Student Finds Reward Working in Science and with Indigenous Youth
Researcher and role model Tonya-Leah Watts awarded Rose Nolan Scholarship
Tonya-Leah Watts has great stories to tell about what she did this summer. For starters, the second-year Biomedical Science undergraduate student, who is also minoring in Indigenous Studies, won the Rose Nolan Scholarship awarded by the Ted Nolan Foundation.
Proud to receive the scholarship which helps First Nations women achieve their educational goals while maintaining strong community involvement, Ms. Watts reveals, “Winning is a reminder that when I believe in myself and keep pushing to be the best I can be, more opportunities will open up allowing me to expand my horizons.”
Undoubtedly, her other unforgettable summer experience, working at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, proved just that.
As a research student at SickKids, Ms. Watts examined the role of an autism and schizophrenia-associated gene in early brain development. She conducted experiments, shared findings with fellow researchers at the 2016 SickKids Summer Research Program Symposium, and won an award for an exceptional poster presentation.
“The chance to work at SickKids was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life,” said Ms. Watts. “I was a part of something very real. Seeing how the techniques learned in class at Trent are used to do such amazing things, makes it all worth it.”
During her spare time, Ms. Watts also keeps busy working as an instructor with the Trent Aboriginal and Cultural Knowledge and Science (TRACKS) Program, a youth outreach program that weaves Indigenous cultural knowledge with math and science curriculum.
“I want to continue to reach out, support, and encourage other Indigenous youth to believe in themselves and team them that they are capable of pursuing their goals.”
In addition to the scholarship, Ms. Watts feels her experiences at SickKids and working with TRACKS will help lead her towards a successful career in medicine.