Gazette april 3 vol45 no12web

GAZETTE

April 3, 2013 Volume 45 Number 12

Publication Mail Registration No. 40062527

A M E M O R I A L U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W F O U N D L A N D P U B L I C AT I O N

p3

p6-7

Equal terrain A new all-terrain wheelchair will help persons with physical and mobility issues enjoy the great outdoors.

spring convocation Memorial’s seventh chancellor will be installed and seven remarkable individuals will be honoured this May.

chris hammond PHOTO

Suncor Energy Hall The School of Music unveils a new name for Petro-Canada Hall — plus new funding for equipment upgrades.

p4

Moving target

Postville resident Tyler Edmunds demonstrates one foot high kick, a Labrador Inuit/Northern game. Mr. Edmunds was a participant in the United We Stand event presented by Memorial’s Aboriginal Resource Office to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21. The objective of the game is to jump and kick the target (normally a miniature seal made of seal skin) as high as one can. The subject, however, must kick the target with one foot and land on the same foot. The record for the one foot high kick in the Labrador Winter Games is 8 feet and 11 inches high, set by Cameron Anderson of Makkovik in 1997.

World of engagement Governor general to deliver opening address at CU Expo 2013

By Pamela Gill

Individuals

with a passion for community-

university engagement can now register online for CU Expo 2013: Engaging Shared Worlds.

Grenfell

Campus,

Memorial

In addition, the program includes keynote speakers Dr. Robert Greenwood, executive director, public

CU Expo 2013, June 12-15, is a joint initiative of

to the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

University

engagement at Memorial and of the Harris Centre,

of

Memorial University; Susan Ann Gust, co-founder

Newfoundland, and the City of Corner Brook, with

and chair, Phillips Neighbourhood Healthy Housing

support from the provincial Rural Secretariat. The

Collaborative; Dr. Joanna Ochocka, executive director,

conference will bring together hundreds of people from

Centre for Community Based Research and vice-chair

all over the world, who will network, learn and more

of Community Based Research Canada; and Dr. Vianne

fully participate in community-university engagement.

Timmons, president and vice-chancellor, University of

The organizers of CU Expo are pleased that David

Regina.

Johnston, governor general of Canada, will deliver the

Online registration is available at www.cuexpo2013.

opening address. This is particularly fitting given the

ca. To uphold this idea and increase public access to

fact that Gov. Gen. Johnston has a lifelong dedication

the conference, CU Expo 2013 has secured funding

to higher learning and believes in a “true democracy of

for

community

members may apply online on the CU Expo website.

knowledge,” to which he referred in his 2012 address

representatives with financial limitations; community

The deadline to apply for the bursaries is April 5, 2013.

several

registration

bursaries

for

David Johnston

A conservation legacy

Partnership advances fisheries and oceans education

By Naomi Osborne

The Marine Institute

(MI) signed a

memorandum of understanding with World Wildlife

opportunities for Atlantic Canadian students in ocean conservation.

Fund (WWF)-Canada recently, which will provide

“WWF’s collaboration with the Marine Institute, with

a framework for the advancement of fisheries and

its world class reputation in applied marine research

oceans related education, training and research and

and education, will further our shared goals in marine

development.

conservation and sustainable resource use,” said Robert

“The Marine Institute’s partnership with World

Rangeley, vice-president, conservation, WWF-Canada.

From left are Dr. Arthur May, Glenn Blackwood, Dr. Robert Rangeley and Carey Bonnell.

Wildlife Fund will add great value to students and the

Through combined expertise, MI and WWF will

future of sustainable ocean uses in Atlantic Canada,

foster closer relationships with local industries related

specifically Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Glenn

to fisheries and oceans sustainability and enhance

Blackwood, vice-president, Memorial University (Marine

outreach to address critical marine conservation issues.

province, the Arctic, Canada and internationally. Other

Institute). “Channeling the passion and enthusiasm of

“Our efforts will be focused on current and emerging

partnership opportunities will also look at advancing

today’s young thinkers towards the future of our ocean

ocean issues while also meeting student expectations

sustainable

resources and their value to communities will help

that their academic work will make a difference to long-

objectives.

build a legacy for oceans conservation.”

ocean

use

and

marine

conservation

term sustainable ocean use,” said Carey Bonnell, head,

WWF is an environmental organization whose

The new three-year agreement will utilize student

MI’s School of Fisheries. “Increased opportunities for

mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural

research and professional expertise to drive collaboration

research related to sustainable ocean uses will also be

environment and to build a future in which humans

and creative solutions for environmental issues facing

identified by MI and other university programs.”

live in harmony with nature. WWF-Canada has nine

oceans and the livelihoods dependent on them. It will

MI and WWF will work together to explore opportunities

also focus on supporting and creating unique training

for expansion of collaborative arrangements within the

offices in Canada, including St. John’s, Halifax and Iqaluit.

Correction

“They’re familiar with their own home and have neighbours that they can maintain contact with,” said

your next project

Mr. Brockerville. “That keeps them feeling like part of

In the March 13 Gazette, the Faculty of Arts was inadver-

the community. If they move out of the home they can

tently omitted from the list of units that received funding

sometimes become isolated.”

in the Feb. 28 RDC announcement.

He’s interested in getting a better sense of the prevalence of the situation, with the final goal of finding ways to

GAZETTE

help seniors stay in their homes even when their adult children are working in other provinces and regions.

By Rebecca Cohoe

“I believe it’s worth investigating and talking to people Yaffle.ca is Memorial’s online connecting tool. One of its

who commute — if it’s happening here on the peninsula

most significant jobs is to provide a way for people from

it may be happening in other regions of the province.”

outside Memorial to ask for research help. With hundreds

The project:

of community-suggested opportunities to choose from, your

“I don’t have statistics about the prevalence of this sort of situation,” said Mr. Brockerville. “It has been

next project is just a click away. Here’s one . . .

stated that this is an issue, but we need some research

The opportunity: Long-distance

to put a quantitative number on how much this is commuting

doesn’t

just

affect

individuals who accept jobs in Western Canada —

happening. I’d also like to see some qualitative study into how all parties are affected by it.”

there’s a good chance their families and communities

Mr. Brockerville would be willing to act as a regional

are also impacted. Gordon Brockerville, of Personal

liason for an interested researcher. He’s well connected

Active Lifestyles Training and Consulting, suspects

within the region, and could help set up meetings and

that the relatively large number of people on the Burin

interviews. Ultimately, he’s looking for someone who

Peninsula working away from home may be causing an

understands and appreciates the challenges facing

increase in the use of retirement homes and long-term

senior citizens, especially those in more rural areas of

care by the parents of those workers. The issue came to

the province.

his attention while completing a healthy aging needs

“I sense the person would need to have an interest

assessment for the town of Marystown several years ago.

in aging and seniors and an understanding of how the

“There was some anecdotal evidence that folks were

research could shed light on making independence

concerned about the well-being of aging parents while

sustainable and fulfilling for seniors as they move into

they were away, and looking at putting them into

their older years.”

retirement homes,” he explained.

While many seniors thrive in retirement homes and

Interested in learning more about this project? Amy Tucker,

long-term care, he says, there are some who would

co-ordinator of knowledge mobilization at the Harris Centre,

prefer to stay put.

would love to tell you more. Call her at 709-864-6119 or email her at amy.tucker@mun.ca .

Editor Graphics Mandy Cook Helen Houston

Regular Contributors

Courtenay Alcock Laura Barron Jennifer Batten Rebecca Cohoe Melanie Callahan Nora Daly Paula Dyke Moira Finn Kelly Foss Pamela Gill Sharon Gray Janet Harron Jill Hunt Jackey Locke Classified Advertising Kelly Hickey

Virginia Middleton Peter Morris Shannon O’Dea Dawson Naomi Osborne Michelle Osmond David Penney Marcia Porter Dave Sorensen Kimberley Thornhill Meaghan Whelan Susan White-MacPherson Heidi Wicks Laura Woodford Photography Chris Hammond

Advertising Mandy Cook Telephone: 709-864-2142 Email: mandyc@mun.ca Next Gazette deadline April 17 for April 24 publication.

