Personal Profile
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Hello!
My name is Shari Yasin. I recently graduated from the University of Toronto where I completed my undergraduate B.Sc. degree (with a double major in Human Biology and Psychology). This is my first year at McMaster University in the biology department where I am currently working towards a Master of Science degree. The major focus of my research is looking at the responses of different human and mouse cancer cell lines to a drug used in chemotherapy called cisplatin. In my lab, we concentrate mostly on cellular repair of DNA damage caused by a variety of agents including UV light, light activated dyes and cisplatin. In my spare time, I dance with a hip hop group at McMaster (and I also teach dance) and I volunteer at a school in Hamilton teaching science to a grade 3 class. I also love to cook and to play many sports. Science is something that I think all students can get excited about. It's relevant to our everyday lives, it's empowering and it's not something to be intimidated of! I look forward to sharing my experiences as a researcher with all of you! |
Syasin's Recent Blog Entries
Re: The Effect of the Atomic Bomb on Trees
Posted By syasin, McMaster Science on Fri Jun 23 10:40:04 2006
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to share with you some additional information that I came across on the re-growth of trees and other vegetation in Hiroshima after the bombing.
Many A-bomb survivors believed that no plants would have taken root in the city for at least 70 years after the bombing. However, in the spring of the following year the stumps of many camphor and willow trees began to put out new growth. The appearance of new buds and blossoms brought new hope that there would be.....
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Debunking the myth - an examination of intergenerational radiation effects and low-dose radiation effects in A-bomb survivors
Posted By syasin, McMaster Science on Fri Jun 23 10:36:59 2006
Following the end of World War II, many atomic bomb (A-bomb) survivors were highly stigmatized in Japanese society. For these individuals, the psychological suffering after the bomb far outweighed any physical suffering endured. They were discriminated against both socially and occupationally; specifically, many survivors were prevented from marrying into families for fear that their children would have grotesque malformations or would die prematurely and companies were reluctant to hire or.....
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Re: Research (CCI Question)
Posted By syasin, McMaster Science on Fri Jun 23 10:31:58 2006
Hi Ashley,
Thanks for your question! You might want to check out the following websites--they have some useful information:
http://energytrends.pnl.gov/canada/ca004.htm
http://www.energy.ca/users/folder.asp?FolderID=2556
http://www.nuclearfaq.ca/nuke-gen-monthly.htm
Currently, about 13% of Canada’s total electricity comes from nuclear power. However, in Ontario, a leader in nuclear power, 51% of our electricity came from nuclear energy in 2005.....
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Re: The Effect of the Atomic Bomb on Trees
Posted By syasin, McMaster Science on Sun Jun 11 21:48:14 2006
Hi Dale,
Thanks for the informative report. It’s amazing that some of the trees which survived the blast were still able to grow. I remember hearing that the Chernobyl power plant accident was one of the best things that could have happened to the surrounding vegetation since it seems to be flourishing in that area now. Do you know if any studies have been done on the trees that survived the accident and if so, any indications that they may be growing better/worse or that they have.....
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Re: Former Bank of Japan Site Report
Posted By syasin, McMaster Science on Sun Jun 11 21:27:18 2006
Thanks for the great report Diana and Rob. The pictures are fantastic! I see in one of your before and after pictures (last page) a glass display case…any idea what was inside? It was interesting that the bank re-opened only two days after the bomb. Presuming that everything in the bank including all paper money, coins and customer records were incinerated, I wonder how the bank got up and running again so fast? I also wonder what kind of doses people working in the bank after it.....
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Re: How can people live in Hiroshima? (Pretty River Question)
Posted By syasin, McMaster Science on Mon May 29 13:43:46 2006
Hi Sarah,
Once again another really good question! If you take a look at Rob’s blog “Re: Radioactive Contamination” posted on Thursday May 18, he answers this question in great detail, but here is some additional information. First, radioactivity from the atomic blast would have come from two sources:
1) the fission products of uranium-235 which would have been carried to the ground with the rain after the blast (U-235 produces a great deal of energy when it splits or.....
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Re: Radiation Effects Question
Posted By syasin, McMaster Science on Wed May 24 10:29:25 2006
Thanks for the great question!
You have highlighted what we call a "confound" in studies of real populations. The only way scientists would be able to know for sure if these problems were caused by radiation would be by comparing a group of individuals who did not receive radiation (or received relatively low levels) to a group of individuals that received a much higher dose. However, both groups would have to be matched in terms of age, number of males/females, diet, habits (smokers,.....
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My Reflection on Japan
Posted By syasin, McMaster Science on Fri May 12 15:58:01 2006
Hey Guys!
Well today is officially our last day in Japan. We fly out this afternoon to Vancouver and then Toronto, Ontario Canada. This has been such an incredible experience.
I have learned so much about Japanese culture since I've been here. In Hiroshima, I learned about the traditional Japanese tea ceremony as my host family took me to visit traditional houses (a ceremony which is meant to show pride and respect). The ceremony is all about simplicity. The idea is to have nothing.....
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Radiation Effects Research Foundation in Hiroshima
Posted By syasin, McMaster Science on Wed May 10 04:55:48 2006
Hello from Japan!
Just wanted to give you all a quick update on our trip. Two days ago we made a trip to the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) in Hiroshima where studies are being conducted on a yearly basis on both the survivors of the atomic bomb and their children. These tests are completely voluntary on the part of the participants.
Before 1957, the major cancer among both men and women was stomach cancer, but post 1957, breast cancer became more common for women although.....
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Visit to the Radiation Effect Research Facility
Posted By syasin, McMaster Science on Tue May 9 17:23:54 2006
Hello from Japan!
Just wanted to give you all a quick update on our trip. Two days ago we made a trip to the Radiation Effects Research Facility (RERF) in Hiroshima where studies are being conducted on a yearly basis on both the survivors of the atomic bomb and their children. These tests are completely voluntary on the part of the participants.
Before 1957, the major cancer among both men and women was stomach cancer, but post 1957, breast cancer became more common for women although.....
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Some pre-trip thoughts
Posted By syasin, McMaster Science on Thu Apr 27 23:30:54 2006
It didn't really hit me until I had my plane tickets in my hand that I am really going to Japan!
I am tremendously excited! I think this is going to be an eye opening experience. What I am most looking forward to is taking in Japanese culture and customs and taking in the beautiful scenery. I'm sure I will have much to write about after my first two days there....we are staying with Japanese families during that time. I'm still trying to get all of my Japanese greetings straight! I.....
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