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Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations to Dr. Fereidoon Shahidi who was the recipient of the ISNFF Lifetime Achievement Award “As an expression of appreciation and recognition for eminent contributions in the field of nutraceuticals, functional foods, and dietary supplements through original research, leadership, and service.” The award was presented to Dr. Shahidi during the 10th International Conference and Exhibition of the International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (ISNFF) which was held in Gunsan, South Korea, October 22-25, 2017. ISNFF is a Disciplinary Interest Group of the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST).

Congratulations and Noteworthy Mentions

• Congratulations to Craig Ayre from Dr. Christian’s lab who completed his PhD in August and to Julia Chalker from Dr. Mailloux’s lab who finished her Masters in December. 
• Congratulations as well to Anthony Akerele in Dr. Cheema’s lab and Rasanjali Egodage in Dr. Banoub’s lab who both successfully completed their comprehensive exams with Rasanjali receiving a “pass with distinction”
• Madhushika Silva has successfully transferred from her Masters to a PhD Program – congratulations Madhushika. 
• Won Young Oh in Dr. Shahidi’s lab participated in the Faculty of Science’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition in October. The title of her talk was "Lipophilization of resveratrol and effect on antioxidant activity." Won Young received the first place award. Tasahil Albishi in Dr. Banoub’s lab participated in the 3MT Competition through the School of Graduate Studies. Tasahil spoke on the “Phenolic content of different woods and their antioxidant activities”. Tasahil won the “People’s Choice” award. Congratulations to both Won Young and Tasahil. Arun Kumar in Dr. Berry’s lab and Shrushti Shah in Dr. Cheema’s lab also participated in the 3MT Competitions. 
• Judong Yeo was the recipient of the R.L. Jacob’s Graduate Research Award in Biochemistry 

Several of our undergraduate students received awards and scholarships during the Fall Semester as follows:

• Mallory Pitts - Grace Morgan Scholarship in Nutrition; 
• Hilary Turpin - Dr. Douglas Fagan Memorial Scholarship in Biochemistry;
• James Lau - Loughney-Brosnan Scholarship in Biochemistry; 
• Yang Gao – Douglas and Beatrice Hall Biochemistry Bursary;
• Susan Cole – Dr. L.A.W. Feltham Scholarship;
• Toshia McDonald – Biochemistry Bursary;
• Ryan Wade – Newfoundland Margarine Unilever Canada Scholarship  

Welcome

We would like to welcome Abul Hossain and Modeline Longjohn to our department. Abul is a new PhD student with Dr. Deepika Dave. Modeline is a new PhD student in Dr. Christian’s lab. Both joined us during the fall semester.

Welcome as well to our new graduate students in the winter semester - Alexandria Tobin, a Masters student in Dr. Brown’s lab and Jagatheesan Manoharan, a Masters student in Dr. Bertolo’s lab; and welcome back to Nikitha Kendyala Pallegar who has rejoined Dr. Christian’s lab. Good luck to all of you with your studies.

Holiday Events

The Biochemistry Undergraduate Society kicked off the festive season with a holiday mixer on December 1st. This was the last day of classes for the fall semester and a great start to holiday festivities. Christmas sweaters were sported by many with some more memorable than others….

Thank you to the faculty members who hosted breakfast for the entire department on December 14th. The breakfast was attended by over 30 people including faculty, staff, and students. The food, refreshments, and service were superb – a great time was had by all.

We hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas break and wish you all a successful and happy new year.