April 28, 2006
U of S Awarded $1 Million for Research into Biofuels and Computer Networking
Posted April 28, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, April 28, 2006 - 9:30 a.m.
2006-04-15-OTHER
U of S Awarded $1 Million for Research into Biofuels and Computer Networking
Two University of Saskatchewan Canada Research Chairs have been awarded a
total of $1 million over the next five years from the Government of Canada
to further cutting-edge research into more natural and intuitive computer
networking environments and creating renewable, environmentally friendly
diesel fuel from vegetable oil.
Carl Gutwin, computer science professor and CRC in Next Generation
Groupware, and Ajay Dalai, a chemical engineering professor who holds a CRC
in Bio-Energy and Environmentally Friendly Chemical Processing, have both
had their appointments renewed for another five years.
"These chair renewals reflect the quality of our faculty in leading
internationally significant programs that strengthen the University's
position as a major centre for research excellence," says U of S
Vice-President Research Steven Franklin. "This provides opportunities for
our students to learn from the leaders in their fields."
The renewals are included in an announcement of new appointments and
renewals across the country made today at the Université Laval,
Québec by Minister of Industry Maxime Bernier, who is responsible for
the CRC program.
"The important investments made in university research have re-energized our
campuses and given the country's top researchers - our Canada Research
Chairs - the support they need to fully realize their innovative ideas,"
Bernier says.
Gutwin's research explores the potential and dangers of having widespread
computer networks across the globe and how people interact with this
technology. He is also researching ways to protect privacy and to control
the information environment.
His team is developing new ways of designing and evaluating groupware,
finding ways to deal with the problems of network delays, and inventing new
techniques that make online group interaction easier and more natural. In
the process, he has built a strong laboratory and research program,
publishing more than 50 papers in top-ranked journals and conferences, and
providing training to more than 25 undergraduate, graduate, and
post-graduate students.
"Over the next five years, we will explore ways to make network
communication more natural, expressive, and manageable than anything
currently possible," Gutwin says. "We will be investigating techniques for
maintaining awareness of others on the Internet without compromising
privacy, and visualizations that dramatically increase the expressiveness of
people's online representations. The goal is to make online meetings as good
as, or better than, face-to-face interaction."
Dalai's work focuses on the development of gas-to-liquid technologies
including biodiesel. In 2001, he developed a novel process to produce a
renewable fuel as an effective biodiesel from low-grade canola oil and fryer
grease. More than 20 research institutions and industries collaborate in
Dalai's research.
"My research will continue the development of viable technologies for the
economical conversion of vegetable oils to biodiesel fuel, the conversion of
waste biomass to biodiesel for the transportation sector, and for
value-added products from biomass," Dalai says. "This proposed research aims
at reducing costs of biodiesel production and use of waste biomass."
Dalai's team will also use the U of S-owned Canadian Light Source (CLS)
synchrotron to probe the structure of catalysts such as those used to
produce hydrogen for fuel cells and greenhouse gas reduction.
In his four years as a CRC, Dalai has presented 65 papers at conferences,
performed more than 20 different research projects, published 50 research
papers in refereed journals, and written 30 technical reports. He has
supervised more than 50 graduate and post-graduate students and currently
supervises 20.
The U of S has so far named 28 Chairs under the $900-million Canada Research
Chairs program, created to enhance universities as centres of world-class
research excellence by attracting and retaining excellent researchers in
Canadian universities. For profiles of U of S Canada Research Chair holders,
visit http://www.usask.ca/crc or the national website at
http://www.chairs.gc.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Ajay Dalai
Department of Chemical Engineering
College of Engineering
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4771 (306) 966-8646
ajay.dalai@usask.ca gutwin@cs.usask.ca
http://www.usask.ca/crc/profiles/dalai.php
Carl Gutwin
Department of Computer Science
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
http://www.usask.ca/crc/profiles/gutwin.php
Dave Hutton
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6490
dave.hutton@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
--------
New Primary Health Centre Officially Opens on Saskatoon's West Side
Posted April 28, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 28, 2006
2006-04-17-ME
New Primary Health Centre
Officially Opens on Saskatoon's West Side
Today, Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) and the University of Saskatchewan's
Department of Academic Family Medicine opened Saskatoon's newest primary
health centre, the "University of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon Health Region
West Winds Primary Health Centre", on Saskatoon's west side.
West Winds Primary Health Centre is a joint initiative between Saskatoon
Health Region (SHR) and the College of Medicine's Department of Academic
Family Medicine. Both organizations jointly occupy and operate the Centre.
The partners have created a fully integrated Primary Health Centre with a
broad range of services including individual health screening, intervention,
treatment and population health promotion in one convenient location. The
Centre features a state-of-the-art training program for Family Medicine
Residents and facilities for primary care research, thus contributing to an
ongoing supply of family medicine practitioners for the province.
Health Minister Len Taylor said, "In 2001, our government made a commitment
to improve and sustain our health care system. We recognized the importance
of primary health care and made it an integral part of our plan. Since then,
we have developed and implemented many successful primary health care teams
in communities across this province. We congratulate the Saskatoon Health
Region and the College of Medicine for successfully developing their unique
partnership, marrying primary health care services with training and
research."
