Anika Smithson earned a BSc (Honours) in Earth science from Carleton University in 2015. An outstanding scholar, she won numerous awards, including the Collins Renewable Prestige Scholarship of full tuition for four years. Originally from Orangeville, Ontario, Anika has a passion for science and the environment and wants to see young people actively engaged in protecting the planet. Her interests led her to conduct honours research in paleoclimatology, studying how oxygen changes in the sea column can affect microorganisms. In 2018, she earned her adventure guiding certificate through North Island College in Comox, BC, where she was described as a role model, exemplifying the best of what they work towards in their graduates.

Anika is now pursuing a master’s degree in community development at Acadia. As part of this program, she will deliver an interpretive program to elementary school students at the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens about invasive plant species in the Acadian Forest.