Watertown Daily Times - LaFargeville Central grad developing capsule to send DNA into space

North country native Ottoleo Kuter-Arnebeck is creating a tiny capsule to hold DNA and it soon will have its own piece of exotic real estate — on the moon. Mr. Kuter-Arnebeck is passionate about the intersection between art and engineering in his research and the things he creates, as well as the excitement his field offers him.

Mr. Kuter-Arnebeck, 24, is working toward his doctorate in mechanical engineering at McGill University, Montreal. He grew up on Wellesley Island and is a graduate of LaFargeville Central School. He recently was awarded the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, which will give him $50,000 per year for three years, for his research.

Receiving the Vanier scholarship is a big help in the funding for his research, but also a confidence booster for him. Many of the scholarships available to students at Canadian universities are confined to Canadian citizens, but the Vanier scholarship can be awarded to foreign scholars too.