"We are proud to be working in partnership with the University of
Saskatchewan as this new interdisciplinary primary health care team works
with individuals, families and communities to meet their specific health
needs." says Maura Davies, President and CEO, Saskatoon Health Region. "We
are also proud to work with the Government of Saskatchewan to help secure
the provision of primary health services to Saskatchewan residents."
The Department of Academic Family Medicine relocated from Royal University
Hospital to West Winds. Saskatoon Health Region has relocated complete
health provider groups to the Centre including Public Health Services
(West), Healthy Mother Healthy Baby, and Healthy and Home. A number of
individual health professionals have also joined the West Winds team
including Chronic Disease Management, Client/Patient Access Services,
Clinical Health Psychology, Home Care, KidsFirst, Mental Health and
Addictions; a Nurse Practitioner, a Pharmacy Educator, Public Health Dental
Clinic, Social Work; and Therapies.
As identified by recent SHR and U of S studies, the west side of Saskatoon
is one of the least well-serviced areas from a health needs perspective.
"We hope that the West Winds Primary Health Centre will help reinforce the
University's commitment to its communities, to socially accountable health
care education and research, and to the improved health of residents living
in west-side neighborhoods surrounding the new Centre. We are pleased to be
partnering with Saskatoon Health Region service providers in this exciting
new interdisciplinary venture," said University of Saskatchewan President
Peter MacKinnon.
West Winds Primary Health Centre is located in the former Union Centre at
3311 Fairlight Drive.
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For more information, please contact:
Tina Merrifield
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2213
Kerilyn Voigt
Corporate and Public Affairs
Saskatoon Health Region
(306) 655-3386
--------
April 25, 2006
U of S to Host Largest-Ever Saskatoon Conference
Posted April 25, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, April 25, 2006
2006-04-12-OTHER
U of S to Host Largest-Ever Saskatoon Conference
The University of Saskatchewan will host the 2007 Congress of the Humanities
and Social Sciences -- Canada's largest annual multidisciplinary academic
meeting and the largest conference ever held in Saskatoon.
The eight-day Congress 2007 - May 26th to June 2nd -- is expected to attract
5,000 to 6,000 delegates, generating local economic impact in excess of $3.5
million and extensive national media attention.
"Congress 2007 is a rare opportunity for the U of S and it will be the
centerpiece of our U of S centennial celebrations," said U of S President
Peter MacKinnon.
"This major national event will showcase our university, our city and our
province and will have long-term economic, social, cultural and educational
benefits to Saskatoon and the province as a whole."
The Congress 2007 theme is "Bridging Communities: Making public knowledge -
Making knowledge public." Through a series of academic and cultural events
on campus, the Congress will place special emphasis on women, equity issues,
Saskatchewan's Aboriginal heritage and U of S partnerships with Aboriginal
Peoples.
The U of S has hosted Congress only twice before - in 1959 and in 1979.
Congress is hosted in co-operation with the Canadian Federation of the
Humanities and Social Sciences, an umbrella organization of 68 scholarly
associations and 73 post-secondary institutions and comprising more than
30,000 scholars, students and practitioners across Canada.
"We are delighted that the University of Saskatchewan put forward such an
impressive bid for the Congress," says Donald Fisher, the Federation's
President. "Linking Congress to the University's centenary celebrates two
uniquely Canadian institutions - both with esteemed traditions and great
plans for the future. We're looking forward to an extraordinary effort this
year."
The University's bid was supported by the Province of Saskatchewan, the City
of Saskatoon, Tourism Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority
(SREDA).
"People from around the world, who will gather for this prestigious
conference, will have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of
not only the University of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon, but the
entire province," said Premier Lorne Calvert. "This event is a tremendous
opportunity for the university to highlight its centennial celebrations."
Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison said he is extremely pleased that Congress
2007 will be held in Saskatoon. "I congratulate the University of
Saskatchewan for its efforts in bringing this prestigious academic gathering
to Saskatoon," he said. "Our exceptional facilities and services,
spectacular events and attractions, and warm prairie hospitality are sure to
guarantee a first-class conference."
Ted Mitchell, SREDA Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very excited to
have Congress 2007 in our community, and we were proud to have participated
in the bid. This multi-disciplinary event will have numerous academic,
cultural and economic spin-offs for our region."
The delegates, whose average length of stay will be three days, will present
scholarly papers, listen to prominent speakers, and take in a wide range of
cultural and artistic events arranged specifically for Congress.
"The congress will showcase our scholarly excellence alongside some of the
most influential Canadian and international thinkers. It's also an
opportunity to increase our outreach and engagement with our local
community," said Congress 2007 academic convener Hans Michelmann, noting
that the public will be invited to attend some of the lectures, cultural
events and the largest annual book fair in Canada with the purchase of a
community day pass.
"Staging this massive event will engage many sectors of our campus and will
provide more than 13,000 hours of student employment," Michelmann said.
Hosting this cross-campus event will require 165 classrooms and lecture
halls, as well as venues for social and cultural events, equipment required
in presentations, parking spaces, accommodation (in town and on campus),
security services, day care, and extensive signage.
