Our Graduates - Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Fitzgerald Junior Fellowship Undergraduate Program

Students graduating from high school, who have attended the Semester and Summer program, and have been accepted to a University of Toronto undergraduate program continue into this phase of further development and mentorship. Students receive access to financial support, network events, 1 on 1 mentorship from faculty, work-study programs, and other DLSPH events.

Program Details

Students that have completed the program are eligible to receive an entrance scholarship after acceptance to the University of Toronto.
Students participate in bi-weekly one-on-ones and monthly group mentoring sessions with DLSPH faculty.
There is a peer mentoring opportunity for fellowship participants to mentor high school students.
Students attend DLSPH events, lectures, and workshops.
Work-study and research opportunities and completion of a leadership project.

Donate to the Outreach and Access Program

Fitzgerald Fellows

Current Fellows

Aisha is a first-year Life Sciences student at the University of Toronto, Scarborough. She joined the Dalla Lana School of Public Health Outreach and Access Program in Grade 12, where she learned about public health career paths, including roles such as an epidemiologist. Through the program, she gained exposure to the structure of public health systems and how they operate.

Aisha also participated in the Summer Institute, where she worked with peers to address a public health epidemic by collaborating on a group proposal. This experience helped her develop analysis, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. She has a long-standing interest in the social and political aspects of healthcare systems and hopes to pursue future work focused on dismantling these systems. Outside of academics, Aisha enjoys gardening, art and anthropology.

Ayesha is a first-year Life Sciences student at the University of Toronto Scarborough and a recipient of both the University of Toronto Scholar and Fitzgerald Fellow scholarships. A graduate of Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute, she completed a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) in Health and Wellness and hopes to now double major in Human Biology and Population Health or Microbiology, Immunology, and Disease before pursuing medical school. Her introduction to the DLSPH Outreach and Access Program in Grade 11 sparked her interest in public health through topics like epidemiology and health policy. The summer institute also helped her develop vital skills in public speaking, research, and teamwork through collaborative group presentations and proposals addressing public health problems. 
In her free time, Ayesha enjoys crocheting, playing sports such as archery and tennis, and baking. She actively volunteers at her local hospital, serves as a community tutor, and  takes on leadership roles, including being an outreach coordinator for a STEM club. Ayesha aspires to combine her dream of being a caring physician with a focus on public health, particularly cardiovascular diseases in populations and child health development.  

Hareesh is a first-year student and recipient of the Fitzgerald Scholarship at the University of Toronto pursuing a double major in Human Biology and Molecular Biology, Immunology and Disease. During his involvement in the DLSPH Outreach and Access Program which first started when he was in Grade 11, Hareesh has built an expansive foundation on the fundamentals of public health and their applications through the improvement of his critical analysis and problem solving skills.

At first, Hareesh was only aware of the traditional medical roles of doctor or nurse, but with the Outreach and Access Program, he understood that there are a variety of disciplines that have just as strong, if not more of an impact towards communities than these traditional roles. Along with his experience learning in hospitals, Hareesh was inspired to pursue some of his studies in public health, building a better understanding in communal and individual applications.
Overall, the program has helped Hareesh become a strong public speaker, being able to effectively communicate solutions to intricate issues. In the future, although Hareesh aims to pursue a career in the medical field, he intends to apply a combination of policy management in his work, ultimately attempting to build the connection between public health and medicine.

Ladan is a first-year student at the University of Toronto. She was first introduced to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in her senior year of high school. There she became intrigued by the intricacies involved in maintaining public health, especially during times of crises. She went on to participate in the DLSPH Summer Institute to hone her critical thinking skills and understand how different professions collaborate to find the best solutions.

Ladan is considering a double major in Molecular Biology, Immunology and Disease, and Psychology. She hopes to utilize the knowledge she has gained from the DLSPH to look at problems with an interdisciplinary lens. Understanding the impact a variety of careers have behind the scenes. Although she dreamed of becoming a doctor like many others, she has learned that there are several other careers she can pursue to help in the healthcare field. In the future, Ladan hopes to conduct research and complete her Master’s.

