This year, four graduate students were awarded Concordia’s $250 Science Captured Prize for their outstanding entries in the competition. The competition challenges grad students and postdocs to present their research in the form of a captivating image. The winning entries this year showcase a variety of interesting subjects, ranging from tiny molecules in batteries to polar bear carcasses.
One of the winners, Matthew Regan, is an MA student in biology. His winning photo captures the carcass of a polar bear that was shot by a local man outside of Inukjuak, Quebec. The background of the image shows a shore that was formed when the Innavik hydroelectric dam was completed in 2023, flooding an area of tundra upriver from the dam.
Regan explains that his research focuses on examining the impact of the dam’s construction on microbial community dynamics. Specifically, his research emphasizes diversity, activity, and mercury methylation within these communities. Through his photo, Regan aims to shed light on the environmental consequences of human activities on wildlife and ecosystems.