Making Biochem More Accessible: the Virtual Biochemistry Day Outreach Event for High School Students

July 27, 2021 Andrew Zhai Biology and Life Sciences, Communication, Education and Outreach, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science

Written by Kate Jiang On March 24th, 2021, the Department of Biochemistry’s Wellness, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (WIDE) committee held their virtual Biochemistry Day for high school students across Toronto. Biochemistry Day is an outreach initiative for students from underserved areas to learn more about …

Equity Leads to More Impactful Science

July 20, 2021 Andrew Zhai Biology and Life Sciences, Communication, Education and Outreach, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science

Image credit: Andy Brunning/Compound Interest Written by: Alison Mao and Mikaela Palandra (Biochemistry WIDE Committee) Considering the benefits of diversity in science, it is essential for institutions to take steps to promote the inclusion of underrepresented groups. Our first article in the Equity, Diversity, and …

BIOCHEMISTRY CARTOON SERIES: PROTECTING HUMANS CAN COME FROM VACCINATING MOSQUITOS …SORT OF

May 28, 2021 Andrew Zhai Biology and Life Sciences, Communication, Education and Outreach, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science

Written by Brandon McLeod, Illustrated by Chloe Mitchell Researcher: Brandon McLeodGroup: Julien Lab With the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there has been widespread discussion regarding the different types of vaccines being developed. The startlingly high efficacy of the novel mRNA vaccines that both Pfizer and Moderna …

One year in isolation: the mental health cost of COVID-19

May 6, 2021 Andrew Zhai Biology and Life Sciences, Communication, Education and Outreach, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science

written by Raphaella So As I watched the clock strike 12 on March 13, 2021, I acknowledged that I had spent a whole year in isolation under the COVID-19 pandemic. Like most students in the department, I spent the first three months in complete shutdown, …

BIOCHEMISTRY CARTOON SERIES: BACTERIAL TOXINS AS THE TROJAN HORSE IN BATTLING PANCREATIC CANCER

April 9, 2021 Andrew Zhai Biology and Life Sciences, Communication, Education and Outreach, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science

Written and illustrated by Chloe Mitchell Researcher: Greg BeilhartzGroup: Melnyk Lab Sometimes, even when the main target for treatment of a disease has been identified and there is a known inhibitor, the target is protected behind some sort of barrier. In this case, how do …

So, You Want To Join A Biotech Start-Up?

March 21, 2021 Andrew Zhai Biology and Life Sciences, Communication, Education and Outreach, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science

Tips and tricks to nail your interview Written by: Annoj Thavalingam Photo credit: Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash Job hunting can be daunting, and more so when applying for positions outside of academia. If a move into industry is on your radar, a biotech start-up …

Biochemistry Cartoon Series: The War on Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

March 11, 2021 Andrew Zhai Biology and Life Sciences, Communication, Education and Outreach, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science

Cartoon and research description by Chloe Mitchell Researcher: Chloe Mitchell Group: Deber Lab As an alternative to conventional antibiotics, the Deber Lab has designed peptide-based drugs to inhibit the defense mechanisms of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is a global crisis that first appeared in the …

Ladies Who Lab – Female Nobel winners in Chemistry and Medicine

February 21, 2021 Andrew Zhai Biology and Life Sciences, Communication, Education and Outreach, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science

written by Mikaela Palandra and Heather Lau of the Biochem WIDE committee Across the Nobel awards in chemistry and medicine, which were both established in 1895, only 19 have been awarded to women, out of 185 Chemistry Nobel laureates and 222 Medicine Nobel laureates. That …

Model Homo Sapiens

February 10, 2021 Andrew Zhai Biology and Life Sciences, Communication, Education and Outreach, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science

written by Kate Jiang “Doctor, why did you choose to be a scientist?” asked Carlie. I put down the syringe and turned around. The little girl sitting on the bench was staring at me, her wide eyes filled with curiosity. She wore a white hospital …

An Introduction to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in STEM

February 1, 2021 Andrew Zhai Biology and Life Sciences, Communication, Education and Outreach, Health, Medicine and Veterinary Science

written by Alison Mao and Heather Lau of the Biochemistry WIDE committee Due to the collaborative nature of science, having diversity in our groups brings valuable differences in perspective that spark innovation. Our endeavours to solve problems and understand the world benefit greatly from the …

Author: Andrew Zhai