More information about the Federation can be found at: www.fedcan.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Kathryn Warden, Research Communications Director
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
www.usask.ca/research
Jody Ciufo, Associate Executive Director
Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
(613) 238-6112, ext. 306
www.fedcan.ca
--------
April 21, 2006
First Graduating Class of Registered Nurses from U of S in P.A.
Posted April 21, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 21, 2006 2006-04-09-NU
First Graduating Class of Registered Nurses from U of S in P.A.
This spring marks the first time the Nursing Education Program of
Saskatchewan (NEPS) will have a graduating class that has been solely
educated in northern Saskatchewan. Seven students (1 male, 6 female) will
receive their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees from the University of
Saskatchewan.
Graduates will be recognized at a special ceremony on Saturday April 22,
2006 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre. Media are
invited to attend.
The First Nations University of Canada Northern Campus offers years one and
two, and the College of Nursing, U of S offers years three and four of the
collaborative NEPS program in Prince Albert. Students also complete
practical work in hospitals and health facilities in and around the Prince
Albert district. Across the province the NEPS Program is offered in
collaboration with a third partner, the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied
Science and Technology.
"The University of Saskatchewan is very proud of this program which allows
students to be educated closer to their homes, communities and families,"
said June Anonson, Assistant Dean, College of Nursing at the U of S Prince
Albert site. "There is a critical need to educate and retain health care
professionals in northern Saskatchewan and this program goes a long way
towards addressing that need."
The Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan is designed to prepare
graduates with the knowledge, skills, abilities, values, and attitudes
necessary for professional nursing practice in a variety of health care
settings within a changing health system.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
June Anonson
Assistant Dean, Prince Albert Site
College of Nursing
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 765-3279
Cel: (306) 981-2712
--------
U of S Agricultural Economist to Lead Ag Sector Communications Project
Posted April 21, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 21, 2006 2006-04-10-AG
U of S Agricultural Economist to Lead Ag Sector Communications Project
A University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist has been awarded
$300,000 from the federal Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
(SSHRC) for a three-year project designed to help the agricultural sector,
universities, and government exchange information and adapt within a rapidly
changing agricultural environment.
The multidisciplinary project will be led by professor Murray Fulton and
will involve some 22 other U of S researchers in a variety of disciplines
including soil science, the study of cooperatives, commerce, and law.
"Professor Fulton's project presents an exciting opportunity to build upon
interdisciplinary research success in areas of innovation, rural economies,
environmental issues and governance, and to disseminate this knowledge to
Prairie communities at a time when they are under extreme stress," said U of
S Vice-President Research Steven Franklin.
The $300,000 comes through SSHRC's new Knowledge Impact in Society (KIS)
program and will be matched by the U of S, bringing the total for the
three-year project to $600,000.
"This extremely important research communication project is ideally suited
to the University of Saskatchewan which is recognized internationally for
its research strengths in agriculture and the rural economy," said Franklin.
The U of S is one of only 11 universities to receive KIS Grant funding, from
a field of 86 applications across Canada.
"New technologies, new marketing systems, new competitors, and new
regulations are dramatically changing agriculture and how rural economies
operate," said Fulton. "Given these tremendous challenges, there's an
overwhelming need to improve the way everyone involved, from farmers to
policy makers, communicates. Information and ideas need to flow in all
directions - not just from the 'top' down."
The project's academic expertise, drawn from the U of S, will be matched
with a long list of non-academic partners such as major producer
organizations in the crop and livestock sectors.
The result will be the development of practical new models for ongoing
dialogue, regular opportunities for industry, government, the agriculture
sector and academia to meet and present ideas on key issues, a series of
short policy briefs, an interactive website, and a wide variety of events
and activities.
The SSHRC KIS grant program is new this year and designed to improve the
transfer of knowledge between universities and the non-academic community.
SSHRC is an arm's-length federal government agency that funds
university-based research and graduate training through national,
peer-reviewed competitions. SSHRC also partners with public and private
sector organizations to focus research and aid the development of better
policies and practices in key areas of Canada's social, cultural and
economic life.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Murray Fulton
Department of Agricultural Economics
College of Agriculture
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8893
Murray.Fulton@usask.ca
or
Jennifer W. Webber
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1474
jennifer.webber@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
--------
U of S Scores Success with Aboriginal Research
Posted April 21, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 21, 2006 2006-04-11-OTHER
U of S Scores Success with Aboriginal Research
Five University of Saskatchewan researchers have been awarded a total of
almost $480,000 from the federal Social Sciences and Humanities Research
Council (SSHRC) to lead five new Aboriginal research projects in areas
including literacy, urban identity, and the teaching of life skills to
children and youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
"These five important research projects are directly in keeping with this
university's long-term goal to play a leading role in Aboriginal education
and scholarship," said U of S Vice-President Research Steven Franklin.
The five projects chosen for support by SSHRC's Aboriginal Research program
reflect a 71 per cent success rate for the grant proposals submitted this
year by U of S researchers.
