July 31, 1998
U of S Hosts International Wheat Genetics Symposium
Posted July 31, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 28, 1998
98-07-08-AG
U of S hosts International Wheat Genetics
Symposium
The University of Saskatchewan's Department of Plant Sciences and
Crop Development Centre will host the Ninth International Wheat
Genetics Symposium August 2 - 7, 1998.
This is only the second time in 40 years that the symposium is being
held in Canada. The symposium is held once every five years,
Close to 500 delegates representing 45 countries will be in
attendance.
"This symposium provides scientists with the opportunity to
exchange the latest information on wheat genetics," says Pierre Hucl
with the Crop Development Centre.
All aspects of wheat genetics will be covered, ranging from very
basic research to applied genetics. A total of 400 presentations will
cover topics such as the cytogenetics and evolution of wheat,
germplasm development and breeding, gene transfer and regulation,
marker assisted selection, transgenics, genetics of resistance to
disease, insects and environmental stresses, and end-use quality
traits.
Workshops will focus on the details of wheat genome mapping,
hybrid wheat, genetic transformation, wheat starch quality,
conservation of wheat genetic resources, wheat taxonomy and,
under-utilized wheats.
Hucl expects that ninety per cent of symposium attendance will be
made up of researchers in the field, while the other ten per cent will
be industry affiliated.
For more information, please contact:
Pierre Hucl or Doug Knott
Crop Development Centre Department of Plant Sciences
University of Saskatchewan University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8667 (306) 966-4953
July 29, 1998
Construction on Campus Drive
Posted July 29, 1998
Campus Drive will be closed August 4 to 9 from the junction of Campus Drive
and NRC Place to the East Road (see on-line map).
The closure will accommodate paving of this section. There will be
additional road closures for spot patching in the following weeks.
July 27, 1998
Hitachi donates $50,000 to U of S
Posted July 27, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 24, 1998
98-07-07-ENG
Hitachi Donates $50,000 to the University of
Saskatchewan
Last week, Hitachi Canadian Industries Ltd. donated $50,000 to the
University of Saskatchewan.
This donation was part of a total donation of $150,000 that Hitachi
Canadian Industries Ltd. gave to the people of Saskatchewan in
recognition of their contribution to Hitachi's success during its first 10
years of business in Saskatoon.
The other organizations that shared the donation were the
Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology,
Sherbrooke Community Centre and the Saskatoon Foundation.
The University's portion of the donation will be targeted towards the
College of Engineering's Innovative Teaching and Learning Centre.
Established in April 1997, the Centre's mission is to improve access
to, and successful completion of, Engineering programs, as well as to
improve the effectiveness of Engineering course materials and
delivery methods. The Centre also aims to increase the efficiency of
association with engineering programs by assisting faculty to utilize
innovative teaching and learning techniques.
"Money granted to the centre will be put towards projects such as
developing interactive and multimedia programs to facilitate student
learning, distance delivery of Engineering courses and professional
development courses for practicing Engineers throughout
Saskatchewan," says Roy Billinton, Associate Dean of Engineering.
Hitachi also provides support to the College of Commerce. This year,
and for each of the past six years, four MBA students have spent six
weeks at Hitachi Works in Japan. They work with the company and
stay in their dormitories.
"This work experience and emersion in the Japanese language and
culture provides our students with excellent background for their
future employment," says Lynne Pearson, Dean of Commerce.
The Saskatoon Hitachi plant is the company's sole heavy industrial
equipment manufacturing operation in North America. From
Saskatchewan, Hitachi manufactures and sells its power generation
components to markets throughout North America and throughout the
world.
During the past ten years, Hitachi Canadian Industries Ltd. has
expanded its plant several times in response to increasing demand
for the company's broadened product line. In the process, the
company has grown from its original 30 employees to 194 productive,
efficient employees.
For more information, please contact:
Roy Billinton
Associate Dean
College of Engineering
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5280
July 20, 1998
First Nations Summer Science Camp visits U of S
Posted July 20, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 18, 1998
98-07-05-OTHER
First Nations Summer Science Camp
visits U of S
First Nation middle years and high school students will
soon be spending a science filled week on the University
of Saskatchewan campus. A project of the Federation
of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, the week long camp is
designed to increase Aboriginal students' interests and
insight in science and technology.
This year's week long camp will run from July 19 to July
24, 1998. Similar camps will also be held in Regina and
Prince Albert later on this summer.
The camps provide students with hands-on learning
experiences, enhanced with tours and on site material
delivered by the camp's co-sponsors. This year the
College of Engineering, the Colleges of Medicine and
Nursing, the Department of Chemistry and the Extension
Division are all involved.
