Bertha Kalm Scholarship Recipients 2025-2026

Patricia Danielidis

MMU, Music

As a woman working and studying in a male-dominated field, I have often felt the weight of needing to prove myself in spaces where I didn’t always see others who looked like me. I want to be a reminder to people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, that their dreams are valid and worth chasing. By pursuing a master’s degree in conducting, I am not only advancing my own career, but I am paving a path for future generations of women to see themselves in these roles, and to lead with confidence. Having female representation in male-dominated professions is essential, and I am committed to being part of that change. 

As I head into the second year of my master’s, I am excited to continue my research on how ensemble music making affects mental health, especially at a time where it is more challenging to feel connected and part of a greater community. I feel deeply motivated by my experiences working with intergenerational ensembles and seeing the lasting impact that music has on those both young and old. I keep my students in mind throughout this research as I am constantly looking for new ways to involve them in musical decision making which inspires creativity and emotional expression, and gives them a sense of agency in their own music making. 

This award is deeply meaningful to me as it is a recognition of the values I hold close to me: inclusion, community, resilience, and impact through music. As a first generation university student from Montréal, Canada, I feel honoured to receive a Bertha Kalm Scholarship. 

Geoffrey Osgood

M.S. Marine Science

My passion comes from an innate love for nature and problem solving. For as long as I can remember, I have spent most of my free time outdoors or tinkering with things to figure out how they work and howto improve them. The complexity and resilience of natural systems and the innovative, yet often simple,
solutions nature has developed to deal with complex problems inspires me to do the same in my own work. As someone pursuing a career in biology, I love the feeling of

discovering new facets of the natural world and thinking about how they can be used to help people. We live in an immensely interconnected world, and I enjoy working at the interface of people, nature, and technology. I believe it’s up to us as global citizens with the privilege to pursue research as a career to develop sustainable, tangible, and mutually beneficial solutions to problems that face our society and planet.

Jacqueline Ramirez 

M.A. Chicana and Chicano Studies

My passion for educational equity is rooted in my lived experience as a first-generation Chicana from East San José. Desde pequeña, my parents, who immigrated from Guanajuato, instilled in me the belief that education holds the power to transform lives—a value that has guided my commitment to serving students and families who face the same barriers I once did. Navigating the public education system came with many challenges for my entire family, especially in spaces that did not reflect or embrace our lenguaje, cultura, o comunidad. Still, these experiences ignited my passion for creating more inclusive and accessible pathways to higher education for students like myself. I stand firm in my dedication to the students and families of East San José and their right to a quality, culturally relevant education. The Bertha Kalm Scholarship has provided me with the opportunity to continue my own education to become a stronger advocate and support system for my community—una comunidad que tiene el derecho a obtener una educación superior y que merece tener los recursos para lograr sus sueños.

Nourdean Shraim

M.S. Biomedical Engineering 

The effect that dementia had on my family is the exact reason I want a research career. My grandmother was afflicted with Alzheimer's, and it contributed to my father's worries about the disease having a higher chance of affecting him in the future, which led to my passion towards neural tissue engineering to find a solution to the hopeless cycle caused by dementia. By doing an MSTP pathway, I will ensure that my research is fully translational and adequately supported through access to patients. I aim to train for this research through my work with the Jurney lab in regenerative engineering, utilizing electrical stimulation to accelerate wound healing. This experience will equip me with the skills necessary to excel in a career in neural tissue engineering, where I will focus on regenerating neural tissue for people affected by neurodegenerative disorders. Hence, patients retain their memories, their independence, and their stories. The Bertha Kalm scholarship is a great honor that will only push me further by allowing me to focus on my research and helping the students of this university through my leadership in The Biomedical Engineering Scociety, enabling others to pursue their passions in Biomedical Engineering in industry or accaedmia to make a difference, just as I aim to do with neurodegeneration.