UTM was the first U of T campus to host the 27th annual Ontario Biology Day conference on March 22 and 23. More than 220 students and supervisors attended the conference, at which undergraduate research students from across Ontario presented their research accomplishments.

“We were really excited to host the event, and are so proud of all the students that participated and presented,” said Fiona Rawle, chair of the OBD 2014 organizing committee.

The conference involved both scientific and social activities. Students presented their research orally and through posters. Research fit into one of 16 categories, including cell and molecular biology, animal behaviour, and science education.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to be able to exchange my research and experiences with other people who cared about research and science as much as I did. We have a lot of great researchers in Ontario,” said undergraduate presenter Matthew Scicluna.

Four motivational speakers were featured at the event: neuroscientist Roberta Bondar (via Skype), UTM’s own cancer researcher Patrick Gunning, ROM paleontology curator David Evans, and Dan Riskin from the Discovery Channel.

“OBD was an extreme success, but it wouldn’t have been so without an amazing organizing committee and hardworking volunteers,” said Daniel Almeida, a student presenter and member of the committee.

Saturday evening featured a banquet dinner and dance.

The event was sponsored by UTM’s Office of the Dean and the Research Office.

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