The seed2STEM Summer Research Program for Indigenous Youth seeks to improve representation of Indigenous students in the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  

Although STEM fields are critical in advancing health care and research, Indigenous representation in these skilled, well-paid positions remains disproportionally low. The seed2STEM program, co-founded by Dr. Corree Laule and Cheryl Niamath, aims to increase participation and remove barriers by providing paid summer research studentships in fun lab environments. This past summer, DMCBH members welcomed a number of students into their labs, giving them the opportunity to explore neuroscience research and gain hands-on experience in lab environments. 

 

Letting go of mental limits  

Lita Mowatt

Lita Mowatt was always interested in researching and understanding new concepts, but the sciences felt unattainable to her before starting this program.  

“I’ve never considered studying the brain because it seemed unrealistic for me, but during the seed2STEM program this summer, I let go of my mental limitations and embraced the scientist within me!” says Lita.   

Lita is an undergraduate student who completed a four-month placement in Dr. Manu Madhav’s lab.  

“Being a part of this program let me explore parts of myself that I didn’t know existed,” she says. “I let go of my fear of thinking I can’t do STEM and learned a lot about my brain through this program.”  

To other Indigenous youth curious about STEM, Lita offers the following advice.  

“Don’t let other people’s voices that limit your freedom, creativity and curiosity take over. It’s easier said than done, but it’s not impossible,” she emphasizes. “STEM isn’t some locked away box; it’s like an ocean you can dive into or space you can rocket launch up to, especially when you find out and explore what works for you and your learning style.”  

 

Mentorship and learning 

Jamie Boyle

Jamie Boyle, a high school student, always loved the idea of being able to design and solve real-world problems to help other people, but felt nervous about trying to pursue engineering at UBC. However, after spending six weeks in Dr. Kiran Soma’s lab over the summer, her perspectives have shifted.  

“Since coming to UBC and being able to meet and learn from people on campus, I feel more driven to pursue my post-secondary education at UBC,” she says. “Working in such a friendly environment, I realized how easy learning can feel when surrounded by dedicated people.”  

Bella Yang, an undergraduate mentor for Jamie in the Soma lab, reflected on her seed2STEM experience.  

“This summer, Jamie brought so much laughter and energy to our lab, and everyone enjoyed her presence,” she says. “It was incredible to see how much Jamie grew in just a few weeks’ time, from learning about neuroendocrinology for the first time to presenting a poster of her own project.”  

Jamie’s lab samples

Jamie learned how to extract steroids from biological tissue, specifically whole blood and stomach milk samples taken from newborn rats, using a liquid-liquid extraction method. She also learned how to operate the cryostat machine, interpret data and visualize results in graphs.  

“I loved being able to work in the lab and learning from the lab members,” Jamie says. “I always felt very welcome, and everyone was always so enthusiastic to answer my questions and help me.”  

 

 

Changing perspectives about science  

Abigail Nicholson

Abigail Nicholson, an undergraduate student, completed a four-month placement in Dr. Wolfram Tetzlaff’s lab at ICORD, where she studied the effects of metabolic treatments on muscle atrophy following chronic spinal cord injury. For her, working in the Tetzlaff lab transformed her interest in medicine into a dream of attending medical school and becoming a physician.  

“Being a part of the seed2STEM program changed my entire view on science,” she explains. Growing up, the possibility of pursuing a career in STEM seemed distant and unattainable for Abigail.   

“My perspective shifted when I started working in a research lab environment and building connections with mentors and professionals who found success in STEM,” she says. 

Abigail with her poster

 

 

Participating in this program has given her both confidence and direction towards her educational goals, especially as she came to realize the interconnectedness of science with service when one pursues education in healthcare.  

“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. It is important to advocate for yourself and to reach out to people!” Abigail advises future Indigenous youth interested in STEM. “I didn’t find STEM interesting until I had the opportunity to be involved in research, so it is so important to connect with people and try new things to find out what you enjoy!”

   

Learning new things in a fun environment  

Scarlett Campbell happened to find the seed2STEM program after her high school counsellor recommended it to her.  After reading through the different science and medicine branches offered by the program, she decided to take the opportunity and get a sense of what it was like to work in an academic environment.  

Throughout her six weeks working in Dr. Lynn Raymond‘s lab, Scarlett studied and completed protein assays.  

“Protein assay is a method used to measure the concentration of protein in a solution,” Scarlett explains. “I learned how to use a variety of laboratory equipment used in research facilities as well as how to create different chemical solutions that I used in completing my research topic.”  

Mason Natrall

She definitely recommends that other Indigenous youth apply to the program.  

“It is an amazing opportunity where they can explore possible interests and future careers,” she says. “There are so many topics to explore in STEM, and through this program, someone may find a topic that they are really interested in pursuing.” 

Mason Natrall is a high school student who spent part of his summer in Drs. Kip Kramer and Mike Berger’s labs, where he studied whether muscle activity of the triceps correlates with muscle strength.  

“I was drawn to the seed2STEM program because of the opportunity to try something new,” he says. “I also wanted to meet new people and see if I would like to do something similar in the future.”  

Mason learned how an ultrasound works and how to use it, as well as how to make a professional poster. In the labs at ICORD, he also learned more about spinal cord injuries.  

Mason in the lab

Gaining valuable experience and exploring career options 

Madi Perreault

Madi Perreault worked in Dr. Scott Ramsay’s lab over the summer, where she gained real job experience in the field she plans to pursue post-secondary. She learned about concussions, different types of brain injuries, and how they are assessed and treated in a hospital setting.  

“I really enjoyed the balance between fun and education. It kept things engaging while still giving me meaningful hands-on experience,” she says. While working in the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, she was surprised about how much research connects directly to patient care.  

“This program gave me valuable experience that most high school students don’t get until their undergraduate studies,” she reflects. “I feel more prepared and confident about my future in healthcare.”  

 

To other Indigenous youth who are curious about STEM, Madi urges them to just go for it.  

“Even if you’re unsure, opportunities like this can open doors and help you discover new passions.”  

Iris Carr first heard about the seed2STEM program in 2022, when she was immediately interested in gaining first-hand experience in research. As a high school student, she spent time in Dr. Peter Cripton’s lab, where she learned how to think critically about research design and methodology, especially when studying issues that directly affect people. She also gained experience with data collection and learned how to present research findings clearly.   

Iris Carr

“I enjoyed being part of a supportive research environment where I could ask questions and learn by doing,” she says. “It was exciting to see how my work connected to something that could one day improve safety and possibly save lives.” 

Participating in the seed2STEM program has changed how Iris sees herself in science.  

“It made me realize that my perspective matters in science, especially when working on problems that affect underrepresented groups,” she reflects. “I now see myself as someone who belongs in research and can bring new ideas forward.”  

To other Indigenous youth, Iris emphasizes that their voices and perspectives are valuable in science.  

“You don’t need to know everything before starting,” she says. “Curiosity and willingness to learn are enough.”  

The 2025 seed2STEM program welcomed 104 students participating between Vancouver and Kelowna. Applications for Summer 2026 will open in late Fall, and any faculty members interested in hosting a student next year can learn more here.