Student of the Year Award: Thomas van der Sloot (Neuroscience) + CEWIL Canada & Emery-Dufault Student of the Year Award Winner

We are delighted to announce that UBC Science Co-op student, Thomas van der Sloot is the winner of the prestigious 2025 CEWIL (Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning) Canada and Emery-Dufault Student of the Year Award (University Co-op). Thomas, a fourth-year undergraduate Neuroscience student, is also the recipient of the 2025 UBC Science Co-op Student of the Year award. Our warmest congratulations to Thomas on his remarkable accomplishment that is a testament to his outstanding commitment, dedication and hard work and an outstanding example of work-integrated learning. 

For his first Co-op work term, as Strategic Research Lead at Satori Health Network, Thomas helped establish academic partnerships and designed remote patient monitoring initiatives to improve rural healthcare access. For his subsequent work terms at the UBC Cembrowski Lab, he is currently working in a dual role as Researcher and Lab Manager, leading an independent research project on Alzheimer's research as well as managing $500,000 annual operations in budget, grants and inventory system coordination. 

Beyond the workplace, Thomas identified a critical gap in Life Sciences education and founded BioInnovate UBC and the non-profit Vancouver Biotechnology Innovation Foundation. These initiatives have connected hundreds of students with industry mentors and created sustainable infrastructure for future work-integrated learning opportunities. Thomas also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Brain Blast, UBC's Neuroscience newsletter, reaching 450+ students and faculty monthly.  

“Thomas’ curiosity as an intelligent researcher, his deep commitment to give back to the student community and his exceptional ability to lead compassionately are among the many attributes he has demonstrated as part of his co-op journey. It has indeed been a pleasure to witness his impressive success as one of UBC’s Science Co-op students and a model ambassador for the Co-operative Education program; a student whose tenure continues to inspire many prospective co-op students,”  said Yas Azarpajouh, Thomas’ UBC Neuroscience Co-op Coordinator. 

Thomas exemplifies the integration of academic excellence, inspirational leadership, and community service and we are thrilled for him to receive this award.

2025 CEWIL Canada & Emery-Dufault Student of the Year Award Winner