Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

Gillian Leasunia Katoanga, a biomedical sciences student at St. John's University, has been shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize with her debut story, "Final Effort of the Wind." The prize is open to citizens of the 56 countries in the British Commonwealth of Nations. Her work was chosen from over 8,000 submissions and is one of 25 stories advancing to the next judging stage. The final selection will narrow down to five stories by May 14, shortly before Gillian's graduation.

At 21 years old, Gillian is noted as the youngest writer shortlisted this year. Her story explores themes such as isolation and communication failures through its protagonist Ane's experiences in Samoa. “It is exciting,” she said about her nomination. “To move further ahead again would be life changing.”

Gillian's upbringing contrasts with her character's struggles; her father Charles Katoanga works with the United Nations' Division for Inclusive Social Development. She has lived on Roosevelt Island in New York and attended Archbishop Molloy High School.

Initially aiming for medical school, Gillian shifted focus to social science research while pursuing a minor in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies at St. John's University. Jeanette C. Perron, Ph.D., who mentored Gillian in neuropharmacology research, remarked on her inquisitive nature: “She was motivated to understand what real research was about.”

Gillian also collaborated on a paper examining racial representation in biomedical research published in the Journal of Vincentian Social Action and completed another focusing on Pacific Island resistance to westernization.

Her writing caught the attention of Sophie R. Bell, Ph.D., who praised her originality: “Everything Gillian wrote kind of crackled and was full of originality.” Natalie P. Byfield, Ph.D., described Gillian as a “sophisticated scholar” integrating interdisciplinary knowledge into her work.

Gillian credits her love for reading and scientific research experience as inspirations for both fiction and research writing. She plans to pursue a master's degree in Pacific Studies in New Zealand while continuing to write.

“Because of the research I want to do... it makes more sense to do it in New Zealand,” she stated about her future plans.