"That kind of success rate clearly demonstrates the breadth and depth of the
University of Saskatchewan's strengths in Aboriginal research," said U of S
SSHRC Coordinator Peter Stoicheff.
Each project will run from two to three years and may involve many
co-investigators and outside partners.
"Based in a province with the highest proportion of Aboriginal people in
Canada, we are uniquely positioned to work in partnership with Aboriginal
communities and organizations - which is exactly the approach many of these
research projects are taking," said Franklin. "It's both encouraging and
exciting to see these collaborations taking place."
The five U of S Aboriginal projects approved for funding are:
* Evelyn Peters (geography) - $249,303 to discover the nature of First
Nations and Métis identities in cities by exploring personal stories,
social networks and participation in urban organizations. Partners: Central
Urban Métis Federation Inc (CUMFI), Gabriel Dumont Institute,
Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre and the Saskatoon Tribal
Council. Co-investigators: Roger Maaka (native studies) and Ron Laliberte
(native studies). Peters holds a Canada Research Chair in Identity and
Diversity: The Aboriginal Experience.
* Linda Wason-Ellam (education) - $156,841 for an interdisciplinary research
project designed to help teachers, parents and other service-providers find
culturally respectful and effective ways to teach reading, writing, and
other life skills to Aboriginal children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorder. Partner: Saskatchewan Fetal Alcohol Support Network.
Co-investigators: Priscilla Settee (extension division); Patricia Blakley
(medicine); Mark Carter (law); Stephen Wormith (psychology); Penelope
Andrews, (School of Law, City University of New York). Collaborator: Wayne
Podmoroff (psychologist, Government of Nunavut). Graduate student: Rae
Mitten (interdisciplinary Ph.D. candidate and resident, Native Law Centre).
Elders: Wes Fineday and Jeanette Bugler.
* Brenda Macdougall (native studies) - $25,000 to develop methods for
creating a digital archive that will reflect the political and cultural
movements pursued by First Nations and Metis people between 1900 and 1970
in Western Canada.
* Randolph Wimmer (educational administration) - $24,784 to investigate the
experiences of and unique challenges faced by graduates of the U of S Indian
Teacher Education Program (ITEP) in their first year of teaching in
band-controlled schools within the Prince Albert Grand Council jurisdiction.
Partner: Prince Albert Grand Council. Co-investigators: Michael Cottrell
(ITEP), Louise Legare (ITEP), Yvette Arcand (ITEP)
* Kristina Fagan (English) - $23,000 to study the self-identity of Labrador
Métis people and how they express that identity through storytelling,
both written and oral. Partner: Labrador Métis Nation.
SSHRC is an arm's-length federal government agency that funds
university-based research and graduate training through national,
peer-reviewed competitions. SSHRC also partners with public and private
sector organizations to focus research and aid the development of better
policies and practices in key areas of Canada's social, cultural and
economic life.
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council's Aboriginal Research
program funds research on issues of concern to First Nations communities.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Jennifer W. Webber
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1474
jennifer.webber@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
--------
April 20, 2006
U of S Researchers Awarded $3.6 M for Wide-Ranging Health Research
Posted April 20, 2006
Thursday, April 20, 2006U of S Researchers Awarded $3.6 M for Wide-Ranging Health Research
Today the Canadian Institutes of Health Research announced an investment of more than $3.6 million in 13 University of Saskatchewan research projects that will create world-class knowledge and contribute to strengthening of Canada's health system.
A CIHR release highlights two U of S research projects. In one project, Lewis Williams (community health and epidemiology) and Caroline Tait (women's and gender studies) will develop ways to better understand and reduce mental health disparities among marginalized groups . In another project, Bonnie Janzen (community health and epidemiology) will develop a tool to measure the impact of family work on women's health.
The CIHR release is at: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/31015.html.
For more information, call U of S Research Communications at (306) 966-2506.
--------
Outreach Activities Realigned at U of S
Posted April 20, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 20, 2006
2006-04-08-OTHER
Outreach Activities Realigned at U of S
The University of Saskatchewan will create two new entities - a Centre for
Continuing and Distance Education and the New Learning Centre - to fulfill
its long-standing commitment to serve the broader community.
Today, University Council approved structural changes that clear the way to
reorganize extension and outreach activities across campus. Over the next 14
months, the two new centres will take over many of the functions currently
handled by the Extension Division.
"The University's Integrated Plan clearly identified outreach and engagement
as a priority for this institution," said Provost and Vice-President
Academic Michael Atkinson. "These changes will allow us to connect teaching
and learning in a more meaningful way as we continue to reconsider and
redefine our outreach services across Saskatchewan."
The changes stem from plans outlined in the University's recently approved
Outreach and Engagement Foundational Document. Atkinson stressed that
continuity of Extension programming will be maintained while the structural
changes are made. University Senate will be discussing a motion to formally
disestablish the Extension Division at its meeting April 22, and is expected
to vote on the motion this fall.
The Centre for Continuing and Distance Education, which will provide
innovative, alternative and flexible forms of education, will be formally
established July 1. Its areas of activity include continuing education and
life-long learning (non-credit courses, workshops and certificate programs)
and coordination of the on- and off-campus delivery of degree credit courses
that are offered using televised, online and correspondence methods or
combinations of these methods.
