Prescience, Vol. 3 (2012)

PrescienCE [pre • science] – noun – having foresight or foreknowledge

Faculty of Science Newsletter

Chemistry researcher named Terra Nova Young Innovator 10 RESEARCH 3 STUDENTS 7 FACULTY 10 INVESTMENT 12 LECTURES 15 ALUMNI 17

VOL. 3

FROM THE DEAN WHEN Prescience was first introduced,

and development in key areas of inter-

we did so with the intention of using this

est. These commitments will increase our

publication to let readers see the future

expertise and knowledge in Newfoundland

through the contributions of our students,

and Labrador’s world-class industrial natu-

staff and faculty today.

ral resources projects in petroleum devel-

In this issue, I want to draw your atten-

opment, mineral development and mineral

tion to the recently released strategic plan

processing to the benefit of all parties.

for the Faculty of Science – where we want

We are also pleased to share our

to go in the future, and what we need to

discoveries that may increase the long-

do to get there. It’s not my intention to

term health of our population, such as the

repeat the details of the plan here; I

benefits of creatine supplementation in

suggest you read the plan itself at

preventing liver disease associated with a

www.mun.ca/science. It is important to

high fat diet, and how improved air quality

note that the goals of Newfoundland and

tests can prevent occupational allergy and

Labrador will in part be realized through

asthma in seafood processing workers.

the achievements of Memorial University.

As always, we are excited to tell our

Harvard President Drew Faust captured

stories of exploration – using a crater

this sentiment in her June 2010 address to the Royal Irish Academy in which she said, “Prevailing discourse, familiar since at least the 1990s, emphasizes the university’s place as a paramount player in a global system increasingly driven by knowledge, information and ideas. We live in a time when knowledge is ever more vital to our societies and economies, in a world of rapidly circulating capital and people and of revolutionary communication technologies.

in Labrador as a stand-in for the moon,

“As the Faculty of Science charts a course for its future, it is our hope and our expectation that the benefits derived from the plan will extend well beyond the university.”

searching previously inaccessible locations under the ice with an autonomous underwater vehicle, revealing the secrets of the forest as they relate to environmental change or delving into the memories of a child.

The Faculty of Science engages in these areas not only because they raise questions for which we hope to find the answers. But because those answers will

Knowledge is replacing other resources as

improve the lives of Newfoundlanders and

the main driver of economic growth, and

Labradorians to which Memorial University

education has increasingly become the

from the plan will extend well beyond the

foundation for individual prosperity and

university.

social mobility.”

has pledged a special obligation.

Announcements of provincial and fed-

As the Faculty of Science charts a

eral government and industry support for

course for its future, it is our hope and

our work, as outlined in this issue, recog-

our expectation that the benefits derived

nize the important role we play in research

PRESCIENCE EDITOR: Kelly Foss, communications co-ordinator 709 864 2019, kfoss@mun.ca

Prescience is a publication of Memorial University’s Faculty of Science.

We welcome all comments, submissions, story ideas and letters.

GRAPHIC DESIGN: John Andrews COVER PHOTO: Duncan McIlroy

Faculty of Science, St. John’s, NL, A2B 3X7 | Tel: 709 864 8153 or 8154 | Fax: 709 864 3316

facebook.com/MUNScience

twitter.com/MUN_Science

WEBPAGE: www.mun.ca/science EMAIL: science@mun.ca

RESEARCH

MAKING AN IMPACT ON SPACE EXPLORATION A crater in Labrador stands in for the moon during a rover test drive. Submitted photo THE DISCOVERY of ice in the

to test scenarios using rovers with and

the moon. Geologists like Dr. Sylvester

permanently shadowed craters of

without astronauts. Dr. Paul Sylvester is

help determine what rovers need to

the moon’s polar regions has led to

a professor with Memorial’s Department

be able to do and which tools they

an increased desire for research in

of Earth Sciences and has spent several

should carry.

that area. But with governmental

field seasons in Labrador exploring the

budget cuts calling for fiscally-prudent

site with the Canadian Space Agency and

scenarios using rovers to see how those

space exploration, a unique opportunity

with a number of American and Canadian

scenarios would work. Exploring the

has been created for a 35-million year

university researchers.

Mistastin Crater is expected to inform

old impact crater in central Labrador.

The Mistastin Crater has played stand-in for one of the moon’s craters

With its similar rock formations and feeling of isolation, Dr. Sylvester says

In the field, they were able to test

scientists about how to best explore the moon’s craters.

exploring Mistastin is much like exploring

Creatine supplementation prevents accumulation of fat in the liver A PAPER published in the Journal of

intake or obesity. Non-alcoholic fatty

Nutrition suggests that creatine might

liver disease (NAFLD) can lead to Type 2

a high-fat diet and in three short weeks

help prevent the accumulation of excess

diabetes, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

their livers were already showing signs of

fat in the liver. The research was carried

Dr. Brosnan’s research group has reason

In testing the theory, rats were fed

NAFLD. However, that didn’t happen to

out in large part by professors and

to believe that creatine monohydrate

animals that were fed creatine along with

students at Memorial University.

might be effective in preventing the

the high fat diet.

Dr. Sean Brosnan, a professor of

fats from accumulating in the first place.

Dr. Brosnan now hopes to

biochemistry, co-authored the paper. He

Creatine is a naturally occurring substance

continue these studies and determine

says there are certain conditions in which

made in the body from amino acids. It

whether or not creatine, in addition to

the liver can fill up with fat. The principal

can also be obtained from eating meat

preventing NAFLD, might also reverse

ones are associated with excessive alcohol

and fish.

the condition.

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RESEARCH Preventing occupational allergy and asthma in seafood processing workers RESEARCHERS at Memorial University have developed a novel technique to help prevent occupational allergy and asthma in seafood processing workers.

Dr. Anas Abdel Rahman, a former doctoral student of chemistry at Memorial University, and his supervisor, Dr. Bob Helleur, a professor in the Department of Chemistry, developed the technique. It measures airborne, particulate materials using mass spectrometry and can accurately map the distribution of allergy-causing proteins in seafood workplaces.

