About BM
The Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Division (BM) of the Canadian Society for Chemistry comprises over 800 members interested in the interface between chemistry and biology or medicine. We organize the Biological and Medicinal (BM) scientific program of the annual conference of the CSC, sponsor research awards, and support scientific meetings. View the BM division’s charter.
BM executives
- Dustin King, Chair (2024 – 2025), Simon Fraser University
- John Sorensen, Vice Chair (2024 – 2025), University of Manitoba
- Kirsten Wolthers, Past Chair (2024 – 2025), University of British Columbia - Okanagan Campus
- Lakshmi P. Kotra, Secretary (2024 – 2025), University of Toronto
- Christopher Boddy, Treasurer (2024 – 2025), University of Ottawa
Executive members at large:
- Avena Ross (2024 – 2025), Queen’s University
- Jumi Shin (2024 – 2025), University of Toronto Mississauga
- Tabitha Wood (2024 – 2025), University of Winnipeg
This seminar series is hosted monthly on Thursdays at 2:00 PM ET.
Poster award winners
Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CSC 2024)
Undergraduate Student Poster Winner
1st Place ($150):
Jonathan Houser
“Catching COVID: Developing a nanoparticle-peptide conjugate to target SARS-CoV-2”
Supervisor: John Trant
Bio: Jonathan has just finished 2nd year of his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. He is currently working on nanoparticle-peptide conjugates for antiviral therapeutics in the lab of Professor John Trant. In his free time, he is an international gymnast and enjoys other sports like volleyball, tennis, and golf
Graduate Student Poster Winners ($200)
Shereen Abohussain
“Advancing therapeutic platforms through in situ drug production and release”
Supervisor: Sheref Mansy
Bio: Shereen is a second year MSc. student at the University of Alberta, focusing on bioengineering artificial cells with DNA-carbohydrate hybrids for targeted drug delivery to advance therapeutic platforms. Outside the lab, she enjoys spending time with friends and traveling.
Azam Mohammadzadeh
“Computational Insights into FABPs’ Interactions with Minor Cannabinoids: Therapeutic Implications”
Supervisor: John Trant
Bio: Azam (Sanam) is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry who joined Dr. John F. Trant’s lab at the University of Windsor in January 2021. Her research focuses on the structural study of proteins and their interactions with small molecules, utilizing computational, biochemical, and biophysical methods.
Anjalee Wijewardane
“Combating Heart Disease: Investigating Biased Signaling Pathways of Metabolically Stable Apelin Analogues and Small Molecule Agonist in the Apelin-APJ system”
Supervisor: John Vederas
Bio: Anjalee is a second-year PhD student at the University of Alberta. Her research focuses on studying different biochemical pathways triggered by differential ligand-receptor interactions in the context of cardiovascular health. Outside the lab, she enjoys traveling, dancing, and spending time with friends.
BM awards
The Melanie O’Neill Young Investigator Award in Biological Chemistry is presented to a scientist residing in Canada who has made a distinguished contribution to biological chemistry while working in Canada. Award details and how to apply.
Melanie O’Neill New Investigator Award
The Bernard Belleau Award is presented to a scientist residing in Canada who has made a distinguished contribution to the field of medicinal chemistry through research involving biochemical or organic chemical mechanisms. Award details and how to apply.
The Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Lectureship Award (formerly the Teva Canada Limited Biological and Medicinal Chemistry (BMC) Lectureship Award) is presented to a scientist who has made a distinguished contribution to the field of biological or medicinal chemistry within the past five years of the initial nomination deadline date while working in Canada. Award details and how to apply.