USask Engineering Spring 2025 Convocation Award Winners

Hometown: Regina, SK
Discipline: Chemical Engineering
 
What does receiving this award mean to you?
The awards truly validate all the late nights and perseverance it took to get here, including the time my dog passed the morning before I had three days of back-to-back finals. Everyone always told me I did not need to try as hard as I did, especially after I started working full-time during my last year, but for me, it was more a desire to master the intricate details of the materials we studied, rather than the grades. 
 
What inspired you to pursue engineering at USask, and how has your experience shaped your future plans?
Funnily enough, I started studying engineering in British Columbia. A few factors, like housing availability, made me doubt this choice. The tipping point was that they did not have a chemical engineering program, and after first year, I'd developed a passion for chemistry. I switched to USask to pursue chemical engineering, and with opportunities like my NSERC-funded research with Dr. Tim Kelly and working at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron, I have not looked back since. 
 
What was your most memorable or meaningful project, course, or experience during your time at USask?
In my second year, I took bioorganic chemistry. Dr. Palmer covered the fascinating mechanisms behind biological processes, like how plants assemble essential oils and how pharmaceuticals react inside us. I'll also never forget the time I synthesized brown aspirin at a 1.5% yield. A close second was winning the Environmental Impact award at the 2025 Capstone Showcase with a project from the Nutrien mine I work at.

What advice would you give your first-year self?
I feel like a lot of people think they need everything planned out when they start their degree. The reality is that the future is hard to predict and opportunities you would have never imagined present themselves. Sometimes you just have to stay calm, embrace the entropic nature of the universe, and see where life takes you. 
 

Hometown: Saskatoon
Discipline: Civil Engineering

What does receiving this award mean to you?
Receiving this award means the absolute world to me. This award solidifies and justifies all of the hard work and long nights of studying for midterms and finals I have put myself through within my undergraduate journey. Lastly, although the last few years of University has been quite stressful receiving this award has made the struggle all the more worth it.
 
What inspired you to pursue engineering at USask, and how has your experience shaped your future plans?
Growing up I have always been good at math, science and problem solving and Engineering seemed like the best fit for me. USask was of course my hometown University, and I only heard good things about the program and through my time here these expectations were certainly fulfilled. Working in the Geotech Lab last summer and connecting with various professors I would not be surprised if I pursue a master's degree at USask in the future. Additionally, I plan to continue being in connection with the various people I have met during my time here throughout the rest of my career.
 
What was your most memorable or meaningful project, course, or experience during your time at USask?
My most memorable course during my undergraduate journey was certainly the Capstone Design Project. My group and I were tasked with designing a new overpass for Highway 2 over Highway 1 near Moose Jaw, SK. Although this project was quite challenging and stressful, the lessons learned through both terms I will forever remember and utilize throughout my career.
 
What advice would you give your first-year self?
The advice I would give my first-year self is to sleep more and ensure to always start assignments the day they are assigned and not the day they are due.

 

Hometown: Mumbai, India
Discipline: Computer Engineering

What does receiving this award mean to you?
Receiving this award is a meaningful recognition of the effort I’ve consistently put into every assignment, project, and exam throughout my time in the program. It validates the countless late nights spent finishing labs, the extra hours dedicated to refining assignments, and the additional studying I did to gain an edge in midterms and finals. More than anything, it helps me reconcile with the challenges and stressful moments I faced over the past four years, reminding me that the hard work and perseverance were truly worth it.
 
What inspired you to pursue engineering at USask, and how has your experience shaped your future plans?
I first heard about the University of Saskatchewan from a few peers at my high school in Mumbai. They told me about this quiet, far-off place in the heart of Canada — not one of the usual bustling hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal. Coming from a fast-paced city like Mumbai, I was curious to experience life in a more modest and peaceful environment, and USask offered me exactly that.

My time here has taught me a lot — not just academically, but personally as well. While I still enjoy the energy and momentum of big cities, I’ve come to really appreciate the calm, tight-knit community that Saskatoon offers. It’s helped me slow down, focus, and grow in ways I didn’t expect. As I look ahead, I’m seriously considering staying and working in Saskatoon for the next few years. It feels like the right place to take the next step in my journey.
 
