Vol45no11 gazette march13

March 13, 2013 Volume 45 Number 11

Publication Mail Registration No. 40062527

GAZETTE 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

p4

p6

Sea-Hawks review

Project green crab

Changing profession School of Pharmacy educating next generation of pharmacists to be more than medication experts.

MI’s fisheries lab welcomes high school students and aspiring scientists.

HSIMS photo

Memorial is examining the role competitive sports play in the life of the university.

The RDC March 11 funding announcement took place at the Janeway Children’s Hospital. From left, back row, are Dr. Saaed Sameet, Dr. Robert Gendron, Dr. Hélène Paradis, Dr. John McGuire, Melody Morton Ninomiya, Steve Kent and Glenn Janes. From left, front row, are Dr. Linda Hensman, Dr. Chris Loomis, Dr. Gary Kachanoski, Dr. Taraneh Abarin, Dr. Noriko Daneshtalab, Dr. Jackie Vanderluit and Dr. James Rourke.

Double shot

Two investments totalling $2.9 million by Research & Development Corporation

By Meaghan Whelan

Two funding announcements in recent

One of the funded projects could lead to enhanced

weeks have given Memorial researchers a major boost.

treatment options for people suffering from eye diseases

Newfoundland and Labrador’s growing and robust

such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular

economy,” said Keith Hutchings, minister responsible

degeneration.

for the Research & Development Corporation. “The

On March 11, the Research & Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador (RDC) announced

“Leading-edge

R&D

is

a

key

contributor

to

$1.3 million in 12 health-related research projects. That

Dr. Hélène Paradis, a professor in biomedical sci-

combination of our abundance of natural resources,

news came on the heels of a Feb. 28 announcement of

ences in the Faculty of Medicine, received, $189,773

world-class academic institutions and geographic posi-

$1.6 million for nine research projects led by Memorial

from RDC. This funding is leveraging $189,773 from

tion means this province has a competitive advantage

researchers.

the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Regional

when it comes to advancing research and development

Partnerships Program.

that industry needs.”

“The funding programs offered by RDC are essential to Memorial’s research landscape,” said Dr. Gary

“Vision loss in the elderly is a devastating problem

The RDC investment leverages more than $10

Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor, Memorial

that is increasing as Newfoundland and Labrador’s

million from other sources, including the Atlantic

University of Newfoundland. “RDC investments enable

population is aging and our provincial diabetes rates

Canada Opportunities Agency, the Natural Sciences and

our researchers to carry out projects that advance stra-

are higher than the national average,” said Dr. Paradis.

Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Social

tegic areas of research, contribute to our understanding

“Our team has discovered a retinal factor we’ve named

Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

of our world and position Memorial as a university of

Tubedown, which keeps retinal blood vessels healthy.

and Statoil. The funded projects are expected to reduce

distinction.”

Our partnerships with RDC and CIHR are instrumental

the seabed impacts related to bottom trawls; increase

in our research since age-related diseases take an enor-

our understanding of the behaviour of ice while work-

mous toll on the people of this province.”

ing and operating in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions; and

The March 11 funding announcement focused specifically on health-related research. The projects, based in the Faculty of Medicine, School of Pharmacy and Faculty of

The projects funded in the Feb. 28 announcement,

Science, could prevent cardiovascular diseases, improve

led by researchers in the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of

the health of people living with diabetes, lower health-

Science, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science,

care costs and develop new protocols to protect patient

the Marine Institute and C-CORE, are focused on

confidentiality in electronic health records (EMR).

issues and opportunities relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador’s location and economy.

improve our understanding of the impact of extended commuting for the purpose of employment.

A complete list of the funded projects and project descriptions is available online at today.mun.ca.

“But we do have a lot to offer, and the trailway can highlight our wildlife, scenery and community assets.

There are many sections of our trail that can compete with the East Coast Trail!”

There are certain remote locations along the pro-

your next project

posed trail route that have not been developed at all.

The board is looking for someone to help them decide where the best location for the trail would be, based on terrain, topography, biology, geography and other

By Amy Tucker

factors.

Special to the Gazette

important areas, so we would use information gathered

“We want to preserve wetland and other biologically to avoid these in the development of the trail. We would Yaffle.ca is Memorial’s online connecting tool. One of its

also use the information to help highlight any natural

most significant jobs is to provide a way for people from

features of interest in the trail map.”

outside Memorial to ask for research help. With hundreds of community-suggested opportunities to choose from, your

The project:

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

Mr. Grandy estimates that there are approximately 60–70 kilometres of isolated trail, most of which is in

The opportunity:

close proximity to Route 210, that need to be examined

Elroy Grandy has been an avid all-terrain vehicle (ATV)

before being developed and mapped.

user for 25 years and is secretary of the Burin Peninsula

The board is looking for someone who can use a

Trailway Board Inc. This board, along with the local trail

global positioning system to help them in the begin-

associations, is in the process of developing a multi-use

ning stages of mapping the trail. This will also be useful

trail network for use by ATV and snowmobile users, as

for the group when seeking approval through the envi-

well as cross-country skiers, snowshoers and hikers.

ronmental assessment process, as this information will

This network has been extensively developed and

be required. This project is not for the faint of heart, as

consists of approximately 160 kilometres of trail;

it would likely require some ground truthing in some

however, there is still much work left to do. The board

isolated (but beautiful) locations.

would like to complete at least two loop trails, which would include most communities on the peninsula, and eventually link with the Newfoundland T’Railway at Goobies.

Interested in learning more about this project? Bojan Fürst, manager of knowledge mobilization at the Harris Centre,

“The Newfoundland ad campaigns say come see our icebergs, whales and national parks, but the Burin

would love to tell you more. Call him at 709-864-2120 or

GAZETTE

email him at bfurst@mun.ca.

Peninsula doesn’t have either of these,” said Mr. Grandy.

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

Recognizing alumni excellence

Editor Graphics Mandy Cook Molly Baker

By Jennifer Batten

Memorial University’s

Office of Alumni

have given of themselves to improve the lives of peo-

nomination process for the 2013 Alumni Tribute Awards.

ple and their communities, while the J.D. Eaton Award

Since the program’s inception more than 30 years

recognizes leadership and outstanding contributions

ago, the university has honoured many distinguished

to Memorial University. The Horizon Award honours

Memorial graduates, including Kevin Major, William

young alumni who have realized extraordinary achieve-

Rompkey and the members of the renowned group

ments before the age of 35.

Great Big Sea, to name a few.

Dr. Penny Blackwood, director of Alumni Affairs and Development, encourages alumni and friends from near and far to consider nominating a worthy individual.

Brian King, chair of the awards selection committee, notes the importance of celebrating the success of Memorial University’s graduates.

“I have been involved with the Alumni Tribute Awards for several years and I continue to be impressed

“Every year at the Alumni Tribute Awards ceremony,

by the calibre of entries we receive,” said Mr. King.

I am humbled by the accomplishments and success of

“Alumni all over the world are doing incredible things,

our award recipients,” said Dr. Blackwood. “They are

contributing significantly to the communities in which

truly remarkable individuals and these awards give us

they reside, and I think it’s important that we take time

the opportunity to publicly acknowledge the outstand-

to celebrate their achievements and their impact on

ing contributions they are making on local, national

Memorial University.”

and international levels.”

