TORONTO – Canada’s reputation for world-class youth science innovation was reinforced this week as two Canadian students captured top prizes at the 36th European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS), held September 15–20 in Riga, Latvia.
Evan Budz, from Burlington, Ontario, secured a first prize worth €7,000 for his project Development of an Autonomous Bionic Sea Turtle Robot for Ecological Monitoring using AI. The autonomous robot, modeled after green sea turtles, uses artificial intelligence to monitor aquatic ecosystems and coral reef health with 96 per cent detection accuracy. Budz also received the prestigious Ellison Scholars Award, which includes an all-expenses-paid trip to Oxford University in the UK.
Sara Waqas, from Calgary, Alberta, earned a second prize valued at €5,000 for her project Neurobiologically Informed Targeted Schizophrenia Treatment: A Multi-Omic, fMRI Approach. Her prototype drug aims to restore normal brain function in individuals with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, rather than simply managing symptoms.
“We are incredibly proud of Evan and Sara for their exceptional achievements in Latvia,” said Reni Barlow, executive director of Youth Science Canada. “Their success showcases the calibre of scientific talent we have across this country.”
The competition drew top young scientists aged 14–20 from 40 countries. Canada’s delegation was coordinated by Youth Science Canada and supported by Youth Can Innovate, a program of the Gwyn Morgan and Patricia Trottier Foundation.
This marks the fourth consecutive year Canadian students have earned two top prizes at EUCYS, highlighting the nation’s growing influence in global STEM research and innovation.
Youth Science Canada, a registered charity founded in 1966, supports more than 500,000 Canadian students who engage in STEM projects annually through initiatives such as the Canada-Wide Science Fair and Team Canada’s participation in international competitions.
For more information, visit youthscience.ca.
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