Chemistry & Biochemistry

Science students have strong showing at Ontario Biology Day

There were a few times this past weekend when biology professor Oliver Love was watching presentations by fourth-year science students at Ontario Biology Day and could have sworn he was listening to graduate students.

“That’s how good they were,” he said. “I’ve never seen better presentations by undergrads.”

Fast-talking grad students collect hardware

Winning the University’s inaugural Three Minute Thesis Competition was a little overwhelming for Chris Allan, but he is already looking ahead: “I am really excited to be going to Kingston,” he said.

The doctoral student in chemistry will represent Windsor in the province-wide competition, April 18 at Queens University, after taking top local honours Monday with his presentation “From your TV to the lab: Exploring the reactivity of indium.” He also will receive a $1,000 cash award.

Donors boost research into natural cancer treatments

Research into the use of dandelion root extract to fight cancer is coming too late for Jennifer Ward’s father, but she hopes that in his memory, she can contribute to work to help others.

Earlier this year, Ward sent a $10,000 contribution to biochemistry professor Siyaram Pandey’s Kevin Couvillon Cancer Research Project.

Her father died of colon cancer in August 2012, says Ward, a Calgary resident. She had come across accounts of Dr. Pandey’s research while looking into treatments options for her father.

Chemistry students following entrepreneurial muse

After almost six years of post-secondary education, Stan Amyotte is ready to begin blazing a trail of his own.

A master’s student in chemistry, Amyotte and his partner have an innovative idea to launch a new business in the electronics research and manufacturing sector, but know it’s not going to be cheap.

“All of us are students,” said Amyotte, who estimates launching the business could take as much as $100,000. “We don’t have a whole lot of money to start off with.”

India Canada Association boosts dandeliion root cancer treatment research

Siyaram Pandey’s Kevin Couvillon Research Project on Anticancer Effects of Dandelion Root Extract, got another boost from the community yesterday when the India Canada Association presented a cheque for $5000 to Dr. Pandey during a ceremony in Essex Hall. The ICA, which has a long history of supporting community initiatives, raised the money at its annual fund-raising dinner in October, which featured India’s consul general to Toronto, Preeti Saran, as its guest of honour.

Christmas charity connects campus and community

Christmas has become too commercial, says Janeen Auld, which makes the Adopt-a-Family program a perfect way for her to celebrate the holiday.

“My family doesn’t exchange gifts,” says Auld, an instrument technician in the chemistry department. “It’s just too much stuff. Buying for people truly in need is the only type of shopping I want to do.”