September 18th, 2025 | 2-minute read

School of Natural Sciences Awards $290,000 in Scholarships

Building on the legacy of the McLaughlin Foundation, whose major donation helped support the Chair in Cancer Research Initiative at Laurentian University from 2000-2005, the School of Natural Sciences is proud to announce the awarding of 23 scholarships totaling $290,000.

Scholarships awarded to 23 students pursuing studies in various science fields

(September 18, 2025) – Building on the legacy of the McLaughlin Foundation, whose major donation helped support the Chair in Cancer Research Initiative at Laurentian University from 2000-2005, the School of Natural Sciences is proud to announce the awarding of 23 scholarships totaling $290,000. These significant awards are in support of scientific training and research, continuing the foundation's impactful contribution to scientific advancement at Laurentian.

"This new cohort of scholarship recipients represents the next chapter in this full-circle story," said Dr. Eric Gauthier, Director of the School of Natural Sciences. "From the foundational support for a Chair in Cancer Research to the innovative work by RNA Diagnostics led by Dr. Parissenti, and now to this impressive group of students, the McLaughlin Foundation's legacy continues to support innovative medical research and education. We are incredibly proud to support these future leaders in science."

The initial $1 million donation from the McLaughlin Foundation was made 25 years ago and helped support the Laurentian University Chair in Cancer Research, which was awarded to Dr. Amadeo Parissenti. Even after the Foundation ceased its activities in 2001, the remaining funds have continued to support scientific endeavors.

Dr. Amadeo Parissenti, the inaugural Chair in Cancer Research, has since made significant strides in the field, particularly through RNA Diagnostics. “The Foundation was impressed with the Chair’s goal of introducing molecular approaches into cancer research and cancer diagnostics at our local hospital and our goals, at the time, to establish PhD Programs at Laurentian, along with a new medical school with a focus on rural medicine—-both of which came into fruition. I think the Foundation would have been very pleased with what has and will be achieved,” said Dr. Parissenti.

On September 23rd, an event will be held to celebrate the scholarship awardees.

Scholarship Recipients

Undergraduate Scholarships

Excellence Scholarships: $15,000 each, plus a summer internship in a research lab at LU.
- Indigenous student: Sarah Barnard (B.Sc. Forensic Science)
Entrance Scholarships: $5,000 each
- Luke Ford (B.Sc. Biomedical Biology)
- Karina Schryer (B.Sc. Biochimie)
- Devyn Wilcox (B.Sc. Zoology)

Graduate Scholarships

PhD Students ($26,000 each):
- Robert Dingley (PhD Biomolecular Sciences)
- Jaume Puig (PhD Biomolecular Sciences)
MSc Students ($20,000 each):
- Ronan Derbowka (MSc Biology)
- Charlene Frew (MSc Biology)
- Nam Le (MSc Chemical Sciences)
- Josée McDavid (MSc Biology)
- Natasha Vachon (MSc Biology)
General Scholarships ($6,800 each):
- Yamamah Al-Jumaili (MSc Biology)
- Gerardo Vazquez Del Angel (PhD Biomolecular Sciences)
- Ashtyn Mowbray-McMillan (MSc Biology)
- Ophélie Richard (MSc Chemical Sciences)
- Farhana Akter Sheme (MSc Chemical Sciences)