“Knowledge is valuable not in the accumulation of facts but in how it can lead to meaningful action. Use your knowledge to help others and create solutions that matter in the communities you are a part of.”

Deema ElRufaei

2025 Top 30 Under 30

About

AGE: 21

PRONOUNS: She/Her

HOMETOWN: Madinah, Saudi Arabia

CURRENT RESIDENCE: Calgary, AB

ORGANIZATIONS:

Jumpsuit
Undergraduate Biological Sciences Equity Committee
Muslim Association of Canada
The Average Scientist

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

I am most passionate about:

What specific issue(s) are you working to address, and what motivates you to do so?

I am dedicated to advancing quality education because I believe access to knowledge has the power to transform people. It not only impacts their personal growth but also influences the policies they support and the societal issues they prioritize. I volunteer with the Muslim Association of Canada in their Story Time program, where we use stories to teach important values to young kids. Through my work with The Average Scientist, MedReport, and STEM Fellowship, I’ve written articles and animated videos that allow audiences to learn science in new and engaging ways. In my own learning journey, I encountered the pressing issue of food insecurity within Inuit communities in Nunavut and Northern Canada. As a finalist in the Inter-University Big Data Competition, I had the chance to present this problem and propose public policy solutions to the crisis. Witnessing other researchers learn about this issue for the first time solidified my belief in the importance of proactive education while emphasizing the long road ahead toward true reconciliation in Canada.

I’m equally committed to making reliable, high-quality information accessible. Through my nonprofit, Jumpsuit, I’ve created comprehensive digital guides that currently help students from more than 10 Alberta schools and universities navigate the Canadian education system and university scholarships.

I also believe that everyone deserves equal opportunities in a society that often overlooks marginalized groups. With the Undergraduate Biological Sciences Equity Committee, I helped launch a courtesy seating pilot program in lecture halls to allow for accessible seating for individuals with physical disabilities. Similarly, while competing in the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Research Competition, my partner and I researched molecular techniques to mitigate severe cognitive and physical disabilities caused by brain tumor surgeries in children.

My greatest motivation comes from my friends and family, who inspire and support me through using my privilege to make meaningful changes in my community.

What is your foundation?

My foundation is built on the Islamic principle that the effort and intention behind an action matter more than the outcome itself. I believe that success is defined not by whether I reach a particular goal but by my dedication to the work and the pursuit of something meaningful.

This mindset allows me to focus on progress rather than perfection and to continue my work toward creating a more equitable and informed society. I know that sometimes I might face personal limitations or larger systemic barriers that make achieving a goal difficult or even impossible. I am inspired by the idea that my effort, no matter the outcome, contributes to something greater.

WHat is your vision for the future?

I see myself contributing to a future where quality education is universal. This means access to knowledge that is reliable, diverse, and adaptable to everyone’s learning needs. I also believe in a future where scientific research guides public policy, making decisions more sustainable and backed by evidence. I hope for Canada to be a place where the needs of marginalized groups—especially Indigenous peoples—are fully acknowledged and addressed with meaningful action.

Through my research and educational initiatives, I’m actively working toward a world where people are equipped with the knowledge to solve complex issues and make informed decisions. I want to see lasting improvements, where access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities are no longer barriers to success.

Deema launching a courtesy seating pilot program with the Undergraduate Biological Sciences EDI Committee at the University of Calgary.

Deema standing next to her research poster illustrating a new lab protocol she helped develop for an introductory biochemistry course under the supervision of Dr. Brianne Burkinshaw.

Deema and her partner Amna Idris representing the University of Calgary at the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Pam and Rolando Del Maestro Family Undergraduate Student Research Competition, becoming the first team from Western Canada to place in the top three.