May 30, 2005
Government of Canada awards U of S $1,196,000 to foster team approach to health care
Posted May 30, 2005
The following release was issued by the Government of Canada.
Government of Canada awards U of S $1,196,000 to foster team approach to
health care
SASKATOON - On May 27, Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh announced a federal
contribution of $1,196,000 over three years to the University of
Saskatchewan to help foster a team approach to health care.
The University will develop a program to train future health care
professionals to work in teams in the areas of mental health in children,
the transition of elders from hospital to community, chronic illness in
middle-aged adults, and community health in Aboriginal communities.
"The training developed with this funding will teach future health care
providers from different disciplines to work together to meet patient's
needs," said Minister Dosanjh. "This approach is expected to give the people
of Saskatchewan better access to care from the appropriate professional at
the appropriate time, and help to reduce wait times. It is also expected to
enhance patient satisfaction and safety."
The interprofessional education program at the University will involve
students in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, nutrition, education, physical
therapy, psychology, social work, environmental studies and early childhood
education. Practice settings from across the province will also be involved
including Saskatoon, Regina Qu'Appelle and Prince Albert Parkland Health
Regions, Battlefords Tribal Council and Student Wellness Initiative Toward
Community Health.
"I have no doubt that this project will ultimately improve the health of
communities, families and individuals across the province," said Minister
Dosanjh. The project will lead to the sharing of best practices and increase
the number of health care professionals who have been exposed to
interprofessional education, he noted.
The University of Saskatchewan project is one of 11 projects across the
country to which Health Canada is contributing $13 million under the
Interprofessional Education for Collaborative Patient-Centred Practice
initiative. It is part of the Pan-Canadian Health Human Resources Strategy,
which also includes initiatives to improve health human resources planning
and increase the recruitment and retention of needed health care providers.
The strategy is consistent with the commitment to renew the health care
workforce which First Ministers made last September in the Ten-Year Plan to
Strengthen Health Care. The Strategy annually allocates $20 million in
federal funding to create a stable health care workforce with the right
number and mix of health professionals, and a renewed and revitalized health
system which provides care to Canadians when they need it, wherever they
live in this country.
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Media Enquiries:
Adele Blanchard
Office of Minister Dosanjh
Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
National CBC Radio Shows Coming to U of S Campus in June
Posted May 30, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Monday, May 30, 2005 2005-05-25-OTHER
National CBC Radio Shows Coming to U of S Campus in June
In celebration of Saskatchewan's centenary, the University of Saskatchewan
will host two award-winning national CBC radio programs in early June -
Quirks and Quarks with host Bob McDonald and Writers and Company with host
Eleanor Wachtel.
"We are delighted with these high-profile opportunities to showcase the
expertise of U of S faculty members involved in a wide range of research,
scholarly, and artistic work," said Steven Franklin, U of S Vice-President
of Research.
The first-ever Saskatchewan taping of the Quirks and Quarks annual science
question show will take place Wednesday, June 1st at 7:30 p.m. in Place Riel
Theatre in the Arts Building. Seats will be available on a first come, first
served basis and any overflow will be accommodated in Room 133 Arts.
How do fish get into lakes, you ask? How close can our planet get to the Sun
before it is too hot for us to survive? How can fruit be grown without
seeds? McDonald will enlist a panel of U of S professors and guests to
answer these and other puzzling science questions solicited in advance from
the Saskatchewan public.
The nine U of S experts to be featured on the show include researchers from
biology, physics and engineering physics, geological sciences, psychology,
applied microbiology and food science, and medicine. The taping is free and
open to the public. A book signing and reception will follow.
For 30 years, Quirks and Quarks has brought its listeners to the cutting
edge of scientific inquiry. The program is heard by a national audience in
Canada of nearly 500,000 people and has won more than 40 national and
international awards. It is also heard around the world on short-wave via
Radio Canada International.
On Thursday, June 9th at 7:30 p.m., Wachtel will host Writers and Company at
the St. Thomas More auditorium. The national arts program has a reach of
almost 200,000 Canadians.
The show features Saskatchewan writers Guy Vanderhaeghe, a U of S (STM)
lecturer and award-winning author, and Sharon Butala, a U of S alumna.
Alberta authors Fred Stenson and Marilyn Dumont will also join Wachtel on
the show to celebrate the arts during Saskatchewan and Alberta's centennial
year.
Now in its 15th season, Writers and Company offers an opportunity to explore
in depth the lives, thoughts and works of remarkable writers from around the
world. The show has won CBC broadcasting awards including the best weekly
show broadcast nationally.
Tickets for Writers and Company are $5 and are available through the Place
Riel Information Centre at 966-6988. A book signing will follow.
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For more information, contact:
David Hutton
University of Saskatchewan
Research Communications
(306) 966-2427
dave.hutton@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
May 27, 2005
Canadian Light Source at the U of S Welcomes First Synchrotron Researcher
Posted May 27, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 27, 2005 2005-05-24-OTHER
Canadian Light Source at the U of S Welcomes First Synchrotron Researcher
SASKATOON - An important milestone was achieved at the Canadian Light Source
(CLS) this week as the national synchrotron facility welcomed its first
researcher from an outside agency, Dr. Allen Pratt of Natural Resources
Canada's CANMET Mining and Mineral Sciences Laboratories in Ottawa.
Dr. Pratt is using x-rays from one of the synchrotron's beamlines to study
the minerals chalcopyrite and pyrite - commonly known as fool's gold. He is
investigating how to more effectively separate these two minerals and real
gold from raw ore during processing.
"By tuning synchrotron light to certain energies we can build chemical
profiles of the surface layers of a mineral and understand the chemistry and
arrangement of metal atoms on the surface itself," says Dr. Pratt.
"Understanding this surface chemistry improves our ability to extract the
desired mineral or metals from the ore. We can also better understand how to
remove gold from raw ore through the development of leaching methods, which
are much more environmentally sustainable towards extracting gold."
Dr. Pratt was assigned time on the Variable Line Spacing Planar Grating
Monochromator (VLS-PGM) beamline after he submitted a proposal to the CLS
last fall.
