Science Matters Vol. 2 No. 1
SIX QUESTIONS WITH AWARD-WINNING iSci STUDENT TAREN GINTER
By Caitlin Costello, communications intern
Taren Ginter is having a banner year. The fourth-year Honours Integrated Science student and research assistant from Peterborough just won two national research presentation awards. Since 2019, she’s been part of a student team that launched McMaster’s first satellite on March 14th. And she’s helped bring back in-person events and supports for students as President of the Integrated Science Society.
Taren reflected on her time at McMaster during a full day of classes that started at 8:30 am and included a social media takeover for the McMaster Science Society Instagram account and a two-hour student government meeting in the evening.
“It’s a long day, but I enjoy it all,” Taren says. “It’s fun!”
Congratulations on winning two presentation awards at the Canadian Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics. What was that experience like?
Very exciting. It was the second conference I’ve ever attended. The organizers did a great job putting on the event. I gave an oral presentation on my thesis work, the structure and stability of fatty acid membranes, and won an Outstanding Presentation Award. I also won first place for my poster presentation on white lead cosmetics.
Why did you choose to present on two different topics?
Both topics have to do with biophysics. I’ve been working with Dr. Fiona McNeill since my first year researching the toxicity of white lead cosmetics, which I really enjoy. This year I started my thesis work on fatty acid membranes with Dr. Maikel Rheinst?dter in the Origins of Life Laboratory. Both projects offer different experience. My work in the McNeill Lab is more wet lab focused. In the Origins of Life Lab, I get to work with computer simulations.
Dr. Rheinst?dter and Dr. McNeill were two of my first-year physics professors. They have different coaching and presentation styles, both with valuable advice to offer. I’ve gained a lot of experience doing research and giving oral talks through my thesis work. My poster presentation on white lead cosmetics helped me become more comfortable speaking to a larger audience.
What’s it like working on the NEUDOSE team? How did you get involved?
It’s amazing to be part of this project. The NEUDOSE team launched McMaster’s first satellite to the International Space Station on March 14th. I’ve been involved with the project since my first year, starting as a team member and now serving as the operations lead. I heard about the team back in first year when Erica Dao, guest lecturer and PhD candidate, came to speak to our class.
Apart from building the satellite, I do a lot of outreach and promotional work like hosting general lectures, social media takeovers, and events during Clubs Week and Welcome Week. I also help organize external media relations and speak with reporters about our stories. I like this work because I don’t have any formal public relations training, so it’s a great opportunity to learn as you go and make connections.
The project is part of the Canadian CubeSat Project funded by the Canadian Space Agency. The satellite will measure radiation in low earth orbits. Radiation is a big health risk for astronauts and with farther and longer space missions, we need to be aware of the risks. Working on the NEUDOSE team is the biggest time commitment of my extracurriculars but it’s so worth it. The hard work really pays off.
You’re also the President of the iSci Society. What does that involve?
Mainly overseeing executive meetings, representing the iSci Society at McMaster Students Union President’s meetings, running events, managing daily tasks, and trying to get back to pre-pandemic activities. iSci is a very close-knit community. I ran for VP External towards the end of first year and held this role for second and third year before serving as President.
My favourite part about working in student government is talking to younger students coming in and providing them with resources and support. I like helping other students and I try to answer as many questions as I can. Overall, it’s a very positive experience.
If you could choose one thing that you’re most proud of doing here at McMaster, what would it be and why?
That’s a tough question. I would probably say getting involved with hands-on research throughout my undergraduate studies because this showed me that research is something I’d like to pursue moving forward. Getting results and sharing findings through presentations is very fulfilling. I enjoy making science more approachable, drawing conclusions, building on relationships, and learning how people connect to these topics.
What’s next for you? Do you have any plans after graduation?
Hopefully graduate school. I’m still looking at options and figuring things out as I go. I’m interested in doing more astrobiology research, similar to my thesis on lipids, synthetic biology and the origins of life. I’ve looked at some programs abroad. Doing this kind of work sounds like a dream. We’ll see what happens!
Watch Taren's live interview with CTV.
Congratulate Taren at [email protected].
FACULTY RECOGNIZED FOR RESEARCH EXCELLENCE
Professors Sigal Balshine, Pat Chow-Fraser and Jianping (JP) Xu have joined 12 of their colleagues as Faculty of Science Research Chairs.
Sigal, a professor in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behavior, is the Faculty of Science Research Chair in Aquatic Behavior Ecology.
Pat, a professor in the Department of Biology, is the Faculty of Science Research Chair in Great Lakes Ecosystem Health Indicators.
And JP, also a professor in the Department of Biology, is the Faculty of Science Research Chair in Understanding Fungal Threats to Humans.
“We’re proud to recognize Sigal, Pat and JP as our newest Faculty of Science Research Chairs,” says Dean Maureen MacDonald. “Sigal, Pat and JP are exceptional researchers, supervisors, collaborators and colleagues who are helping transform our world through science.”
Introduced in 2019, the annual peer-nominated Faculty of Science Research Chair program recognizes research excellence and outstanding contributions by faculty members in Science’s eight departments and schools. Fifteen professors have been appointed during the past five years. The appointments include funding to support the professors’ research groups.
Nominations were reviewed by a selection committee led by cancer biologist and Associate Dean of Research & External Relations Juliet Daniel with Biology professor Carmel Mothersill, Canada Research Chair in Radiobiology; Kinesiology associate professor Jennifer Heisz, Canada Research Chair Brain Health & Aging; and Earth, Environment & Society professor Altaf Arain, Faculty of Science Research Chair in Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change.
