Chemistry & Biochemistry

Web feed available for research presentation competition finals

UWindsor doctoral candidates Chris Allan and Rebecca Williams will join 28 graduate students from across the province for the finals of the Three Minute Thesis competition today—Thursday, April 18—at Queen’s University.

The competition challenges researchers to offer a presentation on their thesis or dissertation topic to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes.

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.