Exploring the inaccessible

Occupational allergy and asthma to seafood is caused by exposure to proteins that are aerosolized during processing. Until recently, these proteins were unknown and there was no cost-effective way to accurately measure the levels of these proteins in different parts of the processing plants.

Researchers seeded the water in the Marine Institute flume tank with

Drs. Abdel Rahman and Helleur joined

micro-glass spheres coated in a reflective surface. When a laser is flashed

with Dr. John Robinson, a professor in the

in the water it can show the flow of water around the AUV. Submitted photo

Department of Biochemistry at Memorial, and researchers in South Africa, Australia and

MEMORIAL researchers, including

used with larger remotely operated

those in the Department of Physics and

underwater vehicles (ROVs), but those

Physical Oceanography, are working

vehicles must be tethered to a ship.

research were part of a larger research

to develop new technologies that

AUVs are untethered, unmanned

program on occupational allergy and asthma

will allow autonomous underwater

submarines capable of executing a pre-

to snow crab. That program measured

vehicles (AUVs) to be used for resource

programmed mission autonomously —

exposures in Newfoundland and Labrador

exploration in difficult areas.

the vehicle controls itself.

using methods originally developed in

A local underwater acoustic

The initial stages of Dr. Abdel Rahman’s

Quebec. Recently, the resulting mass

imaging technology development

designed a way to attach the SBI

spectrometry technique was transferred back

company, PanGeo Subsea, has

to the AUV and then conducted

to Quebec researchers, helping them do a

partnered with the university to

computational fluid dynamic

much better job of sampling in their own

determine if their instrument, a sub-

simulations to understand what would

facilities than they were previously able to do.

bottom imager (SBI), can be integrated

likely happen when put in water. The

onto Memorial’s Explorer AUV. When

team later put those theories to the

attached to a vehicle, the SBI is pulled

test in the flume tank at the Marine

along the bottom of the ocean just a

Institute.

few metres above the ground. It emits

4

The team of researchers carefully

Quebec to come up with the solution.

Analysis of those tests is still

sound pulses down into the earth

ongoing, but so far it seems to have

to generate a 3-D picture of what’s

confirmed the team’s predictions.

underneath — useful information

Researchers have also conducted field

for those interested in oil and gas

trials which saw the AUV, with its SBI

development.

attachment, deployed in the waters

Dr. Anas Abdel Rahman processing

off Holyrood.

crab and other seafood. Submitted photo

Previously, the SBI has been

RESEARCH

Chemistry-Physics building weathers every storm UP ON THE ROOF of the ChemistryPhysics building, a portable station quietly keeps track of this province’s favourite subject: the weather.

Jack Foley is an oceanographic technician with the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography.

He put the first weather station up on the roof in 2004.

Faculty members and students use similar equipment in the field as part of their research. Rather than having unused equipment left idle on a shelf, it was decided to try a station on the roof and one has been up there ever since.

Every 10 seconds the station collects data from its sensors and that data is averaged over 10 minutes. It is then sent wirelessly to a receiver that passes it on to a computer which displays it graphically on a website.

The current station is approximately two years old and is powered by a solar panel and a battery. It measures wind

Jack Foley, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, atop the

speed and direction, temperature,

Chemistry-Physics building at Memorial University. Chris Hammond photo

humidity, dew point, ambient light and rain rate. Graphs show the data from the

almanac also gives data on sun/moon

last five days and a barometer gives an

rise and set times as well as the current

www.physics.mun.ca/chemphysweather.

indication of what is yet to come. An

phase of the moon.

html.

Weather watchers can find the site at

Childhood memories lost in time DR. CAROLE PETERSON has always been

eyewitnesses in court. She realized it was

interested in children’s autobiographical

mainly because they were interviewing

memory skills — their ability to recall and

children about events they didn’t

seen as unreliable witnesses because they

tell stories about themselves.

care about.

couldn’t remember events and couldn’t

of their statements.

Dr. Peterson says children had been

By interviewing children ages four to

She decided to test that theory by

differentiate fantasy from reality. But her

13 about their earliest memories, verifying

recruiting children and their parents based

research found that even after five years

them with parents and retesting those

on visits to the local children’s hospital

many children had excellent memories and

memories years later, the psychology

emergency room. By interviewing the

no confusion between fantasy and reality.

professor found that kids were able to

children and adult eyewitnesses to the

She documented that children as young

recall memories from when they were two

events leading to the hospital visit, she

as 2½ could be good witnesses, although

years old, but these memories were often

was able to document how accurate the

they were hard to interview and vulnerable

lost by the return visit.

kids’ stories were. She then followed

to suggestive questioning. Three- to

up with them five years later to see

five-year-olds were surprisingly good

what they recalled and the accuracy

witnesses, and older children

In 1991, Dr. Peterson read an article about how unreliable children were as

5

RESEARCH hydrologic regions and are situated along a vertical line running north to south.

Comparison of linked forest ecosystems reveals similarities in terms of species, age of trees, soil types and slope aspect.

However, as locations differ significantly in latitude — and therefore climate — a range of more than 5° C in mean annual temperature was recorded across the sites.

Finding answers in the forest

Information about temperature, moisture and other weather related data is continuously monitored and compared across the BELT by Dr. Ziegler and her colleagues. Conditions in the warmer southern sites provide indicators that Submitted photo

identified in the Newfoundland and

affect those areas located further north.

temperatures across the province’s boreal

Labrador Boreal Ecosystem Latitudinal

She is comparing that information against

forest, Dr. Sue Ziegler is hoping to forecast

Transect (NL-BELT). A part of the Canadian

experiments in the lab. By combining the

the future effects of climate change.

Forest Service’s National Network of

two, Dr. Ziegler hopes to identify chemical

Latitudinal Transects, the NL-BELT was

indicators based on the lab work that can

Department of Earth Sciences, and

established as a group of four study sites

be used to make predictions, and then see

the current Canada Research Chair in

in western Newfoundland and southern

if those hypotheses are confirmed in the

Environmental Science, is studying zones

Labrador. All are located within major river

field over time.

