The 35th Ontario Biology Day conference took place March 25-26, 2023
Ontario Biology Day 2023 was a resounding success, bringing together over 200 individuals from 15 universities across Ontario. This year’s event saw an impressive turnout of students, with over 100 presenting their research in the form of oral presentations and close to 50 displaying their findings through poster presentations. The topics covered ranged from cellular and molecular biology to ecology and environment. Attendees were treated to a diverse array of research, showcasing the breadth of talent and scholarship among Ontario universities. The event also provided an invaluable opportunity for networking and collaboration, connecting students and researchers from across the province. Ontario Biology Day 2023 was a testament to the vibrancy and innovation of Ontario universities, and we can’t wait to see what next year’s event will bring.
Thank you to our sponsors for making Ontario Biology Day 2023 a success!
We are looking for sponsors from industries and other organizations. If you would like to become a sponsor for Ontario Biology Day 2023, please contact Janelle Montague for more information.
Congratulations to all of the Ontario Biology Day winners!
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
- Best Talk – Daraja Williams (Brock University)
- Best Poster – William Chen (McMaster University)
Cellular and Molecular Biology (Sponsored by Norgen Biotek)
- Best Talk (tie) – Emily Cooke (Laurentian University)
- Best Talk (tie) – James Lee (Laurentian University)
- Runner-up Talk (tie) – Alan Cieslukowski (University of Windsor)
- Runner-up Talk (tie) – Lia Oschanney (University of Windsor)
- Best Poster – Ayshin Mehrabi (Toronto Metropolitan University)
Ecology and Environment (Sponsored by Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution)
- Best Talk (tie) – Lauren Thomas (Laurentian University)
- Best Talk (tie) – Ashleigh Vos (Western University)
- Runner-up Talk (tie) – Michela Contursi (Western University)
- Runner-up Talk (tie) – Jaefer Mohamad (University of Windsor)
- Best Poster – Julia White (Queen’s University)
- Runner-up Poster – Saba Khan (Toronto Metropolitan University)
Entomology (Sponsored by Entomological Society of Ontario)
- Best Talk – Michela Contursi (Western University)
Microbiology
- Best Talk (Sponsored by Entomogen) – Salintha Seneviratne (Mohawk College)
- Best Poster (Sponsored by UNESCO Chair on Community Sustainability) – Christele Mariz Ladores (Toronto Metropolitan University)
Neuroscience & Behaviour (Sponsored by Entomogen)
- Best Talk – Kate Robinson (Western University)
- Best Poster – Justin Wimmer (Brock University)
Physiology (Sponsored by Entomogen)
- Best Talk – Taryn Thompson (Laurentian University)
- Best Poster – Mellissa Easwaramoorthy (McMaster University)
Plant Biology (Sponsored by Canadian Botanical Association)
- Best Talk – Isabeau Lewis (Queen’s University)
- Best Poster – Keerath Bhachu (University of Toronto)
General inquiries: obd2023@brocku.ca
The scientific committee:
- Dr. Fiona Hunter fhunter@brocku.ca
- Dr. Debbie Inglis dinglis@brocku.ca
- Dr. Ping Liang pliang@brocku.ca
- Dr. Aleksandar Necakov anecakov@brocku.ca
- Dr. Adonis Skandalis askandalis@brocku.ca
- Dr. Kiyoki Gotandakgotanda@brocku.ca
- Dr. Liette Vasseur lvasseur@brocku.ca
Administrative Support:
- Amanda Williams aw15hr@brocku.ca
- Janelle Montague jmontague@brocku.ca
Website:
- Justin Steepe
- Dr. Ping Liang pliang@brocku.ca
Event logo design:
- Alysha Gullion
- Dr. Ping Liang pliang@brocku.ca
Dr. Lesley Rigg
Dr. Rigg is a highly accomplished academic leader, research scientist and professor, and is Brock’s President and Vice-Chancellor. She is a highly skilled forest ecologist and biogeographer, she was formerly Vice-President (Research) and Professor of Geography at Western University in London, Ont.
Dr. Kiyoko Gotanda
Dr. Gotanda is a former professional ballet dancer who is now a researcher in the fields of evolution, behaviour, and ecology. After dancing with ballet companies such as the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal, she hung up her pointe shoes and went to McGill University for her BSc. She received her PhD from McGill University, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Cambridge and Université de Sherbrooke.
She is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Brock University. She is also interested in photography, which bridges the gap between her interests in art and science.
Lowenberger Residence @ Brock – Limited availability, please call 905-688-5550 x4311 or email SouthDesk@brocku.ca prior to booking
Four Points by Sheraton St. Catharines Niagara Suites – You may book a preferred rate by calling the hotel at 905-984-8484 and mentioning Ontario Biology Day
Please note that other accommodations can be found using Google, Expedia.ca, Booking.com, etc.
Ontario Biology Day will take place in Thistle Complex.
Please use our Interactive Campus Map or download our Campus Map (PDF) to assist getting around campus.
Please park in Zone 1 when you arrive on campus. Parking is free both Saturday and Sunday only in Zone 1. Please note there is a fee to park in lots other than Zone 1 and parking is enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, please see Parking Services.
The use of masks continues to be very strongly recommended everywhere on campus, especially when maintaining distance from others is not possible.
Brock has been a leader in Ontario’s post-secondary sector with respect to its public health guidelines, as one of only a small number of universities that have required masks on campus in instructional spaces.
Masks will be available for participants at Ontario Biology Day.
All masks worn must be medical grade. Fabric face coverings such as buffs, gaiters and bandanas do not satisfy the masking policy requirement at Brock.
For more information, see Brock University’s Coronavirus FAQ web page.