July 15th, 2011
Filed under: Science
From Runway Model to Model Student
Jacqueline Richelle is a Faculty of Science student entering her final year of her B.Sc. degree. Although she always had an interest in science, at the age of 16, a very different opportunity presented itself.
As a high school student at Vincent Massey Collegiate, Jacqueline was scouted by a modeling agency, and as a result, she completed workshops in runway and photo-movement. (She now teaches photo-movement.) It didn’t take long before she was invited to participate in a 2-month modeling stint in China: complete with a photo portfolio and regular job bookings.
Always the serious student, Jacqueline took her pre-calculus and physics notes with her on her modeling trip so that she could teach herself the material and write her exams when she returned to Winnipeg (and to earth!).
Science vs. Modeling
The choice between the instant glamour of a modeling career and post-secondary education involving years of study and preparation was a hard one. Jacqueline explains, “I did well in school, and I wanted to make use of that potential. In the long term, I decided it would be more fulfilling to have a science-related career. Modeling was more for fun than for a career.”
Was it the right choice? Jacqueline says, “I’ll see.”
Choices in Science
Jacqueline chose the UM because, initially, she was considering both science and architecture, and the UM had such a wide range of courses. She felt that particularly for science, choice was an important consideration.
She took the course: Human Physiology I with Dr. Mark Fry and it really sparked her interest in physiology. When her ultimate goal became a career in medicine, she felt research experience in the Biological Sciences Department would give her an opportunity to work in a research community aligned with medicine.
Muscle Anatomy and Physiology
In 2010, Jacqueline applied for the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA), and as she had hoped, she got a Biological Sciences research position. She began working in Dr. Judy Anderson’s lab learning more about physiology – zebrafish muscle physiology to be precise.
As part of Anderson’s team, she was taught how to isolate skeletal muscle fibers from zebrafish. Skeletal muscle fibers have satellite cells (the stem cells in muscle). When you injure a muscle or exercise, the satellite cells are activated to repair or produce new cells for muscle growth. The process to isolate the fibers with satellite cells that remain quiescent (not activated) is a tricky business, and requires a significant level of technique, knowledge of anatomy and a very gentle hand.
Anderson is interested in the activation process itself, and finding new applications of research to help people suffering from muscular dystrophy or muscle atrophy in the elderly [link here to Judy’s research story].
In May 2011, Jacqueline traveled with Anderson to “inStem”, the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, in India. This is an autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology, located at and supported by the National Centre for Biological Sciences. The purpose of the trip was to teach the fiber isolation technique to researchers at the Indian Institute.
“I was surprised, and very excited to be asked. Without the NSERC funding and the experience I had in Dr. Anderson’s lab, I would have never had the opportunity to travel to India” explains Jacqueline.
What she learned
Her experience working in a research lab had many benefits.
“In undergrad courses, you learn the fundamentals and basic techniques that require following strict protocols in the lab. When you work in a research lab, there is a lot more flexibility, both in what questions you want to answer and how you plan on answering them. You use high-tech instrumentation to solve real questions, and you gain confidence.
When I originally got the USRA scholarship in Dr. Anderson’s research lab, I thought I would be more like a job, where I would simply be following steps and repeating procedures. Instead, I spent the whole summer learning and absorbing new information. You dive into one specific area, develop your critical thinking skills, and become more meticulous in your work.
Travelling to India also taught me that the research work we do here at the U of M is valued by researchers internationally. We have opportunities right here at the UM that are admired elsewhere in the world,” explains Jacqueline.
Advice to Students:
Adapt your degree to fit your interests. Your first year physics, biology and chemistry courses can lead to work in ecology, genetics or physiology. In University there are a lot more opportunities to branch out in science. Take advantage of the opportunities.
Dr. Anderson’s website
CTV News: Closing in on Muscle Regeneration Breakthrough
Posted in: Science
June 14th, 2011
Filed under: Human Ecology
Dr. Wilder Robles from the Department of Family Social Sciences was the 2011 winner of the MAHE (Manitoba Association of Home Economists) Excellence in Teaching Award. The award is given based on student nominations.
Dr. Robles received the award at the Graduation Dinner and Dance on June 3, 2011.
Congratulations Dr. Robles.
Posted in: Human Ecology
May 13th, 2011
Filed under: Human Ecology, Uncategorized
Karen Miller, Keystone Christian School, Hannah Sangalang, Student; Lena Horne, Textile Sciences
On Wednesday afternoon, May 4, 2011, students saluted teachers from kindergarten to university who have made significant impacts on their lives.
Hannah Sangalang, 4th year Textile Science student, nominated Karen Miller, Keystone Christian School and Lena Horne, Textile Sciences.
Posted in: Human Ecology, Uncategorized
May 12th, 2011
Filed under: Human Ecology, Uncategorized
Dr. Joan Durrant, Professor, Department of Family Social Sciences was awarded one of the YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Awards last night at the 35th annual ceremony at the Convention Centre.
Joan received the award in the Education Category for her widely published research on child-rearing that has sparked worldwide interest.
Congratulations Joan!!
