NII and Bruce Power honour excellence with Frank Saunders Memorial Awards
- NII
- 53 minutes ago
- 1 min read
Recognizing outstanding students driving innovation in the nuclear sector

Five exceptional students were honoured yesterday with the second-annual Frank Saunders Memorial Awards for Nuclear Excellence, presented at this year’s Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) Conference by the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) and Bruce Power.
In memory of Frank Saunders, the awards celebrate emerging talent in the nuclear sector and encourage the next generation of innovators.
Saunders, a respected industry leader, was the founding President of NII, a long-time executive at Bruce Power, and a Chair of the Canadian Nuclear Association. He was known for his commitment to nuclear innovation, mentorship and education. He passed away in July 2020, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and deep dedication to the advancement of nuclear science.
“Frank understood that innovation drives our industry forward, but it’s people who make that progress possible,” said Jessica Linthorne, President and CEO of NII. “We celebrate Frank’s legacy by recognizing students whose new perspectives are helping redefine what’s possible for the nuclear sector.”
The 2026 Frank Saunders Memorial Award Recipients are:
Amna Dahar, University of Calgary
Ethan Drake, University of Prince Edward Island
Kya Drummond, University of Calgary
Tina Nazemzadeh, Western University
Ethan Perlin, University of Calgary
The Frank Saunders Memorial Awards for Nuclear Excellence are awarded annually to recognize students who demonstrate outstanding potential in nuclear science and leadership.

