“Canada 150 Fund” Graduate Scholarship 2026

10.02.2026

BCU Foundation is proud to announce two winners of the 2026 “Canada 150 Fund” Graduate Scholarship – Lukian Podilsky of Edmonton, AB and Tiana Wertelecky of Kingston, ON.

The “Canada 150 Fund” scholarship is awarded annually to a Ukrainian Canadian graduate student or young scholar pursuing a graduate degree, including Master’s, MBA, PhD, or post-doctoral research at a recognized North American institution in the fields of science, engineering, technology, business, finance, and other disciplines.

Both of this year’s recipients stand at the forefront of human movement, biomechanics, and neurological research, sharing a vital commitment to advancing rehabilitation strategies for individuals recovering from neurological conditions and conflict-related physical trauma.

Lukian Podilsky is pursuing a Master of Science in Neuroscience at the University of Alberta, where his research utilizes Virtual Reality to investigate how postural anxiety impacts fast-acting foot reflexes during standing. By uncovering how the human nervous system uses sensory feedback to maintain balance, his findings will directly inform the development of innovative balance therapies and sensory-augmented assistive devices, such as textured shoe insoles and sensory-integrated prosthetics, to restore functional mobility and confidence. Aspiring to become a clinician-scientist, Lukian plans to attend medical school to bridge the gap between cutting-edge neurological research and direct patient care.

In addition to his academic achievements, Lukian is a deeply committed community leader who serves as Internal Director and Youth Leader with the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) in Edmonton. A former President of the Ukrainian Students’ Society at the University of Alberta and a Youth Ambassador for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, he has spearheaded fundraisers, war awareness campaigns, and newcomer integration initiatives, while currently developing a guide on how Canadians can support physical rehabilitation efforts in Ukraine.

Tiana Wertelecky is pursuing a Master of Science in Neuromechanics and Biomechanics at Queen’s University, where her research focuses on leveraging lower-limb robotic exoskeletons to incentivize energy-efficient, symmetrical walking patterns. By working with the body’s natural tendency to minimize effort during movement, her proof-of-concept work aims to revolutionize gait rehabilitation for stroke survivors, individuals with motor impairments, and individuals recovering from conflict and trauma without requiring conscious effort from the patient. Looking forward, Tiana aspires to collaborate directly with physical rehabilitation centers in Ukraine, such as the Superhumans Center and UNBROKEN, to expand modern recovery solutions.

Alongside her research, Tiana maintains an extraordinary record of community service as a long-time Plast leader who has twice served as Camp Director. During her tenure as Co-President of the Ukrainian Students’ Association at Queen’s University, she established regular varenyky fundraisers to support Ukrainian military brigades and organized community film screenings and panel discussions in partnership with the Ukrainian Canadian Club of Kingston.

BCU Foundation is honored to support Lukian and Tiana as they pursue academic excellence, pioneer life-changing medical research, and lead with purpose within the Ukrainian Canadian community. We congratulate both scholars on their achievements and look forward to the lasting impact of their future work.