Scholarly Activity DatabaseNSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) Competition
Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are meant to stimulate your interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering. They are also meant to encourage you to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career in these fields. If you would like to gain research work experience that complements your studies in an academic setting, these awards can provide you with financial support through your host university. NSERC encourages qualified Aboriginal students to apply to this program. NSERC USRA Program
These awards pay $4,500 from NSERC plus a minimum additional 25% or more, for a minimum 16-week consecutive period. NSERC encourages qualified Aboriginal students to apply to this program.
VIU is eligible to support 5 NSERC USRA recipients, in addition to any eligible aboriginal applicants.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted on-line through NSERC's on-line system on TBD.
VIU USRA Supervisors
Updated January 30, 2012
Students may only apply to work with one of the faculty members listed below.
For more information about a research project, please contact the potential
supervisor directly.
- Dr.
Helen Gurney-Smith, Centre for Shellfish Research
2 possible positions:
The H20ME project – implementing mussel genomics into wastewater management
Despite playing critical roles in the function of the marine environment, our coastal and estuarine ecosystems are being exposed to ever-increasing threats caused by human activities. Wastewater effluent can contain many ‘compounds of concern’ including endocrine disrupters, pharmaceutical and personal care products, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Marine mussels (Mytilus spp.) are established sentinel species used for monitoring of coastal ecosystems. Current diagnostic tools involve biochemical, histological and physiological biomarkers, providing limited information on stress responses, unlike functional genomics. In this project we plan to implement a multi-species mussel microarray to determine the impacts of wastewater management on the health and productivity of marine systems. The student involved in this project will assist the team in developing and running real-time qPCR protocols, as well as performing experiments and taking samples for generating microarray data. This project is in collaboration with a major wastewater management company (Stantec), Capital Regional District of Victoria, international scientists, Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada.
The Little-OME project – examining stress in native shellfish species using functional genomics
Bivalves such as mussels and clams have been widely implemented in marine monitoring programs due to their sedentary nature, bioaccumulation abilities and ease of sampling. Such programs have often examined the impacts of environmental conditions (natural or man-made) on aquatic animal health and performance. Native Littleneck clams (Protothaca staminea) are economically and culturally important to coastal groups in British Columbia, and in this project we plan to mimic environmental stressing agents and assess their impact on these populations. The project team will utilize existing Littleneck clam sequence data from a previous project, to find genes of known stress function. The student will be involved in primer validations, real-time qPCR protocol development and implementation to tissues derived from stress experiments, to examine how stress affects these animals and what implications environmental changes have on population function. This project involves collaborations with visiting post-doctoral fellows and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
- Drs. Chris
Gill and Erik
Krogh, Chemistry
4 possible positions:
Chemical Ionization (CI) Strategies for Hydrocarbon Analysis by MIMS
This project will examine chemical ionization (CI) for the detection of environmental contaminants using membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS). Target mixtures include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (i.e., BTEX), which have known isobaric interferences using traditional electron impact (EI) techniques. CI methods involving proton transfer, charge exchange and adduct formation will be investigated. The outcome of this work is to generate simplified mixture mass spectra that are low in fragmentation, allowing analyte resolution and trace quantitation via MS/MS from the parent molecular ions.
Condensed Phase Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry (CP-MIMS)
This project will explore various aspects of the development of a condensed phase membrane introduction mass spectrometry system (CP-MIMS). Included will be the design, evaluation and testing of new interface variants, including capillary and sheet membrane geometries. The exploration of the potential for selective membrane systems tailored for specific analyte(s) will be examined with both polymer and/or supported liquid membrane based systems. The aim of this work is to assist in the further development of this rapidly emerging new analytical method.
