The Sanofi Group in Canada has selected Partners In Research as the new national coordinator for the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC). Partners In Research (PIR) helps Canadians understand the significance, accomplishments and promise of biomedical research in advancing health and medicine, with an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as fields of discovery and study for Canadian students.
Ella placed 4th in Ottawa in 2012 but was unable to attend the 2013 nationals due to her participation in the world public speaking championships in South Africa. Manitoba this year was represented in Ottawa by 2nd place provincial winner Daniel Huang, who placed 5th nationally.
By Mark Lievonen, President, Sanofi Pasteur Limited
Twenty years ago, Sanofi Pasteur helped found the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC) because we believed in giving back. Since then, over 4,500 budding young scientists have had the opportunity to conduct research in areas such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, eco-friendly pesticides and HIV. For example, this year’s 16-year-old winner, Arjun Nair, showed how an antibiotic might help make cancer treatment more effective with his mentor Dr. David Cramb at the University of Calgary. Arjun was one of 14 international competitors at the prestigious BIO conference in April.
International space station commander Chris Hadfield turned the whole world’s eyes on official opening festivities at Sanofi’s new headquarters in Laval’s biotech city, May 6. The Canadian astronaut sent a message of encouragement to two Laval wunderkinds: Eunice Linh You of Laval Liberty High School in Chomedey and David Drouin of Curé Antoine Labelle school in Ste. Rose.
Coquitlam girl, 17, investigated how genetic mutations naturally help some HIV patients escape symptoms
Chicago, IL April 23, 2103 – Selin Jessa of Coquitlam, B.C. has been awarded the fourth place, $1,000 prize in this year’s International BioGENEius Challenge science competition for high school students at the Biotechnology Industry Association’s annual conference in Chicago.
Her research involved genetic variations found among a rare few HIV-infected patients, known as “elite controllers”, whose immune systems naturally control common symptoms of the virus. The immune responses of elite controllers are so effective that HIV can only survive through mutations that compromise its ability to replicate. Selin engineered a mutant version of a specific HIV protein, an important step in identifying these viral mutations that may help design vaccines or other HIV therapies.
Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Toronto, Manitoba take top prizes in 20th Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada
Raising scientists: SBCC celebrates 20 years of inspiring studies and careers in Canada’s $86 billion biotech industry
OTTAWA, April 9, 2013 – Cutting edge research into an experimental therapy that deploys nano-particles of gold to kill cancer cells earned an Alberta high school student, 16, top national honours today in the 2013 “Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada” (SBCC).
His research project, mentored at the University of Calgary, advances an experimental cancer “photothermal therapy” which involves injecting a patient with gold nanoparticles. The particles accumulate in tumours, forming so-called “nano-bullets” that can be heated to kill cancer cells.India-born Arjun Nair, 16, a Grade 11 student at Webber Academy, Calgary, was awarded the top prize of $5,000 by a panel of eminent Canadian scientists assembled at the Ottawa headquarters of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC).
20th annual SBCC National Awards take place in Ottawa on April 9 with the Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Hon. Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology
TORONTO, ON, April 5th, 2012 – After months of preparation, research and collaboration with top university mentors, an elite group of 11 high school whiz kids from across the country will be in Ottawa April 8-9 competing for Canada’s ultimate student biotechnology science prizes in the 2013 Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC).
Over 4,500 young scientists have participated in the “Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada” since its inception 20 years ago. The SBCC varies from other science competitions as students are given access to high quality lab equipment and are paired with mentors. For the last 20 years, the competition has been giving aspiring young scientists the chance to develop research that can lead them towards a career in science, making it a win for all of those involved.