What was your most memorable or meaningful project, course, or experience during your time at USask?
I first heard about the University of Saskatchewan from a few peers at my high school in Mumbai. They told me about this quiet, far-off place in the heart of Canada — not one of the usual bustling hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal. Coming from a fast-paced city like Mumbai, I was curious to experience life in a more modest and peaceful environment, and USask offered me exactly that.

My time here has taught me a lot — not just academically, but personally as well. While I still enjoy the energy and momentum of big cities, I’ve come to really appreciate the calm, tight-knit community that Saskatoon offers. It’s helped me slow down, focus, and grow in ways I didn’t expect. As I look ahead, I’m seriously considering staying and working in Saskatoon for the next few years. It feels like the right place to take the next step in my journey.
 
What advice would you give your first-year self?
If I could go back and talk to my first-year self, I’d tell him to hang in there and trust the process. The online and recorded classes won’t last forever — in-person learning and exams, which I personally thrive in, are on the horizon.

I’d also tell him to be more confident in his choices. I initially enrolled in Electrical Engineering and later switched to Computer Engineering halfway through my second year. At the time, I was unsure, but looking back, it was the right move. As the courses became more aligned with my interests, the increasing complexity was more than matched by a surge in motivation and curiosity. It all comes together — just give it time.

 

Hometown: Southey, Saskatchewan
Discipline: Electrical Engineering
 
What does receiving this award mean to you?
Receiving this award is an honour. I am my own greatest critic and can be quite hard on myself at times as I always strive for improvement, but receiving this reward reminds me that I can stop and be proud of myself sometimes. This award reflects the countless hours of hard work I have put into my education.
 
What inspired you to pursue engineering at USask, and how has your experience shaped your future plans?
I never had a clear vision of where my journey would take me, though as a kid I was always enjoyed exploring how things worked, and how I could use my creativity to solve problems. When I entered engineering at USask I had no idea that I would be interested in Electrical Engineering. My experience throughout my time at USask has been a period of great personal growth and discovery. I have a passion for learning, and every new topic I learned about throughout my degree has helped to shaped my future plans. I still have no idea where my career will take me, however I know that I will always strive to learn more and expand my knowledge.
 
What was your most memorable or meaningful project, course, or experience during your time at USask?
My most meaningful project during my time at USask was my senior design project. It was a great opportunity to apply the theory that I learned throughout my degree and to solve an open-ended problem. The most valuable takeaways from this design project was learning about how to deal with the non-idealities of the real world, and how to design and integrate a complex multi-part system. I was lucky to meet some amazing friends throughout my journey and then also to participate in this project with them.
 
What advice would you give your first-year self?
Some advice that I would give to my first-year self is to get out there and take part in as many campus activities as possible. I met a lot of great people and learned a lot of great things in the classroom; however, I wish that I would have taken more time away from my studies and participated a little bit more in campus activities and student groups.
 
Especially as a new university student it is very valuable to meet new friends and make connections to help you to become comfortable in what can be a stressful transitionary period.

 

Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Discipline: Environmental Engineering

What does receiving this award mean to you?
Receiving the Environmental Engineering Achievement Award is deeply meaningful to me. It represents the recognition of years of dedication, late nights, and hard work. More than anything, it affirms that I have the strength to succeed—even when the odds feel overwhelming. This award is also a personal milestone: proof to myself, and an example to my daughter, that perseverance and purpose can lead to incredible outcomes.
 
What inspired you to pursue engineering at USask, and how has your experience shaped your future plans?
I was drawn to USask because of its strong reputation and the opportunity to study close to home. Choosing environmental engineering felt like the right way to combine my passion for the natural world with my desire to make a tangible, lasting impact. My time at USask shaped not only my technical knowledge but also my confidence as a professional. Thanks to the support of the exceptional faculty in the Environmental Engineering program, I’ve been able to step into my dream role as a Climate Change Specialist with Cameco— working to ensure that future generations can enjoy the same natural beauty that inspired me.
 