Reaction Monitoring of Environmental Contaminants by MIMS
Investigate the reaction kinetics for the degradation of halogenated contaminants in air and water. This work will involve developing a system to following the progress of photochemical and thermal reactions that promote reductive dehalogenation reactions in the presence of naturally occurring organic matter and ultraviolet/visible light using real-time mass spectrometry techniques and conventional chemical analysis. The outcomes of this work include the application to in-situ field studies and abatement technologies.Partitioning Behaviour of Environmental Contaminants by MIMS
The partitioning of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOC/SVOCs) between air, water and sediments determines the distribution and transport of contaminants in the environment. This project will involve building an assembly to directly measure the concentration of VOC/SVOC compounds in air, water and sorbed surfaces using membrane introduction mass spectrometry. Initial studies will be carried out in equilibrated air/water and air/octanol systems to assess the air/water and air/octanol partition constants, respectively.
- Dr.
David Gaumont-Guay, Biology
2 possible positions:
Assessing the carbon offset potential of green roofs in Nanaimo
This project will study the impacts of newly established green roofs, at Vancouver Island University and other locations on the Island, on the roofs’ microclimates and their carbon balances, including plant, soil and whole building CO2 exchanges.
Partitioning whole-ecosystem CO2 exchange in a Douglas-fir stand
This project will study the contribution of plant and soil physiological processes to the whole-ecosystem CO2 exchange of a Douglas-fir stand near Campbell River and assess the impacts of environmental factors on temporal and spatial variations of each component. - Dr. Christopher Pearce, Fisheries & Aquaculture,
Chris.Pearce@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
1possible position for one of the projects listed below:
(1) Determining optimal microalgal diets and feeding rations for larvae and seed of the geoduck clam
The aquaculture industry of geoduck clams (Panopea generosa) in British Columbia (BC) has been constrained by the lack of a reliable seed supply, indicating possible inadequacy with the current hatchery production strategy. This project is evaluating the effects of various microalgal diets (single- and bi-algal) on the growth and survival of geoduck larvae and seed. The main goal is to identify optimal diets and the specific nutritional requirements (especially fatty acids) of larvae/seed and to ascertain vital nutrients imparting high nutritional value to the diets. The research will also be identifying optimal microalgal rations for both larvae and seed and examining the possibility of replacement of these live microalgae with commercially-available, spray-dried microalgal diets. The results of this project will contribute significantly to the establishment and refinement of hatchery-rearing protocols of geoduck larvae and seed, as well as to further expansion of the aquaculture industry of this species in BC.
(2) Are shellfish transfers a likely vector for aquatic invasive species movement from the west to the east coast of Vancouver Island?
The project’s main objective is to assess shellfish transfers by the shellfish industry and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s biotoxin monitoring program as potential vectors for the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS), with particular focus on the European green crab, from the west to the east coast of Vancouver Island. This project will quantify the potential risk of AIS introduction associated with current shellfish transfer protocols to inform conditions of licence and the development of scientifically-based shellfish aquaculture management zones in British Columbia. Currently, more research is needed in this area to assess the risk of this particular AIS vector. Results will help Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Fisheries Management to make informed decisions about this potential vector for AIS spread and will allow for a scientific basis for specific shellfish culture licence conditions and for evaluating the introduction or transfer of shellfish to other areas.
- Dr.
Sarah Dudas, Canada Research Chair, Biology
2 possible positions:
Investigating the influence of shellfish assemblages on benthic habitat
Aquaculture activities can influence sediment characteristics by changing species abundances or diversity through harvesting and artificially seeding beaches. Bivalves have the capacity to affect their own environment through feeding, excretion and bioturbation. These activities alter sediment silt, oxygen, organic and water content and can affect sediment stability, nutrient dynamics and alter the composition of benthic communities. To fully comprehend the impacts of species and abundance altering aquaculture activities, an understanding of the contribution of different species and densities to ecosystem function is essential. This project will investigate the influence of different suites of shellfish species on sediment characteristics in both the field and the lab. Both indigenous and non-indigenous species will be studied, providing the opportunity to investigate the impact of the varnish clam, Nuttallia obscurata, a prolific invader in BC that is suspected to influence sediment characteristics. Results will be used to determine, for the first time, how shellfish farming practices, by changing densities or species compositions, may impact intertidal beach habitats and their suitability for other organisms. The student research assistant will be involved in both field and lab aspects of the project, gaining experience in bivalve surveying techniques, experimental design and implementation and environmental monitoring. The student will also have the opportunity to conduct their own research project.
