May 31, 2007
University of Saskatchewan to Honour Faculty and Staff During Spring Convocation, June 4 to 6, 2007
Posted May 31, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 31, 2007
2007-05-18-OTHER
The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) will honour outstanding faculty and staff during its annual Spring Convocation, June 4 to 6, 2007 at TCU Place in downtown Saskatoon.
Tuesday AM, June 5, 2007, beginning at 9:00am
* Distinguished Researcher Award, Gregg Adams: Gregg P. Adams, professor of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine has made a significant impact in the field of reproductive biology through his novel research program, leadership and dedication. As the leader of the University's bid for a biomedical imaging and therapy beamline at the Canadian Light Source, he has opened the door for researchers to experience this technology.
* President's Service Award, Val Arnault-Pelletier: A Cree woman and a member of Beardy's Okemasis First Nation, Val Arnault-Pelletier has served for 10 years as lead student advisor in the Native Access Program to Nursing (NAPN). Her work managing the program and expanding the vision of increased numbers of Aboriginal people in health care careers has earned her the President's Service Award.
Wednesday AM, June 6, 2007, beginning at 9:00am
* Master Teacher Award, Vipen Sawhney: Over the past 30 plus years, Biology Professor Vipen Sawhney has earned a reputation as an outstanding teacher, and maintained a first rate research program. Each of Sawhney's lectures capture the imagination of his students and make biology come alive. His trademark dedication to, and enthusiasm for, biology is coupled with his compassion for his students.
* Award for Distinction in Outreach and Engagement, Lisa Vargo: Lisa Vargo, associate professor of English, has enhanced the University's outreach and engagement mission with her individual contributions to literacy and volunteerism. She has served READ Saskatoon as both a board member and tutor. In 1999, Vargo received the Saskatchewan Literacy Award of Merit for her volunteerism, and in 2004, was awarded the Canada Post Literacy Award as an educator.
For further details on award recipients, visit www.awards.usask.ca.
- 30 -
For additional information, contact:
Patty Martin
Community and Media Relations Specialist
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Telephone (306) 966-6919
University of Saskatchewan to Award Honorary and Earned Degrees During Spring Convocation, June 4 to 6, 2007
Posted May 31, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 31, 2007
2007-05-17-OTHER
The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) will award several Honorary and Earned Degrees during its annual Spring Convocation, June 4 to 6, 2007 at TCU Place in downtown Saskatoon.
Monday PM, June 4, 2007, beginning at 2:00pm
* Honorary Degree Recipient Roméo Dallaire, Doctor of Laws: Lieutenant General the Honourable Roméo A. Dallaire, (retired), Senator and award-winning author, had a distinguished career in the Canadian military, commanding the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) in 1994. Since his retirement from the military, Senator Dallaire has been a visiting lecturer at several Canadian and American universities, and has written extensively on conflict resolution, humanitarian assistance and human rights.
Tuesday AM, June 5, 2007, beginning at 9:00am
* Honorary Degree Recipient Irene Dubé, Honorary Doctor of Laws: Through her entrepreneurial spirit and community service, Irene Dubé has set an inspiring example for business and charitable leadership in the Saskatoon community. Saskatchewan born, her philanthropic efforts contributed to a new wing at Saskatoon's St. Paul's Hospital, equipment in the areas of surgery, urology and renal care, the establishment of a Breast Health Centre at Saskatoon City Hospital and the Les and Irene Dubé Community Service-Learning Program at St. Thomas More College.
* Honorary Degree Recipient Les Dubé, Honorary Doctor of Laws: Leading by example through his strength of character and generous spirit, Les Dubé is a community role model. With his wife Irene, Les operates Concorde Group of Companies. His philanthropic efforts in Saskatoon have contributed to funding the only lithotripter (for pulverizing kidney stones) in Saskatchewan and the Surgical Special Care Units and the Urology Centre of Health at St. Paul's Hospital. He has held a number of leadership positions with charities and non-profit organizations.
Tuesday PM, June 5, 2007, beginning at 2:00pm
* Honorary Doctor of Science, Dr. Calvin R. Stiller: Dr. Calvin Stiller is a renowned physician, scientist and entrepreneur. He is currently Professor Emeritus in the Department of Medicine at the University of Western Ontario, and Chair of Genome Canada and the Ontario Innovation Trust. In 1972, Stiller launched London, Ontario's organ transplant program, and was the principal investigator of the Canadian multi-centre study that established the importance of Cyclosporine in transplantation and led to its worldwide use as first-line therapy for transplant rejection.
