Two Canmore Collegiate High School Grade 11 students have been accepted into the Heritage Youth Researcher Summer (HYRS) program at the University of Calgary this summer, where they will take part in medical research for six weeks.
Amy Evans and Lucas Fabbri will research and explore two separate medical fields while getting the extra bonus of finding out firsthand the differences between secondary and post-secondary education. Evans will research arthritis in knees, with Fabbri researching neurology with a focus on Parkinson’s disease.
It is no small feat to be accepted into the HYRS program. The competitive program requires a minimum 85 per cent in Grade 11 math, biology and chemistry courses to be eligible to apply for the internship.
“We’re going to the University of Calgary to work with a university student and professor,” Fabbri said. “Mr. (Roger) Mahpoy told me about the HYRS program and to apply in March. I volunteer at the hospital and I mentioned that and they decided it would be a good fit for me with Parkinson’s ... it’s a window into what it’s like to be on a university campus doing research.”
“The application process is pretty scary and there’s usually only one person (chosen) per school,” Evans said. “It was a big surprise that we both got in. I think it’s going to be a really good experience to see if that’s something we want to pursue later in life.”
Both students agreed the opportunity is going to be a positive experience towards helping with post-secondary educational decisions.
“I’m sort of between two universities right now,” Evans said. “I’m still deciding if it will really push me towards U of C because you’ll get to know the area, professors and the people.”
“I think it’s a good way to experience the campus and see what its like, because there is a fair amount of downtime too, so you get to experience what it’s like when you’re not in school and explore campus life,” Fabbri said.
Funded and administered by Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions, HYRS is an intensive six-week summer science program for high school students in Alberta. It offers students who have completed Grade 11 the opportunity to do practical scientific research in labs and research centres at three campuses: the University of Alberta, University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge.