Evaluating Olympia oyster settlement and recruitment
Olympia oysters are BC’s only native oyster and were listed under SARA as a species of special concern in 2003 and are Blue listed by the Province of BC. Historically this species supported sustenance and commercial fisheries, until over-exploitation, habitat alteration and pollution led to significant declines along the entire coast and near-extirpation in some areas. Since the early 1900s, impacts on the Olympia oyster have been dramatically reduced with the collapse and closure of the fisheries and reductions in pollution and habitat alteration. Despite this, their populations have not rebounded. This has led to impressive restoration efforts in the United States; more than $1 million has been spent on restoration projects, despite a serious lack of basic research and knowledge of the species. This project will address these knowledge gaps by investigating the natural recruitment of Olympia Oysters. Project results will help elucidate the reasons for the lack of population recovery and help develop suitable recovery strategies for this species of special concern. The student research assistant will work with staff and researchers to monitor natural settlement and recruitment in the field, monitor survival of outplanted recruits and investigate predation pressure on new recruits and juveniles. The student will also have the opportunity to conduct their own research project.
How to Apply
Updated January 16, 2012
- Read through the regulations governing this award on NSERC's web site.
- Login or register as a new user to NSERC's on-line system.
- Read the Undergraduate Student Research Award application instructions .
- Complete Part I of form 202.
- Verify Part I and forward your reference number assigned to your application to your proposed supervisor. Notify your supervisor that Part II must be completed, verified and submitted through the on-line system to the University Liaison Officer (Kathryn Jepson) by March 1, 2012.
- Prepare and e-mail or drop off a cover letter to Kathryn Jepson (building 305, room 446). In your cover letter outline your future academic and research goals and explain how receiving this award would benefit your future endeavours.
No hand-written applications will be accepted.
You can apply to more than one university. You must apply directly to the university where you would like to be considered. However, please note that it is the university's choice whether to accept candidates from other institutions. Vancouver Island University does accept applications from candidates from other universities.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for an award, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
- be registered, at the time you apply, in a bachelor's degree program at an eligible university; and
- have obtained, over the previous years of study, a cumulative average of at least second class (a grade of "B" or "B-," if applicable) as defined by your university (B- minimum average = Cumulative GPA of 2.67 or above at VIU).
In addition...
- If you already hold a bachelor's degree and are studying toward a second bachelor's degree, you may still apply to this program.
- You may hold only one USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).
- You may hold a maximum of three USRAs throughout your university career.
To hold an award, you must:
- have completed all the course requirements of at least the first year of university study (or two academic terms) of your bachelor's degree;
- have been registered in the term immediately before holding the award in a bachelor's degree program at an eligible university;
- not have started a program of graduate studies in the natural sciences or engineering; and
- be engaged on a full-time basis in research and development activities
in the natural sciences or engineering during the tenure of the award.
Duration of Awards
- The duration of the award is 16 consecutive weeks on a full-time basis.
- You can hold an award at any time during the year as permitted by your
academic program, although typically these awards are held during the months
of May through August at Vancouver Island University.
Resources
Read testimonials from previous
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) winners:
- 2011 - Robert Halsall
- 2011 - Angeline de Bruyns
- 2010 - Kyle Duncan, Dane Letourneau, Megan Willis, & Zack Yim
Vancouver Island University USRA Selection Criteria
All applications are reviewed by the VIU NSERC Awards Selection Committee. Awards will be granted based on:
- Academic excellence
- Research aptitude
- Year of study (Students completing the third and fourth years of their B.Sc. will be given preference over those in earlier years, with first year students given the lowest preference).
Where students of similar merit (based on the criteria outlined above) are eligible for an award, the distribution of awards across faculty and departments will be a factor in the final decision. While students may hold up to three USRA awards during their B.Sc., the number of years a student has held an award may be a deciding factor in the case where a student is applying for their third USRA award (i.e. they have previously held two of these awards) and they are competing against one or more equally meritorious students who have received fewer (0 or 1) past USRA awards.