr. Jean-Michel Poutissou, TRIUMF Science Director.
"I have been interested in physics since a young age. I enjoy doing physics problems: they are challenging, they require me to think logically but creatively, and they are relevant and offer explanations to phenomena in everyday life," said Ms. Gao. "I plan to pursue physics in higher studies and in my career." Ms. Gao is a top science student who wants to work in a laboratory or a university, researching and teaching physics, one day.
"My curiosity has spawned a lifelong goal of progressively deciphering the world which surrounds me, to ultimately work towards the advancement of human understanding," said Mr. Cheema, who discovered an all-consuming desire to understand the world at a young age. "I wish to enter an occupation involving cutting-edge research or development, where I can contribute towards the evolution of human knowledge."
Since 2004, the annual TRIUMF High School Fellowship has been open to British Columbia's students entering their first undergraduate year within the sciences at a recognized post-secondary institution.
BC Innovation Council is pleased to colaborate with TRIUMF in managing this fellowship given the opportunity it presents to encourage the province's youth to pursue research and technology-related careers.
"At BC Innovation Council, we are excited to see talented students such as these gain hands-on research experience by working with top scientists in British Columbia," said Cindy Lum, COO of BC Innovation Council. "Congratulations to Andy and Jany and thank you to TRIUMF for continuing their support of this worthwhile fellowship program."