Meet the 2026 National Scholars

Arina Asgari

Growing up watching my mother navigate multiple sclerosis, I became fascinated with how health underpins and influences every dimension of a person's life. Through conducting research at BC Children’s Hospital and the Summer Science Program, I saw firsthand how scientific discovery can be used to understand the unique stories behind every diagnosis and uncover solutions that improve lives.

Research has taught me to recognize gaps within my own community, while education has become my way of addressing them. I founded the Prevention Project in response to a general lack of first aid knowledge, hosting first-aid workshops in elementary schools across my district. After receiving a federal school health grant, our team partnered with public health nurses to train students and staff in overdose response and naloxone administration.  

Through co-leading the UBC Women in Orthopaedics Student Advisory Council, providing inclusive mentorship for young women across the province, I have continued to use education to inspire change. As co-president of the Truth and Reconciliation Council at my school, I have led initiatives that promote cultural understanding to strengthen inclusion across our community.  

The National Scholarship has made it possible for me to continue combining research with community work without financial constraint, and for that I am deeply grateful. By giving me the freedom to fully dedicate myself to my academics and service at the University of Toronto, the scholarship brings me closer to my goal of becoming a physician-scientist and giving back to my community in the most meaningful way I know. 

Melanie (Quynh Anh) Duong 

Hi, my name is Melanie. I'm from Toronto, Ontario.

I believe privilege demands responsibility, that having opportunities means creating them for others. This conviction was my compass as I moved through 3 schools and 2 nations throughout my high school journey.

In my home country, Vietnam, I worked to advance educational equality and free civic discourse. From organizing national Model UN conferences to leading efforts to bring accessible learning resources to underserved communities, I found fulfillment in fostering meaningful changes for my community. My efforts reached 10,000+ students nationwide and pushed many to continue the same mission.

In 2024, as I moved across the globe and settled in Canada, my goal shifted to helping newcomers like myself find their footing in a new home. Through advocacy bodies and youth policy councils, I contributed to the formation of more informed policies that removed barriers for newcomer youth.

I am extremely honoured and grateful to receive the National Scholarship at the University of Toronto. Creating opportunities for others remains my source of joy and motivation, and it is what I will continue dedicating myself to in my 4 years at the school and beyond. 

Carly Greavette 

Music is a huge part of my life — one that combines performance with the ability to better understand others. Watching music reach someone living with Parkinson's disease when words no longer could sparked a question that has stayed with me: Why does a melody connect when language cannot?

That question has guided my journey as a vocalist. I have been fortunate to perform as a soloist with the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, compete at MusicFest Nationals, sing with the Ellison Canadian Honour Choir, and the Jazz FM 91 Youth Big Band. I also founded Pickup Notes, a music lessons and performance business, where I continued to learn about connection through music.

Beyond music, I founded Bold in the Making, a service project supporting young people experiencing performance anxiety. As a Student Senator with the District School Board of Niagara, a Forum for Young Canadians delegate, and an OFSAA competitive swimmer, I have had opportunities to advocate for youth mental health while gaining a deeper appreciation for the challenges people face in high performance situations. These experiences have strengthened my passions for the intersection of music and neuroscience.

I am deeply grateful to the University of Toronto for the opportunity to study vocal jazz performance while continuing to explore the neuroscience field. The National Scholarship has made that path possible, and I am honoured to join the U of T community. 

Lê Hiếu Thông Quách

The world we live in is confronting unprecedented challenges at a pace that requires a bold vision for our future. The choices we make and the actions we take today are critical in shaping the outlook of our world, and meeting these challenges calls for curiosity, collaboration, and an interdisciplinary approach.

Science has always been more than discovery to me; it’s a way to support my communities. Representing Saskatchewan at the Canada-Wide Science Fair for four years has been among my life’s greatest honours, enabling me to share research, make countless friends, and receive recognition including a grand award, one gold, two silver, two National Challenge Awards, and three Special Sponsored Awards. Through environmental work with The 5 Gyres Institute and federal parliamentarians, The #WashSmarter Canada Campaign has reached hundreds of Canadians from coast to coast, raising awareness about the impacts of synthetic clothing on microfibre pollution.

This commitment to evidence-based and empathy-minded service has guided my work as an advisor of the Saskatoon Community Foundation, helping advise on over $200,000 in grants addressing homelessness, food insecurity, healthcare access, and public safety. As founder of my school’s UNICEF Campus Club, this mindset has helped my team shape health-related initiatives raising funds for more than 500 vaccines for children in our world’s most vulnerable regions.

Serving as a federal research assistant with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me, strengthening my commitment to public service and shaping my future aspirations in the intersection of infectious diseases and policy as a diplomatic attaché.

As this next chapter begins at the University of Toronto, my gratitude goes to the University, BMO Financial Group, all my supervisors, teachers, friends, and family for supporting me in my endeavours. As always, feel free to reach out on LinkedIn @thethongquach to chat! 

Maitlyn Hsia 

As a resident of Komoka, Ontario, I have the pleasure of living beside a field of milkweed-munching monarchs, iridescent swallows, and tick-infested daisies, which has inspired and necessitated my commitment to driving positive change at the intersections of the environment, medicine, and community.

In high school, I was empowered to realize this commitment locally: running environmental literacy workshops at my feeder school and conservation authority events; advocating at council meetings, in letters, and in radio interviews for youth issues; and leading school-wide awareness and spirit initiatives. My greatest stride, however, has been elevating the confidence and opportunities of others in my clubs as a tutor and mentor.  

Conversations with these enthusiastic and curious individuals fuelled my passion for scientific exploration, with discussions on gene therapy and de-extinction during a Harvard pathophysiology course further entrenching my interest in ethical innovation and research as an avenue for meaningful change.  

