UPEI engineering student Ethan Drake receives Frank Saunders Memorial Award for Nuclear Excellence
Ethan Drake, UPEI Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) student, was among five post-secondary students honoured on April 29, 2026, with a Frank Saunders Memorial Award for Nuclear Excellence at this year’s Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) Conference by the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) and Bruce Power.
Established in memory of Frank Saunders in 2025, the awards celebrate emerging talent in the nuclear sector and encourage the next generation of innovators. Saunders, a respected industry leader, was the founding President of NII, a long-time executive at Bruce Power, and a chair of the Canadian Nuclear Association. He was known for his commitment to nuclear innovation, mentorship and education. He passed away in July 2020, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and deep dedication to the advancement of nuclear science. For more information, see the full release by the Nuclear Innovation Institute.
Drake was selected for the award as one of the top five essayists for their insightful analysis of Canada’s path toward large-scale nuclear energy deployment by 2050. Their essay demonstrated a deep understanding of the complex policy, regulatory, and financial frameworks required to expand nuclear energy sustainably and safely. Combining strong research with forward-thinking recommendations, Drake proposed practical reforms to align national energy goals with environmental and economic priorities. The clarity, originality, and depth of their argument distinguished their submission among over one hundred essays from across the country.
Drake is known for their strong communication skills, leadership, and academic achievement. They have demonstrated excellence in engineering competitions, earning a third-place finish in the communications category at the 2026 Atlantic Engineering Competition alongside teammate Nathan Belanger, which helped UPEI secure an impressive share of top placements across the region.
In addition to their competition success, Drake has been recognized for academic excellence, receiving the Allan Curran Engineering Award in March 2025, which highlights outstanding performance and commitment within the program. Their involvement in the UPEI engineering community also extends to student leadership, serving as Vice-President Advocacy with the UPEI Engineering Society and as the engineering representative for the UPEI Student Union during the 2024-25 academic year. They also served as the Engineering Society VP External during the 2025-26 academic year.
With a growing record of achievements in both academics and extracurricular leadership, Drake is an emerging talent in sustainable design engineering and a strong representative of UPEI’s collaborative, hands-on engineering program.
“On behalf of UPEI, I congratulate Ethan on receiving the Frank Saunders Memorial Award for Nuclear Excellence,” said Dr. Donna Hardy Cox, interim Vice-President, Academic and Research. “This honour reflects their strong academic performance, leadership, and commitment to innovation. We are proud to see Ethan recognized among Canada’s emerging leaders in the nuclear sector.”
Congratulations, Ethan!