The week's events include activities such as basic
chemistry lab techniques, projects on electromagnetism,
force and momentum, interactive sessions on anatomy
and the mechanism of infection, nature walks, and
demonstrations on nursing and physiotherapy
techniques. Exploring the biomechanics behind the
science of Tae Won Do, Science Olympics and traditional
First Nation games and skills organized at Wanuskewin
are other highlights of the camp.
Part of the week also includes spending a day at the
University's Ecology Camp. "Our goal is to reinforce that
nature isn't yucky," says Dee Cole, Ecology Camp
Instructor. "We hope that the students take away the
understanding that everything is interconnected, life,
light, earth, everything. Students leave the camp making
informed decisions about what they do and how it will
affect the environment."
This is the seventh year that the First Nations Science
Camp has been running. They were initiated to bring an
increased awareness and desire in First Nations students
to explore the possibilities of entering into science-
based studies at the post secondary level and,
subsequently, pursuing careers in these professional
areas.
"We want to create an interest in science and technology
among students early in life, while they are still curious,"
says Marie Anne de Larminat, Saskatoon Program
Coordinator. "The camps promote science and learning
but also insight of different activities in terms of
careers. The approach we favor at the F.N.S.C.P. ? and
which works particularly well with First Nations children
? is through participating in fun and yet meaningful
activities, that foster self confidence and at the same
time lead to the construction of true understanding."
The Program Coordinator, Tim Hopkins, feels that the
program is worthwhile "because it gives our youth, and
subsequently our First Nation communities the ability to
become active participants in the field of science and
technology. Education will empower them to make
informed decisions about aspects of science and
technology that will affect them and their communities."
"Science is also what we know as First Nations' people.
It is the way we look at the world and how we apply
that world view. Our logo, 'Tradition and Innovation'
summarizes another important goal of our program. It is
our opportunity to show our campers that our traditional
science has a valuable place in today's western scientific
world view," he adds.
The U of S camp accepts 60 students annually. This year
over 90 students applied.
For more information, please contact:
Marie Anne de Larminat
Office of Education
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
(306) 665-1215, extension 282
Super Saturday
Posted July 20, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 20, 1998
98-07-06-OTHER
Super Summer Camp Begins Today at the
U of S!
The first of two week long summer camps for First Nations children
kicks off today!
The Super Saturday program follows the traditional belief is that each
child is born with their own special gift or talent. The aim of these
camps is to stimulate these special gifts or talents by providing
interesting and unique activities which have First Nations traditional
knowledge within modern teachings.
The program, which is a collaborative venture between the University
of Saskatchewan and the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC), will
expand to include fall and winter programs on selected Saturdays for
First Nations children.
"The Super Saturday project is an exciting innovation that we at the
University of Saskatchewan are pleased to be part of. It has been
especially encouraging to observe members of the Saskatoon Tribal
Council working cooperatively with several faculty, deans and senior
university administrators to get this project off the ground," says Tom
Wishart, Acting Dean of the College of Arts and Science.
"Super Saturday is about creating dreams for the future and teaching
our young people that they can become doctors, scientists or great
literary writers. If we help them nurture or discover their innate gifts
and talents, the enthusiasm and eagerness to learn more of a specific
subject follows naturally," says Chief Harry Lafond of Muskeg Lake
Cree Nation. "This program is a great mechanism to show our youth
that they are important to us and we are pleased that the University of
Saskatchewan is committed to Super Saturday and the Super
Summer Camps."
During the July 20 - 24 camp, instructors from different disciplines
including Biology, Fine Arts, Agriculture and Engineering, will open
some doors to the magic of their disciplines, while incorporating the
Aboriginal culture into the five day program.
Super Saturday was developed to promote educational activities
geared toward building self-esteem and fostering healthy attitudes
towards education among First Nations Youth.
"One of our goals is to let our Indigenous peoples know that this is
their university too and that they are welcome. Our expectation is that
introducing young people to the campus will reduce the culture
'shock' they would otherwise face when they come to the university
for the first time. We also want to open some doors for native students
and to raise their own expectations of what they can do and achieve.
We are particularly interested in encouraging more of these students
to think about careers in the sciences and professional colleges,"
says Wishart.
Media are invited to come to the camp's headquarters in Room 104
Memorial Union Building at the University of Saskatchewan on
Wednesday, July 22 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. All media will have
the opportunity to view the sessions, speak with students/facilitators
and tour the facilities.
For more information, please contact:
Joy Starr or Brenda Ahenakew
Super Saturday Co-ordinator Director of Educational
Saskatoon Tribal Council Inc. Programs
(306) 856-6100 Saskatoon Tribal Council Inc.
