Over the years, she evolved into a dedicated mentor, guiding younger participants through hands-on STEM learning and fostering a sense of belonging and possibility. Now 19, Arthika recently graduated from high school and has begun her post-secondary studies at Toronto Metropolitan University, pursuing Social Work with a minor in Psychology.

A group of students in a classroom talk and interact around a table, some looking at a tablet.

This past summer, Arthika participated in a research internship facilitated by Visions of Science in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto. Her work focused on synthetic organic chemistry and its real-world applications in drug discovery. She explored the reactivity of amines—molecules with potential anti-cancer properties—and their interactions with electrophilic precursors, contributing to a broader research initiative in collaboration with scientists from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. This hands-on experience strengthened her research and science communication skills while affirming her passion for advocacy and community service.

As she begins the next chapter of her journey, Arthika continues to champion equity, mentorship, and access—building bridges so that others can thrive in STEM and beyond.

A woman in a navy hijab smiles softly while standing indoors with blurred background.