A Vancouver Island University graduate’s love of science has propelled her straight into PhD program at the University of Toronto.
Earning a bachelor of science degree at VIU in December, Nanaimo’s Megan Willis was awarded a $17,500 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Alexander Graham Bell Canada graduate scholarship.
She’ll use the national award at the University of Toronto in September where she’ll pursue studies in environmental chemistry.
Willis graduated from VIU with a double minor in chemistry and math. Since then, she’s been working as a research assistant in the applied environmental research lab at VIU’s Nanaimo campus.
“In addition to her success in the classroom, Megan has made significant contributions in the AERL over a number of years,” said Erik Krogh, VIU chemistry professor. “She has presented her work at an international chemistry conference and is the lead author on an upcoming research paper.
While at VIU, Willis won three prestigious undergraduate summer research awards from the research council and a $1,000 scholarship from the Association of the Chemical Profession of B.C. for outstanding academic achievements and activities in service to the profession of chemistry.
“I feel extremely fortunate to have completed my undergraduate degree at VIU,” said Willis, a Woodlands Secondary School graduate. “VIU’s science faculty love teaching. They go out of their way to give students a full and enriching experience.”