MAY 27, 2015 – Laurentian University’s Acting Dean in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, Dr. David Lesbarrères has been honoured with this year’s Partners in Research Virtual Researcher on Call (VROC) Expert Participation Award.
The award was presented at a ceremony celebrating the Partners in Research 2015 National Award recipients on May 26th in Ottawa.
VROC brings Canadian university researchers and other experts into elementary and secondary school classrooms through video-conferencing, giving students direct access to some of the world’s leading scientists. Many of these discussions are available as podcasts through the VROC video library, and through YouTube and iTunes.
The VROC program was launched in 2006 by Partners in Research, a London, Ontario-based registered charity promoting science education, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as fields of discovery and study for Canadian students.
“Dr. Lesbarrères has a gift for making his research relevant and meaningful to young people,” said VROC Executive Director Kevin Cougler. “He has been generous with his time, and his enthusiasm for research in biology has certainly caught on with students.”
Dr. Lesbarrères is head of the Genetic and Ecology of Amphibians Research Group (GEARG) at Laurentian University.
In 2013, Dr. Lesbarrères took part in a 6-week mentorship experience with a Grade 6 class at Aqsarniit Ilinniarvik Middle School in Iqualuit, Nunavut. “Being in a remote location makes it difficult to have speakers and experts come into the classroom, especially with a biology background. With David, we got to see cells under a microscope,” said the Grade 6 teacher, Caryn Conley. “His presentations clarified ideas for many students. They also got the students excited about science time and most importantly encouraged their curiosity.” For more on the mentorship experience, go to http://www.vroc.ca/pir/en/tag/david-lesbarreres/
“I am pleased to accept the award from Partners in Research, and delighted to be part of a program bringing university research into classrooms across Canada through the VROC program. If there is a gene for curiosity, let's make sure our children get the environment for its expression” said Dr. Lebarrères.
Other Laurentian faculty who have participated in VROC programs include Dr. Daniel Campbell, Dr. Tammy Eger, Dr. Scott Fairgrieve, Dr. Jacqueline Litzgus, Dr. Thomas Merritt, Dr. David Pearson and Dr. James Watterson.
Partners In Research’s (PIR) mandate is to educate the public about the importance and significance of research within the biomedical and natural sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics domains. Through its National Awards program, Partners in Research celebrate leading Canadian research, its promotion to the public through outreach activities and recognize the impact of this research on the lives of Canadians. For more information about PIR and its programs, please go to http://www.pirweb.org/vroc/en/