March 24, 2005
U of S announces new University Secretary
Posted March 24, 2005
U of S announces new University Secretary
The Board of Governors at the University of Saskatchewan has
approved the appointment of Dr. Lea Pennock as University Secretary
effective July 1, 2005.
"Dr. Pennock brings a broad and diverse range of experience to this
position," said Peter MacKinnon, President. "Her unique expertise will
be an asset to the University's governance structure."
The University Secretary plays an integral role within the governance
structures of the University of Saskatchewan. The Secretary provides
advice and guidance and ensures effective liaison takes place
among the Board of Governors, the Senate, Council, and the senior
administration. The University Secretary is also responsible for
assisting in the interpretation and distribution of information
regarding policy to the University community.
Dr. Pennock is currently Director, Student Information Systems at the
U of S. Previously, she served as Acting Academic Dean, St. Andrew's
College from 2002-2004. As well, she has held a number of
academic and administrative positions at the University of Regina,
Queen's University, Kingston, University of Toronto, and in Student
and Enrolment Services Division at the University of Saskatchewan.
"I have been involved with the University of Saskatchewan as an
employee since 1989 and have developed a true appreciation for the
unique nature of the institution," said Dr. Pennock. I am delighted to
have this opportunity to assist the university community in achieving
future goals."
The current University Secretary, Dr. Gordon Barnhart, will retire in
June 2005. He served as University Secretary from 2000 and as the
Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments as well as the Clerk
of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan prior to that.
"Dr. Barhart has made a magnificent contribution to the University. He
has been, and no doubt will continue to be a marvelous ambassador
for the University of Saskatchewan. We wish him well," said
President MacKinnon.
A photograph of Dr. Pennock is available by calling (306) 966-6607 or
emailing communications@usask.ca
For more information, please contact:
Peter MacKinnon
President
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6612
Lea Pennock
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2742
U of S professor appointed to Canadian Senate
Posted March 24, 2005
The following news release was issued by the Government of Canada.
U of S professor appointed to Canadian Senate
Prime Minister Paul Martin announced today that Her Excellency the
Governor General has agreed to summon Romeo Dallaire of
Quebec, Jim Cowan of Nova Scotia, Art Eggleton of Ontario, Nancy
Ruth of Ontario, Lillian Dyck of Saskatchewan, Robert Peterson of
Saskatchewan, Grant Mitchell of Alberta, Elaine McCoy of Alberta and
Claudette Tardif of Alberta to the Senate.
http://www.news.gc.ca/cfmx/CCP/view/en/index.cfm?articleid=134639
March 23, 2005
U of S Veterinary College Receives $640,000 for New Westgen ResearchSuite
Posted March 23, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 23, 2005
2005-03-11-WCVM
U of S Veterinary College Receives $640,000 for New Westgen Research Suite
Saskatoon, SK. Today a B.C.-based producer organization made a $640,000 investment
in livestock reproduction research at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM)
on the University of Saskatchewan campus.
The donation from Westgen, Western Canada's Genetic Centre will go towards the
Westgen Research Suite on the second floor of a planned two-storey WCVM research
wing. The suite of labs will initially be dedicated to animal reproduction research
and will help train generations of veterinarians.
"Westgen sees this substantial pledge as an investment in livestock improvement for Western
Canada," said Westgen President Tim Hofstra in announcing the gift at the College.
"Genetics and reproduction are our core interests, and we are proud to support this new research
suite. With this expansion, the College will now be ready for the challenges and opportunities for
the next 40 years."
"We are very grateful for Westgen's generous support that will help us capitalize on the College's
core strength in animal reproduction for the benefit of students and the entire industry," said
Dr. Charles Rhodes, Dean of the College.
"Together we are a good fit -- Westgen's mandate is primarily in Western Canada and we service
veterinary needs across the four western provinces as a centre for teaching, diagnostics,
research, and veterinary expertise," he added.
Headquartered in Milner, B.C., Westgen is a producer-owned and directed not-for-profit society
that offers semen and artificial insemination service to dairy and beef breeders throughout
Western Canada. It is one of four Canadian-based producer-controlled partners in the world's
largest genetics company - The Semex Alliance. Westgen celebrated 60 years of continuous
operation in 2004.
Established in 1964, the WCVM enrols about 365 undergraduates and graduates each year and
has earned a reputation as one of North America's top veterinary colleges. The College's
accreditation was renewed in March 2004, receiving the highest level -- a seven-year award.
