As a biomedical science student, Priya Chana is grateful for the exposure to physics she gained through the Outstanding Scholars program, which she says has broadened her academic experience.

“I work with MRI machines now, and I’m actually able to operate them independently — something many students at other universities don’t get the chance to do,” Chana said. “I’ve also learned about coding and the inner workings of MRI technology, which is really exciting for me because I love physics.”

The Outstanding Scholars program gives high-achieving second-, third-, and fourth-year undergraduates the chance to conduct paid research with faculty members outside their regular coursework. Many participants can also present their findings at UWill Discover, the University's annual student research conference.

“The University of Windsor’s Outstanding Scholars program is unique in Canada for its interdisciplinary support network and campus-wide resources,” said program co-ordinator Tim Brunet. “Our students are highly successful in gaining admission to professional and graduate schools.”

This is Chana’s second time in the program, where she was a top applicant. She is currently conducting research under professor Dan Xiao.

During her first year, Chana worked on a sustainability project aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Her group focused on SDG 16, which centres on fostering peace, justice, and strong institutions. Their project highlighted the targets the UN has set to achieve this goal as well as how the University of Windsor aims to meet the targets of SDG 16.

Now, Chana looks forward to continuing her work with the MRI machines and is excited about what she has learned so far.

“When I started school, I never imagined I’d be using an MRI every day, but now I am. Seeing how it all works has been fascinating — especially since I’ve always been interested in medicine. I’ve had family members undergo MRIs, so learning how the machine produces images with different contrasts has been really exciting,” she said.

Chana said she is most looking forward to continuing her volunteer work in the pediatric department at Windsor Regional Hospital this school year, getting back into the lab, and expanding her knowledge through research: something she is now considering pursuing as a career.

“Initially, I thought I wanted to go to medical school, but after engaging in research, I’ve developed a passion for it,” she said. “Now, I’m considering pursuing a PhD or possibly an MD-PhD. It’s a long journey, but my favourite part is discovering new things I never thought possible.”

To learn more about the Outstanding Scholars program, visit uwindsor.ca/outstandingscholars/.