A University of British Columbia microbiologist whose work
may save thousands of lives by designing new antibiotics to
defeat hospital superbugs has been awarded the 2002 Steacie
Prize in the natural sciences, Canada’s top award for young
scientists and engineers.
Natalie Strynadka, 40, is an associate professor of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology. She and her research team recently
discovered information that will help scientists design new
classes of drugs to conquer the potentially lethal infections
caused by resistant bacteria, an international health concern
that accounts for approximately 45,000 deaths per year in
the U.S., according to the U.S. Centre for Disease Control
and Prevention
"The insights and vitality of our young investigators
contribute greatly to research excellence here at UBC,"
says Indira Samarasekera, vice-president, Research. "UBC
continues to attract the best and brightest from within and
outside of Canada to help develop this country’s research
program."
Fifteen UBC faculty members have received the Steacie Prize
— worth $15,000 — since it was first given in 1964, putting
the university in second spot nationally for this honour.
"I feel very honoured and humbled to be included in
the company of such distinguished Canadian scientists,"
says Strynadka. "To be working with outstanding researchers,
including other Steacie winners, here at UBC is a special
privilege and has played a strong part in the success of my
laboratory."
Strynadka received her PhD in structural biology from the
University of Alberta in 1990. She conducted postdoctoral
research in the Biochemistry Dept. and was given the position
of Research Fellow in 1995. She joined UBC in 1997.
An associate member of UBC’s Biotechnology Laboratory and
a member of the university’s Centre for Blood Research, she
is an Investigator of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research,
a Burroughs Wellcome New Investigator and a Howard Hughes
Medical Institute International Scholar.
The Steacie Prize is a Canadian award presented to a scientist
or engineer of 40 years of age or less for outstanding scientific
work. The winner is selected by a panel appointed by the E.W.R.
Steacie Memorial Fund, a private foundation dedicated to the
advancement of science and engineering in Canada.
UBC researchers, who conduct more than 4,000 investigations
annually, attracted $260 million in research funding in 2001/2002.
Note: A photograph of Dr. Strynadka is available electronically.
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