Brayden Lehtonen is a 2025 Canada Student Merit Award winner. He achieved this award for obtaining the highest standing of his class in the fourth and final year of his degree. Here is a brief biography of the winner.
Although Brayden was raised in Regina and is the first in his family to earn a degree, he credits the University of Saskatchewan with shaping him into the person he is today. In June he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, achieving the highest academic average in the college at 96.1%.
Initially uncertain about his future after graduating from high school, Brayden discovered his passion during his first organic chemistry class. The experience not only provided clarity in his degree path, but also introduced him to Dr. Tim Kelly, who helped him secure an NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) for photovoltaic research at USask and the CLS Synchrotron. This opportunity led to Brayden’s inclusion as a co-author on his first research paper. His academic dedication also earned him the Harry T. Danyluk, Slapkauskas, Teruo Natori and Thorvaldson scholarships.
Beyond academics, Brayden demonstrated a strong commitment to service and leadership, serving as a volunteer tutor, President of the Chemical Engineering Student Society and Student Representative for the Canadian Mineral Processors SK/MB division. He also completed his fourth year of studies while working full-time as a lockout/tagout supervisor at Nutrien Cory.
Brayden’s capstone project, inspired by his work at the Cory mine, allowed him to lead his team to win the Environmental Impact Award at the 2025 Capstone Design Showcase. Looking ahead, he plans to continue serving the environment by increasing the sustainability of production in Canadian chemical processes, with addition plans of completing a graduate degree in the future.
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