Vol. 16 No. 1 (2021)

Dear Reader,

Every scientific progress is built upon countless challenges and failures. In the 1960s, an undergraduate student named Martin Chalfie faced a series of failed research experiments that almost convinced him against pursuing a scientifific career. Luckily, he persevered and eventually went on to receive the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Reflected in Volume 16 is the same resilience that motivated Martin Chalfie to continue his pursuit of new discoveries. In the following pages, we showcase the research conducted by young, aspiring scientists who have confronted new obstacles in this unprecedented year. As we all navigate the ongoing pandemic, our editorial board is inspired by their persistence, adaptability, and diligence.

This issue contains 13 research and review articles spanning a wide range of disciplines, from quantum theory to chemistry to social psychology. Behind each article is hours of unspoken dedication and uncertainty. By presenting their fifindings, we hope that the 16th McGill Science Undergraduate Research Journal reflflects the authors’ passion and aptitude for research. On behalf of our entire editorial board, thank you.

Michael Agaby & Jacqueline Yao

Editors-in-Chief

ON THE COVER

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the COVID-19. On page 61, Zhang et al. designed 192 small interfering RNAs (siRNA) that target conserved sequences in the SARS-CoV-2 genome. siRNA therapies have been promising in preventing viral infections. The digital painting on the cover depicts how SARS-CoV-2, a positive-sense RNA virus recognizable by its spike protein, enters the host cell by fusing its viral envelope with the phospholipid bilayer.