The New Learning Centre, which is expected to open January 1, 2007, is
envisioned as an academic support unit, with a mandate to help both students
and instructors enhance the quality of the educational experience offered by
the University. The Centre will act as an advocate for best practices, and
innovations in teaching and learning.
"With change comes opportunity and we are pleased to be able to continue to
offer high-quality educational experiences to students both on- and
off-campus," said Atkinson. "Our transition team will be working hard to
ensure we can take full advantage of the benefits that will result from
these changes."
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For more information, please contact:
Michael Atkinson
Provost and Vice President Academic
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-8489
Walter Archer
Dean, Extension Division
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-5536
--------
April 17, 2006
First Research Papers from Canadian Light Source at U of S Published
Posted April 17, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Monday, April 17, 2006
2006-04-07-OTHER
First Research Papers from Canadian Light Source at U of S Published
The Canadian Light Source at the University of Saskatchewan recently marked
an important science achievement with the publication of the first research
papers resulting from experiments performed at Canada's national synchrotron
facility.
The research groups, whose papers appeared online the same day, are from the
two universities generally credited with leading the quest for a Canadian
synchrotron, the U of S and The University of Western Ontario.
"This is an important milestone for the CLS," says Research Director Thomas
Ellis. "High quality science is always exciting. These two success stories
in particular will always have a special meaning for us."
The U of S paper, from the research group of Canada Research Chair Alex
Moewes, documents the work of graduate student Regan Wilks on the movement
of electrons along peptide molecules.
"Everything came together," said Wilks, who is starting his Ph.D. with
Moewes. "I'm working with a great group and a great machine [the CLS]. I
grew up here in Saskatoon and it's wonderful to be able to stay here and do
work that can't be done anywhere else in Canada."
Understanding how electrons move between atoms within peptide molecules (the
building blocks of proteins) is important to learning how processes
essential to life work. By adding metal atoms to these peptide chains,
electrons can be made to move across the peptides like tiny wires, raising
the possibility of creating molecular wires for new kinds of computers and
nanotechnology devices.
"This is very substantial work," said Moewes. "This project has both
experimental and theoretical significance in biology and materials science."
While Wilks, Moewes and the rest of their team were using the synchrotron to
shine a light on molecules that could pave the way for molecular wires,
long-time synchrotron researcher and Canada Research Chair T.K. Sham,
colleague Franziskus Heigl and Western graduate student Simone Lam were
using the CLS as a giant strobe light to study the behaviour of a chemical
used in organic light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
The technique, called time-resolved X-ray Excited Optical Luminescence,
required that the synchrotron produce flashes of light spaced 10 millionths
of a second apart. This made it possible to excite the chemical's molecular
structure and observe how it changed between flashes. This kind of imaging
is a first for the CLS, and has been performed at only a couple of
synchrotrons in the world.
"This experiment took a lot of hard work and dedication by the scientists
and engineers at the CLS," said Sham, the Western researcher who pioneered
the technique. "Not many places in the world can do this kind of experiment
at present. Now this [the CLS] is the place."
The results of both groups' research will be featured at the CLS Annual User
Meeting, to be held in Saskatoon June 16 and 17, 2006. The U of S paper
appears in the Journal of Physical Chemistry; the Western paper appears in
the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Located on the U of S campus in Saskatoon, the Canadian Light Source
synchrotron is one of Canada's largest science projects in a generation.
Synchrotron light is used to determine the chemical nature and molecular
structure of materials, with applications in a wide variety of scientific
fields.
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For more information contact:
Alex Moewes and Regan Wilks
Department of Physics and Engineering Physics
University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 966-6431 moewes@usask.ca
regan.wilks@usask.ca
T.K. Sham
Department of Chemistry
The University of Western Ontario
Ph: (519) 661-2111 ex. 86341
tsham@uwo.ca
Matthew Dalzell
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Light Source Inc.
University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 657-3739
Fax: (306) 657-3535
matt.dalzell@lightsource.ca
www.lightsource.ca
Michael Robin
Research Communications Officer
University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
Douglas Keddy
Research Communications Coordinator
University of Western Ontario
Ph: (519) 661-2111 ex. 87485
Fax: (519) 661-3921
dkeddy@uwo.ca
www.uwo.ca
--------
April 12, 2006
U of S Economist Asks: What Will Saskatchewan Look Like in 50 years?
Posted April 12, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wednesday, April 12/2006
2006-04-06-AR
U of S Economist Asks: What Will Saskatchewan Look Like in 50 years?
Aboriginal Peoples will catch up educationally and economically to the rest
of Saskatchewan when they become at least half the population around the
middle of the 21st century, says University of Saskatchewan economics
professor Eric Howe.
"Because of growth in Aboriginal education and entrepreneurship, the
province will be transformed in a way that is inconceivable to many current
residents," he says.
"Saskatchewan has no higher social priority than to increase the extent to
which Aboriginal people fully participate in the economic mainstream."
