Flight 302 Legacy Award

Areas of interest: post-neoliberal African subjecthood and institutions, gender inclusion and culture.

Pius Adeola Adesanmi was a global citizen with unflinching devotion to higher education, particularly in Africa. He was a professor of English, comparative and African literatures and director of the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada until his death in the Ethiopian Airlines 302 crash on March 10, 2019.

He was an outstanding and highly decorated scholar and in great demand as a distinguished public intellectual, speaker, columnist, satirist and writer.

Areas of interest: environmental and wildlife protection and conservation.

Darcy Michael Belanger was admired for his courage, outstanding achievements and noble qualities. He was passionately devoted to the protection of all life through the realization of the marine Arctic peace sanctuary (MAPS). Belanger was travelling to the UN environment assembly to spread awareness about this very important initiative.

Belanger’s unwavering dedication shows one person really can make a difference if they are committed to making meaningful change in the world.

Areas of interest: educational and economic empowerment of youth and women, mental health in the workplace.

Stéphanie was a franco-Ontarian from Timmins, Ontario. She was a warm, smart, kind, curious, highly motivated professional who brought a special energy to her work. Her passion for international development and creating a better world shined through her actions both personally and professionally. Stéphanie had a remarkable impact on those she served and she continues to inspire her friends, family and colleagues each and every day.

In 2015, Stéphanie graduated with a bachelor of social science in international development and globalization from the University of Ottawa. She worked in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi on educational and economic empowerment of youth and women as well as mental health in the workplace.

Areas of interest: Indigenous education, environmental conservation and parks, ocean and water stewardship.

Micah was born and raised in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, B.C. and had Métis heritage.

He was concerned for the health of nature and the oceans but had optimism for creative solutions. He completed his degree in Indigenous studies and continued to work towards his belief that incorporating indigenous viewpoints and traditional knowledge are extremely valuable.

Micah connected with friends and coworkers in a way that was inclusive and inspiring. He was a self-taught musician and played ukulele, guitar and banjo.

Areas of interest: protecting marine life, teaching youth, community building, improving food security, making music, painting and learning new skills.

Danielle Moore lived her life full of hope and believed in creating great change for a more just and environmentally sustainable planet. In her 24 years, she touched the lives of countless people across Canada and around the world.

Danielle studied marine biology and volunteered and worked tirelessly, advocating for the protection of marine life and habitats. She taught taught kids in underserved communities how to code and tackling social justice issues. She was a courageous leader, and environmental activist always keen to carry the hard work of sustainability forward.

The Pauls were a vibrant and loving family. Travelling to visit relatives, Caroline Quinns Nduta Pauls was accompanied by her nine-month-old daughter, Rubi; her four-year-old daughter, Kellie; and her six-year-old son, Ryan.

Caroline Quinns Nduta Pauls

Caroline was a loving mother and wife. She was academically gifted and pursued a career in finance and accounting. She aspired to help young girls in her native country, Kenya, pursue higher education.

Interests: accounting, finance and travelling.

Kellie Wanjiku Pauls

Kellie was four years old. She was an effervescent girl whose smile was priceless. She lived singing and playing on the swings. She shared a great love for family.

Interests: singing and dancing.

Rubi Wangui Pauls

Rubi was nine months old. She was a bubbly baby girl who brought a lot of joy to the family. She liked the sound of music. She was a princess.

Interests: music.

Ryan Njoroge Njuguna Pauls

Ryan was six years old. He was an academically gifted boy who loved playing soccer and athletics. Ryan exuded a contagious “joie de vivre”.

Interests: learning, especially about the galaxy and computers.

Areas of interest: ocean lover, tree climber, animal advocate, athlete, nurtured by nature.

Angela Rehhorn was a graduate from Dalhousie University and had a degree in marine biology. Dedicated to conservation, Angela was travelling to Kenya with the United Nations Association of Canada.

She aspired to live an eco-conscience life, spend lots of time outdoors and provide service to her communities and inspire others. She worked hard to inspire others and she strove to live life to the fullest: “I am on a quest to learn and experience as much as I possibly can within my lifetime.”

Jacob Amengor is a doctoral student in Environmental Engineering focused on advancing climate-resilient, community-managed water systems that integrate Indigenous knowledge, renewable energy and sustainable financing. “Receiving the Flight 302 Legacy Award will profoundly shape my student experience by affirming that my research is not only academically rigorous but also morally grounded,” he says. “It will ease financial pressures linked to fieldwork and community engagement, allowing me to remain focused on learning, collaboration and impact-driven research.” 

Jacob honours the victims of Flight 302 by carrying forward the values they lived by. The lives of Micah Messent and Darcy Michael Belanger, in particular, inspire his commitment to environmental stewardship, Indigenous inclusion and global responsibility. He honours their legacy by ensuring his work is rooted in compassion, equity and service, and by translating research into action that benefits people and ecosystems. 

Through his studies, he aims to make a positive impact on the lives of Canadians by contributing practical solutions to persistent water challenges, especially in Indigenous and remote communities. His research seeks to support safe, reliable water access while strengthening community capacity, public health and climate resilience. By working closely with communities and sharing knowledge across borders, he hopes to help build water systems in Canada that are sustainable, inclusive and reflective of the country’s commitment to justice and reconciliation.

Sophia Arellano is an undergraduate student in Environmental Studies at the University of Ottawa. “The Flight 302 scholarship has given me the gift of time,” Sophia Arellano says. “With less financial stress, I will be able to dedicate more of my time to creating positive change in my community through volunteering and leadership.” As a student in Environmental Studies with a minor in Indigenous Studies, Sophia feels the award will allow her to do more work uplifting people and the planet. 

