Results are out! Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship

By Amarpreet Grewal

 

We would like to congratulate Natalie Zeytuni and J. Andrew Alexander, who received highly prestigious national awards.

nataliezNatalie Zeytuni, a post-doctoral fellow in Dr. Natalie Strynadka’s lab, received a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship. Natalie was one of only three people who received this award at the University of British Columbia. Her postdoctoral work focuses on structural and biochemical analysis of the Type VII secretion system, which is essential for the pathogenesis of mycobacterium that causes tuberculosis.

The Banting Fellowship provides funding to the very best postdoctoral applicants, both nationally and internationally, who will positively contribute to the country’s economic, social and research‑based growth. The purpose of the award is to provide the recipients an opportunity to develop their leadership potential, retain their top-tier postdoctoral talent and position them for success as research leaders of tomorrow.

Across Canada, only 70 fellowships are awarded annually and these are distributed equally between NSERC, CIHR, and SSHRC.


alexjohnJ. Andrew Alexander is one of the recipients of the highly competitive Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Andrew is a PhD candidate in biochemistry in Dr. Natalie Strynadka’s lab studying the biophysical characterisation of proteins involved in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) antibiotic resistance.

Vanier Scholars demonstrate exceptional leadership skills, research potential and academic excellence. The purpose of the award is to establish Canada as a global centre of research and higher learning by attracting and retaining world-class doctoral students.

Nationally, 167 scholarships are awarded annually; and only 23 individuals were awarded this scholarship at UBC.