News

Sep 11th, 2018

News

Farewell and Welcome – Staff / Faculty / Post-Doctoral Fellows

Welcome to Dr. Scott Harding, our newest Faculty Member. Dr. Harding started with us on July 1st an an Assistant Professor. Welcome Dr. Harding.

Since our last news article, three of our long-time permanent departmental staff have retired. Craig Skinner left us in April, Christine Squire in June, and Betty Ann Gaslard in August. All three were at Memorial for over 30 years and are very much missed in the Department. All leave big shoes to fill and take with them their wealth of knowledge and experience. Coffee breaks are not quite the same without them, however we are sure they will be back for our social events.

Joining us to replace Craig, Christine, and Betty Ann are Heather Fifield as Coordinator Biochemistry Labs and Services, Kaitlyn Connolly as Departmental Secretary/Receptionist, and Shannon Hayes as Head Secretary/Graduate Secretary. Heather joined us in April, Kaitlyn in June, and Shannon in August and all seem to be fitting in quite nicely. Welcome to each of you and we look forward to working with you in the years ahead.

So long to Priya Ambigaipalan who was a Research Assistant in Dr. Shahidi’s lab for the past while and a Post-Doctoral Fellow for several years prior to that. Priya left her position in July and has moved out of Province. We wish her well in the future.

Nikitha Pallager is now a part-time Research Assistant in Dr. Christian’s lab. Marta Canuti is a part-time Research Assistant III, and Jenika Marshall a full-time Research Assistant in Dr. J. Brosnan’s lab. Congratulations on your new positions.

Congratulations as well to Judong Yeo who is now a Post-Doctoral Fellow with Dr. Parrish at the Ocean Sciences Centre and Dr. Shahidi in Biochemistry.

Welcome – Students

We would like to welcome some new graduate students. Three students joined us in the Spring semester. Indrayani Phadtare is a Masters student in Dr. Cheema’s lab. Emmanuel Asante, Masters student; and Dien Phan, Doctoral student, both joined Dr. Christian’s lab.

We also have three new students in the Fall semester, all completing their Masters of Science. Robert Gill is in Dr. Mailloux’s lab, Erin O’Brien in Dr. Brown’s Lab, and Julia White is in Dr. Bertolo’s lab.

Carmen Steyer is a Mannheim Student who just started her internship in Dr. Booth’s lab. Welcome as well to our new and returning undergraduate students who have joined us this semester.

We hope you all enjoy your time in Biochemistry and wish you well with your studies.

Congratulations

The following students have completed their Program of Study:

Judong Yeo completed his PhD in Food Science in July 2018 (Supervisor – Dr. Shahidi);
Tasahil Albishi completed her PhD in Food Science in August 2018 (Supervisor – Dr. Banoub/Co-supervisor - Dr. Shahidi)

Rasanjali Egodage, a PhD student with Dr. Banoub was awarded 3rd place for her poster presentation in carbohydrates by the International Division of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) held in Chicago from July 15-18, 2018.

The recipient of this year’s Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology Award was Won Young Oh in Dr. Shahidi’s lab.

The following students were the recipients of the 2018 Barrowman Awards:

Olatunji (Anthony) Akerele (Cheema Lab)
Won Young Oh (Shahidi Lab)
A. Madhushika Silva (Heeley Lab)
JuDong Yeo (Shahidi Lab)

Abul Hossain (Dave/Shahidi lab) received the 2018 R.L. Jacobs Graduate Research Award.

Biochemistry Symposium

This year’s 8th annual summer symposium held on August 10th, had the highest attendance to date with the most posters and oral presentations ever!! There were 21 oral presentations from MSc and PhD students and 15 poster presentations from undergraduate students. All presenters did a fantastic job.

This year’s award winners were:

Undergraduate poster