She is dedicated to advancing sustainability in the face of the current climate crisis, a mission that many Flight 302 victims shared. When she engages in climate work on campus and beyond, she feels she is carrying on their work, compelling her to work harder, learn more and do better. 

Sophia is interested in pursuing further study in this field, using her knowledge to navigate the Canadian legal system and apply it to her advocacy. Throughout her academic endeavours in environmental protection and stewardship, law and policy have been a consistent, necessary framework. She hopes to gain better research, writing and communication skills to protect the land and the people who use it.  

Nodir Ataev is a PhD student in Global Development Studies at Queen’s University, where his research examines the political ecology of water focusing on the case of the Ferghana Valley in Central Asia. Using a political ecology lens, he studies how historical legacies, power relations and post-Soviet reforms shape unequal access to irrigation water, with the aim of contributing to more just and sustainable water governance. 

“The Flight 302 Legacy Award has meaningfully shaped my student experience by allowing me to focus more fully on research, teaching and community engagement while managing significant caregiving responsibilities,” he says. “Beyond financial support, the award affirms the importance of scholarship rooted in environmental justice, social equity and public engagement.” 

He honours the victims of Flight 302 by carrying their legacy into both his academic and volunteer work. As a long-standing Wikimedia contributor, he plans to help create and enrich accessible, well-sourced content about the flight and its legacy in the languages he speaks: English, Kyrgyz, Russian, Turkish and Uzbek. In doing so, he hopes to ensure that the memory of the victims and the values they represented reach diverse audiences across linguistic and regional boundaries. 

Through his studies, he hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of Canadians by producing policy-relevant research on water governance and environmental inequality and by sharing insights through teaching, public scholarship and collaboration with Canadian NGOs and research institutions engaged in international development.  

As an Honours Biological Science student at the University of Guelph, Inayaah Butt says receiving the Flight 302 Legacy Award has shaped her student experience by easing the financial pressures that have long accompanied her education. “As the child of a single mother, I learned resilience, responsibility and perseverance from a young age,” she says. “This award allows me to remain focused on my studies, leadership roles and community service, enabling me to fully engage in opportunities that foster academic excellence and community impact.”

She honours the victims of Flight 302 by carrying forward their values of compassion, justice and service in everything she does. Inspired by the legacies of Stéphanie Lacroix, Danielle Moore and Darcy Michael Belanger, she has dedicated herself to uplifting marginalized communities through humanitarian action and advocacy. This commitment has been strengthened through her international experience working with Rohingya orphans and refugees in Malaysia, where she supported psychosocial programming, STEM learning and hygiene initiatives for children affected by war and displacement.

At the University of Guelph, she serves as Co-President of the humanitarian club Islamic Relief, leading fundraising campaigns, awareness initiatives and advocacy efforts focused on global humanitarian crises. Through her studies and her goal of pursuing a career in pharmacy, she hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of Canadians by contributing to a more equitable, accessible and compassionate healthcare system. Whether through healthcare delivery, youth leadership or policy advocacy, she strives to honour the Flight 302 legacy by creating meaningful and lasting change.

Mejbah Uddin Chowdhury is a master’s student in Civil Engineering at the University of Victoria, where his research focuses on fecal sludge and wastewater quality, addressing critical gaps in sustainable sanitation to safeguard public health and the environment. In February 2019 — just one month before the tragic incident — he began his humanitarian career in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where he spent over five years serving vulnerable populations in one of the world’s largest refugee camps.

“The Flight 302 Legacy Award is profoundly shaping my student experience by easing financial pressures and allowing me to fully focus on my studies and research,” he says. “It also enables participation in international conferences, specialized training and essential fieldwork, all of which are critical to my academic and professional development.”

Mejbah honours the victims of Flight 302 by carrying forward their legacy of compassion, service and global responsibility. Inspired by Jessica Hyba, Angela Rehhorn, Danielle Moore and Stéphanie Lacroix, he is committed to advancing humanitarian action, environmental conservation and international development through his research and future career.

Through his studies, he aims to generate evidence that supports policymakers in selecting appropriate treatment technologies and allocating resources to sustainably protect public health and the environment. He also plans to develop a low-cost, easy-to-use tool for wastewater quality analysis, particularly for remote Canadian communities and humanitarian settings. “This award empowers me to transform research into meaningful action and honour the enduring legacy of those who inspired the world through their courage, compassion and commitment to serving others,” he says.

Joseph Bless (Kofi) Darkwa is a PhD student in Educational Research (Curriculum and Learning) at Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary. He is an educator, curriculum developer, community organizer and environmental activist from Ghana, Africa. His doctoral research focuses on decolonizing curriculum and integrating Indigenous ecological knowledge systems — particularly from African contexts — to foster more sustainable, inclusive and socially just ecological and climate relationships in youth education. He believes that education must be a tool for liberation, environmental responsibility and cultural affirmation.

“The Flight 302 Legacy Award has provided critical support for advancing my educational and professional aspirations, as I work toward becoming a university professor, critical scholar and educator who can influence curriculum policy, teacher education and community-based learning in Africa and at the global level,” he says. “It has provided access to funding to support my research, conference participation and community engagement, which is often a barrier for students committed to non-mainstream and decolonial scholarship.”

His scholarship particularly honours the legacies of Dr. Pius Adebola Adesanmi (who was committed to challenging colonial structures and uplifting African intellectual contributions) and Micah Messent (who saw Indigenous education and knowledges as essential to protecting the environment). These values guide his desire to prioritize marginalized and disavowed voices in mainstream curriculum development, thereby accelerating ecological and climate change education among youth, especially in the global South.

He plans to leverage his academic training and networks in Canada to support ecological and climate sustainability initiatives in Africa, while bridging Canadian scholarship with global climate justice solidarities.