Wednesday AM, June 6, 2007, beginning at 9:00am
* Honorary Doctor of Letters, Lorna Crozier: Lorna Crozier earned a BA in English and Psychology from the University of Saskatchewan in 1969 and her Saskatchewan Teacher's Certificate in 1970. Her first poetry collection, called Inside in the Sky, was published in 1976, with 13 more books of poetry to follow. Throughout her career, Crozier has been known for her teaching and mentoring of other poets. She has been writer-in-residence at a number of institutions and today, teaches and is chair of the writing department at the University of Victoria.
* Earned Doctor of Science Degree, Jeremy Lee: Jeremy Lee completed a PhD in pharmacology from Cambridge University. His initial research involved analysis of monoclonal antibodies that bind to proteins, DNA or RNA, but his discovery of an unusual DNA structure in 1992, called M-DNA, has dominated his research since. M-DNA-based diagnostic tools have the ability to yield information on genetic disease and bacterial infection. Lee is the chief scientific officer of Adnavance Technologies Inc., a company founded in 2002 to exploit this possibility.
Wednesday PM, June 6, 2007, beginning at 2:00pm
* Honorary Doctor of Laws, Hal Wyatt: Harold (Hal) Wyatt, has enjoyed a long and influential career in Canadian banking and business. While chair of the U of S Board of Governors, he was the University's representative on the Collaborative Committee of the Canadian Light Source Project. Wyatt is highly regarded as an involved and effective business leader in philanthropic work. A Member of the Order of Canada, Wyatt was also awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal and the medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation 1992.
For convocation details, visit www.students.usask.ca/convocation.
- 30 -
For additional information, contact:
Patty Martin
Community and Media Relations Specialist
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Telephone (306) 966-6919
May 30, 2007
University of Saskatchewan Spring Convocation to be Held June 4 to 6, 2007
Posted May 30, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 30, 2007
2007-05-15-OTHER
The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) will celebrate learning success at its annual Spring Convocation, June 4 to 6, 2007 at TCU Place in downtown Saskatoon. This spring, over 3000 degrees, diplomas and certificates will be conferred.
The three-day event features:
Monday PM, June 4, 2007 (Academic Procession begins at 1:45pm, Presentations begin at 2:00pm)
* Students graduating in Agriculture and Bioresources as well as Education
* Honorary Degree Recipient and Convocation Address - Roméo Dallaire, Doctor of Laws
Tuesday AM, June 5, 2007 (Academic Procession begins at 8:45am, Presentations begin at 9:00am)
* Students graduating in Kinesiology, Nursing, Nutrition, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine
* Honorary Degree Recipients - Irene and Leslie Dubé, Doctors of Laws
* President's Address - Peter MacKinnon
* Distinguished Researcher Award - Gregg Adams
* President's Service Award - Valerie Arnault-Pelletier
Tuesday PM, June 5, 2007 (Academic Procession begins at 1:45pm, Presentations begin at 2:00pm)
* Students graduating in Dentistry, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Physical Therapy
* Honorary Degree Recipient and Convocation Address - Dr. Calvin R. Stiller, Honorary Doctor of Science
* Governor General's Silver Medal - Phillip Roland Desautels
Wednesday AM, June 6, 2007 (Academic Procession begins at 8:45am, Presentations begin at 9:00am)
* Students graduating in Arts and Science (see
www.students.usask.ca/convocation/ceremony for majors)
* Honorary Degree Recipient and Convocation Address - Lorna Crozier, Honorary Doctor of Letters
* Earned Doctor of Science Degree - Jeremy Lee
* Master Teacher Award - Vipen Sawhney
* Award for Distinction in Outreach and Engagement - Lisa Vargo
* Governor General's Gold Medal - Tara Gariepy
Wednesday PM, June 6, 2007 (Academic Procession begins at 1:45pm, Presentations begin at 2:00pm)
* Students graduating in Commerce, Arts and Science (see www.students.usask.ca/convocation/ceremony for majors)
* Honorary Degree Recipient and Convocation Address - Hal Wyatt, Honorary Doctor of Laws
Media releases with details about honorary degree recipients, earned degree recipients, award winners, medal recipients, etc., to follow.
