Application Form
Download the Dr. Dmitry Apel Memorial Scholarship Application Form.
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Previous Recipients
2017 – Franz Fenninger
I am very grateful for receiving this scholarship and would like to thank the Apel family for their generosity. Although I never knew Dmitry, I was saddened to hear of his passing. I am under the impression that he was a very critical researcher, always interested in scientific discussions but also a good friend. He seemed like someone I could very much relate to, and I hope to continue on the qualities that his friends and colleagues so proudly speak about.
In my PhD research I investigate the role of the calcium channel CaV1.4 in lymphocytes. In a KO mouse model I found that its absence leads to T-cell exhaustion, a state in which the immune system is compromised and fails to fight off pathogens efficiently.
2016 – Kirstin Brown
In 2016, the scholarship was awarded to Kirstin Brown, PhD candidate in the Eltis lab. Kirstin completed a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology at UBC in 2012. She completed her undergraduate directed studies research project in Rachel Fernandez’s lab, where she had the opportunity to work alongside Dmitry. She was inspired by him and other graduate students in the department to continue on to graduate school herself. Her work now focuses on understanding the physiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as it resides within the host environment. Throughout her time in graduate school so far, Kirstin has dedicated a lot of time to interacting with and mentoring younger scientists. From volunteering at science camps for kids to being the editor in chief for the department’s international peer-reviewed undergraduate research journal JEMI+, Kirstin does her best to share her passion for science and hopes that she too can inspire younger students to pursue their goals. Receiving this award has relieved Kirstin of financial stress and she is extremely honored and grateful to have been selected.
2014 – Jan Burian
In 2014 the Scholarship was awarded to Jan Burian, a PhD Candidate – Thomson Lab. Born in Slovakia, Jan and his family immigrated to Canada in 1994. After completing his Bachelor of Science (a combined Chemistry and Microbiology major) at the University of Victoria in 2007 and a year in the biotech industry, Jan followed his long term goal of graduate school joining the Microbiology and Immunology program at the University of British Columbia in 2009. Focusing on antibiotic resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, he is continuing to progress towards a PhD. Outside of his academic endeavours, Jan contributes to various departmental and outreach programs. He is a long time participant with the CSI@LSI, an outreach program that gives high school students the opportunity to explore biological sciences by using various molecular biology approaches to eliminate suspects in a murder mystery. Jan captains/co-captains departmental dodgeball (Microballology) and softball (We live in a microbial world) teams to promote fun and interdepartmental camaraderie. He also continues the bacterial adaptation and response networks journal club, renamed the Dmitry Apel Memorial Pizza club.
2013 – Andrew Cameron
“As one of the recipients of the Dmitry Apel Memorial Scholarship, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this kind and generous award, which so well reflects the earnest character of Dmitry Apel, PhD. Over the years during our time in the lab, it was my pleasure to work and laugh with Dmitry, and to share new ideas, new experiments and interesting findings. Now those years seem like such a very short time, and I am left with only the memories of an exceptional friend.
This scholarship was established to celebrate the qualities of stoicism, honesty, integrity, and compassion in the pursuit of knowledge. These rare merits were found in abundance in Dmitry, and he radiated a sense of purpose and direction that energized those scientists around him. He was a catalyst for many of the positive changes in my work, and my work ethic. I always looked forward to poring over data with Dmitry; misinterpretation meant a serious discussion, but a well-executed experiment was met with approval and enthusiasm. His support was a critical prize to be won.Although it is bittersweet, I am proud to receive the Memorial Scholarship. The value of this award is that it will be given to those who also demonstrate a financial need. Through his interactions with many young scientists, Dmitry knew how difficult it is to focus on science in the face of everyday problems. I hope that future recipients are helped in the same way that Dmitry helped me to become a better researcher. I hope they are inspired to work hard, to work honestly, and to persevere so that they can advance our knowledge of the biological world.”
Andrew Cameron B.Sc., PhD candidate UBC
Dr. Dmitry Apel scholarship recipient.
2013 – Mark Christopher Pryjma
“Having been blessed the last few years to work side by side with Dmitry I was fortunate enough to get to know how brilliant, hard working, kind, and friendly he was. I am going to miss his combative nature, which made it so much fun, and so entertaining to be around him. He was also a brilliant man and scientist but I just want to reinforce how great of a person and friend he was. As I sit here trying to choke back tears trying to think of what to say I just get flooded by good memories. I think of all the times we needed to discuss science, experiments and life in general we would always take a walk where it would inevitably turn to him making fun of me. We had different view points in lots of things and the discussions that resulted from them are one of the things I am going to miss the most about him. He was always on the hunt for truth in its different forms and this hunt is what I think led him to be open to talk to people about any number of topics at any number of times. As you well know, he tried to give of a stoic and tough exterior, but he was always genuinely empathetic to his friends and really drew joy from their success. He never wished others to fail, and never wished for personal gain ahead of others. He is one of the most humble people I have met, yet possessed a unique energy that always set him aside from the rest of us. This energy and vigor is something that I was personally energized by and helped me work through many challenging times. I’m sure you are going to hear lots of words about how you raised a great scientist from the faculty, but having the honor to have spent a lot of time with him I want you to know that you also raised an amazing person and great friend who’s virtues go well beyond what I can really put into words.”
Mark Prijma B.Sc., PhD candidate UBC
Dr. Dmitry Apel scholarship recipient.
Contact Us
We welcome your interest and hope that you will be successful in your application.
For further inquiries please contact Department of Microbiology & Immunology Graduate Program Coordinator at micbgrad@interchange.ubc.ca