Cindy Cheng and her Mom Shirley review a poster series about Targeted Alpha Therapy during their tour of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in Chalk River
At just 10 years old, Cindy Cheng created a wrinkle cream to help her dad. More than a decade later, that same curiosity has evolved into award-winning research that could one day transform regenerative medicine.
The first-year University of Toronto life sciences student was named the recipient of the 2025 Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Fusion Award at the Canada-Wide Science Fair for her project, 3D Bioprinting Soft Microrobotic Niches for Stem Cell Delivery. Along with a $1,000 cash prize and certificate, the award included a visit to the Chalk River Laboratories – an experience Cheng describes as both eye-opening and inspiring.
Before winning the award, Cheng admits she knew very little about CNL.
“I really wasn’t sure what to expect,” she said. “I think the general expectation when we talk about nuclear stuff is those conical-shaped reactors and smokestacks. But when we arrived, I was honestly surprised by the scale of it all.”
Travelling from Waterloo to the sprawling research campus in Chalk River, Ontario, Cheng said the experience felt both intimidating and exciting. The massive site – home to thousands of researchers and staff – quickly challenged her assumptions about what nuclear research looks like in Canada.
Cindy reviews samples in a radiobiology lab during a tour hosted by Dr. Antonella Bertucci
“I’d never seen a science campus that big before,” she said. “Being able to appreciate the amount of funding, resources and effort that go into the research happening there was incredible.”
That fascination with science started early.
Raised by parents working in scientific fields, Cheng says curiosity was always encouraged in her household. But her real introduction to material science came through true childhood staples: slime and Jell-O.
“I loved playing with slime and asking why different materials behaved the way they did,” she said. “My mom encouraged me to experiment and figure things out for myself.”
That hands-on curiosity eventually led to her first science project in elementary school, the wrinkle cream she created for her dad.
“I noticed my dad was getting wrinkles,” she laughed. “So, I combined some materials that would tighten the skin as they dried. That was really my first experience creating something completely my own through science.”
Over time, Cheng’s projects became increasingly focused on healthcare applications, eventually leading to the stem-cell delivery system that have earned national recognition.
Her project addresses one of the major challenges in regenerative medicine: safely delivering stem cells to damaged areas of the body. Cheng designed microscopic, magnetically controlled “soft microrobots” capable of transporting stem cells directly to targeted locations while also creating an ideal environment for those cells to grow and develop.
“What I wanted to create was a transporter that could swim through the body and deliver stem cells exactly where they’re needed,” she explained. “The material also helps guide the stem cells so they develop properly once they arrive.”
Using 3D bioprinting technology, Cheng created tiny structures capable of carrying stem cells through fluid environments under magnetic control — combining biology, chemistry, material science and engineering in a single project.
“It’s definitely one of the most comprehensive projects I’ve undertaken,” she said.
The work also sparked meaningful conversations during her visit to Chalk River Laboratories, where Cheng toured facilities including the ZED-2 reactor and met researchers working in fields adjacent to her own. These interactions gave her a closer look at how CNL’s multidisciplinary teams – spanning nuclear science, health applications and advanced materials – collaborate to tackle complex scientific challenges with real-world impact.
Exploring an environmental research lab with Research Technologist, Samantha Jarron
“Seeing the reactor was fascinating,” she said. “But what really stood out to me was how passionate everyone was about discovery and research.”
She especially appreciated the openness of researchers who took time to discuss career paths, future collaborations and the real-world applications of scientific research.
“A lot of the time academia can feel intimidating or difficult to enter,” Cheng said. “So, seeing people be so welcoming and enthusiastic toward young researchers was really heartwarming.”
That same spirit of encouragement is one reason Cheng chose to donate a portion of her prize money back to the Waterloo-Wellington Science and Engineering Fair, the regional science fair organization that first helped launch her journey.
“These fairs run almost entirely on volunteers,” she said. “They create spaces where young people can explore science and share ideas, but funding can be really limited. I wanted to give back to the community that gave so much to me.”
Now pursuing studies in material science, physiology and developmental science, Cheng hopes to continue researching healthcare innovations through either an MD, PhD or both.
“I want to create things that can genuinely help patients,” she said. “Being able to connect research directly to real healthcare needs is what motivates me.”
For young students considering science fair projects of their own, Cheng’s advice is simple: start small and stay curious.
“There’s no minimum requirement to be a young scientist,” she said. “You can do the tiniest project or try to solve a huge problem — what matters is learning, exploring and being willing to try.”
Learn more about the 2025 Future of Science Winners here: https://www.cnl.ca/meet-the-future-of-science-winners-of-the-cnl-2025-canada-wide-science-fair-award/