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

Community Service Award acknowledges alumni who

Affairs and Development has officially opened the

Classified Advertising Kelly Hickey

Individuals can be nominated in four different award

made by anyone. To complete an online nomination form or for more information, visit www.munalum.ca

highest honour bestowed on a graduate and it recognizes

or call 1-877-700-4081. The deadline for receipt of nom-

exceptional individual achievements. The Outstanding

inations is May 29, 2013.

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 March 27 for April 3 publication.

Nominations are now being accepted and can be

categories. Alumna or Alumnus of the Year Award is the

Regular Contributors

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

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

HSIMS photos

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.

Scenes from the 2012 Alumni Tribute Awards ceremony.

Gazette | Wednesday, March 13, 2013

2

www.mun.ca/gazette

Darek Nakonieczny photo

The women’s Sea-Hawks volleyball team celebrates a victory.

Future goals

Memorial conducting review of competitive sports

By David Sorensen

Memorial is reviewing the role competitive sports

vice-president (academic) undergraduate studies; Dr.

play in the life of the university. Dr. Gary Kachanoski,

Scott MacKinnon, interim dean, School of Human

president

Kinetics

and

vice-chancellor,

has

established

a

and

Recreation;

Michelle

Healey,

titled Now is the Time, occurred in 2005.

Memorial has about 175 student athletes, with men’s

direc-

and women’s teams competing in soccer, cross-coun-

university task force to carry out a formal review of

tor, Athletics; Dr. Linda Hensman, dean, School of

try running, basketball, volleyball, swimming and

the current competitive inter-university (varsity) sports

Pharmacy; student-athlete Matthew Hamlyn; Mark

wrestling.

program at Memorial that will inform the development

MacKinnon, Graduate Students’ Union; Lisa Murphy,

The varsity sports supported by Memorial on the St.

of the varsity sports program from 2013 to 2020.

MUNSU; men’s basketball coach Peter Benoite; Bill

John’s campus (Sea-Hawks) have been fixed for more

“We will look at all aspects of athletics, including past

Chislett, director of MI International at the Marine

than 20 years, says Dr. Bluechardt. Since then, there has

activities and future goals and expectations,” said Dr.

Institute; and an external member, Mark Jones, assis-

been a number of changes with significant impact on

Kachanoski.

tant deputy minister, provincial Division of Sport and

varsity sports programs at Memorial and nationally.

The Task Force on Competitive Sports will be chaired

Recreation.

“Today in Canada, we are seeing progressively

by Dr. Mary Bluechardt, Memorial’s vice-president

The group’s initial meeting takes place March 13 at

increasing levels of competition in most sports and the

(Grenfell Campus) and a former director of the School

which point a timeline for further meetings and report-

introduction and availability of athletic scholarships at

of Human Kinetics and Recreation.

ing results will be discussed.

Canadian universities,” said Dr. Bluechardt. “It’s a good

Other members of the task force are Dr. Sandy

The last university-level review of the competitive

LeFort, acting deputy provost (students) and associate

inter-university (varsity) sports program at Memorial,

time to re-examine the role of competitive sport at this university.”

A note to my fellow mainlanders For those of us

from mainland Canada, the

to Merasheen Island in Placentia Bay, as everyone sang

many differences between there and here do not go unnoticed. For some of us, Newfoundland and Labrador

STUDENTVIEW

is not that much different than home. For others,

Joshua Duff

adjusting to life in this province can be somewhat of

Merasheen Farewell. It is a song about resettlement in the 1960s that left the homes on the island boarded up and abandoned. Other musical stories I heard that night were filled with memories of overcoming hardship,

a culture shock. But most of us who come from away

Newfoundland pride and unity. It provided me with a

are easily taken in by Newfoundland and Labrador’s

smell of the feast filled the house. The dinner table was

better sense of the province’s heritage (not to mention

culture.

too small to seat all roughly 25 of us, so we happily took

that I picked up on yet another dialect unique to this

turns eating.

province).

A few weeks back, a friend of mine invited me to my first Newfoundland kitchen party. Wanting a break

After we had our fill of food, drinks were drunk,

The next day I headed back to St. John’s still amazed

from the city and studies, I agreed to go. We arrived

stories were sung and dance was lively. A man was

from the night before. It felt like I had witnessed a tribal

during mid-afternoon and I was introduced to cousins,

playing an accordion in the background, while every-

experience. I saw how important and fun tradition can

aunts, uncles, a nan, great aunts, great uncles and a few

one laughed and carried on. Then one person began

be. Newfoundland society is unique. If you are ever

friends of the family. A jiggs dinner was nearing the end

to sing and everyone who knew the song joined in; it

invited to an event like this, pack your bag and go. For

of its daylong cooking cycle. Salt beef, carrots, turnip,

was reflexive. Everyone began to clap in time with the

many of us, our time here may be limited. So, while

cabbage and potatoes were all boiling in one large pot.

music. Eventually, a circle was formed and a grandson,

you’re immersed in the culture of the Rock, make sure

A turkey, stuffed with dressing (breadcrumbs, onions,

who was just 21 years old, pulled his nan to the cen-

you take part in some traditional Newfoundland and

Newfoundland savory and butter) was roasting in the

ter for a dance. They locked elbows, twirled around

Labrador fun.

oven. All served with a side of pease pudding and gravy.

and threw in some stomps and two-steps as everyone

I was told that this was not a traditional jiggs dinner as

watched, cheered and applauded.

moose soup that had been stewing for hours was being

Next, the upbeat music took a brief intermission. We

ladled out of a large pot and served as an appetizer. The

all joined hands, swayed side to side and paid tribute

Gazette | Wednesday, March 13, 2013

3

Joshua Duff is a fourth-year student majoring in political science and English language and literature at Memorial University. He can be reached at jrd218@mun.ca.

www.mun.ca/gazette

Naomi Osborne photo

High school students Kathryn Bowers, at left, and Joycelyn Moulton analyze green crab at the Marine Institute’s Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research.

Science fair stars

Marine Institute shares knowledge of green crab with budding female scientists

By Naomi Osborne

Notorious

for its aggressive and territorial nature,

As the aquatic invasive species contact for the Marine

the green crab has been invading the waters of Placentia

Institute’s Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research

Bay for the last six years.

(CFER), Ms. Best has been working on her master of sci-

The infiltration of this species has grabbed the atten-

ence degree on green crab part time since 2008.

NOTABLE Dr. Jim Connor, John Clinch Professor of

tion of marine biologists and fish harvesters across

In February, the young women began analyzing sam-

Medical Humanities and History of Medicine in

Newfoundland and Labrador — ­ as well as two high

ples in CFER’s lab under Ms. Best’s supervision. The girls

the Faculty of Medicine, has been elected a fellow

school students.

have been researching the anatomy, life cycle and trends

of the Royal Historical Society. The membership

in catch rates from different areas in Placentia Bay, as

draws together individuals from across the

well as the salinity in those areas.

world, engaged professionally in researching and

Kathryn Bowers and Joycelyn Moulton are Grade 11 students at Holy Spirit High School in Conception Bay South. Practically joined at the hip, Ms. Bowers and

“This experience will provide them with a good taste

presenting history. The Royal Historical Society

Ms. Moulton do just about everything together, includ-

of field and laboratory work, which will help them

aims to maintain professional standards within

ing a new science project they conducted this year on

decide what areas they want to pursue in the future,”

the discipline, and to represent the views of its

green crab for the Eastern School District Science Fair.

said Ms. Best.

membership to government bodies and to the

After hearing from family members in Placentia Bay

Following methods and safe areas suggested by

public at large. The society is based at University

about the problem of green crab in the area, the girls

Ms. Best, the young women are also conducting field

College, University of London, with activities

jumped at the opportunity.

work with their parents in Placentia Bay in an attempt

stretching out across the whole of the United

to collect their own live samples.

