A big congratulations to Dr. Chris Verschoor on winning a competitive fellowship from the Canadian Thoracic Society. Dr. Verschoor’s winning proposal consisted of an innovative assessment of how changes in immune function that occur with age will predispose the elderly to disease. This research proposal capitalizes on the ability of the McMaster Immunology Research Centre‘s to perform clinical grade research using the Human Immunology Suite and Dr. Verschoor’s expertise in human immune phenotyping. We look forward to all the exciting research this will allow Dr. Verschoor to perform.
Category Archives: News
Alicja Puchta recognized for teaching excellence.
Alicja Puchta (PhD candidate) was recognized for her excellence in graduate teaching at the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Plenary. Alicja has been a dedicated and passionate teaching assistant for both anatomy and immunology courses during the course of her MSc and PhD degrees. She has been asked for by name by multiple instructors and is a clear favourite with her students. Congratulations Alicja!
Alicja Puchta recognized for her contributions to teaching. D. Bowdish, Alicja Puchta and Catherine Hayward, Dean of Graduate Studies.
Fiona Whelan wins prestigious Google Anita Borg scholarship!
We in the Bowdish lab are beaming with pride that Fiona Whelan (MSc candidate) has won an extremely prestigious scholarship from Google. The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of Dr. Anita Borg, who devoted her life to encouraging the presence of women in computing and founded the Institute for Women in Technology in 1997. Anita passed away in 2003, and we created the Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship in 2004 to honor her memory. Anita’s legacy lives on today through this scholarship and the organization she created, which has since been re-named the Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology. This is especially inspiring since Anita Borg was a driving force to attract and retain young women in computer science. According to the scholarship committe -“Her capacity to mix technical expertise and a relentless vision inspired, motivated and moved women to embrace technology instead of avoiding or ignoring it. She has touched and changed the lives of countless women in the computing fields and beyond.”
To read the press release from Google, click here.
To read the McMaster Daily News article, click here.
To read the CBC article, click here.
As part of her award Fiona will be travelling to Google HQ to network, participate in workshops learn about new Google products. Way to go Fiona!
Congratulations to Keith Lee on winning an undergraduate summer studentship from the Canadian Society of Microbiology!
Congratulations to the Bowdish lab’s newest summer/thesis student, Keith Lee on winning a summer studentship from the Canadian Society of Immunology. These competitions are increasingly competitive and it is an honour to be recognized. Well done, Keith!
May 2nd update – Keith also won a BHSc summer scholarship. Great start, Keith!
Mike Dorrington is now a PhD candidate!
Congratulations to Mike on his excellent transfer exam. He can now change his email signature to say “PhD candidate” and can partake of all the benefits like a raise in stipend and daydreaming about the day he is called Dr. Well done Mike!
Chris Verschoor & Alicja Puchta to attend the CIHR Summer Program in Aging.
Congratulations to Dr. Chris Verschoor and Alicja Puchta on being sponsored by the CIHR to attend their Summer Program in Aging.
The annual Summer Program in Aging (SPA) is designed to offer students and post-doctoral fellows involved in aging research, and those doing post-graduate clinical training that includes a program of research in aging, an advancd research training program that crosses disciplines, sectors, institutions and geography and that addresses one or more of the CIHR Institute of Aging’s research priorities in Fundamental research,Clinical research, Health services research and Social research.
Way to represent the Bowdish lab, Chris & Alicja!
Bowdish lab supports the Bay Area Science Fair.
Bowdish lab members were out in droves (if there are enough of us to be a drove) judging at the Bay Area Science & Engineering Fair (grades 7-12). Dawn got to judge for the IIDR internship award (stay tuned for the official announcement of the winner soon) and the rest of us were merit judges. A great day was had by all. We were inspired by the students’ enthusiasm and creativity and hopefully they enjoyed meeting live, in the flesh scientists.
Congratulations to Dr. Peter Pelka on obtaining a faculty position at the University of Manitoba!
Dr. Pelka is the first Bowdish lab trainee to get a faculty position. He’ll be leaving us in May 2012 to join the Department of Microbiology at the University of Manitoba where he’ll be building a research program in virology. Congratulations Peter, we wish you all the best!
Dr. Chris Verschoor’s award winning work on pneumonia in the elderly profiled.
To read about the work which won him the prestigious M.G. DeGroote post-doctoral fellowship, see this article…http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/main/news/news_2012/mgdfa_recipients_2011.html
Dr. Verschoor is tackling an issue of grave importance to Canada’s aging population – the high toll of infectious disease. As an example, 90% of pneumonia deaths in Canada occur in the elderly at tremendous cost to our health care system. Pneumonia is often the result of a period of decreased mobility (e.g. hip fracture and hospital stay) and the beginning of a decline in health. Preventing infections would keep the elderly healthy for longer and provide increased independence, decrease the cost of care and result in longer, happier lives.
Alicja wins Outstanding Achievement award at Medical Sciences Graduate Day!
Congratulations to Alicja Puchta (PhD candidate) for winning Outstanding Achievement prize at McMaster’s Medical Sciences Research Day! The competition was strong this year but Alicja did a great job presenting her work on why the elderly are susceptible to pneumonia. Her winning poster has been selected to be presented at the Medical Sciences Plenary Day in May (updates to come) and after that will be featured prominently in the Bowdish lab. Well done Alicja!