Jennifer Carter ‘09, Honours Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Codrington, ON

“Trent is a small university. I feel this allows the professors to be much more accessible and helpful.”

Ms. Jennifer Carter is a recipient of the Symons Medal. This medal is awarded to students in the Honours program who achieve high overall standing on graduation.

Jennifer’s area of study is biochemistry.   Through the assistance of the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) she has worked extensively on projects including her thesis that involve binding and competition of pharmaceuticals.  Her work sparked an interest in studying how drugs are altered in the body after administration, known as pharmacokinetics. In turn she is planning to train as a pharmacist.

In addition to the Symons Medal Jennifer is grateful to receive many other awards including Trent’s National Renewable Scholarship and The Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Tuition Scholarship every year throughout her career at Trent University.

Jennifer feels the professors at Trent are helpful and accessible and is appreciative of the many research opportunities offered to her.

About Receiving the Symons Medal:
The Robert Anette Award and the Symons Medal have meant a great deal to me as recognition and support for the hard work I have invested.

What are you future goals?
I plan on continuing with part-time studies in the coming year in order to become eligible to apply to the School of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto the following year.

What is the best thing about studying at Trent?
Trent is a small university. I feel this allows the professors to be much more accessible and helpful.  They know who you are, rather than identifying you by your student number.

Can you give an example of how Trent professors had a special impact?
As my supervisor, David Ellis has given me many opportunities for research experience, which has developed my interest in pharmacokinetics.  Matthew Thompson is another professor that has helped me a lot throughout my time at Trent.

Research Interests / Area of Study:
My area of study is biochemistry.  The research I have done during my summers here at Trent through USRA and my undergraduate thesis project has focused on the binding and competition of pharmaceuticals and perfluorinated compounds to serum proteins.

I became interested in this area when my USRA supervisor, David Ellis, proposed a project on the PFOS to serum albumin.  Since then, I have worked on and collaborated with others for similar projects that have also promoted my interest in pharmacokinetics and lead to my desire to be a pharmacist

Awards and Scholarships received at Trent University:

• Symons Medal (2013)
• Trent’s National Renewable Scholarship (2009-2013)
• The Queen Elizabeth II Aiming for the Top Tuition Scholarship (2009-2013)
• The Robert Anette Award (2012)
• Undergraduate Student Research Awards (2011-2013)