Chemists converge
photo by Kate Hutchinson
These graduate students (left) formed the organizing committee for the ninth annual Chemistry and Biochemistry Graduate Research Conference, held at the Richard J. Renaud Science Complex on Nov. 24 and 25.
In the front row are Marta Kocun, Bonny Choy, Amy Wong, Monica Cheung and Julie Bonvin. In the back row are Michel Boisvert, Catherine Dimacacos, Krystel Kanaan and John Manioudakis. Missing from the photo are Jason Booth, Francois David, Nabil Al-Yassir and Biao Shen.
About 180 graduate students attended the event from Concordia, the Université de Montréal, UQAM, McGill, Sherbrooke, Laval, Ottawa, Toronto, Carleton, Windsor and Waterloo; there was also a participant from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
The founders say it is the premier conference of its kind and an original concept in Canada. Students are able to showcase their work in an informal environment, a panel of judges award cash prizes to outstanding participants, and representatives from chemical research companies and universities attend so the students can pursue science issues and career opportunities.