After conducting a food insecurity report for the food bank and publishing a paper on the hematological outcomes of a zoonotic infection linked to household pets, I am eager to contribute to scientific work influencing policy and practice locally and abroad, aiming to work as a clinician-researcher and public health official in the future.  

Crafted into a leader by the opportunities and people I have embraced, I know that U of T's diverse community of changemakers will transform me into a trusted healthcare professional capable of advancing equitable solutions to vector-borne diseases rooted in the very landscape that first shaped my passion. 

Ethan Panaligan

“To own a home should not be a privilege; it is a right.” This is a quote from my Grade 8 speech at my school’s speech competition, expressing the personal impact the housing crisis in Vancouver had on me throughout my life. Like many, my parents cannot afford to live in the cities where they work or where I study.  

In high school, the experience inspired me to challenge myself to excel in every endeavour. Beyond my academic pursuit is a strong desire for transformative change requiring a fundamental shift in thinking. I co-led projects that raised awareness of issues like housing insecurity and affordability in Vancouver, environmental sustainability, and Truth and Reconciliation. These included organizing a “Sleep-Out” event at our school where students slept overnight in cold, uncomfortable conditions to gain a deeper understanding of issues of poverty and of people experiencing homelessness, with a documentary on the impacts within Metro Vancouver. Another initiative was organizing a week-long event recognizing the ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples through the Imagine A Canada program from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

My passion for advocacy and interest in business are intertwined because of the social responsibility that comes with it. The National Scholarship enables me to pursue a business degree at Rotman Commerce, which aligns with my long-term goal of being a part of the leadership team in an organization where I will play a crucial role in shaping policies that positively impact local and global communities.

Zoya Reebye 

How do we ensure that historically marginalized communities are not simply included in important conversations, but placed at their center? As the proud daughter of Trinidadian and Mauritian parents, I grew up navigating multiple cultures and became deeply interested in the ways identity, history, and power shape people's experiences. Today, I am passionate about intersectional feminism, youth leadership, social entrepreneurship, and racial justice, driven by a curiosity about the systems that influence whose voices are heard.

In 2023, I founded the first Women of Colour Club at York House School in Vancouver, creating a space for students to discuss issues affecting women of colour through weekly meetings, school-wide panels, and cultural events. Inspired to expand this work beyond my school community, I attended the University of Pennsylvania's Social Innovators Program in 2025, where I learned how to build initiatives centred on community needs. Later that year, I launched Let’s Talk Women of Colour (LTWOC), a Vancouver grassroots youth-led non-profit and digital platform that empowers young women through civic education and dialogue.

LTWOC's signature Coffee Chat Program has brought together more than 200 young women to explore race, colonialism, gender, media, and identity in local cafés. The organization has also hosted intergenerational panels in partnership with Hogan's Alley Society, Women Leaders of Tomorrow, and the UBC Black Student Union. Since then, I have helped establish new chapters at other Vancouver high schools and expanded LTWOC's reach to Los Angeles.

Whether through in-person conversations or digital storytelling, I believe education is most powerful when it is accessible. Alongside my community work, I created the TikTok series Overlooked Stories, where I explore the historical roots of stereotypes and examine media narratives affecting racialized communities. What began as a way to continue these conversations beyond the classroom has grown into a community of more than 32,000 followers and over one million views.

I am truly honoured to be a University of Toronto National Scholar. At U of T, I hope to deepen my understanding of politics, law, and social entrepreneurship while collaborating with peers who are equally committed to creating meaningful change.

Wenqi Sun 

As an aspiring lawyer, I hold an unwavering passion for social justice and public speaking. I had the honour of serving as both the Vice Chair and a grant adjudicator for my city's Youth Advisory Committee, where we allocate thousands to extraordinary non-profit organizations annually. From pioneering our high school's first debate club and co-teaching Mandarin at a local elementary school, to embarking on a summer exchange in Québec as a daycare educator, it has been an immense privilege to contribute to communities I cherish deeply.  

Outside of community involvement, I thoroughly enjoy participating and growing from competitions - namely, mock trial and debate. Alongside multiple national and international awards, including ones from UofT's Hart House Debate and World Schools Championships, are invaluable learning experiences from peers around me that only strengthen my dedication to the socio-political sphere.  

I will be part of Trinity One's Ethics Society & Law program this year and I plan on pursuing a major in ES&L and Public Policy in the future. It is such an incredible honour to join the lively community that is the University of Toronto; I am eternally grateful for the opportunities the National Scholarship offers! 

Sophia Zhang 

Hello, my name is Sophia, and I am passionate about engineering for the greater good! Since grade 5, I have been doing science projects and have been selected to compete nationally for 4 consecutive years. In 2024, my project on a novel low-wind energy harvester placed in the top 10 intermediate projects nationally among approximately 20,000 participants. During the summer of 2025, I also had the privilege of attending the Research Science Institute, where I met and learned from world-renowned scientists. Throughout high school, I have been significantly involved in my school community. I have been on my school’s Robotics Team and Student Council for all 3 years. Our robotics team has competed in and qualified for the MATE ROV World Championships every year since I joined, and I served as captain in my senior year.

In my free time, I love playing music and sang in my school’s chamber and trebles choir. Last September, we won the 2025 CBC Music Class Challenge under Studio Production. I also try my best to stay connected to my local community. One of my biggest initiatives is establishing a cost-free 3D printing program, teaching monthly workshops and weekly sessions at libraries and primary/elementary schools in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Education District. I hope to give every student the opportunity to learn such useful skills outside the classroom.

Receiving the National Scholarship is such an honor, and I am so excited to join the UofT community to connect and meet so many like-minded people!