January 24, 2007
U of S Research Shows Hope Eases End-of-Life Experience for Patient, Family, Health Workers
Posted January 24, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wednesday, January 24, 2007
2007-01-07-NU
Hope can ease the suffering of the terminally ill, their families, and the health professionals caring for them, according to the findings of a team led by University of Saskatchewan health researcher Wendy Duggleby.
"When someone is no longer focusing on a cure, they might focus on other things - a good future for their loved ones, on living their remaining days to the fullest, on not suffering, and having a peaceful death. The fact is that hope is still there - it never goes away," says Duggleby, associate professor in the College of Nursing.
Duggleby, recipient of the Fall 2006 Distinguished Researcher Award, will deliver a lecture on her findings at the Frances Morrison Public Library at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 25. Her presentation will feature excerpts from the team's international award-winning video, "Living with Hope."
Duggleby's team worked with 60 terminally ill cancer patients over the age of 60 who were living at home. Half were given the Living with Hope program, developed by the research team. The program includes various tools and activities to increase hope. For example, participants decided on gifts they might leave as a legacy. The goal is to increase their feeling of physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing and hopefulness during the last days and months of their lives.
One week after completing the program, the patients had an increased sense of hope and well-being compared to the group who didn't receive the programming. The team's findings are slated to appear in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management this spring.
"If we can increase their sense of hope for even one week of their lives, that's significant," says Duggleby, whose work is funded by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF).
"Professor Duggleby's dedication and commitment to health research is held in high regard and her reputation as a distinguished researcher reflects that. The Foundation is proud to support her important work with palliative care patients and their families," says June Bold, SHRF's Chief Executive Officer.
Duggleby's ongoing research also receives strong community support. For example, the Saskatoon Association of Loss, Grief, Education and Support provides funding for doctoral student Lorraine Holtslander.
A "Hope Kit," with the Living with Hope video and supporting literature will be available at the lecture for $29.95. It can also be ordered online at the Living with Hope website: http://www.usask.ca/nursing/research/livingwithhope/video.htm.
-30-
For more information contact:
Wendy Duggleby
College of Nursing
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6237
wendy.duggleby@usask.ca
http://www.usask.ca/nursing/research/livingwithhope
Michael Robin
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
January 18, 2007
New Managing Director for U of S Crop Development Centre
Posted January 18, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 18, 2007
2007-01-05-AG
The University of Saskatchewan is pleased to announce that Dorothy Murrell has accepted the position of Managing Director of the University's Crop Development Centre (CDC) effective January 1, 2007.
Well known in the Canadian seed industry, Dorothy Murrell comes to the CDC from Svalöf Weibull Seed Ltd., where for seven years she was North American Business Manager, responsible for the business management, commercialization, strategic and financial planning of the company's North American plant breeding business. Prior to that, she was Production and Corporate Sales Manager for Newfield Seeds in Nipawin, SK, where she managed the in-licensing, contract production, procurement and corporate sales of forages, special crops, and canola and grains. Murrell also has experience as the Forage Seed Specialist for Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, and as an international consultant, having managed the start-up of the Saskatchewan Ukraine Farm Project for Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP).
"Ms. Murrell's professional affiliations and past employment experiences are well recognized at the provincial, national and international level in the agriculture industry," said Bruce Coulman, Head of the Plant Sciences Department. "This is first time in the history of the Crop Development Centre that a Managing Director has been appointed from outside of the Department of Plant Sciences and we are very pleased to have someone of Ms. Murrell's calibre on board."
Murrell received her BSc in Biology from Simon Fraser University, and her MSc in Entomology/Crop Science from the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph. She is president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association, has served on the National Forum on Seed committee and the Expert Committee on Forage Crops, is past President of the Melfort Branch of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, past treasurer for the Entomological Society of Saskatchewan, and a member of the STEP board of directors. Murrell has been awarded honorary lifetime memberships in both the Saskatchewan Alfalfa Seed Producers Association and the Saskatchewan Seed Growers Association.
-30-
For additional information, contact:
Patty Martin, Community and Media Relations Specialist
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Telephone (306) 966-6919
University of Saskatchewan Appoints Dean of Engineering
Posted January 18, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 18, 2007
2007-01-04-ENG
The University of Saskatchewan is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Janusz Kozinski as Dean, College of Engineering, for a five-year renewable term effective July 1, 2007.
