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Girl power thrives in science at SFU
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February 19, 2003
If the results of a recent competition involving five Simon Fraser University female graduate students are any indication, girl power in science is flourishing at SFU. Female university researchers from SFU, Ontario and Saskatchewan garnered all eight of the awards bestowed at the Canadian Aquatic Toxicology Workshop (CATW) in Whistler just before Christmas.
SFU graduate students picked up three first prizes: two others received honourable mention.
Biology student Joline King of Burnaby, a first prize winner for technical excellence in Canadian aquatic environmental research, says SFU’s stellar performance is significant for several reasons. "The workshop," says King, "is Canada’s most established annual scientific meeting on aquatic and environmental toxicology. It’s an opportunity for researchers to informally exchange their ideas with other scientists, industry, consultants, government, universities, colleges and the general public."
King notes that eastern schools often beat out their western counterparts at CATW competitions. "This year, SFU did so very well due to an increasing number of students working in environmental research, the potential for enhanced research funding and because the workshop was held in BC"
A doctoral student in ecotoxicology, King is examining the ingestion of heavy metals by the Pacific blue mussel and the potential for these metals to be transferred to humans and birds through their consumption of these mussels.
Of the other SFU recipients, Christy Morrissey of Surrey won first prize for her oral presentation of research examining the effects of metal and organic contaminants in the Chilliwack watershed. As a doctoral student in wildlife toxicology, Morrissey is examining how these contaminants affect the health and distribution of the aquatic songbird, the American Dipper. Master’s in environmental toxicology student Deborah Ratzlaff of Coquitlam picked up first prize for her poster presentation of research determining the fate and distribution of Phthalate esters. This large-scale industrially produced chemical in plastic production escapes into rivers and oceans. Glenys Webster of Burnaby, a master’s in resource and environmental management student, is exploring how organisms absorb Phthalate esters and how these commonly used chemicals travel through aquatic food chains. Webster’s poster presentation picked up third prize.
The 2002 CATW drew 401 participants, with 136 giving oral presentations and 86 presenting posters of their research.
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(electronic photo available)
Contact
Joline King, 604.291.5985, jolinek@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035, carol_thorbes@sfu.ca
SFU graduate students picked up three first prizes: two others received honourable mention.
Biology student Joline King of Burnaby, a first prize winner for technical excellence in Canadian aquatic environmental research, says SFU’s stellar performance is significant for several reasons. "The workshop," says King, "is Canada’s most established annual scientific meeting on aquatic and environmental toxicology. It’s an opportunity for researchers to informally exchange their ideas with other scientists, industry, consultants, government, universities, colleges and the general public."
King notes that eastern schools often beat out their western counterparts at CATW competitions. "This year, SFU did so very well due to an increasing number of students working in environmental research, the potential for enhanced research funding and because the workshop was held in BC"
A doctoral student in ecotoxicology, King is examining the ingestion of heavy metals by the Pacific blue mussel and the potential for these metals to be transferred to humans and birds through their consumption of these mussels.
Of the other SFU recipients, Christy Morrissey of Surrey won first prize for her oral presentation of research examining the effects of metal and organic contaminants in the Chilliwack watershed. As a doctoral student in wildlife toxicology, Morrissey is examining how these contaminants affect the health and distribution of the aquatic songbird, the American Dipper. Master’s in environmental toxicology student Deborah Ratzlaff of Coquitlam picked up first prize for her poster presentation of research determining the fate and distribution of Phthalate esters. This large-scale industrially produced chemical in plastic production escapes into rivers and oceans. Glenys Webster of Burnaby, a master’s in resource and environmental management student, is exploring how organisms absorb Phthalate esters and how these commonly used chemicals travel through aquatic food chains. Webster’s poster presentation picked up third prize.
The 2002 CATW drew 401 participants, with 136 giving oral presentations and 86 presenting posters of their research.
—30—
(electronic photo available)
Contact
Joline King, 604.291.5985, jolinek@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035, carol_thorbes@sfu.ca