Please note: Graduate Students will graduate with their respective colleges. Receptions will follow each ceremony at TCU Place. Media are welcome to attend.
For convocation details, visit www.students.usask.ca/convocation.
- 30 -
For additional information, contact:
Patty Martin
Community and Media Relations Specialist
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Telephone (306) 966-6919
May 25, 2007
5,500 Scholars to Visit U of S ... Largest Conference of its Kind in North America
Posted May 25, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 25, 2007
2007-05-11-OTHER
Saskatoon, SK. - Final preparations are in full gear as the University of Saskatchewan gets ready to greet around 5,500 delegates to the largest multi-disciplinary gathering of scholars in North America. The eight-day event gets underway today with an opening reception featuring Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert and Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison.
Organized annually by the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences (CFHSS), the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences brings together some of the world's most influential voices from more than 70 disciplines and scholarly associations.
"We welcome delegates to Congress 2007 - this is a rare opportunity for the U of S and it's the centerpiece of our 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."
"We are happy to be in Saskatoon this year for Congress," says Noreen Golfman, the Federation's President. "Linking Congress to the University's centenary celebrates two uniquely Canadian institutions - both with respected traditions and grand plans for the future. We're looking forward to an extraordinary event." This is the third time the U of S has hosted the 76-year-old conference.
Thousands of papers will be presented for the first time at Congress 2007. The following is a small sample:
- Between Blind Faith and Deep Skepticism: The "Weaponization of Space" and the Canadian Debate on Ballistic Missile Defense
- Pulling Kids Back from the Streets: Restructuring Education to Meet the Needs of the 'Bad' Kids
- Loss and Gain on the Prairie Farm: The Discordant Fate of Rural Social Enterprise
- Is tobacco smoking the most important cause of emphysema?
- The Evil of Harry Potter
- Constructing Canadian Foreign Policy: Gender, Politics, Media and the War in Afghanistan
- Ogling Earth on the World Wide Web: Investigating the Virtual Globe Google Earth
- Behind the Broadcast: the inner workings of And Sometimes Y
- In Labels We Trust: A Critical Look at Consumer Need for Food Labelling
- Of Blogs and Broadcasters: The Influence of Web Logs in Electoral Campaigns
- Too MuchMusic? The uncertain future of Canadian music television
- Being Accountable: The Public/Private Face of the Public University
- The Bon, the Bad and the Others: Some Remarks on the Phenomenal Success of Bon Cop, Bad Cop in Québec
- Capturing the Impacts of Research
- Issues in Lifelong Learning: Creating a Culture of Learning for All
- Building Effective Female Leadership: A Cultural and Bicultural View
- But White Is a Colour: Bridging the Public Colour Gap within Multi-"Racial" and Multi-Cultural Canada
- Achieving Linguistic and Cultural Integrity: Decolonizing Research and Pedagogy for Aboriginal Languages
- Rural Afghan Women's Perception of Educated Afghan Women
EVENTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
Certain sessions and events at the conference will be open to the general public, with a $15 Community Participant Day Pass. A complete list of events open to the public is available at www.fedcan.ca/congress2007 in the Community Participants' Guide. The public are encouraged to check ticket availability in advance of coming to campus by checking our website or by calling 281-7284.
Highlighted Events:
- Camilla Gibb, author, most recently of Sweetness in the Belly, past winner of the Trillium Book
Award and a Giller prize nominee
- Roy Romanow, former Premier of Saskatchewan: "Canada's Shared Destiny and the Future of Medicare"
- Noah Richler, journalist and author, This is My Country, What's Yours? A Literary Atlas of Canada
- Senator Lillian Dyck, U of S neuroscientist, and Aboriginal keynote speaker
- Guy Vanderhaeghe, one of Canada's most respected and popular authors, multiple winner of the Governor General's Award, most recently wrote The Last Crossing
- Barney Bentall, Canadian singer/songwriter
- Gordon Tootoosis, actor and activist of Cree and Stoney descent
- Yann Martel, winner of the Man Booker Prize for his novel, Life of Pi
- Anna Maria Tremonti, two-time Gemini winning radio host of CBC's The Current
- Chad Gaffield and Martha Piper, on the future of the humanities and social sciences
- Nancy Neamtan, "The Social Economy: Finding a Way between the Market and the State"
- Jennifer Welsh, "Connecting the Public to Foreign Policy"
- Pat Atkinson, Saskatchewan Minister of Advanced Education and Employment, will officially open the Innovation Gallery at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 28th. This multi-media exhibit at Browsers Cafe in the Memorial Union Building will highlight 100 years of U of S research, scholarly and artistic work and will be open to the public during Congress.
