Two ULethbridge students dived into biochemistry in a big way over the summer and became the first Indigenous undergraduate students to work at the Canadian Center for Hydrodynamics (CCH) with analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC).

Demetra (Demi) Good Rider and Thunder Crowshoe completed the Indigenous Student Success Certificate (ISSC) earlier this year. The certificate is designed to help Indigenous students make a smooth transition to university life. They enjoyed their biology and chemistry courses, and Crowshoe jumped at the chance when Beth Grier, a student recruitment officer, informed him that biochemistry professor Dr. Borries (Bo) Demeler was seeking students to work at the CCH.

Dr. Trushar Patel, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science, was recently selected to receive Blue Jacket Recognition by the RiboClub Scientific Advisory Board. The selection committee recognized Patel’s excellence in advocating for the RNA community in other research fields, in the public and in the political space thereby making a superb impact in promoting RNA research in Canada. The board was also impressed by his service to the RNA community in organizing many RiboWest conferences and in contributing to the RNA Canada meeting 2024. Patel is ULethbridge’s Canada Research Chair in RNA and Protein Biophysics.

A cauldron of creativity is once again brewing at the University of Lethbridge, as kids are invited to participate in some bone-tingling and creepy experiments in the laboratory at the annual Spooky Science fair. 

“Gooey, green, gross stuff is bubbling in beakers and potion ingredients, like sparkle dust, eye of newt and fairy hair, are being gathered,” says the folks at Let’s Talk Science. “All is being readied for two sessions of hands-on STEM activities with a Halloween twist.” 

But before the return of the Spooktacular Science Show, hosted by resident mad scientist Jackson Knott, children will have plenty of activities to spark their interest in science, including creepy chromatography, boo bubbles, the potion parlour, mystery ink, ghost cannons and stomp rockets. 

_{^{Story by Stan Ashbee - My Lethbridge Now}}