The current $43-million expansion and upgrade plan is one of the priority projects within the
University of Saskatchewan's "Thinking the World of our Future" $100 million
campaign.
Note to editors: See www.wcvm.com for an architect's rendering of the proposed upgraded
College.
For more information, contact:
Kathy M. Hollands, ABC
Communications
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 955-4571 or 966-7447
Cell: (306) 270-9631
March 21, 2005
Province invests $1 million in TSE research at U of S
Posted March 21, 2005
The following news release was issued by the Government of SaskatchewanProvince invests $1 million in TSE research at U of S
The province is investing $1 million to research transmissible spongiform
encephalopathies (TSE) at the University of Saskatchewan.
http://www.gov.sk.ca/newsrel/releases/2005/03/21-235.html
March 16, 2005
PM Announces $24-Million Boost to U of S International Vaccine Research Centre
Posted March 16, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wednesday, March 16, 2005 2005-03-08-OTHERPM Announces $24-Million Boost to U of S International Vaccine Research Centre
Today the University of Saskatchewan's unique cluster of life science
research facilities received a
$24-million boost from the Government of Canada.
Prime Minister Paul Martin made the announcement at a news conference at the
U of S's Vaccine
and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO). The funding will support the
development of a
$61.8-million International Vaccine Centre (InterVac), which will be one of
the largest vaccine
research laboratories in North America when it is completed in 2009. The new
facility will
improve the capacity to develop vaccines to combat current and emerging
diseases such as SARS,
West Nile virus and avian influenza.
"We are a University that has charted a deliberate course to develop our
research and teaching
capacity in science, technology and society," said Peter MacKinnon.
"We thank the Government of Canada for their faith in our vision. This
centre is a critically
important addition to the outstanding life sciences research capacity on our
campus that
includes the Canadian Light Source synchrotron, a full range of health
science colleges, and a
renowned biotechnology community."
VIDO director Lorne Babiuk, lead champion of the InterVac project and a U of
S Canada Research
Chair in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, said InterVac will save lives and
strengthen Canada's
leadership in infectious disease research, prevention and emergency
response, as well as
advance commercialization of research activities.
"It will vastly increase the breadth of research that we can do," he said.
"This new facility will
build on VIDO's world-class successes, leading to healthier animals and
healthier humans on an
even greater scale."
InterVac, U of S-owned and operated, represents an international
collaboration that includes
VIDO, the U of S College of Medicine, and the Western College of Veterinary
Medicine, as well as
academic, research and government institutions in Canada and abroad.
Researchers will develop
and test new vaccines and methods of delivering vaccines.
The new research centre will be the first "biosafety Level 3 facility" in
Western Canada dealing
with both human and large animal diseases. Diseases are classified
internationally on a scale of
one to four. Level 3 diseases include tuberculosis and hepatitis C. Such
facilities are federally
regulated and built to exceed international biocontainment safety standards
to protect workers,
the environment, and society.
In March of 2004, the project was awarded $19.2 million by the Canada
Foundation for
Innovation, the largest CFI award in animal and human vaccine research. In
addition, the U of S
has contributed $300,000 to date to cover preliminary design and other
initial project support
costs, and the City of Saskatoon agreed last November to contribute $250,000
over five years.
Other sources of public and private funding are in various stages of
negotiation.
Operating costs will be covered by user fees, the U of S, and for the first
five years, the CFI.
InterVac has attracted various partners and users, including the Canadian
Public Health Agency,
Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the International
Vaccine Institute in
Korea, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and the B.C. Centre for
Disease Control.
The state-of-the-art laboratory will attract skilled medical researchers,
graduate students, and
research dollars, while contributing greatly to the student learning
experience.
As well, InterVac will attract companies in the human and animal health
sectors and bring many
economic benefits to the city, the province and the region. It's anticipated
that more than $60
million in construction, engineering fees and other goods and services would
be spent and/or
delivered to the Saskatoon region over a four-year building period.
