James Hillier Scholarships presented to four high school students

Four students from high schools in Brantford were awarded prestigious James Hillier Scholarships on Wednesday.

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First awarded in 1997, each student receives $5,000 per year over four years towards their undergraduate degrees. To date almost $1.4 million in scholarships have been awarded to students as they pursue a career in scientific research.

“Every year I can’t believe the quality of the kids who are receiving the scholarship,” said Peter Dennis, chair of the selection committee for the James Hillier Foundation. “The things that they have done — over and above the work they’ve done in the classroom — sets them (apart) from a lot of the other students in the school. It’s a different quality of student.”

Nicholas Emmons-Zamorano

Nicholas Emmons-Zamorano is graduating from St. John’s College and will attend the University of Waterloo where he aims to earn a bachelor’s degree in science — majoring in physics and astronomy — followed by a Masters in Astrophysics.

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His dream is to earn a PhD in Astrophysics or Theoretical Physics, possibly at Oxford or Cambridge in England.

“As a career path I hope to work as a physics researcher on the brink of discovery, including black holes, dark matter, dark energy and anything still unknown to us in space regarding physics,” he wrote in his scholarship application.

Emmons-Zamorano noted that work on his degrees could involve research focused on engineering advancements in aerospace.

Leopoldo Mendoza

Leopoldo Mendoza graduated from Assumption College School and was enrolled in Electrical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, where he was awarded the President’s Scholarship of Distinction.

“I recall enduring the monotony of virtual learning where I eventually discovered my aptitude for applying scientific principles to solve tangible problems when I designed circuitry and assembled the materials for my electric model house in a Grade 9 science project,” he wrote in his application letter . “Since then, exploring the evolution of physics through areas such as optics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics has especially piqued my interest in bringing society closer to the future by applying these concepts to the innovation of more energy-efficient computer chips.”

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Mendoza looks forward to being part of student design teams and organizations that work toward systematic social change through engineering.

His ultimate goal is to “spearhead technological innovation that cultivates a smarter and greener future for humanity.”

Cordelia Simmons

Cordelia Simmons will graduate from North Park Collegiate and is enrolled in the Life Sciences program at the University of Toronto.

“I plan to pursue a career as a research scientist in areas such as microbiology, molecular genetics, pathology, and immunology,” she wrote in her application letter. “I plan to achieve this goal by actively participating in the Trinity One Biomedical Health Stream first year foundation program which focuses on following the scientific discovery process from idea development to publication and patents, and will facilitate my journey to becoming a researcher.”

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Simmons said that in preparation for the AP Biology exam, she became interested with cancer research, “specifically in regard to the p53 gene, or ‘guardian of the genome.’ I am interested in researching how the loss of function of this tumor suppressor interacts with other genes and pathways to result in tumor formation.”

Lily Song

Lily Song will graduate from North Park Collegiate and is enrolled in Computer Science at the University of Waterloo.

“My recent innovation that provides accessibility for the deaf blind won multiple awards in the 2024 Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair,” Song explained. “I was also a recipient of a trip award to the 2024 International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles… where I am hoping to showcase my innovation to international audiences.”

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Song’s BASEF project was the creation of a mechatronic glove which translates spoken language into tactile language that can be interpreted by deaf blind individuals.

“BASEF also brought the opportunity of patenting my creation, which will push and develop my innovation skills further whilst also opening the opportunity to help achieve accessibility to more people,” she said. “STEAM has provided me with so many opportunities to innovate and create, as well as experience other communities of other like-minded people.”

Selection committee chair Peter Dennis sat with the late Dr. Hillier on the interview team for a few years, and said he tried to think the way Hillier did.

“I think he would be very impressed,” Dennis said of this year’s recipients. “I know that the things he would be looking for are represented by these students.

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