Ontario Biology Day 2025

March 22nd and 23rd, 2025

Carleton University is excited to host the 37th Annual Ontario Biology Day (OBD-2025) conference March 22^nd and 23^rd, 2025!

This conference brings together senior students from across Ontario to present their undergraduate (capstone) research projects. Project presentations span the biological sciences from molecules and cells, to ecology, evolution and animal behaviour. OBD has a proud tradition of providing a supportive platform for attendees to present their research through engaging oral presentations and informative poster sessions. This dynamic environment encourages the sharing of innovative ideas, extension of current studies, and fosters meaningful collaborations.​

The conference will host invited speakers to present their research and journey’s in becoming research scientists and educators.  We will also enjoy a banquet Saturday evening (March 22^nd) for a relaxed environment to further discussions and connections.

We are excited for you to join us in Ottawa for a showcase of innovative research, knowledge exchange, networking and creativity!

Calling All Biology Enthusiasts!

We can’t wait to see the incredible work you’ve been doing!

Conference Schedule

OBD2025-Conference-Program

Talk Abstract Book

Poster Abstract Book

OBD2025 Carleton Campus Map

Registration Information and Important Notes for Participants

• Early Registration (by March 3rd, 2025): $60 + tax
• Late Registration (by March 10th, 2025): $75 + tax
• Attendees who submitted registration requests after March 10th are kindly asked to also send an email to haiyunbo@cunet.carleton.ca.

Participants can submit their Title and Abstract when completing the registration form. If your abstract is not ready, you may leave the field blank and email it to Haiyun Bo at haiyunbo@cunet.carleton.ca by March 10th.

Please note that each participant can only sign up for one Oral or Poster presentation to ensure equity for all attendees.

If you changed your mind and wish to switch presentation option, you must send an email to Haiyun Bo by March 10th. This deadline is firm.

Refunds will not be applicable for cancellations made after Wednesday, March 12th.

Abstract Template: OBD Abstract Template 2025

Poster Presentation: The poster size should not exceed 4′ x 4′. Students are responsible for bringing their physical poster to the event on March 22nd.

Oral presentation: Talks should be approximately 12 minutes in length to allow for one or two questions following, for a total length of 15 minutes.

Guest Speakers

	Sarah Everts is an award-winning science journalist and journalism professor at Carleton University based in Ottawa. Her work has appeared in Scientific American, New Scientist, Smithsonian, Guardian, Time, Chemical & Engineering News and others. She is also the author of the book, The Joy of Sweat: The Strange Science of Perspiration, which the New York Times called “crisp and lively… an entertaining and illuminating guide to the necessity and virtues of perspiration.
	Dr. Samanfar is a Research Scientist at AAFC, Ottawa-RDC and an Adjunct Professor at Department of Biology, Carleton University.  He is a molecular geneticist and applied genomicist with expertise in allele-specific molecular marker developments, recombination mapping, marker-assisted selection (molecular breeding), functional genomics, transcriptome-wide (RNA-seq) approaches, computational biology and bioinformatics, particularly in relation to Soybean.  Dr. Samanfar received his Ph.D. from Carleton University and holds an M.Sc. degree from Paul Sabatier University (France) and M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees from University of Tehran (Iran).
	Emily Curren is a postdoctoral research scientist from the National University of Singapore. She works on coastal marine pollution, specifically harmful algal blooms and microplastics. Emily profiles the diversity and distribution of tropical marine cyanobacteria, with focus on characterizing toxic and novel species. She also studies the plastisphere and evaluates the impact of microplastic pollution on human health and food security. Emily is also a committee member of the IOC-WESTPAC Harmful Algal Blooms work group and has ongoing international collaborations with partner universities in Japan and Malaysia.
	Dr. Kazmirchuk is currently a MITACs post-doctoral fellow in the department of Biology at Carleton University. He received his Ph.D in Cellular and Molecular Biology at Concordia University in Montreal, QC. He is also an alumnus of Carleton, having completed both his B.Sc and M.Sc in Carleton Biology. His current award-winning research involves the intelligent design of peptides that act as both therapeutics and diagnostics for rare bleeding disorders. He loves to teach and mentor all stages of students, from undergraduate to doctoral. Through his international academic and industrial collaborations, Tom is actively laying the foundation for the future of medicine. In his off time, he loves being out in nature taking photos of wildlife.
	Dr. Eugene Fletcher is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology, Carleton University. Prior to joining Carleton in the summer of 2023, he was the Research and Development (R&D) Lead at Escarpment Laboratories, a yeast company based in Guelph, Ontario. At Escarpment Labs, he spearheaded an active research program to develop yeast strains for craft brewers in Canada and abroad. Eugene got his PhD in Cell Biology from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. After completing his PhD in 2014, he pursued postdoctoral training at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg (Sweden), Technical University of Denmark, and the University of Ottawa. His research program at Carleton focuses on developing better yeasts for industry. In addition to his academic and industry experience, Eugene holds a 2023 US patent and is passionate about moving ideas from the lab bench to market.

Location

• Richcraft Hall
• Nideyinàn (Banquet at Ollie’s)

Places to visit near Campus

Accommodation Options

We have arranged special rates at nearby hotels, all within a 10-minute drive from Carleton University. Please note that the deadline to book at these rates is February 21st.

Hampton Inn by Hilton Ottawa Airport, ON.

• • Please follow this link to access the booking page with locked group rate.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites: Ottawa Airport

To book at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa Airport, here are your booking options:

• • Call the hotel directly (613-247-9500) and provide dates and block code COB and the front desk staff will take care of the rest;
  • Go to www.hieottawa.com and follow the steps below:
    • Put the exact dates of check-in and check-out
    • Under the box for Group ID enter COB
    • The group rate with the group name will automatically populate.

We look forward to seeing you in Ottawa for this exciting event!

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