Silsila is a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, enrolled in the Life Sciences program. She joined the Outreach and Access Program in grade 11, where she participated in public health projects, collaborated with peers on research initiatives, and engaged with professionals across healthcare and policy sectors. The program provided her with hands-on experience and broadened her understanding of health beyond clinical settings, supporting her academic and personal growth. 

Through these experiences, Silsila has developed a strong interest in combining healthcare and public health. She is particularly focused on using research and community engagement to address health challenges and improve access to care. Her goal is to pursue a career that integrates clinical knowledge with public health strategies to make a meaningful impact on healthcare outcomes.

Vanesa is a student at the University of Toronto Scarborough in the Life Sciences Health Sciences stream. She joined the Outreach and Access Program in 2022 to learn about postsecondary education and opportunities in health-related fields. Through the program, she learned about academic planning, scholarships, and campus resources that supported her transition to university.

Vanesa completed two internships at University Health Network, participating in the Early Detection Program in 2024 and the Lawson Lab in 2025. She is a recipient of the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Association Bursary Award (2025), a Merit Award (2025), and the Ontario Scholar Award from Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute. She plans to pursue a career in research and continue seeking research opportunities during her undergraduate studies.

Yasser, a first-year Computer Science student at the University of Toronto and recipient of the Fitzgerald Scholarship, began his interest in public health in his final year of high school through the DLSPH Outreach and Access program. At the program, he was introduced to real-world public health dilemmas, sharpening his critical thinking and presentation skills.

Yasser’s dedication to public health extends beyond the classroom to significant volunteer work, where he spent three years at a community COVID-19 clinic. This hands-on experience in a public health crisis deepened his understanding of the field’s challenges and complexities, reinforcing his interest in public health and community service.

Currently, Yasser is developing an educational game aimed at improving literacy skills among elementary students, demonstrating his commitment to leveraging technology for educational and societal benefits. Moreover, he balances his academic schedule by engaging in extracurricular activities, including martial arts, and swimming. Looking forward, Yasser is passionate about exploring the intersection of technology and health, looking to solve public health issues through biomedical-related technologies. He hopes to use his computer science skills to create impactful solutions that improve health outcomes, positioning him as a future leader in both technology and public health sectors.

Tamkin is a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto and is pursuing a double major in Molecular Biology, Immunology, and Disease, alongside Health Policy. At the beginning of her academic journey, she faced challenges adapting to the university environment, but with time, she found her stride both socially and academically.

Tamkin’s venture into public health commenced in grade 12 when she joined the Outreach and Access program. This experience broadened her understanding of healthcare beyond traditional medical roles, exposing her to various career paths within public health. Participating in the program’s Summer Institute, she collaborated on policy proposals, engaging with professionals from diverse sectors of public health. This exposure influenced her decision to major in Health Policy, recognizing the potential to make meaningful contributions beyond clinical practice.

Looking ahead, Tamkin’s professional path is evolving. While her childhood aspiration was to become a doctor, her exposure to public health has reshaped her ambitions. Driven by a desire to address healthcare disparities, she aims to pursue a career dedicated to making a tangible impact in public health.

Madiha is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto Scarborough, pursuing a double major in Biochemistry and Health Studies (Health Policy) with a minor in Biology. She joined the Outreach and Access program in grade 12, where she explored the foundations of public health, its diverse fields, and the structural inequities that impact communities. Through this experience, she gained practical skills in problem analysis, research, and proposal development, equipping her to identify and address key public health challenges.

The program also helped Madiha improve her public speaking skills and ability to effectively communicate complex concepts. She intends to further improve these skills through research and hands-on initiatives targeted at achieving meaningful change. Madiha’s next goal is to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Health, with an emphasis on equitable policy development and evidence-based efforts to minimize health inequalities and enhance population health outcomes.

Zahra is a 2nd year electrical engineering student, and has been a part of the Outreach and Access program since 2020.

Through her involvement, she mentored students during the Summer Institute, led a high school impact project with a team, and connected with industry leaders across multiple organizations.

By engaging in site visits, case studies and presentations, this program has encouraged her to explore diverse pathways of health, engaging with the different levels of government and stakeholder groups while thinking critically about impact.

Previously, she has worked in community wellness and youth programming, where she collaborated with grassroots organizations and local schools to organize support spaces and events. She also sat on multiple community advisory panels and led a crisis intervention initiative supported by the City of Toronto.

