Title: “Exploring breeding season phenology of the Eastern Gray Treefrog (Dryophytes versicolor)”
Supervisory Committee:
Dr. Adam Algar (Supervisor)
Dr. Stephen Hecnar
Dr. Carissa Brown (Adjunct, Memorial University)
Dr. Heather Kharouba (External, University of Ottawa)
Dong Dong Zhao will present her PhD research on Monday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m. in CB 4058 and on Zoom.
Title - Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Novel Aurora Kinase Inhibitors for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death globally, with advancements in diagnosis and therapeutics playing a crucial role in improving patient outcomes. Aurora kinases, as essential mitotic regulators, have been key targets in cancer treatment due to their oncogenic properties. Despite the development of various selective and pan-Aurora inhibitors demonstrating effective antitumor properties in preclinical studies, none have been approved for human use. The need for novel, highly selective inhibitors is critical for advancing cancer therapy and understanding the biological functions of Aurora kinases. Aurora kinase A, B, and C, though structurally similar, differ in subcellular locations and cancer-specific amplification. Inhibiting Aurora A poses risks of secondary tumors, whereas targeting Aurora kinase B with selective inhibitors offers a less toxic strategy. This research focusing on the most potent Aurora B inhibitor, Barasertib, has revealed that enhancing specific residue interactions could improve selectivity for Aurora B over A. Further developments led to a new inhibitor with high selectivity for Aurora B and significant anticancer activity against HPV-positive cervical cancer cell lines. Additionally, efforts to create potent 18F-radiotracers for cancer imaging have shown improved binding affinity. The structural selectivity mechanism of the first Aurora C inhibitor, HCE0063, aids in distinguishing between Aurora B and C due to their phenotypic similarities. An overview of cancer metastasis, its cellular and molecular mechanisms, and recent advances in anti-metastatic strategies were also discussed. This research enhances the understanding of Aurora kinase inhibitors' structural selectivity and therapeutic potential, paving the way for the development of highly selective and potent inhibitors for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Supervisory Committee: Dr. Jinqiang Hou and Dr. Christine Gottardo (co-supervisors), Dr. Mike Campbell, Dr. Wely Floriano, Dr. Justin Jiang, Dr. Yifeng Li (external), Dr. Rob Mawhinney (chair)
Please contact Brenda Magajna at phd.ses@lakeheadu.ca for more information or the Zoom link.
Galina Nagicheva will present her CHMS PhD research proposal "Characterization of Lead Oxide X-ray Photoconductor for Applications in Direct Conversion Medical Imaging Detectors" on Monday, Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. in CB 4058.
Everyone is welcome.
Contact Brenda Magajna at phd.ses@lakeheadu.ca for more information.
Please join us for Jaidyn Charlton's final MA Thesis Defense. This is a hybrid defense. Should you wish to attend in person, this will take place is FB 2005.
Title: Exploring how the Dark Tetrad is Associated with Coping: An Intensive Longitudinal Daily Diary Approach
Supervisor: Dr. Aislin Mushquash
Second Reader: Dr. Beth Visser
External Examiner: Dr. Rupert Klein
GSC Re: Dr. Josephine Tan
Please contact grad.psych@lakeheadu.ca for the Zoom link and passcode
The Biotechnology PhD candidate, Janak Raj Khatiwada will present his dissertation research on Thursday, Aug. 15 in ATAC 2021 at 1 p.m.
Thesis title:
Exploring Potential of Freshwater Microalgae in Northern Ontario for Bioremediation and
Bioenergy Production
Committee members:
Dr. Wensheng Qin (Supervisor)
Dr. Brian Ross
Dr. Robert Mackereth
External examiner: Dr. Wen Chen
This study explored the biodiversity of freshwater microalgae in Northern Ontario, focusing on their applications in bioremediation and bioenergy production. Microalgae play vital roles in aquatic ecosystems but are threatened by habitat loss and pollution. Canada occupies the diverse freshwater ecosystems, particularly in Northwestern Ontario, offers a rich habitat for microalgae. This study isolated, screened and identified the microalgal species from the Thunder Bay region and also evaluated their potential for wastewater treatment, biofuel production, and biomolecule synthesis. Among the different wastewater, unsterile diluted malting effluent found to be optimal for microalgal biomass and subsequent lipid and bioethanol production. Additionally, this study found the capabilities of microalgae cells in the adsorption of PET microplastic particles and formation of hetero-aggregation and facilitated the sedimentation. Likewise, this study optimized the physical, chemical and enzymatic pretreatment conditions of microalgae for the reducing sugar production using response surface method (RSM). Furthermore, the study also optimized the microalgal culture condition in Microalgae Microbial Fuel Call (MMFC) for higher bioelectricity production and optimized the condition for biomolecule production from wet microalgal biomass. The study highlights potential of microalgae to for wastewater treatment,
and production high-value biomolecules and biofuels, contributing to sustainable energy and environmental management.
