2. Graduate Studies Student Update Hilary Brown & Kathryn Nicholson December 13 th, 2013

3. Awards & Distinctions 2013 Vanier Scholarships: Mauricio Rodriguez-Torres (Anatomy and Cell Biology) Jonathan McLeod (Biomedical Engineering) 2013 CIHR National Student Poster Competition: Gold medal: Physiology and Pharmacology Silver medals: Anatomy and Cell Biology, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Physiology and Pharmacology Honourable mention: Anatomy and Cell Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Physiology and Pharmacology Graduate Studies Student Update

4. Awards & Distinctions 3-Minute Thesis Competition: 1 st place, Western University; Ontario Participant’s Choice winner: Michael Taylor (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) 2 nd place, Western University: Shelly Sandiford (Biochemistry) Finalists, Western University: Katherine Lee (Physiology and Pharmacology), Selma Saadaldin (Medical Biophysics) Conference Poster Competition Winners: Canadian Society for Immunology (Microbiology and Immunology) Canadian Lipoprotein Conference (Biochemistry) Graduate Studies Student Update

5. Research Highlights Omar Mohamed El-Halfawy (Microbiology and Immunology): First author on paper examining Burkholderia cenocepacia and a potential new mechanism for antibiotic resistance, featured in London Free Press and PLOS Blog Ryan Gillespie (Physiology and Pharmacology): Paper on gene in bone cells that has implications for metabolism, featured in Nature Reviews Donna Cveetkovic (Physiology and Pharmacology): First author on paper examining kisspeptins, which can turn non-invasive cancer cells into invasive cells, published in Endocrinology Graduate Studies Student Update

6. Scholarly Activities Graduate Studies Student Update ActivityDepartment 20 th Annual Research Day and Murray Barr Lecture Anatomy and Cell Biology Alternative Careers in Science Workshop Anatomy and Cell Biology BME SymposiumBiomedical Engineering Diabetes Research DayPhysiology and Pharmacology Student Thesis Presentation DayEpidemiology and Biostatistics Annual Infection and Immunity Research Forum Microbiology and Immunology

7. Charitable Activities Graduate Studies Student Update EventDepartmentRecipients of Funds Volleyball TournamentSchulich-WideArthritis Society Open Mic NightSchulich-Wide Children’s Health Foundation ($300) Trivia NightSchulich-Wide Children’s Health Foundation ($600) Pancake DayPhysiology and PharmacologyUnited Way ($700) Walk to Fight ArthritisPhysiology and Pharmacology Arthritis Society ($4,200) Lake Ontario Swim (Samantha Whiteside) Microbiology and Immunology Because I am a Girl ($18,000) Holiday PartyBiochemistry Women’s Community House

8. Volunteer Activities Graduate Studies Student Update ActivityDepartment Let’s Talk Science Schulich-Wide, Pathology, Medical Biophysics, Biochemistry London Brain Bee Neuroscience / Brain and Mind Institute Take Your Kid to Work Day Neuroscience / Brain and Mind Institute Strong Bones, Strong Minds, Strong Muscles Schulich-Wide Discovery Day at WesternSchulich-Wide GradCast (Radio Show on CHRW) University-Wide, Physiology and Pharmacology

9. Schulich Students’ Council Plans (2013 – 2014) Development of Graduate Students’ Council website Ongoing talks with Schulich Communications about increasing Grad student profile in Schulich Encouragement of cohesion among graduate departments within the Schulich through organization of volunteer and social activities Increase in interaction and collaboration with other Schulich Students’ Councils (Medicine & Dentistry) Graduate Studies Student Update