BioMatters is a multimedia magazine created by the graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, faculty, and staff of the Biology Department at the University of Ottawa. We are supported by the University of Ottawa Biology Department, as well as the Biology Graduate Student Association. BioMatters is published three times a year to coincide with the beginning of each trimester. Our Winter 2024 issue is out now, and our next issue will be released in Summer 2024.
Our mission:
• Build community within the uOttawa Biology department
• Highlight who we are outside of academia, as well as exciting research
• Produce content in both English and French
• Create a publication that people within and outside of the uOttawa Biology community want to read
• Build community within the uOttawa Biology department
• Highlight who we are outside of academia, as well as exciting research
• Produce content in both English and French
• Create a publication that people within and outside of the uOttawa Biology community want to read
Magazine Sections
Happenings
Looking back at departmental events of the past trimester, and forward to upcoming events. Highlighting achievements of the past trimester (publications, graduates, etc.).
Community
Exploring our community both within and beyond the department, and uOttawa. Profiles of our Bio department community as well as those within our broader community (e.g. science communication partners). How to reach outside the ‘ivory tower’ into the broader world, as well as into different science communities (e.g. industry and government).
Arts & Life
A chance to explore who we are outside of academia. Discussions about art and culture, as well as issues we experience (e.g. the cost of living on a stipend, mental health in academia). Opinion pieces and personal stories are welcome.
Research
Exciting new research within and outside of the department, as well as thoughts about research itself. Interviews with inspiring scientists and discussions of their work, stories about successes and failures, and opinions on issues within research.
Miscellany
A chance to get in those odds and ends, and some extra humour.
Looking back at departmental events of the past trimester, and forward to upcoming events. Highlighting achievements of the past trimester (publications, graduates, etc.).
Community
Exploring our community both within and beyond the department, and uOttawa. Profiles of our Bio department community as well as those within our broader community (e.g. science communication partners). How to reach outside the ‘ivory tower’ into the broader world, as well as into different science communities (e.g. industry and government).
Arts & Life
A chance to explore who we are outside of academia. Discussions about art and culture, as well as issues we experience (e.g. the cost of living on a stipend, mental health in academia). Opinion pieces and personal stories are welcome.
Research
Exciting new research within and outside of the department, as well as thoughts about research itself. Interviews with inspiring scientists and discussions of their work, stories about successes and failures, and opinions on issues within research.
Miscellany
A chance to get in those odds and ends, and some extra humour.
Editorial Board
I S S U E 1 3
Karen Kadamani Editor-in-Chief and Website Manager
Navid Bahramifarid French Content Editor
Nicolas Bonin French Content Editor
Michela Dumas Arts & Life Section Co-Editor
Elena Esina Miscellany Section Editor
Jeffrey Ethier Design and Photos Co-Editor
Sarah Heffernan Happenings Section Editor
Roisin Kierstead Research Section Co-Editor
Kenny Osijo Arts & Life Section Co-Editor
Brianna Raven Design and Photos Co-Editor
Essam Sorwar Community Section Editor
Matthieu Vilain French Content Editor
Erica Vong Social Media Editor
Lydia Wong Research Section Co-Editor
Navid Bahramifarid French Content Editor
Nicolas Bonin French Content Editor
Michela Dumas Arts & Life Section Co-Editor
Elena Esina Miscellany Section Editor
Jeffrey Ethier Design and Photos Co-Editor
Sarah Heffernan Happenings Section Editor
Roisin Kierstead Research Section Co-Editor
Kenny Osijo Arts & Life Section Co-Editor
Brianna Raven Design and Photos Co-Editor
Essam Sorwar Community Section Editor
Matthieu Vilain French Content Editor
Erica Vong Social Media Editor
Lydia Wong Research Section Co-Editor
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Website Manager
Hello, I’m the BioMatters Editor-in-Chief. I make sure that we bring you awesome issues filled with pieces that celebrate and highlight the achievements, creativity, and pure amazingness of our bio community at uOttawa. I am a PhD student exploring the immune response of naked mole-rats. If you would like to join our Editorial Board or have ideas for articles, or even suggestions that could improve the magazine, don't be afraid to reach out!
