A Richmond student is setting her sights on one of the country’s top full graduate scholarships.
Jana Caine – a Palmer secondary alumnus and current Simon Fraser student - is one of this year’s 50 finalists across Canada for one of 20 McCall MacBain Scholarships for aspiring community leaders to attend McGill University.
In March, Caine will advance to final interviews in Montréal for the program’s second cohort.
She is studying chemistry, molecular biology, and biochemistry at Simon Fraser, volunteers as a peer mentor, paddled for the recreational dragon boat team and worked with the Math Catcher program to compile a collection of mathematics resources using traditional Indigenous storytelling.
Caine also worked as a children’s cooking instructor for South Arm Community Centre in Richmond, where she proposed and implemented a new program for seniors and children to create a community garden.
If selected, the award will cover her master’s program tuition and fees, plus a living stipend of $2,000 per month and a relocation grant.
For a two-year master’s degree, the tuition, fees, and living stipend could be approximately $60,000 to $70,000.
In addition, McCall MacBain Scholars are given opportunities to connect with mentors and to develop their leadership skills.
And even if Caine is not selected, she is still eligible to receive a $10,000 finalist award.
She was nominated by Simon Fraser University and shortlisted from a pool of nearly 700 Canadian applicants following an application and interview process which considers character, community engagement, leadership potential, and entrepreneurial drive on top of academic strength.
Caine already participated in a first round of regional interviews in November.
"I became passionate about science because of teachers and mentors who dedicated their time to fostering my interests,” said Caine.
“I am inspired by these individuals to support the personal and academic growth of others."
