Grace Coleman feels a bit like a STEM pioneer, but she's not entirely alone, particularly with International Women's Day approaching. The first-year science student at the University of Guelph says her academic path has been smoothed by an inaugural scholarship from a local skincare company, one whose roots lie in a serendipitous discovery in a U of G physics lab.
She received this year's Veriphy Skincare Scholarship for Women in STEM, a new annual award intended to encourage young women to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at U of G.
Last fall's $1,000 award came at a good time for Coleman, who arrived on campus from her hometown Halifax.
"I am solely responsible for paying for my own education," she said. "The Veriphy scholarship is part of the much-appreciated funding I need to get to the Class of 2022 finish line."
The award is offered by Veriphy Skincare, a Guelph-based venture begun last year whose product line contains glycogen nanoparticles discovered in sweet corn by U of G physicist John Dutcher.
"It's the whole full circle," said Dutcher, holder of a Canada Research Chair in Soft Matter and Biological Physics and director of the University's nanoscience program. He launched Mirexus Biotechnologies a decade ago to explore and commercialize applications for those nanoparticles in cosmetics, food supplements and drugs.
"It's nice that activity that started in the lab can actually help to enhance the education of up-and-coming students. A new scholarship is always a good thing, and to have it come from technology discovered at the University of Guelph is really quite special."
Officially launched in summer 2018, Veriphy sells a moisturizer, facial serum and eye cream online. The line's active ingredient, produced under the trade name PhytoSpherix, consists of glycogen nanoparticles that retain water.
"We wanted to promote women in STEM," said Jessica Kizovski, who co-founded the company in 2018 as lead formulator. A grad in math, biology and immunology from the University of Toronto, she began working with Mirexus during a co-op placement for her cosmetic science diploma at Seneca College.
"We hope this bursary helps more young women to enter this field."
Veriphy president Alison Crumblehulme said the company plans to launch more products and hopes to offer more scholarships to U of G students.
Carley Miki worked on the nanoparticles in Dutcher's lab as part of the inaugural cohort of the University's nanoscience program. She graduated in 2012 and is now a research scientist with Veriphy.
"A lot of science goes into skin care," said Miki, who has co-authored journal articles along with the physicist and other researchers.
Studies at U of G and in other labs in Canada and the United States show the nanoparticles retain water longer than other moisturizing agents, said Dutcher.
"These particles will penetrate skin down to the dermal layer. They produce more of the good skin molecules like hyaluronic acid and collagen and everything that characterizes healthy, youthful skin."
