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.
Kate Pappin
4th year Biology at Laurentian University
Hometown: Sudbury, Ontario
High school: St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School
I am incredibly passionate about environmental science and I am super excited to share a bit about myself and the research I’m taking part in this summer. I have been working out of the Vale Living with Lakes Centre (VLWLC) with my supervisor Dr. Brie Edwards, a Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks scientist. As part of her job, Dr. Edwards manages the long-term monitoring program of several acid damaged lakes in and around the Sudbury region.
To help support this project, it is my job to collect water chemistry samples, conduct kick and sweep surveys for benthic invertebrates (like the cute crayfish in my picture!), and do the prep work and data management that goes along with it. I have also been fortunate enough to tag along with other crews from the Ministry of Natural Resources and other universities to aid in similar work. I feel very lucky to be in my position, and I intend on continuing with graduate studies at VLWLC after I complete my undergraduate thesis.
Jazmin Fergani
4th year Biochemistry at Laurentian University
Hometown: Sudbury, Ontario
High school: Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School
I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from amazing mentors, gaining valuable research skills and insights into future research career opportunities. Mining has been a large part of Sudbury’s history and through my USRA project, supervised by Dr. Nadia Mykytczuk, I am able to learn more about the implications the mining industry has had on my community.
My USRA project at MIRARCO supports the development and optimization of bioleaching technologies, addressing the growing demand for critical minerals with alternative sources like mine wastes. Contributing to such a large scale project has given me opportunities to engage with influential figures such as Ontario’s Minister of Mines, George Pirie, and Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson.
Throughout the summer I am responsible for maintaining microbial cultures sourced from mine wastes, by adjusting their conditions, and providing them with essential nutrients for the leaching process. In this process, I am also responsible for extracting microbial DNA to analyze their sequences and identify which bacterial species are present at different stages of the reaction.
Outside of my studies, I enjoy spending time outdoors with friends and family, whether on the lake or exploring Sudbury, my hometown.
McKinley Broomhead
3rd year student in Health Sciences at Queen’s University
Hometown: Lively, Ontario
High school: Lively District Secondary School (LDSS)
As a research assistant at the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) at Laurentian University, my work focuses on preventing heat-related illnesses (HRI) in the workplace through the use of wearable technology. The projects I am involved in, under the guidance of Dr. Sandra Dorman, include, "A Field Application of a Novel Wearable Technology as a Component of a Heat Illness Prevention Plan Amongst Wildland Firefighters" and "An Evaluation of a Novel Wearable Technology for the Prevention of Heat Strain". My work on this research project is an opportunity to build on the experience I gained when working with Dr. Vince DePaul at Queen's University on the OASIS Research Team and my contributions to the Markerless Motion Capture Project.
My academic interests are centered on public health. My favourite courses so far have been ones that helped me understand global and population health and developing health programming. In my free time, I enjoy various physical activities such as weightlifting, hockey, and tennis.
Josée McDavid
4th year Biomedical Biology at Laurentian University
Hometown: Sudbury, Ontario
High school: École secondaire catholique l’Horizon
I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to work under the supervision of Dr. Alexander Moise at NOSM U over the course of this summer. In only a short amount of time I have been able to develop various new skills on molecular biology techniques. These techniques vary from cell culture work to cloning small DNA molecules containing a specific gene.
My summer project is focused on the gene coding for the enzyme retinol saturase (RetSat). Altered levels of RetSat have been linked to insulin resistance, autoimmunity, and dyslipidemia in patients and animal models, though the biochemical basis is unknown. This research aims to clarify RetSat’s role and the biological processes involved in hypoxia adaptation.
Through my work as a USRA I have also been given various opportunities for career development and networking with experts in the field of research. In June I attended the Northern Health Research Conference at NOSM U where I was able to learn more about the amazing research that is being conducted here in the North. I am also incredibly grateful to have attended the International Retinoid Conference held in Saint Paul, Minnesota this July, where I had the opportunity to attend various talks from experts in the field of Vitamin A.