Please contact Brenda Magajna at phd.ses@lakeheadu.ca for more information or the zoom link.
Superior Science, the not-for-profit STEM outreach organization run under Lakehead University’s Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies, proudly commemorates its 25th anniversary in 2024.
We invite past and present campers, staff, families and Lakehead University faculty and staff, to join us August 20th to commemorate the past 25 years, and celebrate what's to come!
Superior Science 25th Anniversary Celebration
Date: Tuesday, August 20
Time: 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Location: Lake Tamblyn Patio, at Lakehead University.
Activities and BBQ dinner are provided, registration required.
Register at: https://www.superiorscience.ca/25th-anniversary
About Superior Science
For 25 years, Superior Science has been inspiring a passion for STEM among youth in Northwestern Ontario. With humble beginnings of reaching 100 youth each summer, Superior Science has now grown to reach over 5,000 youth each year. Focusing on inspiring youth in grade 1 to grade 8, Superior Science offers summer camps, school workshops, local community outreach and outreach to Indigenous communities. From all-girls programming to barrier-free coding and technology programming, Superior Science continues to develop initiatives to reach a diverse population of youth.
The Career Services and Co-op team will be at the career zone between 1 and 4 p.m. on September 9 for our Career Services Open House. Students are welcome to drop by to ask any questions that they may have related to job search, co-op opportunities, or resume building, or even to hangout and socialize with other students and the career services team!
Zotero is a free and convenient tool that can be used to help you manage information for your research, insert citations into your writing and easily create bibliographies. This session will provide an overview of how Zotero can support your work throughout the research process, with hands-on opportunities to practice using the tool.
After attending this workshop, you will have learned how to use Zotero to:
Register at https://libcal.lakeheadu.ca/event/3815873.
Please join us for Genevieve Berube's PhD Dissertation Proposal Defense on Friday, Aug. 30, 12 to 2 p.m. This is a hybrid defense, should you wish to attend in person it will be held in ATAC 5033.
Title: The Influence of Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences on Outcomes of Burnout, Secondary Traumatic Stress, and Compassion in Mental Health Clinicians.
Supervisor: Dr. C. Mushquash
Second Reader: Dr. Fred Schmidt
GSC Rep: Dr. Gordon Hayman
Please contact admin.psych@lakeheadu.ca for the zoom link and passcode.
This interactive and experiential one-day gathering presents an opportunity for members of the University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), and Lakehead University communities and the community of veterinary professionals to come together to begin a dialogue around issues of Indigenization and decolonization in veterinary medical education. This event will provide an opportunity for us to learn, reflect, and take meaningful steps toward creating a more inclusive and culturally responsive educational environment.
The keynote speaker will be Sheila Cote-Meek, Director of Indigenous Educational Studies Program, Brock University.
Event details:
Refreshments and lunch will be provided for those attending in person.
Let us come together to learn, share, and envision a curriculum that reflects Indigenous perspectives and knowledge. Once the final agenda is confirmed, information will be sent to registrants.
Space is limited, and participation will be honoured on a first come first served basis, so please register soon. Registration will close on July 31, 2024.
This event is a collaboration between OVC and Lakehead and sponsored by funding from the University of Guelph’s Office of Diversity and Human Rights EDI Enhancement Fund.
For more information, please contact Dr. Michel S. Beaulieu, Associate Vice-Provost (Academic) at avp.academic@lakeheadu.ca
