U of S Honours Most Distinguished Graduates at Spring Convocation 2006

Posted May 24, 2006


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 24, 2006 2006-05-30-OTHER

U of S Honours Most Distinguished Graduates at Spring Convocation

The University of Saskatchewan will recognize the achievements of its most
distinguished graduates at Spring Convocation May 23-25 at TCU Place in
Saskatoon. Several awards and prizes will be presented, including the
prestigious Governor General's Gold and Silver Medals.

Kerri McIntosh will receive the Governor General's Gold Medal, awarded to
the graduate student with the highest academic standing. McIntosh is a
native of Saskatoon and graduated from Bedford Road Collegiate in 1994. With
a strong interest in evolution and genetics, she completed her B.Sc.
(Biology) at the University of Saskatchewan in 1999, after which she
immediately began graduate work in plant molecular biology. Her doctoral
work focused on synthesis of the ribosome, a complex enzyme made of numerous
proteins and RNA molecules that are responsible for protein production in
all living organisms. Ribosome synthesis and defects therein are known to be
linked to cell growth, cell division and cancer, development, stress
responses, and disease, yet very little is known about this fundamental
process. McIntosh's thesis research was one of the first comprehensive
studies of ribosomal protein regulation in plants. Currently a postdoctoral
researcher at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, she
continues to study ribosome synthesis. McIntosh hopes to remain in research,
pursuing the secrets of the ribosome and its role in evolutionary history.

Media note: McIntosh is unable to attend the ceremony.

Logan Hoehn will receive the Governor General's Silver Medal, awarded to the
undergraduate with the highest academic standing. He was born and raised in
Saskatoon. He graduates with a Bachelor of Science Double Honours Degree
with High Honours in Computer Science and Mathematics. Hoehn is also the
recipient of the Earl of Bessborough Prize which is awarded to the most
distinguished graduate in the Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and
Science. He has excelled academically and has been awarded numerous
scholarships and awards during his academic career to date. Hoehn has been
active as a volunteer with the "Homework Help Program," Carlyle King Public
Library, has coached basketball with the Saskatoon Minor Basketball
Association and has tutored many students in mathematics and computer
science throughout his years at the University of Saskatchewan. He has been
accepted into a graduate program in Mathematics at the University of Toronto
for 2006-07 and after obtaining his M.Sc. there, intends to go on to a Ph.D.
Program in Mathematics and to become a professor in Mathematics.

Media note: Hoehn will be presented the Silver Medal on Wednesday, May 24 at
the 2:00 p.m. ceremony at TCU Place.

For other story ideas and contacts for human interest pieces, contact
University Communications at (306) 966-6919.

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For more information, contact:

Erin Taman
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-6919


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