January 31, 2011
U of S College of Agriculture and Bioresources opens Inuit sculpture exhibit
Posted January 31, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 31, 2011
2011-01-20-AG
The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) College of Agriculture and Bioresources has announced a new addition to the college’s art collection. Henry and Cheryl Kloppenburg have generously donated a collection of Inuit sculpture, which will be permanently housed in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources.
Inuit sculptures on display in the College of Agriculture and BIoresources' Kloppenburg Collection
Photo by Mark Ferguson
“The beginnings of our collection go back 40 years,” said Henry Kloppenburg. “Over those years, collecting has been a gratifying experience for us. Being able to give the collection to the university and the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, [which] will provide an environment wherein generations of students can enjoy the collection and share our experience, was the simple reason for our gift.”
The Henry and Cheryl Kloppenburg Collection of Inuit Sculpture is comprised of 55 works created by people of the Canadian Arctic. The works of several dozen artists are represented, as are 14 of Canada’s northern communities. The collection of Inuit sculpture complements the Kloppenburg Collection of paintings found throughout the college.
“The amazing Inuit art that we are honoured to receive today adds to the treasure trove that already graces this building,” said College of Agriculture and Bioresources Dean Mary Buhr. “Artistic vision expresses the awe, reverence and respect that we feel as stewards of the Earth, and captures the very heart of why we are so proud to work in agriculture. Regardless of our origins, this desire to live in harmony with the land that sustains us is a deeply embedded human trait. This generous gift adds an Inuit dimension to our extensive collection and will generate awareness and joy for generations to come. We are deeply grateful to the Kloppenburgs for their continued generosity.”
The Kloppenburg’s roots are in Saskatchewan and they have contributed greatly to the community through public service and their gifts of art to the University of Saskatchewan.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Kira Paluck, Communications Co-ordinator
College of Agriculture and Bioresources
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6873
kira.paluck@usask.ca
January 27, 2011
U of S PhD candidate completes prestigious training at the Speiz Laboratory in Switzerland
Posted January 27, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 27, 2011
2011-01-17-PH
Isaac Asiamah, a PhD candidate with the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the U of S, has recently returned from a prestigious training opportunity at the Speiz Laboratory in the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports. Isaac spent four months at the laboratory and received training in the handling of chemical weapons-related materials, including water and air-sensitive chemicals, as well as training in toxicology and chemical safety.
Asiamah, originally from Ghana, is preparing novel compounds (combination of compounds) to investigate the toxicity of a naturally-occurring plant product. He is working with the Drug Design and Discovery Research group under Ed Krol, associate professor in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition. Asiamah was the only individual selected worldwide in 2010 for this specialized training. The training program runs within the scope of the International Co-operation and Assistance Programs for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
“Isaac’s training at the Speiz Laboratory involved a very specialized area of research within medicinal chemistry, and his invitation to study in Switzerland reflects well on the excellence of his graduate education in the College,” said David Hill, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Heather Dawson, Advancement Officer
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-2502
Email: heather.dawson@usask.ca
January 25, 2011
New study chaired by U of S professor says global environmental pacts ignore primary causes of forest destruction
Posted January 25, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 25, 2011
2011-01-15-JSGS
A new study released by some of the world’s top experts on forest governance says global efforts are failing to stop rampant destruction of the world’s most vulnerable forests. The report, called Embracing Complexity: Meeting the Challenges of International Forest Governance, suggests that global initiatives have too often ignored local needs, while failing to address the most fundamental challenge to global forest management — that deforestation is usually caused by economic pressures imposed by drivers from outside forests.
Jeremy Rayner, professor, Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
“Our findings suggest that disregarding the impact on forests from sectors such as agriculture and energy will doom any new international efforts whose goal is to conserve forests and slow climate change,” said Jeremy Rayner, professor at the U of S Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, and chair of the Global Forests Expert Panel of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) that produced the study. “With this report, we can say with greater certainty that the success of current efforts to protect forests through a global climate change agreement will depend in part on whether negotiators integrate these findings into their policy proposals.”
The report was produced by 60 experts in political science, policy studies, law and international relations. It represents the most comprehensive scientific assessment to date on international forest governance. The detailed results of the expert panel will be presented in New York on Jan. 31, 2011 at the Ninth Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests as part of the launch of the International Year of Forests.
The study argues a need for a dramatic shift away from top-down international efforts to protect forests. The recommendation is that international initiatives – including Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation negotiated in December 2010 at the Cancun climate change conference – should focus more on supporting regional and national efforts to understand and control the drivers of deforestation. The report also says tropical forests remain particularly at risk, despite global initiatives to save them.
IUFRO is the only worldwide organization devoted to forest research and related sciences. Its members are research institutions, universities, and individual scientists as well as decision-making authorities and other stakeholders with a focus on forests and trees. For further information, please visit: www.iufro.org.
