Series: Undergraduate Student Research Awards Recipients (#4)

(August 15, 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.

Claude Levesque, 3rd year Forensic Science student at Laurentian University

Hometown: Montréal, QC

High school: Resurrection Catholic Secondary School

This summer, I am working under the direction of Professor Krista Currie within Laurentian University’s Forensic Science labs. We are performing a validation study on the SeqStudioTM Genetic Analyzer Instrument - a new addition to the DNA lab. I am also learning new skills and assisting the research of Masters students.

I am really excited to be working in a lab and learning the different ways to work with DNA depending on the source of the DNA and how it was collected. DNA has always fascinated me, and these experiences provide me a glimpse of my potential future career. Thanks to my USRA, I am developing stronger knowledge and experience in a laboratory environment. I’ve learned the basics about doing research, and about how to be more efficient and reliable in a research setting. I hope this experience will assist my efforts in writing a 4th year thesis this upcoming year, which I hope may then be followed by a Masters degree. 

Olivia Norman, 4th year Biomedical Biology student 

Hometown: Ottawa, ON

High school: Glebe Collegiate Institute

This summer I received an NSERC USRA, which has provided me the opportunity to work at NOSM University’s biomedical research laboratory. Under the supervision of Dr. Alain Simard, my work focuses on a novel CRISPR cell line to investigate the inflammatory response of immune cells. I am excited to gain a deeper understanding of immunology, which has always been an interest of mine. I hope to take the laboratory and research skills I have gained from this USRA position into a future career in medicine. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending as much time outdoors as possible, whether I am cross country skiing in the winter, or hiking and swimming in the summer. 

Elizabeth Saraiva, 3rd year Mechanical Engineering student at Laurentian University

Hometown: Sudbury, ON

High school: Sudbury Secondary School

I have spent the summer working within the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) under the direction of Dr. Katie Goggins and Dr. Brent Lievers, where I have been focused on vibration research, and 3D image processing of human bones, or more specifically, of trabecular bone. It's been very interesting and exciting learning how to use software that can convert many 2D images into one 3D model. This experience has provided me the opportunity to develop many skills, such as how to conduct and write about research. I hope to become a better engineer from this experience that has helped me gain knowledge about health and safety as well as engineering applied to the human body. This research provides me valuable experience to prepare for a Masters thesis. I chose mechanical engineering as my program of study mainly due to my strong interest in physics; especially physics as they apply to everyday life. Some of my favorite classes have been applied mechanics (I and II), strength of materials (I and II) and engineering materials, for their application to building and ensuring human safety. Outside of school, I enjoy knitting, drawing and painting, as well as doing puzzles. These hobbies are really great at helping me unwind after long days spent at school or work. When I finish my degree, I plan on becoming an EIT (Engineer in Training). I would also like to accomplish a Masters degree.

Matteo Di Ciccio, 3rd year Biomedical Biology student at Laurentian University

Hometown: Oshawa, ON

High school: École Secondaire Catholique Saint-Charles-Garnier

This summer, I have had the privilege of working in Laurentian’s lab under Dr. M’hamed Chahma. The project I am supporting involving the synthesis of an electropolymerized pyrrole film bearing amino acids. Chemistry has always been a fascinating topic to me, and the USRA scholarship has granted me the privilege to do research in something I am fascinated in.

In my spare time, I love to play sports, especially lacrosse and hockey. I also enjoy playing the violin. Although the end goal of my education is to become an orthodontist, this summer provides invaluable experience in the research field and has allowed me to really understand what it takes to conduct research.