Kingdom, and a fellowship drawn from across

“We really wanted to do something kind of cool and something that would be different and challenge us,”

During the school science fair earlier this month,

the globe. Dr. Connor holds cross-appointments

Ms. Bowers and Ms. Moulton claimed a gold medal in

in the Faculty of Arts (history) and the Faculty

Through family friend Kelly Moret, who also happens

the Senior Life Science category as well as best in fair.

of Science (biology). Recently, he was awarded

to be the assistant director of the Marine Institute’s

The girls will be moving onto the regional science fair in

the inaugural President’s Award for Outstanding

Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources (CSAR), the

April at Bishops College High School in St. John’s.

Teaching (Faculty) at Memorial.

said Ms. Bowers.

girls were put in contact with Marine Institute employee Kiley Best.

Ms. Bowers and Ms. Moulton plan to continue their green crab research for the 2013 science fair.

Drs. Sean and Brosnan have received

Margaret the 2012 Danone

Institute of Canada Distinguished Nutrition

Spring Festival 10 days of great music, storytelling and hiking

MAY 17-26, 2013 Norris Point

in

Gros Morne

nutrition. This award has been conferred annually since 1998 to members of the nutrition community

Featuring:

in

Canada

who

have

made

outstanding contributions in our discipline.

Amelia Curran The Dardanelles Terry Kelly Kathleen Winter The Spinney Brothers The Benoit Family

Winners of the DNLA receive a legacy series

and many more!

Dr. S. Brosnan is a university research professor

statuette as well as a cheque for $5,000. The presentation is normally made at the annual Canadian Nutrition Society banquet which is taking place this year in Quebec City on June 1. and Dr. M. Brosnan is a professor, both with the

Detailed schedule at

www.trailstalestunes.ca Gazette | Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Leadership Award (DNLA) for excellence in

gowestern.com

4

Department of Biochemistry.

www.mun.ca/gazette

Empirical forecast

Lecture by world weather expert part of special year on the Mathematics of Planet Earth

By Kelly Foss

A public lecture on Newfoundland and Labrador’s favourite subject – the weather – is taking place on Memorial’s St. John’s campus.

Dr. Gilbert Brunet, head of weather science at the Met Office, the United Kingdom’s national weather

“These have propped up field and laboratory process studies, the development of observational techniques and coupled numerical weather and Earth-system models to produce weather and climate predictions.”

service, will deliver a lecture titled The Mathematical

Dr. Brunet, whose background includes a two-year

Challenges of Earth-System and Weather Prediction on

period working in solid state physics at the University

Tuesday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the Bruneau Centre

of Ottawa, obtained his PhD in meteorology at McGill

for Research and Innovation, room IIC-2001.

University in 1989. He is currently head of weather

During the lecture, Dr. Brunet will explore the signif-

science at the Met Office on a two-year secondment

icant applied challenges which remain to be met before

from Environment Canada where he was head of the

acceptable meteorological and Earth-system forecasts

Meteorological Research Division.

can be produced worldwide from urban to planetary

He is also chair of the Joint Scientific Committee

scale and all relevant time scales. The talk will present

of the World Weather Research Programme, World

a historical perspective and outline some of the future

Meteorological Organization, and has been recognized

challenges of this multi-scale and seamless prediction

as an expert in dynamical meteorology. His work covers

problem.

analytical and empirical studies of wave processes from

“Internationally, the increasing demand for accurate high-impact weather and Earth-system predictions is indisputable,” he said. “It has led to significant invest-

Dr. Gilbert Brunet

space- and aircraft-based measurement technologies.

regional to planetary scale, and numerical weather prediction from minutes to seasons.

The

Atlantic

Association

for

Research

in

the

ment in sophisticated applied mathematical algorithms

Mathematical Society and the Canadian Mathematical

and studies, high performance computing, high-speed

Society are sponsoring the lecture as part of the special

telecommunication, remote sensing, and ground-,

year on the Mathematics of Planet Earth.

‘An outcome that really matters’

Medical school earns national recognition for excellence in producing rural doctors

By Sharon Gray

The Faculty of Medicine at Memorial has

said Ms. Sullivan. “Of the 1,115 physicians currently

students in rural areas of Newfoundland and Labrador

been honoured by the Society of Rural Physicians of

practising in Newfoundland and Labrador, approxi-

and work with the Faculty of Medicine and the regional

Canada (SRPC) with the Keith Award, given annually to

mately 45 per cent are working outside of the Northeast

health authorities to meet present accommodation stan-

the Canadian postgraduate medical program which has

Avalon. I congratulate Dr. James Rourke, dean of med-

dards,” she said. “Students tell us that if they have a pos-

excelled in producing rural doctors.

icine, and the faculty at Memorial’s medical school for

itive experience during their rural placement, they are

their efforts in delivering exemplary training in the

more likely to practise in rural communities. Our medi-

preparation of our rural doctors.”

cal school’s success in this area can also be attributed to

This year’s Keith Award looked at the largest number of graduates practising in rural areas 10 years after graduation. Family medicine residents were identified

The minister said that the provincial government

the fact that approximately 40 per cent of students are

through the Canadian Post-MD Educational Registry

invests more than $2.1 million per year on bursaries to

from rural communities versus the Canadian average of

and the practice location was taken from the Canadian

attract medical students and residents to provide return

11 per cent. We will continue to build on the successes

Medical Association database 10 years later.

in service to the province.

acknowledged in this prestigious award.”

“On behalf of the people of rural Canada, I thank you

“We continue to provide accommodations for medical

for creating an excellent program which is producing much-needed rural doctors and sets a standard that I hope other programs will aspire to,” wrote Dr. John Wootton, chair of the SRPC nominations and awards committee, in a letter to Dr. James Rourke, dean of medicine at Memorial, informing him of the award.

This is the fourth time Memorial University has received the society’s prestigious Keith Award since it was introduced in 2000. Memorial has also received the society’s Rural Education Award in 2009 in recognition for excellence in producing MD graduates headed to a career in rural medicine.

“This is an outcome that really matters,” said Dr. Rourke, who received a Rural Leadership Award from the SRPC in 2009 in recognition of his outstanding leadership in rural medicine and education. “It reflects on our commitment to produce the kind of doctors we need in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada. This is the equivalent of a gold medal for medical schools from the SRPC.” Services, congratulated the Faculty of Medicine for receiving the Keith Award in a statement given in the House of Assembly on March 7.

“Our government recognizes the importance of encouraging medical students to enter rural practice,”

Gazette | Wednesday, March 13, 2013

HSIMS photo

Susan Sullivan, minister, Health and Community

This is the fourth year the Faculty of Medicine has won the Keith Award.

