Biology Undergraduate Students' Association
111 Biological Science Building Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Check out Living Prairie this weekend!

Need cash?? Canada Post wants to grant $2000 to congratulate you for continuing leaning ,growing and furthering your education! Deadline: August 31 NEED HELP AP...PLYING?? Please email [email protected] Apply here :https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca//canada-post-awards

Join our team! We are seeking an outgoing and enthusiastic Communications and Events Coordinator who can engage Manitobans in our campaigns online and as public health restrictions ease in person. Read the full posting: https://cpawsmb.org//communications-and-events-coordinato/

Do you want to explore Manitoba's wilderness and learn about environmental stewardship? Are you 18-30 years old? Apply to join the (free!) Canadian Wilderness S...tewardship Program today. The Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program aims to foster the next generation of environmental stewards by arming youth with the knowledge and tools to make change in their communities and to protect the natural places we share and love. Deadline to apply is June 30. If you're keen to learn in an environment that blends western science and Indigenous ecological knowledge, click here to learn more: https://cpawsmb.org/canadian-wilderness-stewardship-prog//

Congratulations to the 2021 Graduates!

FEB 5th Q&A Info and Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92222837878 Meeting ID: 922 2283 7878 Passcode: FridayQ&A ... Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Look forward to our Q&A session! Zoom link will be put up soon!

Check out this free virtual event on wilderness survival in Manitoba! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/wilderness-survival-tips-how-to

Hi Folks, we are excited to present to you our Winter Giveaway! HOW TO ENTER: 1. Like this post... 2. Like our Facebook page (@bugsuofm) 3. Tag 3 friends in the comments (unlimited entries) Bonus entries: enter on our Instagram page (@bugs.uofm) Bonus bonus entries: share this post on your story and tag us so we can see it! Send us a screenshot for proof if your account is private. The giveaway runs from January 25th to January 29th at 11:59pm. Our lucky winner will be drawn by a random number generator on Monday Feb. 1st. Winner must be 18 years or older and must be able to receive the prize in Winnipeg or surrounding areas. Good luck

Hi Folks! Since we commonly get asked the difference between the five theme areas in Biological Sciences, we thought we’d compile this information for you to help with degree planning! Feel free to DM or email us at [email protected] if you have any questions!

This Friday on our research highlights we have Tessa Morelli! DM/email us or visit our story for any questions you have for Tessa. Keep in mind it is not too late to submit your highlight! Name: Tessa Morelli... Program enrolled in: BSc. (Honours) Themes: Biodiversity & Evolution and Cell & Molecular Development Lab:Dr. Byron Van Nest Research Topic: I study how the levels of lipofuscin levels in Madagascar hissing cockroaches’ brain tissue relates to its ability to learn. I hypothesize that with increasing lipofuscin levels, there will be a correlated increase in age and decrease in learning ability. How did you get involved with your advisor? A different professor referred me to him, and I emailed him to discuss the possibility of doing my honours with him. Typical day in the lab: Because of COVID, I have to be in the lab alone or with Dr. Van Nest only. When I go in on my specified days I start by checking on the cockroaches, then organize myself, and complete whatever tasks need to be done that day. Significance of research: The study of aging is relevant to understanding organismal physiology and cognitive function. It has been suggested that, in humans, lipofuscin aggregates may play a role in active neurodegeneration, which increases with age. Globally the population is aging, and we will see age-related diseases increase in the coming years Career aspirations: I would like to have a career in medicine!

This weeks highlight features Dr. Dana Schroeder, who was a important part of the Botany Department here at UofM. She was very involved in student outreach and served as an advisor to may undergrad and grad students. She contributed quality research to her field in molecular biology, and after a courageous battle with cancer, she passed this fall. This post is based off of www.ethicaldeathcare.com/schroeder-dana, and more information about Dr. Schroeder can be found there! E...ducation: Dr. Schroeder obtained her BSc at Simon Fraser University. After spending some time adventuring in Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and New Zealand, she began her PhD in molecular biology at the University of Calgary. She completed post doctoral work at the Salk Institute, and in 2002 moved to Winnipeg to begin her work at UofM in the botany department. Research Topic: Dana researched both molecular and biochemical responses of plants to light, heat, and salinity. These responses led her to some important discoveries on DNA-damage repair mechanisms in plants. Research Significance: This work is transferable to other organisms, including humans, and has been widely cited other researchers in the field. Knowing how our cells repair DNA has important applications in cancer research and for some genetic diseases. Please consider donating to Ovarian Cancer Canada in the name of Dr. Schroeder at https://ovariancanada.org/Get-Involved/Donate.

