UVic co-op students are innovators who make a positive impact in their workplaces and communities. Each year, we celebrate three outstanding students from our main co-op program areas. This year’s recipients are helping to plan more sustainable transportation for communities, embracing unexpected leadership opportunities and contributing to transformative spasticity research.
This year’s award winners are:
Business: Henry King (commerce)
Henry King doesn’t shy away from a challenge. After being hired as a co-op student for Sure Grip Controls (soon to be rebranded to Bailey Electronics), the entrepreneurship student stepped into a project manager role when his supervisor unexpectedly left the company. Soon, he was overseeing 9 projects for the manufacturer of engineering and manufacturing joysticks, armrest, sessors and throttles for the off-highway industry.
“While initially overwhelming, I reviewed all project documentation, met with each team and made sure that each project was brought up to an operational standard,” says Henry. “This experience greatly improved my ability to prioritize, organize and lead under pressure.”
—Henry King, business student
Henry made such a difference that he was asked to stay for a second co-op term at Sure Grip Controls, where he salvaged a contract with a client that kept a $400K deal on the books. Additionally, Henry is an active community member. He’s a varsity rower, serves as his team’s fundraising chairperson, and is an Impact Investment Fellow with Propel Impact.
Engineering and Computer Science: Aislinn Dressler (civil engineering)
As a civil engineering student, Aislinn Dressler is incredibly driven. The fourth-year student has leveraged each of her co-op experiences to learn about herself and develop the perfect career path. Starting with a co-op in software engineering at Teck Resources, she followed with a role as a building science and restoration student with RJC Engineering. Most recently, she was a Rising Star Research Fellow with the University of Waterloo’s civil and environmental engineering team, the first time a UVic student has received this honour. At Waterloo, Aislinn designed a new Virtual Mobility Lab, conducted a sensitivity analysis of a microsimulation model for pedestrians, and wrote a research paper on the methodology of a virtual reality cycling research.
“At Waterloo, I attended the Institute of Transportation Engineers Canada Conference in Hamilton. This conference exposed me to how different professionals interact with transportation design and to the cool new things happening across Canada. My work-integrated learning experiences have not only deepened my understanding of the field but also reinforced my commitment to making a difference in sustainable transportation.”
—Aislinn Dressler, fourth-year civil engineering student
Optional and Professional Programs: Izzy Morrissey (biology)
Izzy Morrissey (biology) has always known that she wants to be a doctor specializing in paediatrics. Her love for science and drive to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and their families has made this an obvious choice. A fifth-year student, Izzy completed her second co-op at Victoria General Hospital. Here, she received the BioTalent wage subsidy award, enabling her to pursue hands-on learning.
At Rehab Medicine, Izzy worked everyday with Spasticity patients; measuring range of motion, assisting and hand holding during procedures. The research Izzy was apart of is known as Cryoneurolysis for Spasticity, pioneered by Dr. Daniel Vincent and Dr. Paul Winston.
“This experience solidified my passion for healthcare and my desire to pursue a career that integrates scientific knowledge with compassionate care,” says Izzy. “Throughout my placement, I became acutely aware of systemic gaps in the healthcare system. I was inspired by the team and clinic’s commitment to inclusivity and their efforts in trauma-informed care, addressing systemic inequities, and prioritizing culturally safe practices.”
—Izzy Morrissey, fifth-year biology student
Over the course of her co-op, Izzy connected with another spasticity expert from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and ended up traveling to Atlanta to shadow him. Recognizing the lack of representation for children with cerebral palsy and the challenges of explaining medical procedures, she wrote a children’s book to help young patients understand their treatments.
Determined to support future research, Izzy dedicated countless hours securing provincial and federal grants to establish a long-term research assistant position at VGH. Her passion led her to develop a non-profit organization focused on spasticity research and awareness. Beyond her research, Izzy serves as the UVic Senate’s student representative for the Faculty of Science and actively mentors students pursuing careers in healthcare.
Izzy is also the recipient of the 2024 Co-op Student of the Year award from the Association for Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning BC/Yukon.
About Izzy’s non-profit
Spasticity is a movement disorder caused by brain and spinal cord injuries which causes abnormal tightness and prolonged contraction. Inspired by the work done at Victoria General Hospital and the need for research and awareness for this condition, Izzy established a non-profit organization called the Spasticity Research and Awareness Society. Izzy and her team are dedicated to advancing research and advocacy for effective spasticity rehabilitation, ensuring that cutting-edge knowledge and treatments are accessible to those in need. Spasticity Research and Awareness Society strives to be the leading educational resource, promoting accurate understanding and respectful language surrounding spasticity to enhance awareness within the broader community.
Learn more about UVic co-op students and the Co-op Student of the Year award.