The Gazette is published 17 times annually by the Division of Marketing and Communications at Memorial Uni­versity.

obituary Mary (Jeri) Clarke

Don Steele

Mary (Jeri) Clarke, a retired staff

Dr. Don Steele, professor emeritus

member with the Department of

of the Department of Biology,

Dr. Sankatha Prasad Singh

Human Resources, passed away

passed away March 16, 2013. He

Dr. Sankatha Prasad Singh, a

recently. She was 56.

was 80.

retired faculty member in the

(John) Daniel Mosher

William Francis Summers

Statistics, passed away March 28,

Dan Mosher, associate professor,

Dr. William Francis Summers, a

2013. He was 78.

Faculty of Business Administration

retired professor and the first head

and at Grenfell Campus, passed

of the Department of Geography,

away March 5, 2013. He was 60.

passed away March 25, 2013.

He was 94.

Department of Mathematics and

Gazette | Wednesday, April 3, 2013

A M E M O R I A L U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W F O U N D L A N D P U B L I C AT I O N

2

Material in the Gazette may be reprinted or broadcast without permission, excepting materials for which the Gazette does not hold exclusive copyright.

Gazette, Room A-1024 Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7 Telephone: 709-864-2142 Fax: 709-864-8699 Email: mandyc@mun.ca ISSN 0228-88 77 With the exception of advertisements from Memorial University, ads carried in the Gazette do not imply recommendation by the university for the service or product.

www.mun.ca/gazette

Musical leadership

chris hammond PHOTO

School of Music renames Petro-Canada Hall to Suncor Energy Hall

Dr. Ellen Waterman and Sandy Martin unveil a plaque in honour of the renaming of the School of Music’s Petro-Canada Hall to Suncor Energy Hall, as President Kachanoski looks on.

By Laura Barron

The School of Music has renamed Petro-Canada

music technology in our School of Music, helping us

Dr. Ellen Waterman, dean, School of Music. “It’s a gem

Hall to Suncor Energy Hall.

better prepare the musical leaders of tomorrow. On

of a hall, and this new investment will ensure that it

behalf of performers, both current and future, I thank

continues to provide a superb concert experience for all

Suncor Energy for their generosity.”

of its users.”

In 2005 Petro-Canada, now a Suncor Energy business, invested $1.2 million in the creation of the School of Music’s Petro-Canada Hall. The hall was constructed

As part of the renaming celebration, a $50,000

Following the announcements, the Suncor Energy

and furnished to enhance the study and performance

contribution from Suncor Energy to Dare To: The

String Fellows Quartet delivered a moving performance

of music in Newfoundland and Labrador, and originally

Campaign for Memorial University was also announced.

at the event, further exemplifying the long and varied

opened as Petro-Canada Hall in March 2005. On

This contribution has supported repairs and upgrades to

partnership Suncor Energy has with Memorial.

March 20, in recognition of Suncor Energy’s continued

core technologies in the School of Music’s Suncor Energy

“Our support reflects the diversity of our organization,

relationship with Memorial, Petro-Canada Hall was

Hall, including audio recording, sound reinforcement,

and the community in which our employees live,”

officially renamed Suncor Energy Hall.

theatre-style lighting, and audio-visual presentation

said Sandy Martin, vice-president, East Coast, Suncor

and production. This contribution is helping to

Energy. “Suncor Energy Hall represents the quality of

maintain the hall’s status as a state-of-the-art facility.

our relationship with Memorial University, and the

“The renaming of Petro-Canada Hall recognizes the long and steadfast relationship we enjoy with Suncor Energy — ­ a strong relationship as evidenced by its most

“Suncor Energy Hall is an important resource, both

recent investment in music education,” said President

for students and faculty at the School of Music, and for

Kachanoski. “With this support, we are enhancing

the many community groups who perform there,” said

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

pride we feel to be a part of this community.”

to graduate or are ready to leave your current job? What

With the provincial cutbacks occurring throughout Newfoundland and Labrador upcoming grads are

STUDENTVIEW

wondering, “What will I do?” Government layoffs,

Joshua Duff

hiring freezes, cutbacks and changes in the education

if your patience has run its course and you want to pay off that student debt? Grads may face the dilemma of having to search for work outside of Newfoundland and Labrador, or the rest of Canada. It is an unfortunate

and health sectors will discourage the job seekers who

circumstance. However, there is a positive insight

are coming out of MUN. Although these cutbacks may

in this job. Earning work awards, raises and accepting

to this. Get the job you have always wanted, gain the

be temporary, students need to fill their time to wait out

more responsibility (eg., supervising, being a team

knowledge and hands-on experience within that field and

this bumpy ride.

leader) adds to your list of skills. Keep in mind that

after a few years, you will have built a solid curriculum

“Do not expect to find employment within the first

the job is temporary until you find something else —

vitae that will help make you a leading candidate for

six months after graduating,” is what a prof told me

so make use of your time while waiting for the right

a similar position when opportunities arise in this

during my first year. Not being able to find immediate

opportunity.

province. In some cases, a bachelor’s degree coupled

employment is common amongst many. Therefore,

Returning to education is another option. Many enrol

in

master’s

or

certificate/diploma

with professional experience is seen as more valuable

patience is one of the key factors we need to learn

students

while searching. Take this time to build on your resumé

programs once they have completed their initial studies.

Nevertheless, we face tough times. Decisions will

and cover letter, upgrade your skills and explore your

It is a good way to wait out a looming job market. MUN

need to be made as to how we want our futures to play

options.

has a wide range of master’s and certificate programs

out. But we need not worry. Remaining open to a wider

than a higher level of education.

Do not remain unemployed! Many employers look

that offer hands-on learning along with the classroom

range of options can help alleviate the stress of finding

highly on someone who is employed, as opposed to

time. For certain positions, employers look highly upon

an amazing opportunity after graduation.

someone who is not. Temporary jobs say a lot on your

applicants with master’s and/or technical (job specific)

resumé. It shows that you are motivated. And if you

skills; therefore, your upgrade may be well worth the

Joshua Duff is a fourth-year student majoring in political science and

leave the job on good terms, usually your boss will back

extra effort and time.

English language and literature at Memorial University. He can be reached

that up by giving you a positive reference. Be successful

Gazette | Wednesday, April 3, 2013

But what if jobs do not open by the time you are ready

3

at jrd218@mun.ca .

www.mun.ca/gazette

&

Hitting the trails

PAPERS PRESENTATIONS An essay by

Angela Hyde, a

third-year medical

student who completed a PhD in genetics last spring, has been published by the Chicago-based Hektoen International Journal of Medical Humanities. The essay, Passing on Compassion, is about the influence of her grandfather, Dr. Nigel Rusted, who graduated in medicine 80 years ago. This essay previously received an honourable mention in the 2011 Arnold P. Gold Foundation essay. Dr. Rusted died in March 2012 at the age of 104. The essay can be found at www.hektoen international.org/passing-on-compassion.html .

Dr. Roselyne Okech

of Grenfell Campus’s

tourism studies program was awarded the Best Paper Award for her paper Online Tourism Destination Marketing: Case Study of Canadian Atlantic Provinces, which she delivered at the International Conference on Tourism Development: Building the Future of Tourism, held at Penang Island, Malaysia, Feb. 4-5. Dr. Okech

From left are Shiann Park, Dawn Tulk, Dr. TA Loeffler and Taylor Marsh taking the TrailRider around Long Pond on the St. John’s campus for a test drive.

was awarded a 2012 SSHRC travel grant to attend the conference.

There are a number of recent research publications from

By Michelle Osmond

A TrailRider,

Dr. Christopher Kovacs, Medicine. M.Sc. student Jillian

enrolled in HKR to be able to safely partake in the

the laboratory of

school’s outdoor recreation courses,” said Ms. Riche.