Downloadable images related to VIDO and InterVac are available at:
http://www.vido.org/news/resources.php
For more information, visit:
http://www.usask.ca/research/intervac.shtml or contact:
Tess Laidlaw
Communications Officer
Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1506
(306) 966-7478 (fax)
www.vido.org
Ghislaine McLeod
Communications Director
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6614
www.usask.ca
March 14, 2005
U of S Awarded More Than $3.25 Million for Health Research
Posted March 14, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Monday, March 14, 2005
2005-03-04-OTHER
U of S Awarded More Than $3.25 Million for Health Research
Eight University of Saskatchewan health researchers will receive more than
$3.25 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) over the
next five years to study new ways to detect and treat cancer, repair nerves,
treat pain and heart disease, reduce tissue rejection in organ transplants,
and pursue possible cures for asthma and allergies.
The grants were announced today in Calgary by federal Health Minister Ujjal
Dosanjh and CIHR President Alan Bernstein as part of the latest package of CIHR
grants approved for research programs across Canada.
U of S researchers improved upon last year's success rate and achieved an average
grant value consistent with the national average. Four are five-year grants
- good news for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows looking for stable
funding to perform leading research while completing their education.
"Our health researchers have done an outstanding job, both in the quality of
their programs and in putting together solid, convincing proposals for CIHR," said
Steven Franklin, U of S Vice-President Research. "This success is good news for our
researchers and the students who work and learn with them."
Seven of the eight CIHR awards are operating grants for research program.
The recipients include:
- Wei Xiao from microbiology and immunology will receive $671,000 over five
years to study a group of DNA repair genes called PRR (post replication repair).
Cancer is a result of "mistakes" in DNA, and PRR functions to reduce these mistakes.
Understanding PRR genes and how they work may lead to better detection and treatment
tools for cancer.
- Yu Luo from biochemistry was awarded $650,000 over five years to study the
role of recombinases, a group of enzymes essential for gene repair that have been
linked to breast cancer when they go awry. Antibiotics can also work with these enzymes
to release toxins with sometimes deadly results. X-rays at the Canadian Light Source will
be used to shed light on recombinases, yielding clues to improved cancer therapy and
helping prevent complications from antibiotics.
- Jonathan Dimmock from pharmacy will receive $553,910 over five years to explore
compounds and combination drug therapies that damage cancer cells while having less of
an effect on normal tissue. A related project will look at ways to suppress an enzyme
that causes problems in organ transplants with the aim of reducing rejection.
- Keith Bonham from the Cancer Research Unit, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and U of S
department of oncology was awarded $494,665 over five years to study a promising new
class of anti-cancer drugs called histone deacetylase inhibitors. Understanding how these
drugs work could allow development of treatments that target cancer more effectively.
- Valerie Verge from anatomy and cell biology and the Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Center
will receive $371,076 over three years to continue studies on a group of molecules called
neurotrophins. These molecules have roles in helping nerves re-grow after an injury, and in
suppressing inflammation-related pain. The work could lead to new pain relief options and
therapies to help regenerate injured nerves.
- John Gordon from the Immunology Research Group in veterinary microbiology was awarded
$338,000 over three years to build on previous work that showed it was possible to reverse
asthma in animals by using the body's own cells to turn off the allergic responses that lead
to asthma attacks. Gordon and his group will now work to find the precise mechanisms behind
these effects, and whether they are also applicable to people with asthma and allergies.
- David Blackburn, Roy Dobson, and Jim Blackburn from pharmacy and Thomas Wilson from
medicine will receive $156,000 over two years to compare the effectiveness of atenolol, to
others in a group of medicines called beta-blockers used to treat congestive heart failure.
The research will determine if all beta-blockers have similar life-saving effects, or if
some are better than others.
In addition, Wendy Duggleby from nursing has been awarded a $25,000 short-term clinician
investigator grant for salary support to release her from clinical, teaching and
administrative duties to work on her research into care for the dying. This work is aimed
at developing effective ways of increasing hope, thereby improving the quality of life for
palliative care patients and their caregivers.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (www.cihr.ca) is the federal government's major
funding agency for health research.
For more information, contact:
Michael Robin
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
Janet Weichel
Communications
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
(613) 941-4563
jweichel@cihr.ca
www.cihr.ca
March 11, 2005
U of S Researchers Awarded $195,000 to Pursue Artificial Organs, Create Realistic Digital Worlds and Explore Plant Genetics
Posted March 11, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, March 11, 2005
2005-03-03-OTHER
U of S Researchers Awarded $195,000 to Pursue Artificial Organs, Create
Realistic Digital Worlds and Explore Plant Genetics
Today three University of Saskatchewan researchers were awarded grants totaling nearly
$195,000 to develop techniques to manufacture electronic components, build artificial
organs, develop tools to create realistic digital worlds, and understand how algae
and plants respond to environmental change.
