Newfoundland & Labrador

The Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge 2010 for the Newfoundland & Labrador region is coordinated by the Genesis Group Inc. of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador .

CURRENT STATUS:

The regional 2010 Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge competition for Newfoundland and Labrador is officially over for this year ! Inquiries are already coming in from students across the province interested in becoming involved in next year’s process. Participation in the Newfoundland & Labrador region is open to junior and senior high school students. Individuals or groups can apply for the opportunity to experience “real-life” research situations, to work with a mentor and compete for regional recognition. Also, they may earn cash prizes for themselves , as well as their schools , and gain valuable references in the biotechnology field. The deadline for both hard-copy and online registration will be posted on this site shortly after the new school year starts in the Fall of 2010 . Check back for more information .

Interested in submitting a project proposal for the 2011 program?

Check out the kinds of research being done in your community, what type of project you might be interested in working on , and who you might be interested in working with. Go online with your computer and learn of the many areas in BioTechnology that are out there waiting for initial or further investigation.Talk to your science teacher or contact the regional coordinator:

W. Kenneth Coffey (Ken)
Email: kcoffey@genesis.mun.ca
Mailing address:
Genesis Group Inc., Suite 3003, P.O. 4200, Inco Innovation Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John�s , NL, A1C 5S7
Phone: 1-709-737-7254
Fax: 1-709-737-4029

Looking for some ideas for you 2011 SABC project? Why not check out these research areas:

Bioelectromagnetism
Genetics and Drug Response
A Blue Prevention: Comparing the Antioxidizing Ability of Wild and Cultivated Blueberries
Fish Health
Nutraceutical Potential for Cold Water Organisms
Bioinformatics
Genetics of Local Species (caribou, cod, wolfish, harp seal)
Bioactive Coatings
Chemical Sensors
Biodiesel
Protein Structure
Fruit Flies as Bioassay Tools
Insects as Indicators of Environmental Stress
Mass Spectrometry and Biochemical Analysis
Immunnology
Extraction and Analysis of Chemicals from Renewable Agricultural Sources
Home Remedies Revealed

The Application Process:

Once you have a research idea, follow the Students & Teachers link in the list on the left hand side of the page to read about Proposal Development including proposal requirements and to preview the Online Application. Proposals must be submitted on-line using the online application link! Please ensure you fill out the form in its entirety and paste your proposal in the appropriate field. The deadline for 2011 applications will be posted at a later date . ( It is anticipated that the deadline will be sometime in mid October , 2010 . )

Attention Science Teachers :

Would you like a presentation promoting the SABC Newfoundland & Labrador and to discuss the application process? The Regional Coordinator can arrange to connect to your school and to meet with possible applicants. Email kcoffey@genesis.mun.ca for details.

Congratulations to the 2010 Participants !

The Newfoundland and Labrador Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge 2010 took place on April 14th & 15th at the INCO Innovation Centre on Memorial University of Newfoundland Campus in St. John’s. On April 14th participants were judged by two panels of judges made up of alumni students from previous challenges and research scientists from the university and business community. This took place in the boardroom suites of the GENESIS Group Inc. , the 2010 coordinator for the competition in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dr. Garth Fletcher and Dr. Simon Avis were the presenters for the guest lecture series . Close to 200 students attended this event held in the Engineering Lecture Theatre and were held spellbound by interesting presentations on “Cold Ocean Fish Research” and “Crime Scene Investigation”. Each student / group participating in the competition gave a brief description of the work they had completed and what the SABC experience meant to them.

This years projects were displayed for public viewing on Thursday, April 15th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, outside the INCO Lecture Theatre on the 2nd floor atrium of the INCO Innovation Building . Many individuals took the opportunity to drop by and talk with the competitors and inquire about their research .

The Awards Ceremony, which took place at 7:30 pm. on April 15th, was hosted by Mr. John Ottenheimer, QC . Mr. Ottenheimer is a former MHA of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador , having served as Minister of Health , Minister of Education , and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs during his tenure in provincial politi . He is presently the Chairman of the Board for Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro . The Hon. Mr. Wally Young, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Innovation, Trade, and Rural Development brought greetings to those assembled on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Gifts of accomplishment were given to each student participant by Ms. Heather Manuel , Director, Fisheries and Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland. As well , gifts of appreciation for their contribution and involvement were given to the teacher supervisors, mentors, and sponsors by Dr. Mark Abrahams, Dean of Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Mr. Brad Clarke, Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education.

The Second Place Award($1500) went to Caroline Molloy and Lauren Rolling, two 16 year old Level II students from Bishops College High School, St. John’s. Their project, entitled “Soothe Your Sinuses” was mentored by Dr. Andrew Lang and Alexander Hynes from the Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland. Their supervising teacher was Ms. Yvonne Dawe.

The First Place Award($2000) went to Zach Quinlan and Andrew Lynch, two 17 year old Level III students from Bishops College High School in St. John’s. Their research project, entitled “The Effects of Rapamycin on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” was mentored by Dr. Jacqueline Blundell, with the Department of Psychology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Zach and Andrew’s supervising teacher was Ms. Kara Bourgeois.

Zach will be going on to compete in the National SABC on April 26th & 27th in Ottawa.

Check out some previous regional winners:
Our 2008 Winners
Our 2007 Winners