I am thrilled to announce the 10th recipient of The Addolorata De Luca Leadership Scholarship, Masa Damdoum. Masa is a second-generation Canadian who immigrated to Canada from Kuwait with her family. Reflecting on her journey, Masa shares: “My family’s immigration journey began when my parents left Kuwait for Canada in search of stability, opportunity, and a better future for their children. As Palestinians who had built a life in Kuwait, starting over was not easy, but my parents made that decision with a strong commitment to education and the belief that their children should have access to opportunities without limitation. Growing up in an environment where learning was deeply valued taught me to view challenges as opportunities for growth and instilled in me resilience, curiosity, and confidence.”
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Masa is a second-year Electrical Engineering student at the University of Windsor and truly embodies the mission of the ADL Scholarship — honoring our ancestors while giving back to the next generation of student leaders. Her leadership and community involvement reflect a strong commitment to service. Masa led a team with Funding Canada to raise over $5,000 through province-wide outreach supporting local community programs associated with Legion Branch #143 and prepared promotional content to support awareness of the Ontario Student Nutrition Program. She also volunteers with FIRST Robotics, mentoring younger students through hands-on events that foster curiosity, problem-solving, and confidence in technical spaces. She previously served as a Senior Camp Counselor with the University of Windsor Engineering Summer Camp, guiding children through engaging STEM projects.
This same sense of purpose carries into her academic and research work. Masa is driven by a passion for turning quantitative data into real-world insight and contributing to research thoughtfully and responsibly. As an Outstanding Scholar at the University of Windsor, she conducts applied research in the Battery Management Systems Lab, focusing on lithium-ion battery testing and health characterization.
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Looking ahead, Masa hopes to pursue a career in battery or energy systems engineering, where she can contribute to the development of sustainable electric vehicles and energy storage technologies. She is particularly motivated to combine technical research with leadership and mentorship, and to remain actively involved in outreach initiatives that encourage young students, especially those from underrepresented communities, to pursue careers in STEM.
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To assist deserving students, such as Masa, please contact me (info@adlscholarship.com) or visit the Donate section of this website for more information. I look forward to seeing this scholarship grow and continue to help new students every year.
Sincerely,
Cessidia De Biasio, Founder of The Addolorata De Luca Leadership Scholarship