“Take Your Curiosity Seriously”: A Conversation with Chloe Kizito.

“I am a National Youth Journalist with MediaSmarts, where I report on digital media literacy, technology, and health misinformation, helping young people navigate an increasingly complex information landscape. My work has been featured by platforms including CBC News, CBC Kids News, TVO, and the Toronto Star, and I have participated in national and international discussions on the impact of technology on society. Alongside journalism, I conducted pediatric clinical research through the SickKids Student Advancement Research Program, contributing to reviews examining respiratory infections and evidence-based care for hospitalized children. I have also represented youth perspectives at the United Nations Headquarters, speaking about issues including mental health, education, and technology.”

“My journey began with a curiosity about how people understand the world around them, particularly when the information they encounter is misleading. Through youth journalism, I began exploring how misinformation shapes public understanding of science and health, which deepened my interest in medicine and research. That curiosity eventually led me to pediatric clinical research at SickKids, where I saw how evidence gathered through research can inform healthcare decisions and improve patient care. I have since sought opportunities to connect these interests through journalism, scientific research, and international advocacy, with the goal of making reliable information and better healthcare more accessible to the people who need them.”

“I am inspired by the gap between what we know scientifically and what people actually have access to or believe. Whether I am investigating a misleading health claim as a journalist or reviewing clinical evidence as a researcher, I am interested in how information translates into real-world decisions. What I love most is that my work allows me to approach the same problem from different perspectives: understanding the evidence, communicating it clearly, and advocating for the people affected by it. I find it especially meaningful to know that helping someone better understand a health issue can influence the decisions they make for themselves or their families.”

“One of my biggest challenges has been learning to navigate the complexity of the issues I care about while balancing multiple commitments. Journalism often requires communicating complicated topics in ways that are accessible and engaging, whereas clinical research demands patience, precision, and a willingness to sit with uncertainty. Learning to move between these approaches has taught me that meaningful work rarely produces immediate results. I have had to become more adaptable, recognize the limits of my own knowledge, and understand that progress often comes from asking better questions rather than having all the answers.”

“Do not wait until you feel qualified to start contributing. Some of the most meaningful opportunities I have encountered began with curiosity and a willingness to ask questions, even when I was the youngest person in the room. Reach out to people whose work interests you, pursue opportunities that challenge you, and allow your interests to evolve as you gain experience. You do not need to have your entire future mapped out before you begin. You simply need to take your curiosity seriously enough to do something with it.”