The following article was adapted from a news release sent out on Monday March 23rd, 2009. The full release is published on the SFU Public Affairs & Media Relations page

During National Co-op Week 2009, the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education in partnership with SFU announced that SFU Biology and Biochemistry Co-op student, Katelyn Mueller , was awarded the 2008 National Co-op Student of the Year award.

In her back pocket, Katelyn holds a CGPA of 4.16, has received the Governor General Bronze Academic Medal, the BC Science Achievement Award, and has a hand full of nationally and internationally published articles. Katelyn has been described by the SFU Co-op Program as an “exceptional scholar, Co-op student, and community member.”

After working on developing cancer treatments at the Biology III Institute at the University of Freiburg in Germany, Katelyn's supervisor, Dr. Kristian Müller, commented, “I can only praise her personality and immaculate work and I foresee a great future for her in science.” Locally, Katelyn worked with Dr. David Granville at St. Paul's Hospital working towards reducing heart transplant rejection, and also worked with Merck Frosst in Montreal on studies looking into reducing high blood pressure.

Katelyn recognized that the exposure to Co-op work experiences would enhance her university career. “I knew that gaining hands-on experience outside the classroom is not only one of the best ways to learn, but an excellent opportunity to explore and shape my career goals. The diverse work and cultural experiences I had challenged me and contributed to the growth of my independence and maturity."

Katelyn's motivation to continue in Co-op was also closely tied to her academics, "my academic work became more relevant as I saw its practical applications. For this reason, I strove to apply to a variety of Co-op positions that would give me the broadest and most valuable experiences possible.” Katelyn notes, “I am grateful for the opportunities I have gained through Co-op. Now that I have completed the Co-op program, I look forward to applying my experience and challenging myself in new ways.”

Muriel Klemetski, Director of SFU's Co-op Education Program comments, "Katelyn is now the third SFU student in the last seven years to receive this prestigious national award. It truly speaks to her incredible accomplishments and her ability to serve as an ambassador for Co-op Education around the world. We're extremely proud of her and our Program."

The national awards program recognizes two students enrolled in an accredited Co-op Program (out of a pool of 80,000 students studying at CAFCE member institutions) who have gone above and beyond their expected performance and achievements in areas including job performance, academic performance and responsibility. It also includes particular contributions to their employer, to Co-operative Education, and the community at large.

In addition to receiving a certificate and plaque from CAFCE recognizing her achievement, Katelyn receives the $500 Emery-Dufault Award in recognition of the contributions of two of the founding members of o-operative education in Canada, Dr. Charles Leslie (Les) Emery and Professor George Joseph Dufault along with a $500 CAFCE Award.