Fifteen students from Newfoundland and Labrador have been named recipients of the 2023 Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards. The Honorable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology today named the recipients at an awards ceremony in St. John’s.

The RISE Awards recognize Level ll high school students who demonstrate academic excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The Provincial Government is providing approximately $200,000 for tuition, accommodations and a travel stipend for recipients to participate in world-class enrichment programs.

There are three enrichment programs being supported for this year’s RISE awards:

• One successful recipient will attend the research-related enrichment program at the Research Science Institute, located at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
• Four recipients will attend the Boston Leadership Institute, located in Wellesley, Massachusetts; and
• 10 recipients will attend the Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program at the University of Toronto.

The Research Science Institute is a partnership between the Center for Excellence in Education, a not-for-profit organization based in McLean, Virginia, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This institute offers a six-week summer enrichment program in the Boston, Massachusetts area, and emphasizes advanced theory and research in STEM fields. This program introduces students to the entire research process, from literature review to experimental design and analysis.

The Boston Leadership Institute is a three-week program held in Wellesley, Massachusetts offering STEM research programs taught by top educators and researchers. Ranked among the top five summer science enrichment programs in the United States, this program provides students with an opportunity to develop high-level research skills and subject matter expertise through lectures, presentations and hands on experiments.

The Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program is a four-week program held at the University of Toronto. This program offers pre-university engineering and science enrichment, as well as research project design opportunities.

The process to be selected for the RISE Awards is competitive. It includes an assessment of academic achievement, as well as written essays in which applicants must highlight plans for future study, career and research interests, and how those interests are relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador.

The RISE Awards recognize the need for early development of the talent required to advance research and development, innovation and economic growth.

Information on this year’s award recipients is included in the backgrounder below.

Quote
“Congratulations to the 15 individuals selected for this year’s RISE Awards. It is a great honour to be selected for these competitive and prestigious experiences. Each recipient of a RISE Awards is a youth leader who has demonstrated exemplary competence and passion in the areas of STEM through both their academics and personal interests. I wish them all the best on this incredible experience, and have no doubt this opportunity will help propel their interest in science and technology. They are well on their way to becoming promising leaders in our community.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

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Learn more
RISE Awards Guidelines

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BACKGROUNDER

Lucas Brooks attends Indian River High in Springdale. For RISE 2023, Lucas will be attending the Boston Leadership Institute in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Lucas is an exemplary scholar and a member of the brass band, student leadership council, social justice and badminton clubs at school. After high school, Lucas aims to attend university for a degree in STEM before going on to medical school.

Allyson Chard attends Crescent Collegiate in Blaketown. For RISE 2023, Allyson will be attending the Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program at the University of Toronto. A two-time silver medalist under the Junior Life Sciences category across provincial science fairs, Allyson is also a dedicated figure skater and the provincial president of Allied Youth. After high school, Allyson aims to pursue a degree in engineering and hopes to stay in the province for university.

Dipayan Dhar attends Gonzaga High School in St. John’s. For RISE 2023, Dipayan will be attending the Da Vinci Engineering Program at the University of Toronto. Dipayan has participated in multiple science fairs at both regional and national levels, participated in Tech NL’s Summer Program, and is leading Gonzaga’s robotics team on the programming side. After high school, Dipayan aims to pursue a career in computer engineering.

Jenna Hamilton attends Exploits Valley High in Grand Falls-Windsor. For RISE 2023, Jenna will be attending the Boston Leadership Institute in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Jenna has always had a defined interest in neurology and is currently a volunteer with the local hospital. After high school, Jenna aims to pursue a medical career in pediatric neurology while simultaneously continuing research into neurotechnology, with a focus on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Allison Hutchings attends Holy Heart of Mary Regional High School in St. John’s. For RISE 2023, Allison will be attending the Da Vinci Engineering Program at the University of Toronto. A self-taught computer programmer, Allison is currently the coding lead at her school’s robotics team and divides her time between robotics, band, volleyball, soccer, cross-country running and public speaking on top of academics. After high school, Allison aims to pursue post-secondary studies in STEM.

Gargi Kaushal attends Mealy Mountain Collegiate in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. For RISE 2023, Gargi will be attending the Boston Leadership Institute in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Gargi is a part of the student government, year-book committee and at Mealy Mountain and has a keen interest in researching neurological disorders. After high school, Gargi aims to pursue a medical career in the field of neurology.

Corey Matthews attends Queen Elizabeth Regional High School in Conception Bay South. For RISE 2023, Corey will be attending the Da Vinci Engineering Program at the University of Toronto. A Scouts Canada member since the age of five, Corey has attended multiple engineering and robotics camps over the years. After high school, Corey aims to pursue a career in engineering.

Jacey Matthews attends Templeton Academy in Meadows. For RISE 2023, Jacey will be attending the Boston Leadership Institute in Wellesley, Massachusetts. An avid volunteer, Jacey has been involved in multiple leadership roles at her school and community, including Shad Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Parliament and Relay for Life. After high school, Jacey aims to pursue a career in the medical field.

Andrew Moyles attends Holy Trinity High School in Torbay. For RISE 2023, Andrew will be attending the Da Vinci Engineering Program at the University of Toronto. Andrew has always had a keen interest in the sciences and participated in numerous programs and events to that effect. After high school, Andrew aims to pursue an education at Memorial and a career researching microbiology and cell mutation to study ways to prevent cells from mutating into diseases.

Robert McCarthy attends Crescent Collegiate in Blaketown. For RISE 2023, Robert will be attending the Research Science Institute, located at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts. With a strong interest in researching the potential for sustainable energy resources, particularly from a Newfoundland and Labrador perspective, Robert has long been participating in STEM initiatives, including multiple science fairs and Shad Canada. After high school, Robert aims to pursue a career in engineering.

Fiona Park attends Holy Trinity High School in Torbay. For RISE 2023, Fiona will be attending the Da Vinci Engineering Program at the University of Toronto for four weeks. Having grown up in a family heavily involved in the sciences, Fiona gained a similar interest very early on in life and has participated in a number of related opportunities, including an enrichment program at Memorial University. After high school, Fiona aims to pursue a career in STEM.

Meghna Saha attends Gonzaga High School in St. John’s. For RISE 2023, Meghna will be attending the Da Vinci Engineering Program at the University of Toronto. An engaged student leader and community volunteer, Meghna has a keen interest in vaccine research and has participated in enrichment programs such as Shad Canada as well as science fairs and many math competitions. After high school, Meghna hopes to pursue a career in pharmacy

Melissa Smith attends Queen Elizabeth Regional High School in Conception Bay South. For RISE 2023, Melissa will be attending the Da Vinci Engineering Program at the University of Toronto. Melissa’s interest in STEM began early on in life, which lead to participating in the robotics team, various contests, student groups and audio media production. After high school, Melissa hopes to pursue a career in pharmacy, with a focus on researching digestive and reproductive issues in women and adolescents.

Peter Trinh attends Holy Heart of Mary Regional High School in St. John’s. For Rise 2023, Peter will be attending the Da Vinci Engineering Program at the University of Toronto. Peter has won local Skills Canada team coding competitions and math competitions, and tutors with the tutoring for tuition program. Peter intends to pursue post-secondary studies in STEM.

Lakshmi Prajwala Chedella Venkata attends Holy Heart of Mary High School in St. John’s. For RISE 2023, Lakshmi will be attending the Da Vinci Engineering Program at the University of Toronto. Winner of the 2022 Skills Canada coding competition, Lakshmi has participated in multiple competitions and is a member of the school’s robotics and coding clubs. After high school, Lakshmi hopes to pursue a career in engineering.