Faduma Elmi is a master’s student in Teaching at the University of Toronto. “This award is shaping my student experience through providing both financial support and a deep sense of purpose and responsibility,” she says. “It allows me to continue my studies with greater focus while reminding me of the importance of advocacy, leadership and community in education. Receiving this award reinforces my commitment to learning, growing and creating spaces where all students feel seen and valued.”

She honours the victims of Flight 302 with grace, humility and empathy. They represent the values of compassion, excellence and hope that our world and our classrooms need today. Their lives and work will continue to be remembered and uplifted through her commitment to equity, justice and meaningful change in education. She carries their legacy forward by striving to lead with kindness and intention in all that she does.

She plans to make a positive impact on the lives of Canadians through her work in education, advocacy and community engagement, with a focus on equity and inclusion. As a future educator, she aims to support students holistically and challenge systemic barriers that limit opportunity.

As a visible Black, Muslim woman, she recognizes the responsibility and privilege of representation. She strives to be a role model for students who may not often see themselves reflected in positions of leadership and influence. Through her studies and future practice, she hopes to inspire confidence, belonging and possibility for all learners.

For Sara Farley, doctoral student in Administration at the Université du Québec à Montréal, the Flight 302 Legacy Award means not just financial support but an intellectual and ethical commitment to her doctoral studies. Among the 157 victims of the tragedy was Dr. Pius Adebola Adesanmi, a highly decorated Nigerian Canadian scholar whose work deeply influenced contemporary critical and decolonial thought. “With this award, I’ll be able to keep my research in line with that commitment,” says Sara. “I want to honour Dr. Adesanmi by conducting rigorous situated research that examines power dynamics and the conditions underlying knowledge production.” Sara sees Dr. Adesanmi’s writings as a compass for maintaining a strict analytical position without appropriating marginalized voices or falling into academic blind spots.

Through her doctoral work, she wants to help advance management practices in international cooperation.

Ahad Faruqui is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Physiology.

Ahad is honoured to receive an award that recognizes both promise and social responsibility. In addition to granting Ahad the ability to continue to pursue his education, the award enables him to continue to participate in both his on-campus and off-campus commitments in the City of Toronto.

Ahad honours the victims of Flight 302 by carrying their legacy forward through his intentions and actions. Their loss reinforces the value of human life and the responsibility future leaders hold in upholding safety, ethics and accountability.

Most directly, Ahad hopes to continue the legacy of Stéphanie Lacroix and Danielle Moore. His leadership as President of SpeechDojo reflects this continuation of their work. By providing accessible public-speaking education to youth, particularly those who may lack confidence or opportunity, Ahad helps empower individuals to find their voice, advocate for themselves and participate meaningfully in society. This focus on empowerment, education and community mirrors the spirit of service embodied by Stéphanie and Danielle.

Beyond formal research and professional pathways, Ahad believes impact also comes from leadership and service. He hopes to pursue the field of psychiatry, where he aims to combine scientific understanding with compassion to support individuals facing challenges. Through this path, he hopes to contribute to improving access to mental health care, reducing stigma and advocating for evidence-based, patient-centred treatment.

Christina Frendo is a PhD candidate in Global Development Studies at Queen’s University. Her research examines the justice outcomes of climate finance in Colombia and Indonesia, exploring how financial tools and governance models can support locally grounded, equitable energy transitions.

The Flight 302 Legacy Award supports Christina in conducting essential fieldwork and community-based workshops, helping her navigate the complexities of collaborative research across multiple scales of international, national and local finance. Inspired by the environmental stewardship and community dedication of victims like Angela Rehhorn and Danielle Moore, she hopes her work will help shape fairer international climate policies and contribute to a more sustainable and just future for all.

Andres Garcia Guerra is a pharmacy student at the University of Alberta interested in advocating for humanitarian aid and environmental sustainability. As Secretary of the Pharmacists Without Borders International Network, he works with pharmacists internationally to provide pharmaceutical assistance in conflict and disaster settings, as well as promoting sustainable medication practices.

“I hope to honour the victims of Flight 302, including Darcy Michael Belanger, whose inspiring environmental advocacy demonstrated how individuals can leverage their professional identities for global impact,” he says. The Flight 302 Legacy Award supports the completion of his education while allowing him to engage further in humanitarian initiatives. “Through my studies and future career, I aspire to make a positive impact on the lives of Canadians as a pharmacist by combining clinical expertise with a global perspective to support vulnerable populations and push for environmental responsibility in healthcare.”

Nathanael Ip is an undergraduate student in Psychology at the University of Alberta, driven by the core belief that the health of people and the planet are inseparable. Inspired by the legacies of Flight 302 victims — Darcy Michael Belanger, Angela Rehhorn and Danielle Moore, who advocated tirelessly for our planet’s ecosystems, and Stéphanie Lacroix, a champion for youth mental health — his studies bridge sustainability, anthropology and human health.

He honours the victims of Flight 302 by carrying forward their commitment to community action, environmental advocacy and youth wellbeing through grassroots work. As an aspiring planetary health researcher, Nathanael is dedicated to advancing equitable stewardship of our lands and oceans, carrying forward their vision of a healthier world for all Canadians.

Farhan Jarif is a bachelor’s student in Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo. “I honour the victims of Flight 302 by grounding my work in aviation safety and by remembering that every system I study ultimately serves real people with families, futures and trust in the engineers behind the aircraft they board,” he says. As an engineering student with a strong interest in safety-critical systems, he approaches aviation not as an abstract technical domain, but as a human one, where design decisions, software logic and verification processes can directly determine outcomes in the air. “The tragedy of Flight 302 reinforces my commitment to rigorous validation, redundancy and clear human-machine interaction, especially in automated flight and control systems where ambiguity or poor assumptions can be catastrophic.”

