August 30, 2000
U of S Unveils New Teaching and Learning Centre
Posted August 30, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ? August 28, 2000 2000-08-04-OTHER
U of S Unveils New Teaching and Learning Centre
Glenn Hagel, Provincial Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Skills
Training officially opened the new Gwenna Moss Teaching and Learning Centre
on the U of S campus today.
The Centre, designed to promote excellent teaching at the University was
named to recognize Gwenna Moss, Professor of Extension, who has been a
leading figure in instructional development at the University since 1986.
Minister Hagel, addressing representatives from the University community and
distinguished guests, said: "Universities, first and foremost, are about
students, their needs and their learning experiences. Gwenna Moss has
contributed enormously to the development of the excellent teachers and
instructors needed to do this successfully."
University President, Peter MacKinnon, said: "The University is committed to
providing innovative, high-quality instructional programs to its students.
This Centre will provide a significant resource for all instructors in
developing and enhancing their teaching skills."
"The Centre has the potential to host orientations, symposia, conferences as
well as instruction on how to develop teaching portfolios and how to
energize oneself in the classroom," added Centre Director, Dr. Ron Marken.
"One of the goals of the Centre is to devote as much attention as possible
to the next generation. So, graduate students, sessional lecturers, and new
faculty will be our primary clientele. We will also encourage experienced
instructors to participate and to provide their expertise for instructional
development programs."
For more information, contact:
Ron Marken
Director of the Teaching and Learning Centre
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2231
or
Dr. Michael Atkinson
Vice-President (Academic)
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8484
$8 M CFI Funding Promises $20 M in Campus Upgrades
Posted August 30, 2000
Four University of Saskatchewan research projects will receive more than $8
million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), potentially
generating almost $20 million in new or updated labs and equipment on
campus.
The new equipment and building upgrades announced July 25 will advance
research into infectious diseases, earth sciences, biological molecules, and
computer applications in the life sciences. The CFI Innovation Fund
contributes up to 40 per cent of project funding. The remaining money must
be sought from provincial, university and other sources.
"The money will play an important role in strengthening the University?s
position as a major centre for research excellence," said Michael Corcoran,
U of S Vice-President of Research.
In sponsoring the projects, the University had to show that the projects
were excellent, innovative and would benefit Canada. "It is a highly
competitive process," Corcoran said, noting that projects are approved by
the CFI board of directors based on the recommendations of multidisciplinary
assessment committees.
The CFI will provide:
- $5.15 million for a $13.6-million Vaccine Research and Development
Facility (principal researcher VIDO director Lorne Babiuk and nine other
researchers)
The new six-lab addition to the present VIDO building will be a centre of
excellence for new vaccine development in Canada, unique in combining
research on both human and animal pathogens in one institute.
VIDO developed the world?s first genetically engineered vaccine (for bovine
respiratory disease) and has marketed numerous animal health vaccines.
Building on this success, the new centre will accelerate development of new,
safer and more effective vaccines for both humans and animals. This will
lead to disease prevention, improved food safety and reduced health costs.
The design of the building allows for future expansion and for interaction
between molecular biologists, chemists, immunologists, pharmacists,
engineers and veterinarians.
-$1.51 million for the $3.78-million Saskatchewan Centre for Biomolecular
Research (project leader Ronald Verrall of chemistry and 12 other
researchers)
Housed in new and renovated space in the Thorvaldson building, the centre
will acquire state-of-the-art instruments for structural characterization of
molecules involved in life processes. This will enable the U of S to
maintain international competitiveness in an area of research importance to
Canada, while providing outstanding student training opportunities and
enhancing research opportunities for biotechnology companies at Innovation
Place.
The facility will also foster innovative collaborations and advancements in
interdisciplinary areas by linking life and physical sciences. Two nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR) instruments, a high-resolution mass spectrometer,
and a fully equipped chemical biology laboratory will be used by researchers
in biotechnology, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, pharmacy, nutrition and
food science, environmental science, materials science and basic medical
sciences within the university and in on-campus research institutes.
- $1.01 million for $2.5-million New Generation Mass Spectrometers for Earth
System Science Research (principal researcher Chris Holmden of geological
sciences and 31 other researchers)
These cutting-edge instruments, used to determine the chemical composition
of a sample, will provide new tools for studies that will benefit the
petroleum and mining industries. One of the instruments awarded will be the
second of its kind in Canada and a tremendous asset to the new U of S
toxicology program.
The mass spectrometers will be used to develop new isotopic tracers that can
be used to advance current understanding of the earth-ocean-atmosphere
system and factors influencing its evolution. The tracers will also be used
to study the origin, transport and fate of environmental pollutants.