Faculty

of

an all-terrain wheelchair that

“I see its potential in teaching and making my outdoor

Collins is first author on the paper titled Lactating

allows persons with physical and mobility issues to

classroom more accessible, in research with potential

Ctcgrp Nulls Lose Twice Normal Bone Mineral Content

get out in the great outdoors, arrived at the School of

projects related to getting folks out into nature who

Due to Fewer Osteoblasts and More Osteoclasts,

Human Kinetics and Recreation (HKR) last week and it

might not ordinarily get there and with community

While Bone Mass is Fully Restored Post-weaning in

will open up a lot of doors for students like Kayla Riche.

engagement and partnerships,” noted Dr. TA Loeffler.

Association with Upregulation of Wnt Signaling and

Here at Memorial, the arrival of the TrailRider means

“It’s a piece of equipment that we are willing to share

Other Novel Genes. This was published in Endocrinology

that students with disabilities or low-mobility like Ms.

with others such as Easter Seals, recreation departments,

2013. Collaborators include Dr. Robert Gagel from the

Riche can now take part in outdoor recreation activities

schools and others. We don’t want it sitting idle and I’m

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr.

that they couldn’t before.

eager to start training students to use it.”

Cliff Rosen from Tufts University in Boston, and Dr.

“I think the purchase of a TrailRider is a great

For the full story, visit www.today.mun.ca .

advancement towards helping students with disabilities

Natalie Sims from the University of Melbourne. Other authors are Collins JN, Kirby BJ, Woodrow JP, Gagel RF, Rosen CJ, Sims NA, Kovacs CS. The first author on another paper is

Budget supports Memorial’s core mission: president president

Beth Kirby, Dr. Kovacs’ research

assistant. It is titled Upregulation of Calcitriol During Pregnancy and Skeletal Recovery after Lactation Do Not Require Parathyroid Hormone. It is being published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 2013. Dr. Andrew Karaplis from McGill collaborated on this research. The other authors are Kirby BJ, MaY, Martin HM, Buckle Favaro KL, Karaplis AC, Kovacs CS.

Dr. Kovacs

Gary Kachanoski said that he is very

Memorial is continuing to rise. In the period 2007-12,

is author of two recent invited review articles. The

pleased with the stability provided for the institution in

the number of Canadian students from other provinces

article Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency: Fetal and

the 2013-14 provincial budget.

enrolled at Memorial increased more than 23 per

Neonatal Implications is published in Seminars in Fetal

The budget, presented in the House of Assembly

cent [2,602 to 3,211] and the number of international

& Neonatal Medicine 2013. Bone Metabolism in the Fetus

March 26, includes a continuation of the tuition fee

students increased by an astounding 73.2 per cent [978

and Neonate is in press in Pediatric Nephrology 2013.

freeze for students, along with funding to help the

to 1,694].

Dr. Kovacs is also an author in a recent collaborative

university offset the freeze. There are also provisions

“So we’ve been attracting and educating more

research publication titled Meta-Analysis of Genome-

that will enable the university to continue its growth in

local, national and international students,” said Dr.

Wide Studies Identifies Wnt16 and Esr1 Snps Associated

areas of strategic importance to the province, including

Kachanoski, “and this budget will allow Memorial to

With Bone Mineral Density In Premenopausal Women.

science, oceans technology, engineering, medicine and

continue to play that vital role and carry out our mission

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 2013.

the Marine Institute.

in support of the future growth and development of the

Dr. Kachanoski said the government is taking a

province.”

NOTABLE

long-term view as it relates to university education in

Overall, the president remained hopeful that with an

Newfoundland and Labrador and the budget provides

improved economy in the coming years, the provincial

Memorial with the resources it needs to continue to

government will continue to invest in priority areas

Dr. Catherine MacLean has been appointed

deliver academic offerings and maintain its educational

like the university that will pay dividends for decades

chair of the Discipline of Family Medicine, Faculty of

commitments and services to students.

to come.

Medicine, for a five-year term.

“Government is continuing to invest in the province’s

“The government recognizes that Memorial University

future, especially in university-bound young people,”

is of significant importance to the development of the

Dr. Sharon Peters has been re-appointed vice-

said Dr. Kachanoski.

entire province,” Dr. Kachanoski said. “An investment

dean of the Faculty of Medicine for a 16-month period.

Dr.

Kachanoski

explained

that

despite

the

in the university is an investment that benefits our

demographic challenges facing the province, Memorial

economy and our society. We now have frameworks to

Professor Andrew

University’s enrolment has grown and now sits at over

guide our teaching, research and public engagement

associate dean, undergraduate studies, Faculty of

19,000 students.

activities that we developed in consultation with the

Engineering and Applied Science, for a three-year term.

Fisher has been re-appointed

In the past year alone, graduate student enrolment

people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Our plans

increased by 8.6 per cent to almost 3,400. Undergraduate

anticipate growth throughout the university and

Dr. Mohamed Ravalia has been re-appointed

enrolment is remaining steady despite the drop in the

we look forward to working with the government to

assistant dean of the Rural Clinical School Medical

province’s high school population because the number

achieve those goals.”

Education Network in the Faculty of Medicine for a further three-year period.

of national and international students attending

Gazette | Wednesday, April 3, 2013

4

www.mun.ca/gazette

Business team places second at world competition

By Susan White-MacPherson

A team of four students from the Faculty of Business Administration has placed second at the Network of International Business Schools (NIBS) Worldwide Case Competition in Belgium.

Consisting of bachelor of commerce (co-op) students Emily Byrne, Marie Daley, Laura Francis and Krystal Hobbs, and with support from their coach Prof. Peggy Coady, the Memorial group defeated teams from Germany, Thailand, Belgium, Finland, the United States and Canada to place second.

Bishop’s University from Quebec won the competition.

Ottawa’s Carleton University and the University of Prince Edward Island tied for third.

“Although we didn’t win the final round, we were absolutely overwhelmed with the number of people, participants, coaches and judges alike who came up to us said Ms. Daley. “For me, and I believe for the other girls as well, this was the most rewarding part of the whole competition.”

NIBS is a group of business schools from around the world that believe that the internationalization of business and the globalization of the economy are essential elements in the evolution of managerial

SUBMITTED PHOTO

to offer congratulations on such a strong performance,”

Memorial placed second at the Network of International Business Schools (NIBS) Worldwide Case Competition. From left are Krystal Hobbs, Marie Daley, Laura Francis and Emily Byrne in Belgium.

practices. Memorial has made it to the championship round every year and has the best record in the competition, including six first-place finishes.

students to apply the theories learned in the classroom

NIBS case competition for almost 20 years,” she said,

Ten teams faced off in the championship round,

to real business problems,” said Prof. Coady. “The team

noting the successes of previous coaches Dr. Asmo

hosted by KHLeuven University in Leuven, Belgium,

did an amazing job this year. At all times, they were

Palasvirta and Dr. Alex Faseruk. Prof. Coady has coached

from March 2-9.

excellent ambassadors of Memorial University, the

the team since 2006.

Six case studies were presented throughout the

province and the country.”

“Peggy is the most important member of the team,”

competition, each including an analysis of a business

Prof. Coady, who is an assistant professor of

said Ms. Daley. “It was not until I got to the competition

issue and a strategy for its resolution. The presentations

accounting and auditing as well as director of graduate

and saw that we really were competitive with most of

took place in front of a panel of judges made up of

programs at the Faculty of Business Administration,

the other teams that I realized how strategically she

business academics and executives from the Leuven

also received the Most Inspiring Coach Award.

had prepared us. The dedication it takes for her to come

business community.

“The NIBS case competition is an ideal opportunity for

“The coach’s award was a nice recognition of Memorial’s commitment to coaching students in the

Rising star

back year after year, putting in so much time to coach a completely new team, is truly inspiring.”

Edinburgh Award, Ms. Halliday is an active community volunteer

with

extensive

fundraising

and

event

planning experience.

Arts major awarded prestigious advancement fellowship at Memorial

She is president of the Rotaract Club of Memorial University, a community non-profit club for young professionals between the ages of 18-30 which prides itself on service above self. Rotaract provides an opportunity for like-minded individuals to come together to bring about change in humanity. Rotaract

By Jennifer Batten

enables

Just two

people from across Canada have been

named TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Fellows in

and

Memorial University this spring with a bachelor of arts

Alumni Affairs and Development and the Division

and a certificate in regional policy and development.

