Youth scientist turned psychiatrist looks back on science fair in Regina

You won't see many baking soda volcanos when young minds converge on the University of Regina forthe Canada-Wide Science Fairon Monday.

D.J. Rodie was one of those young minds in 1998, when he was an Grade 8 student at Regina's A.E. Perry School.

Rodie's project at the fair involved his grandmother who had Alzheimer's Disease.

His grandmother's doctor prescribed her a new medicine at the time Aricept but wasn't sure how effective it would be because it hadn't been tested on patients with more severe symptoms like she had.

Rodiemonitored her dementia symptoms on her previous medication and the new drug and recorded significant improvement, noting she was able to dress herself again and seemed to understand conversations.

"I guess she doesn't feel as left out anymore,"Rodietold CBC in 1998.

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On Monday, Rodie told CBC Radio's Morning Edition he went on to study medicine and is now a psychiatrist at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Healthin Toronto.

Hisgrandmother died around the time of his first year in university, he said.

"She meant a ton,"Rodiesaid of his grandmother. "She was very, very close."

Rodiesaid it was his science fair experience that sparked his interest in the health field. One of the other students he met at the national fair also went into psychiatry and is now a colleague of Rodie's.

The fair was a greatopportunity to learn, to network and meet like-minded people, he added.

"It's your time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour," was Rodie's advice for those attending the science fair this week.