There’s tough, and then there’s Tough. It’s unlikely anyone would ever say that Dr. Emmanuel Twumasi Osei travelled Easy Street on the long and bumpy road to his doctorate. Today, though, Dr. Osei will tell you he is extremely proud – delighted, really – to be an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology UBC Okanagan and Associate Member at the UBC – St Paul’s Centre for Heart Lung Innovation. Just a few years back, that eventuality seemed all but unattainable. It was the UBC joint PhD program that was the catalyst – essentially partnership arrangements with other universities around the world designed to share doctoral candidates, and the costs, as they work towards earning their PhD.
Responsibilities
Pieter works with campus partners to host and promote events and workshops, including 3MT and orientation. He also manages communications and marketing, including the COGS website and social media accounts.
A $20,000 entrance award (payable at $10,000 per year) has been made available annually through a gift from the Stober Foundation, along with matching funds from The University of British Columbia, to a domestic Masters or PhD student supervised by a Biology faculty member in the Biology or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program in the Faculty of Science at The University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus. Preference given to a student with a focus in the health science field. The award is renewable for a second year subject to the student maintaining academic standing. The award is made on the recommendation of the College of Graduate Studies in consultation with the Faculty of Science. (First award available for the 2021/22 Winter Session)
Award winner: Savanna Maddock
Program of study: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Supervisor(s): Mike Deyholos and Soheil Mahmoud
Career Aspiration: Plant geneticist
Hometown: Summerland, BC
Awards and Scholarships: Stober Foundation Graduate Award in Biology
“My goal is to gain a better understanding of terpene gene regulation in plants. Terpenes are used for communication and as defense mechanisms in plants. Many terpenes have medicinal properties such as anti-viral, anti-cancer and anti-malarial activity. My research aims to identify transcription factors that regulate terpene synthase genes in medicinal plants.
I have always had a passion for plants and as an adult, my gardening obsession knows no bounds. My dream is to develop a vast understanding of plant genetics and to work as a plant breeder to increase the concentration of medicinal compounds in plants and to improve plant resistance to pests and pathogens.
To the Stober Foundation
“I am so thankful for the Stober Foundation and the generosity they have bestowed upon me! Receiving the Stober Foundation award felt like a miracle and I am eternally grateful.”