He relates to the victims personally through a shared reliance on aviation as a means of connection, opportunity and mobility. Like many Canadians, air travel has enabled education, work and family ties across borders. Knowing that the passengers of Flight 302 placed the same trust in an aircraft system that failed them motivates Farhan to treat safety as a moral obligation, not just an engineering requirement. It pushes him to question designs that reduce pilot authority, obscure system behavior or prioritize timelines over transparency.

Through his studies, Farhan hopes to contribute to safer aviation systems in Canada by working on verification, systems integration and safety assurance for aircraft and related infrastructure. His goal is to help ensure that lessons learned from Flight 302 translate into safer skies, stronger standards and engineering decisions that always put human life first.

Joan Kaburia is a PhD student at the University of Waterloo studying Geography. “This award represents both responsibility and continuity of memory for those who leave home to pursue missions beyond themselves,” she says. “As an international graduate student studying away from home in pursuit of justice for marginalised smallholder communities, I resonate deeply with the values of equity, service and global solidarity embodied by the lives commemorated through this award.”

Receiving this recognition has meaningfully shaped Joan’s student experience by enabling her to focus more fully on research, community engagement and impact-driven scholarship. It has also provided access to mentorship and service opportunities that strengthen both her academic and personal growth. Joan sees this award as a call to purpose — one that affirms her responsibility as a global citizen to pursue equity through her work.

She endeavours to honour the victims of Flight 302 through purpose-driven learning and sustained commitment to equity-centred research and service. By upholding values of accountability, dignity humility and collective responsibility, Joan seeks to transform remembrance into action that contributes to meaningful and lasting change.

Joan’s research in food security has direct relevance to Canada, where ensuring healthy, equitable and sustainable food systems is essential to community wellbeing. By bringing international perspectives to Canadian research, her work aims to contribute to evidence-informed policy, environmental sustainability and innovation in food systems.

Through systems-level thinking, partnerships and knowledge mobilisation beyond academia, she hopes to positively impact marginalised communities facing food insecurity across diverse geographic contexts, advancing a more just and resilient future for all.

Océanne Kahanyshyn-Fontaine is an undergraduate student in Indigenous Studies at the University of Alberta. “This scholarship will prove invaluable to help me cover the cost of post-secondary education and, thus, help me achieve my dream of becoming an Indigenous Rights lawyer,” she says. “Additionally, this scholarship will undoubtedly improve my student experience by alleviating financial stressors.”

Through her studies in Indigeneity, sustainability and international learning, Océanne hopes to honour Darcy Michael Belanger and Micah Messent. She will continue to use her studies to help her advocate for social and climate justice and, thus, further honour Darcy’s legacy of environmental activism. By becoming an Indigenous Rights lawyer, she hopes to carry on Micah’s legacy of Indigenous education and environmental advocacy. In this capacity, she also hopes to honour Darcy’s legacy of kindness and environmental protection.

By practicing Indigenous law, Océanne aims to facilitate decolonization by elevating Indigenous voices and rights and by legally empowering marginalized communities. In this way, she believes she will have a positive impact on decolonizing Canadian jurisprudence and, as a result, will fulfill part of her responsibility in decolonizing Canadian society. The revitalization of Indigenous law — and thus, Indigenous governance systems — promotes environmental stewardship. Océanne believes that sustainable Indigenous environmental stewardship best protects natural landscapes.

By practicing Indigenous law and Indigenous Rights law, she plans to positively impact environmental protection and play a part in improving the lives of all who consider Turtle Island home.

Joy Karinge is a PhD candidate in Anthropology/African Studies at Carleton University’s Institute of African Studies, who researches Kenya’s migrated colonial archives and their impact on national identity formation. “The Flight 302 Legacy Award enables me to conduct year-long ethnographic fieldwork in Kenya beginning Spring 2026, where I will examine how the displacement of colonial archives affects political consciousness among Kenyan youth,” she says. “This research would not be possible without the award’s support, which covers essential costs from travel and research permits to participant engagement.”

Honouring the victims of Flight 302 means continuing the unfinished work of all those who dedicated their lives to bridging cultural divides, whether through lived diasporic realities like the Pauls Family, or through professional contributions in academia and international development like Dr. Pius Adebola Adesanmi and Stéphanie Lacroix.

As a Pan-Africanist scholar, Joy shares Dr. Adesanmi’s vision of ensuring African scholars become theorists of their own cultures rather than subjects of external inquiry. The Ubuntu and Omoluwabi ethos of human dignity and excellence guides her research challenging Western-centric frameworks, while through Afrika Yangu, an organization she founded, she empowers young people in governance and democratic advocacy.

Through this work, Joy aims to impact Black and diasporic youth in Canada by creating awareness of African culture and history that can buttress their identities and shape political consciousness rooted in values of unity and community. This award enables her to walk the path Dr. Adesanmi illuminated, where African dignity, intellectual rigor and transformative impact converge.

Lisa Kim (she/they) is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Simon Fraser University pursuing a double major in Political Science (Honours) and Criminology. She plans to pursue a JD/MA program after graduation and hopes to build a future career in law. As an active contributor within the Simon Fraser student community, Lisa has volunteered with multiple student unions, managed an undergraduate journal and supported international students through the Simon Fraser University’s ESL program.

Receiving this award allows her to honour the lives of Micah Messent, Stéphanie Lacroix and Dr. Pius Adebola Adesanmi by continuing her student advocacy without financial burden. Ultimately, this award allows her to deepen her community involvement and she looks forward to continuing to build the communities around her while advancing her legal career.