5

www.mun.ca/gazette

Front lines

Memorial pharmacy students embrace a changing profession March

is Pharmacist Awareness Month and this

Throughout the month, pharmacy students are con-

year’s theme is Providing More Health Care Than You

ducting a number of presentations in high schools and

Know: Ask A Pharmacist.

elementary schools, as well as hosting research and

Memorial’s School of Pharmacy is helping deliver

information sessions on campus. On March 9, students

that message. The Canadian Pharmacists Association

from the school hosted a Public Pill Drop, an event

is working with national and provincial pharmacy

where members of the public could drop off expired

associations and schools across Canada to improve the

or unused medications for safe disposal. The events are

public’s understanding of the expanding role of phar-

intended to demonstrate the wide range of expertise

macists. Students at Memorial have enthusiastically

that reflects today’s pharmacist.

taken up the cause, knowing they will soon be on the front lines of a changing profession.

chris hammond photo

By David Penney

“It’s all about patient-centred care,” said Ms. Coleman.

“As pharmacists, we want to involve patients in deci-

Janice Coleman is a second-year student at the school

sion-making, help them understand the important role

who also acts as one of Memorial’s representatives with

they play in their own treatment, and that we can do

the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and

more to help. Things like providing comprehensive

Interns. She is spearheading a number of the activities

medication reviews, for example. If we can get out in

that Memorial is undertaking to support Pharmacist

the community and make people realize there’s a lot

Awareness Month.

more to being a pharmacist than filling prescriptions,

“Ideally, by the time I graduate we’ll be able to use

that does a lot to change the way patients approach us

all the skills and knowledge we’ve acquired during our

as professionals.”

program. Pharmacists are making a real difference to

“The profession is changing and those changes are happening quickly,” said Ms. Coleman. “It’s important

Jasmine Elliott, at left, and Janice Coleman are celebrating Pharmacist Awareness Month.

for us to educate patients and other health professionals

Jasmine Elliott is a first-year pharmacy student who

improve patient’s health outcomes and I think there is

about all the things a pharmacist can do beyond being

is also involved in a variety of activities for Pharmacist

so much potential to do even more. I’m excited to be

medication experts. Pharmacist Awareness Month is all

Awareness Month. She is hopeful that upon graduation

part of that.”

about reaching different groups of people to support

in 2016, there will be an opportunity to use the full

that education process.”

complement of skills at her disposal.

For more information about Pharmacist Awareness Month, visit www.mun.ca/pharmacy .

Statistically significant

Student health survey will bring better health and wellness services

By Moira Finn

Memorial students

have the opportunity

and the health experiences of Memorial students and

“The better the response rate, the more statistically

to improve future university health, wellness and

can be considered alongside those of post-secondary

significant the sample will be and the more powerful

counselling services, thanks to a new comprehensive

students elsewhere.

a planning tool we have for health promotion and pre-

international health survey.

“Health impacts most aspects of university life, includ-

vention services,” said Dr. Lee.

The National College Health Assessment (NCHA)

ing academic success,” said Dr. Norman Lee, chief phy-

This is the second time that Memorial has participated

Survey will capture student behaviours and attitudes on

sician with the health centre division of Memorial’s

in the NCHA survey, conducted annually since 2000.

a broad range of health issues, ranging from nutrition

Student Affairs and Services. “By participating in the sur-

When the 2008 survey results confirmed an increase

and exercise, drugs and alcohol, personal safety, sexual

vey, students are telling us what our priorities should be.”

demand for medical and counselling services, the uni-

A random sample of 5,000 Memorial students will be

versity allocated resources to meet this need, says Kelly

health, stress, depression and anxiety.

Memorial is among 33 universities in Canada and

selected — notified via an email to their Memorial email

Neville, wellness co-ordinator with the Counselling

more than 100 universities in the United States partic-

accounts — to complete the online survey on Tuesday,

Centre, who along with Dr. Lee and staff nurse Missy

ipating in this year’s survey. In addition to providing

March 19. The survey is confidential and student iden-

Power, has co-ordinated Memorial’s participation in the

an objective picture of student health and identifying

tities cannot be linked with survey answers, a fact

NCHA surveys in 2008 and 2013.

emerging trends on Memorial’s campuses, this interna-

Dr. Lee hopes will motivate students invited to partici-

tional research effort will provide context for the results

pate to make every effort to complete the survey.

“Today there is a psychiatrist on staff and we implemented e-CheckUpToGo, an online alcohol assessment tool, to help students understand their drinking habits,” Ms. Neville explained. “Both these initiatives were promoted by the findings of the NCHA 2008 survey.”

Up-to-date empirical data on student health and emerging needs will also mean campus counselling and health centres can apply for funding from government and other agencies to support new wellness programs and initiatives.

Survey results are expected to be available by July and the health and counselling centres will present the findings to student groups, university administrators and other stakeholders. In addition to the immediate benefits of the NCHA survey, students, scholars and researchers at Memorial will also have access to the dataset to conduct novel research and analyses.

Dr. Lee says he expects the 2013 survey will reveal that there have been positive gains in health education and awareness and that the behaviours and attitudes of chris hammond photo

Memorial students around health issues are in line with

Student Affairs and Services’ Dr. Norman Lee, chief physician, Missy Power, staff nurse, and Kelly Neville, wellness programs co-ordinator.

Gazette | Wednesday, March 13, 2013

6

those of students on campuses across North America.

“Getting an accurate picture is a matter of getting students to complete the survey,” he said. “I honestly feel that health and health services are priorities for our students, and I’m optimistic that we will see a very good response.”

For more information about the National College Health Assessment, please visit www.achancha.org/ .

www.mun.ca/gazette

Regionals: Check!

Enactus tops Atlantic division, heads to nationals in May

Enactus Canada/Alice Xin Wen PHOTO

By Susan White-MacPherson

Enactus Memorial won all three categories at the Enactus Canada Regional Exposition in Halifax and will move on to the national competition in May. Nineteen Memorial University students took part

at the world championship each year.

Project Bottlepreneur, Be Green and Green Audit.

in the Enactus Canada Regional Exposition – Atlantic

Enactus Memorial has won the national champion-

The top two teams from each category move on to

Canada in Halifax, N.S., recently, which saw 12 post-

ship six times in seven years and was named the world

nationals. Along with Memorial, teams from Nova

secondary institutions take to the stage to showcase

champion in 2008.

Scotia’s Saint Mary’s University and Acadia University

projects that help to create sustainable communities.

Enactus Memorial won all three of its categories during the competition Feb. 28–March 1.

“By getting a chance to see what other teams are doing, it gives our team at Memorial a chance to incorporate some best practices that maybe we didn’t

will represent Atlantic Canada at the national championship in Toronto, Ont., from May 6–8.

Enactus Memorial will spend the next few months

“I’m thrilled with the team’s performance,” said

think of when developing a project,” said Mr. Skinner.

Shane Skinner, president of Enactus Memorial, in an

“By competing against teams in Atlantic Canada two

“We need to buckle down here now and re-focus for

email. “I knew we didn’t leave anything on the table,

months before the national event, we’re given the

nationals,” said Mr. Skinner. “Obviously, it’s an hon-

but nonetheless, you never know how the judges are

opportunity to see how we currently stack up against

our to be named regional champions in all three cate-

going to evaluate your projects and presentations. So

the competition, and that’s key.”

gories but that is in the past and we need to shift our

to place so well in all three topics was a great success.”

Enactus is an international non-profit organization

Enactus Memorial presented the results of nine different community projects in three categories.

fine tuning its projects.

attention to continue building our project portfolio.

