Several undergraduate honours biology students from Mount Saint Vincent University recently showcased their research at the 50th Science Atlantic Biology Conference. The event was hosted virtually from March 12 to 14 by Cape Breton University.
Among these standout student presentations was Brooke Dauphinee’s award-winning poster on “Roles of temperature and blue light in aerobic methane emissions from canola plants.” For her work, Brooke was named the 2021 recipient of the Botany Award (poster), sponsored by the Canadian Botanical Association. Her outstanding presentation was also recognized with a second place award in the category of Science Atlantic Undergraduate Research – Poster Presentation.
Brooke’s research explored the combined effects of temperature and blue light on aerobically produced methane in canola. She showed that environmental stress factors, such as blue light, enhance methane emissions from plants. Her finding is important in understanding the mechanism of methane production in plants. Methane is the second important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, and its atmospheric estimation cannot be done without knowing the contribution of all sources, including plants.
The full list of MSVU student presentations includes:
Student: Brooke Dauphinee
Supervisor: Dr. Mirwais Qaderi
Poster presentation title: Roles of temperature and blue light in aerobic methane emissions from canola plants
Student: Cameryn Evans
Supervisor: Dr. Mirwais Qaderi
Poster presentation title: Individual and interactive effects of temperature, carbon dioxide and nitrogen on canola growth and physiological traits
Student: Emma McDormand
Supervisor: Dr. Mirwais Qaderi
Poster presentation title: Do increased temperature and drought stress affect the quantity and quality of canola?
Student: Romman Muntzar
Supervisor: Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal
Oral presentation title: Evaluating extracellular matrix metalloproteinase in the ocular tissues of Gallus gallus
Student: Keeley MacLellan
Supervisor: Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal
Oral presentation title: Exploring the effects of simulated microgravity on bone remodelling processes in zebrafish scales
MSVU is proud to provide students early access to valuable research opportunities. Working alongside faculty researchers across campus and in the field, MSVU students are part of leading research programs.
Faculty in the university’s biology department are conducting ground-breaking research on plant physiology, climate change, plant and microbial ecology, molecular and cell biology, and the evolution and development of animals – among other areas of expertise and exploration.
Congratulations to all of the students who so expertly presented at the 2021 Science Atlantic Biology Conference!
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