Prosper Komolafe is an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary studying Exercise and Health Physiology. “The Flight 302 Legacy Award profoundly shapes my student experience by allowing me to pursue my studies with purpose and intention,” he says. “As a student of Exercise and Health Physiology with a minor in Health and Society, the award affirms that my academic work — focused on health equity, social determinants of health and systemic injustice — matters beyond the classroom. It eases financial pressures and, more importantly, strengthens my resolve to engage deeply in research and community-based initiatives that honour the lives lost on Flight 302.”

He honours the victims of Flight 302 by carrying forward their commitment to humanitarian and social justice causes. In particular, Prosper draws inspiration from Dr. Pius Adebola Adesanmi, whose scholarship and activism challenged inequitable systems and uplifted African communities. Through his research at the O’Brien Institute for Public Health and his grassroots initiative, HE4L, he strives to continue this legacy by using evidence-based research, public dialogue and intentional action to confront health disparities faced by Black and African diasporic communities in Canada.

Through his studies and future goals of pursuing a Master of Public Health and medical training, Prosper hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of Canadians by advancing equitable health policy and compassionate clinical care. His goal is to contribute to the development of a healthcare system that includes and respects marginalized communities, where they are seen, heard and treated with dignity. In this way, his education becomes a living tribute to the legacy of Flight 302.

Jori Magee is a master’s student at the University of Alberta studying Occupational Therapy. “Receiving the Flight 302 Legacy Award will meaningfully shape my student experience by easing financial pressures and allowing me to engage more fully in my education and professional growth,” she says. “This support has enabled me to pursue learning opportunities, placements and leadership roles that align with my values, while remaining deeply connected to service and community engagement. It has strengthened my commitment to becoming a thoughtful, compassionate and socially responsible occupational therapist.”

She honours the victims of Flight 302 by carrying forward the values of care, responsibility and shared humanity that this award represents. Jori strives to approach her studies and future practice with humility, accountability and respect for human dignity, recognizing that lasting impact is often created through everyday actions, relationships and advocacy. In this way, she aims to ensure that the lives lost are remembered through purposeful service and a sustained commitment to the well-being of others.

Through her studies in occupational therapy, she hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of Canadians by supporting vulnerable populations who experience barriers to participation and well-being. Jori is particularly drawn to rural and community-based practice and to working with individuals experiencing disability and aging. By prioritizing collaboration, accessibility and client-centred care, she aims to contribute to more inclusive communities and support meaningful participation across the lifespan.

“Thank you again for this incredible opportunity,” she says. “I will continue to do everything I can to honour the lives of the Flight 302 victims as I pursue my education and career in Occupational Therapy.”

Elisabetta Mazzullo is a PhD student in Measurement, Evaluation and Data Science at the University of Alberta. “I am deeply honoured to receive the Flight 302 Legacy Award and to be entrusted with carrying forward the memory and passions of the victims,” she says. “This award enables me to engage more fully and intentionally in my research, with a renewed sense of purpose and accountability to the legacy of the Canadian victims it honours.”

Elisabetta is dedicated to education, equity and social responsibility and honours the victims by striving to live and work in ways that reflect their commitment to learning, justice and community. Her research examines how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are reshaping teaching and learning and how they can be leveraged for social good to support meaningful and inclusive educational practices.

Through her work, Elisabetta hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of Canadians by contributing to educational systems that are effective and fair to diverse learners. After graduation, she aspires to work as a psychometrician in an educational organization, ensuring that assessments and learning tools are both technically rigorous and socially just, while continuing research on responsible teaching and assessment practices.

Beyond academia, she aims to live fully and ethically. She finds joy and meaning in nature, supporting conservation efforts and fostering communities that value learning, well-being and mutual care. In doing so, she seeks to honour the victims of Flight 302 not only through her scholarship, but through how she moves through the world.

Lauren McElroy is a doctoral student in Environmental and Resources Studies at the University of Waterloo. Her research explores how youth engage with Atlantic salmon restoration and how these relationships can inform more just and sustainable futures.

“The Flight 302 Legacy Award is shaping my student experience by supporting the community engagement component of my work,” she says. To foster reciprocal relationships, she plans to host an in-person gathering that brings participants, including youth and NGOs, together. “The award will support place-based learning experiences, such as restoration projects or a photovoice gallery, allowing youth and community members to explore and celebrate their connections with nature.”

Like Danielle Moore, Lauren cares deeply about protecting marine life, particularly Atlantic salmon, a keystone species connecting waters, people and energy across freshwater and marine ecosystems. She hopes to honour Danielle and the victims of Flight 302 by ensuring that youth, like Rubi, Kelly and Ryan Pauls, are included in conservation work and empowered as leaders. She aims for youth to feel proud of their contributions, reflect on their relationships with rivers and salmon and leave these experiences with a lasting sense of care and responsibility.

Through her studies, Lauren hopes to strengthen connections between youth, their communities and the natural world, making a positive impact on Canadians. “In Two-Eyed Seeing, we are taught that gaining knowledge comes with the responsibility to act,” she says. “Carrying that responsibility forward, helping reconnect youth, communities and nature is how I honour the legacy of Flight 302.”

The Legacy Award helps relieve the financial constraints that disproportionately affect students from underrepresented communities. This is true for Linsey Moutachô, a doctoral student at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique studying Water Science, who will be able to focus her time and energy on scientific analysis and publishing her research. “As a Black woman in a field without much diversity, I see this support as an acknowledgment of my place as a legitimate member of the academic community,” she explains.

Linsey wants to continue her research as an environmental advocate in honour of the Canadian Flight 302 victims. In particular, she honours Danielle Moore, who learned about the scourge of plastic pollution at Haida Gwaii; Darcy Michael Belanger, wildlife protection activist; and Angela Rehhorn, an ocean lover dedicated to protecting marine life. “By studying plastic pollution — one of the most critical environmental issues of this century — I intend to carry their passion forward and produce useful, lasting scientific knowledge,” Linsey adds.

