2023 MitoScholars Empowering youth living with mitochondrial disease to focus on their futures

Jessalyn Paradowski | Emerald Park, Saskatchewan | BSc Biochemistry and Pre- Pharmacy (2nd year) University of Regina

Meet Jessalyn Paradowski, one of our amazing MitoScholars+. This fall, Jessalyn entering her second year at the University of Regina, studying biochemistry and pre-pharmacy.

Jessalyn aspires to study science and pursue a career in medicine because of her personal experiences with chronic illness in her family. Jessalyn shares, “My amazing stepmother, Marsha, who has McArdle’s disease, has shown me what it means to live life optimistically, despite limitations. Seeing this has helped shape my perspective on life and fueled my determination to work hard towards one day being able to treat and improve the lives of those living with limitations. Marsha has been a supportive role model my entire life.”

Through her education, Jessalyn hopes to gain the knowledge and skills that will help her achieve her goals to research the human body and contribute to the well-being of others. She is excited to see where her education will take her and knows for certain if she does anything in this life, she will aim to make a positive impact on this world.

Jessalyn shares, “Thank you so much for selecting me as one of this years MitoScholars+ recipients I am so grateful for the support this scholarship will provide me and that I will put my all into my studies this year.”

We’re so proud to support her on her educational journey. Go, Jessalyn, go!