The 2023 appointments were announced during a Feb. 28 in-person ceremony. Graeme Luke, Jonathan Dushoff, Paulin Coulibaly, Marie Elliot, David Earn and Altaf Arain were also recognized after COVID forced the cancellation of their 2021 and 2022 ceremonies.
Congratulate
Sigal at [email protected]
Pat at [email protected]
JP at [email protected]
PAUL MCNICHOLAS AWARDED RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
The National Research Council of Canada has awarded a Dorothy Killam Research Fellowship to Mathematics & Statistics Professor Paul McNicholas to support his work in identifying developmental trajectories of children on the autism spectrum
Dorothy Killam Research Fellowships recognize active scholars and researchers who've dedicated their careers to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and meeting challenges faced in daily life.
The Dorothy Killam Fellowships recognize active scholars and researchers who have dedicated their careers to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and conducting best-in-class research with a significant impact on a national or global scale.
The fellowships support scholars of exceptional ability, granting them time to pursue research projects of broad significance and widespread interest within the disciplines of the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences and engineering. Paul’s fellowship, one of eight awarded nationally, is valued at $160,000 over two years.
“I’m delighted to receive this fellowship and grateful to the National Research Council as well as my incredible team of students and postdoctoral fellows,” said Paul, a University Scholar and Canada Research Chair in Computational Statistics. “The fellowship will enable us to continue developing methods to help find and understand developmental trajectories in autistic children. As well as being a very important project to me personally, this work highlights the importance of multidisciplinary research. I’m fortunate to work at McMaster, where such research is encouraged, and with great collaborators at the McMaster Autism Research Team and the Offord Centre for Child Studies."
Paul is an internationally recognized expert in the development of new statistical and machine learning methods to analyse large and complex datasets. He works with researchers from diverse disciplines to apply these approaches to difficult data problems. In addition to his own methodological research, Paul has contributed to a range of interdisciplinary research projects, from discovering the factors that best predict mental health challenges in local immigrant and refugee children to determining which crops will grow best in developing countries.
"Our Faculty of Science is incredibly proud of the vital research being done by Paul and his team of students and postdoctoral fellows," said Maureen MacDonald, Dean of the Faculty of Science at McMaster University. "Paul is a world-renowned researcher, exceptional supervisor and mentor and an outstanding collaborator and colleague. Thank you to the National Research Council for generously supporting Paul and his team on this incredibly important, and personal, project."
The Dorothy Killam Fellowships were created in 2022 after the administration of the National Killam Program was transferred from the Canada Council for the Arts to the National Research Council of Canada.
Congratulate Paul at [email protected].
SCIENCE STORIES WITH NATURE OF THINGS HOST
Anthony Morgan, host of CBC's The Nature of Things and the Founder and Creative Director for Science Everywhere, returns to his alma mater for a Science Stories community talk and FreeStyle Social for students on Thursday, April 6th.
Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to join Anthony for a FreeStyle Social in The Grind Cafe in the McMaster University Student Centre from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Anthony began running Freestyle Socials as a storytelling training playground as part of his Ph.D. work at Ryerson University. Anthony graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science from McMaster's Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behavior.
Anthony will then give a talk at 7 p.m. in the LIVELab about his 20-year journey to host the Nature of Things and what he's learned about science communication. Anthony's talk will also be streamed live online.
For more information, contact Science Stories organizer and Interdisciplinary Science
Assistant Professor Professor Katie Moisse at [email protected].
DISCOUNT TICKETS FOR BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY
Spend an evening with Bill Nye the Science Guy.
Bill Nye's new live show, “The End Is Nye” takes audiences through his history as The Science Guy, his mission to increase scientific literacy and what we can do to mitigate climate change
Use code BN200 for 10 per cent off ticket purchases (excludes VIP) as a special promotion for McMaster University faculty, staff and students.
Best known for his 18-time Emmy-winning run as Bill Nye the Science Guy, he brings his love of science and flair for comedy to every appearance – translating complex issues to help inspire audiences of all ages to engage with and improve our world.
Show Dates:
- March 27, 2023 Centre in the Square, Kitchener
- March 28, 2023 First Ontario Concert Hall, Hamilton
- March 29, 2023 Meridian Hall, Toronto
- June 20, 2023 Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver
- June 21, 2023 Southern Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary
For more information or to access tickets or VIP packages, go to www.csentertainment.ca or the venue website.
RETREAT RECRUITS NEEDED
Volunteers with big ideas are needed to help plan and organize the annual Faculty and Staff Retreat on Thursday, May 18th. If you're interested in joining the planning committee, please email Maggie Cockburn in the Dean's Office at [email protected]. The committee is also looking to gauge interest in an in-person and offsite retreat. Have your say by completing a one-question survey here.
DISCOVER SCIENCE TALK WITH SAMAN SADEGHI
Click here to register for the online Discover Science talk with Chemistry & Chemical Biology Associate Professor Dr. Saman Sadeghi. Saman will give an overview of the molecular imaging and radiopharmaceutical program at McMaster with an emphasis on basic science and pre-clinical studies. Saman will also give examples of research currently underway ranging from radiolabeled small molecules for imaging inflammation that required development of new radiolabeling methodologies and platforms, metabolic based imaging tracers that can assist in targeting mitochondrial bioenergetics, photoacoustic imaging of infection and antibody-based theranostics that target cancer stem cells.
BRITTON LECTURE SERIES WITH SUN?ICA ?ANI?
PUBLIC LECTURE WITH DANNY HARVEY
Submit story ideas & upcoming events to communications manager Jay Robb at [email protected].