She hopes her work will have a tangible positive impact on Canadians’ lives by advancing knowledge about freshwater quality and pollution. She also hopes to inspire other young people, especially women, to pursue careers in sciences and research, because this will help build a more equitable, resilient and eco-conscious Canada.

Shawna Narayan is a Doctor of Medicine student at the University of British Columbia, whose studies are grounded in health equity, community service and advocacy for underserved populations. Receiving the Flight 302 Legacy Award has meaningfully shaped her student experience by easing financial pressures and allowing her to devote more time to her medical training, community engagement and healthcare research. Furthermore, the award has reinforced her commitment to medicine as a profession rooted in compassion, justice and social responsibility.

Shawna honours the victims of Flight 302 by carrying forward the values they embodied: humanitarianism, education and service to others. Through her studies, she hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of Canadians by becoming a family physician and clinician-scientist focused on improving access to primary care, particularly for marginalized and under-resourced communities. She is especially committed to addressing gaps in mental health care and supporting future generations through mentorship and education. In doing so, Shawna aims to honour the legacy of the victims of Flight 302 by helping build a more equitable, compassionate and resilient healthcare system.

Uju Nnubia is a doctoral student at the University of Calgary studying Educational Research. “Receiving the Flight 302 Legacy Award is a deeply meaningful part of my student journey. Beyond the financial support, it serves as a reminder of the remarkable life and work of Dr. Pius Adebola Adesanmi, whose brilliance and dedication continue to inspire young Black students like me,” she says. “Each time I engage in academic or research activities, I am motivated by the example he set: a life committed to social justice, critical inquiry, mentoring and using knowledge to uplift communities.”

She honours Dr. Adesanmi by carrying forward his values in both thought and action. Through pursuing academic excellence, engaging in thoughtful dialogue, mentoring younger Black students and academics and seeking to amplify marginalized voices, Uju strives to reflect his integrity and vision. Remembering his short but impactful life strengthens her resolve to make her education meaningful, not only for herself but for those around her.

“This award further reminds me that every day of our lives counts in creating legacies that outlive us,” she says. Through her studies, Uju hopes to make a tangible contribution to the lives of Canadians. She is motivated to address social challenges, advocate for equitable mental health and contribute to solutions that empower communities. Every project she undertakes and every collaboration she engages in is guided by her desire to transform learning and knowledge into action and impact. By honouring Dr. Adesanmi’s life in using her education to serve others, Uju aims to contribute to a Canada that values inclusivity, justice and the power of education to change lives.

Vincent Nwosu is a PhD candidate in Linguistics at the University of Calgary, specializing in the experimental analysis of Igbo verbal arts, including storytelling, chant and music. “Receiving the Flight 302 Legacy Award has had a profound impact on my student experience by providing critical support for fieldwork, research travel and data collection,” he says. “The award has affirmed that scholarship grounded in cultural preservation, education and public engagement matters. It has allowed me to pursue my research with greater focus, ethical care, and long-term vision.”

He honours the victims of Flight 302, particularly Dr. Pius Adebola Adesanmi, by carrying forward his commitment to African intellectual traditions, cultural advocacy and scholarship in the service of the public good. Vincent sees his work as part of a broader responsibility to amplify African voices and knowledge systems within global and Canadian academic spaces, ensuring they are treated with seriousness, rigour and respect.

Through his studies, Vincent aims to make a positive impact on the lives of Canadians by contributing to research and teaching that foreground linguistic diversity, intercultural understanding and community-based knowledge. His work supports the preservation of endangered languages, informs inclusive educational practices and strengthens connections between Canadian institutions and African and diasporic communities. In this way, he hopes to contribute to a more culturally informed, globally engaged Canadian society.

Temitope Ogunleye is a bachelor’s student in Neuroscience and Mental Health at the University of Toronto. “This award has shaped my student experience by affirming that my academic journey is grounded in a broader purpose,” she says. “It reflects belief in my vision for Black and African women and youth and in my commitment to use education in service to my community. As I continue into higher education, I will honour the victims of Flight 302, and especially Dr. Pius Adebola Adesanmi, by carrying forward his legacy of bridging scholarship and social change through action.”

Using this award alongside her academic training and volunteer experience, Temitope plans to host an African and Black women’s wellness workshop that brings together health professionals and community members for culturally grounded conversations about mental health and well-being. Building on a smaller initiative she previously led, this expanded workshop will create a space for collective empowerment and the uplifting of African and Black Canadian voices. She will also ensure that participants learn about the origin of this award and the legacy it carries, so that Dr. Adesanmi’s vision for African peoples continues to live on through care, knowledge and action.

Through her studies, guided by Dr. Adesanmi’s example of scholarship in service to the community, Temitope plans to translate research and medicine into accessible, community-facing resources that support marginalized women, particularly African-Canadian women. In doing so, her academic and medical training become part of a longer tradition of knowledge used to strengthen her community and honour the legacy this award was created to preserve.

Olusola Ogunnubi is a doctoral student at Queen’s University in Political Studies. “The Flight 302 Legacy Award comes at a pivotal moment in my doctoral journey and carries meaning far beyond financial support,” he says. “It affirms the values that guide my research and strengthens my commitment to justice, inclusion and accountability in global energy transition. As I move into the final stages of my PhD, my research increasingly depends on sustained fieldwork and cross-national data collection. The Award helps to expand my fieldwork in Africa, particularly in regions most affected by extractive industries.”

Honouring the victims of Flight 302 is central to how he understands this award. Many of those lost were deeply committed to justice, inclusion and sustainability. Their work did not stop at ideas; it sought real-world change. Olusola honours their memory by ensuring that his research moves beyond theory and speaks directly to policy and practice. This means producing work that challenges exploitative models of extractive development, while offering practical alternatives rooted in equity and accountability.