"The Canadian Light Source is delighted to welcome Dr. Pratt and his study,"
says CLS Executive Director William Thomlinson. "The arrival of our first
external user is in many ways the culmination of the hard work of everyone
here. Dr. Pratt is the first of a long line of researchers who will use the
CLS to conduct scientific investigation to help better understand the world
around us and benefit Canadians' quality of life."
Officially opened in October 2004, the national synchrotron facility at the
University of Saskatchewan is one of Canada's largest science projects in
the last 30 years. Synchrotron light is used to determine the chemical
nature and the molecular structure of materials, paving the way for new
drugs, more powerful computer chips, better engine lubricants, more
effective medical imaging, environmental monitoring and a host of other
applications for science and industry.
The CANMET Mining and Mineral Sciences Laboratories (CANMET-MMSL) are
federal government research laboratories within the CANMET Mineral
Technology Branch of Natural Resources Canada. CANMET-MMSL provides quality
research and sound scientific advice to the mining and minerals industries,
and to provincial/territorial and federal government departments involved in
promoting or regulating these industries. CANMET-MMSL conducts RandD on a
wide range of processes and technologies involved in extracting ore from the
ground and transforming it into a concentrate, mineral product or metal.
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For more information contact:
Matthew Dalzell
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Light Source Inc
University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 657-3739 Fax: (306) 657-3535
Cell: 227-0978
matthew.dalzell@lightsource.ca
Myrna Parker
Communications Officer
CANMET Mineral Technology Branch
Natural Resources Canada
Ph: (613) 992-1285
mlparker@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
May 26, 2005
U of S Medieval Manuscript Pages Attract Scholars from Across Continent
Posted May 26, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 26, 2005 2005-05-22-AR
U of S Medieval Manuscript Pages Attract Scholars from Across Continent
A rare collection of University of Saskatchewan medieval manuscript pages
will be on public display at the U of S Gordon Snelgrove Gallery June 7th to
23rd.
The exhibition titled "Scattered Leaves: The Otto Ege Medieval Manuscript
Collection" is attracting interest from scholars and collectors from across
the continent who will take part in an international symposium June 13th and
14th. The symposium is designed to plan a digital reconstruction of one of
the manuscripts.
"Some of the manuscript pages are breathtaking - beautifully illustrated and
illuminated with gold leaf," says Peter Stoicheff, English professor and
organizer of the symposium and exhibition. "Others are fascinating for
different reasons - one has more commentary in the margins than it does
actual Biblical text and others contain text that is so densely packed you
can't read it without a magnifying glass."
Jon Bath, one of three graduate students working on the project, says
"There's an amazing story attached to every page. One manuscript may even
have been once buried with its owner."
The manuscript pages were put together by American collector Otto Ege in the
1920s. He put together 40 manuscript sets in total, each containing 50 pages
from 50 different medieval books dating from the 12th to 16th centuries.
"By today's conservation standards, it's quite shocking that Ege literally
took these medieval books apart," says Stoicheff. "But he was trying to make
the manuscripts accessible to as many people as possible."
The first day of the symposium, Monday, June 13th, is free and open to the
public. Registration is required for the daytime sessions which run from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. To register, call (306) 966-5516.
Medievalist Barbara Shailor, who is the Provost at Yale University, will
present the keynote address on June 13th at 7:30 p.m. in the Goodspeed
Theatre, Commerce Building.
The second day is for owners of the Ege collections only. The plan is to
digitally reconstruct one of the medieval manuscripts whose pages are spread
across many universities and create a "Digital Scriptorium," an on-line
database and archive run jointly by Columbia and Berkeley universities.
More information on the symposium and exhibition can be found on the U of S
website at:
http://library.usask.ca/ege .
The federal Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
(SSHRC) recently awarded Stoicheff $10,000 to mount the symposium. SSHRC is
Canada's federal funding agency for university-based research and graduate
training in the social sciences and humanities.
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For more information, contact:
Peter Stoicheff
English Department
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5516
peter.stoicheff@usask.ca
Michael Robin
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
May 25, 2005
U of S Honours Most Distinguished Graduates at Spring Convocation
Posted May 25, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 25, 2005 2005-05-21-OTHER
U of S Honours Most Distinguished Graduates at Spring Convocation
The University of Saskatchewan will recognize the achievements of its most
distinguished graduates at Spring Convocation, May 25 and 26 at the
Centennial Auditorium in Saskatoon. Several awards and prizes will be
presented, including the prestigious Governor General's Gold and Silver
Medals.
Julia Beth Ewaschuk will receive the Governor General's Gold Medal, awarded
to the graduate student with the highest academic standing. Ewaschuk was
born in Elliot Lake, Ontario, and attended Marion M. Graham Collegiate in
Saskatoon. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition in 1999 and a Ph.D.
in Nutrition in 2004 from the U of S. Ewaschuk held the prestigious NSERC
Canada Scholarship, and will receive the U of S Graduate Thesis Award in the
Life Sciences at Spring Convocation. Her research has led to a new
understanding of the origins of metabolic acidosis, a condition present in
neonatal diarrhea and major source of economic loss to livestock enterprises
in Canada. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of
Alberta, studying the molecular mechanisms by which probiotics can treat
inflammatory bowel disease.
Michael Gordon Barnett will receive the Governor General's Silver Medal,
awarded to the undergraduate student with the highest academic standing.
Barnett was born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, where he
graduated from Carlton Comprehensive High School. He graduates with a
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics (with Great Distinction) and
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (with Great Distinction) from the U
of S. Barnett is also the recipient of the Association of Professional
Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan Gold Medal, the Dr. E.L.
Harrington Prize, the Engineering Physics Distinguished Graduate Award, and
a Graduate Scholarship from NSERC Canada. He will begin a Master's Degree in
physics and work in the area of biophysics, studying pattern recognition
techniques related to breast cancer screening methods.
Presentation of Awards to Most Distinguished Graduates:
http://www.usask.ca/events/news/articles/20050525-1a.html
Complete List of Awards:
http://www.usask.ca/events/news/articles/20050525-1b.html
Note: Each file includes an option to download a PDF version.
