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November 2011 Volume 15, Number 6 R&D News.......................... 1 Pharma Notes..................... 6 Appointments..................... 7 New Products................... 14 Calendar........................... 17 Career Spotlight............... 18
2011 Readers’ Choice Awards Page 8
Markham Teacher Awarded Prize for Excellence in Teaching Genomics
Jacqueline Ross (Left) of Thornlea Secondary School receiving the Genomics Teaching Prize from Dr. Alison Symington, VP Outreach, Ontario Genomics Institute. The Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI) has named Thornlea Secondary School teacher Jacqueline Ross as the recipient of its 2011 Genomics Teaching Prize. Ross has been teaching for 17 years and over the last five years has developed a laboratory-based biotechnology course, which is
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unique to the York Regional District School Board. In addition to the development of the course, Ross secures external guest lecturers and leading scientists in their field to speak to her class about the science of genomics and the societal implications of such research. She also arranges
for her students to attend field trips to Dr. Michael Gadsden’s laboratory at Seneca @ York every year where they perform genomic techniques such as restriction enzyme DNA analysis as well as protein characterization. “The mix of theoretical learning and practical application of scientific knowledge is just one of the reasons Jacqueline was awarded the teaching prize,” said Dr. Mark Poznansky, president and CEO, OGI. “Teachers like Jacqueline are incredibly important in engaging students and providing them with a basis of knowledge about genomics and its importance to every facet of our lives. Teachers play a vital role in helping nurture and
encourage tomorrow’s generation of scientists, as well as educating all students about the power of genomics, ensuring tomorrow’s generation is informed about this life-changing area that will undoubtedly play a greater role in health care options, the state of the environment, and the availability and quality of crops for food.” The OGI Genomics Teaching Prize - which was formally presented to Ross at a ceremony on October 6, which students, parents, fellow teachers, and school administrators attended - includes a $5,000 cash prize and a budget for up to $2,000 in new laboratory equipment and/or instructional materials for the classroom. The award also allows Ross to share her award-winning genomics teaching approach with other life science teachers at a science education conference in the coming year. “I look forward to using the award to continue providing exciting and interesting classroom exercises, and to expand the educational opportunities available to my students,” commented Ross. “I also look forward to drawing on and contributing to the genomics teaching resources that previous awardees have provided through the OGI website.” Candidates for the OGI Genomics Teaching Prize are evaluated on their demonstrated excellence in stimulating interest in genomics and teaching students about its impact. Teacher’s use of innovative teaching methods and instructional tools is also evaluated. OGI’s 2011 advisory review panel included a former student of last year’s prize winner, an OGI-funded genomics researcher and experts in life science education including representatives from Ontario’s Ministry of Education, the Science Teachers’ Association of Ontario, Let’s Talk Science, Queen’s University and the University of Western Ontario.
