FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCE

299Y ROP APPLICATION FORM

2015 2016
ROP Project Code: PSL 5
Supervisor: Sheena Josselyn
Title of Project: Examining the memory deficits in mouse models of Alzheimers
disease
Department: Physiology
Eligibility: As a St. George Campus, Arts and Science, Degree student you must have
completed at least 4 full course equivalents, but no more than 9, by September 2015.
You should also check that you have completed any course prerequisites stated for the
299Y course for which you are applying. Email this form to the 299Y Program Office,
deb.shaw@utoronto.ca by March 30, 2015 for Fall/Winter ROP. The supervising
instructor of the project may need to contact you in the early part of April: please provide
accurate phone numbers and email. Max 3 applications in TOTAL, 1 project per
application.
Last Name: Chong
First Name: Anita, Hio Kei
Student Number: 1001243521
College: Woodsworth College
Email Address: anitahiokei.chong@mail.utoronto.ca
Phone Number: 416-624-6918

Cell: n/a

Phone Number if changing after May 1st 2015: Not Changing

List all courses to be completed by September 2015 (include grade if known)

TOTAL Number of credits expected to be completed by September 2015: 5.5

Major/Specialist Program(s) you intend to enroll in: ASSPE2738 Biological Physics:
Physiology
Please state your qualifications for and interest in this project.
Earlier in late June and July, I was scrolling on my phone on the Science Alert Facebook
Page and there were two articles that caught my attention. Before when I read research
papers about diseases, I always thought they dont have that much of a connection with
me as I live a relatively healthy life; frankly, Im still quite young now. However, the first
article stated Poor sleep might be the mechanism that triggers Alzheimers memory loss
while the second said Women's brains are more vulnerable to Alzheimer's than mens.
Being a female myself with a terrible sleeping schedule, I felt like being stabbed two times
and there comes came an urge to understand in understanding more about AD, which can
potentially be a threat to me and my family members too. Reading through these two
research papers that back up those articles, its very interesting for me that the
researchers who , wrote the second research paper, states stated that females are more
vulnerable to AD genetically, specially about a variant PCDH11X gene, while the first
article approached in a biochemical way about beta-amyloid proteins, which is exactly the
main target of this project. This then got me even more interested about this project and
to see if AD can be controlled through behavioral therapy that leads to a cascade of
reactions: better sleep, less A, more CREB, and less deficit in memory. Through the
StrengthQuestTM Test I did with the Woodsworth College Leadership Program, my signature
strength themes are: Analytical, Learner, Restorative, Discipline and Futuristic. Driven by

my futuristic theme, I am inspired by future outcome and what could happen. Im

persistence with what fascinates me but is also very critical and analytical with data and
information that are presented to me. I love learning new things and is very keen to
solving-problems in a discipline manner as well.
Please Note: Signing an ROP contract with a Professor represents a serious commitment
to the research project. Students who are chosen for a 299Y course, but fail to enroll, not
only keep another student out of the program, but also can compromise a professors
research plan.
-2This page is to provide further relevant information, use 12 point font only
and the complete application must not exceed two (2) pages.
Please describe your most relevant work experience i.e., lab work, computer
experience, etc. (Please limit description to 10 lines)

Since Grade 11 I have been acquiring lab skills through courses like Physics,
Chemistry and Biology. Now in University, I have also been performing lab
work in CHM138, CHM139, BIO120, BIO130, PHY131 and PHY132. In addition,
I was also the Vice President of the School Choir, Music Coordinator of the
school, and teaching assistant at a summer program for elementary students
and right now I am also involved in the Woodsworth Community Outreach
Team, organizing charitable events for students in the College. Furthermore,
through G.12 Data Management course, I have analyzed the entire data set
of 2012 NFL Season for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so I have no problem in basic
statistics as well. Finally, I am also skillful in using Microsoft Word, Microsoft
Excel, Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Access Database, Visual Basic, Adobe
Flash, Adobe Dreamweaver CS4, and Fathom (statistics software), etc.
Please list at most three (3) awards that you have received that are relevant to this
project.
1)
Dibrina and Claim Secure Bursary June 2014
The Dibrina and Claim Secure Bursary is awarded to a student who has

shown true commitment and dedication to her academics, especially in

the areas of math and science. Anita has contributed to the school
community in a variety of ways, often sharing her musical and creative
talents.
2)

Admission Scholarships (University of Toronto Scholar and Woodsworth

College Principal's Admission Scholarship) September 2014
As one of the University's most outstanding new students, I have been
designated a University of Toronto Scholar. This award carries a value of
$5000 and is tenable with the offer.
In the amount of $2000, the scholarship provides recognition to an
outstanding first-year Woodsworth Student.

3)

"Trick or Treat Yo' Self!" by the Woodsworth Residence Council Social

Committee Winner October 2014

Trick or Treat Yo' Self is a baked goods Contest where the contestants pit
themselves against each other in a challenge of who can make the best
Halloween treat. The competition is competed with 27 other teams.
Although this award is not academically related, I still include this award
here to show that other than academic results, I am also active in the
community and is capable in following procedures with high precision. For
which I believe, such extreme focused mind and accuracy are absolutely
essential for this research project.