About the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences (CFHSS):
The Federation is a non-profit charitable organization that represents the interests of more than 50,000 researchers in 66 scholarly associations and 69 universities and colleges across Canada. The Federation champions the interests of the social sciences and the humanities and promotes teaching, research, and scholarship and a better understanding of the importance of such work for Canada and the world. http://www.fedcan.ca/congress2007
- 30 -
Media Contacts for the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences:
Congress Press Room, 306-966-6492
Caitlin Kealey, Communications Officer, 306-281-8249
Kathryn Warden, U of S Research Communications, 306-262-1211, 966-2506
May 23, 2007
U of S-Health Region Team Seeks Ways to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence
Posted May 23, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wednesday, May 23, 2007
2007-05-09-ED
A research team from the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon Health Region is examining intimate partner violence in Saskatchewan from all sides in an effort to find community-based solutions to this very private problem.
The project, "In Each Other's Hands," is looking at the problem from the perspective of those committing the violence, to those enduring it, to those who step in to prevent it. The researchers hope to create a template for action that can be applied to communities across the country.
"This project is exciting because the results are so community-relevant and action-oriented," says Stephanie Martin, U of S assistant professor of education, registered psychologist, and primary university investigator for the project. "It's good that it's affiliated with the department of education, since education is such an important part of the puzzle on this project."
After they've reviewed homicide files and conducted interviews and focus groups in a variety of urban, rural, and Aboriginal communities in Saskatchewan, the research team will return to share their findings with community leaders. This knowledge can then be used by the communities to develop prevention and intervention strategies.
The study was conceived by Deb Farden, the Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) masters-level psychologist leading the research team. Farden has been working in the field since 1983.
The biggest group the team still needs to hear from is those who step in to prevent violence.
"I'd heard stories of people stepping in to prevent intimate partner violence: brothers approaching brothers, moms approaching their sons, and so on. When I reviewed the literature, these sorts of stories had never been collected in a research format."
They are also seeking male voices. While Aboriginal men have been quick to step forward in the hope their stories can help their communities, non-Aboriginal rural men have been reluctant to talk about this sensitive topic.
"The voices of men are particularly important," says Farden, "Their voices are completely missing from the literature on intimate partner violence. This is a group whose viewpoints have not yet been properly heard."
"Support has been incredible so far," Farden says. "The participants have been very brave, taken incredible risks to share personal details to help others."
The five-member research team includes three women and two men. Two members are of Aboriginal heritage. The composition of the team helps the research group understand and critique situations across cultures and between genders. Farden has found this particularly important to Aboriginal communities they've worked with.
The field research team includes a U of S graduate student from the educational psychology department, Misha Davison. "It's exciting to get graduate students involved in this project, because it's the type of academic research that has practical implications for the lives of the community," Martin says.
The team will share its reports with the Department of Public Safety - National Crime Prevention Centre. Just under $500,000 is being provided for the study through a contribution agreement with the federal government agency. The Saskatoon Health Region also supports the project as part of its efforts to work with community partners for the improved health of Aboriginal people, recently re-affirmed in its 2007-2010 strategic plan.
Other supporters include the University of Saskatchewan, RESOLVE, and various sponsors.
Anyone interested in participating in the study is encouraged to contact Farden at (306) 292-7930.
-30-
Deb Farden
Saskatoon Health Region
(306) 292-7930
deb.farden@saskatoonhealthregion.ca
Stephanie Martin
Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education
College of Education
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5259
stephanie.martin@usask.ca
Michele Bossaer
Corporate and Public Affairs
Saskatoon Health Region
(306) 655-3328
michele.bossaer@saskatoonhealthregion.ca
Michael Robin
Communications Officer
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
May 18, 2007
New Director Named to Lead U of S Vaccine Research Labs
Posted May 18, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, May 18, 2007 9:30 a.m.
2007-05-08-VIDO
Andrew Potter, an internationally recognized authority on vaccine development, will become the new Director of the University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) starting July 1, Vice-President Research Steven Franklin announced today.
Potter, who is currently VIDO's Associate Director of Research and Chief Scientific Officer, succeeds Lorne Babiuk who is taking up the Vice-President Research position at the University of Alberta.
