"Shaping a Student Network"

The HQPA ran its first national workshop called "Shaping a Student Network" during the Annual AFMNet Scientific Meeting, focused on developing strategies and initiatives to enhance networking and training among our members for the upcoming years. The workshop was meant to shape our own association and build a model for other Networks of Centers of Excellence (NCEs) to follow. Speakers included Drs. Michael Nickerson (AFMNet), Ken Oakes (Canadian Water Network) and Lesly Wade-Woolley (Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network), followed by round table discussions on key networking and training issues. In addition, Brad Hussey representing AllerGen (Allergy, Genes and Environmental Network) based out of McMaster University was also in attendance. HQP are the foundation on which these networks are built, and are the key to future research in Canada, irrespective of the field of study. As such, strong linkages were fostered among NCEs present; discussing common areas of interest with regards to HQP development. Overall, the workshop was a huge success, and well received by all.

HQPA-At a Glance (PDF Format)

Dr. Michael Nickerson Advanced Foods And Materials Network
Dr. Ken Oakes Canadian Water Network
Dr. Lesly Wade-Woolley Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network

Showcasing HQP Talent

At the inaugural Annual Scientific Meeting, the HQPA and AFMNet jointly held a poster session and competition to showcase the rich talent of HQP within the network. With over 50 competitors, the research excellence was brought to the forefront as members from all three themes were among the winners. Teresa Francescutti (University of Victoria) won top prize ($200) for her poster entitled "Production of an Anti-trypanosomal Peptide in Potato for Treatment of African Sleeping Sickness". Other winners included Sreekumari Kurissery (2nd, Lakehead University), Lifang Wang (3rd, Western University), Alexis Laforgue (4th, Université de Montréal), Karen Moss (5th, University of Toronto), and Susan Tosh (6th, AAFC). The poster session provided an excellent forum for networking with all researchers, HQP and industry supporters. The great success of the poster session is a testament of the breadth and caliber of young researchers our association represents.