Announcing our 2026 CWSF Ambassadors
Every CWSF ambassador remembers arriving at their first fair. The noise of hundreds of young scientists setting up their projects. The slow realization that everyone around them was just as nervous, and just as thrilled to be there. Our 2026 ambassador team hasn’t forgotten what that felt like. That’s exactly why they’re coming back.
Ambassadors are part of Team UV, the volunteer team that makes CWSF run. They’re former CWSF finalists who know this fair from the inside; what to expect, what to savour, and how to make every day count. From May 23 to 30 in Edmonton, they’ll be the ones in purple shirts who will pull our finalists into activities they might not have tried on their own, and who will remind them, every single day, that the week goes faster than they think.
This year’s team spans the country, from Victoria to Halifax, and they’re studying everything from anesthesiology to physics to environmental science. Here’s who you’ll meet.
Emily Goodson
(she/her) — Ontario
University of Guelph, Environmental Sciences
Ambassador Coordinator
Three words: Fun. Rewarding. Monumental. Most likely to: be carrying a cup of tea at all times. At CWSF, she will 100% convince you to: try something new. Most underrated part of CWSF: public viewing — “it’s a great chance to inspire some younger students and get them excited about science — they look up to you”
“Remember that you’re here for a reason. Being selected to attend CWSF is a monumental achievement, and you should be extremely proud of yourself. Turn the nerves into excited anticipation for all the amazing things you’ll do and incredible people you’ll meet. I was a ball of nerves before my first CWSF — if I had known how fun the week is designed to be, I would have relaxed a little sooner.”
Hayden Persad
(he/him) — British Columbia
University of Victoria, Chemistry
Ambassador Coordinator
Three words: Too excited 4 sleep. Most likely to: get cooked in basketball and still call himself Steph Curry. At CWSF, he will 100% convince you to: never want to leave. Most underrated part of CWSF: the moments between events — “somehow a bunch of kids from across the country find each other in the best kind of chaos, and those moments are ones you never forget.”
“Say yes to everything. The conversations, the events, the new people. Your Team UV ambassadors are out here in full force, bringing the energy, bringing the laughs, making sure this week is one you never forget. We are already your biggest fans and we have not even met you yet. No pressure, no expectations — just come ready to have the best week of your life.”
Alex Tam
(he/him) — Alberta
University of Calgary, Biomedical Sciences
Three words: Transformative. Energy. Awesome. Most likely to: talk about food, recommend food, and go out to eat. At CWSF, he will 100% convince you to: do a sunrise hike with your friends. Most underrated part of CWSF: the community you join as a finalist — “finalists go on to do so many incredible things, and it’s always a treat when you can connect with them about CWSF memories years later”
“Get to know your team and delegates — they’re a great support system, and many of them have experienced exactly what you are feeling right now. It’s totally normal to feel nervous, but that also means you’re excited. Being a finalist is an incredible accomplishment. Embrace the opportunity and believe in yourself.”
Amy Gudmundson
(she/her) — Manitoba
University of Manitoba / Université de Saint-Boniface, Biological Sciences
Three words: Amazing. Inspiring. Fun. Most likely to: be found in the project hall asking questions about your project. At CWSF, she will 100% convince you to: step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Most underrated part of CWSF: the finalists’ lounge — open in the evenings for games, activities, and pin trading
“I always like to reframe feeling nervous as being excited — it helps me focus on the positives and what I’m most looking forward to. Don’t be afraid to sit with new people at the cafeteria, go visit other finalists’ projects, and before you know it, you’ll have many new contacts to keep in touch with after CWSF. Also — find a fun way to document your adventure. Whether that be journaling, drawing, or taking photographs, trust me, you’ll want to remember this.”
Bianka Dusseault
(she/her) — Quebec
McGill University, Environmental Sciences
Three words: Life-changing. Magical. Authentic. Most likely to: be smiling At CWSF, she will 100% convince you to: play a game of speed with her. Most underrated part of CWSF: poster board signing — and the finalists’ lounge in a close second
“Take a deep breath and be yourself. We are all here to cheer you on and see you succeed. Treat the judging period as a conversation between you and the judge, where you get the chance to geek out about your project and answer questions. And don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with other finalists — pin exchange is a great opportunity to get to know someone. You never know who will turn into a lifelong friend.”
Elizabeth Chen
(she/her) — Alberta
Princeton University, Molecular Biology
Three words: Illuminating. Vibrant. One-of-a-kind. Most likely to: drink a mocha every day of the fair. At CWSF, she will 100% convince you to: meet someone from every province and territory. Most underrated part of CWSF: pin trading — “my favourite pin I have ever collected is a puffin from Newfoundland and Labrador”
“Approach judging as a spirited conversation between two people from different walks of life — it seems a lot less scary that way. Get to know the people in your project section and support each other through the fair. Also, bring extra tape.”