Funded by TD Bank, the TD Insurance Meloche

Sarah Halliday

Monnex Fellowship in Advancement supports the

assist the office with a variety of projects, including reunions and social media and marketing campaigns.

communicate

year of significant achievements. She will graduate from

Sarah Halliday will work with Memorial’s Office of

alumni relations outreach, development programs,

engage,

As president, Ms. Halliday has led the club through a

putting her skills to work at Memorial University.

duration of her fellowship, beginning June 3. She will

to

their society.

Advancement for 2013-14 — and one of them will be

of Marketing and Communications for the one-year

members

participate with both the physical and social needs of

Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education “Ms. Halliday has been very involved in Memorial activities beyond her academic pursuits with the

(CCAE) member institutions in attracting newcomers into advancement.

“I am honoured to be the recipient of this fellowship

Faculty of Arts,” said Dr. Blackwood. “This year alone

in advancement,” said Ms. Halliday. “The experience

she has organized many events with the Rotaract Club

will allow me the opportunity to further my skills and

of Memorial University, fundraised for the university’s

Now in its 15th year, the TD Fellowship program has

advance my knowledge in the development area. I am

food bank, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, Polio

opened doors to many successful new advancement

particularly excited to apply my education and skills to

Plus, various Christmas hampers, the Single Parents

careers while building capacity in the Canadian

assist the university in their alumni affairs initiatives.”

Association of Newfoundland and Rainbow Riders. I

advancement

offer my sincere congratulations to Ms. Halliday and a

financial support towards salary and professional

warm welcome to our team.”

development expenses for the 12-month period of June

According to Dr. Penny Blackwood, Memorial’s director of Alumni Affairs and Development, Ms. Halliday was the perfect candidate for the fellowship.

Gazette | Wednesday, April 3, 2013

A two-time recipient of the prestigious Duke of

5

Two fellowships, each valued at $37,500, are awarded annually.

profession.

The

fellowships

provide

1, 2013, to May 31, 2014.

www.mun.ca/gazette

Spring convocation 2013

Honorary degree recipients Memorial University

has

Rotman and former chair of Memorial’s Board

announced the names of the individuals whom

of Regents Robert Simmonds. (Biographies of

it will present with honorary doctorates at the

all honorees follow.)

2013 spring convocation ceremonies. Memorial

The honorary doctorate degree recognizes

will present degrees honoris causa to seven

extraordinary

accomplished people during nine ceremonies

exceptional intellectual or artistic achievement.

to be held in St. John’s and Corner Brook this

Honorary degree recipients are chosen by

year. convocation

ceremonial

will

installation

also of

see

the

society

or

Memorial’s

body, after a very careful examination of the susan dyer knight

grounds for their nomination.

seventh chancellor, Dr. Susan Dyer Knight.

The awarding of honorary doctorates, an

The installation will take place at the 10 a.m. session of

important feature of Memorial’s convocation, serves to

convocation on Tuesday, May 28.

celebrate both the individual and the university, as well as

Honorary degrees will be awarded to theatre director Barbara Barrett, music teacher and community volunteer

to inspire graduates, their families and guests.

Memorial’s spring convocation ceremonies will take place

Gary Graham, former Memorial chancellor General Rick

on Friday, May 10, at the Pepsi Centre in Corner Brook, and

Hillier, humanitarian Susan Patten, Cancer Society volunteer

from Tuesday, May 28, to Friday, May 31, at the Arts and

Margot Reid, businessman and philanthropist Joseph

Culture Centre in St. John’s.

Gary Graham For

his

exceptional

Named one of the best criminal lawyers in Canada several contribution

to

music

on

times, Mr. Simmonds was appointed Queen’s Counsel in

Newfoundland’s west coast, Gary Graham will receive an

2001 and has served on the Advisory Committee on Federal

honorary doctor of laws degree at the 10 a.m. session of

Judicial Appointments.

convocation on Friday, May 10, in Corner Brook.

ROBERT SIMMONDS

to

the Senate, the university’s academic governing

Spring

Gary Graham

contribution

Mr.

Simmonds

has

also

been

awarded

several

Music teacher, organist and choir director, Mr. Graham

community-based awards, including the Humanitarian

has been a force in the musical, cultural and artistic life of

Service Award from the John Howard Society, whose goal it

Corner Brook since arriving on the west coast in 1966.

is to understand and respond to problems of crime and the

As a music teacher at Herdman Collegiate and a director in a series of Western Newfoundland choirs, Mr. Graham has influenced generations of musicians and singers.

The organizations that have benefitted from his time

criminal justice system.

He served as chair of Memorial University’s governing Board of Regents from 2008–12, and oversaw the hiring of President Gary Kachanoski.

include the local AIDS committee, the Status of Women Anti-Violence Walk, the Cancer Society’s Tree of Memories,

General Rick Hillier (Ret’d)

the Radio Telethon in aid of Western Memorial Regional

For his achievements as a soldier and his contributions

Hospital Foundation, the Children’s Wish Foundation, the

to Memorial University, General Rick Hillier will receive

Corner Brook Rotary Club and the Gros Morne Summer

an honorary doctor of laws degree at the 3 p.m. session of

Music Festival.

convocation on Wednesday, May 29.

For his efforts and guidance, Mr. Graham was recognized

Born in Campbellton, Newfoundland and Labrador, Gen.

by the province in 2004 as one of the first recipients of

Hillier joined the Canadian Forces in 1973 and graduated

the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2009 the

from Memorial University with a bachelor of science

provincial government named the theatre of the Corner

degree in 1975. After completing his officer training, he

Brook Arts and Culture Centre as the Gary Graham Theatre.

joined his first regiment, the 8th Hussars in Petawawa, Ont.

Mr. Graham holds a bachelor of music and bachelor of

Subsequently, he served with, and later commanded, the

arts from Acadia University, located near his hometown

GENERAL RICK HILLIER (RET’D)

of Avonport, N.S. He also holds a postgraduate degree in musical theatre from McGill University in Montreal, Que.

Royal Canadian Dragoons in Germany and Canada.

Throughout his career, Gen. Hillier has commanded troops from the platoon to multinational formation level within Canada, Europe, Asia and the United States. In

Robert Simmonds

1998 Gen. Hillier was appointed as the first Canadian

For his dedicated and passionate leadership as chair

Deputy Commanding General of III Corps, U.S. Army in

of Memorial’s Board of Regents for four years, Robert

Fort Hood, Texas, and in 2000 took command of NATO’s

Simmonds will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree

Stabilization Force’s Multinational Division (Southwest)

at the 10 a.m. session of convocation on Wednesday, May

in Bosnia. In May 2003 he was appointed as commander

29, in St. John’s.

of the army and subsequently, in October 2003, he was

A St. John’s native and one of the province’s leading

selected as the commander of the NATO-led International

criminal lawyers, Mr. Simmonds graduated from Memorial

Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Gen. Hillier was

with a bachelor of commerce in 1976 and was awarded the

promoted to general and assumed duties as the chief of the

University Gold Medal for Academic Excellence. He received

defence staff in 2005 and retired from the Canadian Forces

his law degree from Dalhousie in 1979 and, after practising

in July 2008.

with a number of firms, and serving as Crown prosecutor

He was named chancellor of Memorial University in 2008

with the Department of Justice, in 1997 founded his own

and chaired the university’s Dare To fundraising campaign.

firm, Simmonds Kennedy, for the practice of criminal law,

The campaign, the largest in Memorial’s history, exceeded

principally.

its target goal of $50 million by more than $12 million.

JOSEPH ROTMAN Gazette | Wednesday, April 3, 2013

6

www.mun.ca/gazette

Spring convocation 2013

announced; chancellor to be installed

SUSAN PATTEN

MARGOT GRANT REID

BARBARA BARRETT and also served on the national board of directors.

Gen. Hillier holds an honorary degree from the

of the Order of Canada in 1995. He was inducted into

University of Calgary and in 2011 was made an officer of

the Canadian Business Hall of Fame as a companion in

She has also served with more than 20 volunteer

the Order of Canada.