We’ve got a lot of exciting things on the horizon, so

that mobilizes university students to develop outreach

In the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge, the fea-

projects that improve the quality of life and standard

tured projects were Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur,

“I have every confidence that we’ll have a great show-

of living for people in need. Teams from universities

Bright Futures and Passport to Success. In the Capital

ing at nationals this year and continue to showcase the

and colleges across the world compete in a variety of

One Financial Education Challenge, FLAGS, FYI and

great work that we’re doing in the community.”

regional and national competitions for the chance to

Change Matters were presented. In the Scotiabank

demonstrate the impact of their community projects

EcoLiving Green Challenge, the team spoke about

we need to make sure that we can achieve all of those.

Artificial advantage

Researchers in biomedical sciences, physics and chemistry working together to develop basis for artificial cornea

By Sharon Gray

An interdisciplinary group from biomedical

Bioscience in a paper titled Controlled Cell Proliferation

transplant. The corneas available come from people’s

sciences, chemistry and physics are pooling their

on an Electrochemically Engineered Collagen Scaffold.

posthumous donation of their eye tissues. With an aging

expertise to engineer an artificial collagen scaffold that

The paper describes cell-culture studies showing that

population more corneas are needed, while at the same

could be used for corneal reconstruction in the human

electrochemically prepared collagen matrices display

time the increasing use of laser treatment on eyes means

eye.

high optical transparency, encourage cell attachment

that fewer corneas are available.

“Our goal is to move into constructing a multi-layered artificial cornea that is compatible with corneal cells

near the surface and appear to stimulate normal signaling pathways in cornea specific cells.

and remains clear,” explained Dr. Bob Gendron, pro-

“Overall, the evidence presented in this paper is an

fessor of cancer/cardiovascular biology in the Faculty of

important step towards better engineering of artifi-

Medicine. With his colleague Dr. Hélène Paradis, profes-

cial

sor of vascular molecular biology/pediatric cancers, they

Dr. Gendron.

tissues,”

With the funding

of experimental materials physics and chemistry, and

from the MRF, the

Dr. Erika Merschrod, associate professor of chemistry, to

group is working to

develop an artificial cornea.

construct a prototype cornea.

project titled A Novel Electrochemically Engineered

they hope to move

Collagen Scaffold for Corneal Reconstruction.

tion,” said Dr. Gendron.

into

Eventually commercial

application with the

advanced engineering, particularly in analyzing colla-

help of federal fund-

gen, which is one of the main components of connective

ing

tissue,” said Dr. Gendron. “They have figured out a way

partnerships.

and

industry

to marry concepts in physics and chemistry to quickly

Dr. Gendron noted

produce a collagen matrix which has all kinds of applica-

that there is a criti-

tions, especially in artificial tissues.”

cal shortage of corneas

available

for

HSIMS photo

a

“Kris and Erika are interested in materials and

Gazette | Wednesday, March 13, 2013

have immune issues and would not be prone to rejec-

multi-layered artificial

the Medical Research Endowment Fund (MRF) for the

This research was recently published in Macromolecular

and the advantage is that an artificial cornea would not

said

are working with Dr. Kris Poduska, associate professor

Their work recently received a $20,000 award from

“There is a real need to develop an artificial cornea,

From left are Drs. Hélène Paradis, Erika Merschrod, Kris Poduska and Bob Gendron.

7

www.mun.ca/gazette

Memorial to explore feasibility of law school

Taking a stand against racism

By Janet Harron

To

mark

the International Day for the

Dr. Lisa Rankin of the Department of Archaeology

Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Aboriginal

will introduce a screening of her film The People of

Memorial will again

Resource Office (ARO) is partnering with several on-

NunatuKavut; John Nick Jeddore will discuss the

explore the feasibility of a

and off-campus groups to present United We Stand

Mi’kmaq of Taqamkuk; Memorial students Kaif Khan

law school. The university

on Thursday, March 21.

and Farah Hamodat will speak about Islam and the

last

hijab; and Jack Penashue will speak on the Innu of

school option in 1987.

Designed to highlight cultural diversity and awareness, United We Stand will take place on the third

explored

Dr.

Nitassinan.

Lynne

the

law

Phillips,

floor of the University Centre on Memorial’s St. John’s

The event will also feature a performance by sing-

dean, Faculty of Arts,

campus from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and will feature a vari-

ing quartet the African Accord Singers, a demon-

will chair a committee

ety of presentations and activities from the Memorial

stration of Labrador Inuit games, international and

that includes additional

community and beyond.

Aboriginal country foods, craft vendors and a student

university membership, a

panel discussing international indigenous cultures.

representative of the pro-

“United We Stand is about learning from each

vincial legal community

other. It’s about mutual respect, working together and

Partnering on the project with the Aboriginal

enjoying food. Food is culture. Most of all, this event

Resource Office are Memorial University’s student

is about accepting and welcoming others of various

union (MUNSU), International Student Advising,

The

culturally diverse backgrounds and building friend-

the International Student Centre, the Go Abroad

restricted

ships,” said Valeri Pilgrim, Aboriginal liaison officer

Office, the Faculty of Arts and the St. John’s Native

ation of a faculty of law as a professional school, as opposed

with the ARO. “It’s guaranteed to be an eye-opening

Friendship Centre.

to a degree program or department of law. The review will

and enlightening experience for all.”

and an external voice. review to

will

be

consider-

Dr. Lynne Phillips

All are welcome to attend. More information can be

also examine the demographics of existing Canadian law

found at www.mun.ca/aro/about/UnitedWeStand.php .

schools, current and future needs for more lawyers, and benefits to Memorial, among other goals.

There have been two previous considerations by the university of establishing a law school. The Harris Report, 1976, concluded that there was no demonstrated need for a law school at Memorial, and the Bruce Report, 1987, which endorsed a law school in principle, but not at that time.

Last year, the Law Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador and the provincial branch of the Canadian Bar Association supported a review of the concept of a faculty of law, a position later endorsed by the chief justice of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“It’s an appropriate time to again examine the feasibility of establishing a law school at Memorial,” said Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor. “It’s been 25 years since the university last reviewed this avenue, and the local legal community is supportive of another review.”

In addition to Dr. Phillips, the committee includes Morgan Cooper, Memorial’s director of Faculty Relations and a lawyer; Bert Riggs, archivist at the Centre for Newfoundland Studies Archives, QEII Library; Heather Clarke, PhD student in the Faculty of Business; Justice A.E. (Fonse) Faour, Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, Trial Division; and Dr. Peter MacKinnon, president emeritus and former dean of law, University of Saskatchewan.

The committee is expected to present a report later this year.

FOR RENT

BEAUTIFUL ONE-BEDROOM SUITE on second floor of restored heritage house on Queen’s Road, close to The Rooms. Overlooking the harbour, the suite has one queen-sized bedroom, an office/den/kitchenette, and private bath. Ample on-street parking and WIFI included.

Access to full kitchen on main floor is also available. In the summer, the deck offers an unobstructed view of the harbour and St. John’s rooftops. Prices: October to May: $340 per week for 1 person; $370 per week for 2 people.

June to September: $550 per week for 1 person; $650 per week for 2 people. Email info@morag.ca or call (709) 739-0447.

