McGill Antimicrobial Resistance Center Research Case Competition (MARCC)
MARCC is an inter-disciplinary research case competition where students will be encouraged to come up with novel ideas to combat AMR from any perspective, either epidemiological, engineering, biochemistry, microbiology etc. It does not matter how you come to the solution, just make sure you show your work.
If you have minimal to no research experience, and you are interested in AMR (top 10 global health threats to humanity), this is for you!Ìý(priority will be given to those that have little to no formal research experience)
By joining MARCC you will:
- Gain valuable research experience
- Develop skills in scientific methodology, science communication, and problem-solving
- Receive collaboration and networking opportunities between students, researchers and industry professionals
- Engage in real-world challenges in healthcare and contribute to the global fight against AMR
Competition Structure
Throughout the year MARCC will have workshops on various topics to help you throughout your journey from how to write an abstract to how to produce and present a poster presentation.
This is a year-long competition that is composed of two rounds:
Round 1:
This round requires a submission of a scientific abstract and a video pitch.Ìý
Abstract submission - Write an abstract outlining your proposed solution to AMR with an explanation of your methodology if you were in a setting to carry out this solution and what you would expect as a result.
Video Pitch - 1-2 minute elevator pitch on your idea, show us why we should care about your idea, please do not regurgitate your abstract.
Round 2:Ìý
The top 5 groups will be selected from Round 1 to move into Round 2. In Round 2 you will be asked to produce a scientific research poster from your abstract to present at a conference. Guidelines and examples of this will follow.
You will also be paired up with a graduate student who will mentor you throughout the competition, to help guide and answer any of your questions.
Congratulations to the following teams moving to Round 2!ÌýÌý
- Team 2: Hannah Kumar "Plant-Based Alternatives for Topical Antibiotics"
- Team 6: Ada Cogil and Barbara Osypa "Tandem Usage of Genetically Engineered Prophage Therapy and Beta-Lactams in Beta-Lactam Resistant Bacteri"
- Team 8: Nicholas Katsis and Antony Loca "Guarding the Plate: A Fight against Salmonella Enterica"
- Team 9: Alia Devasahayam, Maiya Hernandez-Morrison, and Reem Araji "Optimizing the botanical innate immune response to bacterial infection using genetically encoded lysins"
- Team 10: Maeve Albert and Juliette Demers "Rethinking How We Prescribe: Using MALDI-TOF MS as a Microbial Diagnostic Tool"
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Winners of the 2023-2024 MARCC Program Ìý
First prize went to Ada Cogil and Barbara Osypa (in picture): "Tandem Usage of Genetically Engineered Prophage Therapy and Beta-Lactams in Beta-Lactam Resistant Bacteri"
Second prize went to Alia Devasahayam, Maiya Hernandez-Morrison, and Reem Araji: "Optimizing the botanical innate immune response to bacterial infection using genetically encoded lysins"
Third prize went to Hannah Kumar: "Plant-Based Alternatives for Topical Antibiotics".Ìý
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