PhD candidate wins prestigious award
Ph.D. Megan Aoki has recently won the International Dictyostelium Graduate Student Award which is an annual award given out to a graduate student in the International Dictyostelium Research Community. Nominated by Dr Rob Huber, her research focuses on exploring the role of a plant hormone, called cytokinins, that were once thought to be exclusively found in plants. It is now know that these hormones are found in many different organisms, so her research is focused on understanding what exactly these hormones do in other organisms.
Megan came to Trent as an International student to complete her Honours B.Sc. in September of 2014. As a third year student, she started volunteering in Dr. Brunetti’s lab to gain some research experience. At that point, she had never thought of pursuing research as a career, but an opportunity presented itself to immerse herself in the research world. She soon discovered that she really enjoyed the challenge of research and did an Honours Thesis research project under joint supervision with Dr. Neil Emery and Dr. Craig Brunetti. Nearing the end of her thesis, both Neil and Craig encouraged her to pursue a M.Sc. continuing the work she started with them in her undergraduate thesis. Megan says “My interest in this area of study came largely from the immense amount of support I received from both of my supervisors. They invested a lot of time and energy into bettering my education. I further collaborated with Dr. Robert Huber for my M.Sc. project, using the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum to study the functions of a plant hormone that is present in virtually every organism we look for it in”. She made quick progress early in my M.Sc. and was encouraged to convert to a Ph.D. January of 2019. “My success thus far is largely attributed to the consistent support I have received from all of my supervisors and the flexibility they have given me to allow me to pursue any avenue of research that excites me”
BBS Summer Scholar's Program
McMaster’s Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences has just launched a “Summer Scholars Program” for Black, Indigenous, or 2SLGBTQIA+ students in STEM programs. Please read the below communication from McMaster for program information.
_________________________________________________________________________________
We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences Summer Scholars program! This is a fully funded 12-week program that provides successful applicants with cutting-edge skills training, mentorship, and career development opportunities in STEM.
The mission of the program is to engage, encourage, and assist students from equity deserving groups to pursue biomedical research and careers in biomedical sciences.
The program is open to Ontario residents who are enrolled in a STEM postsecondary degree program/diploma program and who self-identify as any of the following: Black, Indigenous, or 2SLGBTQIA+.
For more information about the program and applications please visit: https://iidr.mcmaster.ca/education-outreach/ssp/. Question or queries can be directed to scholars@mcmaster.ca.
Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences Summer Scholars Program (SSP) | IIDR
The Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research (IIDR) at McMaster University is a world-leading centre of transdisciplinary infectious disease research. The IIDR is also home to over 300 graduate students, post-doctoral and clinical fellows, all of whom are involved in cutting-edge research in our advanced facilities: https://iidr.mcmaster.ca/education-outreach/ssp/. Question or queries can be directed to scholars@mcmaster.ca.
Gaining Ground in the Research Community with Award-Winning Soil Microbe Research
Environmental and Life Sciences Ph.D. student Megan Aoki recognized for unique graduate research in the Huber Lab at Trent
Biology Seminar Series
The long-running Biology Seminar Series continues this year, taking place on Wednesdays on Zoom and as a YouTube livestream at 12pm.
Please contact biology@trentu.ca for the YouTube link and/or the Zoom link by 9 AM on the date of the seminar if you would like to attend via Zoom (this action to reduce Zoom-bombing).
Conservation Café
Conservation Cafés are community events that typically take place on the 2nd Tuesday of each month upstairs at The Publican House at 7:30pm
Due to Covid-19, the Conservation Cafés are temporarily suspended. Watch this space for updates!
Admission is free, and ALL are welcome!
Biology Undergraduate Society (BUGS)
BUGS exists to provide biology students with an opportunity to meet and interact with other biology students, and to promote the awareness of the biological sciences. They also have excellent free tutoring services!
Check out the Trent Biology Undergraduate Society Facebook page, and add them to your Blackboard homepage to stay up to date on events!
