Education

C M Y K PAGE 14 14 SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2022 EDUCATION GUIDE A t the University of Winnipeg, many students embark on journeys of discov- ery they would never have imagined prior to beginning their studies. This is due to the combination of small class sizes, caring and accessible professors and a close-knit community — all of which provide exciting opportuni- ties that are often harder to find at larger institutions. Students benefit from the UWin- nipeg's focus on real-world re- search opportunities at the un- dergraduate level. Biology major Corey Sanderson is one of 28 UWinnipeg students who received Natural Sciences and Engineer- ing Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Awards in 2021 and 2022. The NSERC Undergraduate Re- search Awards program supports exceptional students who have projects in the fields of natural sciences and engineering, and encourages them to undertake graduate studies and consider a research career. Under the mentorship of Dr. Sanoji Wijenayake, Sanderson's re- search on phosphorous deposits in streams could lead to new insights that will help improve the health of Indigenous communities. Reflecting on his NSERC-funded project, Sanderson says, "The one- on-one lab experience was the best part. I am a hands-on learner and had the opportunity to di- rectly observe Dr. Wijenayake pilot the DNA extraction from the soil firsthand. She then supervised me with comments and will do so un- til I have built up enough skills and confidence to do the DNA extrac- tion on my own without supervi- sion." • • • For Indigenous Studies students Charlene Moore and Farrah Mur- dock, their UWinnipeg journey took them to Vatican City. Moore and Murdock were part of the In- digenous delegation that travelled to receive Pope Francis' apology for the church's role in residential schools. Moore's academic advisor, Dr. Jerry Fontaine, talked to former Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Phil Fontaine about bringing the two students on the trip. Because of their filmmaking experience, the two students were asked to film the trip for an up- coming AFN documentary about the visit. "We ended up being the only documentary crew that was able to film in the Vatican, as we had such small cameras," Moore says. "So that was really incredible." During their time in Rome and Vatican City, Moore and Murdock filmed the delegation going on tours and visits leading up to the meeting with Pope Francis. "We were really lucky to be able to document what we did and meet who we met because there were some amazing leaders with incredible knowledge and experi- ence," Moore says. "We were also able to sit down with them and in- terview them, which was really an honour to be able to do." • • • Science student Nathalie Turenne never thought her UWin- nipeg journey would take her to the surface of Mars. In her second year as a student, Turenne met Dr. Ed Cloutis and learned about his research lab, the Centre for Terrestrial and Plan- etary Exploration (C-TAPE). "I didn't know what he did at the time," Turenne recalls, before laughing. "He asked if I was inter- ested in working in his lab, and I said yes!" Her work in Dr. Cloutis' lab led to more opportunities, including being asked by NASA to help with calibration for the Mastcam-Z, an imaging instrument on the Mars Perseverance rover. Turrenne's work expanded into two roles with NASA's Persever- ance rover: Science Payload Up- link Lead, where she chose rock targets and worked with engi- neers to uplink the activities, and Campaign Implementation Lead, where she planned the rover's ac- tivities in advance. "The biggest highlight for me so far has been being able to see images from Mars and seeing all the potential science that can be done," she says. "You can't explain the feeling of working on Mars and seeing those images." Learn more about exciting stu- dent experience, research and in- novation at The University of Win- nipeg at uwinnipeg.ca. THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG From the lab to Europe to Mars — unexpected journeys of discovery You can't explain the feeling of working on Mars and seeing those images." — Nathalie Turenne, science student, The University of Winnipeg SUPPLIED PHOTO Biology student Corey Sanderson (right) with supervisor Dr. Sanoji Wijenayake.

• Cover