The new equipment will boost the capacity for multidisciplinary research by
earth, environmental and life scientists. State-of-the-art "clean room"
facilities that are virtually free of airborne contaminants will be used to
purify trace metals prior to mass spectrometry.
-$363,370 for a $908,424 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Research
Laboratory (principal researcher Anthony Kusalik of computer science and 21
other researchers)
The new laboratory, to be housed in renovated space in the Thorvaldson
Building, will enable researchers to take a lead in the growing area of
bioinformatics, a new multidisciplinary field combining biology, computer
science, mathematics and statistics.
New computer hardware and software will allow research teams to simulate
metabolic processes (such as the regulation of blood sugars in the body),
determine molecular structures, and use biological databases for rapid gene
discovery, to name a few applications. The latter could lead to better crops
and better treatments for disease.
The research will build on the U of S?s existing institutional focus on
biotechnology, promote long-term partnerships and collaborations, and
provide exceptional training opportunities. Firms hiring U of S
bioinformatics students range from agricultural supply companies to health
research institutes to software developers.
Researchers from six different departments, as well as the National Research
Council?s Plant Biotechnology Institute and Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada, are involved in the project.
The CFI is an independent, not-for-profit organization established by the
federal government in 1997 to address the infrastructure needs of Canada?s
research community.
Across Canada, 190 projects received funds from the $354.3-million CFI
Innovation Fund.
For more information, contact:
Kathryn Warden
Communications Officer
Office of the Vice-President Research
(306) 966-2506 Phone
(306) 966-2411 Fax
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
Prof. Lorne Babiuk
Veterinary and Infectious Disease Organization
(306) 966-7477 Phone
(306) 966-7478 Fax
babiuk@sask.usask.ca
Prof. Ronald Verrall
Department of Chemistry
(306) 966-4669 Phone
(306) 966-4730 Fax
verrallr@sask.usask.ca
Prof. Chris Holmden
Department of Geological Sciences
(306) 966-5697 Phone
(306) 966-8593 Fax
chris.holmden@usask.ca
Prof. Anthony Kusalik
Department of Computer Science
(306) 966-4904 Phone
(306) 966-4884 Fax
tony.kusalik@usask.ca
Renowned Philosopher and Writer to Lecture in Saskatoon
Posted August 30, 2000
August 30, 2000 2000-08-01-OTHER
Renowned Philosopher and Writer to Lecture in Saskatoon
The University of Saskatchewan has invited an internationally renowned
philosopher and writer who specializes in medical ethics and feminist issues
to be this year?s Whelen lecturer: Dr. Mary B. Mahowald.
Dr. Mahowald is also a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology at the MacLean Centre for Clinical and Medical Ethics and a
member of the Committee on Genetics at the University of Chicago. She is
regularly involved in cases that raise ethical questions.
Dr. Mahowald will give five lectures while in Saskatoon, all of which are
open to faculty, students and interested members of the public, free of
charge.
The first two lectures - one on bioethical issues and the other on classical
pragmatism and feminism - will be presented on September 11 at Place Riel
Theatre and Chelsy Lounge, St. Thomas More College on campus. They will be
of particular interest to high school and university students and will have
an informal/discussion format.
Dr. Mahowald?s remaining lectures will be held on September 12. The first
lecture will explore the ethical, social and clinical issues surrounding
testing for late onset disorders, disclosure of misattributed paternity and
access to genetic services. It will be held at The Royal University
Hospital, Mall Theatre. The second lecture, at Place Riel Theatre, will
focus on the development of policies regarding genetic testing for
susceptibility to breast cancer.
Later, at 7:00 p.m., Dr. Mahowald will present her main lecture at the Delta
Bessborough Hotel entitled Just Genes? Gender, Ability, and Class
differences in the New Geneticss.This lecture is intended primarily for the
public. It will explore issues of topical interest that focus on the ethical
and social issues created by the increasing complexity of our society and
the rapid advances being made in medical technology.
The Whelen Lecture was established in 1987 through a bequest from a
distinguished alumnus of the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Myron Whelen.
Its mandate is to bring internationally recognized authorities in
disciplines taught at the University to the U of S campus.
Peter MacKinnon, University President, said: "We are honoured that Dr.
Mahowald is able to share her knowledge and experience with the University,
the people of Saskatoon and the province."
