Biology and Applied Aquatic Sciences Joint Conference
2026 Biology Award Winners
The 2026 Biology and Applied Aquatic Sciences (BAAS) joint conference was held March 6 to 8. It was hosted by Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB.
Science Atlantic Undergraduate Research Award
First Place
Oral Presentation
Charlotte Polo
Dalhousie University
Proteins under pressure: Investigating folding intermediates of the pyriform spider silk repetitive domain by high pressure NMR spectroscopy
Science Atlantic Science Communication Award
First Place
Oral Presentation
Emily Murphy
Mount Saint Vincent University
Comparing the thermal stress tolerance plasticity of invasive versus native species
First Place
Poster Presentation
Reem Eissa
Université Sainte-Anne
Occurrence of Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Genes in Enterococci from Gulls (Larus spp.) at Coastal Fish Processing Plants in Clare, Nova Scotia
The Canadian Botanical Association Botany Award
First Place
Oral Presentation
Taylor Cahill
Acadia University
Silicic acid soil amendment impacts drought tolerance in strawberry
First Place
Poster Presentation
Tedi Pollak
Acadia University
Investigating Arctic louseworts for mycorrhizal associations and parasitism
People’s Choice Award
First Place
Oral Presentation
Tyler Murphy
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton
Conserved Mechanotransduction Gene Expression in Cavefish Despite Sensory System Adaptations
First Place
Poster Presentation
Emma Bristow
Saint Mary’s University
Optimization of Conditions for the Expression of Recombinant NodD in an E. coli-based system
Best Poster Award
First Place
Ariela Polsky
Dalhousie University
Concomitant rise of hypervirulent M1UK and macrolide-resistant emm92 explains recent increases in invasive group A streptococci activity in Nova Scotia
Previous Award Winners
2022 Biology Award Winners
The 2022 Aquaculture & Fisheries and Biology (AFB) Conference was held March 11 to 13, at the University of Prince Edward Island.
Biology 2023 Award Winners
The 2023 Aquaculture & Fisheries and Biology Conference was held March 3 through 5, at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John
Thank you to our generous conference sponsors!
Science Atlantic Undergraduate Research Award
Oral Presentation
Mia Lauzon
Acadia University
Impacts of pathogen infection on the winter behaviour and physiology of the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis
Poster Presentation
Jack Nason
University of New Brunswick, Saint John
An Assessment of Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Spawning Success in Fundy National Park
Science Atlantic Science Communication Award
Oral Presentation
Max Spiess
St. Francis Xavier University
The Acquisition of Symbiotic Green Algae in the Egg Masses of the Spotted Salamander
Poster Presentation
Makayla Butorac
St. Francis Xavier University
Body and Tentacle Movement Patterns of Lymnaea stagnalis in Different Environmental Conditions
Botany Award, sponsored by the Canadian Botanical Association
Oral Presentation
Ben Caron
University of Prince Edward Island
The Temporal and Physiological Dynamics of the Heterophyllous Transition in Myriophyllum aquaticum
Poster Presentation
Courtney Strugnell
Mount Saint Vincent University
Does methane regulate growth and physiological processes of heat-stressed canola plants?
People's Choice Award
Oral Presentation
Taryn Muldoon
Acadia University
A spatiotemporal analysis of the causative agent of white-nose syndrome and intestinal macroparasites based on DNA from Nova Scotia bat guano
Poster Presentation
Makatendeka Biton
Saint Mary's University
Developing a Localized Surface Plasmon Aptasensor For The Early Detection of Acute Myocardial Infarction