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For more information, contact:
Erin Taman
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6919
May 19, 2005
The University of Saskatchewan presents unique centennial gift to Queen
Posted May 19, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 19th, 2005 2005-05-19-OTHER
The University of Saskatchewan presents unique centennial gift to Queen
A special advance copy of Saskatchewan: A New History, by University of
Saskatchewan History professor, Distinguished Researcher and Award-winning
author, Bill Waiser, will be presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The presentation will take place at a special private ceremony today, May
19th, on her visit to Saskatoon in commemoration of the province's
centennial.
"This book is the University's gift to the Province in this centennial year.
I am honoured that we can now also call it our gift to the House of
Windsor," says University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon.
In addition to the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Phillip, the ceremony
will be attended by distinguished guests including: Lieutenant Governor
Lynda Haverstock; President MacKinnon, and former provincial finance
minister and Professor Janice MacKinnon; University Chancellor Tom Molloy
and Alison Molloy; University Secretary Gordon Barnhart and Naomi Barnhart;
and the author Bill Waiser and Marley Waiser.
Saskatchewan: A New History is a people's history and has already received
high praise from its advance reviewers. Respected journalist and Canada's
Consul General to New York City, Pamela Wallin, says "Bill Waiser's book
captures the heart and the fearlessness of the people and the place I'm
proud to call home."
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For more information contact:
Regarding the Queen's visit:
Rob Norris
Coordinator, Global Relations
Office of the University Secretary
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 612-2428
Rob.Norris@usask.ca
Regarding Saskatchewan: A New History
Simone Lee
Fifth House Publishers Ltd.
(403) 571-5233
simone@hillsboro.ca
Professor Bill Waiser
Department of History
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
Office: (306) 966-5801 Home: (306) 374-4509
bill.waiser@usask.ca
*****************
Backgrounder
Saskatchewan: A New History, Bill Waiser's ninth book, has had a multi-year
genesis. The book project received funding from the Government of
Saskatchewan, the Celebrate Canada Committee for Saskatchewan, and
significant University support, including Waiser's secondment for research
and writing. Fifth House, a Western-based press, was chosen as the publisher
in 2003.
While thoroughly researched and including the most up-to-date data about the
history of the province, Saskatchewan a New History is a people's history,
not an academic tome. It has already received high praise from its advance
reviews. The respected broadcaster and journalist, and now Canada's Consul
General to New York City, Pamela Wallin, says:
"Saskatchewan's people have a strength of character that has been forged by
the demands of hard work, the often inhospitable climate, and the intensity
of political debate. Bill Waiser's Saskatchewan: A New History captures the
heart and the fearlessness of the people and the place I'm proud to call
home."
Waiser is hoping for more praise: "Of course, I recount in my book how
royalty has always marked very special events in Saskatchewan's history. The
province of Saskatchewan received royal assent on July 20, 1905. On October
12, 1912, Prince Arthur, the third and favourite son of Queen Victoria,
opened the Regina Legislature. And I hope Her Highness has an opportunity to
read about how her mother and father were stunned by the size of the crowd
that gathered to greet them in Melville on June 3, 1939. It was one of the
last opportunities for people to see the visiting couple on that pre-war
tour, and there were an estimated sixty thousand people on hand. In one day,
Melville, with a usual population of four thousand, had become
Saskatchewan's largest city.
Saskatchewan: A New History will be in bookstores across the province in
early June 2005. The $49.95 608 page hardcover book features over 200 black
and white photographs throughout, and two 16-page colour photographic
inserts of specially commission photographs by Saskatchewan artist, John
Perret. A special slip-cased edition will also be available for $100.
Jacket and interior photographs and excerpts of Saskatchewan: A New History
are available now
Official photographs of the presentation ceremony will be available on May
20, 2005
Canadian Light Source and the University of Saskatchewan Celebrate Royal Visit
Posted May 19, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - MAY 19, 2005
2005-05-18-OTHER
Canadian Light Source and the University of Saskatchewan Celebrate Royal
Visit
SASKATOON - After months of preparation and practice, the University of
Saskatchewan and the Canadian Light Source (CLS) welcomed The Queen of
Canada and The Duke of Edinburgh to the national synchrotron facility.
"This is an absolutely tremendous day for the University, the city and the
province," says University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon. "We
have been honoured with this opportunity to demonstrate to Her Majesty the
kinds of cutting edge research in the medical and life sciences in which the
University of Saskatchewan is prominently involved."
The Royal Party, accompanied by President MacKinnon and University
Chancellor Tom Molloy, toured the synchrotron, led by Canadian Light Source
Executive Director William Thomlinson.
"The Royal Visit has been a once in a lifetime event," says Dr. Thomlinson.
"It was an amazing opportunity to showcase the science being done on this
campus and celebrate the potential the research has to better the quality of
life of people everywhere."
The Queen had the opportunity to speak with scientists who will be using the
synchrotron to conduct research into breast cancer, Alzheimer's Disease and
zoonotic diseases such as SARS and Avian Flu. A human face to the work at
the synchrotron was given by a cancer survivor, who spoke to Her Majesty
about the hope that the research at the CLS and University gives to patients
and their families. While in the synchrotron, The Queen also visited with a
group of school students from Bjorkdale, Saskatchewan, representing the
province's future.
The Duke of Edinburgh toured the floor of the experimental hall with CLS
Operations Director Mark de Jong, seeing the synchrotron up close. His Royal
Highness also viewed a three dimensional model of a cancer protein created
using synchrotron data and participated in a simulated experiment measuring
heavy metal contaminants in mine tailings.
Upon exiting the building, Her Majesty was presented with a gift on behalf
of the CLS by technologist Mark Besse, as well as the key to the City of
Saskatoon by His Worship Mayor Don Atchison.
Officially opened in October 2004, the national synchrotron facility at the
University of Saskatchewan is one of Canada's largest science projects in
the last 30 years. It is funded through an unprecedented collaboration
among the University of Saskatchewan and all three levels of government: the
federal government; the provinces of Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta; and
the City of Saskatoon. Significant funds were also provided by industry
partners in the energy and pharmaceutical sectors. The synchrotron will be
used by researchers in academia, government and industry to advance
scientific knowledge and industrial capabilities.
