On October 18, 2025, uOttawa’s International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) delegation took the global stage in Paris, returning home with a gold medal. Competing at the iGEM Grand Jamboree, the world’s largest student competition in synthetic biology, the group stood out among more than 400 teams from across the globe. They earned top recognition for their innovation, communication and impact.
Often described by students as a “global innovation hub,” the Grand Jamboree brings together thousands of undergraduate researchers, professors, industry leaders and entrepreneurs. Over four intensive days, participants present their projects through scientific pitches, interactive booths and judging sessions, while also attending talks, workshops and networking events. For iGEM uOttawa, it was both a celebration of a year’s work and an opportunity to share ideas with the international synthetic biology community.
“This isn’t like any other conference,” says Sarah Bukhari, director of entrepreneurship for iGEM uOttawa. “iGEM brings together science, community, outreach and entrepreneurship, all in one place. You’re constantly learning from people with completely different perspectives.”
Where competition meets collaboration
Despite the scale of the competition, the atmosphere in Paris was overwhelmingly collaborative. Participants moved between massive convention halls organized into thematic “villages,” from infectious disease to agriculture, sharing ideas and offering feedback much like at an international science fair.
“It didn’t feel competitive at all,” says co-lead Ananya Jain. “At that point, you’ve already done the work. The jamboree is about celebrating what you’ve built and learning from everyone else.”
For the uOttawa group, the experience was made even richer by reconnecting with fellow Canadian teams they had met earlier in the year, and by exploring Paris together. From evening walks to a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, the trip blended intense scientific exchange with new friendships and unforgettable memories
ARBOGuard: Student scientists driving real-world impact
At the heart of the team’s success was ARBOGuard, a synthetic biology project designed to combat mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue. In response to the growing spread of these diseases due to climate change and urbanization, the students developed a novel approach: engineering the skin microbiome to reduce mosquito attraction while simultaneously producing a natural mosquito repellent.
Using bacteriophages — viruses that can safely modify bacteria — the team designed a system that decreases the production of lactic acid, a compound that attracts mosquitoes. It also introduces genes that produce geranial, a plant-derived repellent. The result was a concept for a long-lasting, potentially more accessible form of mosquito protection.
What makes the project especially exciting and full of promise is its multidisciplinary scope. Alongside wet-lab experimentation, the team conducted mathematical modelling, engineering design, public surveys, outreach activities and regulatory analysis, including consultations with Health Canada. “It wasn’t just about proving something works in the lab,” Ananya explains. “It was about understanding how it could actually exist in the real world.”
A gold medal moment
The team’s hard work culminated during the Grand Jamboree’s closing ceremony, where iGEM uOttawa was awarded a gold medal. The group also received multiple nominations, including Best Wiki and Best Presentation at the undergraduate level, along with a top ranking in the infectious disease category — an extraordinary achievement among hundreds of teams.
“When our name came up, the whole team jumped up, cheering,” Sarah recalls. “It was surreal, and incredibly validating.”
Beyond the awards, the experience reinforced what iGEM does best: helping students grow into confident researchers, communicators and leaders. From late-night work sessions to international recognition, the journey was as transformative as the outcome.
As the team looks ahead to recruiting new members and developing their next project. The Paris win marks a major milestone — not only for iGEM uOttawa but for what student-led research can achieve when creativity, collaboration and purpose come together.