The associate professor in the

RSC expert panel releases final report THE ROYAL Society of Canada expert

the discretionary power in fisheries

panel looking into Canada’s marine

management decisions exercised by the

biodiversity has released their final report.

minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and

Dr. Ian Fleming of the Ocean Sciences

the Department of Fisheries and Ocean

Centre was one of 10 experts on the

(DFO) should rapidly increase its rate of

panel that drafted Sustaining Canada’s

statutory and policy implementation.

Marine Biodiversity: Responding to the

The members also recommended

Challenges Posed by Climate Change,

Canada implement statutory renewal

Fisheries, and Aquaculture.

to help fulfil national and international

Dr. Fleming says during their research,

commitments to sustain marine

the group discovered Canada is far

biodiversity; establish national

behind other developed countries in

operational objectives, indicators and

managing the country’s marine resources.

targets; and establish strategic research

Key recommendations for government include making oceans

initiatives to strengthen scientific advice in the area.

stewardship and biodiversity

6

will help predict how climate change will

BY COMPARING zones of varying

conservation a top priority, and to

Dr. Ian Fleming and the other members

resolve regulatory conflicts of interest

of the Royal Society of Canada expert

which prevent the country from fulfilling

panel on Canada’s marine biodiversity

sustainability obligations. The panel

have released their final report.

suggests government should reduce

Chris Hammond photo

STUDENTS

ARCTIC ADVENTURE A TWO-WEEK TRIP to the Arctic has changed Michael Gardiner’s Alanna Flynn

Submitted photo

view of this planet forever. The Torbay resident is in his first year of studies in the Faculty of Science and has yet to decide upon his

Killam Fellowship winner heading south

major. But one thing he does know for certain is that he hopes to focus on environmental issues.

That topic interested him so much, he spent his final years of high school working towards being accepted for the Students on Ice program. This award-winning organization offers unique educational expeditions to the Antarctic and Arctic. Their mandate is to provide

ALANNA FLYNN is Memorial University’s

students, educators and scientists from around the world with inspiring

latest recipient of a Killam Fellowship, a

educational opportunities at the ends of the Earth and in doing so,

prestigious study-abroad program that

help them foster a new understanding and respect for the planet.

offers Canadian students a chance to study in the United States.

The St. John’s resident is currently

Mr. Gardiner, along with seven other Newfoundlanders, joined a group of approximately 120 students from across Canada and around the world, who met in Ottawa. Along with the students were

completing an honours degree in physics

approximately 60 researchers from areas like botany, geology and

with a minor in math.

oceanography, who designed daily workshops for the students.

The Killam Fellowships Program allows undergraduate students from Canada and the United States to participate in a program of bi-national residential exchange. Killam fellows spend either one semester or a full academic year as an exchange student in the host country.

The program, administered by Fulbright Canada, is an integral part of the foundation’s multi-dimensional strategy to foster mutual understanding between Canada and the United States, and is designed to encourage exceptional undergraduate students in the two countries by providing a unique opportunity for academic exchange.

As part of her fellowship, Ms. Flynn will get to spend three months at Seattle University in Washington, receive a cash award of U.S. $5,000 and a $500 allowance to offset health insurance costs. She can

Science student

also apply for an $800 mobility grant, which

Michael Gardiner

would allow her to take an educational field

in Labrador.

trip while in the host country.

Submitted photo

7

STUDENTS

Stars in his eyes

Arts and sciences

SOMETIMES the path to graduation is a

specialty in astrophysics from a university

HE MAY HAVE started with finger paints, but

straight shot, but other times a student

with no astrophysics department?

today Ian Wilding’s art is a little more elegant.

meanders a little along the way. After all,

Dr. John Lewis says he was particularly

His preferred canvas is now a computer

it’s not always easy to decide what you

impressed with Mr. Sooley who had little

screen and his chosen medium is Photoshop.

want to do for the rest of your life.

knowledge of the subject, until he took

Though the physics student has always

a course from Dr. Lewis. The student

enjoyed art, he decided to concentrate on

completing a bachelor of science

learned astrophysics so thoroughly

science when it was time to attend university.

(honours) in physics was a little like that

that he ultimately did his thesis on

The creative process continued to be a draw

— by finding out what he didn’t want

modelling star formations and is now

for him however, and he couldn’t resist taking

to do, his true path became clear.

studying astrophysics at a graduate level

it up again after creating advertising posters

Originally, Mr. Sooley began working in

at McMaster University — proof that

for the volunteer organization Rotaract.

experimental physics with lasers, but later

although the path to graduation may

became interested in stellar astrophysics.

take a student down a few side roads,

his spare time on themes that interest him,

the journey is never wasted.

primarily video games and movies. His work

Kevin Sooley’s experience in

So how does one graduate with a

Self-taught, he mainly designs posters in

has even been noticed by Kotaku, a popular website about video games which features news stories, reviews and forums.

That isn’t to say he’s giving up physics for Photoshop, but Mr. Wilding does see similarities between his interest in science and his interest in art. He says both come from a place of creative thinking, making it easy to switch between the two.

Below: Physics and Photoshop are all in a Dr. Lilly Walker cuts the ribbon at the opening of the Butterfly Learning Garden.

Chris Hammond photo

Evolution of a butterfly garden A SMALL PATCH of land just east of

his Introduction to Entomology class

the Chemistry-Physics building has been

could get up close with nature. Together

trimmed, weeded, mulched, planted

they decided to make service-learning a

and fertilized into a beautiful Butterfly

part of his class requirements and gave

Learning Garden, thanks to a dedicated

students the option of giving their service

team of faculty, staff and students.

to reclaiming the overgrown garden.

The gardeners officially opened

Park, the MUN Botanical Garden, Project

Dr. Lilly Walker unveiled benches

Green, Student Affairs and Services,

dedicated in memory of her husband,

Facilities Management, MUN Students’

Dr. Jim Walker.

