The University of Toronto’s Department of Medical Biophysics (MBP) Summer Student Program hosts close to 30 undergraduate students each year. It provides students with the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research projects that focus on understanding the molecular basis of cancer and how to treat the disease. The program culminates in the MBP Poster Day, which was held this year on August 13. Students had the opportunity to highlight the significant contributions they made over the summer months, hone their presentation skills and engage in scientific discussions with peers and colleagues.
All posters were adjudicated by a team of judges and the top presenters received awards, including the Dr. Arthur Axelrad Summer Studentship Award in honour of the late Dr. Arthur Axelrad. Dr. Axelrad was a Senior Scientist at University Health Network and one of the founding members of the Ontario Cancer Institute, now known as the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. He was a member of several departments at the University of Toronto, including MBP, and was recognized for his contributions with the prestigious title of University Professor. Dr. Axelrad was presented with the Thomas W. Eadie Medal for his invention of a cell cloning method and was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Dr. Axelrad had a particular interest in cultivating the minds of young research trainees and is remembered as an influential mentor and educator.
Lauren Durland, a summer student in Dr. Gordon Keller’s lab, was this year’s recipient of the Dr. Arthur Axelrad Excellence Award for her work in cancer research.
The Office of Research Trainees (ORT) congratulates all of the winners of the MBP Summer Student Poster Day: Lauren Durland, Georgia Thomas, Gazelle Halajha and Petra Famiyeh.
The ORT would also like to extend a thank you to members of the Axelrad family for attending this year’s Summer Student Poster Day and for their ongoing support to help cultivate the future minds of research!