2020 Award Recipients
This award was established in 2008 to recognize exceptional students who have a record of academic achievement, consistently demonstrate leadership, and make significant contributions to our community.
Catharine Bowman: Bachelor of Health Sciences, Honours (First Class)
Driven by a promise to her mother to help find a cure for lymphedema, a chronic inflammatory disease commonly associated with cancer treatment, Catharine Bowman came to UCalgary as a high school student and began working with lymphedema expert Dr. Pierre-Yves von der Weid, PhD, at the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases.
Bowman’s work brought together researchers from four institutions across the country for a project that continues to this day. Although her passion for research was sparked by her mother’s struggles with lymphedema, Bowman now continues her research in honour of each patient she has met along her journey.
Bowman returned as a Leader in Health Sciences scholar in fall 2016, where she has continued to excel. She is part of UCalgary’s Scholars Academy, is the vice-president of the Alberta Lymphedema Association, established a speaking campaign on lymphedema and has delivered a TEDx talk on youth and leadership.
Her research and advocacy led to her being named in Forbes’ 30 under 30: Healthcare and Avenue Calgary’s Top 40 under 40. She also loves music and has co-ordinated and shared music programming with residents at Bethany, a long-term care facility in Calgary.
Bowman has accepted a seat with Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) to pursue an MD.