Dr. Kozinski received his graduate and doctoral education from AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, Poland, where he began his academic career. In 1994, he accepted a posting with McGill University where he later became an associate professor, established the Energy and Environmental Research Laboratory, and was a Sir William Dawson Scholar for five years. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Kozinski has developed and led multi-disciplinary research teams and programs linking sustainable energy, environmental, public health, and security issues. During his last year at McGill, he served as the Associate Vice-Principal Research and International Relations.
"We are delighted to have been able to attract to the College of Engineering and the University of Saskatchewan someone of Dr. Kozinski's calibre," said Michael Atkinson, Provost and Vice-President Academic, and chair of the search committee for the position. "He is an accomplished researcher, teacher, and graduate supervisor and has strong linkages with the industrial community," Atkinson added.
In September 2006, Dr. Kozinski was appointed as the International Research Chair in Bioenergy at the Institute for Advanced Studies and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in France. There, he is responsible for the creation of the network of research centres of excellence involving research institutions and universities engaged in research concerning renewable and sustainable energy systems, biofuels, and bioenergy, and for formulating policies that influence European energy legislation.
In order to be involved in integrated planning efforts for the College of Engineering and to get a head start on establishing his research program here, Dr. Kozinski will join the U of S on a part-time basis effective April 1 as the Dean-Elect.
-30-
For additional information, contact:
Patty Martin, Community and Media Relations Specialist
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Telephone (306) 966-6919
January 12, 2007
University of Saskatchewan Kicks Off Centennial Year
Posted January 12, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 12, 2007
2007-01-02-OTHER
The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) marked the launch of its centennial year today with a special celebration held in the historic College Building.
"As with most anniversaries, whether personal or institutional, these are opportunities to reflect upon our origins, our current circumstances, our dreams and ambitions, and our responsibilities to many communities," said Peter MacKinnon, U of S President, who addressed an audience of students, faculty, staff and invited guests. "It is also a chance to renew our commitment to our path forward."
U of S Chancellor Tom Molloy emceed the program, which included congratulatory remarks from Judy Junor, on behalf of the Saskatchewan Premier, and Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison. The first ever joint performance by the U of S Amati Quartet in Residence and the U of S Greystone Singers was an entertainment feature, preceded by an energetic cheer from the U of S Huskie cheerleading squad.
Ghislaine McLeod, U of S Centennial Chair, highlighted plans and activities for the year, all relating to the centennial theme, "engage, enlighten, explore." Included among the many celebratory initiatives is the Centennial Lily, which bears the U of S name and colors. The lily is scheduled to make its appearance in a Centennial garden on campus, and during Gardenscape (March 23-25, 2007 at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon). Event highlights include the official U of S birthday on April 3, where Canada Post will unveil the U of S commemorative stamp, and the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, which takes place on campus May 26 to June 2. Congress 2007 is a multidisciplinary, academic meeting, and will be the largest conference Saskatoon has ever seen, attracting between 4,000 and 6,000 delegates.
Other centennial events include a reunion honouring 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 year graduates, June 21 to 23, and a homecoming for all University of Saskatchewan alumni and friends, scheduled for September 14 to 16.
Complete details on Centennial celebrations are available at http://www.usask.ca/100/.
- 30 -
For additional information, contact:
Patty Martin, Community and Media Relations Specialist
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Telephone (306) 966-6919
Groundbreaking vaccine co-developed by U of S VIDO approved to protect water and food supply from E.coli O157:H7 contamination
Posted January 12, 2007
Saskatoon, Sask., Jan. 9, 2007: A groundbreaking vaccine for cattle that will protect water and food supplies from the toxic E. coli O157:H7 bacteria has been approved for release in Canada, thanks to a research program that began at the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) and the University of British Columbia (UBC).
“This makes Canada the first country in the world to have access to a vaccine for control of E. coli O157:H7,” said VIDO Director Lorne Babiuk.
The vaccine is the first to be released from VIDO’s food safety program, which aims to protect human health through advanced animal health treatments. Studies show the new vaccine greatly reduces the amount of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria shed by cattle into their environment. This in turn lessens the chances of contamination of water supplies, and helps ensure greater safety of food products destined for grocery shelves.
The complete VIDO release is at: http://www.vido.org/news/read.php/124
For more information, call Tess Laidlaw at VIDO: (306) 966-1506.
January 05, 2007
InterVac Receives Funding from Govt of Canada
Posted January 05, 2007
The Government of Canada issued a news release announcing funding to The International Vaccine Centre (InterVac) at the University of Saskatchewan.
For further information, please note the following website:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/media/nr-rp/2007/2007_01_e.html