Zahra is interested in biotechnology with a focus on data analytics, and hopes to explore research in policy, bioethics and population health. She’s passionate about working at the intersection of health and technology.

Mikayla has attended the Access and Outreach Program for two years. At the program she learnt about public health, careers in public health, epidemiology, the different types of epidemiologists, the social determinants of health and many other interesting topics. She believes that her time at the program has fundamentally shaped her as an individual. Mikayla has learnt how to convey and express herself and her ideas. During the program she has gained valuable personal lessons such as giving ourselves grace along with the importance of emotional intelligence, self-awareness and being a good listener.

Additionally, Mikayla’s experience at the program has helped her to identify that while she doesn’t want to be a doctor there are still many ways to help people through the healthcare field. Mikayla is a 1st year student at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus studying health studies. The Access and Outreach Program has instilled in her an interest in Public Health, and she would ultimately like to pursue a master’s in the field. Her hobbies include reading novels, manga, and comics. She also likes listening to different kinds of music and is an avid lover of animated shows/movies.

Raghad joined the Outreach and Access program in 2023, where she developed valuable skills in team building, and communication that have significantly supported her academic and personal growth. She is a first-year student at the University of Toronto, aiming to double major in Molecular Biology and Health Policy. She has participated in various programs, including the Summer Institute Program, and is a recipient of the Fitzgerald Scholarship.

Before joining the Outreach and Access program, Raghad was unaware of the diverse opportunities within healthcare beyond medical school. Inspired by her mentors and peers, she has since developed a strong interest in public health. She now aspires to pursue a career in medicine while earning a Master’s degree in community medicine at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health.

In addition to her studies, Raghad works part-time and actively volunteers with community-based organizations, including the food bank. Her hobbies include reading and spending quality time with her family.

Teslim joined the Outreach and Access program in 2024 in hopes of learning about public health and the ways in which it runs. Throughout the program, she developed leadership as well as policy advocacy skills. The program also helped fuel her passion for being involved in the people and community around her.

Inspired by the program’s mentors and the valuable insights they shared about public health, Teslim solidified her aspirations and redefined her goals. She is currently a first-year student at the University of Toronto. She is double majoring in psychology and public health. Teslim aims to integrate the knowledge and skills she acquired from the program into her future career as a psychologist, ensuring she can provide informed, compassionate, and effective care.

Dua is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto’s St. George campus, pursuing a major in Computer Engineering. She was awarded the Edward S. Rogers Sr. Admission Scholarship.

Beyond studying engineering, Dua has developed a strong interest in public health. Joining the Access and Outreach program as a grade 11 student who had no prior exposure to the field, she quickly developed a deep understanding of central topics such as social determinants of health, systemic inequities, and the broader structures that shape healthcare accessibility. The program also strengthened her critical thinking, problem solving, and effective communication skills, influencing her approach to academic and professional pursuits.

During high school, Dua participated in the Summer Research Institute, where she deepened her understanding of research methodologies and public health. By the time she graduated the Access and Outreach Program in 2023, she had also been named a Fitzgerald Scholar.

Outside of academics, Dua enjoys reading, painting, and cycling. She appreciates spending time outdoors, whether it is cycling through trails or hiking to take in fresh air.

Umema is a current first-year student studying Life Sciences at the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus. She is a proud graduate of Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute, and completed the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) in Health and Wellness and Core French programs. She plans to pursue a double major in Neuroscience and Public Health (and possibly a minor in Human Geography too!). The Fitzgerald Scholarship is her first-ever scholarship, and she is glad that she applied!

She first discovered the Dalla Lana Outreach and Access Program through her high school’s guidance counsellor, and joined in September of 2024. Umema has always been interested in the healthcare world ever since a young age, but she did not know a thing about public health! The Outreach and Access Program provided her a new outlook into the world of healthcare, and helped her discover all the opportunities available. Throughout her time in the program, she developed strong collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills. She also participated in the 2024 Summer Institute to further discover the field of public health and sharpen these skills.

