The program offers undergraduate students at Ontario universities a unique opportunity to engage in leading-edge genomics research, gain familiarity with associated technologies, or explore the societal outcomes, impacts and issues associated with the research. Through their fellowship experience, students acquire a deeper understanding of the impact genomics is having and will have across the spectrum of human and animal health, agriculture, biosurveillance, natural resource management and sustainable energy.
The program, in its ninth year, provides $5,000 to the students to assist them with living expenses while they conduct original research projects and benefit from an on-going exchange of ideas and insights with each other and OGI staff through peer-to-peer meetings, journal clubs and roundtable discussions.
This year's fellows include:
"Over the past nine years, we have helped 56 undergraduate students from nine different Ontario universities gain firsthand exposure to genomics research," commented Dr. Mark Poznansky, President and CEO of OGI. "Our Summer Research Fellowship program forms part of our efforts to build the future of genomics in Ontario and ensure our younger generation are fully aware of the power of genomics in helping to solve some of the biggest challenges we face today in healthcare, climate change, sustainable crop production and in finding alternative energy sources."
Genomics is the branch of science that studies the genome - the genetic material, or blue print, of a human or other species (animal, plant, microbe) that is contained in its DNA - to better understand the workings of the organism, and what happens when certain genes interact with each other and the environment. More information on genomics and the impact it has in the areas of health, the environment and agriculture, can be found at: www.WhyGenomics.ca
The OGI Summer Research Fellowship Program is part of OGI's outreach and education programming to raise awareness of genomics research and its societal impacts (on economic, ethical, cultural and policy frameworks). OGI also serves the life sciences sector in Ontario by sourcing, funding and managing basic and applied genomics research projects; and by being a catalyst in developing a commercially successful life sciences industry in health, agriculture and the environment.
For more information about the OGI Summer Research Fellowship Program and previous participants: http://www.ontariogenomics.ca/outreach/ogi-summer-research-fellowship-program
Media inquiries:
For further information on the students' projects, or to arrange an interview with a student or OGI's CEO, please contact:
Alastair Harris-Cartwright
Corporate Communications Manager,
T: +1 416-673-6582
E: aharriscartwright@OntarioGenomics.ca
Photography available on request.
About OGI
The Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI) is a private, not-for-profit corporation focused on using world-class research to create strategic genomics resources and accelerate Ontario's development of a globally-competitive life sciences sector. Through its relationship with Genome Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI), and other private and public sector partners, OGI works to: identify, attract and support investment in Ontario-led genomics research; catalyze access to and the impact of genomics resources; and, raise the visibility of genomics as well as its impact and associated issues. For more information on OGI, please visit www.OntarioGenomics.ca