May 2009, and awarded an honorary LLD from Western

boards, including long service on the board of the

University in June 2009.

Janeway Child Health Centre (1964-73) and on the

He now focuses on leadership development and contributing to his community and country through

Newfoundland Medical Board (1976-88).

honorary appointments and charitable endeavours

Susan Patten

to support a variety of causes, mostly centered around

Businessperson, philanthropist and community leader

YM-YWCA Woman of Distinction in 1988 and a member

soldiers, sailors, airmen, airwomen, special forces

Susan Patten will receive an honorary doctor of laws

of the Order of Canada in 2001.

troopers, veterans and their families.

degree at the 3 p.m. session of convocation on Thursday,

Ms. Reid was named Jaycee Citizen of the Year in 1973,

Barbara Barrett

May 30.

Joseph Rotman

Born in St. John’s and a graduate of King’s Hall,

For her significant contribution to the provincial theatre

A successful businessman who has brought his expertise

Compton, Que., Ms. Patten is chair of the board of the A.

scene, Barbara Barrett will receive an honorary doctor

to the service of research institutes on a national level,

Harvey Group of Companies, which includes A. Harvey

of laws degree at the 3 p.m. session of convocation on

Joseph Rotman will receive an honorary doctor of

& Co. Ltd., Browning Harvey and Harvey’s Oil. While

Friday, May 31.

laws degree at the 10 a.m. session of convocation on

chairing the boards of this giant of Newfoundland and

Born in Yorkshire, England, Ms. Barrett came to

Thursday, May 30.

Labrador industry, Ms. Patten has also long been involved

Newfoundland as a war bride in 1946. During the Second

in her community.

World War, she had served as an air raid warden and was

This native of Toronto, Ont., launched his business career in 1962 and has been involved in establishing a

She has served at the provincial, national and

awarded the Defence of Britain Medal.

number of private and public companies active in oil

international levels of the Girl Guides, as provincial

She studied drama at Bishop Otter College, Chichester,

trading, petroleum distribution, oil and gas exploration,

commissioner and also treasurer of the national and

England, and holds a certificate in theatre direction from

merchant banking, real estate and venture capital.

international Girl Guide organizations.

York University, Toronto, Ont.

He received his BA from the University of Western

Among her many leadership roles in the community,

She has been a force in theatre and community life

Ontario in 1957 and his M.Comm. from the University

she chaired the Canadian Mental Health Foundation,

during the past 60 years in Corner Brook, Stephenville,

of Toronto in 1960. During 1960-61 he studied at the

Newfoundland and Labrador, and in 2005, the Salvation

Gander and St John’s.

Columbia University Graduate School of Business in the

Army Red Shield Appeal.

PhD program.

Today Mr. Rotman is chairman of Roy-L Capital Corporation, a private family investment company.

As a director, adjudicator and drama teacher, she is

Among her many accolades, Ms. Patten was named a

recognized as a leading authority by professionals and

life member of the Girl Guides of Canada in 1992, received

amateurs and has participated in the production of more

an honorary degree from Mount St. Vincent University

than 1,000 theatrical performances

Mr. Rotman was a member of the Canadian Institutes

in 1997, was inducted into the Order of Newfoundland

of Health Research governing council, the board

and Labrador in 2004, was awarded the Red Cross NL

and executive committee of the Canada Gairdner

Humanitarian Award in 2006 and was named a member

International Awards for outstanding achievement in

of the Order of Canada in 2006.

biomedical research worldwide, and co-led a major review of the state of brain research in Ontario, which

She was inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador

Ms. Barrett is also the author of a book titled Theatre – My Other Love Affair.

Her role in the Girl Guide movement has been no less important. Ms. Barrett has served as captain of the first Air Ranger Company in the province, area commissioner

Business Hall of Fame in 2007.

for Western Newfoundland and provincial ranger adviser.

Margot Grant Reid

Canadians, Ms. Barrett has presided at more than 20

term as chair of the Canada Council for the Arts. On

In recognition of a lifetime of service to charities

citizenship ceremonies, and has administered the Oath

July 1, 2012, he was appointed as chancellor of Western

and her community, Margot Reid will receive an

of Citizenship (in both official languages) to more than

University for a four-year term.

honorary doctor of laws degree at the 10 a.m. session of

300 new Canadian citizens.

led to the creation of the Ontario Brain Institute.

In 2008 Mr. Rotman was appointed to a five-year

Mr. Rotman and his wife Sandra have made a long-

A longtime volunteer with the Association of New

convocation on Friday, May 31.

For her work in theatre and the community, she was

term commitment to promote the development of

Born in Saint John, N.B., Ms. Reid attended Dalhousie

invested as a member of the Order of Canada in 1996 and

internationally renowned Canadian institutions in

University and the Royal Victoria Hospital School of

a member of the Order Of Newfoundland and Labrador

the arts, education and health care through active

Nursing. She came to Newfoundland in 1951 as the

in 2007.

involvement and financial assistance.

wife of a local businessman and immediately became

Her other awards include the YM-YWCA’s Woman of

The Association of Fundraising Professionals honoured

involved with the Canadian Cancer Society, taking part

Distinction, the Girl Guide Order of Merit, the Queen’s

the couple with its 2009 Outstanding Philanthropists

in all aspects of the fight against cancer, from door-

Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Award.

to-door fundraising to organizing the first Daffodil

Medal.

Mr. Rotman was awarded an honorary LLD from the

Campaign in 1970. From 1982-84 she was president of the

University of Toronto in 1994. He was appointed officer

Newfoundland Division of the Canadian Cancer Society

Gazette | Wednesday, April 3, 2013

7

In April 2003 she was named an honorary life member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Society.

www.mun.ca/gazette

‘Give as good as we get’

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Isle aux Morts partners with Memorial to share its stories

Dr. Jamie Skidmore and his daughter meet some of the locals in Isle aux Morts.

By Rebecca Cohoe

In the community of Isle aux Morts there are

organized a walk for us along the Harvey Trail with two

“I cast the workshop this past weekend via Skype and

Newfoundland dogs, which my five-year-old daughter

one of the actors is an eight-year-old boy, Cole Keeping,

absolutely loved.”

who is two years younger than Ann’s brother Tom, who

stories to spare. One of the most famous is the 1828 res-

Once Dr. Skidmore spent some time with the story of

cue of almost 200 shipwrecked sailors and passengers by

the Harvey’s, the play came together quite smoothly; in

the Harvey family, along with their trusty Newfoundland

fact, it’s almost complete. The story is told from the per-

That back and forth dialogue is one of the aspects

dog, Hairyman. Sadly, with the ferry to North Sydney

spective of the first mate on the Despatch, after he has

about publicly engaged work that Dr. Skidmore values

just 16 kilometres away, visitors to the region tend to

returned home after the shipwreck.

most.

drive right through rather than stopping to appreciate the long and unique history of the community.

helped with the rescue. He’ll be able to help me see if I captured the voice of a young boy.”

“It will take place in his family’s kitchen, and his fam-

“I think there are lots of connections that arts-related

ily will play the roles of those who were in the wreck.

departments can make with our many communities

Blanford Billard, former community development

Ann will be the hero of the story, and it will climax with

across the province. It begins with bringing more art into

assistant and member of the Isle aux Morts Heritage

her rescuing the survivors,” he revealed. “There will

the community and leaving something behind,” he said.

Society, believes that if people would only take the time

be a love story on the ship, and parallels will be drawn

“Of course, many scholars also go into the communities

to stop by, they’d be impressed with its beautiful views

between the woman in that story and Ann.”

to learn about our island culture and we bring out won-

and interesting residents.

That’s why he raised the issue of tourism develop-

Throughout the process, Dr. Skidmore has been careful to include community perspectives and input.

derful stories, music and art, as well. We give as good as we get, I suppose.”

ment at the Harris Centre’s regional workshop in Port

“The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council is

If all goes as planned, Dr. Skidmore’s play will be per-

aux Basques last spring. In particular, he suggested that

supporting me to return to the community to share the

formed this summer during Ann Harvey Days, a 28-day

a stage play about the Harveys could be a great way to

script and give us their feedback. Although I’m the play-

annual event in Isle aux Morts that commemorates and

increase tourism to Isle aux Morts as well as providing

wright, we want this to be a community collaboration

celebrates the heroism of the Harvey family. The actors

jobs in the region.

and event,” he said. “We’re holding a script workshop

will debut the piece on stage at the Hairyman Café. Mr.

