Five Schulich Leaders to join UBC Engineering

Five recipients of the 2020 Schulich Leader Scholarship — Yosamin Esanullah, Adam Gurbin, Ethan Lodermeier, James Ropotar and Kailey Beckie — will be joining UBC Engineering this fall.

Valued at $100,000, the award aims to help create “the next generation of technology innovators” by identifying and supporting the “top entrepreneurial-minded STEM student[s]” in high school graduating classes across Canada. This year, the 20 partner universities awarded scholarships to 100 of the 1,400 students who were named Schulich Leader Nominees.

Schulich Leader Nominees are selected based on demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, charisma, creativity and financial need. They must also exhibit an interest in entrepreneurship and intend to pursue a career in one of several focus areas, including engineering and applied scientific research. 

Of the 10 Schulich Leaders who chose to attend UBC this year, half are entering UBC Applied Science. 

Yosamin Esanullah is a recipient of the $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship. A graduate of Jasper Place High School in Edmonton, AB, Yoshi will be entering the Faculty of Applied Science this fall at UBC Okanagan. Esanullah was selected for her outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements, such as being the first-ever recipient of “The Spirit of Dr. Armour Award” from the WISEST Summer Research Program at the University of Alberta. Yoshi represented Edmonton Schools in the Norwegian-Canadian NORCAN research project. She also led her school-wide “Helping Hampers” initiative to help combat poverty in her community. 

Adam Gurbin is a recipient of the $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship. A graduate of St. Mary Catholic Secondary in Pickering, ON, Adam will be entering the Faculty of Applied Science at UBC Vancouver. Adam was selected for his outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements, such as founding Canada’s first high school-based e-NABLE Chapter allowing students to become part of a global network using 3D printing technology to create prosthetics for children and adults in need. Adam was involved in the design, development and testing of a repeatable reference probe for focused ultrasound technology for drug delivery, tissue heating/ablation, and managing neurodegenerative diseases. He was also the recipient of the MusicFest Canada Honour Award at the Instrumental Band Nationals for extraordinary leadership, team building, musical excellence and friendship. Adam has been supporting COVID-19 efforts by creating 250+ 3D-printed face shield frames for frontline medical workers. 

Ethan Lodermeier is a recipient of the $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship. A graduate of Summerland Secondary School in Summerland, BC, Ethan will be entering the Faculty of Applied Science at UBC Vancouver. Ethan was selected for an outstanding academic project in his school’s Science Honours Program, which involved programming an artificial intelligence algorithm for a Turing Test comparing machine-written music with human-written music. An entrepreneurial project of Ethan’s is designing, prototyping, and testing a line of electric motorized longboards using CAD software, 3D printers, wireless remote systems, and high-energy battery power. Ethan is also an electrical technician at a local tech startup, developing control systems for energy-efficient HVAC solutions. 

James Ropotar is a recipient of the $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship. A graduate of Okanagan Mission Secondary in Kelowna, BC, James will be entering the Faculty of Applied Science at UBC Okanagan. James was selected for his outstanding academic accomplishment of graduating from high school with more than double the credits required. Some of his extracurricular achievements include developing a GPS-based Speed Limiting Device; placing in the top ten of the local Innovation Generation Challenge; and being co-President of District’s Student Council where he spearheaded efforts to repeal the B.C. Ministry of Education’s proposed Recommendation 9, which would change educational funding models for school courses, resulting in fewer options for students completing their education. 

Kailey Beckie is a recipient of the $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship. A graduate of St. Martin de Porres School in Red Deer, AB, Kailey will be entering the Faculty of Applied Science at UBC Okanagan. Kailey was selected for her outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements, including being part of the Heritage Youth Summer Research Program (HYRS). As part of the program, she was a researcher through the Stephenson Cardiac Imaging Centre, also publishing two scientific abstracts and presenting a poster at the HYRS open house. Hailey was accepted into the prestigious SCMR 23rd Annual Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida, and has obtained an upcoming summer of 2020 SEED program studentship. With 4H Alberta, she has roles as District Vice President, Club President, Public Speaking MC, and Camp Counsellor. Hailey has also worked at Rocky Mountain Aircraft. She fabricated a cockpit door skin, assembled pilot seats, dismantled a turbo engine, and performed electronics testing on Twin Otters.
 

For more information about the Schulich Leaders entering UBC this year, please see the announcement on the UBC Development and Alumni Engagement website.