Howe will present his new research at Saskatchewan with an Aboriginal
Majority: Education and Entrepreneurship, a public forum presented by the
Saskatchewan Institute of Public Policy (SIPP), Tuesday, April 18th, 4 p.m.
to 6 p.m. at Alvin Buckwold School (715 East Drive). Roger Maaka, head of
Native studies at the U of S, and Patricia Prowse, superintendent of
education for Saskatoon Public Schools, will respond to Howe's presentation.
Currently, Saskatchewan's Aboriginal population is disproportionately young
with a high fertility rate, whereas the non-Aboriginal population is
markedly old with a low fertility rate. Consequently, says Howe, the
Aboriginal population will reach at least 50 per cent of the province around
2050.
Aboriginal Peoples in Saskatchewan have a higher rate of financial return on
education than the rest of the population and as a result average
educational attainment is improving at an extraordinary rate, says Howe.
Between 1991 and 1996, Aboriginal entrepreneurship in Saskatchewan grew by
150 per cent more than non-Aboriginal. Between 1996 and 2001, the growth of
Aboriginal entrepreneurship exceeded non-Aboriginal by 800 per cent.
Saskatchewan's Aboriginal Peoples have a large financial incentive to seek
post-secondary education. In fact, says Howe, the greatest financial return
on education in both Canada and the United States is earned by Aboriginal
females.
"The U of S has created more special programs for Aboriginal Peoples than
any other university in Canada," says Howe. "The high financial rate of
return on programs such as these has increased the demand for education and
the special programs have increased the supply. The effect is that
Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan will soon catch up educationally."
Howe notes that this economic and educational integration does not mean
cultural annihilation for Aboriginal Peoples in the province.
"The survival of Aboriginal cultures will depend on what individual
Aboriginal people want," says Howe. "But individual wealth can help the
process of cultural preservation because wealth gives an individual greater
power and great freedom to preserve more."
This is the second time the province has experienced a large, growing,
economically marginalized population, says Howe. The first time was at the
beginning of the 20th Century with the large and rapidly growing population
of immigrants from Eastern European countries.
"There is a surprising degree of similarity between the earlier stereotypes
of Eastern European immigrants and those of Aboriginal people 100 years
later," says Howe.
Eastern Europeans immigrants were thought of as poor, illiterate, diseased,
morally lax, politically corrupt, and religiously deficient.
"And we all know what happened," says Howe, who is optimistic about
Saskatchewan's future. "Now, we fail to take ethnic note when our premier
has an Eastern European name like Romanow or an Anglo-Saxon one like
Calvert. We were transformed then and we will be transformed again. It's
déjà vu all over again."
SIPP, founded in 1998, is a partnership between the University of
Saskatchewan, the University of Regina and the Government of Saskatchewan,
with a mandate of expanding knowledge and understanding of public policy
concerns in Canada through supporting research and stimulating public
debate.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Eric Howe
Economics Department
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5212
eric.howe@usask.ca
David Hutton
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6490
dave.hutton@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
--------
April 07, 2006
U of S Griffiths Stadium Undergoes Renovations This Spring
Posted April 07, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday April 7, 2006 2006-04-05-OTHER
U of S Griffiths Stadium Undergoes Renovations This Spring
Construction will soon be under way for upgrades to the University of
Saskatchewan's Griffiths Stadium. The upgrades are expected to be completed
before the first Huskie football home game on September 2, 2006.
The University of Saskatchewan's upgrades, recently approved by the Board of
Governors, will include a new team building, new washroom and concession
building and expanded seating on the east side of the Stadium, renovations
to existing team and classroom/office space, new javelin, shot put and
discus areas, installation of artificial turf and field lighting, expansion
of the media box, and construction of an enhanced entrance gate.
Upgrades to Griffiths Stadium were planned in response to the University's
successful bid to host the national university football championship game on
November 25, 2006. Funding for the upgrades is being provided through
donations to the University.
"The upgrades will begin to bring the stadium to a standard typical of an
institution the caliber of the University of Saskatchewan," said Heather
Magotiaux, Vice-President University Advancement. "The end result will be a
facility that will serve the needs of both the University and other
community and provincial organizations for many years."
First opened in 1936 with a playing field, running track and grandstand,
Griffiths Stadium was moved east of its original site to its current
location in 1967. Additions and renovations were done in 1962, 1971 and
1976, then again in 1988 prior to the Jeux Canada Games.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Heather Magotiaux
Vice-President University Advancement
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-1602
--------
April 06, 2006
U of S Part of Canadian Team that Finds Popular Antidepressants May Affect Fetus
Posted April 06, 2006
The following news release was issued today by the Government of Canada.
U of S Part of Canadian Team that Finds Popular Antidepressants May
Affect Fetus
A Canadian research team led by the Ottawa Health Research Institute, the
University of Ottawa, and The Ottawa Hospital has found an increased risk of
premature delivery, low birth weight, fetal death, and infant seizures among
pregnant women who used a popular class of antidepressants during pregnancy.
