Congratulations to a Shad2020 alum recipient of the 2026 McCall MacBain Scholarship: Rajan Minocha-McKenney.
Read the following Q&A with Rajan to learn more about this leader and how he hopes to make an impact on his community.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Amherst, NS, a small town where community has always shaped how I see the world. I attended Shad Online in 2020, and it truly left such a lasting impact on me that I’ve been involved ever since (Shad York 2022-2023; Shad Mount Allison 2024, 2026; Shad Anywhere 2025). Since then, I’ve completed my BSc in Biochemistry at Mount Allison University, where I researched how fish respond to environmental stress and climate change, and completed a Global Affairs Canada internship at IPB University in Indonesia. I’m incredibly grateful to now be a McCall MacBain Scholar at McGill University, where I’ll pursue a MSc in Dental Sciences researching how biomaterials interact with tissue and bone regeneration.
Fun fact: I love to run, and each year at Shad I host optional morning runs for students of all experience levels. Some of my favourite moments are seeing students encourage one another, try something new, and realize they’re capable of more than they thought.
What does this scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship feels much bigger than an individual accomplishment. I see it as a reflection of my peers, role models, and communities who have encouraged me and shaped who I am. It gives me the freedom to keep asking bigger questions, challenge myself as a leader, and think more intentionally about how I can use my education to support others.
What do you hope to do after you graduate, and how do you see yourself contributing to your community?
I hope to build a career at the intersection of oral healthcare, research, and public policy, with a focus on rural and underserved communities. Growing up in a small town taught me that where you live can profoundly shape the care and opportunities available to you. I want to help close those gaps and contribute to a future where oral health is understood not as a privilege, but as an essential part of building stronger, healthier communities.
How did your Shad experience influence the path you’ve chosen?
Before Shad, I think I imagined success as following the “right” path. Shad showed me that some of the most meaningful opportunities come from being curious enough to wander from it. It gave me the courage to try things before I felt ready, embrace failure as part of learning, and show up authentically as myself.
What would you want to say to someone considering attending Shad?
Go for it!! Even if you’re nervous or don’t think you’re the “type” of person who belongs at Shad. I arrived not knowing exactly what to expect and left with a much greater sense of who I could become. Most importantly, you leave with a lifelong community of people who continue to challenge, support, and inspire you long after the program ends.