Posted in: Human Ecology, Uncategorized
April 21st, 2011
Filed under: Human Ecology, Uncategorized
Dr. Wen Zhong, Textile Sciences, receives the Rh Award in the category of Natural Sciences for her research into the development of medical textiles and fiber materials. Her expertise in understanding nanofibers for biomedical applications has led to the development of functional nanofibers for the delivery of multiple bio-molecules that can be used as functional wound dressings and regeneration of tissues. Results of her research are expected to lead to new means of anti-cancer drug delivery and to provide an effective therapy for tumour treatment. Dr. Zhong, a research affiliate with Riverview Health Centre, investigates a way to reduce the formation of pressure ulcers, or bed sores, in people who must spend long periods of time lying in bed, by developing novel textile products to enhance the quality of life for hospitalized patients as well as reduce injuries for users of sports and military textiles. Her innovative approaches have led to multiple publications and the opportunity to present at conferences across North America.
Posted in: Human Ecology, Uncategorized
April 18th, 2011
Filed under: Human Ecology, Uncategorized
Chibuike Udenigwe’s PhD thesis entitled “Structure-function properties of flaxseed protein-derived multifunctional peptides” received the University of Manitoba Distinguished dissertation award. Chibuike worked in the Department of Human Nutritional Sciences with Dr. Rotimi Aluko as his advisor.
Chibuike is now working as an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Food Science, University of Guelph.
Posted in: Human Ecology, Uncategorized
April 14th, 2011
Filed under: Human Ecology
Dr. Joan Durrant
The Canadian Red Cross has announced the winners of its Manitoba Power of Humanity Awards. We are proud to say that Dr Joan Durrant from the Department of Family Social Sciences is the recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year award.
The individual who receives this award has to have demonstrated this spirit of humanity in a local, national and/or international capacity in one or more of the following areas:
- Promotion of mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace among all peoples
- Contributing to the alleviation of human suffering, protection of life, or the promotion of health
- Education of the public on the meaning and importance of humanity and protection of human dignity
- Promotion of respect for the human being
Joan Durrant has dedicated her professional career and much of her personal life to educating the public in Canada and around the world about the importance of respecting our smallest and most vulnerable citizens - children. All of her work has aimed to promote nonviolence in families by increasing adults’ respect for children’s dignity, physical integrity and inalienable rights.
Posted in: Human Ecology
February 16th, 2011
Filed under: Human Ecology, Uncategorized
Congratulations to one of the 2011 winners of the Nahlah Ayed Prize for Student Leadership and Global Citizenship: Emem Ukpong, graduate student from Family Social Sciences
The Nahlah Ayed Prize for Student Leadership and Global Citizenship is awarded annually to two U of M students who demonstrate leadership, passion, and global citizenship through participation in activities that bridge local and global communities in response to emerging issues around the world.
Emem Ukpong
(MSc, Family Social Sciences)
Emem is a citizen of Nigeria, and is involved in many charities and active in her church. She is an advocate for Compassion International, an agency that lobbies for children’s rights around the world, and in September of 2010 she travelled with Compassion International to Peru where she learned more about the agency’s child centred approach to community development. She is a member of the Congress of Black Women of Manitoba, which aims to educate, empower, and mobilize African American women and children, and is a Councilor for the Graduate Students Association.
Posted in: Human Ecology, Uncategorized
December 16th, 2010
Filed under: Human Ecology, University 1
After graduation in May 2010, Antonia Schindle had some really amazing plans. She was accepted to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Nia is just finishing up her first term and sent us an email talking about her experiences in FIT.
“NYC is fantastic and everything I’ve learnt at the U of M has really prepared me for the curriculum at FIT (my textile professor actually asked me to help him teach the class once!). My Textiles degree from the U of M is highly recognized here and many industry professionals I’ve spoken with are impressed by it.
I’m the Publicity Manager of a club called Ed2010 at FIT (www.ed2010.com, www.ed2010fit.com), a club for students aspiring to break into the magazine industry. I’ve spent my time with the club organizing panel discussions and events, and studying a lot for my classes. I just landed a Spring semester internship at ELLE magazine starting in January, and I am BEYOND excited for that opportunity, since I have always had a passion for writing and hope to break into journalism and the editorial/magazine industry. So this is my first big step!”
Posted in: Human Ecology, University 1
December 16th, 2010
Filed under: Agricultural and Food Sciences, Human Ecology, University 1
A team of students from the University of Manitoba competed in the American Association of Cereal Chemists International (AACCI) product development competition held in Savannah, Georgia on October 25. The product Beta Fruit Bar won second place and a substantial monetary reward for Joel Lamoureux, a Food Science student, and Tara Ayotte, a Human Nutritional Sciences student. Lamoureux and Ayotte developed the prototype as part of a team with Feifei Xu and Susan Chen in the FOOD4510 / HNSC4280 Food Product Development course during the 2010 winter term, and then went on to put the finishing touches to their popular product. The product was a bi-layered (apple and blueberry) gluten-free, naturally sweetened, oat glucan bar with dried fruits. The University of Manitoba team was the only Canadian team, and the only team to include only undergraduates. Congratulations to Joel and Tara for their extraordinary efforts. The Food Product Development course is an annual joint offering of the departments of food science (FAFS) and human nutritional sciences (HEC). A Manitoba team has placed first or second in each of the last four AACCI competitions.
Posted in: Agricultural and Food Sciences, Human Ecology, University 1
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