Every year, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research organize the National Brain Bee, an academic competition that pits high school students against one another in a test of their neuroscientific knowledge. After competing for several years as part of Winnipeg’s own Balmoral Hall high school team, fourth-year neuroscience major Leeza Goldberg dedicates her free time during the competition season to act as a volunteer judge—helping the next crop of eager students develop their interest in the field.
“The Brain Bee was my point of entry into the world of neuroscience,” says Leeza. “Competing with my classmates and learning from different medical professionals inspired both my research as an undergrad and my plans to apply for Medical School this year.”
For the past few years, Leeza has worked in Dr. Wijenayake’s Molecular Biology research lab identifying specific extracellular vesicles in breastmilk and the way these nanoparticles affect development in infants.
“Breastmilk has a wide range of naturally occurring remedial properties that aid in the growth of children,” says Leeza. “My research involves isolating different milk extracellular vesicles, or MEVs, and tracking their impact on different parts of the brain. The data we create from testing helps to better our understanding of the molecular cargo that milk carries from mother to child, which can be used later to develop medicine for neonatal intensive care units.”
Always keen to give back to the organizations that have helped her succeed, Leeza now volunteers as the social media manager for the STEM Peer Mentorship Program (SPMP) that helps new students navigate university life.
“Volunteering with this program has defined the latter part of my experience at UWinnipeg. As a mentor at SPMP, I work with two freshman students following the same path I started on four years ago,” says Leeza. “Luckily, the curriculum is still fresh in my mind so I’m able to guide them in their studies and help them choose new courses and electives at the beginning of the term. When I first started, I had an older student help me through some of the more difficult everyday problems that come with being a new student in an unfamiliar place—being able to give back in the same way now that I’m about to graduate is incredibly rewarding.”
In recognition for her commitment to research and volunteerism, Leeza is one of two students selected by trustees to receive the Dr. and Mrs. Roderick Hunter Scholarship. Established in 2000 in memory of Dr. R.O.A. Hunter, third Chancellor of The University of Winnipeg, and his wife, Doris Hunter, the scholarship is awarded to two undergraduate students with high academic standing, outstanding leadership qualities, and significant extracurricular involvements on campus.
“Finding out that I was chosen for this scholarship was a tremendous moment for me,” says Leeza. “I’m going to graduate later this April, so being recognized for being passionate about my research and work with the mentorship program in my final months at UWinnipeg makes me truly proud.”
After graduating, Leeza hopes to begin studying medicine at the University of Manitoba later this fall.
