Aman Sajid earns top prize at Atlantic Biocon 2025 Conference
Amna Sajid was recently awarded first place in the undergraduate student poster contest at the Atlantic Biocon 2025 conference held in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Amna’s research focused on the optimization of sustainable extraction to maximize the yield of bioactive compounds from hibiscus flowers—an emerging product in the development of functional foods. Her comparison of Soxhlet and ultrasound-assisted methods showed how targeted extraction can enhance the nutritional and functional qualities of hibiscus-based products. These findings contribute to the growing field of sustainable and natural ingredients for use in food and nutraceutical industries.
Also representing Holland College at the conference was fellow Bioscience Technology student Aleena Nasir, who presented her research on the bioremediation of oil-contaminated soil. Nasir’s project investigated the use of naturally occurring microbes to break down hydrocarbons, offering an environmentally friendly approach to soil restoration.
Each year, Holland College’s Bioscience Technology program and the Applied Biotechnology Research Centre (ABRC) support Bioscience students in developing industry-relevant projects and provide funding for some to present their work at the annual Atlantic Biocon conference. Amna’s achievement highlights both the program and ABRC’s strategic commitment to nurturing emerging talent and supporting industry-relevant research. This approach exemplifies how investing in research and development enhances skills and workforce readiness for students entering the biotechnology sector while also helping to tackle industry challenges. Amna's achievement highlights the high quality of student research and the strong collaboration between the Holland College Bioscience Technology program, Applied Research, and industry, underscoring the college’s commitment to experiential learning, applied research and innovation, and environmental leadership.