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SECTION EDITORS
Happenings |
Hi! I’m Sarah, the Happenings editor for BioMatters! My role is to keep everyone up to date on events happening in the department and around campus. I am a MSc student in the Rajakumar lab where I study eye development in ants. My passions outside of the lab include camping, playing sports, and looking for cool insects to take pictures of!
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Community |
Hi everyone! I am excited to join the team as a Community section editor and explore and gain insight into the ever-growing biology community. I am a second-year Master’s student at the Corradi Lab (you may insert your “fun guy/fungi” puns here). I am always passionate about getting involved with my community and making new friends. You may reach out to me as I am always open to learning about new ideas. In my time outside of campus, I enjoy running and binge-drinking coffee.
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Arts & Life
Hello all! My name is Michela, I’m an Arts and Life section co-editor. I’m a PhD student in Dr. Julien Martin’s lab, working on sexual selection in the Alpine Swift using quantitative genetics.
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Hello, I’m Kenny, a PhD student in the Rundle lab researching on how mate competition affects adaptation and the purging of harmful mutations in fruit flies. Disclaimer: I am much less serious than I appear. It’s a ruse to keep my enemies frightened. In my waking moments in which I am able to escape from lab work, I can be found writing stories and poetry, trying to compose music, taking walks, learning how to fail less spectacularly at social interactions, thinking of new ways to frighten people with my culinary ideas, and hunting for obscure Middle Earth trivia online.
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Research
Hi! I’m the research section editor for BioMatters. I put together articles that highlight new research within and outside of the department as well as thoughts about research itself (everything from research skills to quirky field work stories and major lab failures). I study the impacts of climate change on bees and wasps living in cities and mountains.
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I’m Roisin, and I’m a co-editor of the research section. As co-editor with Lydia Wong, I help her put together articles on subjects broadly-related to research happening within and outside our department. I am a master’s student from the Forrest lab, currently studying bees and wasp on farmland. I am passionate about science communication and think graduate students deserve more recognition for their accomplishments, ingenuity and tenacity. If you (or someone you know) has research-related story or idea, feel free to reach out.
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Miscellany
Hey there! My name is Elena, the newest Miscellany Editor on the BioMatters team. I'm currently a M.Sc. student, working under the supervision of Dr. Carole Yauk and Dr. Francesco Marchetti. My research focuses on investigating mutational profiles in aging tissue in mice. Beyond the scientific wonders, I'm all about puzzle and strategy games, and if you ever need a companion for outdoor adventures, you can always count me in!
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FRENCH CONTENT EDITORS
Hi! I’m Matthieu, one of the translators for the magazine. I am a PhD student in the Aris-Brosou lab working on using genomic and epidemiological data to predict outcomes of the Covid-19 pandemic. Outside of the lab I enjoy playing sports, video games and doing photography!
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Hi there! My name is Nicolas and I just joined the team as a translator. I am a PhD student in the Careau lab where I study the links between behaviours and physical performances in white-footed mice. Nature lover in general, I appreciate evolutionary ecology, the outdoors and birds in particular! On the normal human side, I like to read and draw.
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Hello! I’m Navid, one of the French content editors for the BioMatter’s team. I’m a MSc student in the Rajakumar lab and I’m investigating the effects of histone modifications on caste development in ants! I love doing photography and exploring random nature paths whenever I come across any. If you’re on campus, you can contact me if ever you want to see some cool ants from our lab 🐜
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DESIGN AND PHOTOS EDITORS
I am a PhD student in Dr. Vance Trudeau’s lab (TEAMENDO) researching new methods for the captive breeding of boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata). I am passionate about conservation and species at risk. When I am not in front of a computer, you will find me playing with my cat, reading, writing, hiking, and observing nature. I believe all creatures great and small (yes, insects too) deserve love and respect.
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Hello! I’m a PhD candidate in the Trudeau Lab studying novel hormones and how they function within amphibian reproduction. Outside of the lab I love to hike, rock climb, and explore my creativity through graphic design projects.
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SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Hello! My name is Erica and I am the Social Media editor for BioMatters! I am a MSc student in the Rajakumar lab studying the underlying developmental mechanisms that pattern and growmandibles in ants! If you’re ever interested in visiting the ant colonies we have, feel free to reach out! I love giving tours and geeking out about science in general. I am very passionate about art; you can visit my online portfolio at www.ricov.art 😊
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