women in science News Archive

February 11, 2025 — 
February 11 is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Faculty of Science is proud to have many brilliant women contributing to our community as curious students, visionary researchers, empowering leaders, innovative instructors, and insightful support staff. This year, we talked with Dr. Katie Mitchell-Koch, associate professor at the Department of Chemistry and Kara Loudon, undergraduate chemistry student about their experience as a woman in science, their proudest achievements, and the challenges they have faced and how they have overcome those.

February 7, 2025 — 
Strep throat, something we’ve all had at some point in our lives, is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. Infection by Streptococcus can be fatal in serious cases and is the leading cause of death among flesh-eating diseases resulting in over half a million deaths annually. That scratchy, sore feeling at the back of your throat is a result of Streptococcus pyogenes infected by viruses called bacteriophages. These “phages” carry the genes for toxins that are responsible for strep throat, and when they invade Streptococcus pyogenes, they transfer these genes, enhancing the bacterium’s ability to cause infection.

January 17, 2025 — 
Dr. Lalonde's recent accomplishment, being among Canada's 100 Most Powerful Women as an Amex Emerging Leader, comes to no one's surprise as she is an extraordinary example of making bold choices and exploring new perspectives.

December 16, 2024 — 
Welcome to our 2024 journey of innovation and discovery at the Faculty of Science. This was yet another year where we made transformative progress in expanding the frontiers of knowledge, enhancing student experience and fostering an inclusive community. Join us as we take a look back at the highlights of 2024.

December 11, 2024 — 
Dr. ASM Zisanur Rahman, Julieta Novomisky Nechcoff, and Dr. Silvia T. Cardona have recently published their article, "Rationally designed pooled CRISPRi-seq uncovers an inhibitor of bacterial peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase" in Cell Reports. In this study, the team created a collection of bacterial mutants to help them understand how a new type of antimicrobial molecule, discovered with their artificial intelligence tools, stops bacteria from growing. Their research has now identified a unique combination of a compound and its bacterial target, opening up exciting possibilities for developing a new antibiotic. In this interview, we talk with Cardona, a professor and associate head graduate in the Department of Microbiology and an expert in antibiotic discovery to provide a deeper understanding of her research and recent work.

December 9, 2024 — 
Although sustainability seems to be the new trend, plastic pollution still remains a great threat to the environment and human health. Turns out those compostable coffee cups and food containers are rarely degraded even in standard composting conditions. The UM Prairie iGEM team strives to solve this problem and received the gold medal for the best new basic part award in the 2024 Grand Jamboree - the world expo of synthetic biology!

December 5, 2024 — 
"Shocked" is what Dr. Juliette Mammei felt when she first heard the news of being inducted into the Royal Society of Canada as she thought it was a long shot when she filled out the application. However, looking at her novel work with the Moller experiment and her dedication to improving equity, diversity and inclusion in physics, one can say that induction into the Royal Society of Canada was inevitable and well-deserving.

November 21, 2024 — 
At the Department of Biological Sciences, students have the opportunity to not only study living organisms but also learn skills such as data literacy and science communication that will serve them well in whatever career path they choose.

November 7, 2024 — 
NASA recently announced their selection of the “Probe” (1 billion USD) mission concept to be adopted in the next decade. Two missions (one for infrared light and another for X-ray light) were selected to compete next. The winning concept for probing the X-ray Universe is the “Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite” or AXIS, whose Principal Investigator (PI) is Dr. Chris Reynolds from the University of Maryland. Through rigorous competition for the next mission of the 2030’s, these proposals have the potential to answer burning questions in high-energy astrophysics, including understanding the mechanism and progenitors of supernova explosions that impact the chemical and dynamical evolution of galaxies and understanding our cosmic origins.

October 4, 2024 — 
Faculty of Science Award of Excellence for Support Staff recognizes support staff who have served their units with distinction by helping deliver on the commitment of the Faculty of Science to provide outstanding higher education and research.