CANADA’S SPACE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM WELCOMES 24 FELLOWS TO LATEST CLASS

March 26th, 2026

OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 26TH 2025 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 fourth annual Class of Zenith Fellows consisting of Canadian students and recent graduates from across North America to participate in the Zenith Fellowship program, helping them take steps to becoming active members of the Canadian space community.


Applicants from across North America underwent a rigorous selection process demonstrating their outstanding commitment to community service, leadership potential, technical skills, and passion for contributing to the Canadian space sector. Following a selection process focused on equity, diversity and inclusion, 24 finalists were selected for the Zenith Fellowship program. These finalists went on to complete interviews with Host Organizations from within the Canadian space sector seeking talent from across Canada. From the available internship positions, six of the finalists were selected as Zenith Fellow Interns. and will complete a 4-month or longer internship with the Host Organizations. The remaining 18 finalists will participate in the program as Zenith Fellow Mentees. Alongside the Zenith Fellow Interns, the 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. 


ZCPF is grateful to work with these Host Organizations who align with the organization’s mission to sustain and retain talent in, and support diversity across Canada. They are: 

Now, in its fourth year, the ZCPF will once again host the annual Zenith Fellowship Summit in Montreal this summer to bring together the new class, alumni, mentors, Host Organizations, and Canadian space community. During the Summit, the Fellows will meet with their peers, network with professionals across the Canadian space industry, and expand their knowledge of the space community through seminars and panels. In previous years, Fellows have had the opportunity to tour the Canadian Space Agency, meet astronauts, and work together in teams to plan outreach events across Canada. The Zenith Fellowship community continues to grow, now consisting of 68 alumni from across North America, who have gone on to pursue careers in the space sector, seek graduate degrees, and continue to contribute to the vision of a more inclusive space sector.  

“We have seen first hand the positive impact the Zenith Fellowship program has had on the careers of our Fellows each year, and are excited to welcome 24 new Fellows to the program. We are grateful for the continued support from our Host Organizations, mentors, alumni and community partners who are committed to our mission to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion in the space sector!”

  • Board of Directors, Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation

The 2025 Zenith Fellow Interns are:

  • Adithi Balaji from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Physics (Honours) from the University of Victoria. Adithi will intern at Foundation Space Resources in Calgary, Alberta.

  • Ben Bornstein from Vaughan, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Materials Engineering with a minor in Robotics from the University of Toronto. Ben will intern at Dominant Information Solutions Canada (DISC) in Ottawa, Ontario

  • Gurnoor Chawla from Kelowna, British Columbia who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Engineering from the University of British Columbia Okanagan. Gurnoor will intern at Sinclair Interplanetary by Rocket Lab in Toronto, Ontario. 

  • Jake Birkness from Richmond Hill, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering, Space Systems Design from Carleton University. Jake will intern at StarSpec Technologies in Cambridge, Ontario.

  • Kevin Deng from Toronto, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. Kevin will intern at Sinclair Interplanetary by Rocket Lab in Toronto, Ontario. 

  • Sophia Zhao from Chicago, Illinois who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Computer Science with a concentration in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University. Sophia will intern at Mission Control in Ottawa, Ontario. 

The 2025 Zenith Fellow Mentees are:

  • Alisa Norenberg from Mississauga, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering from McMaster University. 

  • Asmi Kaur Gujral from Mississauga, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Waterloo.

  • Crysta Madrio from Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alberta. 

  • Dani Zhao from Barrie, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University. 

  • Declan McCloskey from Ottawa, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering, (Space Systems Design from Carleton University. 

  • Floweret Davis from India who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Toronto Metropolitan University. 

  • Imogen Nell from Athabasca, Alberta who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering Physics from the University of British Columbia. 

  • Jack Tremblay-Lessard from Ottawa, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Math and Physics from Carleton University. 

  • Kira Elizabeth Allen from Kingston, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mechatronic Systems Engineering with a concurrent Major in Physics from Western University.

  • Momo Das from Toronto, Ontario who is currently pursuing an Honours Biology Degree from York University. 

  • Mysha Hamid from Cambridge, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Systems Design Engineering (Honours) from the University of Waterloo.

  • Rafiq Omar from Toronto, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto.

  • Ruby Sinclair from Kingston, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering from Queen’s University.

  • Runjhun Deoras from Hamilton, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University.

  • Samuel Elgee from Truro, Nova Scotia who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering, Space Systems Design from Carleton University. 

  • Saurav Kahlon from Surrey, British Columbia who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science,  Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia.

  • Tyler Mitchell from Lansdowne, Ontario who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering Science, Physics from the University of Toronto. 

  • Umar Shabbir from Toronto, Ontario who recently graduated with Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering with a Minor in Economics from Toronto Metropolitan University. 

The ZCPF team 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.