January has been a very busy month as students and employees returned to the department after the Christmas break, ready to face a new semester.

We are pleased to have two new graduate students for Winter, both enrolled in our Master’s program in Biochemistry.  Breanne Coady is in Dr. Rob Brown’s lab and Atman Das is in Dr. Valerie Booth’s lab.   This month we also welcomed Nicholas Fairbridge, with Dr. Christian’s lab, as a postdoctoral fellow. Nic had been a part-time staff member with us this past fall while finishing his thesis examination process through the University of Calgary. 

Some of our faculty members started sabbaticals this semester.  Drs. Sean Brosnan and Kaushik Nag are both on sabbatical leave for the term, while Dr. Marg Brosnan has a teaching remission.  Dr. Valerie Booth returned from her sabbatical year on January 1^st and has resumed her duties as Deputy Head (Undergraduate), in addition to her regular teaching and research activities.

We have 25 MUCEP positions for winter, most of which are in research labs.  Our student labs, computer room, and tutorial centre also have MUCEP students placed there. As of today’s date (January 28) there are still a few vacancies for which resumes are being reviewed.

Jenny John left late in the month to start maternity leave.  Jenny has been a research assistant in Dr. Shahidi’s lab on an intermittent basis for several years.  This baby will be a second child for Jenny and her husband.

Our undergraduate students hosted a mixer on January 25^th.  This event was enjoyed by attendees who came from all across the department.

We found out late in January that staff member Marie Codner was a recipient of a Queen's Jubilee Medal.  Well done Marie!