Series: Undergraduate Student Research Awards Recipients (#2)

(August 2, 2025) - This summer, twenty-four students have the opportunity to support research projects through Laurentian University with funding provided by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs) are meant to nurture interest among undergraduate students and develop their potential for a research career. This funding provides students with research work experience that complements their studies in an academic setting.

Students support research for a period of sixteen weeks, on a full-time basis, from May to August. Students can hold one USRA per fiscal year but can hold up to three USRAs throughout their undergraduate career.

Getting the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to a research project is often reserved for graduate students. USRAs grant a unique and coveted opportunity to undergraduate students to get experience in their field of interest. The students’ year of study, major, and areas of research vary but they all similarly demonstrate the positive impact that this opportunity has on their current studies and future goals.

Throughout the remainder of the summer, the students will share in their own words their ambitions, their interests, and a little about the research project they are supporting.

Nico Simon, 4th year Biomedical Biology student at Laurentian University

Hometown: Sudbury, ON

High school: Collège Notre-Dame

This summer, I have the pleasure of working under the leadership of Dr. Alexander Moise as a USRA student at NOSM University. We are currently looking at the gene coding for the enzyme Retinol Saturase (RetSat). RetSat is an enzyme critically involved in various biological processes such as cellular response to oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and lipid metabolism. This work has given me the opportunity to develop invaluable lab skills and put theory that I have learned in the classroom to use, which I am so grateful for. It has been very exciting to use the knowledge that I have gained during my undergraduate years and put it into practice, such as using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology.

Science has always been a passion of mine, and this opportunity has been a great way to explore this field and get hands-on experience. I hope to pursue a career in healthcare after my undergraduate degree; specifically in medicine.

Academically, I have a great interest in topics such as anatomy, physiology, and molecular biology. I love learning about how the different organs and tissues of the human body work together. Outside of the lab and classroom, I enjoy doing volunteer work at Maison McCulloch Hospice, and with various organizations such as the Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients (STOP) program at Health Sciences North. I also value getting together with family and friends, going to the gym, and outdoor activities such as spending time on the lake, going golfing, and playing soccer.

Taryn Dixon, 4th year Biomedical Biology student at Laurentian University

Hometown: Sudbury, ON

High school: St.Benedict Secondary School

This summer, I am working as an undergraduate research assistant alongside Erin Postenka, a M.Sc. Biology candidate. Under the supervision of Dr. Jacqueline Litzgus and Dr. Christina Davy, we are investigating the ecological impacts of acute wetland drainage on the turtle population in Pinery Provincial Park. Our goal is to determine if a mass mortality event has occurred. We use capture-mark-recapture methods, including hoop trapping and canoe surveys to track the turtle populations over time in the Old Ausable Channel. Each captured turtle is measured, weighed, and PIT tagged for long-term individual identification and population monitoring.

In June, we conducted nesting surveys to monitor clutch sizes and document new nesting females. We also installed nest protectors to reduce predation and increase hatchling survival. In addition to assisting this research, I am thrilled to be conducting my own study on how proximity to fishing docks may influence turtle body composition. This immersive hands-on field experience has significantly strengthened my technical skills and deepened my understanding of turtle ecology, and ecological research methods. Having grown up among the beautiful landscapes of Northern Ontario, I have developed a deep appreciation for wildlife and the outdoors, and spend much of my free time paddling, hiking with my dogs, biking and skiing. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful conservation work in the very environments that first inspired my love for science.

Emma Salvati, 3rd year Biomedical Biology student at Laurentian University

Hometown: Sudbury, ON

High school: Lasalle Secondary School

Last summer, I started working as a volunteer in Dr. Thomas Merritt’s lab, which provided the opportunity to immerse myself in the research community. I really enjoyed my experience, and wanted to continue working alongside Dr. Merritt. This summer I have had this opportunity, thanks to the USRA program.

Our lab works with Drosophila melanogaster. I am currently developing a fecundity assay to be used in the lab as a phenotype for various projects. After finishing this, I hope to start looking into the effects of metal toxicity on diseases using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.

I eventually hope to become a physician, while still being actively involved in research. My experiences in Dr. Merritt’s lab has given me many opportunities to see how I can integrate research into my future career aspirations.

In my spare time, I volunteer in the community at Health Sciences North, St. John Ambulance, and the Laurentian MedLife club.  I am also an active competitor in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and can often be found practicing different techniques and sparring on the mats.

Caden Caputo, graduate of Laurentian University’s Biomedical Biology program.

Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie, ON

High school: St. Mary's College

I am a recent graduate of Laurentian University’s Biomedical Biology program, and am conducting research through the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH), under the direction of Dr. Sandra Dorman. Through my involvement in several active projects at CROSH, I am developing research skills such as: peer-reviewed literature review, academic writing, big data analysis, experimental design and development, and knowledge translation of scientific research for a variety of communities. My interest in occupational health and safety was sparked by my experiences working at Algoma Steel, where over four summers, I witnessed the various risks and hazards faced by industrial workers. These experiences inspired me to join CROSH to help improve worker health, safety, and well-being while gaining valuable research experience.

Outside of research, I enjoy volunteering, working at local family healthcare clinics, and getting outdoors and active with friends and family. With my goal of pursuing a career in family medicine, I value how this opportunity is expanding my understanding of occupational health issues and equipping me with skills to better recognize and address the unique needs of workers in a clinical setting.