Cliff Lloyd Memorial Award

I began my studies at SFU in 2018 in earth sciences. However, after one year in the program I switched to economics, where I finally discovered my passion. I find microeconomics particularly interesting, and hope to use what I learned in this area while I pursue a master’s degree in economics. During my studies I was on the varsity swimming team between 2018 and 2022, and I've been on the Canadian national team since 2022. I plan on taking a year off from school in hopes of qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games before beginning my master’s program. I would like to thank my professors for inspiring me to be successful in the field of economics and guiding me towards new challenges that will continue to help me progress academically.

I first began studying at Simon Fraser University in the summer of 2017. I initially decided to pursue a degree in economics as I was curious about the markets and financial systems that we participate in on a daily basis. The more I learnt about economics, the more I fell in love with the field. I particularly enjoy how economics can be applied to investigate real-world issues and uncover possible solutions to society’s most pressing problems. My research interests lay at the intersection of health economics and industrial organization. I am especially captivated by the application of these two fields when investigating the structure of the pharmaceutical industry and advocating for the well being of patients. In August, I will be heading to France to pursue my masters degree at the Toulouse School of Economics. I am thrilled to be attending such a competitive program at a school with a track record of conducting outstanding research. Ultimately, my long term goal is to obtain a PhD in economics so that I can become a professor.

Garrick Lau recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with honours in economics. Initially, his first economics class in his first semester at SFU in 2016 was just an elective course, but that exposure sparked his interest in the field. His interest in the subject grew as he continued to learn how economics could be used to understand real-world phenomena. The knowledge and skills learned throughout the years of his studies will certainly prove to be invaluable as he moves forward to the next stage of his life. Garrick plans to pursue a career in public service. He would like to express his gratitude to his family for their unwavering support, and his professors for their guidance throughout his undergraduate studies. 

Hamza Abdelrahman is celebrating the completion of his honours bachelor of arts degree in economics after four years filled with high academic achievements and community engagement. Since joining SFU in 2016 as a Major Entrance Scholarship recipient, he has completed three co-op work terms and volunteered with multiple groups on campus. He has received a number of awards, including the Glenn Berg Award for academic excellence in economics; the Big Data Research Award; the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award; and the Robert C. Brown Award for outstanding leadership and academic performance. For his honours thesis, Hamza looked at the causal effect of the disbursement of social assistance payments on drug crimes and alcohol sales in Vancouver, BC. He plans on completing graduate studies in economics and has set his career sights on becoming the prime minister of his home country, Jordan.

Sean Lee graduated with an honours bachelor's degree in economics and a certificate in philosophy. During his time at SFU, he worked as a research assistant at the department and volunteered for numerous positions in the university. Economics had fundamentally changed his perception towards the social sciences as he learnt how to construct economic models to explain real-world phenomena. Upon graduation, Sean was hired by a local investment management firm to develop as a professional in the industry. His ultimate career objective is to help clients to achieve their goals by maximizing the returns on their investments. He wants to thank all the professors at the department for all the hard work they have put into enlightening students, with special thanks to Professor Steeve Mongrain and Professor David Jacks.