Sawjana Rafique is the recipient of the 2023 Rotary Club of Toronto scholarship. She is a graduate of Westview Centennial Secondary School, North York. She will be attending the University of Toronto in the Fall. Her future academic plans include a double major in Neuroscience and Molecular Biology and Genetics, complemented by a minor in either Forensic Science or Computer Science. Her aim is to address critical medical issues in underserved communities.
Sawjana has worked recently as a cancer researcher at the esteemed University Health Network. This shed a light on the difficulties caregivers of cancer patients face. The profound loneliness and vulnerability that many of these individuals endure silently have sparked within her a passionate determination to develop impactful podcasts for Princess Margaret Caregiver programs. Through these endeavours, she seeks to dismantle the stigma surrounding cancer and address the challenges patients face throughout their journey, from diagnosis to treatment.
Guest Speakers: Previous Scholarship Winners:
Biography
Veronica Luo is the recipient of the 2022 Rotary Club of Toronto scholarship.
She has completed her first year at the University of Toronto Mississauga pursuing studies in psychology. She achieved a Cumulative GPA of 3.6 and received a Dean’s List Scholar notation for high academic achievement.
Outside of her academic endeavors, Veronica is active in a total of 7 clubs - 5 of which she was selected to serve in executive positions. Most notably, as the new co-VP of Membership for the University of Toronto Women’s Student Association empowering women to achieve their own goals.This past Summer she had the wonderful opportunity of working with Pride Toronto in their operations department. This role gave her a deep insight into the logistics of organizing Canada’s largest pride event.
Biography
Gabrielle Cuff is the recipient of the 2021 Rotary Club of Toronto Scholarship.
She is currently in her fourth and final undergraduate year at the University of Toronto in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Gabrielle has been recognized as a Dean's List Scholar for the third year in a row. She has also been awarded the Ruth Kirkland scholarship from the University of Toronto based on merit and community involvement.
Biography
Hshmat Sahak is the recipient of the 2019 Rotary Club of Toronto scholarship. He has completed 3 years of his undergraduate degree in the highly competitive Engineering Science program, pursuing a Major in Machine Learning and a Minor in Robotics and Mechatronics. He has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.99 and a 95% overall average.
In addition to his academic pursuits, he remains committed to his extracurricular activities at the university. Hshmat participates in weekly training sessions working towards the Putnam competition. He maintans his executive role at NSight, a club devoted to providing academic, social and personal support for first and second year students in Engineering Science, easing their transition from high school to university.
His goal after graduation in 2024 is to obtain a PhD degree in the intersection of Computer Science and Robotics.
The Rotary Club of Toronto
Scholarship Team Chamapion, Pauline Lyons