Haley Stang – del Messier Family Scholarship
Email: stang.haley@gmail.com
Programme: PhD, Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield
Biography (IN ENGLISH): Haley Stang is a dedicated and dynamic researcher whose work bridges engineering innovation with medicine. With a Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering from The University of Sheffield and a Master of Science in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering from University College London, she has developed expertise in designing solutions with the potential to improve clinical outcomes for patients. Her research journey has taken her to world-leading institutions such as Imperial College London and Harvard Medical School, where she contributed to cutting-edge projects at the intersection of regenerative medicine and bioengineering.
Born and raised in Sturgeon County, Alberta, Canada, Haley grew up surrounded by the strong values of community, service, and perseverance. A lifelong athlete, she played volleyball, hockey, and fastball, learning early on how discipline and teamwork could drive performance and resilience. These values extended beyond sport; her long-standing involvement with Rotary International has been foundational in shaping her commitment to global citizenship and social impact. From founding an Interact club in high school to serving on the executive team of Rotaract and holding leadership positions at both a district and North American level, her service has always paralleled her academic pursuits.
Haley is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Sheffield, where her research focuses on using biomaterials to stimulate and guide nerve regeneration – an innovative approach with the potential to transform treatment options for spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries. Her work involves engineering environments that can physically stretch and grow nerves, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in tissue engineering and neuroregeneration.
What drives her is not just scientific curiosity, but the desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Her goal is to become a clinician-researcher, dividing her time between patient care and translational research. She believes the most meaningful innovations in healthcare come when clinicians understand the problem firsthand, and researchers are empowered to solve it.
Though her studies and research have taken her around the world, Canada remains at the heart of her journey. She envisions returning home to contribute to Canada’s evolving healthcare landscape by advancing regenerative medicine and patient-centred innovation. With Canada’s growing emphasis on interdisciplinary research and its commitment to equitable healthcare, Haley sees immense opportunity to drive change in both urban and rural communities, ensuring that cutting-edge science translates into real, accessible impact for Canadians.
