GREETINGSYou will see in this

2012 edition of The Element that our Department

continues to innovate by offering more high quality programs in chemistry and biochemistry in both languages and excelling in research at all levels. We have expanded choices to students by introducing minor and major options in both of our disciplines. We are sad to see our two senior technologists retiring this year but happy to welcome two of our alumni to replace them. All faculty and staff will continue to work hard together to expose our undergraduate and graduate students to a memorable experience in our department.

Thank you for your support and Best Wishes for 2013!

Nelson Belzile nbelzile@laurentian.ca

Gabriel Hanna received his B.Sc. Hon. in Chemistry from Laurentian University in 2001 and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Toronto in 2006. His Ph.D. research focused on the development of mixed quantum-classical molecular dynamics techniques for simulating proton transfer reactions in condensed phase systems. From 2006 to 2009, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. There, he worked on theoretical methods for simulating the complex signals resulting from ultrafast infrared (IR) spectroscopy experiments, which provide very sensitive probes of molecular structure and dynamics. In August 2009, he became an assistant professor in the Chemistry Department at the University of Alberta. His current research mainly focuses on the development and application of efficient and accurate methods for modeling ultrafast pump-probe and two-dimensional IR spectra of systems such as water, nanoconfined water, and hydrogen-bonded complexes in the gas phase, bulk liquids, and molecular clusters. This research seeks to interpret the experimental spectra, which is crucial to advancing our fundamental understanding of hydrogen-bonding structure and dynamics in complex chemical and biochemical systems.

The ElementDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Volume 8 | December 2012 | www.laurentian.ca

Message from the Chairman Our Alumni: Where are they now ?

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Best wishes to the new masters and doctors of sciences!

In the M.Sc. program of Chemical Sciences: Teresa Rzezniczak, supervisor T. Merritt; Zachary Castonguay, supervisors V. Appanna & M. Chahma; Josée Bertrand, supervisor G. Ulibarri; Azhar Alhasawi, supervisors V. Appanna & M. Chahma.

GraduateLaura Laverdure

I started my u n d e r g r a d u a t e studies “off campus” in Yorkton SK, taking courses from the universities of Regina and Saskatchewan then went to Saskatoon, to the University of Saskatchewan. I completed my B.Sc. in chemistry at Laurentian and I am now in my first year of a master’s program under Dr. Arteca’s

supervision. I am currently trying to elaborate on a relatively new semi-classical model for the formation and breaking of chemical bonds. This model uses an external electric field to couple quantum states allowing reactant to go to product and vice versa. Depending on its shape, the electric field can also radically transform the potential energy surface of the reaction and it is this effect that forms much of my research. With all the “university hopping” early on in my undergrad, I count myself fortunate to be studying a topic I enjoy at a campus where the people’s support is tangible.

I am currently in the third year of my B.Sc. in Biochemistry and I have been living in Sudbury for almost 7 years. My main area of interest is in the field of surface m o d i f i c a t i o n , specifically dealing with bio-implants. I find that this area of biochemistry will come to the forefront in the next few years due to the fact that implant materials are becoming a feasible option in modern medicine. The basic dilemma of implantation is that the immune system is easily able to recognize and destroy foreign materials and, as such, implant surfaces have to be modified to present self-antigens in order to insure long-term functionality. I am currently working on the surface modification of biodegradable magnesium implants in Dr. Gray-Munro’s surface chemistry laboratory. Studying at Laurentian has given me clear advantages, as the small class sizes allow for better access to professors, which made it easier to take the first steps to pursue my interests in research.

UndergraduateSahejmeet Guraya

In the Ph.D. program of Biomolecular Sciences: Misaugh Alipour, supervisors A. Omri & Z. Suntres; Farag Bleibo, supervisor A. Kumar; Parker Rogerson, supervisor G. Arteca.

In the Ph.D. program of Boreal Ecology: Hoang-Yen ThiTruong, supervisors N. Belzile & Y.-W. Chen.

Recent M.Sc. and ph.D. graduates

Student Profiles

Congratulations

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We were deeply saddened in June of this year with the sudden death of our alumnus, friend and colleague John

Breau at the age of 58. John worked at Inco-Vale for over

30 years as a chemist. He was extremly proud of his profession but also truly enjoyed teaching Chemistry at Laurentian, which he did for over 25 years on a part-time basis. John was known by

most of us for his joie-de-vivre, his quick wit

and great sense of humor. He truly will be missed.

A Symposium on Electrochemistry and Materials was held at Laurentian last October under the auspices of The Electrochemical Society, Canadian Section. It attracted researchers from France and Canada to present various applications of electrochemistry and nanomaterials. The organizer of this successful event was Dr. M’hamed Chahma (right in photo) who has been associate professor in our department since 2006. Dr. Chahma obtained a B.Sc. degree in chemistry from the University Ibn Zohr (Agadir, Morocco)

and a M.Sc. degree in electrochemistry from University Denis-Diderot (Paris 7, France). After getting his Ph.D. degree (Paris 7, France), he was a postdoctoral scientist at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). He also worked as a research associate in several Canadian universities before joining Laurentian University. His research is multidisciplinary and uses radical ion chemistry to: i) study the behavior of electron transfer reactions, ii) prepare conducting materials, and iii) investigate phenomena occurring on chiral conducting surfaces. He is also an editorial board member of American Journal of Chemistry and International Journal of Electrochemistry.

From left to right: François Brunet, Kevin Chartrand, Bernie Shami, Pieter Waern, Luc Beaudet, Paul Guérin and Adam Walli. Following the retirement of Bernie and Pieter after more than 35 and 40 years of service, respectively, we welcome this year two new technologists in the department. Both are Laurentian alumni. François who graduated with a M.Sc. in chemistry in 2008 after the completion of a B.Sc. in biochemistry, started in August. After graduation, François worked as a laboratory technologist with Golder Associates. Kevin who graduated with a M.Sc. in 2004 following his B.Sc. in biochemistry, started in October. Kevin worked as a teacher with the Conseil Scolaire Catholique du Nouvel Ontario.

Happy retirement to Pieter and Bernie! Welcome back to François and Kevin!

Condolences

Research Profile

Two New Technologists

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Questions or Comments ?

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e 8Sara A. Abbas (M.Sc. student) won 3rd prize for her poster at the Electrochemical Society symposium.

This September Crystal Sabel (M.Sc. 2011) completed the year undefeated on the mountain bike circuit. She received the Ontario Champion and the Ontario Cup Overall Series Champion titles.

Biotechnology Havana 2012: Dr. Abdel Omri (right) with Dr. Peter Agre, Nobel Laureate, Chemistry, 2003 for his discovery of aquaporin, a molecular water channel.

François Caron is waiting for the start of a stage of the Tour de France in Bagnères de Luchon.

Our department is now offering minor and major options in both chemistry and biochemistry. In addition to our well established specialized programs in chemistry and biochemistry, students have also the option of completing a major with 42 credits or a minor with 24 credits in one of the two disciplines. Then, they have the possibility of completing a bachelor degree with a second major or minor.

... the hardest chemical in your body is your tooth enamel?

... lemons contain more sugar than strawberries, for the same mass? …the element Californium (Cf ) is often called the most expensive substance in the world (as much as $68 million for one gram.) …graphite can be transformed into diamond by applying a temperature of 3000 °C and pressure of 100,000 atmospheres. …humans share 60% of DNA with a banana.

At a glance

New choices for students

Did you know . . .