"With the growing threat of emerging disease in both animals and humans, the U of S is extremely fortunate to have someone of Dr. Potter's calibre to lead VIDO and soon InterVac (International Vaccine Centre) as these world-class labs assume an increasingly important role in the development of Canada's national infectious disease-fighting strategies," said Franklin.
"He will be responsible for both VIDO and InterVac which are expected to become the research centrepiece of the proposed U of S School of Public Health."
Dr. Potter is renowned for his visionary research into how bacteria cause disease and for his groundbreaking projects at VIDO that have generated 'world firsts' in disease prevention and more than 40 patents for animal vaccine development and therapeutics.
He initiated VIDO's partnership with the University of British Columbia in developing the world's first vaccine to protect food and water from E. coli O157, and was the first to develop a licensed animal vaccine through the use of biotechnology. He holds an NSERC Senior Industrial Research Chair in Food Safety.
"Andrew Potter is an outstanding choice as the new director of VIDO," said Brian Perkins, Chair of the VIDO Advisory Board. "His leadership will help continue the tradition of addressing the needs of the livestock community and furthering VIDO's contribution to human health."
Babiuk said he is delighted that Potter has agreed to take on the challenge of shepherding VIDO/InterVac at this important stage of its evolution.
"Andrew is very familiar with the requirements for maintaining an effective team culture in a complex environment, bridging the academic and commercial arenas, and ensuring that investments in research benefit society," said Babiuk. "In my view, this is an absolute requirement for success in this era."
He noted that Potter has fostered linkages with researchers in other Canadian universities and with industry in order to enhance the capacity of Canada's infectious disease research community.
"This is an honour and a challenge," said Potter. "My colleague and mentor Lorne Babiuk will be greatly missed. But VIDO-and soon, InterVac-will continue to meet the challenge he set for us: to protect humans and animals from infectious disease, the most deadly scourge on the planet."
Potter spent his undergraduate years at Carleton University and earned his PhD in microbiology in 1981 from the University of Otago (New Zealand). He joined VIDO in 1985 as a research scientist after being recruited by Babiuk from Health Canada in Ottawa. His initial interest was in how pathogens cause respiratory disease in animals.
He currently runs a successful research program well-funded by competitive grants at the national level. Recently, he has been working on the application of genomics to the animal health field, as well as forging links between the animal and human infectious disease research communities to ensure that technologies common to both fields can be used.
He has mentored more than 30 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows who currently hold positions in industry, academia and government worldwide.
Potter has served on a number of public and private sector committees, and has been instrumental in transferring VIDO technology from the laboratory to the private sector, as evidenced by numerous license agreements negotiated over the years. He interacts frequently with major animal health companies and serves as a consultant to numerous smaller ones.
For more information about VIDO, visit http://www.vido.org. More information about InterVac, which will be built next to VIDO by 2010 and will significantly enhance Canada's capacity to fight infectious disease in both animals and humans, is available at: http://www.vido.org/intervac.php.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Andrew Potter
VIDO
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7484
andrew.potter@usask.ca
Tess Laidlaw
Communications Officer
VIDO
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1506
tess.laidlaw@usask.ca
May 16, 2007
Potential anti-inflammatory drug secures award for U of S researchers
Posted May 16, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wednesday, May 16, 2007
2007-05-07-WCVM
A new drug with the potential to treat a wide array of inflammatory conditions has secured this year's Award of Innovation for University of Saskatchewan researchers John Gordon and Fang Li.
The researchers from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine were named as winners of the $5,000 award on May 15th at TCU Place at the "Celebrate Success!" gala, sponsored by the Saskatoon and District Chamber of Commerce and Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc.
"This year's award winner exemplifies the quality of health research at the University of Saskatchewan," said Doug Gill, managing director of the U of S Industry Liaison Office (ILO). "Innovations of this calibre draw the attention of research partners and investors nationally and internationally."
"The innovative nature of all the nominated projects bodes well for the continued growth of the province's technology sector." said Jackie Presnell, director of marketing at Innovation Place. "The commercial potential of this kind of research benefits all of us."
Gordon and Li's innovation is a protein - G31P - that targets a specific part of the inflammatory response. This may make it superior to alternatives such as corticosteroids which can cause severe complications when used at high doses or over prolonged periods of time.