Dr. Jamie Skidmore from Memorial’s Department

in Isle aux Morts at the end of April and I’ll be working

Billard is optimistic about the play’s potential.

of English agreed. Dr. Skidmore read a Gazette article

with a combination of actors from St. John’s and Isle aux

regarding the opportunity and contacted Amy Tucker,

Morts.”

the article’s author and the Harris Centre’s knowledge mobilization co-ordinator.

“The first thing that attracted me to this project was that a Newfoundland community was seeking help that

“This could be the start to a Newfoundland and Labrador theatre tour, which could entice people to go

Dr. Skidmore is particularly excited about working

along a specific theatre route that goes across the island,”

with the local participants, believing their understand-

he said. “We’re very excited about our community’s

ing and familiarity with the Harvey story will contribute

continued relationship with Memorial.”

to the authenticity of the production.

I thought I could provide,” explained Dr. Skidmore.

“Secondly, I know the story of Ann Harvey and it was appealing to write a play with a strong female lead,

Spring Festival

and about such an important person in Newfoundland history.”

Dr. Skidmore travelled to the region in the summer of

10 days of great music, storytelling and hiking

2012 to get a better understanding of the area and its history. Mr. Billard arranged a number of field trips during the visit. According to Dr. Skidmore, the trip featured many memorable highlights.

MAY 17-26, 2013

“Wilfred and Vera Seymour, who also gave my family

Norris Point

a bed to sleep in and wonderful meals, and their friend Tommy Harvey, a relative of the famous Harveys, took us out on a boat to visit the original Isle aux Morts site

Gros Morne

Featuring: Amelia Curran The Dardanelles Terry Kelly Kathleen Winter The Spinney Brothers The Benoit Family and many more!

Detailed schedule at

www.trailstalestunes.ca

and Wreck Rock, where Ann Harvey rescued the survivors of the wreck of the Despatch,” he said. “Blanford also

Gazette | Wednesday, April 3, 2013

in

8

gowestern.com

www.mun.ca/gazette

‘Unprecedented’ achievement

Co-operative education celebrates banner year There was extra reason to celebrate at the Division of

Co-operative

Education’s

annual

student

and

employer recognition luncheon held recently.

While honouring individuals and employers that make co-op work placements invaluable experiential learning opportunities, this year’s event also acknowledged a Memorial student and two staff members who were

chris hammond PHOTO

By Moira Finn

From left are Amanda Curnew, Lorna Roberts, Travis Kemp, and Matthew Yong Chung Hui.

honoured by the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE) with awards during the past year.

Albert S. Barber Award for outstanding contribution to

John’s were honoured for work in the area of employee

“Three national awards in one year is unprecedented

the advancement of co-operative education in Canada,

wellness; economics student Matthew Yong Chung Hui

in Memorial’s 40-plus years of co-operative education,”

was awarded to Anil Raheja, a co-operative education

was singled out for his report concerning unfunded

said Dr. Sandy LeFort, acting deputy provost (students)

co-ordinator in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied

provincial pension programs along with his work term

and associate vice-president (academic) undergraduate

Science.

employer, the St. John’s Board of Trade; and perennial

studies, at the awards luncheon. “These awards show that

“How rewarding it is for the co-op education team

co-operative education participants Husky Energy

Memorial’s co-op programs continue to be innovative

at Memorial to have this national recognition; for our

and student Amanda Curnew were selected as the

and a post-secondary education leader.”

people and our students to be singled out for excellence

engineering award winners.

Mechanical

engineering

student

Laura

Pittman

was chosen CAFCE Co-op Student of the Year — the

from a very competitive field,” said Dr. Peter Rans, director of the Division of Co-operative Education.

“Students like Laura, Travis, Matthew and Amanda, are the lifeblood of Newfoundland’s economic development

first Memorial student to ever receive the honour. Ms.

Dr. Rans went on to present Director’s Awards for

and the province needs to do everything it can to help

Pittman was also recently named Newfoundland and

Exemplary Work Term in Co-operative Education and

engage and retain such students and let them know

Labrador’s Rhode Scholar for 2013 and will attend

Employer’s Awards for Exemplary Learning Opportunity

they are valued,” Dr. Rans noted. “That means ensuring

Oxford in September.

recognizing the achievements of current Memorial

provincial government cost-cutting measures do not

co-op students and the employers who hire them.

unduly impact work placements for higher education

Rebecca Newhook, co-operative education co-ordinator for the faculties of arts and science, was recognized for

Bachelor of commerce (co-op) student Travis Kemp

her research work concerning risks and co-op work terms.

and

Ms. Newhook will have the opportunity to present her

chartered accountants firm, were recognized for the

findings at CAFCE conferences next year.

business co-operative program; Lorna Roberts, a human

Meanwhile, CAFCE’s most prestigious honour, the

employer,

MacKay

Landau,

an

Iqaluit-based

students. Such a move would be short-sighted and send the wrong message to students and employers.”

For more information on Memorial’s co-operative education programs visit www.mun.ca/coop .

kinetics and recreation student and the City of St.

Engineering safety and integrity highlighted

By Jackey Locke

Approximately 120 researchers and practitioners came together at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland in St. John’s recently for the first annual Workshop on Safety and Integrity Management of Operations in Harsh Environments. The workshop had a tall agenda and exceeded expectations, according to Dr. Faisal Khan, who is the Vale Research Chair in Process Safety and Risk Engineering and chair of process engineering at Memorial University.

Everyone drinks water. YOU study it.

“I wanted to bring together experts from industry and academia to share knowledge and to discuss risk-based solutions to the challenges faced in safety and integrity management in natural resource development in harsh and frontier areas,” said Dr. Khan. “We had a lot of interest and quickly reached our registration capacity.”

The two-day workshop focused on two important themes related to the management of natural resource development in harsh and frontier areas, namely safety and asset integrity. The main topics of the workshop included safety and integrity challenges in harsh environments and potential solutions; corrosion under insulation; winterization methods; evacuation and rescue

Funding is now available for applied research on drinking water in Newfoundland and Labrador.

issues and methods to address them; production, processing and transportation challenges and potential solutions and risk assessment, and management challenges and potential solutions.

“The development of natural resources in the Arctic and sub-Arctic is creating huge challenges,” said Dr. Khan. “These regions have some of the most severe harsh environment conditions in the world with unique features such as ice and permafrost, complex degradation rates, unpredictable climate changes and high uncertainty due to lack of knowledge in those areas.”

Once Dr. Khan had the support of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University and industry partners, the planning for the workshop began. Dr. Khan acquired many of the resources for the workshop and was also instrumental in securing many of the workshop’s keynote speakers. Dr. Greg Naterer, dean, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, chaired the steering committee, which involved representatives from different industries. He praised Dr. Khan for placing the spotlight on such an important area.

“The workshop was the perfect opportunity for key industry people to come together to talk about issues of safety and integrity in harsh environments and to collaboratively come up with possible solutions for improvement,” said Dr. Naterer. “It is important to be proactive when dealing with some of the concerns raised during the two days, and Dr. Khan is to be commended for his foresight and for the overall success of this workshop.”

The Harris Centre RBC Water Research and Outreach Fund will be open from April 5 – May 3, 2013.

Funding is available to Memorial faculty, students and staff for applied research related to drinking water issues in Newfoundland and Labrador. We fund up to $15,000/project for creative, relevant, applied research projects on rural and remote drinking water issues.

Projects must be a maximum of one year in duration, and we encourage interdisciplinary and publically engaged work wherever possible.

For more information, visit www.mun.ca/harriscentre

Questions? Attend an information session: Monday, April 8 Engineering Building (SJ Carew Bldg) Room 1004 from 2-3pm.

