Amélie Mainville: Leading with passion and purpose
Throughout her academic journey, Amélie Mainville has embodied the values of leadership, mentorship and service. As a founder and co-president of the BioConnect club, she created valuable networking opportunities for students passionate about science. Her dedication to her peers was clear through her role at the Faculty’s Mentoring Centre, where she provided empathetic guidance and organized weekly genetics study sessions. From welcoming new students during the Science Students’ Association (SSA) 101 Week — for which she earned the Guide of the Year award twice — to representing the university at recruitment events, Amélie has proven to be a true ambassador for uOttawa.
Her commitment extends beyond campus. As a varsity ringette athlete, Amélie balanced sport with academics, training at the High Performance Centre while achieving excellence in her studies. She was awarded both the President’s Scholarship and the Undergraduate Research Scholarship, leading her to conduct research in molecular biology and science education. Her honours thesis in gut microbiology and her participation in the Scinapse Case Competition highlight her scientific rigour. Outside the lab, she volunteered at Élisabeth-Bruyère Hospital and delivered science outreach in schools with Let’s Talk Science. Amélie will continue her journey in medicine at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), taking with her the leadership and compassion she cultivated at uOttawa.
Jessica Borean: A scientist with heart and vision
Jessica Borean’s time at uOttawa has been defined by academic brilliance and a profound sense of community service. Graduating with a summa cum laude distinction, she has consistently made the Dean’s Honour List and earned a Merit Scholarship each term. Her passion for bio-organic and medicinal chemistry led her to the Keillor Research Group, where her research on transglutaminases and covalent inhibitors resulted in a published paper, with several others underway. She was awarded two Undergraduate Summer Research Awards from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). In the fall, she’ll begin graduate studies at the University of Toronto, where she has received a Canada Graduate Scholarship — Master’s from NSERC to fund her research.
Jessica’s impact on campus reaches far beyond the lab. With over 1,200 volunteer hours, she has played key roles in the Chemistry Club, choreographed with the Dance Club and served as a head guide during SSA 101 Week. Her leadership on the Volunteer Crisis Response Team (VCRT) earned her the 2025 VCRT Senior Member of the Year Award, recognizing her dedication to supporting students in medical and mental health emergencies. Jessica has used every opportunity to blend her love of science with creativity and care, making her a standout leader, mentor and advocate for the University community.
Together, Amélie and Jessica exemplify the ideals of the uOttawa Faculty of Science. Their stories remind us that success in science is not only about academic achievement but also about uplifting others, embracing community and leading with empathy. As they move on to new chapters, whether in medicine or graduate research, they leave behind a legacy of excellence, leadership and inspiration. Congratulations to the class of 2025, and especially to its exceptional valedictorians!