Gazette | Wednesday, March 13, 2013

8

www.mun.ca/gazette

Future entrepreneurs

Bringing the business world into the engineering classroom

By Jackey Locke

When

you

combine

an

engineering professor who goes above and beyond in her teaching methods and a group of students interested in learning how to create their own business, the possibilities are endless.

Dr. Amy Hsiao teaches Business Planning and

Strategy

in

an

Entrepreneurial

Environment to term eight engineering students. As the name suggests, the course introduces engineering and applied science students to the concepts, issues and themes related to business planning, strategy and entrepreneurship.

What is not evident on the surface, however, is how Dr. Hsiao takes the course curriculum to the next level, treating her students — or as she refers to them, “future entrepreneurs” — to high-profile, guest speakers who have been where her students are and have gone on to become

Charles Adler, co-founder of New York City-based Kickstarter, was a recent guest speaker in an engineering class via Skype.

successful entrepreneurs.

“Students can learn from lectures, text-

speakers such as Mr. Adler have on engi-

books, case studies, et cetera and that’s

neering students, who are hoping to start

great,” she said. “But the guest speakers

their own companies someday and make a

share experiences and knowledge that

difference in society? Quite a bit, it turns

can’t always be captured by explicit knowl-

out. Craig Lynch is a student in Dr. Hsiao’s

edge, and can only be shared through

class and took the course because he felt it

interaction and engagement, i.e. what

would be different and thought it would be

is not found in textbooks per se. That is

challenging to work outside of his element

why I bring in guest speakers — I believe

— in a business-focused environment.

that students learn from listening to, and

“The most important thing that I took

observing, what the guest speakers — who

away from Mr. Adler’s talk was to surround

are successful entrepreneurs in their own

yourself with good people who can help

right — are saying.”

you achieve your goals,” he said. “Your

Recently, Dr. Hsiao’s “future entre-

friends tend to be like-minded people, so

preneurs” were brought together via

… surround yourself with people from dif-

Skype with Charles Adler, co-founder of

ferent backgrounds and different ideas.

Kickstarter, a funding platform for cre-

“Dr. Hsiao does a great job keeping the

ative projects based in New York City.

material interesting and making the class

Since its launch in 2009, the Kickstarter

engaging. She shows videos and Dragon’s

community has funded everything from

Den episodes and encourages the class to

films, games and music to art, design and

ask lots of questions.”

Other guest speakers, many of whom

technology.

“Crowdfunding combines the current

were once students of Dr. Hsiao, include

trends of social networking, a do-it-your-

Stephen Reddin, co-founder of Cambrai

self mentality, e-commerce and what I

Solutions as part of the Wesley Clover

call software for society, and their idea

network; Alex Brown, co-founder of

has struck a big cord with the market. Mr.

Source Studio and became a Genesis

Adler, in his very down-to-earth man-

Centre client at Memorial; Dave Rhees,

ner, communicated to my students in a

co-founder

very engaging way why he co-founded

Randy Billard, co-founder of Virtual

Kickstarter and how it has been successful;

Marine

and, in general, he shared the intangibles

serial entrepreneur and founder of Root

of being an entrepreneur and pursuing

Four Imagination Inc; Leonard Lye,

your interests with passion, perseverance

serial inventor and entrepreneur of

and practicality,” said Dr. Hsiao.

FootWorker; The Genesis Centre and the

So, just how much impact do guest

of

Quidi

Technologies;

Vidi

Brewery;

Maurice

Tuff,

Research and Development Corporation.

Downtown campus Purchase of former Battery Hotel property complete

By David Sorensen

“We are looking forward to having a more tangible

President

space, the endowment fund and revenue generated

Gary Kachanoski announced recently

and dynamic presence in downtown St. John’s,” said

that the purchase of the former Battery Hotel property

Dr. Kachanoski. “Not only does the property address

“Now that the sale is final, we can begin our detailed

on Signal Hill in St. John’s has been finalized.

some of our most pressing space needs, it will also allow

consideration of which units would be more appropri-

some university units that engage with the public regu-

ately located closer to the city’s downtown core, and we

larly to do so from a highly accessible location.”

will be consulting with key stakeholders throughout

The deal closed on Friday, March 1, following approval by the university’s Board of Regents and the provincial government in accordance with the Memorial

University

Act.

The

government

from university activities at the facility.

The university purchased the former hotel property

that process,” said Dr. Kachanoski. “We value the integ-

also

for $9.5 million. The building and operations will be

rity of the communities in which we live and work, and

approved the university’s expenditure of up to

cost-neutral to the university. Funding will be provided

to that end we are committed to ongoing, transparent

$16 million for renovations to the space.

from redirecting lease expenditures for off-campus

communication with our new neighbours.”

Gazette | Wednesday, March 13, 2013

9

www.mun.ca/gazette

A new ‘take’ on video instruction

French professor creates instructional videos with computer webcam

&

News notes Listed below is a selection of the funding opportunities for which information has recently been received by the Office

By Courtenay Alcock

of Research Services. For links to further information on these items, visit Grant Funding Opportunities on the research website at www.mun.ca/research/overview/grant_opp.php .

• Brain Canada Multi-Investigator Research Initiative LOI • CIHR Master’s Award — Dr. James Rossiter MPH Practicum Awards Program • CIHR Other— China-Canada Joint Health Research Initiative (2013) • CIHR Operating Grant — HFSP – Research Grants • CIHR Operating Grant — Canada-China Human Vaccines • CIHR Other — Health Research Communications Award (2012–13) • CIHR Master’s Award — HIV/AIDS Community-Based Research (2013) • CIHR Operating Grant — Methodological Innovations for Neuroimaging Datasets • CIHR Knowledge Synthesis Grant — spring 2013 Competition • CIHR Catalyst Grant — Environments, Genes and Chronic Disease • CIHR Catalyst Grant — HIV/AIDS Community-Based Research (2013–14) • CIHR Other — Mental Health Network • CIHR Operating Grant — Discovery Frontiers

A still from one of Dr. Magessa O’Reilly’s teaching videos.

• Kanishka Project Contribution Program • NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience

Enhancing course instruction with videos is not

with written direction about what words or phrases to

a new concept at Memorial, but Dr. Magessa O’Reilly is

superimpose and when.

(CREATE) Program — Letter of Intent: Memorial Phase II – LOI Internal Review • NSERC Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CRE-

redefining that concept. Teaching French 3100 online

“Once we received the video files from Dr. O’Reilly,

this semester, Dr. O’Reilly, with the help of Distance

our team created the graphics then edited them into

• NSERC Discovery Frontiers – Letter of Intent

Education, Learning and Teaching Support (DELTS),

the lectures before preparing them for web distribu-

• NSERC Chairs in Design Engineering (CDE)

created instructional videos for the course simply by

tion,” said Kevin O’Leary, producer at DELTS. “This is

• NSERC Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grants

using the webcam in his office computer.

a great example of how changes and advancements in

The course explores the mechanics of the French sentence, and aims to teach students the overall orga-

technology can allow content authors to create meaningful objects for their students.”

