From Windsor to Western: ENWIN Scholarship Helps Student Pursue STEM Dreams (2023)

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Namrata Nepal, a graduate of Riverside Secondary School in Windsor, is turning her passion for science into a promising career in health care — thanks in part to the ENWIN Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) Scholarship.

Now entering her third year at Western University, Nepal is majoring in Microbiology and Immunology with a minor in Genetics. Her interest in STEM was sparked early on, influenced by a close family member who lived with a chronic health condition. That experience inspired her to explore the science behind how the human body works and how diseases impact people.

“I’ve always been interested in how and why things happen in the body,” she said. “Science has been a strong subject for me. It’s something I’ve been drawn to for a long time.”

Nepal is currently preparing for the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) and hopes to enter dental school after completing her undergraduate degree. “Dentistry is a path I’m really excited about,” she said. “I’m looking to gain more experience in the field and build toward that goal.”

Nepal is one of four recipients of the 2023 ENWIN EDIA Scholarship, which is awarded annually to Windsor-Essex high school students entering STEM programs at Ontario colleges or universities. Priority is given to applicants from equity-deserving groups, including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

“I was really honoured to be selected,” Nepal said. “The support helps with tuition and motivates me to keep pushing forward in my studies.”

Although she wasn’t familiar with ENWIN before applying, Nepal now recognizes the importance of local organizations investing in youth and education. “It’s great to see a company making this kind of commitment to students and the community,” she said.

As she continues her studies, Nepal hopes to gain hands-on experience in a dental office and ultimately pursue her goal of becoming a practicing dentist — perhaps even opening her own clinic one day.

The ENWIN EDIA Scholarship is one of the many ways ENWIN supports a more inclusive and equitable future by helping students overcome barriers and succeed in STEM.

You can learn more about the scholarship and how to apply here.