Union, the Biology Student Society and

Kim Kelly, formerly of Career

8

Partnering with MUNdays, Pippy

the site in a public ceremony and

with help from faculty, staff, students,

Development and Experiential Learning,

commercial nurseries and private

said the idea to transform the garden

citizens, the group behind the project

was inspired by a conversation with a

were able to hold a number of service

new faculty member in the Department

days involving more than a hundred

of Biology. Dr. Tom Chapman was

volunteers, transforming the little-used

looking for a place on campus where

area into a beautiful garden.

day’s work for Ian Wilding. Submitted photo

STUDENTS

Physics/math major Memorial’s newest Rhodes Scholar CATHERINE Danielle Leonard is Newfoundland and Labrador’s next

a bachelor of science at Memorial.

Starting in fall 2012, she will have the

Cove-St. Philips, Ms. Leonard hopes to pursue a doctor of philosophy degree

Rhodes Scholar. The 20-year-old physics

opportunity to study at the University of

— Oxford’s equivalent of a PhD — in

and applied math student has completed

Oxford in England. A resident of Portugal

mathematics.

Ms. Leonard has previously been the recipient of two Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Undergraduate Student Research Awards and has spent two terms doing research at the University of Waterloo. She has also received the 2011 Canadian Association of Physics Best Student Presentation Award in the Division of Theoretical Physics and the 2010 Dean’s Book Prize for Physics.

The Rhodes scholarship is an international-postgraduate award for

Catherine Danielle Leonard Chris Hammond photo

study at the University of Oxford and is widely considered the world’s most prestigious scholarship.

New co-op option links students to industry MEMORIAL University’s graduate program

In co-ordinating this option, the program

wide range of undergraduate backgrounds

in environmental science is offering a new

is working with the Newfoundland and

including science, engineering and

co-operative education work-term option to

Labrador Environmental Industry Association,

environmental studies. The Faculty of

graduate students seeking work experience

a not-for-profit association of businesses that

Science, which administers the program,

in the environmental industry.

promotes growth and development of the

will co-ordinate with Memorial University’s

environmental industry in this province, for a

Division of Co-operative Education to

direct link to potential employers.

place students in work term positions with

Students choosing this option would complete a paid, 14- to 18-week work term relevant to their master of environmental

The School of Graduate Studies offers

industry, the provincial government, the

science degree during the spring semester,

the interdisciplinary environmental science

federal government and non-governmental

with the first students starting their

program, which students enter from a

organizations.

placements in 2012.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) and Memorial’s graduate program in environmental science are working together on a new co-operative education work term. Pictured are the director of co-operative education, Dr. Peter Rans; master of environmental science student, James Fraser; NEIA executive director, Linda Bartlett; and environmental science graduate program chair, Dr. Joe Wroblewski.

Chris Hammond photo

9

FACULTY

OUTSTANDING FACULTY MEMBER CELEBRATED BY PRESIDENT AT SPECIAL CEREMONY DR. JIE XIAO of the Department

received the Faculty of Science

of Mathematics and Statistics

Distinguished Scholar Medal in

has been named University

recognition of his outstanding and

Research Professor.

sustained contributions to teaching

The recognition was given during the 2011 President’s Awards where

and research.

University Research Professors

Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president

have acquired a designation

and vice-chancellor of Memorial

above the rank of professor. The

University, presented awards for

title is the most prestigious award

extraordinary teaching, research,

the university gives for research,

service and community service.

and goes to faculty who have

Dr. Xiao has been a professor in

demonstrated a consistently high

the Department of Mathematics and

level of scholarship and whose

Statistics at Memorial since 2002. As

research is of a truly international

a theoretical mathematician, he uses

stature. The designation carries

geometrical techniques to study

with it a $4,000 research grant each

the structure of partial differential

year for five years and a reduced

equations describing flows in space

teaching schedule.

and time. Previously, Dr. Xiao has

Dr. Jie Xiao Chris Hammond photo

Montevecchi receives lifetime award for natural history contributions

DR. CHRIS KOZAK, an associate professor with the Department of Chemistry, is the

NATURE Newfoundland

newest Terra Nova Young Innovator. The

and Labrador has honoured

award recognizes, promotes and supports

Dr. Bill Montevecchi for his

innovative new faculty researchers whose work

lifetime contributions to the

impacts positively on their department and has

well-being of the natural history

the potential to be of significance to society at

of this province.

large. For his research, Dr. Kozak will receive

The psychology professor

$50,000 from the Terra Nova development, an

received the Tuck-Walters Award,

offshore oil field operated by Suncor Energy.

the highest award bestowed by

The award will fund his work on developing a

the organization. It is presented

catalyst for making plastics from inexpensive,

to individuals who have made

renewable starting materials.

outstanding and enduring

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Chemistry researcher named Terra Nova Young Innovator

In particular, he’s hoping to use carbon

Dr. Chris Kozak is the newest Terra Nova Young Innovator.

Submitted photo

Dr. Kozak and his students will work

contributions toward the

dioxide as a starting material for the

towards using renewable sources of starting

advancement of the appreciation

synthesis of biodegradable polycarbonates

material in the creation of polycarbonate

and protection of the natural

that don’t use bisphenol A (BPA) and are

plastic that may also help remove some

history of Newfoundland and

made up of non-toxic materials that also

of the carbon dioxide accumulating in our

Labrador.

degrade into non-toxic materials.

atmosphere.

FACULTY

Memorial professor named to Royal Society of Canada THE ROYAL Society of Canada (RSC)

his research on killer electrons, energetic

mathematical device used for analyzing

has honoured Dr. Danny Summers for his

elementary particles produced during

plasma waves, which are ubiquitous in space.

outstanding contributions to research and

magnetic storms in the Earth’s atmosphere

This device has wide applications in space,

education.

that have the power to shut down or critically

planetary and astrophysical plasmas, and is

damage satellites and spacecraft.

in popular use by scientists worldwide.

