Discovering completely new mechanism of bacterial growth, development and communication netted Stephanie Jones, Biology, the 2017 top Graduate Research Prize from the Canadian Council of University Biology Chairs (CCUBC). Jones is a Vanier Scholar and senior PhD student in the lab of Marie Elliot, Biology. The award is given yearly in recognition of publishing the best and most innovative refereed journal article based on graduate research in Canada.

Jones’ eLife paper, “Streptomyces exploration is triggered by fungal interactions and volatile signals” impressed scholars in the field of microbial development with its report of new mechanisms. Her findings were all the more remarkable as the bacterium she studies (Streptomyces), has been the subject of developmental investigations for more than 70 years. The work received extensive attention, including being highlighted in the journals Nature and Nature Reviews Microbiology. Jones received the honour during the CCUBC’s annual meeting held earlier in November.