Along with being an aspiring equestrian, she is also the Founder and former President of the Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute Chapter of Hemoglobal, and was her school’s first-ever High School Ambassador for Mental Health Week. She also was a Co-Lead for the Health and Wellness SHSM program at her high school.

Umema plans to study medicine in the future, but wants to study public health concurrently as well. She plans to apply a public health lens throughout her graduate and undergraduate studies.

Khadija is a first-year student in the Social Science and Humanities program at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. She graduated from John Polanyi Collegiate Institute and completed her studies in the Specialist High Skills Major in Business and in the Science, Math and Robotics program (SMR). She plans to double major in public policy and public law with the interest of pursuing to go to law school as a second degree.

She first heard about the Dalla Lana outreach and access program at her pathways program from one of the mentors/instructors at the tutoring session and was interested in learning more about what the program had in store for her. Public health and public policy sparked a bit of her interest and to learn more about the sector on a deeper level, she has been in the program since her earlier years of high school and she hasn’t looked back. Through this program she has discovered a new outlook into the healthcare world and with her interest in law this new perspective will allow her to seek new opportunities bringing in her interest in law and healthcare as she continues her post-secondary career.

Fun fact: Khadija also likes to bake and is a banana bread connoisseur.

Past Fellows

Maimuna has been a part of the Outreach and Access program since its inception at Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute, in 2018. She graduated from the Outreach and Access program in 2020 and became a Fitzgerald Scholar. Maimuna is also a University of Toronto Scholar. The Outreach and Access program sparked Maimuna’s interest in public health in high school. During her first year of university, she participated in a bi-weekly fellowship with Professor Leslie Boehm, furthering her interest and understanding of the field.

Xavier has also gained some important life skills through the Outreach program. Consistency, leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. He has found that these skills helped him succeed in high school and continue to help him as a first-year university student. Xavier states “being able to share ideas and thoughts with others and being open-minded about their point. Views and ideas are essential for success. There’s collaboration, communication, and teamwork in anything you do, these skills will always show.”

Nala is one of the dedicated few who had the honor of receiving the Fitzgerald Scholarship. Throughout four years in the Outreach and Access program, she has had a positive experience through her engagement with mentors and faculty members, who she has been able to form meaningful connections with. When Nala first entered the Outreach and Access Program, she was in grade ten, shy, and suffered from speech apprehension. Nala also had little to no idea of what she wanted for herself in the future, regarding her postsecondary and career options.

With help from mentors, she developed critical thinking skills and improved her communication skills through public health-related discourses and through group discussions/ activities. Within the Outreach and Access program, she was introduced to public health-related concepts and ideas. One memorable moment for Nala was when she was introduced to the social determinants of health. She learned that there were social-economic factors that have an impact on health outcomes which was eye-opening and caused her to want to make systematic changes within marginalized communities.

After graduating as an honor roll student from Runnymede Collegiate Institute in 2022, she was influenced to further her education at the University of Toronto, where she is working towards a major in health studies. Moving forward, Nala aims to complete her undergraduate years then move onwards to a master’s degree in public health and eventually become a social epidemiologist.

Through the Outreach and Access Program, Maha earned her first research opportunity and her first scholarship award (Fitzgerald Scholarship Award). As a Fitzgerald Scholar, Maha has acquired important skills such as public speaking, a convenient skill she hopes to use throughout her undergrad and in her future career. This program has helped Maha shape her undergraduate years and has influenced her postgraduate plans as well. Maha hopes to pursue a master’s in public health and continue to search for research opportunities.

Xavier is a first-year student at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, where he is currently studying public policy and health studies. He is also a competitive weightlifter and currently holds the title of Provincial State Champ in the 109 kg youth division. For the past four years, he has participated in the Dalla Lana Outreach program. Xavier worked hard and acquired knowledge about the healthcare system, public health system, social determinants of health and health inequalities in Canada. It has made him more aware of the healthcare system’s operations and its issues both before and after the pandemic.

Maha is a 3rd year student at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, completing a double major in Human Biology and Psychology. Maha participated in the Outreach and Access program from 2018 to 2020. Maha joined with the aim of learning more about public health and how she can be a part of it.

Maha always envisioned a career that lets her interact with a diverse group of people and explore different opportunities in health care and the Outreach and Access program was able to offer her this.