Dr. Summers was recently named a Fellow of the RSC’s Academy of Science

As lead investigator, he co-authored a

The RSC is the senior national body of

in recognition of his distinguished work to

paper describing a mechanism for creating

distinguished Canadian scholars, artists and

date. He is currently a University Research

these particles, which is widely cited as

scientists. It is composed of nearly 2,000

Professor with Memorial’s Department of

the leading candidate for explaining this

fellows; men and women who are selected

Mathematics and Statistics.

phenomenon — considered a holy grail of

by their peers for outstanding contributions

space physics.

to the natural and social

An internationally recognized space physicist, Dr. Summers is best known for

Dr. Summers also co-invented a

sciences, and in the arts and humanities.

New co-ordinator provides an introduction to science DR. OSCAR Meruvia Pastor has always had a passion for science. While growing up he might not have always had the materials to properly investigate scientific principles like those associated with electricity, but he didn’t let that stop him — often with exciting and hair-raising results.

His primary area of research is computer graphics and interactive graphics systems. He continued that work when he joined the Department of Computer Science at Memorial University in the fall of 2010.

Recently, Dr. Meruvia Pastor took on a new role with the Office of the Dean of Science. He is now the co-ordinator for Science 1000, an introduction to science course that provides a liberal science credit via a novel approach where faculty members from a number of science departments share the teaching duties. He is also the instructor of Science 1150/1151, a two-semester course that introduces nonscience students to concepts from the fields of biology, earth sciences,

Students get to engage their curiosity in Dr. Oscar

astronomy, physics and chemistry.

Meruvia Pastor’s science lab.

Chris Hammond photo

Memorial University professors receive high honour FORMER Dean of Science Dr. Robert

Dr. Lucas has served the university and

the Canadian Chemical Institute.

Lucas and Dr. Laurence Thompson,

the Department of Chemistry for more

both from the Department of Chemistry,

than 35 years as a researcher, scholar and

Chemistry in 1970. He has since published

have been accorded the designation

administrator. He was appointed head of

more than 220 papers, which have been

professor emeritus.

the Department of Chemistry in 1997 and

cited in excess of 6,000 times. He was

served as dean of the Faculty of Science

appointed University Research Professor in

have served at least 10 years as a regular

from 1999-2008, the longest tenure at this

1995 and won the prestigious Alcan Award

full-time faculty member at Memorial and

position in Memorial’s history. In 2009 he

from the Canadian Society for Chemistry

must have held the rank of professor upon

was named Honorary Research Professor.

in 2004 — the highest award for inorganic

retirement. The prime criteria for nomination

Dr. Lucas has served as president of the

chemistry awarded by the society. He

are sustained, outstanding scholarly work

National Council of Deans of Science. In

is also a Fellow of the Chemical Institute

and/or service to the university.

1984, he was elected to the Fellowship of

of Canada.

To be eligible for the title, a person must

Dr. Thompson joined the Department of

11

INVESTMENT

MEMORIAL STUDENTS NET $835,000 FOR OCEAN-RELATED RESEARCH Science and engineering students receive awards from RDC in support of their ocean-related research.

TWENTY Memorial University students are receiving funding for research related to this

three-year period.

The awards range in value from

RDC Photo

and development in areas relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador’s ocean

province’s growing ocean industries sector,

$7,500 per year for undergraduate

industries including offshore petroleum

through the Research & Development

research to $20,000-$30,000 per year

engineering, ocean engineering,

Corporation (RDC) Ocean Industries

at the graduate level. The students’

fisheries, aquaculture and marine

Student Research Awards competition.

research supervisors are also receiving

science. The students are enrolled

a research allowance to support their

in Memorial’s Faculty of Science

students’ research activities.

and Faculty of Engineering and

In total, nine doctoral, nine master’s and two undergraduate students are receiving $835,000 in support of their research over a

The investment supports research

Applied Science.

$1.5 million federal investment in researchers at Memorial University THREE Faculty of Science researchers at

awards recognize exceptional researchers

Chair in Marine Biotechnology and

Memorial University have received a total

who have been acknowledged by their

Dr. Susan Ziegler, associate professor

of $1.5 million in funding from the federal

peers as having the potential to lead in

in the Department of Earth Sciences,

government’s Canada Research Chairs

their field.

has been renewed as the Canada

(CRC) Program.

Drs. Valerie Booth, Matthew Rise and

12

Dr. Valerie Booth, associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry, has been

Research Chair in Environmental Science.

Memorial is home to 21 Canada

Susan Ziegler were each renewed as Tier-2

renewed as the Canada Research Chair

Research Chairs in a variety of disciplines,

chairs. Memorial University will receive

in Proteomics. Dr. Matthew Rise, assistant

including archaeology, traditional music/

$100,000 annually for five years for a total

professor, Department of Ocean Sciences,

ethnomusicology, healthy aging and

of $500,000 for each chair. Tier-2 CRC

has been renewed as the Canada Research

ocean technology.

INVESTMENT

Million-dollar investment brings new equipment to bolster mineral research NEWFOUNDLAND and Labrador’s iron

With this new equipment, researchers can

ore industry is about to be seen in a whole

estimate and optimize the iron recovered

new light, thanks to a more than $1-million

in rock during the mining process for iron

infrastructure investment from the

ore, the province’s largest mineral export.

Research & Development Corporation of

Memorial has developed advanced methods

Newfoundland and Labrador (RDC) and the

to distinguish between the different minerals

Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC).

in test samples. The new equipment will

New state-of-the-art mineral analysis

employ these advanced methods to optimize

equipment, known as a field emission gun

iron recovery and feed throughput during

scanning electron microscope with automated

the concentrating process. Providing a

mineral liberation analyses (MLA) software,

better understanding of ore concentrate

will be purchased by Memorial University

characterization can lead to efficiencies in

of Newfoundland. The improved resolution

processing as well as increased product

and imaging capabilities of this instrument

quality and subsequent value of the province’s

will allow researchers to distinguish between

mineral assets. RDC’s $996,178 investment

intergrown minerals on a very fine scale.

leverages an IOC investment of $250,000.

Submitted photo

More than $1.3 million in federal research support NEW FUNDING from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

Recipients of NSERC Discovery Grants

has pumped $1,318,771 into research projects at

( * denotes Accelerator Supplement recipient )

Memorial University for the current fiscal year.