This April, Gordon was awarded a $242,000 Proof of Principle (POP) grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). G31P has the potential to treat many inflammatory conditions, including arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and cystic fibrosis, as well as inflammatory damage caused by heart attacks and strokes. The POP grant will be used to help the researchers determine which of these conditions would make the best candidate for human clinical trials.
U of S spin off company IL Therapeutics licensed the rights to G31P in 2004 and was subsequently bought by Pacgen Biopharmaceuticals Inc. The Vancouver-based company plans to begin clinical trials with human volunteers in the near future.
Other nominees for this year's Award of Innovation were: plant scientist Lawrence Gusta and his team for his discovery of the Rob-5 gene that produces stronger, faster-growing, and more stress tolerant crops; Martin Reaney and his team in the department of applied microbiology and food science for a novel chemical process that could make biodiesel production more profitable; and biology professor Vipen Sawhney for his photoperiod-sensitive male-sterile tomato line.
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. The selection committee includes representatives from both Innovation Place and the U of S.
Innovation Place (www.innovationplace.com) is one of North America's most successful university-linked research parks. The ILO (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
Industry Liaison Office
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7335
doug.gill@usask.ca
Jackie Presnell
Innovation Place Director, Marketing
(306) 933-7368
jackie.presnell@innovationplace.com
Wendy Gillis
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6490
wendy.gillis@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
May 09, 2007
Community Liaison Committee Launched for U of S InterVac
Posted May 09, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Wednesday, May 9th, 2007
2007-05-04-OTHER
The University of Saskatchewan has set up an independent Community Liaison Committee to ensure full and open communication on safety issues related to the International Vaccine Centre (InterVac), soon to be Canada's newest lab for protecting animals and humans against emerging diseases.
The $110.3-million Biosafety Level 3 research centre - part of a national effort to address established and emerging infectious diseases -- will be built on the U of S campus next to VIDO (Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization) by 2010. Site preparation could start as early as this month.
"Full and open two-way communication is vital to ensure the community has confidence in the safety of this world-class facility which will be one of North America's largest vaccine research labs," said U of S Vice-President Research Steven Franklin in announcing the first appointments to the CLC.
The committee will provide a permanent liaison between the Saskatoon community and InterVac, ensuring mutual understanding of any issues of public concern. Comprising up to 12 community participants, the CLC will be chaired by Community Co-Chair Patricia Roe and InterVac/VIDO Director Lorne Babiuk. It will be directly accessible to the media and the public.
"This is an important step in ensuring the public is well informed about InterVac and that there are opportunities for on-going dialogue," said Roe, a former Saskatoon city councillor. "Winnipeg's Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health has a similar committee that has been highly effective in keeping the public informed and consulted on an ongoing basis. We will be working with the centre to provide the public with the best possible information."
The CLC will be responsible for seeking information on activities of community concern, as well as for monitoring issues related to safety and any incidents of potential public interest. The committee can direct any unresolved concerns to the U of S Vice-President Research, the U of S President, and appropriate government and regulatory officials, with the authority to take the issue to the public at large if necessary.
Committee members were selected to reflect a cross-section of community interests. Each participant is appointed for three years, with one-third of the members to be replaced or re-appointed every year starting with the third year of operation. The CLC will invite nominations from the community for new members.
The first appointees, in addition to the co-chairs, are:
* Dr. Peter Barrett, physician, former president of the Canadian Medical Association
* Dick Batten, QC, lawyer and Sutherland resident
* Brian Bentley, City of Saskatoon Fire Chief
* Roy Dobson, President of the Varsity View Community Association
* Noreen Jeffrey, educator
* John LaClare, agribusiness
* Susan Lamb, CEO of the Meewasin Valley Authority
* Claire Macsymic, member at large
* Dr. Cory Neudorf, Chief Medical Health Officer for the Saskatoon Health Region
The CLC will supplement the University's ongoing communications and interaction with the community, stakeholders, media and regulatory agencies with regard to InterVac.
About InterVac
InterVac will significantly enhance Canada's capacity to develop and test new vaccines for both humans and animals, as well as develop new methods of delivering these vaccines. Diseases to be studied may include tuberculosis, hepatitis C, SARS, HIV, and avian influenza.
While there are more than 90 Canadian laboratories with InterVac's biosafety rating (Level 3), InterVac will be one of the few Level 3 labs in the world that can undertake vaccine testing with large animals such as cows. This advantage is expected to attract researchers from around the world.
