Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada Alumni: Interview with Miranda Wang

Miranda Wang is a Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada 2012 alumna, whose project with her research partner, Jeanny Yao, looked at the plastic degradative potentials of soil bacteria from the Fraser River area in BC. They collected 14 strains of soil bacteria from contaminated sites along the river, and identified three strains that could efficiently degrade phthalates – a plasticizer found in common items ranging from pharmaceutical pills to toys. The bacteria that were discovered by Miranda and Jeanny could be used to treat a lot of environmental contamination.

Miranda took time out her busy schedule at the University of Pennsylvania to talk to me via email about her experience and successes with the SBCC and what she’s doing now. She provides a lot of encouragement and motivating insights for students who are interested in participating in the SBCC and pursuing a career in science.

Here’s how our conversation unfolded:

AR: Tell me about your history with the SBCC.

MW: In high school senior year, I participated in SBCC 2012 with a research project on the plastic degradative potentials of soil bacteria from the Fraser River. This research was generously sponsored and directed by Professor Lindsay Eltis and PhD students Adam Crowe and James Round at the University of British Columbia. My partner, Jeanny Yao, and I received first place at provincials and then the top commercialization award at the National Competition.

Read the full interview with Miranda Wang.

You can also read the interview with multi-year SBCC alumna, Daisy Liu.

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Celebrating its 20 anniversary in 2013, the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC) is a national, biotechnology-focused science competition that exposes high school and CEGEP students to career possibilities and reveals the breadth of endeavour that makes up the bio-economy.
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Breaking Ground, Growing Talent

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The Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC) gives high school and CEGEP students from across Canada the chance to pour their creativity, curiosity and scientific skills into cutting-edge research projects that tackle some of the day’s toughest challenges—from cancer and Alzheimer’s disease to crops and the environment.

Welcome to the bio-economy
Students gain exposure to the exciting field of biotechnology—and the opportunities a career in the bio-economy might hold for them. The SBCC helps build Canada’s biotechnology capacity by offering the next generation of scientists the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of what it takes to succeed in the bio-economy.

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Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada celebrates 20 years of advancing science. 74% of SBCC participants pursued science careers thanks to national biotechnology research competition.

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Learn more. Get involved. Help grow Canada’s next generation of biotechnology talent.