Two Queen’s University students have been selected for Gates Scholarships, one of the most prestigious and competitive international scholarships in the world. Christina Schweitzer and Joseph McQuade join only three other Queen’s students who have won this award since it was established in 2000 by Bill and Melinda Gates.

Joseph McQuade

The scholarship allows recipients to attend the University of Cambridge with tuition and living expenses fully covered. This year, only nine of the 51 scholars are from Canada. More than 4,000 students from all over the world apply for the scholarship annually.

“Queen’s is proud of Christina and Joseph and all that they have achieved. They are exemplars of the Queen’s traditions of academic excellence and the desire to make a difference in our communities,” says Principal Daniel Woolf. “I wish them all the best as they pursue their doctoral studies at Cambridge.

Currently completing his master’s in history, Mr. McQuade will continue that course of study while pursuing his PhD. The focus of his research will be revolutionary violence in Bengal and Ireland during the early 20th century, especially the methods of espionage and surveillance which were used by colonial officials to police uprisings throughout the empire.

Christina Schweitzer

“I am excited to see where this research leads and hope that it will provide a starting point for further research on the global scope of intelligence services and revolutionary movements throughout the 20th century,” says Mr. McQuade.

Ms. Schweitzer is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at Queen’s. At Cambridge Ms. Schweitzer will be studying for a PhD in Veterinary Medicine, with a research focus on how adjuvants, a component of vaccines, can help improve the body's protective response to viruses like HIV.

She became interested in studying HIV/AIDS after volunteering at a high school in rural Tanzania. That experience led her to form Friends of MSF: Queen’s, an affiliate of Doctors Without Borders.

“Being part of the Gates Cambridge community will be an opportunity to learn from some of the most promising student leaders from around the world,” says Ms. Schweitzer. “The rigorous application and interview process helped me develop a clear understanding of what motivates me, my goals for the future and how I can make a meaningful contribution.”

Read more about the Gates Scholarships here.