Register for the session at www.mun.ca/harriscentre

The workshop was the result of collaborative efforts from Memorial University, Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Research and Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador, American Bureau of Shipping, Vale Newfoundland and Wood Group of Companies.

Gazette | Wednesday, April 3, 2013

9

www.mun.ca/gazette

Biomedical researcher named Terra Nova Young Innovator

By Meaghan Whelan and Sharon Gray

Dr. Mani Larijani,

an assistant professor of

immunology and infectious diseases and oncology in the Division of Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine, has received the Terra Nova Young Innovator Award in recognition of his research.

whose innovative work has the potential to significantly impact society. The prestigious award, valued at $50,000, is funded by the Terra Nova development, an offshore oil field operated by Suncor Energy.

Dr. Larijani is a leading young researcher in the areas of immunology, infectious diseases and oncology. His research focuses on DNA-mutating processes which modify human and virus genomes. These processes

chris hammond PHOTO

The Terra Nova Young Innovator Award recognizes and supports an outstanding and emerging researcher

From left are Sandy Martin, vice-president, East Coast, Suncor Energy; Dr. Mani Larijani; and Dr. Christopher Loomis, Memorial’s vice-president (research).

are involved in immune responses, evolution of viruses and cancers, particularly very aggressive leukemia and

economic and ecological impacts provincially and

including an operating grant and a salary award from

lymphomas.

nationally,” he said. “It will generate multiple high

the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, a Canada

Research in Dr. Larijani’s lab has four main aims:

impact publications and I have every expectation that

Foundation for Innovation leaders opportunity fund

to determine the molecular mechanisms of these

it will seed new research funding to pursue an exciting

grant, operating funds from the Industrial Research and

DNA mutating enzymes, to understand how they are

new and collaborative strength.”

Innovation Fund of Newfoundland and the Research

regulated inside cells, to elucidate their contribution to

Sandy Martin, vice-president, East Coast, Suncor

and Development Corporation, an operating grant

cancer and immunity and to harness this knowledge

Energy, said Suncor is pleased to announce Dr. Larijani’s

from the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research and

towards anti-cancer therapy and the development of

achievement of the 2013 Terra Nova Young Innovator

the Wallace Ingram Award for New Faculty, funded by

novel anti-viral therapies.

Award.

the Medical Graduates’ Society.

Dr. Larijani is building on a recent publication from

“His research to better understand the factors that

Dr. Larijani’s research has also been recognized

his lab which described the discovery of differences

make the cod fish vulnerable to disease could have

through invitations to speak at various universities, as

between humans and fish, in a key molecule involved

important economic and ecological implications. And

well as to serve on several national and international

in orchestrating the immune response. Dr. Larijani’s

that is the intent ­— research that has the potential to

grant-review panels. He has recently been invited to

winning proposal aims to extend this work in a broader

create a positive impact for society.”

chair the grant review panel for the Beatrice Hunter

way to the immune system of other fish, in particular the Atlantic cod.

In December 2012 Dr. Larijani received the President’s

Cancer Research Institute. His work has been published

Award for Outstanding Research. Since he joined

in journals such as Nature, Molecular Cellular Biology, the

“This work will not only generate new knowledge using

Memorial in mid-2009 as a new faculty member, he

FASEB journal, Immunogenetics and Retrovirology .

innovative approaches, but will also make far-reaching

has been recognized through multiple other awards,

&

News notes Listed below is a selection of the funding opportunities for

• NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience

– David Hawkins Lectureship in Health Research

which information has recently been received by the Office

(CREATE) Program – Letter of Intent: Memorial Phase II –

(Nomination)

of Research Services. For links to further information on these

LOI Internal Review

items, visit Grant Funding Opportunities on the research web-

• NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience

Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)

site at www.mun.ca/research/overview/grant_opp.php .

(CREATE) Program – Letter of Intent

– Partnership Award (Nominations)

• NSERC Discovery Frontiers – Letter of Intent • Brain Canada Multi-Investigator Research Initiative LOI

• NSERC Chairs in Design Engineering (CDE)

Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research

• CIHR Other – Health Research Communications Award

• SSHRC Digging into Data Challenge

– Post-PhD Research Grants

(2012-13)

• SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis Grants

– Dissertation Fieldwork Grants

• CIHR Master’s Award – HIV/AIDS Community-Based

• TRAM – Transformation Research in Adolescent Mental

– Hunt Postdoctoral Fellowships

Research (2013)

Health

• CIHR Catalyst Grant – Environments, Genes and Chronic

• Killam Research Fellowships

Disease • CIHR Knowledge Synthesis Grant – Spring 2013 Competition

May 15 The Canada Council for the Arts – Killam Research Fellowships

IMMINENT DEADLINES

– Grants to Media Arts Organizations: Initiatives

• CIHR Catalyst Grant – HIV/AIDS Community-Based

April 1

Research (2013-14)

Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (Tree Fund)

• CIHR Other – Mental Health Network

– Hyland R. Johns Grant Program

• CIHR Operating Grant – Discovery Frontiers

May 17 Huntington Society of Canada

• CIHR Operating Grant – Collaborative Health Research

May 1

– Navigator Research Program

Projects (NSERC Partnered) (2013-14)

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

– New Pathways Research Program

• CIHR Team Grant – HIV Cure Research

– K.J.R. Wightman Award of Scholarship in Ethics

• CIHR Other – CIHR Café Scientifique Program (2013) • CIHR Operating Grant – E-Rare-2 Joint Transnational Call

Memorial University of Newfoundland, Office of the

on Rare Diseases Kanishka Project Contribution Program

Vice-President (Research)

Gazette | Wednesday, April 3, 2013

10

www.mun.ca/gazette

Bojan Furst photo

OUTANDABOUT

Organic research From left are graduate student Khoshrooz Kazemi, Dr. Helen Zhang, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, and Ashley Burke and Gordon Murphy of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB). Dr. Zhang and her team are using the large composters pictured to investigate optimal conditions for composting in cold weather climates. The project is being funded by Harris Centre-MMSB Waste Management Research awards.

For more on these events and other news at Memorial, please visit

Rural, 3-4 p.m., SN-2025, Sponsor: Department of Geography Structure-Property Relationships in Pulse Starches, 1-2 p.m., SN-

Wednesday, April 3

Wednesday, April 17 Gigantic Used Book Sale, 7-9 p.m., Arts and Culture Centre, St.

www.today.mun.ca

John’s, Sponsor: Canadian Federation of University Women

4015, Sponsor: Department of Biochemistry

Thursday, April 18

Hydroacoustic Assessments of Lakes and Reservoirs: Avoidance, Densities and Size Spectra, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Hampton Hall,

Renewable Sources Based Micro-grid Control Schemes and

Gigantic Used Book Sale, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Arts and Culture

Marine Institute, Sponsor: Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems

Reliability Modelling, 3:30-5:30 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre

Centre St. John’s, Sponsor: Canadian Federation of University

Research

for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate

Women

Studies

Friday, April 19

Reconstructing Proto-Semitic Tense and Aspect, 3-4 p.m., SN3058, Sponsor: Department of Linguistics Faculty Bible Study, 12-12:50 p.m., HH-2005, Sponsor: Philip

Saturday, April 6

Half Price CFUW Book Sale, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Arts and Culture

Family Skating, 1-3 p.m., Mile One Centre, St. John’s, Sponsor:

Centre, St. John’s, Sponsor: Canadian Federation of University

Alumni Affairs and Development

Women

Caroline Schiller Voice Studio Recital, 12-2 p.m., Suncor

The Role and Expression of Integrin-Linked Kinase in

Energy Hall, Sponsor: School of Music

Trophoblast Differentiation, 1-3 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre

Heath

Thursday, April 4

for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate

London Affinity Dinner, 7-10 p.m., House of Commons, London, England, Sponsor: Alumni Affairs and Development