• Dr. Ali Aksu, Department of Earth Sciences

The funding falls under NSERC’s 2011 Discovery

• Dr. Valerie Booth, Department of Biochemistry

Grant, Discovery Accelerator Supplements, and

• Dr. Robert Brown, Department of Biochemistry

Research Tools and Instruments programs. Discovery

• Dr. Hermann Brunner, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Grants support ongoing programs of research in

• Dr. Sukhinder Cheema, Department of Biochemistry

every scientific and engineering discipline.

• Dr. Sherri Christian, Department of Biochemistry

At Memorial, 35 researchers from earth sciences,

• Dr. Rodolphe Devillers*, Department of Geography

engineering and applied science, biochemistry,

• Dr. Kurt Gamperl*, Department of Ocean Sciences

mathematics and statistics, geography, ocean

• Dr. Robert Helleur, Department of Chemistry

sciences, medicine, biology, chemistry, computer

• Dr. Ratnajothi Hoover, Department of Biochemistry

science, physics and physical oceanography and

• Dr. Christopher Kozak, Department of Chemistry,

business administration received awards.

• Dr. Chun-Hua Ou, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Of the Faculty of Science researchers who

• Dr. Lourdes Peña Castillo, Department of Computer Science,

received Discovery Grants, two received a

• Dr. Stephen Piercey, Department of Earth Sciences

Discovery Accelerator Supplement. The Accelerator

• Dr. Martin Plumer, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography

Supplements are awarded to top-ranked researchers

• Dr. Danny Summers, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

who show strong potential for becoming

• Dr. Krishnamurthy Vidyasankar, Department of Computer Science

international leaders in their respective fields.

• Dr. Yuming Zhao, Department of Chemistry

Dr. Rodolphe Devillers, Department of Geography, will be designing methods for evaluating

Recipients of NSERC Research Tools and Instruments Grants

and communicating the quality of open-source maps

• Dr. Andrei Igamberdiev, Department of Biology

while Dr. Kurt Gamperl, Ocean Sciences Centre,

• Dr. Andrew Lang, Department of Biology

received support to study environmental influences

• Dr. Fereidoon Shahidi, Department of Biochemistry

on fish heart health.

• Dr. Susan Ziegler, Department of Earth Sciences

13

INVESTMENT

Support for R&D in mining and petroleum THIRTEEN projects in the Faculty of Science have been given a $960,000 boost by the Research & Development Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador (RDC).

The GeoEXPLORE program is a new directed research program aimed at enhancing geoscience research and development (R&D) capacity, collaboration and innovation. The program targets five areas for R&D investment: research team awards; geoscience research tools and equipment; collaborative research opportunities; post-doctoral researchers; and industry-led R&D, technology development and demonstration.

Directed research is an internationally recognized program framework for accelerating R&D in priority areas, and is often characterized as thematic, problem solving, capacity building and collaborative.

The funding supports projects being led by researchers from the Department of Earth Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography.

RDC is investing a total of $964,404.25 Dr. Christopher Loomis, vice-president (research); Minister Susan Sullivan; Glenn Janes,

in the 13 Newfoundland and Labrador-

chief executive officer, RDC; and Dr. Mark Abrahams, dean of science, announce the

based projects; the total project costs

establishment of a new research program aimed at enhancing geoscience R&D

add up to more than $1.7 million.

capacity, collaboration and innovation.

Chris Hammond photo

$1.6 million for health-related research THE RESEARCH & Development

and development (R&D) capacity and

Corporation of Newfoundland and

leverage funding from other sources. In

included Dr. Sherri Christian, Department

Labrador (RDC) invested more than

total, RDC’s contribution of $1,679,557 will

of Biochemistry, $100,000; Dr. Robert

$1.6 million to enhance research capacity

support 14 health-related R&D projects,

Brown, Department of Biochemistry,

at Memorial University’s Faculty of

enabling researchers to leverage an

$100,000; and Dr. Andrew Lang,

Medicine and Faculty of Science.

additional $3.5 million from the Canadian

Department of Biology, $105,000, with an

Institutes of Health Research, the Atlantic

additional $400,000 in leveraged funding.

The funding comes from RDC’s 14

academic programs, which strengthen

Canada Opportunities Agency, the Arthritis

Newfoundland and Labrador’s research

Society and Memorial University.

Recipients from the Faculty of Science

LECTURES

HOW SCIENCE AND ARCHAEOLOGY CAN UNRAVEL THE PAST HAVE YOU ever wondered how archaeologists piece together the puzzles of the past? Uncovering artifacts during an archaeological excavation is just the beginning of the story.

Dr. Elisabetta Boaretto works in the field of archaeological science as the director of the Radiocarbon Dating and Cosmogenic Isotopes Lab

Dr. Elisabetta Boaretto’s research

at the Weizmann Institute of Science

allows scientists and archaeologists to

(Israel). She discussed this work at

work together to gain a better under-

a public talk at Memorial titled It’s

standing of ancient materials and the

All In The Timing: Understanding

people who used them.

Submitted photo

the Past Through Radiocarbon and Archaeology. It described

developed novel pre-screening

how scientists and archaeologists

techniques that can be used in

can work together to gain a better

the field during archaeological

understanding of ancient materials

excavations, and has introduced

and the people who used them.

methods to increase the precision

Dr. Boaretto has pioneered an integrative approach to radiocarbon

provide a deeper understanding of

dating in archaeology. Her projects

the archaeology as it relates to the

involve extensive fieldwork collecting

materials found.

the best possible samples for Dr. Elisabetta Boaretto

Submitted photo

and accuracy of radiocarbon dates to

Her methods are now used

radiocarbon dating based on their

in conjunction with archaeological

archaeological contexts. She has

excavations throughout the world.

Photonic crystal phenomena topic of Laird Lecture PHOTONICS today is at the stage that

new physics and reviewed some of the

semiconductor electronics was at the

practical applications including all-optical

time of the invention of the transistor. It

information processing, solar energy

is thought that photonics technology will

harvesting, efficient lighting and intense

lead to a revolution as profound as that

laser light delivery in clinical medicine.

due to microelectronics technology, such as computers and cell phones.

