The Ontario Energy Network is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2024 scholarships. The winners are all very impressive and many of them are clearly pursuing an exciting career in the energy sector – quite likely with an OEN member! First, we are pleased to announce another repeat winner, as the 2021 winner of the Nuclear Studies Scholarship, Zoe Michanos, has continued her education at the post-graduate level and is this year’s winner of the Dr. Ron Oberth Advanced Energy Studies Scholarship, sponsored by Bruce Power. The OEN Sustainable Development Scholarship, sponsored by Alectra, has been awarded to Yazan Zamel, a University of Toronto Masters of Engineering Science student. Our Women in Energy Scholarship winner, sponsored by the OEB, is Pritika Thevakanthan, a McMaster University Engineering student. The OEN Indigenous Energy Scholarship, sponsored by the IESO, has been awarded to Joseph Weston, an Engineering student at the University of Calgary. Finally, Isaac Smith, an Engineering student at Ontario Technical University, receives the OEN-Bruce Power Nuclear Studies Scholarship. All of our scholarship recipients have been invited to a future OEN networking event, where we can publicly recognize them for their achievements.
Zoe Michanos – 2024 OEN-Dr. Ron Oberth Advanced Energy Studies Scholarship (sponsored by Bruce Power)
The OEN-Dr. Ron Oberth Advanced Energy Studies Scholarship, awarded to a student pursuing an advanced degree and sponsored by Bruce Power, is Zoe Michanos. A repeat winner, Zoe was previously awarded the 2021 Nuclear Studies Scholarship. Since we last heard from Zoe, she has received a Bachelors Degree in Nuclear Engineering and has worked for Ontario Power Generation as an Assistant Project Leader. She is now entering her second year of a Masters Degree in Engineering at Ontario Tech University, where she finds time to mentor senior engineering students nearing the end of their undergraduate degrees. Zoe is working toward becoming a P.Eng. and also plans to pursue a P.M.G. designation. A career in the nuclear energy sector is clearly in her plans.
Yazan Zamel – 2024 OEN Sustainable Development Scholarship (sponsored by Alectra)
Yazan Zamel has been awarded the 2024 Sustainable Development Scholarship, sponsored by Alectra. Yazan is entering the second year of a Masters of Engineering Science program at University of Toronto. Yazan has worked for OEN members Siemens Energy and the IESO. His many accomplishments include a 2022 Diana Award for initiating the “Ray of Hope” program that assisted over 4,000 refugees, and being named one of Canada’s “Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25” in 2023. As President of the Sustainable Engineers Association, Yazan has organized four international energy conferences and two sustainable development competitions. This year, at the University of Toronto, he is starting a mentorship program to pair 30 students with energy experts. After completion of his MASc, Yazan Zamel plans to pursue a Doctorate in Power Systems and Engineering Leadership.
Pritika Thevakanthan – 2024 OEN Women in Energy Scholarship (sponsored by the OEB)
The recipient of the 2024 Ontario Energy Network Women in Energy Scholarship, sponsored by the Ontario Energy Board, is Pritika Thevakanthan, who is entering the fifth year of Engineering at McMaster University. Pritika has had several work placements in the energy sector, including a 12-month coop placement at Toronto Hydro. She has participated in events and activities offered at the University of Toronto, including the Robotics Club, Energy Engineering Society and the IEEE Student Branch. A competitive south Asian Classical Dancer, Pritika is a proud promoter of her cultural heritage and supporter of increased representation of women of colour in STEM. Her career interests include smart grid technology and further integration of renewable sources of energy.
Joseph Weston – 2024 OEN Indigenous Energy Scholarship (sponsored by the IESO)
The recipient of the 2024 Ontario Energy Network Indigenous Energy Scholarship, sponsored by the IESO, is Joseph Weston, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Engineering student at the University of Calgary. Joseph is a member of the Miawpukek community in Conne River, Newfoundland, although he was born and raised in Cochrane Alberta. Joseph is very interested in zero and low carbon electricity generation, and earlier this year attended the CNA/CNS Conference. Upon graduation he hopes to work in the Ontario nuclear sector with OPG or Bruce Power. Based on his experience working in the sector, he says he will assess whether he should proceed to a Masters Degree or Doctorate. In his spare time, Joseph’s hobbies include digital music production, electronics, photography and weightlifting.
Isaac Smith – 2024 OEN-Bruce Power Nuclear Studies Scholarship (sponsored by Bruce Power)
The winner of the 2024 OEN-Bruce Power Nuclear Studies Scholarship is Isaac Smith, a second-year engineering student at Ontario Tech University. Isaac has worked as a co-op student with OEN member Elexicon. He is a member of the North America Young Generation in Nuclear and attends events held by his chapter. He wrote an essay that secured an invitation to the CAN/CNS conference. Following completion of his undergraduate degree, Isaac plans to pursue a Masters Degree. A longer-term goal is to take a leading role in developing partnerships between companies and Canadian universities to connect researchers with the technical needs of the energy industry.