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