"InterVac will be built to exceed international biocontainment safety standards and its many special design features will ensure the safety of workers, the community and the environment," said VIDO director Babiuk, noting that air will be filtered, and effluent filtered and sterilized. Both Health Canada's Office of Laboratory Security and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will be involved in regulating the safety of InterVac.
Questions concerning the CLC and its role should be directed to the Community Co-Chair at: w.roe@sasktel.net More information about InterVac is available at: http://www.vido.org/intervac.pdf or by sending an email to tess.laidlaw@usask.ca
-30-
For further information, contact:
Patricia Roe
w.roe@sasktel.net
1-306-222-9972
Lorne Babiuk
Director VIDO/InterVac
University of Saskatchewan
1-306-966-7475
Lorne.babiuk@usask.ca
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
1-306-966-2506
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
May 08, 2007
University of Saskatchewan Approves 2007-08 Operating Budget
Posted May 08, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 8, 2007
2007-05-03-OTHER
The University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors today approved the institution's operating budget for 2007-08 which President Peter MacKinnon terms a good news document that helps position the U of S as it moves into its next four-year planning cycle.
"This budget confirms that we have met our overall financial objectives set out in the multi-year budget that accompanied our first Integrated Plan," said MacKinnon after the Board meeting. "The budget is balanced and our operating reserves are now at the level we said they would be, which is approximately two per cent of our budgeted operating expenditures."
Although the budget calls for significant investment in a number of areas, including $1 million to the Academic Priorities Fund, $400,000 annually to the University Learning Centre/Library Transformation capital project, $1 million to campus core revitalization, and $542,000 annually to support Huskie Athletics, MacKinnon sounded a note of caution about the future.
"There are still questions around the relationship between tuition rates and the provincial operating grant next year, which we hope to address in ongoing conversations with the province," he said. "We also have major capital projects set to begin (the Academic Health Sciences complex and InterVac), we have information and communication technology needs, and we must find a way to manage a significant space deficiency on campus.
"There is no question this is an exciting time at the University of Saskatchewan, but as we move forward into this next planning cycle, we have to be sure we have as clear a picture as possible of the future."
Highlights of the 2007-08 Operating Budget:
- The provincial operating grant increased to $208 million, slightly higher than projected. The difference will be applied to higher-than-expected contract settlements with faculty and staff. Two collective agreements remain to be settled.
- Tuition is expected to generate about $81 million in 2007-08 assuming no change in undergraduate enrolment levels. Included is tuition from the University of Saskatchewan's two new professional graduate programs - Master of International Trade and Master of Physical Therapy.
- $1.17 million will be set aside for centenary activities, including hosting Congress 2007.
- An additional $300,000 will be added annually to the fund set up to help meet the capital equipment requirements of new faculty.
- The support for Huskie Athletics includes $165,000 to the Championship Fund and $377,000 for general operations.
-30-
For additional information, contact:
Patty Martin, Community and Media Relations Specialist
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Telephone (306) 966-6919
May 04, 2007
Three U of S Projects Awarded $805,000 to Study Aboriginal Health
Posted May 04, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, May 4, 2007
2007-05-02-OTHER
Three researchers from the University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatoon Health Region have been awarded a total of $805,000 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to study immunization rates among Aboriginal children in Saskatoon, healthy body weight and image among rural Aboriginal women, and the health and well being of on-reserve Aboriginal youth.
"Research on the health of Aboriginal Peoples is a key theme for our university," says U of S Vice-President Research Steven Franklin. "Today's investments from CIHR will advance work with our Aboriginal partners to identify tools and strategies to foster healthy communities."
The grants are part of $1.2 million to fund health research in Saskatchewan announced in April by CIHR President Dr. Alan Bernstein.
"The CIHR health research funding announced today will advance knowledge in many areas that are of strategic importance to Canada and will also contribute to strengthening the research and training environment for young Canadians in all regions of the country," Bernstein says.
Dr. Cory Neudorf, Vice-President Research with the Saskatoon Health Region and clinical associate professor in the College of Medicine, will receive $282,000 over three years to study immunization rates among Aboriginal children in Saskatoon. Immunization rates among children in the city's poorer neighbourhoods - where many Aboriginal families live - are less than half that of more affluent communities. Neudorf and his team will look at the rate of immunization of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children to identify possible cultural differences. The team will also test the effectiveness of various interventions, such as home and school visits and reminder systems to increase immunization rates.