ATE) Program — Letter of Intent

• NSERC Strategic Project Grants (SPG) • SSHRC Digging into Data Challenge • TRAM — Transformation Research in Adolescent Mental Health • The W. Garfield Weston Foundation — New Transformational

nization of a sentence. The videos provide exercises

Traditionally, video productions require elements

for students that assist them with learning concepts

such as scripts, narration, teleprompters, high defini-

presented in the course material. Depending on the

tion video cameras, proper lighting, sound checks and,

complexity and length of the exercises, the videos run

of course, scheduled time spent in a production stu-

from three to 15 minutes.

dio to create a high quality product. Rather than take

March 27

Request for Proposals

IMMINENT DEADLINES

“After reading the material for a given module, stu-

this route, Dr. O’Reilly preferred to work with DELTS

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

dents view the corresponding video in which I present

to develop a simpler way to enhance his teaching with

a sample exercise using the theoretical knowledge they

instructional video.

– The Tanaka Fund Program

April 1

acquired,” explained Dr. O’Reilly. “As I speak, the exer-

“Because I’m working independently with my office

cise is superimposed upon my image in the video, and

computer, preparation time is brief and I can make

Molly Towell Perinatal Research Foundation

students can see the parts of the sentence I’m talking

videos when the feeling moves me, without having to

– Operating Grants

about and observe the exercise being done.

co-ordinate with the production team.”

– Fellowships

Then,

using the model I provide, students go on to do their

“Through Dr. O’Reilly’s co-operation, we were able to bring the production quality of the videos to a satis-

April 15

To create the videos, Dr. O’Reilly worked with DELTS

factory level,” Mr. O’Leary added. “His detailed scripts

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

to optimize the quality of what he recorded, making

made it very easy for us to complete the value-added

adjustments to the audio quality and room lighting

components to the video and I think they will greatly

The Canada Council for the Arts

as needed. He then filmed himself using his com-

assist his students grasp the course content.”

exercises.”

puter webcam and delivered the video to DELTS, along

– Gold Medal Award – Project Grants for Organizations in the Visual Arts

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

– Syergy Awards for Innovation (Nomination)

April 28

Department of Computer Science

Memorial University – Institute of Social and Economic Re-

Call for nominations and applications

search (ISER)

Memorial University

April 30

invites applications and nominations from within the university for

– Annual Student Essay Prize

the position of head of the Department of Computer Science. The appointment is expected to begin

Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada

on Sept. 1, 2013, is initially for a term of three years and is renewable. Candidates should have an

established record of research, teaching and administrative effectiveness and be committed to graduate

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

and undergraduate education. Strong organizational and interpersonal skills are also required.

– Research Grant (Application) – Anneliese Maier Research Award (Nomination)

Applications and nominations will be treated in confidence. Nominations shouldincludea letter from the nominee agreeing to the nomination. Applications and nominations should include a vision statement of how the department would evolve under thecandidate’s leadership, a CV and the names and contact information of three references. At least one of thereferences must be from outside the Department of Computer Science. All material should be submitted by 15:00 p.m. on 1 April, 2013, although applicants are strongly encouraged to submit earlier, to: Dr. Valerie Booth, Chair, Search Committee for the Head of Computer Science, c/o Mary Wall,

obituary

Dean of Science Office, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland, A1B 3X7,

John Daniel Mosher

Fax: 709 864 3316, email: maryw@mun.ca Memorial University is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from qualified

John Daniel Mosher, a faculty member at the

women and men, visible minorities, Aboriginal Peoples and persons with disabilities. All qualified candi-

Division of Social Science at Grenfell Campus,

dates are encouraged to apply. Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

passed away March 5, 2013. He was 60.

Gazette | Wednesday, March 13, 2013

10

www.mun.ca/gazette

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

Impact of Heat-moisture Treatment of Pulse Starches on their

MUN Cinema Series: Holy Motors, 7–9 p.m., Empire Theatres,

www.today.mun.ca

Thermal, Rheological and Digestibility Properties, 1–2 p.m.,

Avalon Mall, Sponsor: MUN Cinema

SN-4015, Sponsor: Department of Biochemistry

Wednesday, March 13

United We Stand: An Event to Celebrate the International Day

MUNSU 2013 General Election Voting Day, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.,

A New View of the Demographic Impacts of the Irish Fam-

for the Elimination of Racism, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., The Landing,

various locations across campus, Sponsor: MUNSU

ine Through Geographically Weighted Regression, 3–4 p.m.,

University Centre, Aboriginal Resource Office

SN-2025, Sponsor: Department of Geography Physical Limits of Computation and Emergence of Life,

Nursing Information Session, 1–2 p.m., SN-4068, Sponsor: Academic Advising Centre

Carbon Taxes and Financial Incentives for Greenhouse Gas

12–1 p.m., SN-2098, Sponsor: Wolfgang Banzhaf, Arthur Sulli-

Emissions Reductions in Alberta’s Oil Sands, 2:30–4 p.m.,

van, Roger White

Launch of Canadian Diabetes Association Subchapter, 12–2 p.m.,

IIC-2001, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Spon-

School of Nursing, Rm. 3454, Sponsor: School of Nursing

sor: Department of Economics

Friday, March 22 Ethical Issues in Cluster Randomized Trials in Health Research,

Undeclared Information Session, 1–2 p.m., SN-4078, Sponsor:

Saturday, March 16

12–1 p.m., main auditorium, Health Sciences Centre, Sponsor:

Academic Advising Centre, Career Development and Experien-

History Beyond the Documents: Material, Visual, and Oral

Faculty of Medicine

tial Learning

Approaches, 2–3 p.m., Rocket Room, 272 Water St., Sponsor:

Monday, March 25

Department of History Good Intentions Are Not Enough: Realizing High Quality

Caring in Community: The Doulas of Newfoundland and

Education for Aboriginal Children, 12:30–2 p.m., ED-5004/5,

Tuesday, March 19

Labrador, 12:30–1:30 p.m., SN-4087, Sponsor: Department of

Sponsor: Faculty of Education, Special Adviser to the President

Crossing the Divide: Hinduism and Islam in Sundanese Music,

Gender Studies Speakers’ Series

for Aboriginal Affairs

7:30–9 p.m., MMaP Gallery, second floor, St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre, Sponsor: MMaP, School of Music

Recent Developments at Memorial University of Newfoundland,

Tuesday, March 26 REEL Justice Film Festival: Face to Face, 7–9 p.m., The Landing,

8–9:30 p.m., Hampton Hall, Marine Institute, Sponsor: Wessex

Kinds of Reality, 2–3:20 p.m., C-4036, Sponsor: Department of

UC-3018, Sponsor: REEL Justice Newfoundland and Labrador,

Society

Philosophy

Faculty of Education

Faculty Bible Study, 12–12:50 p.m., HH-2005, Sponsor: Philip

Wednesday, March 20

Perfecting Your Communications Presence, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., loca-

Heath

Speaker Session with Brian Peckford in Edmonton, Alberta

tion TBA, Sponsor: Department of Human Resources

7–9 p.m., Characters Fine Dining, 10257 105 St. NW, Edmon-

Thursday, March 14

ton, Alta., Sponsor: Alumni Affairs and Development

C-4036, Sponsor: Department of Philosophy

MUN Cinema Series: Hyde Park on the Hudson, 7–9 p.m., Empire Theatres, Avalon Mall, Sponsor: MUN Cinema

Metaphysics and Intuition: Hegel and Jacobi, 2–3:20 p.m.,

Second Annual Soup Cook-off, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., UC-3013, Spon-

Wednesday, March 27

sor: Students Older Than Average Presentation by Candidate for Dean, School of Human Kinetics

