Two York University students are among 20 Canadian scholars selected as McCall MacBain Scholars and are invited to participate in a transformative education and leadership-driven experience through the prestigious McCall MacBain Scholarship.
Both from the Faculty of Health's Global Health program, student Nafanta Fadiga (BSc' 25) and graduate Richard K.S. Wu (BSc' 24) will join the fifth cohort of McCall MacBain Scholars at McGill University.
The McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill also offered 95 entrance awards ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 each to top candidates not selected for the cohort. As a national finalist, York student Mira Bhattacharya earned a $10,000 award to enrol in studies at McGill.
Established with a historic $200-million gift in 2019, the McCall MacBain Scholarships are Canada's largest leadership-based scholarships supporting master's and professional studies. This year, close to 700 Canadian students applied, with the top 150 selected for first-round interviews and 88 finalists moving on to final interviews. Only 20 applicants are selected each year for this prestigious scholarship, and are chosen based on exceptional character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength and intellectual curiosity.
"We are absolutely thrilled for Richard, Nafanta and Mira," says Yvette Munro, vice-provost students. "Being selected as winners and national finalists is a testament to their tenacity and we'll continue cheering them on in their pursuits. Their commitment to the broader community is deeply reflective of York's values, and we're proud that they'll continue to pursue their interests."
About the recipients
Nafanta Fadiga
Fadiga is passionate about sickle cell disease (SCD) research and currently volunteers with two SCD organizations. Her volunteer efforts include researching the role of international advocacy in improving SCD health outcomes and setting up an online hub to make clinical trials more accessible. She has co-authored several research publications on SCD and hopes to continue contributing to research in this area.
While pursuing her first bachelor's degree at Queen's University, Fadiga helped run the Black Premedical Association, led the World Sickle Cell Day proclamation in Kingston and worked as a residence don. She has volunteered and worked at the University Health Network, a hospital network in Toronto, contributing to clinical research studies. Fadiga also works as a bilingual talent and campus recruitment specialist at a multinational pharmaceutical company.
She will pursue a master's of science in family medicine, specializing in global health, at McGill.
Fagida says she was "ecstatic and emotional" when she learned she had been selected for the scholarship. "This scholarship means the world to me," she says. "I've faced financial barriers throughout my education. Beyond alleviating these challenges, it provides an opportunity to grow as a leader, pursue my passions and engage with an inspiring community of scholars with different perspectives from diverse fields."
Richard K.S. Wu
Wu works as a clerical assistant at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and volunteers as a research assistant at the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research at York University. Inspired by his experiences as a caregiver for a family member, he also currently volunteers as a patient and family advisor for Ontario Health.
During his previous studies at the University of Waterloo, Wu led the student federation representing 34,000 undergraduates. In this role, he worked with the team to launch a 24/7 mental health helpline, establish a legal protection service for students and advocate for the university to adopt the Okanagan Charter for health and well-being. More recently, at York, he volunteered at the Global and Environmental Health lab. He is working on a research study that examines housing insecurity, energy insecurity and mental health in informal settlements in Accra, Ghana. He also holds a bachelor of science in global health from York.
"My time at York University has been transformative both academically and personally," says Wu. "The lessons I have learned from my professors, from my peers and from my practicum in Jordan have not only deepened my understanding of human health but have provided me with the skills and confidence to tackle real-world challenges. I am so incredibly grateful for my time as a global health student at York."
Wu plans to pursue a master's of science in experimental medicine at McGill. He encourages other students to apply, and offers the following advise: "Don't underestimate the power of your story - you're more capable and accomplished than you think."
"These scholarships were created out of a belief that our world needs people who aspire to lead with purpose, empathy, integrity and courage," says Marcy McCall MacBain, Chair of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. "We want to create opportunities for students to dream big, cultivate leadership and contribute to something greater than themselves."
Applications will open in June 2025 for the 2026 cohort. Visit the McCall MacBain Scholarships website for more information. See the list of York University recipients from previous years here.
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.
