This summer, Dawson’s renowned Research in Neuroscience Program marked its 10th anniversary with a lively celebration on Aug. 7. Coordinators Hélène Nadeau (Faculty, Physics) and Sylvia Cox (Faculty, Psychology) welcomed current interns and alumni for an afternoon of reflection, inspiration, and connection.

The event brought together former interns from the past decade, who returned to share how the internship shaped the course of their education and careers. Sitting on panel discussions, these alumni offered personal accounts of how their participation in this para-academic activity jumpstarted their journey into diverse fields—from healthcare to engineering and beyond.

The 2025 cohort of neuroscience researchers took the stage as well, presenting their current research on topics ranging from internet addiction and cognitive testing to the neurological effects of lesions in infants. Their presentations highlighted both the depth and breadth of research taking place across a variety of institutions.

For alumni, the event was a chance to see each other again and to meet the new researchers as well as thank Hélène and Sylvia for not only fostering research skills but also cultivating essential life skills. Graduates credited the program with teaching them how to collaborate, solve problems, communicate with clarity, and work with a variety of people.

Xue Wei Tan, a 2017 Enriched Health Science graduate, reflected: “(The internship) gave me a chance to delve deeper into the healthcare field and exposed me to research.” Now completing his training in Internal Medicine at the Université de Montréal, Xue appreciates that being a doctor demands strong research abilities: “Every day, we see patients who don’t fit the textbook case. We research to determine what to do.” He also credited the internship with connecting him to people who are still his friends today.

Max Kowalczyk (Class of 2018, Enriched Health Science) is pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience at McGill University. He discovered that medicine offers many paths—beyond becoming a physician—where one can have real impact. “Research can also make a big impact (in medicine),” he shared. The internship helped Max become a clearer communicator, equipped to tailor his message to any audience.

For Philippe Gabriel (Class of 2018, Pure and Applied), the internship launched a passion for programming that eventually led him to Morgan Stanley, where he works as a technology associate with a master’s in computer software engineering. “There is a practical aspect (of the internship) that no amount of studies can give you,” he noted.

Yuliya Shpunarska (Class of 2020, Enriched Pure and Applied), now completing a master’s in medical physics and specializing in oncology, learned to embrace public speaking, a skill she once dreaded. “I am grateful for having been taught how to give a good presentation and make a good PowerPoint deck,” she said, adding that the computer skills she gained have proven invaluable.

The program’s influence resonates far beyond neuroscience: Dawson alumni have ventured into biomedical/electrical/software engineering, criminology, psychology, medicine and dentistry. For ten years—and counting—the Neuroscience Research Program has shown students how curiosity, research, and collaboration can spark a lifetime of learning and fulfilling work. Hélène and Sylvia are looking forward to welcoming many new apprentice researchers in this exciting journey.