Synchrotron light is used to determine the chemical nature and the
molecular structure of materials, paving the way for new drugs, more
powerful computer chips, better engine lubricants, more effective medical
imaging, environmental monitoring and a host of other applications for
science and industry. There are synchrotrons in five Commonwealth
countries. Besides the CLS in Canada, synchrotrons are operational or under
construction in the UK, India, Singapore and Australia. Further information
on the Canadian Light Source is available at www.lightsource.ca.
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For more information contact:
Matthew Dalzell
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Light Source Inc.
University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 657-3739 Fax: (306) 657-3535
Cell: 227-0978
matthew.dalzell@lightsource.ca
Rob Norris
Coordinator, Global Relations
Office of the University Secretary
University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 966-2428 Cell 612-2428
rob.norris@usask.ca
May 18, 2005
U of S announces award recipients for Spring Convocation
Posted May 18, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 18, 2005 2005-05-15-OTHER
U of S announces award recipients for Spring Convocation
The University of Saskatchewan is pleased to announce the following award
recipients for Spring Convocation 2005. These individuals will be recognized
at the Convocation ceremony on Wednesday, May 25 at 2 p.m. at the Centennial
Auditorium in Saskatoon.
Dave Bocking, President's Service Award
The President's Service Award recognizes individuals who have enhanced the
work environment through extraordinary service and commitment to the campus
community. Dave Bocking, Department of Computer Science, College of Arts and
Science, joined the U of S in 1980 and assumed the role of computer
facilities manager. He has been a constant force for technology innovation,
and is credited for several campus computing feats. A leader and visionary
in his field, Bocking provides valuable insight and guidance on information
technology needs. He is an exemplary employee who has made a lasting impact
on the U of S.
Sheila Schmutz, Outreach and Public Service Award
The Outreach and Public Service Award recognizes individuals who extend the
University's expertise to the broader community. Dr. Sheila Schmutz,
Department of Animal and Poultry Science, joined the U of S in 1983. In
addition to her role as professor, she currently serves as Acting Associate
Dean (Research) in the College of Agriculture. A leader in the field of
animal genetics and researcher of international acclaim, Dr. Schmutz is
committed to information-sharing and public dialogue. She encourages her
students to participate in extension activities and is a fine ambassador of
the U of S.
Ernie Walker, Master Teacher Award
The Master Teacher Award recognizes teaching excellence and outstanding
contributions to the learning environment of the University. Dr. Ernie
Walker is a well-respected professor in the Department of Archaeology,
College of Arts and Science. A world-renowned expert in archaeology,
anthropology and forensics, Dr. Walker has ensured his students remain the
top priority. Students admire his passion for teaching, enthusiasm for
learning, and expertise in his disciplines. He has received numerous
teaching, research, and alumni awards, and is a true inspiration to students
and colleagues across campus.
Robert Calder, Distinguished Researcher Award
A separate news release, issued May 18 by the U of S, provides further
information on the award recipient.
Complete biographies and photos are available at
http://www.usask.ca/communications/awards/.
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For more information, contact:
Dave Bocking, Department of Computer Science
College of Arts and Science, University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4910
Sheila Schmutz, Department of Animal and Poultry Science
College of Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4153
Ernie Walker, Department of Archaeology
College of Arts and Science, University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4181
Robert Calder, Department of English
College of Arts and Science, University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5524
Corinne Szwydky, University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6607
U of S Spring Convocation to be held May 25 and 26
Posted May 18, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 18, 2005 2005-05-16-OTHER
U of S Spring Convocation to be held May 25 and 26
The University of Saskatchewan will honour its graduates and confer
approximately 2,900 degrees, diplomas and certificates at the annual Spring
Convocation, May 25 and 26 at the Centennial Auditorium in Saskatoon.
Chancellor Tom Molloy will confer the degrees and preside over the
ceremonies.
Please note Graduate Studies and Research students will graduate with
undergraduates in their disciplines, rather than as a separate group. The
procession of graduates begins 15 minutes prior to each ceremony.
Wednesday, May 25, at 9 a.m.
College of Arts and Science
Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree - Allan Fotheringham
Convocation Address - Allan Fotheringham
Wednesday, May 25, at 2 p.m.
College of Agriculture
College of Commerce
College of Engineering
Earned Doctor of Letters Degree - John Courtney
Presentation of Awards to Faculty and Staff
- President's Service Award - Dave Bocking
- Distinguished Researcher Award - Robert L. Calder
- Outreach and Public Service Award - Sheila Schmutz
- Master Teacher Award - Ernie Walker
Thursday, May 26, at 9 a.m.
College of Dentistry
College of Kinesiology
College of Medicine (includes Physical Therapy)
College of Nursing
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
Earned Doctor of Science Degree - Reuben Mapletoft
President's Address - Peter MacKinnon
Thursday, May 26, at 2 p.m.
College of Education
College of Law
Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree - John Francis (Frank) Roy
Convocation Address - John Francis (Frank) Roy
Receptions will take place following each ceremony in the Centennial
Auditorium.
For further information about the Convocation ceremony, visit:
www.usask.ca/university_secretary/convocation.shtml
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For more information, contact:
Corinne Szwydky
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6607
Renowned U of S English Literature Scholar to Receive Distinguished Researcher Award
Posted May 18, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 18, 2005 2005-05-17-OTHER
Renowned U of S English Literature Scholar to Receive Distinguished
Researcher Award
A University of Saskatchewan professor who won the country's top literary
non-fiction award will receive the university's Distinguished Researcher
Award at the Spring Convocation ceremony on May 25th at 2:00 p.m. at the
Centennial Auditorium in Saskatoon.
Professor Robert Calder, considered the world's leading authority on British
author Somerset Maugham, earned the Governor-General's Literary Award for
Non-Fiction for his 1989 book, Willie: The Life of Somerset Maugham, widely
recognized as the definitive Maugham biography.