Through his studies, he hopes to positively impact Canadian society by contributing critical, policy-relevant knowledge that informs how governments and institutions design fair and inclusive energy systems. Canada plays an influential role in global resource governance and climate policy. By producing research that highlights justice-based approaches to energy transition in the Global South, Olusola aims to inform Canadian policy discussions, academic debates and international partnerships. In the long-term, he plans to pursue a career as a faculty member engaged in research, teaching, mentorship and advocacy on natural resource governance.

Chinaecherem Okoye-nnaeze is a master’s student in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Calgary. “Receiving the Flight 302 Legacy Award has been one of the most meaningful moments of my student journey,” she says. “This scholarship is more than financial support — it is a reminder that my education carries purpose beyond myself.” Knowing that her studies are connected to a legacy of remembrance motivates her to approach learning with gratitude, responsibility and intention. “The award has given me the confidence to fully invest in my academic goals while carrying forward the values of resilience and compassion it represents.”

She honours the victims of Flight 302 by choosing to live and learn with empathy, awareness and respect for the preciousness of life. Their memory reminds her not to take opportunities for granted and to remain mindful of the human stories behind every statistic. Chinaecherem carries their legacy with her by striving to be thoughtful in her actions and purposeful in how she uses her voice and education.

Through her studies, she hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of Canadians by contributing to safer, more sustainable and resilient communities. She is committed to using what she learns to support others, advocate for equity and help create solutions that improve quality of life. As a Mechanical Engineering student specializing in Energy and Environmental Systems, Chinaecherem is driven to design solutions that protect people and the planet. Whether through innovation, research or community engagement, her goal is to honour this award by turning opportunity into service for future generations and creating lasting impact beyond her own lifetime.

Patrick Okpalaeke is a third-year doctoral researcher in History at York University. “I am deeply grateful to receive this award, which was established in honour of the victims of Flight 302, as it has profoundly strengthened my academic journey,” he says. “Easing the financial pressures associated with intensive fieldwork allows me to focus more deeply on my research into environmental and health discourses within the Nigerian Colliery industry.” The support enables archival work in the U.K. and community-based data collection in Enugu, where the coalfields are located. It has also opened opportunities for conference participation and other scholarly activities he previously could not pursue.

He honours the victims of Flight 302 by grounding his work in the values they embodied: empathy, integrity, responsibility, inclusion and service. Patrick draws inspiration from those among them who were academics and strives to ensure that his research reflects a commitment to their legacy and to the pursuit of knowledge that uplifts communities.

Through his studies on industrial mining and planetary health, Patrick aims to contribute to broader conversations about extractive industries and their impacts on communities in Canada, Nigeria and other affected regions. This award empowers his vision to emerge as a leading voice at the intersection of mining history, environmental history and the history of health.

Ayoola Oladele is a doctoral student in Archaeology at the University of Calgary. “The Flight 302 Legacy Award supports my doctoral research by providing the resources needed to advance my work on long-term human-environment interactions and human evolutionary development,” he says. “Beyond financial support, this award instills a strong sense of responsibility to pursue novel scientific and socio-culturally responsive research with impacts extending beyond academia.”

His research honours the memories of Darcy Michael Belanger and Micah Messent, whose lifelong dedication to environmental sustainability, conservation and advocacy for the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in climate actions continues to inspire its direction. Ayoola’s work builds on and extends their legacy by drawing on deep-time data to examine how past climate and ecological changes shaped human adaptation and evolutionary development, while also engaging Indigenous knowledge systems to explore how insights from the past can inform present and future climate policy, resilience strategies and environmental justice initiatives.

Ayoola’s research produces insights with clear relevance for Canada by examining deep-time human adaptability in highly variable environments, generating comparative data applicable to regions facing ecological instability. The findings broaden perspectives on ongoing discussions about human origins, adaptation and resilience, reinforcing Canada’s research leadership in evolutionary, paleo science and climate studies. By integrating scientific evidence with Indigenous knowledge systems, the research also supports Canada’s priorities around reconciliation, inclusive climate action and evidence-based approaches to environmental policy and resilience.

Sam Orr is an undergraduate student in Forest Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC). “I am deeply honoured to be receiving the Flight 302 scholarship,” she says. This past fall she attended the Haida Gwaii Institute (HGI), with the funds from the Flight 302 Award covering her UBC and HGI tuition. “Having the financial freedom that this award has given me has shaped my student experience by allowing me to immerse myself in my studies without the burden of financial stress.” This year, she has been able to learn from local ecological experts and Haida teachings and is very excited to return to school to marry the knowledge she has gained on Haida Gwaii with her studies at UBC.

Her pursuit of a forestry degree came from the union of passion for sustainability and love of the outdoors. Like many of the victims of Flight 302, Sam believes that humans are part of nature and that we play a vital role in helping ecosystems to flourish. She is in awe of the victims’ passion for climate justice and conservation. To honour them, she plans to use this award to fully focus on her studies and to gain as much knowledge regarding conservation as she can. This will set her up to be successful in a career dedicated to protecting and restoring our planet’s natural beauty.

Sam hopes to make a positive impact on Canadians by working on initiatives that engage Indigenous communities, large industries and government so that conservation projects can be holistic and sustainable.

Allison Pert is a medical doctoral student at Western University, also studying for a master’s in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. “As a humble recipient of the 2025 Flight 302 Legacy Award, my student experience will be shaped by a renewed focus on my graduate studies for meaningful skill acquisition to be an effective advocate for planetary health like the Canadian victims were,” she says. Through this, work she plans to honour the victims, both as individuals — marked by distinct contributions and commitments — and as a collective with their shared belief in a sustainable, just world for all. “What this means to me is nurturing my drive for exploring the interconnections between health and sustainability, while also feeding my passions for creativity and community like many of the Flight 302 victims.”

