Meet our Loran Scholars

The Loran Scholar program recognizes young leaders with strong character, a commitment to service that helps others, and leadership. Founded by Dr. Robert “Bob” Cluett, the Loran Foundation was built on a belief in the potential of young people to do extraordinary things before they see it in themselves.

This vision aligns closely with Polar Bear International’s focus on supporting the next generation of conservationists and Polar Bears International is delighted to be partnering with the Loran Scholars program by hosting a scholar as a summer outreach program intern.

“Every applicant we have had for Loran has been exceptional", says Polar Bears International VP of Conservation Amy Cutting. "Not only in their academics, but in their demonstrated leadership, poise, passion and talents. We feel extremely lucky to be part of the Loran program."

In memory and gratitude for Dr. Cluett’s visionary leadership, PBI continues to celebrate and support young changemakers who are shaping the future of conservation.

We are proud to introduce three scholars who have contributed to PBI’s mission so far.

Meet Our Scholars

What interested you in the Loran program?

While many scholarships aim to push you down one road or another; Loran encourages breadth and taking meaningful risks. This is reflected in the way that you can pursue any undergraduate program at 25 universities in Canada… In every interaction I’ve had with a member of the Loran community, I’ve left feeling inspired and driven to make change.

What was the highlight of your time with PBI?

I like to tell people that I had the world’s best summer job! After spending a few months learning about polar bears and being mentored by the fabulous PBI Conservation team, the highlight of my internship was spending time in Churchill, MB, where I educated guests about bears and our mission in our interpretive centre… We are lucky to be surrounded by a circle of experts in Churchill: locals, Indigenous perspectives, and researchers alike; my curiosity is constantly fueled.

What are you up to now?

I volunteer with a number of community-based projects and am proud to be a Field Ambassador with Polar Bears International. I’m excited to be returning to Churchill this summer as a Field Ambassador to educate and inspire guests in our interpretive centre and to spend some time at home in British Columbia.

What do you hope to do in your career?

Loran teaches us that there is no one way to make a difference. I look forward to finding my own ways of making a difference in medicine. I hope to be involved with PBI for years to come! PBI has shaped me into an effective science communicator: someone who knows how to take complex ideas, research, and data and contextualize them in a way that someone can understand and connect with, whether the topic be polar bears, climate change, or your health.

What interested you in the Loran program?

The Loran scholarship provides so many amazing opportunities that have allowed me to achieve and try things beyond my wildest dreams. Loran has also provided me with support and guidance whenever I have needed it to point me in the right direction throughout my academic and personal career.

What was the highlight of your time with PBI?

Whether it was working together in Churchill or through online calls, the people of PBI were a treat to work with and always made me feel secure and helped me with any questions I had. I really enjoyed my time working with PBI, as it truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to learn and explore the amazing town of Churchill, Manitoba, and work closely with the remarkable people at PBI.

What are you up to now?

Now, I am entering my final year of my undergrad and have just ended a remarkable study abroad semester in Copenhagen, Denmark! It was an incredible experience to live in Europe for the last four months, and such a joy to experience an entirely new part of the world and new cultures.

What do you hope to do in your career?

What I hope to do in my career is someday be a psychiatrist, specifically helping out in youth mental health and addiction, while also pursuing my lifelong passion for wildlife conservation in one way or another. I have lived my whole life with the lesson of "leaving this world better than you came." This is something that I carry with me throughout every aspect of my life. I feel the people of PBI and PBI as a whole are a true embodiment of this message, and I am so grateful to have been able to experience that.

What interested you in the Loran program?

The Loran vision aligned closely with mine. Each member of this diverse network brings something very unique to the table by making a meaningful change in their local communities and beyond. It’s indescribable to what point this program has changed my life path by opening new doors to live, work, and study outside of my province; by connecting me with all the wonderful and extraordinary people. I will forever be grateful for how Loran has changed my trajectory, the doors it had opened for me and the people that it brought along.

What are you up to now?

Currently, I am exploring medically related careers, such as dentistry, as they align with my degree and spark my curiosity. At the same time, I am drawn to the creativity and collaborative nature of entrepreneurship. I am actively working to develop skills and gain experience in both areas so that I can better determine which path is the right fit for me.