Master of Science in Biological Sciences student Danielle Martin was one of several graduate students who participated in last year's Graduate Research Day (GRaD) Conference. Innovative and diverse graduate student research will be on display at an upcoming student-led conference.
Organized by the Graduate Mathematics and Science Students (GRAMSS) in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science (FMS), the third annual Graduate Research Day (GRaD) Conference is set to take place Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28.
Current and incoming graduate students and post-doctoral fellows from across the University studying in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are invited to submit abstracts for an oral or poster presentation about their research by Friday, Sept. 13.
Presentations will be judged by FMS faculty and staff, and awards will be presented for the best oral presentations and posters.
GRAMSS Interim President Alex Wilder, a PhD in Biological Sciences candidate, says the conference is an opportunity for students to practise their presentation skills and learn about research from other departments that may have interdisciplinary connections to their own areas of study.
“It is a great way to connect with your fellow graduate students on campus, foster new relationships and cultivate your research network right on campus,” she says. “We have expanded this year to have a separate category for research proposals, so no matter the stage of your research, there is a place for you at the GRaD Conference.”
Students can also apply for the Norgen Rising Star Award, which will be given to two currently enrolled graduate students presenting at the conference. A separate application is required.
A keynote presentation by Vaughn Mangal, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, will kick off the conference the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 27 in Pond Inlet. As lead of Brock’s Biogeochemistry Lab, Mangal will discuss some of his group’s research, which investigates the relationship between carbon cycling and climate change, and how metal transport is affected by forest fires, forest harvesting, permafrost thaw and agricultural land use. He is currently working with a local company to explore how copper can be extracted from algae blooms in Lake Erie.
Oral presentations will take place the morning of Saturday, Sept. 28 in the Plaza building, followed by poster sessions in the afternoon in the Roy and Lois Cairns Health and Bioscience Research Complex’s Scotiabank Atrium. Awards will be presented Saturday evening in Pond Inlet.
All Brock students, faculty, librarians and staff are welcome to attend the conference. Online registration is encouraged by Friday, Sept. 13.
More information is available on the FMS GRaD Conference web page.
