The Catalyst March 2015 Issue. Last issue of this school year!

1. Student Science Journal - Journal étudiant scientifique
Science Jobs
5 careers you should consider
Food Science
Make your own bread
Crossword, Science Trivia and much more…
March/Mars 2015
Volume 5: Issue 4
Ébola
Un virus invincible?
Concours de rédaction
Une expérience qui change la vie
La science:
Writing Contest
A life-changing Experience
Science:

2. THE TEAM// L’ÉQUIPEMarch Contents/Contenu de mars

3. LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LETTRE DU RÉDACTEUR-EN-CHEF

4. SCIENCE JOBS:

5. MICROBIOTA:
A PROTECTIVE BARRIER
AGAINST ALLERGIES
I
LE MICROBIOME:
UNE BARRIÈRE PROTECTIVE
CONTRE LES ALLERGIES
T

7. WHY NOT LABEL GMO ?

8. SMALL HOLES MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE – A STORY OF NANOPORES

9. TRIVIA OF THE MONTHSCIENCE COMICS:

10. RESEARCH CHANGES THE RESEARCHER
We’re used to going to classes
And learning from a professor;
We study well established facts,
The memorizing can be quite the stressor.
But I’ve had the chance to be exposed
To a different form of learning;
One that keeps me on my toes
And to the lab frequently returning.
Research, it’s a wondrous tool
To discover, expand and build;
But never did I expect that it
Would enhance so many of my skills!
Currently I am working with S. ureae
To optimize its urease activity;
Urease converts urea to ammonia
And I aim to increase its productivity.
In the literature it remains unclear
What method of transport is put into action
When moving urea and ammonia in and out of the cell;
First determining this would bring me satisfaction.
Next is to identify putative transporters of ammonia and
urea
And their respective regulatory genes as well;
I can then attempt to upregulate the transporters’ work
To create the ultimate ammonia producing cell.
Now this may seem theoretical and detailed
With little relevance or benefit to me,
But I have found multifaceted value in my research
And by the end of this article, I hope you’ll agree.
In my mind, research defies the conventional
In how we’re accustomed to gaining information;
You are venturing where no one else has before
Which can bring both rewards and frustration.
This sense of exploring the unknown
And reaching beyond the current scope of knowledge
Has fostered my independence and critical thinking;
Something you can’t learn just from books in university or
college.
With seemingly endless questions to be answered
And lots of dead-ends unfortunately met,
This research has truly taught me the value of perseverance,
Not just how to use cool things like pipettes.
I can expand my ideas in any which way,
Hypothesize a Plan A, B and C;
I’ve opened my eyes to the innovation necessary in science
And realized that creativity is actually key.
I find myself using diverse resources
To engage myself in self-directed learning;
I seek to understand material though there’s no exam;
It’s the scientific growth for which I’m yearning.
By conducting research in geomicrobiology
I can apply theory from lectures to the lab setting,
And from lab to classroomI now have a broader perspective
With deeper comprehension and much less forgetting!
My project is uniquely interdisciplinary
At the crossroad of biology, geobiochem and civil
engineering;
Increased ammonia production in S. ureae increases its
calcite production
Which can have useful applications with continued
persevering.
The final goal is to use optimized S. ureae
To revolutionize eco-friendly construction
With potential elimination of toxic, chemical grouts
By instead using materials from bio-solidification
production.
I’ve always been environmentally conscious,
But this project has further enlightened me
About all the potential that still remains
To advance as an eco-friendly society.
In this way, I feel naturally driven
By this potential to uniquely impactothers around me;
My passion for science has been further fueled
It is with heightened interest that I shall complete my degree.
Yet, research has benefitted me beyond academics;
It has shaped my character so I’m more prepared;
In the face of adversity and new challenges,
I will stand braver, wiser and less scared.

11. I’ve even learned some valuable lessons
That I will carry with me throughout life
About conflict resolution, networking and communication
And remaining positive in times of strife.
As a young, growing professional,
The trial and error of research investigation
Has set me up to be a more resilient worker
And to perceive scientific findings with greater appreciation.
Committing to a research project
Is an intellectual investment yet an emotional one too
I used to think it was just another form of schoolwork
But hands-on experience has changed my point of view.
I now see research as a growing process;
You first select a seed of an idea
Then you nurture it to mature with branches of possibilities
And maybe even determine how to upregulate those
transporters of urea.
But like anything in life,
I’ve realized that what you put in governs what you get out;
To obtain a fruitful piece of work
It takes time and sacrifice, without a doubt
They say observations can change an observer;
Well I say research can change a researcher in the same
way;
Research is a step towards life-long learning
As it continues to constructively challenge me each and
every day.
All these benefits have changed me for the better
As I proceed through this scientific journey that I’ve shared
with you;
In sum, this research has greatly impacted my life
And hopefully will even touch the lives of others too.
EBOLA: UN VIRUS INVINCIBLE ?

12. PHYSICIAN ASSISTED DEATH-LEGAL:
RIGHT TO LIFE, LIBERTY AND SECURITY OF THE PERSON RESTORED TO ALL?

13. THREE-PARENT BABIES

14. REMPLACER
LES FRÉQUENTATIONS EN LIGNE
AVEC LES ÉTUDES GRADUÉES
À L’UNIVERSITÉ D’OTTAWA
LT
REPLACING ONLINE DATING
WITH GRADUATE RESEARCH
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

16. SCIENCE COMICS

17. TELEPORTATION:
WILL IT EVER BE POSSIBLE?
CATALYST CROSSWORD

18. DYSLEXIA :
THE HIDDEN TALENTS OF DYSLEXIC PEOPLE

19. MAGMIMO