-30-
To arrange an interview with Jeremy Rayner, please contact:
Erica Schindel, Communications & Marketing Specialist
Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 966-2663
Email: erica.schindel@usask.ca
U of S boosts global indigenous studies resource
Posted January 25, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 25, 2011
2011-01-14-LIB
The Library at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) has made extensive progress in its Indigenous Studies Portal (iPortal), which now holds 25,000 full-text records. The iPortal provides learning and research opportunities by connecting people with specialized indigenous studies resources.
Joan Greyeyes, special advisor on Aboriginal initiatives, at the IPortal event Jan. 25, 2011
“Achieving the milestone of 25,000 live (full-text) records speaks to the volume of publishing that is going on in the interdisciplinary field of indigenous studies. It reflects the pride and strong commitment the university library has in supporting Aboriginal engagement: relationships, scholarship, and programs,” said Ken Ladd, university library associate dean.
IPortal links to full-text indigenous-related electronic resources, including e-books, articles, theses, book reviews, websites, film and video recordings, and archival documents such as photographs, correspondence, anthropological field notes, diaries and other textual materials. A variety of content (such as in-house digitized materials) is unique to the iPortal and is not available through other means, such as the university library catalogue or searching the Internet.
The library’s vision is to make iPortal the best scholarly and informative online resource in support of learners, teachers, researchers, scholars and practitioners in indigenous studies at the U of S; and by extension a leading electronic resource for scholars worldwide in Canadian indigenous studies.
“The iPortal is an affirmation that Aboriginal cultures are important and they are being recognized in the academic realm,” said Ladd.
The Indigenous Studies Portal has established collaborative partnerships with the U of S Archives, Purich Publishing, the Canadian Association of Native Development Officers and Captus Press through the digitization of materials and the creation of unique content available on the iPortal. Nearly two-thirds of iPortal resources can be accessed globally on a 24/7 basis.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Deborah Lee, iPortal Librarian and Team Leader
University of Saskatchewan Library
Tel: (306) 966-6019
Email: deborah.lee@usask.ca
January 21, 2011
U of S Projects Awarded More than $1M in Canada Foundation for Innovation Funding
Posted January 21, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Jan. 21, 2011
2011-01-12-OTHER
Thirteen University of Saskatchewan (U of S) research teams have been awarded just over $1 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) for projects that will help develop new therapies for HIV, advance knowledge of reproductive health, and foster development of advanced materials for the auto and aerospace industries, to name just a few.
“The diversity of projects funded in this round illustrates the broad-based strength of the research enterprise at the U of S, particularly in engineering and human health,” said U of S Vice-President Research Karen Chad. “Our researchers are exploring questions that are top of mind for people in our province and across Canada.”
The successful recipients are:
- Angela Baerwald and Donna Chizen (obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences) are acquiring high-resolution ultrasound imaging equipment to study the ovaries of women going through menopause and those with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The research will shed light on potential effects of environmental contaminants on women's reproductive health.
- Ildiko Badea (pharmacy and nutrition) is working to develop efficient, non-toxic drug delivery systems for biotechnology products, such as proteins and DNA as well as promising small molecules.
- Linda Chelico (microbiology and immunology) is examining human enzymes that can block replication of some types of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. Understanding these enzymes is an important step toward new HIV therapies that use the body's own defenses.
- Xiongbiao (Daniel) Chen and Wenjun Zheng (mechanical engineering) are acquiring a bio-manufacturing system to develop scaffolds seeded with cells and nutrients that can be used to repair nerve injuries and damaged or diseased cartilage of jaw joints.
- Lisa Feldman and Bruce Sparling (civil and geological engineering) will expand facilities within the Structures Laboratory to allow full-scale testing of masonry wall systems subjected to realistic loading conditions. The researchers will examine the bonding of reinforcing steel, which has implications for the design of lap splices in masonry walls as well as bond behavior in very slender masonry walls.
- Reza Fotouhi (mechanical engineering) is developing robotic-assisted farming technology to help farmers control weeds and plant crops precisely. His project promises to enhance competitiveness of Saskatchewan farmers as well as the manufacturing and mining industries.
- Chris Holmden (geological sciences) will use an automated high performance ion chromatography system (HPIC) to further studies of calcium and magnesium at the Saskatchewan Isotope Laboratory. These versatile tools are currently being applied to studies of forests, rock weathering, soils, ocean sediments, animal health and nutrition.
- Akindele Odeshi (mechanical engineering) is engineering lightweight materials such as aluminum to be stronger and more impact-resistant. His work promises to speed development of advanced materials for defense, automobile and aerospace applications.
- Matthew Paige (chemistry) and Ian Burgess (chemistry) are acquiring a microscope for looking at surfactants. These chemical compounds have a range of medical uses, such as treating the immature lungs of premature babies. The microscope will aid development of lung surfactant mixtures as well as the design of new molecular sensor devices.