(306) 856-6100
July 17, 1998
Alumni Association adopts new structure
Posted July 17, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 15, 1998
98-07-03-OTHER
U of S Alumni Association adopts new structure
At its annual general meeting in Saskatoon on June 27, the University
of Saskatchewan Alumni Association unveiled its strategic plan to
become more involved with its alma mater. "The Association
represents more than 100,000 alumni," said newly elected president
Ray Penner. "We want to participate more fully as partners in
upholding our university's legacy and securing its future. To increase
opportunities for alumni involvement, the Association abolished its
traditional council structure in favour of a more flexible model. As
well, the Association plans to increase its visibility at university
events."
Penner was elected president for the standard one-year term, after
serving on the board for the past two years. He is president of a
Saskatoon advertising firm, and has been active in community
activities including Saskatoon's United Way and as the chair of the
inaugural SABEX Awards.
Gary Mearns, superintendent of human resources at the Saskatoon
Board of Education, became president-elect. Philip Mamchur, an
investment advisor, is vice-president for a two-year term. Bev Allen,
professor at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, is past-president.
Other elected members to the board are Arlis McQuarrie, clinical
coordinator at the School of Physical Therapy; Peter Braun of the
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc.; lawyer Melissa Anne
Brunsdon; Maureen Powers, a financial analyst, and Saskatoon
businessmen Brian Henderson and Terry Nelson.
For more information regarding the Alumni Association, please
contact:
Ray Penner
(306) 373-7330
Four U of S medical research projects to get MRC funding
Posted July 17, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 16, 1998
98-07-04-OTHER
Four U of S medical research projects to get
federal funding
Medical research at the University of Saskatchewan will get a $1.86
million injection over the next five years from the Medical Research
Council (MRC) of Canada.
In the spring grants competition announced this week, four out of
eleven U of S applicants were awarded funding - a success rate of 36
per cent. Nationally, 43 per cent of applicants for operating grants
were successful.
"These are very substantial awards that will certainly help our
research effort," said Barry McLennan, assistant dean of research at
the college of medicine. The success rate is "a very significant
improvement" over the previous competition last fall when none of the
20 applicants got any money in the original announcement, said
McLennan. He noted a most welcome cash infusion to the MRC in
the spring federal budget did result in two of the projects receiving
funding. "We're now heading in the right direction," he added.
The four projects that will be funded involve basic research that could
have important implications for understanding cancer and other
diseases:
-$161,199 per year for five years to veterinary microbiologist Lorne
Babiuk for the study of viral-cell interactions and responses by the
host animal. This could lead to a vaccine against the herpes virus in
cows and bovine rotavirus, a form of diarrhea in cattle. This research
also has implications for similar diseases in humans.
Prof. Babiuk is a former recipient of the U of S distinguished
researcher award and is currently director of the Veterinary Infectious
Diseases Organization (VIDO), a leader in infectious disease
research.
-$117,938 per year for five years to biochemistry professor and
department head Louis Delbaere to study the structure and function of
cell proteins, work which could be important in developing new
treatments for diabetes.
Prof. Delbaere also will receive a one-time grant of $46,155 to
purchase equipment for freezing protein crystals.
-$70,460 per year for three years to Jim Xiang, a senior research
scientist and professor of oncology at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre.
He will study a new way of destroying tumors that involves using a
genetically engineered protein to induce an immune response
against the tumor.
Prof. Xiang will also receive a one-time equipment grant of $14,047.
-$65,250 per year for three years to Wei Xiao, an associate professor
of microbiology, to study how cells repair damage to their own DNA
after exposure to cancer-causing chemicals and other mutagens. His
work is having significant impact in cancer research.
Prof. Xiao will also receive a one-time equipment grant of $5,503.
As well, Robert Hopfner, a PhD student working on factors
contributing to hypertension and blood vessel damage under
pharmacology professor V. Gopal, will receive a doctoral research
award that pays the student researcher's salary. Hopfner was one of
four U of S applicants. There are 105 graduate students across
Canada who'll receive the awards.
Grants and personnel awards announced this week by the MRC total
$119.2 million over the three to five-year life of the grants.
MRC is the major federal agency responsible for funding health
research and training in Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Barry McLennan Kathryn Warden
Assistant Dean of Research Communications Officer
U of S College of Medicine Office of the Vice-president
Ph: (306) 966-4338 (Research)
Fax: (306) 966-6164 Ph: (306) 966-8576
Fax: (306) 966-8597
July 07, 1998
Campbell named Writer-in-Residence
Posted July 07, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 6, 1998
98-07-02-AR
Campbell named Writer-in-Residence
Maria Campbell, a widely acclaimed M鴩s author, is Writer-in-
Residence this year in the Department of Native Studies at the
University of Saskatchewan. The university recently received a grant
from The Canada Council for the Arts which together with matching
funds from the President's Office and the College of Arts and Science,
has made it possible for Dr. Campbell to spend a year as Writer-in-
Residence.
