Biology student Elizabeth Morrison had an opportunity to share her perspective on the Module D addition of the Life and Health Sciences Building, as the Trent University community celebrated its official opening in November 2011. Opportunities provided by the new facilities will allow her to pursue continued advancement toward a career in the medical field.
“Trent’s increasing attention to expanding education in health and life sciences is very pertinent to my education and to the education of many students like me,” said Ms. Morrison to the crowd gathered for the opening ceremonies. “The construction of a Life and Health Sciences Building shows the commitment the University has to bringing life and health sciences education to the forefront.”
Esteemed guests at the opening included Mr. Dean Del Mastro, MP for Peterborough, Mr. Jeff Leal, MPP for Peterborough and a room full of Trent University delegates and department chairs, including Dr. Steven E. Franklin, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University.) The official opening ceremony was part of a nation-wide series of open house events to celebrate infrastructure projects that were funded by the Federal-Provincial Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP).
The recent addition of Module D to the Life and Health Sciences Building includes an additional 216 new student spaces with 12 fully-serviced research labs plus research utility space and teaching support areas. The facility includes a new imaging suite and three environmental chambers, all of which aim to increase the capacity to train students in advanced knowledge areas.
“You don’t have to go far from home to get an amazing education here at Trent,” Ms. Morrison added, to an appreciative audience. “You’re able to enjoy the community and one-on-one relationships with faculty without sacrificing state of the art equipment and facilities.”
Originally from Peterborough, award-winning undergraduate student Ms. Morrison is completing her fourth year of an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology at Trent. Her area of study is molecular biology with a special interest in virology and infectious diseases.
“Trent has opened so many doors for me that will greatly affect my life. My degree will allow me to continue to pursue further education. Because of what I have learned both scholastically and through experience at Trent, I am both a better student and person,” said Ms. Morrison, who has also volunteered her time at children’s summer camp, feeding the homeless in Peterborough, and running a food donation network to support a local food bank.
Ms. Morrison is a recipient of the Trent Alumni Scholarship, the PepsiCo Excel Scholarship, the Millennium Excellence Scholarship, a Trent National Renewal Scholarship, the Peter Gzowski Second-year Award, and an NSERC Undergraduate Scholarship. She is also a two-time recipient of the Jean McKerracher Scholarship in Biology.
“Whatever I do in my life, I hope to actually make a difference and continue to do my part in helping others,” said Ms. Morrison. “I believe that working in the medical field would be an amazing way to unite my passion for science and learning with my love of people.”
Posted on Wednesday, November 30, 2011.