The study, which also involved the University of Montreal and the University
of Saskatchewan, is published in the April issue of the American Journal of
Obstetrics and Gynecology. U of S researcher Dr. Olufemi
Olatunbosun, chair of the department of obstetrics, gynecology and
reproductive sciences, is a co-author on the study. The data for
the study was obtained from the Saskatchewan Health Database, which is
unique in North America and which enables researchers to track prescription
drug use over patient lifetimes.
For more information, refer to the official news release:
http://www.ohri.ca/newsroom/newsstory.asp?ID=27
--------
April 05, 2006
U of S Researchers to Co-Lead National Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre
Posted April 05, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wednesday, April 5th, 2006 2006-04-03-OTHER
U of S Researchers to Co-Lead National Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre
The University of Saskatchewan's Aboriginal Education Research Centre (AERC)
has been selected by the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) to co-lead a new
national network for gathering and sharing information on effective
approaches to Aboriginal learning.
AERC will work with the First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium
(FNAHEC) in Calgary to lead the new Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre, a
consortium of more than 50 members drawn from the region encompassing the
Prairie provinces, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
The new national centre will have access to up to $1.5 million per year to
develop a network of shared knowledge and expertise that is expected to
contribute to greater academic success for Aboriginal students. The CCL
notes that nearly twice as many working-age Aboriginals do not have their
high-school diploma (39 per cent), compared to non-Aboriginal Canadians (22
per cent).
"Today, as governments acknowledge the importance of Aboriginal learning
systems developed in partnership with Aboriginal Peoples, this knowledge
centre will help to set priorities for research, propose ways to measure
progress, and create networks to share practices that can strengthen
learning outcomes among Aboriginal Peoples of Canada," said Paul Cappon, CCL
President and CEO.
"The Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre will profile and advance the most
current knowledge and exemplary practices in First Nations, Métis and
Inuit learning."
AERC Academic Director Marie Battiste says the knowledge centre will
directly involve Aboriginal Peoples in developing solutions to the many
learning challenges they face.
"It will play a key role in analyzing existing research and promoting
further research to provide the reliable information required to improve
learning opportunities and outcomes among Aboriginal Peoples," she said.
AERC, housed in the U of S College of Education, is a collaborative teaching
and research centre operated in partnership with diverse First Nations,
Métis and Northern groups to identify and address their specific
needs and priorities.
"The knowledge centre will work collaboratively to recognize and build on
the unique personal, social, cultural and historical contexts for Aboriginal
learning, and share knowledge about promising practices across Canada," said
Vivian Ayoungman, Executive Director of the Calgary-based FNAHEC which is
made up of 10 First Nation colleges and adult training centres in Western
Canada.
The Canadian Council on Learning is an independent, not-for-profit
corporation funded through an agreement with Human Resources and Social
Development Canada. Its mandate is to promote and support evidence-based
decision making throughout all stages of learning, from early childhood
through to the workplace and beyond.
The new centre is one of five knowledge centres created by the Council. Each
will contribute to better outcomes in various stages of learning, from early
childhood to the workplace and beyond. The other centres are: Adult
Learning (Atlantic Canada), Early Childhood Learning (Quebec), Health and
Learning (British Columbia and Yukon), and Work and Learning (Ontario).
A full list of the Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre consortium members
is available on CCL's website: www.ccl-cca.ca
- 30 -
For more information, contact:
Kathryn Warden
Director, Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
www.usask.ca/research
Elizabeth Everson
Director, Communications
Canadian Council on Learning
(613) 786-3230 ext. 207
Cell: (613) 222-2879
beverson@ccl-cca.ca
www.ccl-cca.ca
--------
April 04, 2006
Three U of S Researchers Nominated for Innovation Awards
Posted April 04, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, April 4, 2006
2006-04-02-OTHER
Three U of S Researchers Nominated for Innovation Awards
Three University of Saskatchewan researchers whose innovations range from a
treatment for deadly lung inflammation, to a way of protecting newborn
calves against disease, to a novel gene that shortens the time required for
plants to mature, have been nominated for the Innovation Place-Industry
Liaison Office's "Award of Innovation."
The nominations were announced today at the "Celebrate Success" finalists'
reception at TCU Place. The winner of the $5,000 award will be named May 9th
at TCU Place at the "Celebrate Success!" gala, an event sponsored by the
Saskatoon and District Chamber of Commerce and Women Entrepreneurs of
Saskatchewan Inc.
"The technologies developed by this year's nominees have great potential to
improve our lives through improvements in animal and human health, and
agriculture. We will benefit as well with the promise of increased
investment and more high-quality jobs in our province," said Doug Gill,
managing director of the U of S Industry Liaison Office (ILO).
The Award of Innovation honours U of S researchers who have brought new and
commercially viable technology to the ILO for development into marketable
products.
"Universities play a key role as incubators for new innovations," says
Innovation Place director of client services Rob Trimble. "Many of the
enterprises at Innovation Place are built on ideas that began at the
university, and many of the highly-qualified people that work here are U of
S grads. We're proud to celebrate these successes that help bring novel
products and processes to the marketplace."
