Seven RIT students have received a Fulbright Canada Mitacs Global Link fellowship to assist with research in Canada during the summer of 2023. This program provides exceptional undergraduate students from universities in the United States with the opportunity to be part of a 10 to 12-week research internship under the supervision of Canadian university faculty members in various academic disciplines, from science, engineering, and mathematics to the humanities and social sciences.
RIT Awardees
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Finn Cohen
Working with a team of researchers in Canada will bring him one step closer to his goal of earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. “A clinical Ph.D. is inherently a research degree, so not only is research experience a prerequisite to admission, but you also need to have strong research skills to succeed, both of which will be furthered during my time with Fulbright Canada. Additionally, it is important for psychologists to be culturally competent, something I believe will be furthered by living abroad,” says Finn. |
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Noah Decker
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Mikayla Fors
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Paige Mattoon
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Serena Tuytschaevers
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| Abigail Broscius Computational Math, College of Science Abigail will assist with research at Queens University in Kingston, Canada, on a project titled " Physics-Based Machine-Learning Models: Combining Speed and Accuracy in Computational Chemistry". |
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Catherine Fox Catherine will work on a project titled “Design and Manufacturing of Energy Efficient Pumps for Sustainable Food Systems” with researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. |
Finn will work with the Université de Sherbrooke to examine the impact of young children’s digital media use during the COVID-19 pandemic on health and developmental outcomes. “We're looking at how this affects physical health and academic outcomes when the children first start school, and how the child's individual and family situations contribute to their use of digital media,” says Finn.
Noah’s research assignment at École Polytechnique de Montréal will develop new technology to make lactic acid from waste using a fluidized bed reactor and develop kinetic models to explore various catalysts. “I have never been outside the country before,” says Noah. “When I learned about the Fulbright Canada award, I thought this would be a great opportunity to explore new opportunities in another country. I also thought that this would be a challenging experience. I like to challenge myself and push my limits.” 
Mikayla will assist with research at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, collecting data in a patient population suffering from severe mental illness and substance use disorders, to study patient outcomes and characterization. “I will be working individually with patients at an inpatient rehab facility, conducting computer-based experimental treatments with the patients,” says Mikayla. Planning to attend nursing school after RIT for inpatient psychiatric nursing, the experience her experience in Vancouver combines her clinical and research interests. “Vancouver, Canada hosts progressive harm reduction programs that will allow me to see addiction treatment in a way that I would not see in the majority of U.S. cities. I am so honored to work with a prestigious organization pursuing work that I am truly passionate about,” says Mikayla.
Paige will work with researchers at the University Institute of Cardiology and Pulmonology of Quebec through Laval University on characterizing of neurons in the hypothalamus. The project will target specific receptors in mice in hopes of developing new medications to aid in the treatment of metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes. Working on an international research team as an undergraduate will be valuable to Paige as she pursues medical school. “This program not only allows me to gain research experience but also to gain insight into a different kind of healthcare system compared to the United States,” says Paige. “I previously have not been involved in research, and I liked that the Fulbright Canada program was aimed towards students like me with little to no experience,” she says.
Serena will assist researchers at University of Sherbrooke on a biodiversity and functional study of gut bacteriophages to determine how microbial and viral changes contribute to the onset and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. “My major, bioinformatics and computational biology, is very specific, making it a bit difficult to study abroad. I have always wanted to study abroad, and the Fulbright Canada award allows me to go abroad for a semester,” says Serena. Making connections in the research field will help Serena advance her professional network. “This opportunity will allow me to meet new people and learn lab methods,” she says.The Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the U.S. (Fulbright Canada) is a binational, treaty-based, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization with a mandate to identify the best and brightest minds in both countries and engage them in residential academic exchange.
Fulbright Canada Mitacs Globalink fellowships are highly competitive. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, skills, and research interests.