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UPEI salutes winners of 2008 NSERC undergraduate scholarships
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The University of Prince Edward Island celebrated today the accomplishments of 26 undergraduate students who were recognized this year with scholarships from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).
Dr. Donna Giberson, NSERC scholarship liaison officer for UPEI, reported that this is the highest number of these awards the university has ever received from the council, which is the main government funding agency for basic science and engineering research in Canada.
“NSERC received more funding for student research projects this year, and UPEI was in a good position to take advantage of the increase, since we had a record number of high quality applicants,” says Giberson. “It is an incredible opportunity for the students, since they work on real research projects. When I asked the students what excited them most about their summer work, that was the main thing that they mentioned: the chance to work on real research equipment, and contribute to real research projects.”
During the event, the students’ projects were showcased in a virtual poster session. Projects cover a range of the sciences, including chemistry, biology, physics, pathology and microbiology, family and nutritional sciences, and mathematics.
Research topics include the effects of green crab sediment disturbance on eelgrass beds, the potential health benefits of cranberries and blueberries, the development of a new animal model of schizophrenia, the effects of nitrate pollution on development of fish eggs, investigation of new chemical compounds that could lead to more environmentally secure batteries, and testing a new form of medical imaging called optoacoustic imaging.
NSERC’s undergraduate summer research awards program provides funding for university undergraduate students to gain experience working on real research projects in NSERC-funded laboratories. These awards not only provide an exceptional opportunity to learn about research first hand, but are very valuable for the students in opening up future career or study opportunities.
For detailed information on all of the projects, visit www.upei.ca/studentresearch.
Dr. Donna Giberson, NSERC scholarship liaison officer for UPEI, reported that this is the highest number of these awards the university has ever received from the council, which is the main government funding agency for basic science and engineering research in Canada.
“NSERC received more funding for student research projects this year, and UPEI was in a good position to take advantage of the increase, since we had a record number of high quality applicants,” says Giberson. “It is an incredible opportunity for the students, since they work on real research projects. When I asked the students what excited them most about their summer work, that was the main thing that they mentioned: the chance to work on real research equipment, and contribute to real research projects.”
During the event, the students’ projects were showcased in a virtual poster session. Projects cover a range of the sciences, including chemistry, biology, physics, pathology and microbiology, family and nutritional sciences, and mathematics.
Research topics include the effects of green crab sediment disturbance on eelgrass beds, the potential health benefits of cranberries and blueberries, the development of a new animal model of schizophrenia, the effects of nitrate pollution on development of fish eggs, investigation of new chemical compounds that could lead to more environmentally secure batteries, and testing a new form of medical imaging called optoacoustic imaging.
NSERC’s undergraduate summer research awards program provides funding for university undergraduate students to gain experience working on real research projects in NSERC-funded laboratories. These awards not only provide an exceptional opportunity to learn about research first hand, but are very valuable for the students in opening up future career or study opportunities.
For detailed information on all of the projects, visit www.upei.ca/studentresearch.
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