"Professor Calder's books on Maugham have received international critical
acclaim and his other books and scholarly articles are influential, widely
read, and broad in scope," said Steven Franklin, U of S Vice-President
Research. "Moreover, his work and teaching have enhanced the classroom
experience for thousands of students in his 40 years of teaching at the U of
S."
Calder knows personally the difference a devoted and committed teacher can
make. In an interesting twist, a high school teacher who was an important
influence on Calder is also receiving an award at this year's convocation.
Frank Roy, who taught Calder english at City Park Collegiate, will receive
an honorary degree at the May 26th convocation ceremony.
The Distinguished Researcher Award, which carries a $1,000 prize, recognizes
faculty members for significant contributions to knowledge or artistic
creativity in their areas of expertise.
Calder is the author of six books, as well as numerous book chapters and
articles. In 2004, he published two major works, each in a different genre.
Beware the British Serpent, a meticulously researched and pioneering work on
the role of British writers in World War II propaganda, won two 2004
Saskatchewan Book Awards. A Richer Dust: Family, Memory and the Second World
War, a moving family memoir that examines Canadian's experience with
shell-shock, was short-listed in both the 2004 non-fiction and "Book of the
Year" categories.
"His career as a humanities scholar has been one of the most outstanding in
the university's history," said Paul Bidwell, head of the U of S Department
of English.
Recently, Calder was commissioned by Viking Penguin to write introductions
for its Twentieth-Century Classics Editions and by Penguin to write
introductions to several editions of Maugham's work including Of Human
Bondage and The Moon and Sixpence.
"Together, these widely read introductions will stand as a significant
commentary on Maugham's work," said Bidwell.
Not content to limit his interests to the literary realm, Calder is also the
co-author of a popular history of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Rider Pride:
The Story of Canada's Best-Loved Football Team. He also co-edited the
anthology Time as a Human Resource, an ambitious and multi-disciplinary work
on the subject of time.
Calder chaired the Department of English from 1979 to 1981, was Associate
Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts from 1981 to 1984, and served as acting
head of the Department of Music between 1989 and 1990.
All U of S Distinguished Researchers deliver a lecture after receiving the
award. Professor Calder's lecture will be scheduled for later this fall.
For more information on the award and previous winners, visit:
http://www.usask.ca/research/dist_rschr.shtml
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Note to editors: Photo of Robert Calder is available upon request.
For more information, contact:
Robert Calder
Department of English
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5524
Jennifer W. Webber
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1474
jennifer.webber@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
May 17, 2005
2005 3M Teaching Fellows Announced
Posted May 17, 2005
2005 3M Teaching Fellows Announced
Official Press Release: http://www.mcmaster.ca/3Mteachingfellowships/index2.html
The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) and 3M Canada have joined to reward exceptional contributions to teaching and learning at Canadian universities. The University of Saskatchewan is pleased to recognize the following recipients of the 2005 3M Teaching Fellowships.
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Richard Schwier
John
ThompsonPhotographs and biographies courtesy of 3M Teaching Fellowships Program.
May 11, 2005
U of S PhD Student to Launch Violence Reduction Program in High Schools
Posted May 11, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 11, 2005 2005-05-12-ED
U of S PhD Student to Launch Violence Reduction Program in High Schools
Shannon Dobko, a University of Saskatchewan graduate student in educational
administration, has been chosen to implement a national anti-violence pilot
project called The Fourth R: Relationship-Based Violence Prevention.
"The Fourth R is designed to educate students about high-risk behaviours
such as substance abuse and about ways to reduce all forms of violence,"
says Dobko. "The program is unique in that it is specifically designed for
high school students whereas other similar programs are typically aimed at
elementary school children."
Dobko was selected to run the pilot project by RESOLVE (Research and
Education for Solutions to Violence and Abuse), a U of S research centre.
The project will operate through a partnership with RESOLVE and the
Saskatoon East, Saskatoon West, Saskatoon Catholic, Saskatoon Public, and
Saskatchewan Valley school divisions, as well as Saskatoon District Health.
Saskatoon is one of only two sites in Canada to implement the pilot program.
On May 17, a training workshop on how to implement The Fourth R program will
take place in the Gathercole Room, Saskatoon Public School Board office,
from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. About 35 teachers, health region
representatives, and education administrators will participate. The workshop
will consist of lectures on violence, a presentation of background
information on the program, and role-playing sessions. This training
workshop is open to the media.
In September, Dobko will coordinate the launch in four high schools in and
around Saskatoon: Marion M. Graham Collegiate, Delisle Composite, Warman
High School and Clavet Composite. By the third year of the pilot program, 20
schools from the five school divisions in and around Saskatoon will be
participating.
Dobko's work implementing the program for RESOLVE will dovetail with her
doctoral work in educational administration. She will study the impact of
The Fourth R program to see what influence it has on the prevention and
reduction of violence and on student engagement - meaning how much students
feel actively and emotionally involved in their education and how much they
feel a sense of belonging at school. Dobko will use a portion of the data
obtained to write her doctoral thesis.
RESOLVE receives core funding from the Prairieaction Foundation which
supports similar research centres in Alberta and Manitoba and which runs a
national community research grants program annually.
Funding for The Fourth R program comes from The Centre for Addiction and
Mental Health (CAMH), a leading addiction and mental health teaching
hospital in London, Ontario. It has provided $250,000 to RESOLVE to roll out
the pilot project in Saskatoon and area over the next three years.
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For more information, contact:
Shannon Dobko
Fourth R Coordinator - Saskatchewan
(306) 343-0208 or 668-7559
shannon.dobko@swsd42.sk.ca
http://www.thefourthr.ca/
or
Jennifer W. Webber
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1474
jennifer.webber@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
U of S Commerce Student Receives National Award
Posted May 11, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - MAY 11, 2005 2005-05-13-CO
U of S Commerce Student Receives National Award
A University of Saskatchewan Commerce student was chosen from 2000 others
across Canada as Student Leader of the Year in entrepreneurship.
Fourth year student Dawn Predenchuk received the award from ACE
(Accelerating Canadian Entrepreneurship), together with a $2500 bursary,
after she demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in entrepreneurship.
