Trent Students win at Chemistry Conference

Con'd from home page

More than 130 participants from 12 Ontario universities participated in the day-long event at the University of Toronto on March 24th.

"Trent had only five participants compared to much higher numbers from larger institutions," said Dr. Janet Yee of Trent's Biology Department. "To come away with three prizes is quite amazing. I am very proud of our students."

The conference provided an opportunity for fourth year honours students to present chemistry-related research before faculty and scientists from other universities and research institutions. Senior scientists from the University of Toronto, as well as government and industrial institutions such as Xerox and Merck Frosst, judged the work.

Wei Ling Lau won third place in the Biological Chemistry section for her work with her research advisor Dr. Yee , on gene regulation in a protozoan parasite.

Frank Gu won an honourable mention in the same section on his work with Dr. Carolyn Kapron on factors affecting the growth of blood vessel cells.

Derek Wilson won an honourable mention in the Biochemistry section for his research with Dr. Steven Rafferty on the enzyme, nitric oxide synthase.

This was the 29th year for the annual event. Winners received prizes of cash and books.

Trent's Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program is offered jointly by the Departments of Chemistry and Biology.