New Rhodes Scholars Out of UBC Science to Focus on Organic Chemistry, Health Care

Two UBC Science students--one studying honours chemistry, the other a former physiology student currently studying medicine--have been awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.

The $150,000 scholarships will enable Kayli Johnson and Jaspreet Khangura to focus their studies on the synthesis of complex natural products and international health issues, respectively. Only 11 scholars are named annually across Canada, and this is the first time that two UBC students have received the award in one year.

"This not only underscores UBC's academic excellence, but also our students' commitment to community engagement and international issues," said Simon Peacock, UBC Dean of Science. "We're extremely proud to have two young, outstanding leaders in science recognized with such a distinguished scholarship."

Both students have been heavily engaged in volunteerism, student leadership, and peer support, including UBC's Sci Team student development program. The $150,000 award includes tuition, college fees, and a stipend covering living expenses for two and possibly three years of study at the University of Oxford.

Johnson plans to read for her PhD in Organic Chemistry through the Department of Chemistry and will focus on developing new methods of organic synthesis that can be applied to complex natural products with pharmaceutical applications. This interest stems from a lifelong passion for science that inspired her to pursue a BSc degree in Chemistry at UBC. Her academic excellence has been recognized by the BMO National Scholarship, NSERC Summer Research Award and Canadian Millennium Excellence Award.

Johnson also has a keen interest in global issues and has devoted a great deal of her time and creativity to volunteer initiatives. When her BC elementary school was closing, she organized the donation of school books to Hopkin’s Village in Belize, where she lived with a local family for five weeks in order to renovate the library and secure an international donor to ensure its ongoing support. Locally, the fourth-year student has volunteered at homeless shelters and worked as an intern with the BC Cancer Agency’s Research Centre.

Khangura, a student in her senior year of UBC’s Doctor of Medicine program, plans to pursue the MSc in Global Health at Oxford to prepare for a career in health care. Khangura’s keen interest in social justice issues has inspired her to remain committed to volunteer work and community development projects both locally and globally. Some of her numerous volunteer projects have included the establishment of a Kids Can Free the Children chapter and Humanitarian Outreach Program, raising money for children in developing countries.

She has worked at local food banks, and with the Community Health Initiative by University Students (CHIUS) clinic in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. In addition, she travelled to the Himalayas with a team of medical students to conduct health screenings and promote hygiene and nutritional education. Locally, she worked to help develop a community health outreach program for new immigrants and subsequently developed workshops for the local YMCA and Vancouver Immigrant Society.

Khangura participates actively in athletics and has been a member of Team Alberta’s Field Hockey team and a past silver medalist at the Canada Summer Games. 

The Rhodes Scholarships, established in 1902, were designed to bring outstanding students from across the world to study at Oxford University, in the interests of promoting international understanding and public service. One student from every province is chosen each year. Fourth-year Microbiology and Immunology major Emma Preston was named to the distinguished Rhodes Scholarship program in 2008.


The scholarships require a high level of literacy and scholastic achievement, success in sports, strong qualities of leadership and character, and evidence of public service. Past recipients include former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former Prime Minister John Turner, a UBC alumnus.