At a public lecture at Memorial, Dr.

Dr. Sajeev John is a university professor at the University of Toronto and a Canada Research Chair. He originated the theory

Sajeev John, the 2011 Elizabeth R. Laird

of classical wave localization and in

guest lecturer, discussed the breakthrough

particular, the localization of light in three-

in solid-state classical physics, which led

dimensional strongly scattering dielectrics.

to photonic band gap materials and the

He co-invented the concept of photonic

surprising new phenomena that arise when

band gap materials, providing a systematic

light moves through matter.

route to his original conception of the

During his lecture, he explored the

localization of light.

Dr. Sajeev John Submitted photo

15

LECTURES

Drugs from natural sources topic of 2011 Job Lecture IS THE ERA of discovery of new drugs from natural sources ending? As the Department of Chemistry’s 2011 Job Visiting Professor, Dr. John Vederas examined some of the current problems faced by drug discovery efforts that employ natural sources in his public talk, Drugs from Bugs and Other Natural Sources.

With approximately 80 per cent of drugs being either natural products or analogs inspired by them, he says it might be expected that the continued isolation of drugs from living organisms would be the core of pharmaceutical discovery efforts and widely supported by the public.

But many large pharmaceutical firms have eliminated such research in the last decade and the public is turning to alternative

Dr. Rolf Heuer gave the Herzberg Memorial Public Lecture at Memorial as part

medicine including herbal therapies and

of the Canadian Association of Physicists 2011 Congress.

Submitted photo

natural mixtures of unknown efficacy.

His presentation described exciting possibilities offered by emerging discoveries and new technologies.

Dr. Vederas is the Canada Research

The search of a deeper understanding of our universe

Chair in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry with the Department of

AS PART of the Canadian Association of

instruments, including the Large Hadron

Chemistry at the University of Alberta.

Physicists 2011 Congress, the director

Collider (LHC). Using the LHC, physicists

general of the European Organization

are able to recreate the conditions just

for Nuclear Research (CERN) gave the

after the Big Bang by colliding two beams

Herzberg Memorial Public Lecture at

of subatomic particles called hadrons

Memorial.

at very high energy. In a number of

The Search of a Deeper Understanding of Our Universe at the

around the world have been analyzing

Large Hadron Collider: The World’s

particles that have been created in

Largest Particle Accelerator, was

collisions and observed with special

presented by Dr. Rolf Heuer, who is

detectors.

widely recognized for his leadership in the

During the lecture, Dr. Heuer

development of experimental techniques,

explained some of the reasons for the

and the construction and running of large

excitement surrounding the LHC; it is

subatomic particle detector systems.

expected to yield insights into the origin

CERN, located in Geneva,

16

Dr. John Vederas

Submitted photo

experiments, teams of physicists from

of mass, the nature of dark matter and the

Switzerland, is one of the largest centres

existence of hidden dimensions. His talk

for scientific research and holds some

also explained the first results from early

of the world’s most complex scientific

experiments at the LHC.

ALUMNI

Alumni elect new members to the Board of Regents THE ELECTION of alumni representatives to Memorial’s Board of Regents saw Faculty of Science alumni taking three of the six available positions.

Rex Gibbons [BA(Ed.)’67, B.Sc.’67, M.Sc.’69] returns for another term on the board, while Dr. James Hickey (B.Sc.’85, B.Med.Sci.’90, MD’92) and Luke Pike [B.Sc.(Hons.)’07], begin their first term.

The election saw the highest voter response to date with 8,622 votes cast.

The Board of Regents is responsible for the management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of Memorial University. The entire board is composed of 30 members.

Two alumni named to the Order of Canada TWO OF the newest recipients of the Order of Canada have a direct connection to the Faculty

Krista Power (right) receives the Memorial University Horizon Award

of Science.

for exceptional achievement under the age of 35.

John Crowell photo

General Rick Hillier (Ret’d) served as chief of the defence staff, the highest-ranking position in the Canadian Forces, from 2005-2008 and is Memorial University’s sixth chancellor. He received the award of Officer of the Order of Canada,“…

Science alumna receives Horizon Award for extraordinary achievements

for his service to our nation, which has inspired

MORE THAN 250 alumni and friends

Agrifood Canada and adjunct

pride in our Canadian Forces,” as stated by the

gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in

professor at the University of Guelph

Governor General’s office. Mr. Hillier attended

St. John’s to celebrate Memorial

and University of Toronto.

Memorial University from 1972-1975, where he

University’s most accomplished

earned a bachelor of science degree.

alumni at the 30th Annual Alumni

in St. Mary’s Bay, Ms. Power holds

Tribute Awards.

a bachelor of science degree in

Dr. Nigel Rusted received the award of Member of the Order of Canada, “… for his

Among them, Krista Power

Originally from Mount Carmel

biochemistry. Her current research

contributions as a physician and surgeon in

accepted the Horizon Award for

has a strong focus on women’s

Newfoundland and Labrador over the course of

exceptional achievement under

health, in particular breast cancer

seven decades.” Dr. Rusted was in the inaugural

the age of 35 for her ongoing work

and osteoporosis. She’s also looking

class of Memorial University College in 1925 and

as a professor and researcher.

at colon cancer and how food and

received his diploma in arts and sciences

Ms. Power is currently a research

food components modulate colon

in 1927.

scientist with Agriculture and

cancer development.

17

NEWS

Faculty of Science releases strategic plan THE FACULTY of Science has approved

In the plan, the Faculty of Science predicts

a new strategic plan.

graduate student numbers will increase while

The purpose of the plan is to provide

likely occur within the next 10 years.

A number of research and teaching

undergraduate numbers will remain stable

goals were outlined in the plan, as well as

guidance to the Faculty of Science for

but become more ethnically diverse. Distance

ways to better engage the faculty in making

the next decade and anticipate and plan

courses are also predicted to grow.

contributions to society and to the success

The faculty’s largest challenges

for research, teaching and service in the ever-changing environment within Memorial

are expected to stem from issues with

of the province.