"These tools for discovery will help our researchers push the limits of
knowledge in exciting areas with direct application to the needs of society," said
Steven Franklin, Vice President Research. "They also will help provide a state-of-the-art
environment in which our students can learn."
The grants were announced in Victoria by federal Industry Minister David Emerson as part
of $23.8 million awarded to research institutions across the country through the Canada
Foundation for Innovation (CFI) New Opportunities Fund.
"Canada's researchers have made outstanding contributions to the development of innovation
in this country," said Minister Emerson. "The success of the CFI's New Opportunities Fund
is helping to improve Canada's research performance. The investments announced today will
continue to ensure Canada's place among the most innovative countries in the world."
CFI will provide up to 40 per cent of the total $551,920 in funding for the research projects,
with the balance to be made up from other partners. To date, the CFI New Opportunities Fund
has provided $7.5 million for 59 projects at the U of S.
The three latest recipients and their CFI New Opportunities Fund grants are:
- Kenneth Wilson (Biology) receives $78,000 for a functional genomics lab to study the genes
that control how algae capture energy from the sun through photosynthesis and thrive in the
harsh Prairie environment. The knowledge could yield tools for developing more hardy food
crops. The work also promises to identify species of native Saskatchewan algae that produce
novel compounds that show promise in reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer.
- Xiongbiao (Daniel) Chen (Mechanical Engineering) receives $73,768 for precision fluid
manipulation tools to develop ways to precisely apply fluid in electronics packaging processes
such as die encapsulation and surface mounting. The tools will also be used in biomedical
engineering to fabricate three-dimensional "scaffolds" that can be seeded with living cells to
create artificial tissues or organs, an approach that promises a permanent solution to the
shortage of tissues for transplant.
- David Mould (Computer Science) receives $42,928 for a high-speed precision laser scanner,
turntable stage and associated computer equipment to develop new algorithms for 3D modelling
based on scans of real-world objects, from trees to rocks and other terrain. These mathematical
tools could lead to much more realistic virtual worlds for everything from computer games to
feature movies.
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) works to strengthen the capability of Canadian
universities, colleges, research hospitals, and other not-for-profit institutions to carry
out world-class research and technology development. More information is available at
www.innovation.ca.
For more information, contact:
Michael Robin
U of S Research Communications
Tel: (306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
March 09, 2005
Health science liaison appointed to U of S
Posted March 09, 2005
The following release was issued by the Government of Saskatchewan.Health science liaison appointed to U of S
The province has established a new liaison position in conjunction with
the University of Saskatchewan to help co-ordinate Government and the
University in planning and
implementing the College of Medicine accreditation plan and advancing the
Academic Health
Science Project.
http://www.gov.sk.ca/newsrel/releases/2005/03/09-183.html
U of S-Led Brain Awareness Week 2005 Runs March 13-20
Posted March 09, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 9, 2005
2005-03-02-ME
U of S-Led Brain Awareness Week 2005 Runs March 13-20
Did you know that regular physical activity may generate the growth of new
brain cells? Or that neurological and psychiatric illnesses account for more
disability worldwide than any other group of disorders?
Brainstorm these and other fascinating facts when the Saskatchewan
Neuroscience Network (SNN) hosts Brain Awareness Week 2005 from March 13th
to 20th. The theme of BAW Week 2005 is "Take Care of Your Brain."
To kick off the week, a free public lecture is set for March 13th. "Stem
Cell Medicine: Forging the Next Medical Revolution" will begin at 4:00 p.m.
at the Radisson Hotel in Michelangelo Room A. Professor Mark Noble from the
University of Rochester, N.Y., will speak on such controversial issues as stem
cells in the context of tissue repair and cancer.
The popular Brain Show takes place Sunday, March 20th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
in the Agriculture Building Atrium on the U of S campus. This free, public event
includes interactive computer games, a model MRI, a Brain Walk with 10 interactive
stations, a Speaker's Corner featuring "Hot Topics" from the headlines, informative
displays and posters providing an easy-to-understand overview of brain disorders
such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.
"Protecting our brains could be as simple as always wearing a helmet when
riding a bike or as complex as being physically active. Yes, physical activity is
good, not just to keep the body healthy, but also to contribute to a healthy brain,"
says U of S neuroscientist Ron Doucette, one of the organizers of BAW week activities.