For more information, or to arrange a media interview, please contact:
Tina Merrifield
Office of Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2213
or
Christine Anderson-Obach
Extension Division
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5530
http:/www.usask.ca/events/whelen/index.html
August 15, 2000
Renowned Philosopher and Writer to Lecture in Saskatoon
Posted August 15, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 14, 2000 2000-08-01-OTHER
Renowned Philosopher and Writer to Lecture in Saskatoon
The University of Saskatchewan has invited an internationally renowned
philosopher and writer who specializes in medical ethics and feminist issues
to be this year?s Whelen lecturer: Dr. Mary B. Mahowald.
Dr. Mahowald is also a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology at the MacLean Centre for Clinical and Medical Ethics and a
member of the Committee on Genetics at the University of Chicago. She is
regularly involved in cases that raise ethical questions.
Dr. Mahowald will give four lectures while in Saskatoon, all of which are
open to faculty, students and interested members of the public, free of
charge.
The first two lectures - one on bioethical issues and the other on classical
pragmatism and feminism - will be presented on September 11 at Place Riel
Theatre on campus. They will be of particular interest to high school and
university students and will have an informal/discussion format.
A third lecture is planned for September 12 at The Royal University
Hospital, Mall Theatre. It will explore the ethical, social and clinical
issues surrounding testing for late onset disorders, disclosure of
misattributed paternity and access to genetic services.
Later, at 7:00 p.m., Dr. Mahowald will present her main lecture at the Delta
Bessborough Hotel entitled Just Genes? Gender, Ability, and Class
differences in the New Genetics. This lecture is intended primarily for the
public. It will explore issues of topical interest that focus on the
differences associated with inequality and how genetic discrimination can be
avoided.
The Whelen Lecture was established in 1987 through a bequest from a
distinguished alumnus of the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Myron Whelen.
Its mandate is to bring internationally recognized authorities in
disciplines taught at the University to the U of S campus.
Peter MacKinnon, University President, said: "We are honoured that Dr.
Mahowald is able to share her knowledge and experience with the University,
the people of Saskatoon and the province."
For more information, or to arrange a media interview, please contact:
Tina Merrifield
Office of Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2213
or
Christine Anderson-Obach
Extension Division
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5530
Five U of S Health Scientists Awarded $1.12 M in Federal Research Grants
Posted August 15, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ? Tuesday, August 15, 2000 2000-08-02-OTHER
Five U of S Health Scientists Awarded $1.12 M in Federal Research Grants
Four University of Saskatchewan researchers will get a total of $987, 910 in
grants and equipment over the next three years from the Canadian Institutes
of Health Research (CIHR) for projects that could lead to safer and more
effective contraceptives, new treatments for obesity, and vaccinations
against respiratory disease.
As well, a U of S diabetes researcher will receive $139,140 over two years
under the Saskatchewan-CIHR Regional Partnership Program (RPP) to study a
potential new way to prevent high blood pressure and other complications of
diabetes.
The funding was announced today on the U of S campus by Health Minister
Allan Rock.
"These research grants not only represent the Government of Canada?s ongoing
commitment to health, but are a strong indicator of the kind of innovative
and far-reaching research CIHR will fund in Saskatchewan," said Minister
Rock. "Through the newly created CIHR, Canadians will reap the ultimate
benefits of a strong health care system and more effective health services."
The grants were the first to be awarded to the U of S under the CIHR which
opened its doors June 7. The CIHR replaces the Medical Research Council of
Canada as the major federal agency responsible for funding health research
in Canada.
"This is an exciting day for health researchers at the University of
Saskatchewan," said Steven Lewis, member of the CIHR Governing Council and a
member of U of S President Peter?s MacKinnon?s CIHR task force.
"Not only will these grants allow the researchers to continue their work,
the strong and secure funding and innovative direction set out by the new
CIHR will continue to provide exciting opportunities for top-calibre health
researchers at the U of S and across Saskatchewan. In the end, Canadians
will be the real winners of today?s announcement."
The following successful proposals are from the March 2000 CIHR operating
grants competition:
- Roger Pierson of the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive
services ? annual $76,217 grant for three years and $58,172 for equipment.
This work could lead to safer and more effective fertility therapies, as
well as safer and more effective hormonal contraceptives.
His project is a continuation of his work on the growth and development of
follicles (eggs) in the ovaries of women with normal menstrual cycles, women
with super-stimulated ovaries to help them conceive, and women taking oral
contraceptives.
- Nicholas Ovsenek of the department of anatomy and cell biology ? annual
$81,428 grant for three years and $15,000 for equipment.
His work deals with the effect of environmental stress, such as a change in
temperature or exposure to toxins, on basic cellular responses in the human
body.
