23 ZENITH FELLOWS JOIN THE CLASS OF 2023 OF CANADA’S SPACE FELLOWSHIP

March 15th, 2023

OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 15th 2023 The Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation (ZCPF) — a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in Canada’s space sector – has selected its second annual Class of Fellows from across Canada to participate in the Zenith Fellowship program.

Applicants from 20 institutions across North America underwent a rigorous selection process. The Zenith Fellows were selected for their outstanding community involvement, leadership skills, technical capabilities, and passion for contributing to the Canadian space sector. Of the 23 selected, 15 Zenith Fellow Mentees will be mentored by a leader in the industry, engage in professional development programming, and participate in community building activities throughout the year. The remaining eight Zenith Fellow Interns will additionally intern at leading Canadian space companies partnered with the ZCPF for the Summer of 2023.

These Host Organizations align with ZCPF’s mission to sustain and retain talent in, and support diversity across Canada. They are: 

This summer, the Fellows will participate in the annual Zenith Fellowship Summit where they will meet with their peers and network with professionals from across the sector. As the Class of 2023, they will join the community of Zenith Fellows that will grow for the coming years. 

The ZCPF appreciates the support of analogous US-based Fellowships on which the Zenith Fellowship is modeled: the Brooke Owens Fellowship, the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship, the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship and the Zed Factor Fellowship. 

The 2023 Zenith Fellow Interns are:

  • Emily Lai from Toronto, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Software Engineering at Ontario Tech University. Emily will intern at Magnestar Inc. in Toronto, Ontario.

  • Guillaume Landry from Saint-Denis-De La Bouteillerie, Quebec who is a recent graduate of the Geomatics Engineering program at the Université Laval. Guillaume will intern at Avalon Space in Toronto, Ontario.

  • Julia Meeson from Toronto, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering at McMaster University. Julia will intern at Xiphos Technologies in Montreal, Quebec.

  • Mariko Storey-Matsutani from Toronto, Ontario is currently pursuing a Bachelor degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering with Minors in Robotics and Intelligent Systems, and Applications of Computing at Princeton University. Mariko will intern at the Canadian Space Mining Corporation in Toronto, Ontario.

  • Michelle Yee from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at Dalhousie University. Michelle will intern at Wyvern in Edmonton, Alberta. 

  • Orrin Dahanaggamaarachchi from Toronto, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor in Engineering Science, majoring in Aerospace Engineering with a dual minor in Robotics and Business at the University of Toronto. Orrin will intern at Sinclair Interplanetary by Rocket Lab in Toronto, Ontario. 

  • Rafael Estrada from London, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Dual-Degree in Mechatronics Systems Engineering and Ivey HBA at Western University. Rafael will intern at Euroconsult in Montreal, Quebec. 

  • Thardchi Ganesalingam from Markham, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering with a minor in Robotics and Mechatronics and a certificate in Artificial Intelligence Engineering at the University of Toronto. Thardchi will intern at Mission Control Space Services in Ottawa, Ontario.

The 2023 Zenith Fellow Mentees are:

  • Amna Adnan from Calgary, Alberta who is currently pursuing a Combined Degree in Mathematics (Honours) and Physics (Honours) at the University of Calgary.

  • Cameron Brooks from Uxbridge, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering Science in Electrical Engineering.

  • Christianna Sequeira from Richmond, British Columbia who is currently pursuing a Sustainable Energy Engineering with a minor in International Studies (Environmental Concentration) at Simon Fraser University..

  • Christine Marian from Vaughan, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering Science, specializing in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Robotics at the University of Toronto.

  • Gabriela Palavicino from Edmonton, Alberta who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta.

  • Hala Alchammah from Oakville, Ontario who is currently pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering at McMaster University.

  • Jessica Kerr from Kingston, Ontario who is currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a dual degree in Computer Science at Western University.

  • Lewis Mackay from Rawdon, Quebec who is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science with a major in Physics from McGill University.

  • Marlyn Mwita from Nairobi, Kenya who is currently pursuing a degree in Chemical Physics with a minor in Mathematics at the University of Waterloo.

  • Nima Abbaszadeh from London, Ontario who is currently pursuing a degree in an Honours Specialization in Integrated Science with Environmental Science at Western University.

  • Raveen Kaur Sidhu from Manitoba who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Oceanography at the University of British Columbia.

  • Roksana Sheikholmolouki from Montreal, Quebec who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science specializing in Biology at Concordia University.

  • Sana Raisfirooz from Toronto, Ontario who is currently pursuing a degree in Medical Science at Western University.

  • Sarah Zwiep from Vancouver, British Columbia who is currently pursuing a Bachelor degree with Honours in Computing Science with a minor in Statistics and certificate in Geographic Information Science at Simon Fraser University.

  • Yasaman (Yasi) Shahidian from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba who is currently pursuing a degree in Physics at Queen’s University.

“This year, our program builds on the overwhelming success of the inaugural Fellowship Class. We are excited to continue connecting underrepresented groups with opportunities, building a more inclusive space sector, and in doing so, supporting retention of the next generation of space leaders, engineers, and entrepreneurs in Canada.”

– Zenith Canada Pathways Team