Biology Past Winners

2021

Oral, First: Lauren Sobot, St. Francis Xavier University University

DNA Cruciforms in Vibrio Species o

Oral, Second: Naomi Meed, University of New Brunswick - Fredericton

Fatal attraction? How land use can influence community composition of Atlantic bumblebees

Oral, Third: Kelsey Mercer, Saint Mary's University

Variability in Egg Hatching Time as Evidence of a Bet-Hedging Strategy in Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Poster, First: Mia Francis, University of New Brunswick - Saint John

Impacts of sediment chemistry on the amphipod Corophium volutator in the Bay of Fundy.

Poster, Second: Brooke Dauphinee, Mount Saint Vincent University

Roles of temperature and blue light in aerobic methane emissions from canola plants

Poster, Third: Amy Dodge, St. Francis Xavier University

The Role of the Adenosine A1 Receptor and HIF1a in the Cross-Tolerance of Danio rerio to Hypoxia and Ammonia

2019

Oral, First: Sarah Robertson, Acadia University

Docosahexaenoic Acid-Acylated Phloridzin, a Novel Compound Derived from Apple Phytochemicals and Fish Oil, Inhibits the Metabolic Activity and Proliferation of Colon Cancer Cells in vitro

Oral, Second: Sonya Radvan, Saint Mary’s University

Effects of inbreeding on fitness in the North Atlantic right whale

Oral, Third: Nicholas Zinck, Mount Saint Vincent University

The Roles of the BMP and WNT Signalling Pathways in Zebrafish Cartilage Development

Poster, First: Alison Gladwell, Dalhousie University

Acoustic monitoring of Leach’s Storm-petrels (Oceanodrama leucohora) as an index of nesting density

Poster, Second: Victoria Field, Cape Breton University

An Examination of the Impact of the Freshwater Mussel Elliptio complanata Has on Water Qualit,

Poster, Third: Rachel Corney, Saint Mary’s University

Extent of plasticity in the nuptial body coloration of the white ecotype of the Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

2018

Oral, First: Milagros Sanchez, Dalhousie University

Investigating dive characteristics of resting and non-resting behaviour in grey seals (Halichoerus grypus)

Oral, Second: Stacey Lee, Cape Breton University

Circadian and sex-linked gene expression of melanocortin receptor 5 and androgen receptor in the electric organ of Brachyhypopomus gauderio

Oral, Third: Hannah Mackellar, Mount Allison University

Diet and fattening rates of Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) and Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus) staging in the Acadian Peninsula, New Brunswick

Poster, First: Victoria Cluney, Saint Mary's University

The relationship between anal fin size and behavioural traits of male Japanese medaka, and their importance in reproductive success across varying social settings

Poster, Second: Emma Blanche, Acadia University

Viral spread of Black Queen Cell Virus in managed and wild bees in Canada

Poster, Third: Brock Burgess, Acadia University

Nest density of Orange-belted Bumble Bees

2017

Oral, First: Kira More, Dalhousie University

The cellular identity, phylogenetic placement, and autecology of marine vampyrellid amoebae from cultured isolates

Oral, Second: Emily Evans, Acadia University

Mixed mating and its ecological impact on an endangered plant

Oral, Third (tie): Kaitlin Burek, Dalhousie University

Recruitment and survival of kelp on turf-forming algae in Nova Scotia

Oral, Third (tie): Rowan Murphy, St. Francis Xavier University

Testing the horizontal transmission hypothesis in a green alga - spotted salamander symbiosis

Poster, First: Yayra Gbotsyo, Saint Mary's University

Effect of cold-shock on heat shock proteins (HSPs) in nauplii of Artemia franciscana, , brine shrimp

Poster, Second: Isabelle Jubinville, Dalhousie University

Aerobic performance during migration indicates a physiological trade-Off with reproduction in female macaroni penguins

Poster, Third: Adam Palayew, Mount Allison University

The use of ITS2 secondary structure to recognize diatom species

2016

Oral, First: Emily Bond, Dalhousie University

Pre-nesting behaviour of Western Atlantic leatherback sea turtles, Dermochelys coriacea

Oral, Second: Jacob Hambrook, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton

Insights into the establishment and regional expansion of an exotic swim bladder nematode of American eels

Oral, Third: Taylor Brown, Acadia University

Fall migration decisions of Northern Saw-whet Owls at an ecological barrier  

Poster, First: Thomas Huynh, Dalhousie University

In Vitro validation of FAM156 as a potential mediator of paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer

Poster, Second: Natasha Collins, Memorial University

Investigation of growth rates in thyasirid bivalves

Poster, Third: Alyssa BeLong, Mount Allison University

Identification of Rickettsia species in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick ticks

Poster, Honourable Mention: Melanie Bishop, University of New Brunswick, Saint John

Testing the effects of sediment acidification and predator cues on the burrowing behaviour of juvenile Mya arenaria

Poster, Honourable Mention: Hilary Brewis, Dalhousie University

Landscape Genetics Of Lake Chub (Couseius Plumbeus, ) In A Branching River Drainage In Northern Labrador

2015

Oral, First: Laryssa Halat, St. Francis Xavier University

Skin shedding in a marine plant

Oral, Second: Kathleen Hipwell, Saint Mary's University

Worm worries: Anthelmintic resistance of worms in sheep

Oral, Third: Gregory Haller, Mount Saint Vincent University

Determining the effects of inhibitors on the development of chick scleral ossicles in vitro

