Two UVic students will be on their way to Oxford in the fall as recipients of 2004 Rhodes Scholarships.

Jorga Zabojova, 21, is this year's Rhodes scholar for British Columbia and UVic graduate student JanaLee Cherneski, 24, is one of three 2004 Rhodes scholars from the Prairie region. The scholarships, which cover all travel and study expenses at Oxford University for two years, are valued at well over $100,000.

"UVic is extremely proud of these young women who embody all the qualities sought in a Rhodes scholar," says UVic President Dr. David Turpin. "This is the fourth consecutive year that a UVic student has earned a Rhodes scholarship. It's a remarkable achievement that reflects what outstanding students we have at UVic."

Zabojova is currently an honours student in biology, with a minor in psychology, who plans to pursue graduate studies in neuromuscular and neurological diseases at Oxford. A rower and gymnast who coaches both sports, she has received numerous academic awards and was a regular volunteer at a Victoria group home for people with developmental disabilities.

"She's an extremely bright student who is mature beyond her years," says biologist Dr. Robert Burke, who supervises Zabojova in his lab. "This couldn't have happened to a better student. This scholarship will be life-changing for her."

Zabojova is currently invest-igating the origin of a group of embryonic cells called neural crest cells which develop into most of the peripheral nervous system. Burke is so impressed by the quality of the data she's collecting that he'll seek to have them published-an unusual step for undergraduate research.

"They have very superior research teams in the area I'm interested in at Oxford and I'm looking forward to working with them," says Zabojova, who hopes to become a medical doctor.

Cherneski will complete her master's degree in English and contemporary social and political thought at UVic before studying political philosophy at Oxford. "It's related to the field I'm studying at UVic but is much more in-depth."

"JanaLee is extremely creative and committed to the work she's doing," says English professor Dr. Ed Berry. "She's not content with established ideas and points of view, and is always pushing things to the next level. She's a perfectionist who is always improving her work and who displays a strong social and political commitment to everything she does."

Cherneski is just as eager to praise Berry. "He's so enthusiastic and supportive and open to new ideas and interdisciplinarity." She also singles out Drs. Stephen Ross (English), Peyman Vahabzadeh, a postdoctoral fellow in political studies from SFU, and Bill Carroll (sociology) for their help. "I always walk in and want to think outside the box. To find people who let you think that way is very rewarding for a student."

Cherneski says she eventually would like to teach at a university because "you can effect a lot of change that way. You can do it in such a way as to give people the tools to change the way they think about the world."

Only 11 Rhodes scholarships are awarded in Canada each year. Past Rhodes scholars include Prime Minister John Turner, Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, U.S. President Bill Clinton and UVic's first chancellor and Victoria College grad Joseph Clearihue. The scholarship requires a high level of literacy and scholastic achievement, success in sports, strong qualities of leadership and character and evidence of public service.