During her studies, Allison will continue to learn openly and challenge herself academically while remaining integral to the shared goals of the Flight 302 victims. She hopes to use the skills acquired to make meaningful advances in knowledge about the health of people and Earth, including the inequities that prevent the acquisition of health for all our human and non-human relatives. This award reaffirms to Allison that her pursuit of becoming a healer to people, populations and environments is grounded in commitments to integrity, responsibility, and earnest service that she shares with the Flight 302 victims.

Tegan Potvin is an undergraduate Geology student at the University of Calgary. “I am deeply honoured to receive the Flight 302 Legacy Award,” she says. “This support will allow me to complete my final year of studies with care, while reminding me of the responsibility and opportunity that comes with education.”

She honours the victims of Flight 302 by approaching her work with empathy, integrity and a commitment to using her knowledge to help others. This award represents lives that were meaningful, loved and whose impact continues. She strives to carry that legacy forward by ensuring her education benefits communities, not just herself.

In her future studies, Tegan hopes to make a positive impact on Canadians by contributing to research that helps communities better understand and prepare for natural hazards. She is motivated by the belief that thoughtful, responsible science can protect lives and strengthen communities.

“I am deeply thankful to the families and loved ones of the Flight 302 victims for allowing this legacy to support students like me,” she says. “I will carry this honour with gratitude, care and respect for the lives it represents as I continue my academic journey.”

Izhaan Rauf is a bachelor’s student in Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo. “Receiving the Flight 302 Legacy Award is shaping up to how I approach my studies and involvement in aviation. It has encouraged me to think more carefully about why safety, accountability and long-term responsibility matter, especially as new technologies like electric aircraft become part of the industry,” he says. “The award has pushed me to take my learning seriously, not just as coursework but as preparation for contributing thoughtfully to aviation’s future.”

He honours the victims of Flight 302 by staying mindful of the real consequences behind engineering and operational decisions. Their loss is a reminder that innovation must be matched with strong oversight, transparency and a commitment to putting people first. Keeping this perspective influences how he thinks about aviation safety, sustainability and decision-making as a student.

Through his studies and volunteer work with a cadet program, Izhaan hopes to have a positive impact by supporting and educating young people interested in aviation and STEM. Working with youth has shown him the importance of mentorship and access to role models. In the long term, he aims to contribute to a safer and more sustainable Canadian aviation sector while helping encourage the next generation to pursue careers in science, environment and aviation with care and responsibility.

Artin Safaei is an undergraduate student at Simon Fraser University studying Political Science. “Receiving the Flight 302 Legacy Award will profoundly shape my student experience by affirming that my academic work and community engagement are not separate pursuits, but part of a shared ethical commitment to justice, solidarity and community,” he says. “The award allows me to continue investing time and care into research, organizing and editorial work that prioritizes important voices without being constrained by financial precarity.”

The legacy of victims such as Dr. Pius Adebola Adesanmi helps him strive to be a student who treats learning as a public good rather than a private credential. Through community organizing, critical research and editorial leadership, he works to create spaces for difficult, yet necessary, conversations.

Through his studies in political science and environmental policy, Artin hopes to contribute to a Canada that is more just, equitable and ecologically responsible. His goal is to translate rigorous academic analysis into accessible, community-oriented knowledge that informs policy, strengthens public institutions and supports collective action, especially in the areas of climate justice, housing and environmental law. In doing so, he aims to honour Flight 302 by building a future where care, responsibility and solidarity guide public life. “I am truly grateful for this opportunity beyond words,” he says.

Hannah Santilli is a PhD student in Education at the University of Alberta. “Receiving the Flight 302 Legacy Award has meaningfully shaped my student experience by allowing me to stay grounded in why I chose this field,” she says. “As a doctoral student in School and Clinical Child Psychology, the award helps ease the financial demands of graduate training, including tuition, course materials, living expenses and travel to practicum placements. More importantly, it serves as a reminder that my studies are connected to a broader legacy of education, care and service.”

She honours the victims of Flight 302 by carrying forward the values they lived by in her academic and clinical work. The lives of Dawn Tanner, Stéphanie Lacroix and Dr. Pius Adebola Adesanmi continue to guide how she approaches her training. Their commitments to inclusive education, youth development, academia and community engagement inform her focus on supporting children and young people who face barriers related to disability, health or mental well-being.

Through her studies, Hannah hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of Canadians by improving access to supportive, strengths-based psychological services for children, youth and families. Her research and clinical training focus on autism, learning differences and mental health, with an emphasis on creating school and healthcare environments where young people feel understood, respected and supported. She aims to contribute to practices and systems that value diversity and promote belonging.

“As I move forward, I will carry forward the legacies of all Flight 302 victims by doing my work with care, humility and respect for the lives and values this award represents,” she says.

Dandin Wong is an undergraduate student in Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo. “Receiving the Flight 302 Legacy Award has been a meaningful affirmation of why I committed to aviation in the first place,” he says. “This award has eased my financial pressures which allows me to focus on bigger picture goals within the industry, sustainability and long-term innovation.”

He will honour the victims of Flight 302 by refusing to treat safety as a liability. Their loss represents the real human cost of failure within systems that we currently trust. Dandin carries the thoughts of Danielle and Micah in every technical decision and flight, with the understanding that accountability and transparency should never be a trade off when optimizing profit in aviation. Through his studies, Dandin hopes to give back to the place he calls home by reworking the aviation system into one Canadians can trust. He wants to work to improve how people move, connect and feel safe in the air with respect to our environment below. By blending flight training with environmental thinking, he aims to see aviation as more than flying, but as a responsibility to the people and places connected by it.