University of Alberta engineering student dedicated to advancing space research wins prestigious scholarship
Posted Dec 2, 2024 9:13 am.
Last Updated Dec 2, 2024 10:30 am.
A mechanical engineering student who wants to push the boundaries of space travel was the latest recipient of the Polytechnique’s prestigious “Order of the White Rose” scholarship on Monday.
Makenna Kuzyk, a graduate from the University of Alberta, was the 10th recipient of the $50,000 scholarship. Kuzyk was honoured in a ceremony in Montreal amid the university’s commemoration of the Dec. 6, 1989, Polytechnique shooting.
The scholarship is awarded annually to a female Canadian engineering student who hopes to pursue graduate studies at the university of her choice.
“The past recipients of the Order of the White Rose are all young women driven by extraordinary passion, which makes them exceptional citizens,” said Polytechnique president Maud Cohen. “Makenna Kuzyk has that same passion. It has the power to change the world, and so it must be encouraged to the greatest extent possible.
“Makenna is a pioneer, and we are all extremely proud to help her take the next steps in her impressive and promising academic journey. I have no doubt that her career will be nothing less than stellar, and this honour bestowed on her today is fully deserved.”
Kuzyk, who conducts research on the impacts of living in microgravity, hopes to boost the visibility of women in the aerospace industry. She founded a women’s only student club at the University of Alberta – Mission SpaceWalker – dedicated to advancing space research.
“I wanted young girls to know that their dream of flying to space need not remain simply a dream: that it can become a reality,” said Kuzyk.