The strategic plan will be reviewed

University and the province

infrastructure, but the faculty is optimistic

annually and revised as necessary. It can be

of Newfoundland and Labrador, said

that with a revitalized provincial economy,

found at www.mun.ca/science/faculty_staff/

Dr. Mark Abrahams, dean of science.

significant new construction projects will

Strategic_Plan.pdf.

People and science meet for a Science Rendezvous

Hey Rosetta! records video at OSC THE MUSICAL group Hey Rosetta! used the seal visitor’s platform at the Ocean Sciences Centre in Logy Bay as a background for a portion of their music video for their song Bandages.

AN EVENT on the St. John’s

The band formed in St. John’s in 2005

campus of Memorial University

and is composed of six members, Tim Baker,

brought people and science

Adam Hogan, Josh Ward, Phil Maloney,

together for a Science

Kinley Dowling and Romesh Thavanathan.

Rendezvous.

Hey Rosetta! released their self-titled debut

The event was part of a

EP in 2005 followed by the full-length Plan

free, Canada-wide, grassroots

Your Escape in 2006, both of which received

festival targeted to people of

positive critical and commercial response. In

all ages. Initiated in Toronto in

The band Hey Rosetta! made the Ocean

2008 the band released Into Your Lungs and in

2008, Science Rendezvous has

Sciences Centre a backdrop for part of

February 2011 they released their latest album

grown to involve more than 2,000

their music video Bandages. Submitted photo

Seeds, which features the song Bandages.

volunteers and leaders in science and technology at 300 events across the country.

Events held throughout the year celebrated 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry.

During the event, participants

SCIENCE graduates have opportunities

seeking an economic benefit from the work.

The pair also recognized the importance

of all ages were invited to do

available to them beyond lab work, teaching

safe and fun hands-on activities

or working for another company. That’s

of the option of students becoming scientific

including making slime, invisible

the message offered by an introduction to

entrepreneurs — choosing to set up their

ink and elephant’s toothpaste.

scientific entrepreneurship workshop held at

own businesses, commercializing their

Memorial University.

research results, staying in the province and

Science Rendezvous events are aimed at developing collaborative

18

Students, faculty encouraged to consider scientific entrepreneurship

The idea for the workshop was formed

growing the economy by doing meaningful work for which they were trained.

partnerships between educational

when Dr. Kris Poduska, physics associate

institutions, libraries, science-

professor, and Jan Hopkins, Faculty of

based associations and outreach

Science grants facilitation officer, identified

graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and

programs, and promoting science

the need for faculty and students to be able

faculty, attended the workshop along with

awareness as well as science

to pitch their science research knowledge

observers from Memorial’s Genesis Centre

culture and literacy.

and ideas to funding agencies and industries

and the provincial government.

Approximately 35 people, mostly science

NEWS

The Faculty of Science honoured students, staff and faculty at the annual Dean’s Awards ceremony. Chris Hammond photo

Science hands out recognition THE FACULTY of Science celebrated its best

University, presented the Lou Visentin Award

to a student in each department offering a

and brightest at the annual Dean’s Awards

and Dr. David Wardlaw, provost and vice-

bachelor of science program.

ceremony. Dr. Mark Abrahams, dean of

president (academic), handed out the Dean

science, presented certificates to those named

of Science Book Prize. The Visentin Award

Bodwell, Department of Chemistry, with

to the Faculty of Science Dean’s List, which

recognizes the outstanding achievements of

the 2011 Distinguished Scholar Medal and

recognizes the top 10 per cent of students in

students named to the Dean’s List for four

presented the 2011 Distinguished Service

the Faculty of Science. Dr. Gary Kachanoski,

consecutive years, while the Book Prize is

Award to Roberta (Robbie) Hicks of the

president and vice-chancellor of Memorial

awarded on the basis of academic excellence

Department of Earth Sciences.

Dr. Abrahams also honoured Dr. Graham

Moved?

Legacy Gifts

HAVE YOU changed cities? Changed email

EVERYBODY wants to make a difference during their life, to leave

address? Would like to get back in touch

behind a sign that they were here. Legacy giving offers us a way to

with Memorial? By updating your info we’ll

make that difference, far beyond the measure of a lifetime.

be able to reach you from time to time and

Legacy giving, often called planned giving, is a type of charitable

share with you our exciting news and have

giving that allows you to make a gift to Memorial in the future without

the opportunity to say thank you for being

substantially affecting your income today. Legacy gifts can include

an alum of Memorial. But we can’t do it

bequests in a will, gifts of life insurance, gifts of RRSP income, and more.

without you.

If you are web savvy, simply go to

Legacy giving is an excellent way to thank an organization, such as the Faculty of Science, that has had a positive impact on your life.

www.munalum.ca and click on the link for

It could also honour someone you love, assist future students, or

Update Your Information. If you have any

support an area of learning or research that holds special significance

questions about the collection and use of

for you.

your info, please contact the Office

Many legacy gifts, such as scholarship funds, are of an enduring

of Alumni Affairs and Development at

nature and offer a permanent and meaningful way for you, or a loved

709 864 4354 or munalum@mun.ca.

one to be remembered and have a significant impact on future Science students year after year.

Being green matters WE’D LOVE to be able to send Prescience to

A legacy gift can also be a very practical addition to your financial or estate plan. In many cases, legacy gifts can relieve the tax burden your heirs.

you via email and save the trees we use in

Gifts of any size matter — legacy giving is not only for the wealthy.

printing. To make it happen, we need your

Whatever your specific situation might be, we will help you find a legacy

up-to-date email address. The more email we

giving option that works for you.

can send the less paper we have to use. Go

If you are interested in finding out more about legacy gifts, please

to www.munalum.ca and click on the link for

contact Vic MacNab, development officer, Faculty of Science at

Update Your Information to help us be greener.

709 864 2696 or vmacnab@mun.ca.

19

www.mun.ca/science

033-250-05-12-250