Spark* Friday 28 September 2012
news.spark@reading.ac.uk
Henley Business School to host European Financial meeting Zoe Crook
The University of Reading’s Henley Business School will host the 2013 European Financial Management Association meeting. This annual meeting will be spread over four days, and features research and theories from the financial, investment, money and banking sectors. The event will begin two days prior to the end of the Summer term, on 26 June 2013, and will come to a close on 29 June. In 2011, the event was held in Braga, Portugal, followed by Barcelona, Spain, in 2012. This year, the meeting will reach the somewhat colder England, where the Henley Business School is the chosen location. Normally featuring approximately 250-300 papers, the submissions are already open, and will close on 15 January 2013. These papers may be submitted on the subject of finance, ideally European finance. Sessions throughout the meeting will include academic research, panel discussions, presentations and tutorial lectures.
These sessions are intended to spark ideas, discussions and debates amongst the academics. The keynote speaker at the event will be Professor John Campbell, the Chair of the Department of Economics at Harvard University. Having published over 80 articles on finance and macroeconomics, and having previously been the President of the American Finance Association and President of the International Atlantic Economic Society, Campbell is sure to give an impressive address.
Their expertise and excellent facilities make them an ideal host for the EFMA Many awards, with the worth of around £1,000 to £2,000, will also be presented at the event. These include the EFMA Conference Award, NYSE Euronext Capital Markets Award, PhD Student Best Paper, GARP Risk Management Award and the LANG Corporate Award.
The EFMA was established in 1994, in order to provide an organisation for academics, who share an interest in financial management and theory, to spread and share their knowledge. A Senior Lecturer in Finance at the ICMA Centre and Chair of the 2013 EFMA conference, Dr Simone Varotto stated, “hosting such a prestigious event is an amazing opportunity for both our staff and students to be exposed to the highest level of discussion, interpretation and policy development. Listening to Professor Campbell alone discuss finance is a privilege,
Calum mcintyre rogers
On Friday 7 September, the University of Reading’s School of Biological Sciences hosted an event that celebrated 60 years of Microbiology. The University has offered Microbiology since 1952 and it is the country’s longest running degree programme of its kind. It was also the UK’s first ever Department of Microbiology, established in 1951.
The University has offered Microbiology since 1952 The first unified BSc (Bachelor of Science) degree in Microbiology in the UK was launched at the University of Reading in 1952; a year after the department was created. Since then, the department went on to become a part of the School of Biological Sciences. It has played a leading role in microbiology research in the UK. This is highlighted by visits by many prestigious microbiologists including seven Nobel Laureates such as Alexander Fleming. The Department of Microbiology also hosted a visit by Her Majesty the Queen, to open new buildings as part of the celebration of the centenary of university education in Reading back in 1992.
Today, the BSc in Microbiology remains hugely popular amongst students. Microbiology at Reading boasts world-leading experts in virology and bacteriology as well as a vibrant community of young researchers coupled with excellent teaching and research facilities.
The department has played a leading role in virology research Recent graduates have a 100% employment rate and have gone on to work for organisations such as the Medical Research Council, South East Water, Royal Berkshire Hospital and the Health Protection Agency.
never mind the hundreds of other great financial minds that will be gathered at Reading.” The Executive Director of EFMA, John Doukas also admitted: “I am delighted that the 2013 EFMA conference will be held at such a prestigious institution as the University of Reading. The ICMA Centre and Henley Business School, who are organising the event, are well established and highly regarded in academic finance circles and the finance industry. Their expertise, excellent facilities and proximity to London make them an ideal host for the EFMA annual meeting.”
Reading University scientists have published research into the treating of epilepsy with cannabis extracts in the British Journal of Pharmacology . The project, in collaboration with GW Pharma and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, aimed to treat epilepsy while avoiding the side effects which are common with current treatments, which can induce uncontrolled shaking, organ failure and even lethal stomach acid build-ups. The team succeeded in isolating cannabidivarin, a non-psychoactive compound (ie, one that does not produce a ‘high’), which
“strongly suppressed” seizures in six experimental models used in epilepsy research. Medical marijuana treatments have been used against epilepsy for hundreds of years, and are available in Canada and the USA to this day. The Reading team sought to remove the psychoactive effects of the drug, so it could better be used as a medicine. Dr Ben Whalley, who leads the research, said “Our work has highlighted the potential for a solution based on cannabinoid science. It has shown that cannabidivarin is the most effective and best tolerated anticonvulsant plant cannabinoid investigated to date.”
Recent graduates have a 100% employment rate Professor Simon Andrews, Head of Biomedical Sciences said: “We are proud of the illustrious history of microbiology at Reading and the leading role many former colleagues have played in furthering the understanding of infectious diseases. Today, we are continuing that legacy, conducting research and teaching future generations
News in brief Satisfied students The University of Reading is ranked in the top 25% of higher education institutions in the UK for the quality of the student experience it provides. The University’s students gave Reading courses an 88.5% satisfaction rating in the National Student Survey 2012, ensuring that the University maintains its consistent success in the annual survey of student satisfaction.
UoR celebrates 60 years of Joint research by School of world-class microbiology Psychology and Pharmacy Chayya Syal
News 5
Dr Gary Stephens, Dr Ben Whalley and Dr Claire Williams demonstrate that you can get away with anything in a lab coat
Calling all cat owners! Researchers at the University of Reading are looking for volunteers in the area to take part in a series of studies, to find out whether domestic cats are having an impact on bird numbers. Hedgehog help needed Dr Phil Baker from the University’s School of Biological Sciences is launching a study to examine hedgehog populations in gardens throughout Reading and the surrounding areas, and needs help from local volunteers. Hedgehog numbers are widely thought to have declined in the UK within the last 20 years, and changes in agriculture are believed to be part of the problem. However, one habitat where they may be doing well is the suburbs of our towns and cities. If you are interested in taking part, and you live in Reading or the surrounding areas, email Dr Phil Baker - p.j.baker@reading.ac.uk. University gets green light The University of Reading’s Whiteknights campus has once again been judged as one of the best open spaces in the country with the award of the prestigious Green Flag - a sign to visitors that the Whiteknights campus is wellmaintained and well-managed, with excellent facilities. The Green Flag Award scheme is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the UK. Judges were impressed by the University’s 134-hectare site which contains wooded areas, open meadows, a lake, shrubs and borders and county standard sports pitches. A network of paths links these different and exciting areas, making it an accessible and enjoyable place for all to take pleasure in. At the ceremony to hoist the Green Flag over the Whiteknights campus, the Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Bell said: “We are delighted to have gained a Green Flag Award for the second year running. This award is testament to the hard work and expertise of our committed grounds and facilities maintenance teams.”