Maria Campbell's early writing, including her book Halfbreed and her
stage play Jessica, rapidly earned for her a reputation as one of
Canada's most distinguished Aboriginal writers. She has also written
stories for young people and written and directed documentary films.
Most recently she has been working in the oral tradition, which has
resulted in the book, Stories of the Road Allowance People.
She has received many awards for her writing, including Honorary
Doctorate degrees from the University of Regina and York University.
Her community work, especially with women and children in crisis, as
well as her writing, has been recognized in many honours, including
the Gabriel Dumont Medal of Merit from the M鴩s Nation.
Part of her time as Writer-in-Residence will be devoted to gathering the
oral stories of Aboriginal elders in the Saskatoon area. Maria
Campbell has been trained by the story-tellers of her people. Her
gathering, translating, and putting on paper the histories and stories of
elders will help to ensure that these narrative traditions continue, that
coming generations are not denied what the elders now know.
This summer, she is offering several workshops in creative writing and
drama. She will be giving readings and lectures during the year, and
she will be available to writers, including students, for advice and
guidance with their writing.
For more information, please contact:
Maria Campbell Dr. Jim Waldram, Head
Department of Native Studies Department of Native Studies
University of Saskatchewan University of Saskatchewan
(306) 233-4970 or (306) 966-5375 (306) 966-6208
Dr. Ron Marken
Department of English
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5639
July 03, 1998
Plant Sciences Department formed at U of S
Posted July 03, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 3, 1998
98-07-01-AG
Plant Sciences Department formed at
University of Saskatchewan
The Departments of Crop Science & Plant Ecology and
Horticulture Science at the University of Saskatchewan
have been amalgamated into a Department of Plant
Sciences. The amalgamation, became official on July 1,
and is designed to more fully integrate teaching,
research and extension in all plant-related areas in the
College of Agriculture and to improve administrative
efficiency within the College. The Crop Development
Centre will continue to operate as a unit within the new
Department.
The new Department of Plant Sciences will continue to
offer undergraduate programs in Agronomy, Crop
Science, Horticulture Science, Plant Ecology and
Rangeland Resources. Currently, about 250 students are
enrolled in these five programs. The Department also
has one of the largest graduate student programs at the
University of Saskatchewan with over 60 M.Sc. and Ph. D.
candidates.
The Department of Plant Sciences is composed of 26
Professionals and 12 Adjunct Faculty. Of the 26
Professionals, 14 are full-time faculty and 10 are
Research Professors in the Crop Development Centre.
The Department and the Centre also employ 44 Research
Associates and Post-Doctoral Fellows along with 80
technical, secretarial and administrative staff and 50
summer student research assistants.
The Department and the Crop Development Centre have
extensive facilities to support their research programs.
This includes over 800 ha (2,000 acres) of cultivated land
for horticulture and field crop research and 1,048 ha
(2,880 acres) of grassland for plant ecology and
rangeland resources studies. In addition, the
Department operates the Fraser Herbarium which
contains over 100,000 plant specimens and is the largest
herbarium in Western Canada, and the Patterson Garden
which is the site of prairie regional hardiness trials for
ornamental crops with over 500 holdings of trees and
shrubs. The Department also operates over 1,200
square metres of research greenhouse space. Many
members of the Department are heavily involved in
extension activities related to their area of
specialization and two members of the Department are
Joint Appointees in the University's Extension Division.
During the summer months the Department operates the
Garden Line to provide horticultural information to home
and commercial gardeners and other staff handle
thousands of calls related to field crop production.
The consolidation of all plant-related teaching, research
and extension into one department will allow the
College of Agriculture to fulfill its mandate in this area
more effectively and efficiently. Dr. Graham Scoles, a
member of the Department of Crop Science and Plant
Ecology since 1979, assumed the Chair of the new
Department on July 1, 1998. Dr. Scoles' background is in
plant breeding, cytogenetics and plant biotechnology.
He is an associate editor of GENOME, an international
cytogenetics journal and president of the Genetics
Society of Canada
For More Information Contact:
Dr. Graham Scoles
Department of Plant Sciences
University of Saskatchewan
TEL: (306) 966-5857
FAX: (306) 966-5015
e-mail: graham.scoles@usask.ca
