Student Success

Student research highlighted at Undergraduate Research Symposium

Undergraduate students Haley Vanderploeg and Chad Beck were the big winners as the Department of Biological Sciences held its Fall 2018 Undergraduate Research Symposium on December 7.

Haley Vanderploeg, left, and Chad Beck earned first and second place respectively.

Despite being tasked with final exams and year-end assignments, students from throughout the department challenged themselves to present their research to their colleagues in the hopes of winning one of two cash prizes up for grabs.

Vanderploeg earned first-place honours and the top cash prize while Beck earned the second prize. Each student is a member of Dr. Roy Golsteyn’s Natural Product Laboratory. Their research presentations focussed on their work studying the effects of chemicals from native plants on cancer cells.

This unique event is organized by Canada Research Chair Dr. Steve Wiseman and highlights the leadership and knowledge that has become a signature of biological sciences undergraduates. 

It serves as a showcase for Department of Biological Sciences undergraduate students who research key topics in the life sciences, ranging from biochemistry, natural product science and crop science to traditional knowledge and environmental science.