HQP

Welcome to the HQP homepage!

Please check out the current feature story HQP stands for Highly Qualified Personnel. HQP are the undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctorate fellows and research associates involved in the AFMNet research projects. HQP are the foundation on which this network is built. The AFMNet offers many funding, training and networking opportunities for HQP(for details, follow the tabs on right-hand side of page). All HQP within the network, past and present, are considered vital members of the HQPA (Highly Qualified Personnel Association).

THE JANUARY 2010 INSIDER IS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD - CLICK THE INSIDER TO DOWNLOAD - Back issues can be downloaded on the HQP communications page

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HQP Feature Story

AFMNet HQP- Shuanghui Liu

Shuanghui Liu

By Shuanghui Liu

It was a Monday morning when I received the invitation email about writing a HQP feature story about myself for AFMNet. It was definitely a surprise! The last time I was involved in an AFMNet event was during the Toronto HQP Professional Development School in 2009, where I learned a lot about entering job market. That was right before the beginning of my job hunt. Now, here I am, working as a research associate at POS Pilot Plant Corp located in Saskatoon, SK. Although POS is only a 10-minute walk from where I did my MSc, going from student to industry researcher has been very exciting transition for me. This is inseparable from the training and support I got from AFMNet.

I became a HQP of AFMNet in January 2007, when I started my MSc project under the supervision of Dr. Mike Nickerson (former Chair of the HQPC) and Dr. Nicholas Low. My research focused on protein-polysaccharide interactions, how these interactions alter biopolymer functionalities and their use as encapsulating materials. During my MSc program, with the encouragement of my supervisors, I participated in various AFMNet events where I received multidisciplinary training. Presenting my research work in the AFMNet Annual Scientific Conference improved my communication skills, which in turn enabled me to deliver research information logically and scientifically. The most exciting learning experience I had was the collaboration with Dr. Dérick Rousseau's group at Ryerson University, which augmented my knowledge and help me acquire new research techniques that were not available in our lab. I also got the opportunity to meet other HQP within the network and build up my social skills. The HQP Professional Development School, held by the HQPA, was definitely my favorite. Beyond congregating HQP from within the network, these workshops also made possible the creation of new connections between HQP and people from academia, government and industry. This advanced my knowledge on both cutting-edge technology and industry demand. The workshop also invited professional guest speakers to address professional issues, such as how to communicate effectively, how to prepare yourself for the workforce, how to manage your time - like they said, it is truly "developed based on the needs of the HQP body". All these opportunities contributed to my transition from student to industry researcher.

In the end, I would like to thank my supervisors, Dr. Mike Nickerson and Dr. Nicholas Low, for giving me the opportunity to be part of AFMNet. I would like to thank AFMNet for their financial support and training on both academic and social skills. I also would like to thank all the HQP and everyone who made these training programs possible.

HQP took part in an Iron Chef competition at the 2007 AFMNet Annual Scientific Conference.