Tuesday, April 9

Studies

The Blue Castle: Conversations on Women, Culture and the

MUN Cinema Series: On the Road, 7-9 p.m., Empire Theatres,

spaces of the Imagination, 8-9 p.m., The Ship Pub, St. John’s,

Avalon Mall, Sponsor: MUN Cinema

Sponsor: Department of Gender Studies

Growing From Seed: From Garden to Campus Brown Bag

Wednesday, April 10

Series, 1-2 p.m., The Landing, UC-3018, Sponsor: MUN

Adult Learner’s Week, 10-10:30 a.m., location to be announced,

3 bedroom, fully furnished home in Churchill

Botanical Garden

Sponsor: Department of Human Resources

Square,

Who Are Memorial’s Learners?, 2-3:30 p.m., ED-2030B, Sponsor:

Mary Pratt: Fredericton-Salmonier-St.John’s-Fredericton, 8-9:30

office, deck off master and 4-piece ensuite, 3100

DELTS

p.m., Hampton Hall, Marine Institute, Sponsor: Wessex Society

square feet. 01 July, 2013-30 June, 2014. $2,400/

CLASSIFIED walking

distance,

to

MUN

and

Confederation Building. Gourmet kitchen, home

month & P.O.U. gibbbj@gmail.com Skolem-type Sequences: Applications and Related Topics, 1-2

Thursday, April 11

p.m., EN-2022, Sponsor: Department of Computer Science

MUN Cinema Series: The Gatekeepers, 7-9 p.m., Empire

Professional looking to share centrally located

Theatres, Avalon Mall, Sponsor: MUN Cinema

three bedroom house with one or two other single

Friday, April 5

professionals. Previous homeowner but would

Are We Globalized Yet? Historical Perspectives on Globalization

Tuesday, April 16

like to experience better proximity to down

and Development, 7:30-8:30 p.m., The Rocket Room, 272 Water

Hippo Signaling Pathway in Breast Cancer Development and

town living. Rent range- $1500-$2200. Minimal

St., Sponsor: Department of History

Chemotherapeutic Drug Response, 4-5 p.m., Health Sciences

furnishing okay, no pets, no smoking. dhc.inc@

Centre, Theatre B, Sponsor: Division of BioMedical Sciences

gmail.com

Characterization of Oncogenic Human Pygopus2 Expression

Men/Women over 38, university or equivalent,

and Regulation, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre for

interested in small informal walks listening to

Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies

birdsong for joy of it, no dogs/children please

Legality and the Ethics of Strategic Lawbreaking, 2-3:30 p.m., A-1045, Sponsor: Department of Political Science Leveraging International University Rankings for Marketing,

and/or small informal group watching a film,

Recruiting and Performance Improvements, 2-3 p.m., ED-5004, Sponsor: International Centre

Screening: Surviving Progress, 7-9 p.m., A-1046, Sponsor:

then talking about it, describe yourself and your

Cinema Politica St. John’s, Department of Sociology

interest at walksnfilms@gmail.com.

Grounding Global Challenges and the Relational Politics of the

Gazette | Wednesday, April 3, 2013

11

www.mun.ca/gazette

‘Best prize’

Business students land GM internships at national competition; duo first Memorial students to make top 10

By Susan White-MacPherson

Two bachelor

of commerce (co-op) students

landed four-month internships with General Motors at a national competition recently.

Laura Francis and Krystal Hobbs won two of the coveted internships during Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec, a sity students run by McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business. Ms. Francis and Ms. Hobbs were top 10 finalists in the competition, held March 26 in Toronto, Ont. “To me, this is really the best prize I could have won,” said Ms. Francis. “There was a lot of fantastic talent at the competition and to be chosen for an internship is

submitted photo

national business case-study competition for univer-

From left are Laura Francis and Krystal Hobbs, who recently earned marketing internships with General Motors at a national competition.

simply incredible. I am ecstatic about this opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”

the submitted proposals are covered by a non-disclosure

The top 10 finalists delivered 30-minute presentations before a panel of judges.

The internships are for four months and will take

agreement that prevents contestants from discussing

place this spring with the vehicle manufacturer’s mar-

the details of their ideas, but Ms. Francis and Ms. Hobbs

keting department in Oshawa, Ont.

were pleased with their presentation.

All finalists were provided with networking opportunities with top industry executives and about $30,000

“I’m looking forward to this exciting opportunity,”

“We gave it our best and we were proud of the work

added Ms. Hobbs. “I can’t wait to apply my skills that

that we presented to the judging panel,” Ms. Francis

Teams from the University of Guelph, Queen’s

I’ve developed through the co-op program, and I look

said. “The business program at Memorial really grooms

University and York University placed first, second and

forward to the challenges and learning opportunities

the presentation skills of students and I feel that this

third, respectively.

that working for GM will provide.”

has been really beneficial to us with regards to this

The duo is the first team from Memorial to make it to

competition.”

in prizes and scholarships were up for grabs.

“This was a truly fantastic networking experience,” said Ms. Hobbs. “We got to meet so many people in the

the final round of Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec, now in

This year, 141 submissions from 30 schools were

industry and in marketing that were genuinely inter-

its seventh year. The competition challenges post-sec-

received from students vying to be Canada’s Next Top

ested in learning more about us. I believe that there will

ondary students from across Canada to develop inte-

Ad Exec. Competitors submitted an elevator pitch plus

be ample opportunities for everyone in the top 10, even

grated marketing campaigns for a major sponsor, which

a comprehensive report outlining the key elements of

if there wasn’t a win directly from the competition.”

this year focused on the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. All of

their marketing strategies to make it to the final round.

Inaugural international student community service awards handed out

By Mandy Cook

When asked

Nuclear safety

Visiting lecturer to discuss safe storage and disposal of nuclear waste

By Kelly Foss

just minutes after she accepted a

to the event to celebrate their positive impact on the

A public lecture

$3,000 cheque at the inaugural International Student

community through their demonstrated leadership and

Memorial’s St. John’s campus

Community Service Award ceremony how she felt,

involvement.

on Thursday, April 25, will

Iman Tewfik managed to say one word through a huge smile: “Excited!”

In addition to Ms. Tewfik, education student Anne Fernando, environmental chemistry student Rumbidzai Kanyangarara and business student Muhammad Munir were all presented with cheques.

Dr. Sandy LeFort, Iman Tewfik and Dr. David Wardlaw.

Ten students in total were nominated and invited

Gazette | Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Canada’s

nuclear

future.

Dr. David Shoesmith, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/Ontario Power Generation Industrial Chair

valuable,” said Tom Brophy, director, Department

in Nuclear Fuel Disposal Studies at the University of

of Student Success Programs, Student Affairs and

Western Ontario, will deliver the lecture, titled The

Services, and emcee for the event. “It has recently

Nuclear Future: Can We Make It Safe?

been emphasized through our launch of the Public

“Contrary to public perception, research on

Engagement Framework that our students not only live

the safe storage and disposal of nuclear wastes has

within the broader community, they enrich it. Our

been underway in Canada for over 35 years,” said

international students come to this country, province

Dr. Shoesmith. “It is part of a major collaborative

and city to learn and many quickly realize that so much

international effort to design, and assess the safety

of the learning occurs outside the classroom. We want

of, disposal scenarios for individual nations.”

our international students to recognize that they have

His talk will address the geologic properties

so much to offer to the community and that it is a win-

required of potential disposal locations and how

win for all involved because they learn and grow while

various

at the same time the community at large is better for

technically and socially.

their skills, talents, cultures and energy.”

nations

approach

site

selection

both

Dr. Shoesmith has a PhD in electrochemistry and

When asked what she plans to do with the money, Ms.

has served as a principal research officer with Atomic

Tewfik says she will be sending it home to her family in

Energy of Canada. He is currently a distinguished

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

research professor at the University of Western

“My dad will be very happy,” she said. “It will help pay the tuition for next semester.”

recent breakfast presentation at R. Gushue Hall on the St. John’s campus.

on

“Memorial recognizes that community service is

The process engineering student was one of four international students singled out for a cash award at a

focus

on

at

Ontario where he works to solve industrial corrosion and environmental contamination problems.

More information regarding the award can be found

The lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Bruneau

www.mun.ca/scholarships/internationalstudents/

Centre for Research and Innovation (room IIC-2001).

intlcommunityserviceaward.php .

12

A reception will follow.

www.mun.ca/gazette