A team of students from the Faculty of Medicine’s new Translational and Molecular Medicine (TMM) program is one of 31 teams selected to advance to the finals of the Scinapse Undergraduate Science Case Competition (USCC).
A total of 290 teams entered the competition inspiring undergraduate students to propose practical solutions to current, real-world issues. For 2016-2017, teams were invited to submit research proposals for tackling the growing epidemic of the Zika virus, which has caused debilitating birth defects worldwide.
The TMM team of Ryan Sandarage, Justin Chitpin, Mel Novakovic and Garrett Fairman will present their proposal during the final round March 24–27 at Western University in London, Ontario.
The team’s proposal, “Efficacy of IgM therapy in prevention of microcephaly due to maternal-fetal Zika viral transmission,” was developed with advice from Dr. Mads Kaern, Associate Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and Dr. Lisa D’Ambrosio, Assistant Professor with the Department of Biochmistry, Microbiology and Immunology.
TMM research improves human health and longevity by applying novel discoveries in biological sciences to practical applications in medicine. The new and innovative TMM program at the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine combines cutting-edge research techniques with traditional learning formats to prepare students to confront the complex biomedical challenges of tomorrow.
We wish our students the best of luck in the final round of the competition!