"I am honoured to be selected as the top ACE Student Leader across Canada.,"
she said. "The ACE program continues to develop the brightest and most
talented future leaders and the competition was fierce. I have received
immeasurable support from my peers, mentors and faculty advisor, without
which this accomplishment would have been impossible. I look forward to
advancing leadership and entrepreneurship throughout Saskatchewan and Canada
in the future."
In one notable project, Dawn led a team which taught Grade 10 Aboriginal
students in Saskatoon marketing, finance and career development skills over
a period of three months. This culminated in the opening of a one-day
cafeteria in aid of anti-racism day.
Commerce Professor Ayten Archer said: "Dawn is an excellent student
ambassador in her leadership role as ACE Saskatchewan President. She has
excellent communication, cultural diversity and financial management skills
that are necessary for entrepreneurial leadership. She also has the
passion, determination and dedication to succeed."
Vice President ACE Saskatchewan 2004-2005 Chelsea Jukes said: "We are very
proud that this award was given to a University of Saskatchewan student. It
is a national honour to be selected out of 2000 Canadian University student
leaders. Dawn is a role model for all Saskatchewan youth. The University
of Saskatchewan can be proud of the skills it is has developed in its
students."
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For more information, please contact:
Ayten Archer
Accelerating Canadian Entrepreneurship John Dobson Fellow
College of Commerce
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8424
e.archer@commerce.usask.ca
U of S announces new transition program for students
Posted May 11, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 11th, 2005 2005-05-11-OTHER
U of S announces new transition program for students
The University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatoon Public Schools are
launching a new first-year university transition program in the College of
Arts and Science that will enhance accessibility to post-secondary education
and increase student success.
The program will offer first-year Arts and Science courses to students who
normally would not be able to attend university. It will be more responsive
to student needs and will use a supportive approach to learning.
The program will operate from Saskatoon Public Schools Royal West Campus.
Royal West offers a unique learning environment with extensive community
supports to assist students, including day-care facilities.
"The new program is dedicated to student success," said Michael Atkinson,
University Provost and Vice-President Academic. "It will be flexible to best
meet the needs of the students. Our research shows that a significant number
of students with lower high-school averages struggle with first-year
full-time university study yet we know that if they make it to second year,
their success rate is the same as all students."
"We are delighted to be a part of this exciting project," said Dan
Danielson, Chair of the Board of Education of Saskatoon Public Schools. We
know all young people have tremendous potential and our role is to help them
discover, develop and act upon their potential. This partnership offers more
opportunities for our students and we applaud the University for this
innovative approach."
Students with a high school average of 65 to 69 per cent can apply for the
transition program which will offer small class sizes, extra study
assistance, math readiness, help with writing, student counselling and
academic advising. The program will offer standard first-year Arts and
Science classes such as English, History, Mathematics and Computer Science.
The University will be providing 50 bursaries to encourage young people to
pursue a university education. Bursaries will also be available for
transition students who wish to combine university study with completion of
their high school program.
Website/Application Form:
http://explore.usask.ca/programs/transition/
For more information, contact:
Tom Steele
Associate Dean Undergraduate Affairs
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4236
Cody Hanke
Program Coordinator
Royal West Campus
(306) 683-7532
Backgrounder
University Transition Program
- Operated through a joint partnership between the University of Saskatchewan College of Arts and Science and Saskatoon Public Schools.
- Located at Saskatoon Public Schools Royal West Campus. Royal West Campus provides a unique learning opportunity for mature students (18 years and older) who are trying to obtain graduation status or additional grade 12 credits. Royal West offers the flexibility and support needed to meet the educational needs of young adults. Its unique features include extension courses; continuous progress; and on-line classes.
- Students will be able to take standard first-year Arts and Science classes such as English, History, Mathematics and Computer Science.
- Students can study as a full time student, by taking up to 18 credit units per academic session, 9 credit units per term, and a total of 36 credit units as a University transition student.
Admission
- Aimed at students with a high school average between 65 and 69 per cent who will benefit from additional assistance in order to make a successful transition to university.
- The program will admit at least 100 students in the first year with a potential maximum intake of 180 students in future years.
- 50 bursaries of $250 each will be available to provide eligible students with financial assistance. Bursaries will also be available for transition students who wish to combine university study with completion of their high school program.
Student support
- Small class size, maximum 25 students,
- Writing Centre support
- Math Readiness support
- Programming on Academic Skills for Success
- On-line support centre
- Academic advising services
Transition to University
- Students will be eligible to apply for admission to the College of their choice when they have successfully completed 18 credit units and meet the competitive entrance average.
- The university transition offering will admit students as university transition students to the College of Arts and Science.
- Courses will be offered in time blocks aimed at exploring the best times for students to allow other needs and interests in their lives to be met.
- In addition to day classes, evening and weekend offerings are a possibility. The schedule will be developed with the needs and expectations of students in mind.
May 10, 2005
CLS at the U of S Signs First On-Site Contract with Synodon Inc.
Posted May 10, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 10, 2005 2005-05-09-OTHER
CLS Signs First On-Site Contract with Synodon Inc.
SASKATOON - The Canadian Light Source recently signed a contract with
Synodon Inc. of Edmonton. The agreement, signed April 14, is the first
commercial contract that will be conducted on one of the synchrotron's
beamlines. Previous commercial work carried out by CLS scientists used
other synchrotrons in the USA and Great Britain.
"Synodon is very pleased to be able to utilize the leading edge CLS
facility. The measurements that we will be making can only be done at the
CLS and are crucial to allow us to optimize the performance of our
instrument," says Doug Miller, Synodon's Vice President of Engineering.
Synodon manufactures realSens(tm), an advanced airborne sensor system that
detects leaks in natural gas pipelines. Previous detection systems relied
on handheld sensors that had to be carried by workers walking along
kilometers of pipeline. By mounting the new technology on a helicopter,
over 100 km of pipeline can be covered in an hour, identifying and locating
small leaks before they can become a big problem. The synchrotron's
infrared beamline will be used to conduct spectroscopic analyses of gases,
the results of which will go into refining Synodon's technology.