BAW week will involve more than 40 U of S faculty and student researchers as well as
various local patient advocacy and support groups.
Visit the SNN Brain Awareness Week homepage at www.usask.ca/snn/baw05.html
for additional information.
-30-
Note to Editors: Interviews can be arranged with U of S neuroscientists upon
request.
For more information, please contact:
Ronald Doucette
Saskatchewan Neuroscience Network
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-4298
E-mail: rondouc@duke.usask.ca
March 01, 2005
Leading Scientist Recruited as Research Director for Canadian Light Source at the U of S
Posted March 01, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, March 1, 2005
2005-03-01-OTHER
Leading Scientist Recruited as Research Director for Canadian Light Source
at the U of S
SASKATOON, CANADA - Leading infrared synchrotron researcher Tom Ellis today joined the
Canadian Light Source (CLS) as its first director of research, a key appointment as the national
facility at the University of Saskatchewan prepares to welcome scientists from around the world.
Ellis's position will be associated with the university's department of chemistry.
"It is a tremendous coup for the CLS and the University of Saskatchewan to have someone of
Tom's calibre joining us," says CLS executive director Bill Thomlinson. "His contributions to
Canadian synchrotron science are already extremely significant. I'm confident that he will lead
the implementation of an excellent scientific program."
Ellis is relocating from Wolfville, Nova Scotia where he was Acadia University's first Dean of
Research and Graduate Studies. As director of research at the CLS, he will be assuming a key
leadership role, responsible for setting the synchrotron's research priorities and managing the
facility's experimental program.
"This appointment shows how the Canadian Light Source can be a beacon, drawing skilled and
talented people who recognize its promise," says Steven Franklin, U of S vice-president research.
"This offers tremendous benefits to our university, our province, and our country."
Ellis has been involved with the CLS since its inception as one of the co-applicants for the
Canada Foundation for Innovation grant that helped launch the project in 1999. He also serves as
national coordinator for the synchrotron's two infrared beamlines. His own research interests lie
in materials science, including the surfaces of biological materials, dental materials, and dental
adhesives.
R"I look forward to working closely with a dynamic group of staff scientists who are building
beamlines, promoting the applications of synchrotron research and ensuring that the facility is
ready to handle the rapid growth in researchers coming to the CLS," Ellis says. "I am also
interested in getting to know the researchers at the university who are making important
contributions to Canadian science."
Until now, the research director duties were shared between staff scientists Emil Hallin and Jeff
Cutler. Hallin will continue to oversee overall beamline construction and commissioning, while
Cutler will continue as associate director of research for industrial science. Ellis will work
closely with both.
"It's an honour to be joining such a talented group of people, whose accomplishments to date
have been truly remarkable," Ellis says. "I particularly want to acknowledge the work of Emil and
Jeff, who shared responsibilities as interim research directors in addition to their own challenging
jobs."
Ellis earned his B.Sc. in engineering physics from Dalhousie University and went on to obtain his
Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Waterloo in 1984. His studies included a 'co-op year' at
Mississauga's Xerox Research Centre and a post-doctoral fellowship at the renowned ATandT Bell
Lab in New Jersey. Prior to his appointment at Acadia University in 2002, he spent 16 years at the
Université de Montréal where he helped establish the Laboratory for the Characterization of
Materials. Ellis comes to Saskatoon with his wife, Karla Kuklis and their two children.
"It is particularly appropriate to move to Saskatchewan during its centennial year, at a time when
the province is looking forward to a very promising future," Ellis says. "The Canadian Light Source
is partnering with many others to help create new and exciting opportunities. The CLS is a dream
that became a reality, and it is my hope that it will inspire others who have their own ambitious
dreams."
Located on the University of Saskatchewan campus, the $174 million Canadian Light Source is
Canada's national synchrotron facility. The CLS produces brilliant light that spans the spectrum
from infrared to x-rays. The light is used by scientists to see matter at the atomic level and
answer questions in a wide variety of areas including materials science, life sciences,
pharmaceutical research and earth and environmental science.
Note aux rédacteurs francophone: Dr. Ellis sera disponible pour des entrevues
en français.
For more information, contact:
Matthew Dalzell
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Light Source
(306) 657-3739 Cell: (306) 227-0978
matthew.dalzell@lightsource.ca
www.lightsource.ca
Michael Robin
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
