Five outstanding first-year students are joining the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science through the Schulich Leader Scholarships program — Canada's most coveted undergraduate scholarships in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Every year, the program recognizes 100 high school graduates across Canada who have demonstrated exceptional academics and entrepreneurial potential. Each recipient receives between $100,000 and $120,000, empowering them to explore their academic goals with financial ease.
This cohort includes incoming computer science and software engineering students: Fiona Cai, Kaibo Huang, Michelle Jeon, Richard Si, and Sean Zhang. From leveraging technology for social good to exploring the boundaries of machine learning, we are excited to see these students thrive at our School!
Fiona Cai | Computer Science
For Fiona Cai, technology is as much about people as it is about innovation. From purposeful applications for seniors to a real-time sign language translator, she has built several award-winning projects. As chair of YRHacks, Canada’s largest high school hackathon, and founder of the nonprofit Codebuds, Cai has connected thousands of students to STEM opportunities.
A dedicated mathematician, she qualified for the Math Prize for Girls at MIT, was president of her school’s math club, and led her school team to top finishes in international competitions.
Cai is currently interested in the intersection of human-computer interaction and machine learning and has her eyes set on building technology that empowers others. After graduation, she hopes to draw on her problem-solving skills to develop technologies that push boundaries and make tangible impacts.
“I can’t wait to get involved once I’m on campus … I think being in an environment where everyone is constantly building will be incredibly inspiring,” she says.
Kaibo Huang | Software Engineering
Kaibo Huang is a big sports fan, an avid math contest writer, a competitive programmer and former co-president of the Computer Science Club and vice-president of the Physics Club in high school.
In May 2025, he joined Electrium Mobility — a Waterloo design team — where he has been helping build Electriumap, an app that helps users locate nearby outlets and stay connected to green energy. “I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with upper-year Waterloo students over the summer, and I look forward to taking on a larger leadership role within the team,” he says.
At Waterloo, Kaibo hopes to build on the skills he developed in high school and push beyond his comfort zone. “I enjoy uncertainty, taking unconventional paths and learning from as many people as I can” he says. He chose to pursue a Software Engineering degree because of its broad curriculum covering math, physics, computer science and hardware, with hopes of one day working with machine learning and data.
Michelle Jeon | Computer Science
After visiting her sister in Silicon Valley, Michelle Jeon was fascinated to see how technology enhances human lives, which fuelled her interest in exploring the intersection of user experience and technology.
“I chose the University of Waterloo because it felt like the launchpad for the future I want to build,” she says. “The Computer Science program is where I believe I could easily explore how things work under the hood, while also thinking about the impact it leaves on users.”
For this reason, Jeon aspires to use technology as a force for social impact by building tools that will make for a healthier future.
One of her proudest achievements to date was seeing her grandfather, who is deaf, use the app she developed to aid deaf individuals with communication. “Seeing something I built make a difference in the life of someone I love was a full circle moment,” she shares.
Richard Si | Computer Science
For more than six years, Richard Si has been programming and contributing to international open-source software projects. That’s why it was a “no-brainer” for him to join Waterloo’s Computer Science program.
“I appreciate the flexibility offered by the program … I will get to dive deeper into my main hobby, while exploring my other interests in math and science,” he says.
Although Si is most proud of the open-source projects he’s been fortunate to collaborate on, which has made him a trusted leader in the Python developer tooling ecosystem, he strikes a balance by engaging in hobbies that aren’t computer science-related like cycling and swimming.
As a self-taught programmer and budding computer scientist who leans toward practical applicability, he is looking forward to understanding the theory behind software and hopes to work in the software industry after graduating.
“I want to continue leading in the Python OSS ecosystem … and if I could mix open-source into my day-job, that would be amazing,” he shares.
Sean Zhang | Computer Science
Throughout high school, Sean Zhang was deeply passionate about STEM, with a particular love for chemistry, physics, mathematics and engineering. In his later years of high school, he discovered programming and was drawn to how code could bring ideas to life and create meaningful impact.
“Even before receiving this prestigious scholarship, Waterloo was always my top choice,” he says. Zhang is eager to begin his studies and take advantage of an environment that balances academics with real-world experience. He’s especially excited to meet other students who share his energy, drive and passion for building and lifelong learning. “Whether it's in class, at a co-op job, or through a side project, I’m excited to learn from those around me and grow together.”
Aside from his tech interests, Zhang is also a competitive swimmer and founded his high school’s varsity swim team that went on to break regional records within its first year. Starting this fall, he will be joining the Waterloo Warriors and looks forward to continuing his swimming career under coach Jacky Beckford-Henriques.