Hana Haytaoglu
(she/her) — Ontario
Dalhousie University, MBA
Three words: Inspiring. Invigorating. Unforgettable. Most likely to: make a new handshake with every participant. At CWSF, she will 100% convince you to: go up to a random booth, make friends with them, and learn about their project. Most underrated part of CWSF: pin trading — “bringing really cool or unique pins makes it easy to meet people from across the country, and it turns into this really fun, slightly competitive way to connect with others”
“Remember that you know your project better than anyone else in the room. Once I started talking about my project, it quickly turned into a conversation rather than an interrogation. The judges genuinely want to hear about your work — they’re not there to trick you. Some of my favourite conversations and friendships started because of pin trading, and it’s such a fun part of the experience that you don’t fully appreciate until you’re in it.”
Hannah Allen
(she/her) — Nova Scotia
Saint Mary’s University, Commerce
Three words: Life-changing. Pivotal. High-energy. Most likely to: play dance party music in the project hall. At CWSF, she will 100% convince you to: smile more. Most underrated part of CWSF: “my first fair was the first time I had been away from home for over seven days — CWSF helped me mature and feel resilient in a way I didn’t expect”
“Nerves are good. Being nervous means you care, and that you are aware of the effort you have put into your project. Take those nerves and turn them into excitement — because all of us ambassadors are excited for you. You are smart, you are capable, and now you are here at CWSF with like-minded individuals who want to learn with you. Take advantage of this unique event and all of the many avenues it opens up.”
Julien-Pierre Houle
(he/him) — Quebec
Université de Sherbrooke, Physics
Three words: Best week ever. Most likely to: survive on snacks and caffeine. At CWSF, he will 100% convince you to: go talk to new people. Most underrated part of CWSF: the friends you’ll make from all over Canada — “I’m still in touch with so many of my CWSF friends”
“No need to stress too much — the hardest part is already done. You made it there, so just relax and enjoy the experience as much as you can. Don’t be afraid of questions you can’t answer. Those are often the ones that help you grow the most.”
Katelyn Wang
(she/her) — Ontario
University of Toronto, Anesthesiology Resident
Three words: Camaraderie. Transformative. Momentum. Most likely to: say “wait, this reminds me of something” and go on a story tangent. At CWSF, she will 100% convince you to: start a Pinterest board. Most underrated part of CWSF: pin trading — a great way to meet finalists from across the country
“Everyone handles nerves differently — it’s all about finding your own calm and happy space. When I wrote the MCAT, I fully leaned into that advice and danced around the testing centre break room. I probably looked a bit ridiculous, but it worked! Whether it’s listening to a song on repeat, dancing around your dorm room, or giving yourself a pep talk, find what helps you reset. And if you need a little extra hype, feel free to find me or any of the ambassadors — we’d love to cheer you on.”
Shaan Baig
(he/him) — Quebec
University of Cambridge, PhD in Chemistry (Neuroscience)
Three words: Found my people. Most likely to: tell you a random fact at the most random time. At CWSF, he will 100% convince you to: do a challenge. Most underrated part of CWSF: the downtime away from the project hall — “whether you’re on tour day or sitting with friends from a different region at lunch, these are the memories I look back on fondly a decade later”
“Live in the moment. Eleven years after my first CWSF, having moved to a different continent, my closest friends and best memories have mostly stemmed from science fair. The beauty of CWSF is that you can simply come as yourself and foster a community filled with incredible individuals just like you. You are the expert on your project — the judges and public are excited to learn from you. Enjoy the opportunity.”
Shaun Plassery
(he/him) — Ontario
McMaster University, Computer Engineering and Management
Three words: Inspiring. Magical. Unforgettable. Most likely to: win the lottery but lose the lottery ticket. At CWSF, he will 100% convince you to: drain your bank account at West Edmonton Mall. Most underrated part of CWSF: meeting people from all over Canada over food — especially from the Territories — and then playing games together in the finalists’ lounge
“Even though winning a medal would be amazing, the real prize is honestly getting to be there, meeting people, and living the whole CWSF experience. Be nervous, but don’t let the nerves make you forget to enjoy the fact that you made it this far.”
CWSF 2026 runs from May 23 to 30 in Edmonton. The ambassadors will be there, in purple shirts, remembering exactly what it felt like to be in your shoes, and making sure you get the most out of every single day. Find out more about what to expect at cwsf-espc.ca.