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
- Kirsten Wolthers, Chair (2022 – 2024), The University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus
- William Lubell, Vice-Chair (2022 – 2023), Université de Montréal
- Katherine Ryan, Treasurer (2022 – 2023), University of British Columbia
- John Sorensen, Secretary (2022 – 2023), University of Manitoba
Executive members at large:
- Chris Boddy (2022 – 2023), University of Ottawa
- Dustin King (2022 – 2023), Simon Fraser University
- Roger Linington (2022 – 2023), Simon Fraser University
- Avena Ross (2022 – 2023), Queen’s University
- Jumi Shin (2022 – 2023), University of Toronto Mississauga
- Tabitha Wood (2022 – 2023), 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 2023)
Undergraduate Student Poster Winner
1st Place ($300):
Sarah Ménard
“Directed Evolution of Novel Glycan-Binding Proteins Using mRNA Display”
Supervisor: David Kwan
Bio: Sarah is a Spring 2023 graduate of Concordia University in Honours Cell and Molecular Biology (BSc) with a Minor in Multidisciplinary Studies in Science. She is currently working on the directed evolution of novel glycan-binding proteins using mRNA display in the lab of Professor David Kwan, where she completed her undergraduate honours thesis and holds an NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award. She is also a part-time STEM tutor and enjoy biking, cross-country skiing, and birdwatching.
Graduate Student Poster Winners
1st Place ($300):
Tiffany Stern
“Hepatitis C Virus Modulates Lipid Metabolic Enzymes to Facilitate Infection”
Supervisor: John Pezacki
Bio: Tiffany is a chemistry graduate student at the University of Ottawa. Her research lies at the interface of chemistry and biology, using chemical tools for the study of host-pathogen interactions. Outside of the lab, you can find her spending time with friends and always looking for that next adventure
2nd Place ($200):
Nicholas Morehouse
“Tolypocaibols: Antibacterial lipopeptaibols from a Tolypocladium sp. endophyte of the marine macroalga Spongomorpha arcta”
Supervisor: Christopher Gray
Bio: Nicholas is a fourth year PhD student studying natural products chemistry at the University of New Brunswick under the supervision of Dr. Christopher Gray. His research focuses on the discovery and structure elucidation of new molecules that are biosynthesized by fungi.
3rd Place ($100):
Kushal Dhake
“Iodoamination of Bicyclobutanes: Diastereoselective Synthesis of Cyclobutyl Iodoamines”
Supervisor: David Leitch
Bio: Kushal joined the Leitch lab at University of Victoria in September 2019 and is exploring the reactivity of bicyclobutanes to build new heteroatom-containing multicyclic rings. Outside the lab, he enjoys watching football, sitcoms, stand-up comedy and travelling.
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.
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.