What was your most memorable or meaningful project, course, or experience during your time at USask?
Participating in the Engineering Co-op Internship Program (ECIP) was the most meaningful experience of my degree. It gave me the chance to apply what I’d learned in the classroom in real-world settings and to work alongside talented engineers who challenged me to grow. Their mentorship had a lasting impact on my development and helped me gain the confidence and skills I now use every day in my career.
 
What advice would you give your first-year self?
Stay the course. Say yes to the things that scare you. Get involved and trust that even the most challenging moments are part of the path to where you’re meant to be. You will end up exactly where you always dreamed—so keep going.

 

Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Discipline: Engineering Physics

What does receiving these awards mean to you?
It is an honour, a recognition of the effort I've put into the degree, and it affirms that I have chosen a path that aligns with both my interests and my abilities.
 
What inspired you to pursue engineering at USask, and how has your experience shaped your future plans?
The description of Engineering Physics as a bridge between pure and applied science captivated me, and with good job prospects from engineering at USask and the possibility to do graduate studies in physics, it was a natural choice. From my academic, research, and extracurricular experiences at USask, I will be completing graduate studies at Oxford as a Rhodes scholar with the hopes of coming back and investing in my hometown of Saskatoon.

What was your most memorable or meaningful project, course, or experience during your time at USask?
Launching a satellite prototype for measuring ozone and aerosols on a high-altitude balloon in Sweden as part of my summer research with the Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies.
 
What advice would you give your first-year self?
Get involved in extracurricular activities right away, don't be afraid to ask for help, and investigate research opportunities early on.

 

Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Discipline: Geological Engineering

What does receiving these awards mean to you?
Receiving this award is a huge honour and marks a meaningful milestone in my academic journey. It reflects the hard work I have put into earning my degree. It also highlights the support I have had along the way, from my family, to professors, and my friends.  It would not have been possible without all of them!

What inspired you to pursue engineering at USask, and how has your experience shaped your future plans?
Before I entered USask Engineering, I wasn't sure what career path I wanted to follow. Like many students who enjoyed math and science in high school, engineering felt like the natural choice. I initially was pursuing Civil engineering but through my experience in the co-op program, I discovered my love for the mining industry. I then made the switch into Geological Engineering. My experience at USask led me to this big decision and gave me a deeper understanding of the impact mining engineering has on the industry.

What was your most memorable or meaningful project, course, or experience during your time at USask?
One of my most memorable experiences during my time at USask was our 4^th place at the Canadian Mining Games in 2025! Having the opportunity to lead the team as one of the co-captains was incredibly rewarding. It was amazing to see our team members excel in their events, learn more about the mining industry and job opportunities available to them, as well as build connections with other like-minded students from across Canada. the pride, teamwork, and energy shared by the team throughout the competition made it an unforgettable highlight of my degree. 

What advice would you give your first-year self?
I'd tell my first-year self to step outside your comfort zone as often as you can. Some of your best and most memorable experiences will happen in rooms you never imagined yourself being in, whether that's joining a new team or saying yes to an unexpected opportunity. Don't be afraid to take the chance. 

 

Hometown: Major, Saskatchewan
Discipline: Mechanical Engineering

What does receiving these awards mean to you?
This award truly represents 5 years of hard work paying off. I am incredibly proud of myself, and thankful for the my family, friends, and mentors who provided the necessary support towards this achievement.
 
What inspired you to pursue engineering at USask, and how has your experience shaped your future plans?
I was particularly interested in translating science into applied practical solutions that impact the world. USask Engineering provided a strong sense of community and push for collaboration which led me to interdisciplinary research; in the fall I will begin a Master of Applied Science with a biomedical engineering focused project at the University of Toronto.

What was your most memorable or meaningful project, course, or experience during your time at USask?
My ME488 research project under the supervision of Dr. McWalter. We continued the project after the class and with her support and mentorship I gained many skills and even presented at a conference in Honolulu!

What advice would you give your first-year self?
Feel confident in what you know and not feel shame for what you don't. Also do not be afraid to email your professors for help!