ICORD’s seed2STEM summer research program for high school youth has been awarded the City of Vancouver’s Leadership in Reconciliation Award for 2025.
seed2STEM transforms reconciliation principles into action by creating culturally safe pathways for Indigenous high school students to participate in science-technology-engineering-math (STEM) research.
Founded in 2018 at the ICORD spinal cord injury research centre within the UBC Faculty of Medicine and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, seed2STEM offers six-week paid research internships in university and hospital labs, coupled with wraparound supports—transit, meals, loaner laptops and other equipment, youth support workers, and travel bursaries for remote students—to remove barriers to participation.
City of Vancouver Councillor Rebecca Bligh (L) and Mayor Ken Sim (R) present the award to Corree Laule and Cheryl Niamath
Program Co-Chairs Cheryl Niamath and Dr. Corree Laule accepted the award from Mayor Ken Sim at the City’s award ceremony at the Roundhouse Community Centre on October 15. They were joined by ICORD Director Dr. Brian Kwon, seed2STEM students Shana George, Dean Harris, and Mackenzie Su, and seed2STEM advisory panel member Carla George.
“We are incredibly grateful to all the students—and their families—who have trusted us with their summers, to the researchers who have hosted students in their labs, to our valued advisors and tireless colleagues, and to all the individuals, departments, and agencies that have funded seed2STEM,” said Dr. Laule. “It’s exciting how much this program has grown, from one student in our first year to over a hundred this summer. We’re truly thankful to receive this recognition from the City of Vancouver,” said Ms. Niamath.
Guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, seed2STEM prepares host labs with cultural safety and trauma-informed training, creating inclusive environments where students are welcomed and respected as knowledge-holders. Weekly group learning modules blend STEM skill-building with Indigenous cultural content, guest speakers and community connection.
Mackenzie learning about DNA extraction during a field trip. Photo courtesy of STEMCELL Technologies.
“The idea of pursuing a career in STEM always intrigued me, but before doing seed2STEM, I never felt confident enough in my abilities,” said Mackenzie Su, who started in the seed2STEM program after Grade 11 and is now a UBC undergraduate student. “seed2STEM changed my life! It connected me to my culture and helped me make long-time close friends with similar interests. It helped me learn that passion and goals beat natural talent every time. And most importantly, it brought me to where I am today, attending UBC Kinesiology – one of the best kinesiology programs on the continent.”
Since 2018, seed2STEM has placed 142 Indigenous students in 112 research labs across UBC and Simon Fraser University campuses, and health institutions including BC Children’s Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital, BC Cancer Research Centre, and BC Centre for Disease Control. Students have worked in diverse fields, from astrophysics to zoology.
Eighty-eight per cent of Grade 12 graduates who participated in seed2STEM have pursued post-secondary education, 76 per cent of whom have chosen STEM fields. Undergraduate alumni can return for four-month paid research internships, often acting as peer mentors and role models for younger students, creating a cycle of Indigenous leadership in research.
“The seed2STEM program is an inspiring example of the Faculty of Medicine’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation, creating opportunities for Indigenous learners and enriching the Faculty’s research environments with Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing,” said Dr. Mieke Koehoorn, Dean pro tem of the UBC Faculty of Medicine and interim Vice President of Health at UBC. “The program team is incredibly deserving of this honour for helping to build education and research opportunities that are more accessible, inclusive, representative and equitable.”
The City of Vancouver Leadership in Reconciliation Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have demonstrated leadership in advancing reconciliation efforts in Vancouver. seed2STEM exemplifies the City’s award criteria: broad scope, measurable achievement, deep and lasting impact and a collaborative, culturally-grounded approach. seed2STEM is reshaping how Vancouver’s research institutions welcome and support Indigenous youth.
L-R: Cheryl Niamath, Dean Harris, Shana George, Brian Kwon, Ken Sim, Carla George, Mackenzie Su, Corree Laule
For more information about seed2STEM, see https://icord.org/seed2STEM/
