Two Indigenous students are being recognized by the Province of Saskatchewan as recipients of the 2026 to 2027 Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Indigenous Scholarship, which honours academic excellence and leadership among graduate and postgraduate students.
The Indigenous scholarship is part of the broader Lieutenant Governor Scholarship program, which provides twenty thousand dollars per recipient to support advanced studies and research in Saskatchewan. This year, four scholarships were awarded in total, doubling the usual number and bringing overall student support to $80,000.
The 2026-2027 Indigenous scholarship recipients are Katie Tolley and Christopher Hansen.
Tolley is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research focuses on how Métis youth sexual health and wellness education is reflected in policy and classroom practice, with the goal of supporting culturally responsive education and more equitable policy development in Saskatchewan.
Hansen is completing a Master of Applied Science in Energy Systems Engineering at the University of Regina. His research examines advanced nuclear fuel technologies designed to improve safety and performance in reactor systems, including work related to small modular reactors.
“Congratulations to this year’s remarkable recipients on earning their scholarships through original thinking and groundbreaking research,” Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre said. “I am delighted that funds have increased to provide more support for some of Saskatchewan’s most brilliant graduate and post graduate students.”
Since 1987, a total of 67 Lieutenant Governor scholarships have been awarded in Saskatchewan, providing more than $1,000,000 in support for graduate‑level research aligned with provincial priorities.
“By recognizing excellence in graduate and post graduate studies, we are supporting research that contributes to Saskatchewan’s long-term growth and success,” Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. “These scholarships help ensure the next generation of leaders have the tools to turn innovative ideas into real world impact.”
The recipients of the 2026-27 Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Scholarship are Megan Zak and Mehdi Khalaj.
Megan Zak is working toward a PhD in Science and Biology at the University of Regina. Her research focuses on how certain plasmid proteins affect bacterial behaviour and survival in agricultural settings. The goal of her work is to help reduce the spread of harmful traits like antimicrobial resistance, supporting livestock health and Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector.
Mehdi Khalaj is completing a PhD in Computer Science with a focus on Quantum Bioinformatics at the University of Saskatchewan. His research examines how quantum computing could speed up the analysis of complex biological information used in personalized medicine. The work could lead to faster diagnoses and treatments while improving efficiency and lowering costs in health care systems.
To learn more about scholarships, visit: Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants | Saskatchewan Education and Learning | Government of Saskatchewan