Oil: Boom, Bust and Bull and Promoting Inequality: Recent Pro-

and Recreation, 2:10–3:10 p.m., PE-2001, Sponsor: Office of the

Public Lecture: How To Know About Oil – The Cultural Politics,

vincial Policies, 7:30–8:30 p.m., Rocket Room, 272 Water St.,

Provost

7:30–9 p.m., IIC-2001, Bruneau Centre for Research and Inno-

Sponsor: Department of History

vation, IIC-2001, Sponsor: Department of English Language

Friday, March 15

Thursday, March 28

and Literature

MUN Business Day 2013: Right Here, Right Now, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.,

MUN Cinema Series: Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel,

Sheraton Hotel, St. John’s, Sponsor: Faculty of Business Admin-

The Genetic Characterization of Mendelian Ocular Disorders

istration

in the Population of Newfoundland and Labrador, 10 a.m.–12

End of Life Care in Marginalized Communities: Lessons from

p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation,

Tuesday, April 2

Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies

MUN Jazz Band, 8–9:30 p.m., D.F. Cook Recital Hall, School of

Research in Nova Scotia, 12–1 p.m., R. Gushue Hall, Sponsor:

Music, Sponsor: Music at Memorial

Thursday, March 21 Speaker Session with Brian Peckford in Calgary, Alberta,

Derrida’s Metaphysics, 2–3:20 p.m., C-4036, Sponsor: Depart-

7–9 p.m., The Belfry Gastro House, Suite 102–630 8 Ave. SW,

ment of Philosophy

Calgary, Alta., Sponsor: Alumni Affairs and Development

HSIMS Photo

School of Social Work

7–9 p.m., Empire Theatres, Avalon Mall, Sponsor: MUN Cinema

CLASSIFIED

BALD is BEAUTIFUL Jessica Holmes is sporting a bald head these days following Young Adult Cancer Canada’s Shave for the Brave on Feb. 25.

By having her head shaved, the administrative staff specialist I with the Faculty of Medicine’s Expansion Office raised $2,646 for the charity.

Gazette | Wednesday, March 13, 2013

3 bedroom, fully furnished home in Churchill Square, walking distance, to MUN and Confederation Building. Gourmet kitchen, home office, deck off master and 4-piece ensuite, 3100 square feet. 01 July, 2013–30 June, 2014. $2,400/month & P.O.U. gibbbj@gmail.com

11

www.mun.ca/gazette

Biology students take in west coast scenery during the recent midterm break.

Snow ’n’ study

Biology students survive midterm trip — and record storm

By Kelly Foss

The Bonne Bay Marine Station hosted

visited the Cow Head Community Trail, Burnt Hill,

power outages plagued the station,” said Ms. Eaton.

its third annual midterm break event in mid-February.

South East Brook Falls, Lobster Cove Head, The Arches

“As the night carried on, local residents clocked wind

Nineteen students trekked to the west coast’s Norris

and Western Brook Pond.

speeds in excess of 180 kilometres per hour. Students

Point with hopes of mixing a little skiing, snowshoeing and sliding with their studying.

“Many came to realize how gorgeous the Bonne Bay

stayed inside for fear of being blown into the ocean!”

region is during the winter after a fresh snowfall,” said

The power finally went out for the night at approxi-

Participants included graduate and undergraduate

Allison Eaton, manager of the station. “Caribou were

mately 9:30 p.m. and stayed out until 10 a.m. the next

students from Memorial’s Marine Institute and the

spotted along the coastal lowlands and unique ice for-

morning. The students’ spirits remained high, though,

Faculty of Science’s Department of Biology.

mations kept the photographers busy.”

as they played games and trivia by flashlight. Station

“The trip provided not only a unique opportunity to

During the last day of the midterm trip, a group of

director Bob Hooper and Ms. Eaton greeted the students

experience Gros Morne National Park in the height of

students drove out to Marble Mountain to go skiing and

in the morning and treated them to toast, tea and hot

winter, but also encouraged those in different phases

zip lining.

chocolate cooked on an old camp stove.

of the biology program to network and enlighten each

“The majority of the group had never been to the

“It was a great opportunity for students to discover

other about opportunities at Memorial,” said Victoria

mountain and truly had an eye-opening experience,”

the potential Bonne Bay Marine Station holds for the

Neville, a student organizer of the event. “The diversity

said participant Michelle Valliant. “They could not

student body,” said Ms. Eaton. “Many commented

of attendees allowed for informal constructive discus-

believe how gorgeous the mountains were, complete

that it was magnificent to experience the area during

sions and connections for those who wish to apply to

with a view overlooking the ocean.”

the winter, in comparison to the high paced summer

graduate school, summer internships and ways to get more involved on the St. John’s campus.”

Snowshoeing was a major theme of the trip. Students

The group also experienced a record winter storm in all of its glory with brutal winds.

months. Bonne Bay continues to be a beautiful setting all year round and is definitely a fascinating place.”

“An aquarium tour was cut short as the first of several

Marketing and communications work at Memorial lauded internationally

By Mandy Cook

Memorial University

has distinguished

itself again this year with compelling and creative marketing and communications work. The university was recognized recently with several awards bestowed by an international association of educational institutions.

The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) recently honoured Memorial with three awards in its 2013 CASE District I Awards program. CASE is the Washington, D.C.-based organization that represents communications, alumni, fundraising and marketing professionals working at universities and colleges globally. CASE’s District I includes institutions and professionals in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the New England states in the U.S. In the Annual Reports category, Memorial nabbed a silver award for Great Minds Think Differently: President’s Highlights 2011. The annual report, created in house by the Division of Marketing and Communications, took a thematic approach that reflected Memorial’s character and the many different developments that took place during the 2010–11 academic year. “Great Minds Think Differently,” like the other twists on well-known axioms found inside the brochure, acknowledges that

A page from the graphic novel The League of Extraordinary Researchers: Research Strategy Framework.

innovation — exploring the world, its people and their ideas from different perspectives — is a critical part of

support, academic excellence and physical infrastruc-

Research Strategy Framework rounded out the accolades with

what Memorial does as an institution of higher learn-

ture in order to enable the university to build a first-

a third silver award. A collaboration of the Office of the

ing. Find it online at www.mun.ca/2011report .

rate, world-class learning and research environment.

Vice-President (Research) and the Division of Marketing

In the Fundraising Materials category, Memorial’s

The Office of Alumni Affairs and Development’s

and Communications, the framework was creatively pre-

fundraising campaign booklet for Dare To: The

campaign team and the Division of Marketing and

sented as a graphic novel, complete with a number of

Campaign for Memorial University was also recognized

Communications partnered to produce the campaign’s

Memorial researchers transformed into illustrated charac-

with a silver award. In November 2011 the university

marketing and communications materials. View it

ters. The Research Strategy Framework sets the vision, mis-

launched a fundraising campaign as part of an

online at www.dareto.ca .

sion and guiding principles for research at Memorial and

overall redevelopment initiative totalling more than

In the Special-Purpose Publications – Multi-Page cate-

$250 million. Dare To focused on student financial

gory, Memorial’s The League of Extraordinary Researchers:

Gazette | Wednesday, March 13, 2013

12

identifies the goals and objectives necessary to achieve success. Explore it at www.mun.ca/research/framework .

www.mun.ca/gazette