NSERC Student Research Awards given at NSAC

Seven NSAC students have been awarded Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) for the summer of 2011.

The awards, valued at a minimum of $4500 each for a 16 week period, are intended to stimulate an interest in research in the natural sciences or engineering as well as encourage students to pursue graduate studies or research related careers.

ANSAC believes that one person can make a difference and these prestigious awards will allow seven top quality students to contribute to national research programs that will ultimately impact the industry in the areas of food, water and the environment,” said NSAC Vice President Research, Extension and Outreach Dr. Richard Donald. ‘We are very proud of these students and very appreciative to NSERC for this opportunity.”

The students are supervised by NSERC research grant holders who provide the student with direction, facilities and resources for the research project.

The winners are:
Heidi Baston, Ontario, supervised by Dr. Bernhard Benkel
Project title: Forage finished beef for Atlantic Canada

Mannfred Boehm, Nova Scotia, supervised by Dr. Claude Caldwell
Project title: Using SEM to track infection of downy mildew in Camelina

Emily Fraser, Nova Scotia, supervised by Dr. Vasantha Rupasinghe
Project title: Enzyme catalyzed synthesis of flavanoid esters

Paul Manning, Nova Scotia, supervised by Dr. Chris Cutler
Project title: Predatory behaviour of carabid beetles for biological control in wild blueberries

Hannah Maynard, Prince Edward Island, supervised by Dr. Gordon Price
Project title: Evaluation of contaminants in agricultural drainage water from sewage biosolids

Janis Nams, Nova Scotia, supervised by Dr. Chris Cutler
Project title: Development of a mini-sprayer tower for biopesticide bioassays

Christina Straathof, Ontario, supervised by Dr. Bernhard Benkel
Project title: Identification of Aleutian disease virus (ADV) receptor