University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Hosted by the Faculty of Science

Meet a UOIT Scientist

Take an INVENTour around UOIT labs

Listen to talks by UOIT Canada Research Chair holders

Dr. Douglas Holdway and Dr. Shari Forbes

Visit the "Science Cavalcade"

Participate in "Science Jeopardy"

Schedule

Registration will be on site beginning at 10:00 am
Pick up a copy of the Science Rendezvous program and get directions to the many exciting, FREE events taking place on campus. Location: Library Café.
10:00 - 10:45 am	Meet a UOIT Scientist
Come have a coffee and meet a UOIT scientist; ask them what they do? Ask them what they like about being a scientist? Ask them about the amount of work and training that it takes to become a scientist? Location: Library Café.
10:30 - 3:00 pm	UOIT INVENTours and Science Cavalcade (Demonstrations and Hands-on activities*)
Location: varied, visit the registration desk. See below for details.
11:00 am	Lecture Dr. Douglas Holdway "Why the fish are dying: Water Pollution and Aquatic Toxicology"
Come and take a peek into the world of state-of-the-art aquatic toxicology research. Learn how such research is important to the monitoring and protection of our "under attack" aquatic ecosystems. Location: UB 2080.
1:00 pm	Lecture Dr. Shari Forbes "Real-life CSI"
Ever wondered whether CSI is based on fact or fiction? Come and listen to Dr. Shari Forbes talk about crime scene investigation and the real world of forensics. You will learn how police officers process a crime scene, how scientists analyse evidence, and hear about the interesting forensic research being conducted at UOIT. If you love mysteries and things that squirm, this talk is for you! Location: UB 2080.

UOIT INVENTours

*some events will be limited in numbers. Details of registration will follow.

"Demistifying Forensic Science"
- CSI Oshawa: A tour of the UOIT Crime Scene House
  Come and tour this unique teaching facility used to train forensic science undergraduate students. Forensic science professionals will walk you through a mock crime scene explaining how evidence is found, documented and ultimately collected. Pay close attention and see if you can solve the mystery!
- Fun with Forensic Science
  Learn how to examine forensic evidence collected from crime scenes. You will learn how to lift fingerprints from various objects, make casts of footwear impressions found in soil, create blood spatter impressions, examine bones and much, much more!
"Electrochemical analysis of children's Acetaminophen Products: What dosage is safe for my child?"
Come and try preparing and running a sample on our state-of-the-art electrochemical detection system.
"Green Plastics"
With depleting oil reserves and growing concerns over the environment means that sustainable alternatives to plastics derived from petroleum are gaining in popularity. Many biologically derived materials, particularly from plants, are seeing a comeback as the choice for making a new generation of environmentally benign bioplastics. We will demonstrate how these are made.
"From Black Currants to Green Current"
Come and learn about solar cells and have a chance to make solar cells with plants and berries!
"What does DNA look like?"
Come to the UOIT Biology labs and spool DNA from fruits and vegetables!
"Shaking hands with bacteria"
We will examine the transmission of bacteria via handshaking using simulated germs. We will also look at some of the bacterial cells with high power microscopes.
"Fun with Food webs!" (Specifically designed for younger children).
Do you know who's eating who (or what) in the plant and animal kingdom? Discover how food webs work by actually becoming a part of one! Don't worry, you won't be gobbled up, but you will find out how energy is transferred along a food web and why food webs are so important in the environment.
UOIT "Science Cavalcade"
A cornucopia of cool science and fun demonstrations.
- Bubble formation
- Liquid nitrogen ice cream
- Maggot races
- Maggot art
- Flaming gummy bears
- TBA
Location: UB Atrium.

"Science Jeopardy"

Show your knowledge of general science and win a prize!

Location: UB 2080.

Biographies of Keynote speakers

Douglas Holdway

(Tier 1 CRC in Aquatic Toxicology; Full Professor, Faculty of Science)

Dr. Holdway's research examines ecotoxicological impacts of contaminants upon aquatic organisms, populations and communities; development and application of biomarkers of contaminant exposure and effects in aquatic organisms; effects of contaminant pulse-exposure on reproduction and long-term population health in aquatic ecosystems; bioenergetics of xenobiotic detoxification processes in aquatic organisms and the detection of pathogens in drinking water. His specific interests are in the impacts of both exogenous and endogenous short-term pulse exposures to chemicals such as pesticides on fish reproduction and embryo/larval development. The effects of such exposures on various brain, liver and gill enzymes and on biomarkers of endocrine disruption, are being investigated with the objective of developing a predictive suite of biomarkers of both exposure and effects in fish. He is also supported by NSERC.

Shari Forbes

(Tier 2 CRC in Decomposition Chemistry; Assistant Professor, Faculty of Science)

Dr Forbes has a background in applied chemistry and forensic science. Her research incorporates analytical chemistry and biology to study the processes of lipid and protein degradation within the body. Her current focus is to better understand the formation of biogenic amines and their toxicity levels in accordance with meat and food industry standards. She has published in a range of international journals including Vibrational Spectroscopy, European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology, and Journal of Forensic Sciences. She was recently awarded an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship to conduct research on lipid degradation in the Department of Forensic Medicine at Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich. Her research has been presented at national and international conferences in Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. She has recently been awarded a multi-year NSERC Discovery grant.