Tips for time management and lab work

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Guest blog by Adrian Chan, 2009 and 2010 SBCC alumnus

Time Management

The SBCC is a huge time commitment for high school students who already have to juggle school, part-time jobs, and other extra-curricular studies. You’ll have to work out a schedule that fits both yours and the lab members’ since you will need supervision and assistance with your project. At times, it may be difficult to manage all your commitments but be assured that the SBCC experience will prove valuable to your future academic and career goals. The best thing to do is to focus on your end goal and not to worry about the small things. At times it’ll feel like you’re being pulled in many directions, but if you pause to reflect about your reason for joining the SBCC and the tremendous experience you’re gaining, you’ll be able to prioritize the things you want to do. Read more

SBC Alumni: Q&A with Anton Dobrin

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Anton Dobrin is a multi-year SBCC alumnus, whose project, “Studying the Effects of the pH level on Protein Activity, Inhibition and Structure,” won fifth place prize at the GTA SBCC regional competition in 2008. In this interview, Anton shares what the SBCC experience was like for him and how it has helped him beyond high school, including earning an internship with Sanofi Pasteur after his first year of university. Persistent and dedicated, Anton also shares some important advice for future SBCC participants.

Tell us about your history with the SBCC.

I first heard about SBCC in grade 9, and it got me very excited about the possibilities of biotechnology and doing a project in a real lab. While my high school was very well equipped, it was not equivalent to a well-funded university lab. Read more

SBC Alumni: Q&A with Adrian Chan

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Adrian Chan participated in the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada in 2009 and 2010. His project in 2009 examined the role of the protein TRIM22 in inhibiting HIV replication.

Currently working on a degree in Microbiology and Immunology at Western University and interning at Sanofi Pasteur, Adrian strongly believes that his participation in the SBCC has helped him get to where he is today. In this interview, Adrian provides a lot of insight and advice for students who are interested in submitting a project to the SBCC.

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Celebrating Canadian research, outreach, and innovation

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Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada National Awards and Partners in Research National Awards to be held as co-event celebrating Canadian research, outreach, and innovation

To kick off 2014, Partners in Research, Key Managing Partner of the SBCC, is delighted to announce that the 21st annual Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC) National Competition Awards will be co-presented with the 2nd annual Partners in Research National Awards (PIRNA) on May 23, 2014 at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre.

The SBCC national competition will also be held in Ottawa on the preceding evening of May 22, 2014 at the National Research Council, where winners from each of the nine regional competitions will contend for Canada’s ultimate student biotechnology science prizes. Read more

SBC Alumni: Q&A with Miranda Wang

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Miranda Wang is a Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada 2012 alumna, whose project with her research partner, Jeanny Yao, looked at the plastic degradative potentials of soil bacteria from the Fraser River area in BC. They collected 14 strains of soil bacteria from contaminated sites along the river, and identified three strains that could efficiently degrade phthalates – a plasticizer found in common items ranging from pharmaceutical pills to toys. The bacteria that were discovered by Miranda and Jeanny could be used to treat a lot of environmental contamination.

Miranda took time out her busy schedule at the University of Pennsylvania to talk to me via email about her experience and successes with the SBCC and what she’s doing now. She provides a lot of encouragement and motivating insights for students who are interested in participating in the SBCC and pursuing a career in science. Read more

SBC Alumni: Q&A with Daisy Liu

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Daisy participated in the SBCC in each year of high school (2010-2013), winning second place at a national science fair competition in 2011. She says the SBCC helped her realize her potential and has given her invaluable experience and confidence as a first-year student in both the Science and Concurrent Education programs at Queen’s University. Daisy provides a lot of insight, wisdom, and advice for current high school students interested in participating in the SBCC and pursuing a career in science.

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Bringing together industry, government, academia and youth

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Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne visited the Sanofi Pasteur offices in Toronto last Wednesday, October 15, for a round-table discussion about innovation in the manufacturing arena. The Premier also took time to meet with Sanofi Pasteur co-op students and recent participants in the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC) – Alina Ma, Quentin Wong, Arachel Abella, and Monica Naguib. Partners in Research is delighted to be the new Key Managing Partner of the annual competition and to support the next generation of SBCC participants.

“We need to invest in the new generation,” Premier Wynne said to an audience of R&D employees. She touched on the importance of collaboration between private and public sectors. Premier Wynne was particularly impressed with the SBCC, an initiative that involves the collaboration of Sanofi Pasteur and Partners in Research. Read more