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 16 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 summer the students will share, in their own words, about themselves, their ambitions, their interests, and a little about the research project they are supporting.
Kailey Beggs
3rd year of Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Laurentian University
Hometown: Val Caron, Ontario
High School: Confederation Secondary School
This summer, I was offered the opportunity to work with the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) through my USRA. I am excited to be gaining practical experience in the field of research, working on many projects that are all in different stages. Surprisingly, I have learned more about statistics through CROSH than I did in my intro to stats course. Who knew I would be using stats again! In the future, I hope to use all the knowledge and skills I am gaining from CROSH and my program (Kinesiology) to pursue postgraduate education and eventually achieve a career in healthcare.
Currently, I am involved in several projects at CROSH, but the one that is most exciting to me is the Air Quality Index (AQI) Interventions project with Dr. Alison Godwin. In this project, I am researching how people interact and interpret AQI data with a goal to improve public awareness about air pollution and associated health risks. My favourite topic to learn about is human physiology. I find it fascinating to understand how the body works, by understanding metabolism or examining movement patterns to prevent injuries and enhance biomechanics. Outside of school, I love running, going to the gym, walking my dog Hershey, and diving into a good book! A big part of my life is also volunteering and working.
Dulain Abeyratne
4th year Biomedical Biology at Laurentian University
Hometown: Sudbury, Ontario
High school: Lockerby Composite School
This is my second summer of research under the supervision of Dr. Stefan Siemann. Currently, I am supporting a project that focuses on the effects of metal exchange and the removal of zinc from a group of metal-containing enzymes. Specifically, we are investigating how this metal exchange impacts the enzyme activity. My time working as a research assistant has not only given me hands-on laboratory experience but has sparked an interest in the field of research. I hope to pursue a career in medicine, and I am confident that the skills I learn through this USRA-funded opportunity will positively impact my future goals.
In my free time, I enjoy running, playing basketball, and spending time with friends and family! I also spend time volunteering with different organizations including the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario and St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Center.
Olivia Norman
4th year Biomedical Biology at Laurentian University
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
High school: Glebe Collegiate Institute
Originally from Ottawa, I was drawn to Laurentian University by its varsity nordic ski team, incredible outdoor access, and smaller class sizes. Because Laurentian is a relatively small university, undergraduate students are provided with more laboratory experience than is often available at larger institutions. This experience built foundational skills I was able to transfer to research in a professional laboratory setting. This summer I received a USRA, which has provided me with the opportunity to work hands-on at NOSM U’s biomedical research laboratory in Sudbury. Co-supervised by Dr. Alain Simard and Dr. Suji Tharmalingam, my research digs into the genetics underlying the function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the human body. NAChRs are found in many cell types around the body, including immune cells. Building on previous research by Dr. Simard and his team, I hope to uncover more about the involvement of nAChRs in the inflammatory response triggered by the immune system.
Camden Babin
3rd Year Software Engineering at the University of Alberta (U of A)
Hometown: Hanmer, Ontario
High school: Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S
Before my studies at the U of A, I had a burning interest in all areas of STEM and had no idea where it would take me. It wasn’t until my general first-year programming class that I found my passion for computer science in engineering. Given the opportunity to work with CROSH at Laurentian this summer, I am most interested in the exposure to the use of microelectronics within the research and occupational health and safety fields. So far, I've seen how microelectronics such as accelerometers and low-cost Air Quality Index sensors communicate with larger computer systems to collect, store and process data securely. I look forward to learning about the research process and research-based practices, and how it relates to various engineering processes.
This summer I will be working closely on a project that facilitates community engagement with local air quality tools to assist in health-related decision-making, as well as taking every opportunity to aid in the technological side of other projects. I think what ties engineering, research, and occupational health and safety (OHS) all together is the desire we all have to problem-solve and improve the quality of life of others. I look forward to applying my passion to explore the intersection of technology and occupational health and safety at CROSH, contributing to projects that improve our community through innovative research.