For our next Friday Research Highlights we have Maria! Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have for her. Name: Maria Sachs Program enrolled in: Current: First year M. Sc. In Biological Sciences; completed: B.Sc. Biology, Major: Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology, Co-op... Lab: Dr. Dirk Weihrauch’s Crab Lab Research Topic: Ammonia excretion mechanism in the American horseshoe crab, and potential role of novel transporters involved in this process How did you get involved with your advisor? I met Dirk in 2018 when I took the BIOL4556/7556 course (RNA techniques)- after this I took a Special Topics course with Dirk, working on a qPCR project. I also completed my last Co-op work term in his laboratory. I’m now a Masters student in his lab. :) Describe a typical day in your lab. That varies! You set your own schedule and work pace- which can be either a blessing or a curse depending on your self discipline! In general you work on your project in an independent way, but help is always available from fellow students and your supervisor. Before COVID-19, we would regularly go for ‘lab meetings’ at Degrees or the Hub- no better way to discuss Science! What is the significance of your research? Horseshoe crabs (known as living fossils) are not just super cool and interesting critters, but also highly valued in the medical industry, where their blue blood is used for endotoxin testing in vaccines. They also play a huge ecological role in their natural habitat. Surprisingly, not much is known/published about the physiology of these amazing critters! By investigating the ammonia excretion mechanism across the horseshoe crab gill, I will be able to lay the groundwork for many future studies. Also, I am in the midst of characterizing novel potential ammonia transporters, which could be applied to other animals. What are your career aspirations? I hope to find a Research Technician job that I enjoy after I graduate with my Masters. If you enjoyed these research highlights and want to have your research featured or nominate someone to be featured, please DM us!

Hi Everyone! With midterms in progress and Halloween right around the corner we’ve decided to run a giveaway! The giveaway runs from Oct 27th - Oct 31st at 11:59 pm. HOW TO ENTER:... 1. Like this post 2. Like our Facebook page (@bugsuofm) 3. Tag 2 friends in the comments (unlimited entries) Bonus entries: Take a photo of your Halloween costume or pumpkin carving and tag @bugsuofm in your story or post. Bonus bonus entries: enter on our Instagram page! (@bugs.uofm) The winner will be chosen by a random number generator. Good luck!

This week BUGS will be highlighting Dr. Martha Chase, one of the pioneering women in biology. While women are getting more representation in sciences every day, they still face many cultural barriers that make it more difficult to compete in the science workforce. Dr. Chase is a role model for up-and-coming scientists whose studies were instrumental in furthering modern science. To check out more modern women in STEM, check out @modern_womenofstem Name: Dr. Martha Chase Educ...ation: BSc from the College of Wooster, PhD at the University of Southern California Main Research Contributions: Along with Dr. Alfred Hershey, Dr. Chase conducted the famous Hershey-Chase experiments that showed how that genetic material consists of DNA, not protein. Bacteriophages (viruses infecting bacteria) that contained radioactively labelled DNA or protein were incubated with bacteria. The experiment showed that radioactive phosphorous - a compound found in DNA, not protein - was seen in the infected bacteria. Career: After completing her bachelor’s degree, Dr. Chase worked as a research assistant at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory as a research assistant for three years, where she conducted the Hershey-Chase experiments, then went on to Oak Ridge National Laboratory. After 6 years at the ORNL, she began her PhD at the University of Southern California. Shortly after her scientific career ended, and he continued living with her family in Ohio until her death in 2003. Works consulted: https://thebumblingbiochemist.com/wisewednesd/martha-chase/