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Carleton PhD Student Receives Vanier Scholarship to Support Gene Splicing Research

Published on May 16, 2019

Carleton University PhD candidate Erin Vanzyl has received a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS) to support her research involving gene splicing. The scholarship provides recipients with $50,000 a year for three years during their doctoral studies.

“This is further evidence of Carleton fostering leading researchers in the area of health and biomedical engineering,” said Rafik Goubran, vice-president (Research and International). “Vanzyl’s research will play an important role in improving the health of Canadians.”

Vanzyl looks at how human cells respond to errors in the process of gene splicing. Her work provides insight into how cells detect such errors and protect themselves by minimizing the damage.

“I was not expecting the results of Vanier until late April, so I was shocked when I had an email from them,” said Vanzyl, who is studying in Carleton’s Department of Biology.  “I was shaking as I opened it and I worried it was an April Fool’s prank. When I realized the email was real, I was overwhelmed, happy and honoured.”

The Vanier CGS program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting those who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in natural sciences and engineering, social sciences and humanities, or health sciences.

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Carleton University
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