Poster, First: Zhengcheng He, University of Prince Edward Island

Probiotics do not enhance anti-hypertensive effect of blueberry diets in hypertensive rats

Poster, Second: Zoe O'Malley, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton

Using exuviae to determine odonate population sex ratio and body size at emergence

Poster, Third: Sasha Power, Saint Mary's University

Post injury neuroplasticity in the cornea

Poster, Honourable Mention: Brianna Burns, Mount Saint Vincent University

Geographic variation in magnolia warbler songs

Poster, Honourable Mention: Samantha Crowley, Dalhousie University

The effects of temperature on spatial patterns of trophic control in large marine ecosystems

2014

Oral, First: Jacqueline Carverhill, Mount Allison University

What Goes In Must Come Out: Quantifying Nitrogen Emissions from Crop Residue Degradation

Oral, Second: Jessica Gould, Dalhousie University

Investigation of possible non-thermal effects on Uk'37 values from Atlantic and Western Equatorial Pacific suspended particulate samples: Implications for Uk'37 Paleothermometry

Oral, Third: Jakob Vogul, Dalhousie University

Faculty of Agriculture, Effect of Exposure to Individual Ration Components on Feed Sorting Behaviour of Dairy Heifers

Oral, Honourable Mention: Nicholas Benfey, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton

Cloning and expression of Ancylostoma- secreted-protein homologues secreted by Parelaphostrongylus tenuis

Poster, First: Kascia White, Saint Mary's University

How coral species Porites astreoides responds to effects of Ocean Acidification

Poster, Second: Carl Kooka, Cape Breton University

Serotonergic regulation of aggressive behaviours in the gymnotiform fish Brachyhypopomus gauderio

Poster, Third: Anna Duncan, Mount Allison University

Assessing potential hybridization between Ixodes cookei and Ixodes scapularis as a factor in the spread of Lyme disease in New Brunswick

Poster, Honourable Mention: Nizam Farah and Alexander Maxan, Dalhousie University

Methylene Blue Therapy in Experimental Septic Shock

2013

Oral, First: Abigail White, Mount Allison University

Duration of stay and movements of Semipalmated Sandpipers during migratory stopover in the upper Bay of Fundy

Oral, Second: Julie Colpitts, Acadia University

Biological Evaluation of Metal-Containing Compounds to Assess Potential for Use in Photodynamic Therapy

Oral, Third: Katie Kowarski, Dalhousie University

The effects of remote biopsy sampling on long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in Pleasant Bay N.S.

Poster, First: Shane Rajaraman, Saint Mary's University

Effectiveness of Halifax Produced FDG in the PET/CT Evaluation of Patients with Suspected Lung Cancer and Impact on Patient Management

Poster, Second: Yueyang Zhang, University of New Brunswick, Saint John

Some Like it Hot!- The Critical Thermal Maximum (CTMax) and hematology of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) acclimated to three temperatures.

Poster, Third: John Loggie, Mount Allison University

Intra(Sub)Specific Differentiation of Migratory Alaskan Dunlin, Calidris alpina  

2012

Oral, First: Karissa Milbury, Dalhousie University

Identification of Halophilic Protozoa via Environmental PCR

Oral, Second: Joshua Lee, Dalhousie University

The duplicated cellular retinoic acid-binding protein genes and tissue-specific distribution of their transcripts in adult medaka (Oryzias latipes), the Japanese rice fish

Oral, Third: Jordan Poley, University of Prince Edward Island

Effects of immunostimulatory feeds on atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) responses to sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infection

Poster, First: Amy Brown, Mount Allison University

The Effects of Wolbachia Infection on the Drosophila Epigenome

Poster, Second: Dylan Schneider, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton

Abiotic and Biotic Differences in Salt Pannes of Maritime Salt Marshes

Poster, Third: Jenai Lowe, Dalhousie University

Dynamic Properties of Carbon Dioxide Transduction by Drosophila Antennal Sensilla

2011

Oral, First: Jeff Clements, Cape Breton University

Feeding ecology of the Northern Moonsnail (Euspira heros) (Gastropoda: Naticidae) in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Oral, Second: Melissa Hebert, Mount Allison University

Diurnaland nocturnal foraging behaviours of staging Semipalmated Sandpipers in the upper Bay of Fundy

Oral, Third: Hannah Buhariwalla, St Francis Xavier University

Cold-induced adaptations in mitochondria-rich cells of eurythermal teleost fish Fundulus heteroclitus

Poster, First: Meaghan O’Neill, University of New Brunswick

Observations on the epidemiology of Loma morhua during aquaculture of Atlantic cod

Poster, Second: Andrew Coombs, Dalhousie University

The Notch Signaling Pathway plays a Significant Role in Mast Cell Development in the Zebrafish

Poster, Third: Patricia Howse, Memorial University

Potential impacts of Snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) browsing on forest regeneration in the boreal forest of Central and Western Newfoundland

2010

Oral, First: James Hudson, St. Francis Xavier University

Pretreatment with sodium butyrate attenuates amphetamine-induced sensitization

Poster, First: Daniel Belliveau, Dalhousie University

Divergence of the spatio-temporal regulation for duplicated retinol-binding protein 7 (rbp7) genes in zebrafish (Denio rerio)

2009

Oral: Rhys Cavanagh, Acadia University

Bugs and drugs: The effect of octopamine on the sensitivity of female olfactory receptor neurons to their own sex pheromone in Heliothis virescens

Poster: Grace Lotz, Dalhousie University

Impact of rare earth additions on metal oxide negative electrode materials for Li-ion batteries