3 ASU students awarded Killam Fellowships for study in Canada

The Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisement has announced that three students from Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University — sophomore Ella Hopp and juniors EmmaLeigh Dieguez and Cameron Morse — have been awarded Killam Fellowships to study at leading Canadian universities during the 2025–26 academic year. 

Administered by Fulbright Canada, the prestigious program promotes mutual understanding and collaboration between the United States and Canada. It provides exceptional undergraduate students from both countries the opportunity to spend a semester or full academic year studying across the border. Fellows receive $6,000 per semester in funding and may apply for an additional $800 educational travel grant while also participating in ambassadorial and leadership activities, including an orientation in Ottawa and a spring seminar in Washington, D.C.

“The Killam Fellowship represents the best of ASU’s commitment to global learning and public purpose,” said Kyle Mox, associate dean for national scholarships. “Each of these students will bring a spirit of curiosity, collaboration and service to their host institutions in Canada. They exemplify the intellectual ambition and cultural engagement that define ASU’s honors community.”

Hopp, a double major in biomedical science and psychology, was motivated to study in Canada by her growing interest in inclusive, patient-centered models of care and her goal of becoming a genetic counselor. At the University of Victoria, she plans to explore interdisciplinary coursework in Canada's health care system, culture and Indigenous populations.

“By immersing myself in Canadian approaches to health care, I will be better prepared to serve diverse populations in the future,” said Hopp.

Dieguez, who grew up in rural Iowa, was inspired to pursue the Killam Fellowship after witnessing the mental health challenges that face small, underserved communities. At Carleton University, she will study counseling and applied psychology, focusing on comparative approaches to accessibility and community-based mental health care.

“The Killam Fellowship will equip me with the cross-cultural knowledge, academic insights and professional experience necessary to adequately address mental health disparities in rural populations,” said Dieguez. “By comparing U.S. and Canadian systems, I hope to become a more effective and culturally competent mental health professional.”

Morse, who studies earth and space exploration, hopes to deepen his understanding of
international collaboration in astronomy and planetary science. He will spend the entire
academic year at McMaster University, where he will take courses in astrophysics and
observational astronomy and engage in undergraduate research on meteorites.

“Like the Artemis missions, Killam offers a unique avenue for experiential learning through
diverse cultural interaction,” said Morse. “By incorporating my experience as a Killam
Fellow into my academic career, I get to demonstrate the significance of cultural inclusion in
space exploration and how international collaboration is crucial to the future of travelling among
the stars.”

ASU is one of a select group of U.S. universities partnered with the Killam Fellowships Program, allowing students to participate as direct exchange students at Canadian institutions. Because of this partnership, applicants must first be endorsed by the university before submitting their materials to Fulbright Canada. The number of ASU endorsements is limited each year, and the process is coordinated through ONSA.

Students interested in applying for nomination to the Killam Fellowships Program can attend an information session from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, via Zoom. RSVP at onsa.asu.edu/info-sessions.