Five new Loran Scholars have started their first semester at McGill. Their interests range from sustainability and economics, to physics, engineering and technology.
The Loran Award recognizes students across Canada for their character, commitment to service and leadership potential. The award provides financial support worth approximately $150,000 over four years of study, mentorship, work experience and membership in a national network of scholars.
Timo Joubert
For Timo Joubert, environmental challenges are also economic questions.
Originally from Montreal, Joubert spent two years at United World College Atlantic in Wales, where he completed the International Baccalaureate and became involved in sustainability initiatives. At McGill, Joubert is studying Sustainability Science and Society, with plans to add a minor or second major in economics.
He is interested in how economic decisions can support environmental goals, particularly through sustainable development, international policy and the role businesses can play in addressing environmental challenges.
Through Loran, Joubert has already met other scholars and is looking forward to building those connections through the program.
“It’s such an incredible opportunity,” Joubert said. “I’m really, really grateful and I’ve already met a lot of friends.”
Anisa Abduhamedova
Anisa Abduhamedova’s interest in economics grew out of work with young people and the challenges of turning policy ideas into effective programs.
Abduhamedova comes to McGill from Vancouver, where she worked with the city’s Building Safer Communities Program, which addresses the root causes of youth violence while supporting safe spaces and youth-led community solutions. She helped develop policy recommendations for local politicians.
The experience showed her the challenges of developing programs with limited resources and the importance of data in evaluating their effectiveness.
She is entering the Bachelor of Arts program in economics, with interests in development economics and international economics.
“I’m looking forward to getting involved beyond the classroom and building projects alongside people who care about making an impact,” said Abduhamedova.
Bazyl Rudnicki
Bazyl Rudnicki’s curiosity about how things work has shaped both what he wants to study and what he hopes to do with it.
Rudnicki grew up in rural Middleton, N.S., and is entering McGill’s Science and Technology program to study physics, which he eventually hopes to teach, and is also interested in education policy.
He wants to bring that same spirit of exploration into the classroom, encouraging students to discover science for themselves.
“McGill’s balance of academic excellence with its diversity and culture made it somewhere I’d always hoped to end up,” Rudnicki said.
George Rayal
Montrealer George Rayal is interested in how artificial intelligence can be integrated safely into the machines and systems people interact with every day.
He is entering McGill with a strong interest in mechatronics, an interdisciplinary field combining mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and software development. He is particularly interested in how engineers can design AI-enabled machines to behave safely and reliably.
“McGill gives me the opportunity to explore the intersection of mechanical, electrical and software engineering, particularly as AI becomes increasingly capable,” said Rayal.
Yasmine Ben Arous
For Yasmine Ben Arous, computer engineering is a way to connect technology with health care and education.
The Montreal native hopes to add minors in biomedical engineering and technological entrepreneurship. She plans to specialize in assistive and medical technologies for people living with chronic illnesses.
She is also interested in applying engineering to education and developing tools that respond to needs often overlooked in the design process.
“McGill is, for me, the perfect blend: a vibrant community life and an academic environment that challenges you to excel,” said Ben Arous.