Jennifer Poudrier, assistant professor of sociology in the College of Arts and Science, will receive $300,000 over three years to examine healthy body weight and healthy body image among Aboriginal women in the First Nations of the Battlefords Tribal Council. Poudrier will work with Aboriginal women through "PhotoVoice," a technique where the women are provided cameras to record their own perceptions. By combining these perceptions with interviews, sharing circles, and elder knowledge, Poudrier and her team hope to identify gaps in community health services that address obesity. The knowledge will guide the design of more effective intervention tools to address this health problem.
Pammla Petrucka, assistant professor in the College of Nursing, will receive $233,000 over three years to help identify factors affecting health and well being among youth on the Standing Buffalo First Nation near Fort Qu'Appelle. Common interventions for suicide prevention, obesity, substance abuse, and mental illness have not been as successful for Aboriginal youth as for their non-Aboriginal counterparts. By gathering young people's personal perspectives, she hopes to shed light on social, cultural, historical, and environmental factors. Petrucka and her community-based interdisciplinary team will also use the PhotoVoice technique with sharing circles in the community. The knowledge gained will guide design of future interventions aimed at improving health and well being of Aboriginal youth.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Michele Bossaer
Corporate and Public Affairs
Saskatoon Health Region
(306) 655-3328
www.saskatoonhealthregion.ca
Jennifer Poudrier
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1793
jennifer.poudrier@usask.ca
Pammla Petrucka
College of Nursing
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 798-1082
pammla.petrucka@usask.ca
Michael Robin
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
U of S Researcher Awarded $242,000 for Potential New Anti-inflammatory Drug
Posted May 04, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, May 4, 2007
2007-05-01-WCVM
University of Saskatchewan health researcher John Gordon has been awarded $242,000 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to help bring closer to market a new anti-inflammatory drug that could ease the suffering of people with arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and cystic fibrosis, as well as reduce damage caused by heart attacks and strokes.
"This potential new treatment for infectious and chronic diseases is an example of life and health sciences research excellence at the University of Saskatchewan," says U of S Vice-President Research Steven Franklin. "Today's targeted investment from CIHR will help our researchers develop this exciting innovation that could benefit all Canadians."
Over the next year, Gordon and his team will look at a number of inflammatory ailments to find out which ones are the most promising candidates for human clinical trials. Their grant is part of $1.2 million to fund health research in Saskatchewan announced in April by CIHR President Dr. Alan Bernstein.
"The CIHR health research funding announced today will advance knowledge in many areas that are of strategic importance to Canada and will also contribute to strengthening the research and training environment for young Canadians in all regions of the country," Bernstein says.
Gordon, a researcher in the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, explains this new drug is a protein, G31P, that targets a very specific part of the inflammatory response. It may therefore be superior to alternatives, such as corticosteroids which can cause severe complications when used at high doses or over prolonged periods of time.
"G31P's anti-inflammatory effects seem in some respects to mirror specifically the anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids without triggering unrelated responses," Gordon says.
Vancouver-based PacGen BioPharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company specializing in developing innovative therapeutics for disease prevention and treatment, has licensed the G31P technology for further development.
"We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Gordon and to be an industry sponsor for research at the University of Saskatchewan." says PacGen co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer David Cheng. "Dr. Gordon's expertise is invaluable as we continue our early stage development studies for G31P. We look forward to determining the drug candidate's real potential as an immune system regulator and novel anti-inflammatory agent."
The precision of the new drug could make it ideal for treating chronic ailments such as inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis. As well, it promises to be highly effective in treating people with cystic fibrosis, who are susceptible to bacterial pneumonia due to the sticky mucus that accumulates in their lungs. G31P has been shown to dramatically reduce the severe lung inflammation typical of bacterial pneumonia.
Since G31P could potentially fit well with a wide range of inflammatory diseases, the next step for the research team is to find out which of these diseases are the best candidates for clinical trials. Over the next year, the team will be looking at bacterial pneumonia, arthritis, allergic diseases such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and ischemia-perfusion injury, which occurs in heart attack, stroke, and organ transplant patients.
Gordon and his team will receive funds under a CIHR Proof of Principle (POP) grant. POP grants are intended to bridge the gap between university research and commercial development. They support the work required to bring health innovations to a market-ready stage, where industry partners can be attracted to continue development.
-30-
For more information, contact:
John Gordon
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7214
john.gordon@usask.ca
Michael Robin
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research
