NINA Acharya of McMaster University is one of 11 Canadian university students that have been selected as 2020 Rhodes Scholars.
She joins a class of 100 from over 60 countries worldwide to receive this distinguished scholarship to study at the University of Oxford next year. Since the scholarship was established in 1903, nearly 8,000 Rhodes Scholars, including over 1,000 Canadians, have gone on to serve at the forefront of government, the professions, commerce, the arts, education, research and other domains.
According to a press statement, “Nina Acharya is a first-year medical student at McMaster University after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, Health and Society from Cornell University where she was named a Merrill Presidential Scholar.
“Her research interests include nutrition interventions in vulnerable pediatric populations. Nina also helped create the Canadian Science Fair Journal, a virtual mentorship program for children ages 6-18 to introduce students to scientific writing and publishing.
“Outside of her academic work, she is involved in programs with people with disabilities through Best Buddies and the Dance Ability Movement. In the future, she hopes to become a pediatrician while also contributing to children’s health via global health policy. Nina intends to pursue a D.Phil in Population Health.”
Richard Pan, the Canadian Secretary of the Rhodes Trust and the Chair for the Rhodes Scholarships in Canada (RSC): “The scholarships call for and recognize a set of timeless virtues – intellectual excellence, strength of character, energy to strive, commitment to serve and instinct to lead. We are proud of the opportunities that the Scholarships provide to our most talented, passionate and charismatic university graduates.”
The scholars were selected in a highly competitive process administered by six regional committees composed of Rhodes Scholars and eminent members of the community. The committees worked independently and made their decisions on the basis of applications, university endorsements, letters of reference and in-person interviews held across the country.
Pan said: “The 11 scholarship winners show the world the best of Canada. The selection committees were moved by the impressive intellect, incredible passion and dynamism with which each is applying their remarkable talents to making the world a better place. We look forward to going on this exciting journey with them as their actions and accomplishments will be making all of us proud for many years to come.”