The finalists are:
- Western College of Veterinary Medicine immunologist John Gordon developed
a treatment that has the potential to treat a wide range of inflammatory
diseases, including arthritis, colitis, psoriasis and asthma. The heart of
the treatment technology is a protein, G31P, which targets inflammation
associated with neutrophilic white blood cells (neutrophils). IL
Therapeutics, based at Innovation Place, was launched in 2004 to
commercialize this innovation. The company is currently in the process of
setting up clinical trials.
- Plant sciences professor Lawrence Gusta leads the research team that
discovered Rob-5, a novel gene that confers tolerance to environmental
stress, increases plant vigor and seed yield, and shortens the time needed
for plants to mature. It's a valuable innovation in regions of short growing
season such as that found in Saskatchewan. A U of S international patent is
pending for this technology and one of the world's leading agricultural
products companies is interested in developing it. The licensing agreement
is expected to bring immediate financial reward to the university, as well
as substantial royalty income for many years into the future.
- Veterinary microbiology professor Deborah Haines developed a method of
processing liquid colostrum for new born calves into a spray-dried powder
that is stable for up to three years. Colostrum, or "first milk" contains
antibodies from the cow that are critical to protect calves from disease in
the first few weeks of life. Without it, they are very susceptible to
infection, illness and death. Haines' leadership in technology transfer and
commitment to applied research led to the launch of Saskatoon Colostrum
Company Ltd. in 1994. Along with her colleague, Brian Chelack, she developed
a high quality bovine colostrum supplement superior to anything else on the
market.
The annual Award of Innovation is open to U of S employees and students.
Selection criteria include the novelty of the innovation and its potential
commercial impact. The selection committee includes representatives from
Innovation Place and the University of Saskatchewan.
In addition to the cash prize, the winner will be recognized with a photo on
the "Award of Innovation" wall at the Industry Liaison Office and a personal
trophy.
Innovation Place (www.innovationplace.com) is one of North America's most
successful research parks. The Industry Liaison Office
(http://www.usask.ca/research/ilo/) works with inventors to help
commercialize innovations developed at the U of S.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Doug Gill
Managing Director
Industry Liaison Office (ILO)
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7335
doug.gill@usask.ca
http://www.usask.ca/research/ilo/
Austin Beggs
Director of Corporate Relations
Innovation Place
(306) 933-7464
austin@innovationplace.com
www.innovationplace.com
Michael Robin
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
--------
April 03, 2006
New Director of Business Development Joins Canadian Light Source at the University of Saskatchewan
Posted April 03, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Monday, April 3, 2006
2006-04-01-OTHER
New Director of Business Development Joins Canadian Light Source at the
University of Saskatchewan
Long-time Saskatchewan business leader and scientist Murray McLaughlin has
been appointed Director of Business Development of the Canadian Light Source
(CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S), effective the beginning of
April.
"Dr. McLaughlin's unique and extensive experience in science, industry and
government are a tremendous asset to the Canadian Light Source," says CLS
Executive Director Bill Thomlinson. "I am confident that Murray's vision and
leadership will enhance and further our industrial program, which is the
most ambitious in the synchrotron world."
McLaughlin comes to the CLS after an extensive cross-Canada search. He is
probably best known to the Western Canadian business community as the first
president and CEO of AgWest Bio, the incubator company key to the
development of Saskatoon's burgeoning biotechnology and bioproducts research
cluster. He also spent seven years as president and CEO of Foragen
Technologies Management Inc.
He has served in important positions in government and the non-profit
sector, including deputy minister of Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, on
the executive committee of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council, and as president of Ontario Agri-Food Technologies.
Currently, he runs McLaughlin Consultants, a successful consulting firm in
Guelph, Ontario focused on the agri-food and industrial sectors.
"I am looking forward to joining the CLS and returning to Saskatoon,"
McLaughlin says. "I'm excited about working with the synchrotron's
outstanding industrial scientists and business development team to promote
the opportunities and value of such an amazing tool to industries across the
country."
Synchrotron light is invaluable in a wide range of industrial research and
development, including new drug development, environmental protection and
enhanced extraction techniques for mining. Advanced coatings for the
aerospace industry, next-generation electronics manufacturing, and new
medical imaging and therapy technologies are a few other examples.
McLaughlin's career has focused on crop science including research,
development and product management and marketing. He was educated at the
Nova Scotia Agricultural College and McGill and Cornell universities. He
began his career doing research and marketing for the ELANCO division of
multinational corporation Eli Lilly.
He is a member of numerous boards of directors and advisory committees and
has been awarded the Canadian Agri-Marketer of the Year award from the
Canadian Agri-Marketing Association, the Alumni of the Year from the Nova
Scotia Agricultural College, and the National Merit Award from the Ottawa
Life Sciences Council.
Located on the U of S campus in Saskatoon, the Canadian Light Source
synchrotron is one of Canada's largest science projects in a generation.
Synchrotron light is used to determine the chemical nature and molecular
structure of materials and is a powerful new tool for Canadian industry.
-30-
For more information contact:
Matthew Dalzell
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Light Source Inc.
(306) 657-3739
Cell: 227-0978
matthew.dalzell@lightsource.ca
www.lightsource.ca
Michael Robin
Research Communications Officer
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
--------
