Queen’s University students Matthew Hynes and Jevon Marsh have been selected as 2021 Rhodes Scholars, earning each of them a prestigious scholarship to the University of Oxford worth more than $100,000.

With their selection, Hynes, a second-year medical student, and Marsh, who recently earned a master’s degree in chemistry, bring the university’s overall Rhodes Scholars total to 60.

“On behalf of Queen’s, I congratulate Jevon and Matthew on this great accomplishment,” says Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane. “Their academic careers, community commitments, and records of achievement are inspiring to us all, and I have no doubt that they will both thrive during their time at Oxford.”

During his time at Queen’s Hynes has served as co-director for the Medical Variety Night charity show as well as steering committee member on the Canadian Queer Medical Students Association. His current research interests are focused on 2SLGBTQ+ populations and dermatology.

Hynes completed his BSc at the University of New Brunswick where he performed research in molecular microbiology and co-founded the UNB Lifesaving Sport Team.

Following Oxford, he intends to complete his MD and pursue a career as an advocacy-oriented physician.

“I am thrilled to continue my education at the University of Oxford made possible by the Rhodes Scholarship,” Hynes says. “I would like to thank my family, friends, Queen’s Medicine community, and the many incredible mentors from both UNB and Queen’s who have supported me on this journey. I am excited to expand my global perspective and meet fellow advocacy-oriented leaders while completing my MSc in Epidemiology and Master of Public Policy. This opportunity will better enable me to effectively implement social policy changes to further support marginalized communities.”

Marsh recently received a Master of Science degree in chemistry from Queen’s after completing his undergraduate studies at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Outside of academia he is an active volunteer working largely as a mental health advocate, where he helped pioneer a peer support program at Memorial. He is an Alexander Graham Bell National Scholar and has won numerous awards throughout his academic career.

At Oxford, Marsh will pursue a DPhil in Inorganic Chemistry where he will focus on the development of novel therapies as potential treatments for children with rare brain cancers.

“I am very grateful to have been selected for the Rhodes Scholarship and I am excited for my next chapter at Oxford,” Marsh says "It is a tremendous opportunity and I look forward to continue growing as a chemist and be a part of a group of inspiring individuals from all around the world. I am so thankful to everyone that has supported me throughout my journey – my parents, family, friends, and the fantastic mentors I have had at Queen's, Memorial and abroad. I am excited to begin my DPhil in Chemistry at Oxford in Autumn of 2021, where I will develop novel therapeutics for rare brain cancers.”

Funded by the Rhodes Trusts, 11 Rhodes Scholars are selected each year from across Canada. These outstanding students demonstrate a strong propensity to emerge as “leaders for the world’s future.”

The scholarships to Oxford University are for postgraduate studies or a second bachelor’s degree and cover tuition and fees and provides a stipend to help cover living expenses for two to three years of study while at Oxford.

Learn more about Rhodes Scholarships.