Science Fair project leads to research opportunities for 15 year old student

What started as a science fair project led 15 year old Taneille Johnson of Fort St John to UNBC, where she spent two weeks working with the University's renowned cancer research team.

Taneille, now a grade 11 student at North Peace Senior Secondary, examined the relationship between the human telomerase gene and the growth of cancer cells. Research has shown that telomerase is associated with the longevity of human cells and some researchers believe that it also extends the life of cancer cells.

Taneille tested some of these theories for herself. She worked with Dr. Chow Lee, a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology professor at UNBC, who is also a researcher with the National Cancer Institute of Canada. Last year, Dr. Lee and his team published some new discoveries related to an enzyme that they believe controls both the growth and aggressiveness of cancer cell. Taneille worked in the same lab where these discoveries were made, located in UNBC's Northern Health Sciences Centre. She received funding from the North Peace School District to participate in the mentorship program, which is coordinated by the BC Innovation Council.

Her opportunity followed her bronze medal win at the Canada Wide Science Fair competition.  Taneille's two-and-a-half-week stint with Dr. Lee at UNBC may be a sign of things to come. "She's brilliant. I have to keep reminding myself that Taneille is only 15 years old," said Dr. Lee. "She knows the background information very well and clearly has a passion for science. It would be great to see her at UNBC after she has finished high school. Who knows, down the road, she may contribute to a cure for cancer."