"This is an important milestone for the CLS," says Dr. Jeffrey Cutler,
Associate Director of Research for Industrial Science. "Not only are we
working with a company that's building a great new tool, it also marks the
first of many applied science projects that will be done here at Canada's
synchrotron."
Officially opened in October 2004, the national synchrotron facility at the
University of Saskatchewan is one of the country's largest science projects
in the last 30 years. It is funded through an unprecedented collaboration
among the university and all three levels of government: the federal
government; the provinces of Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta; and the City
of Saskatoon. Significant funds were also provided by industry partners in
the energy and pharmaceutical sectors. The synchrotron will be used by
researchers in academia, government and industry to advance scientific
knowledge and industrial capabilities.
Further information regarding realSens(tm) is available on Synodon's
website, www.realsens.ca. More information on the Canadian Light Source is
available at www.lightsource.ca.
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For more information contact:
Matthew Dalzell
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Light Source Inc.
Ph: (306) 657-3739 Fax: (306) 657-3535 Cell: 227-0978
matthew.dalzell@lightsource.ca
Doug Miller
Vice President of Engineering
Synodon Inc.
Ph: (780) 468-9568 Cell: (306) 341-4956
doug.miller@synodon.com
U of S Students Awarded First ILO/Innovation Place Innovation Challenge Award
Posted May 10, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 10, 2005 2005-05-10-OTHER
U of S Students Awarded First ILO/Innovation Place Innovation Challenge
Award
Two University of Saskatchewan graduate students are the first recipients of
the Innovation Challenge Award jointly sponsored by the U of S Industry
Liaison Office (ILO) and Innovation Place.
Biology graduate student Tarik Dessouki and chemical engineering graduate
student Tim Friesen will each receive $500 which will be presented today at
the "Celebrate Success" gala dinner, co-sponsored by the Saskatoon and
District Chamber of Commerce and Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc.
Both student researchers will be nominated for the national Innovation
Challenge Award, a competition with more than $20,000 in total prize money
including a $10,000 first prize. The national award is co-sponsored by NSERC
(Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council) and the Canadian Science
and Technology Growth Fund.
The local award was created in part to encourage graduate students to apply
for the national prize but also to recognize the creation of commercially
viable technology at the U of S, said Doug Gill, ILO managing director.
"It's a great program. It is important to instill in graduate students the
idea that their research has commercial potential. The program helps
students look at their research from a different point of view," said Gill,
noting that he hopes more graduate students will apply for the award in the
future.
Austin Beggs, Innovation Place marketing and corporate development director,
said Innovation Place is pleased to support and recognize students in the
pursuit of excellence in their fields. "It is our desire to see more
economic activity generated in the province. We want to encourage students
to reach their academic goals and begin thinking about practical
application," he said.
- Tarik Dessouki's project examines methods to remove metal contaminants
from flooded open pit mines, a major environmental issue across Canada. The
biology Master's student has independently conducted a successful
large-scale and remote field project at Cluff Lake mine in Northern
Saskatchewan. He has also been awarded a prestigious NSERC IPS scholarship
and given talks at local, regional, and national conferences. His research,
funded in part by Cameco and Cogema, represents a major innovation for the
mining industry.
- Tim Friesen, a PhD student in chemical engineering, hopes to develop a
more economical way to formulate and preserve agriculture inoculants,
microbial products that enhance the ability of Saskatchewan commercial crops
such as canola and field peas to grow and resist diseases. Friesen earned
his M.Sc. from the University of Toronto in 2000.
Both Dessouki and Friesen will also be recognized with a photo posted on the
College of Graduate Studies Award Winners wall and a trophy.
More information about the Innovation Challenge Award is available at:
http://www.usask.ca/research/ilo/innovationchallenge/index.php
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For more information, contact:
David Hutton
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1425
May 06, 2005
NSERC Awards $13M to U of S Science Projects and Scholarships
Posted May 06, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, May 6, 2005
2005-05-06-OTHER
NSERC Awards $13M to U of S Science Projects and Scholarships
Over the next five years, 85 University of Saskatchewan research projects
will receive more than $12 million in Discovery grants and equipment grants
from NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council), while 27 U
of S graduate students will receive $922,000 in NSERC scholarships.
The new projects will explore diverse areas - from fusion energy and the
behaviour of Earth's atmosphere, to soil ecosystems, plant metabolism and
new X-ray imaging technologies.
"Discovery grants allow our researchers to push back the frontiers of
knowledge in areas that affect people's lives both here and around the
world," said Steven Franklin, U of S Vice-President of Research. "These
research projects, together with the latest round of scholarships, are also
a solid investment in Canada's future through graduate student training and
education opportunities."
The projects are part of $510 million in NSERC funding and scholarships
announced today in Ottawa by federal Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Joe Volpe on behalf of Industry Minister David Emerson.
"The NSERC awards help move Canada to the forefront of international
research, and allow our professors to develop the next generation of
scientists and engineers who will be essential to our success in the global
knowledge-based economy," Volpe said.
A complete list of successful U of S projects with a brief description of
each is available at: http://www.nserc.gc.ca/news/news_rel_e.htm.
Among them:
- Akira Hirose (physics and engineering physics) - $481,250 for magnetic
fusion research at the STOR-M tokamak laboratory to develop a key technology
to refuel fusion reactors. Such reactors provide clean, abundant energy and
are expected to be a core energy source within 30 to 50 years. The funds
will also support research into plasma synthesis of diamond and nanotube
coatings for artificial blood vessels and durable coatings for industrial
uses such as petroleum refining.
- Federica Brandizzi (biology) - $450,000 to study the mechanisms plants use
to transport molecules such as proteins, sugars and lipids (fats and oils)
among the organelles of their cells. These secretory pathways are the cells'
"assembly line," responsible for putting together molecules such as the
sugars, starches and proteins that animals and people use for food.
- Safa Kasap (electrical engineering) - $280,000 to study the properties of
amorphous semiconductors and alloys for use in medical X-ray imaging such as
mammography. Understanding and characterizing the properties of this class
of materials promises to enhance the design of advanced X-ray image
detectors, an alternative to the still widely-used X-ray film.
