Faculty of Arts & Science (Sciences) Gold Medal Winner Brannon Sumner (BSc ’26) shaped his university journey through a profound dedication to research, leadership, athletics and community service at the University of Lethbridge and across Southern Alberta.
While competing as a Pronghorn track and field student athlete, Sumner engaged in research projects, actively led within the Students’ Union and Rotaract Club while also co-founding initiatives such as the FLARE Journal.
His exceptional engagement across academic, athletic and community spheres makes him the ultimate model of a well-rounded student and a truly deserving recipient of the Faculty of Arts & Science (Sciences) Gold Medal.
Meet Brannon.
Medal won: Faculty of Arts & Science (Sciences) Gold Medal
Program: Bachelor of Science | Major: Neuroscience
Describe your ULethbridge experience in three words.
Transformative. Opportunities. Experiences.
What drew you to your program or field of study?
Neuroscience drew me in because it sits at the intersection of so many fields I enjoy. Whether through biology, chemistry, psychology, philosophy, mathematics, or coding, neuroscience gave me a way to explore the brain from many different angles.
I found a program that allowed me to be curious across disciplines while still working toward a focused understanding of human health and behaviour.
What is your most memorable ULethbridge experience?
Being a Pronghorn on the Track and Field team was one of the experiences that connected me most deeply to the university. Through athletics, I met some of my closest friends and had the privilege of competing alongside people who constantly pushed me outside of my comfort zone. What made those friendships especially meaningful is that they extended far beyond sports. Many of these teammates also became colleagues in the Students’ Union, fellow leaders in the Rotaract Club and friends I worked alongside to build initiatives such as FLARE Journal. These lifelong friendships shaped my time at ULethbridge and pushed me to grow as a person.
Did you have an experiential learning opportunity, such as a practicum, research, co-op, applied study, residency, or other project that deepened your work?
One of my most rewarding experiential learning opportunities was applying the statistical and analytical skills I developed through undergraduate research in an industry setting.
Being able to take skills I had built in the lab and use them in a real-world context helped me see the broader impact (and challenge) of applied neuroscience and metabolomics.
Were there any courses, professors, or experiences that changed your perspective?
Working with Dr. Gerlinde Metz and Tony Montina had a major impact on my perspective. Their support of my research interests helped me recognize how deeply ULethbridge values autonomous undergraduate research and student-driven inquiry. I was given the opportunity to ask meaningful questions and pursue projects that connected my interests in neuroscience, technology, health and data analysis. I was also fortunate to present my research and engage with collaborators at several conferences, including the 2025 FIFA Isokinetics Medical Conference in Madrid, Spain, and the 2024 Alberta Multiple Sclerosis Forum in Banff, Alberta. Their mentorship showed me what is possible when students are trusted and supported and it has expanded my curiosity in academia far beyond what I could have imagined.
Did you receive any scholarships, awards or bursaries during your studies? How did having financial support impact your education?
I was fortunate to receive several research awards during my studies, including NSERC, Alberta Innovates, and Alberta Health Services Neurosciences, Rehabilitation & Vision Strategic Clinical Network awards. This financial support gave me the ability to devote more time to research, leadership, athletics and service across Southern Alberta. More than anything, these awards allowed me to say yes to opportunities that shaped my sense of liberal education.
What does this academic recognition mean to you?
To be honest, I am still in shock to have received this recognition. I have always believed that being well-rounded takes a lot of work, but that work is intrinsically rewarding. Even if I had never received this award, I would go back a million times over and dive headfirst into the same experiences. This recognition is not something I expected, but it is truly an honour and something I am deeply grateful for.
What is the most important lesson you learned during your time at ULethbridge?
Say yes. ULethbridge gave me so many opportunities and I am grateful that I challenged myself to take them on. Whether through student governance, club leadership, athletics, research, or community service, many of the most meaningful experiences initially felt daunting. I often wondered whether I was ready for certain roles but I learned that growth often comes from trying before you feel completely prepared. I will never regret taking on those opportunities.
What are your plans for the future?
I will be completing my Master of Science (Neuroscience) at ULethbridge, where I am currently working on a unique project that integrates astronaut health data from the International Space Station with data from ground-based spaceflight analogs. Through this work, I hope to better understand the multifactorial health outcomes associated with long-duration space travel. This project will involve collaboration with organizations such as the Canadian Space Agency, NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos. I am also continuing my student advocacy efforts through the Graduate Students' Association (GSA) as Vice President Finance. Following the completing of my master’s degree and my term with the GSA, I will be attending the University of Alberta to study medicine in 2027.
What advice would you give to those who are about to begin their journey at ULethbridge? What would you tell your first-year self?
Take on as many opportunities as possible, and be diverse in the experiences you pursue.
As a transfer student to ULethbridge, I became involved in numerous teams, clubs, research projects, and volunteer opportunities to learn about my new community and build a sense of identity within it. If you only stick to what is familiar, you may miss out on some of the most meaningful parts of university. Build a diverse perspective, say yes often, and make the most of the experience.