Stress causes the release of proteins that act as "molecular chaperones" to
protect the body. By finding what causes cells to respond to stress,
scientists may be able to figure out how to reduce stress on a patient?s
body during a trauma, surgery or the treatment of a chronic disease.
- William Roesler of the department of biochemistry ? annual award of
$67,200 grant for three years and $7,781 for equipment.
This research will advance our understanding of the development of obesity,
a growing problem around the world and one of the major risk factors for
diabetes.
Prof. Roesler will study a protein that controls the expression of a number
of genes involved in determining how the human body utilizes nutrients. This
regulator protein plays a key role in determining, for example, how much fat
tissue the body develops. He hopes to identify new molecular targets for
drug treatment of obesity.
- Sylvia Van Drunen Littel of the Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization
(VIDO) ? annual $77,474 grant for three years.
Her work deals with developing a vaccination strategy against bovine and
human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Respiratory disease is one of the
major health problems in young children and animals. By studying the
responses to various immunizations, her research could lead to the reduction
of viral infections and develop vaccinations to reduce viral respiratory
diseases in human infants and calves.
In addition, Venkat Gopalakrishnan of the U of S department of pharmacology
will receive a Saskatchewan-CIHR RPP grant for his diabetes research. The
RPP is a $10-million, cost-shared program over five years with the
Saskatchewan government to create a strong health research capacity.
In patients with delayed-onset diabetes, blood insulin levels are higher
than normal. Increased insulin levels can promote the release of a substance
called endothelin-1 which can contribute to high blood pressure and other
vascular complications. Prof. Gopalakrishnan wants to investigate in rat
studies whether administering an endothelin-1 blocker will prevent these
serious vascular complications.
The Minister also announced today more than $700,000 to support federal
efforts in the prevention and control of diabetes in Saskatchewan.
The CIHR was announced in the 1999 federal budget. Its aim is to excel,
according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in
the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for
Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened
Canadian health care system.
For more information, contact:
Kathryn Warden, Communications Officer
Office of the Vice-President Research
(306) 966-2506 Phone
(306) 966-2411 Fax
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
Andrew Matejcic
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
(613) 954-7143
Morgan Fontaine
Health Canada
(204) 983-2508
August 14, 2000
SHERWOOD VALVE (TYPICALLY USED IN INERT GAS SERVICES): SAFETY ALERT AND RECALL
Posted August 14, 2000
SHERWOOD TV 5861 SERIES OF BRASS CYLINDER VALVES BEING RECALLED WITH CGA 580
OUTLET CONNECTION
A safety alert was received from Sherwood Valve containing instructions on
how to identify certain brass CGA-580 cylinder valves being recalled. The
CGA-580 cylinder valve is typically used in inert gas services, namely:
Argon, Nitrogen, Helium, Krypton, Xenon and various mixtures containing
these gases.
The alert is a result of investigating the reports of three bonnet nut
ejections that occurred upon first fill of cylinders equipped with the
suspect valves. An excessive torque applied during assembly of the bonnet
nut to the valve body was identified as the likely cause of the compromised
thread strength condition. When pressurized, the hand-wheel and bonnet nut
assemblies were expelled with sufficient force to potentially cause injury
or property damage.
A copy of the safety alert is available from:
Purchasing Services
Room E150
Administration Building
Attn. Bob Hollmann
P966-6712 / F966-8342
Bob.hollmann@usask.ca
or
Praxair Products Inc.
3002 Miners Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7K 4Z8
Attn. Charlene Webster
P242-3325 / F933-0437
August 11, 2000
ROAD CLOSURE AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS AUG 14 - 17
Posted August 11, 2000
Road works will restrict traffic and parking on campus from 7 a.m. on August
14 to 5 p.m. on August 17.
Veterinary Road will be closed from Campus Drive to the south end of the Hay
Storage.
A map may be viewed at
http://www.usask.ca/maps/WCVM-Roadpaving.pdf
Access to V Lot will be via the north entrance only off Veterinary Road and
Perimeter Road.
An entrance will be maintained on a very restricted basis to Prairie
Diagnostic Services (Vet Pathology).
The Large Animal Clinic may be accessed through Maintenance Road and the
WCVM Service Road.
Small Animal Clinic parking will be available in Veterinary Court. Only
vehicles clearly displaying Small Animal Clinic Parking Permits will be
allowed to park. Other vehicles will be ticketed.
All traffic and parking restrictions will be sign posted.
For further information contact:
Ken Turner, Facilities Management at 4515, or
Elisabeth Reimer, Security Services, Parking at 4509.