- Jim Germida (soil science) - $272,000 to understand how microorganisms
closely associated with roots of crops such as wheat, field pea and canola
affect plant health, growth and yield. The ultimate goal is to determine if
these plant-microbe interactions can be manipulated to increase food
production, create new useful bioproducts or clean up the environment. As
well, this work will advance understanding of microbial biodiversity and
plant-microbe interactions.
- Alan Manson (physics and engineering physics) - $267,300 to study the
northern vortex, an atmospheric system that covers all of Canada and
responds to tropical systems such as El Nino and to solar storms, and whose
variability affects weather conditions and the existence of ozone holes.
Radar measurement of winds in the middle atmosphere (50 to100 km) made at
Saskatoon, will be combined with data from about 20 other radars in the
Northern Hemisphere, temperature measurements from satellites, and general
circulation models to define the wind patterns from the ground to 100 kms.
NSERC scholarships were awarded to 27 U of S graduate students studying in a
wide range of disciplines, from biochemistry, toxicology and soil science to
computer science, engineering, physics and geology.
NSERC (www.nserc.ca), a key federal scientific research granting agency,
supports basic university research through discovery grants and project
research through partnerships among universities, governments and the
private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people.
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For more information, contact:
Michael Robin
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
U of S 2005/06 Operating Budget Approved
Posted May 06, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 6, 2005
2005-05-07-OTHER
U of S 2005/06 Operating Budget Approved
University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon announced today that
the U of S Board of Governors has approved the institution's operating
budget for 2005/06.
"The budget represents the second year of a multi-year plan to address our
deficit position and advance the University's direction consistent with our
strategic plan," said U of S President Peter MacKinnon.
As planned in the multi-year budget framework, the 2005/06 budget includes
$1.9 million in permanent budget adjustments that will take the form of
further efficiencies in a number of colleges and departments.
"We have phased in a total of $6.2 million of permanent budget adjustments
over three years to allow colleges and departments to properly plan,
implement and realize the required amounts and address our fiscal
realities," said MacKinnon.
At the same time, the University has set aside funds to support strategic
changes to the institution. From these funds, the budget has committed
$500,000 in ongoing funding to graduate scholarship support in 2005/06 with
an additional $500,000 to come in 2006/07.
The President pointed out that the 2005/06 budget does not contain an
increase in tuition levels due to the one-time Centennial Tuition Grant from
the provincial government.
"This one-time grant offers much appreciated support for most of our
students and covers the revenue projections the University would otherwise
have realized from the tuition increase set out in our three-year budget
plan," he said.
The President concluded by saying that by fulfilling its commitment to the
multi-year budget framework, the University of Saskatchewan will be in a
stable position to continue playing a key role in education and the economy
of this province.
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For further information, please contact:
Peter MacKinnon
President
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-6612
Ghislaine McLeod
University Communications Director
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-6614
May 04, 2005
U of S Researchers Use Synchrotron to Shed Light on Cadmium's Role in Carbon Cycle
Posted May 04, 2005
FOR RELEASE - 11:00 a.m. May 4, 2005 2005-05-03-AR
U of S Researchers Use Synchrotron to Shed Light on Cadmium's Role in Carbon Cycle
An international team that includes two University of Saskatchewan Canada
Research Chairs has discovered that the element cadmium, well known for its
toxicity to humans and other animals, may play an essential role in
regulating atmospheric carbon.
The findings will be published in the May 5, 2005 issue of the prestigious
science journal Nature.
The team includes U of S geological sciences professors Graham George and
Ingrid Pickering and colleagues from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in
Massachusetts, Sandia Laboratories in California, ExxonMobil Research and
Engineering, and Princeton University in New Jersey.
Working at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory in California,
George and Pickering used synchrotron X-rays to partly determine the shape
of an enzyme that regulates levels of carbon dioxide in single-celled plants
called diatoms. Colleagues on the team isolated the genes responsible for
the cadmium enzyme, which also appear to be unique.
George and Pickering confirmed that the plant enzyme, cadmium carbonic
anhydrase, does indeed use cadmium - the first known biological use of the
element.
"Our research establishes a role for cadmium for the first time. No one has
done this before," George says.
The team found that the cadmium enzyme performs much the same role as
zinc-based enzymes in land plants. The U of S researchers compared the two
types of enzymes using data generated at the Stanford synchrotron.
"It turns out that cadmium may play a vital role in the global carbon
cycle," George says. "The enzyme is used by diatoms in the first step of
photosynthesis, which is responsible for uptake of carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere."
Like all plants, diatoms use photosynthesis to take in carbon dioxide and
release oxygen. Since they are present in all the world's oceans, which
cover about 70 per cent of the Earth's surface, diatoms have a huge
collective impact.
The researchers speculate that the diatoms' capacity to use cadmium
developed because ocean waters contain only trace amounts of certain
essential metals. In fact, the diatoms prefer to produce a zinc-based enzyme
rather than the cadmium version. But the ability to make a cadmium enzyme
allows the microscopic plants to better survive in their environment because
surface seawater contains almost no zinc.
Until now, cadmium was thought to be something solely to be avoided. While
our bodies can get rid of the metal, excessive amounts can damage the
kidneys, bones, nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Cadmium has many industrial uses such as nickel-cadmium rechargeable
batteries, paint pigments, plating, alloys, and plastics. It is a naturally
occurring element and can accumulate in crops, prompting efforts, for
example, to develop low-cadmium varieties of durum wheat for Saskatchewan
soils.
"What's interesting here is the changing face of cadmium from a bad guy to a
good guy," George says.
George and Pickering are experts in synchrotron X-ray analysis of metals in
natural systems, such as mercury in fish and selenium in Prairie plants. The
two are actively involved in the development of the Canadian Light Source
synchrotron at the University of Saskatchewan (www.lightsource.ca). They
actively promote its use through lectures and workshops such as the upcoming
"Frontiers in Bio-Metals" workshop at the University of Saskatchewan, Royal
University Hospital on May 11 (www.lightsource.ca/bio-metals).
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For more information, contact:
Graham George
Department of Geological Sciences
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5722
graham.george@usask.ca
Michael Robin
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