- Gregory Penner (animal and poultry science) will investigate how functions such as absorption, metabolism, and barriers are regulated within the gut tissue of cattle. His work will inform herd management programs that enhance nutrient absorption and gut health.
- Yandou Wei, David Logan and Peta Bonham-Smith (biology) will use a new plant growth facility to explore how changing environments affect how plants become infected by pathogens. Their work promises to provide a blueprint for sustainable disease management in crops such as canola and other Brassicas.
The CFI is an independent corporation created by the federal government to fund research infrastructure. This includes state-of-the-art equipment, buildings, laboratories, databases and other advanced tools.
The grants are provided through CFI’s Leaders Opportunity Fund, which provides infrastructure support to Canadian institutions so they can attract and retain leading researchers at a time of intense international competition for knowledge workers.
For a complete list of the projects awarded, visit www.innovation.ca.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Michael Robin
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1425
michael.robin@usask.ca
January 20, 2011
U of S scientists awarded $1.2 million to explore advanced energy technologies
Posted January 20, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Jan. 20, 2011
2011-01-11-OTHER
Three University of Saskatchewan researchers have been awarded $1.23 million by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to develop better ways to make biodiesel, advanced materials for nuclear reactors and an effective fuel injection system for fusion reactors.
Jerzy Szpunar, Canada Research Chair in Advanced Materials for Clean Energy
“Producing and using energy sustainably while reducing our carbon footprint are high public priorities,” said U of S Vice-President Research Karen Chad. “These outstanding researchers are working on energy solutions to help us build a sustainable, productive and prosperous society.”
All three researchers, who are also Canada Research Chair holders, competed for the funds through NSERC’s Strategic Projects grants program. Their grants are part of $55 million invested across the country to support more than 120 research teams. The announcement was made today at the University of Waterloo in Ontario.
The successful U of S recipients are:
- Ajay Dalai, Canada Research Chair in Bio-Energy and Environmentally-Friendly Chemical Processing, is working to develop catalysts to strip out the extra oxygen in vegetable oils such as waste canola, rapeseed and used cooking oil to produce heat stable biodiesel that mixes easily with petroleum diesel for superior performance. The environmental benefits are substantial: if all diesel vehicles added just five per cent biodiesel to their tanks, it would reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2.5 million tonnes. An added incentive is that biodiesel reduces wear on engines and reduces maintenance.
- Akira Hirose, Canada Research Chair in Plasma Science, will use the STOR-M tokamak, Canada’s only fusion energy research facility, to develop a refueling technology for fusion reactors called compact torus injection (CT). Fusion reactors use powerful magnetic fields to contain plasma – the same phase of matter found in the sun. Feeding fuel into the plasma without disrupting the magnetic fields and shutting down the reaction is a major challenge in fusion energy research, one Hirose hopes to overcome with CT technology.
- Jerzy Szpunar, Canada Research Chair in Advanced Materials for Clean Energy, is working to develop advanced materials for next-generation nuclear reactors, which will be designed to create clean energy both in the form of electricity and hydrogen for fuel. The extreme conditions in these reactors – high temperature, high pressure, high corrosion – demand state-of-the art alloys. Szpunar will use the Canadian Light Source synchrotron at the U of S to evaluate these advanced materials and predict their performance.
The goal of NSERC’s Strategic Projects grants program is to increase research and training in targeted areas that could strongly enhance Canada’s economy, society and environment within the next 10 years.
For a complete list of the projects awarded, visit www.nserc.ca.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Michael Robin
Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1425
michael.robin@usask.ca
January 18, 2011
U of S names horse health centre after Saskatoon philanthropists
Posted January 18, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 18, 2011
2011-01-09-WCVM
An expanded facility for horse health at the University of Saskatchewan will be called the Ryan/Dubé Equine Performance Centre in recognition of a Saskatoon couple’s longtime support for veterinary research and education.
Heather Ryan and her husband, L. David Dubé, contributed $1.2 million toward the expansion of the college's existing equine performance centre. The Government of Saskatchewan, Marg and Ron Southern of Calgary, Alta., and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) provided the remaining funding for the
$2.8 million project.
Construction will begin in February 2011. The project will add nearly 1,000 sq m (10,600 sq. ft.) to the centre, as well as vital resources to the WCVM’s equine education, clinical and research programs. “This expansion will give our students, faculty and staff the tools and indoor space that they need to enhance horse health care in Western Canada,” says WCVM Dean Douglas Freeman.
“In particular, this building will be a focal point for diagnosing, treating and investigating different lameness issues. Through those activities, it will also be a place where our veterinary students can learn more about how to recognize and accurately diagnose the causes of lameness in horses, and provide their future clients with the best treatment options,” adds Freeman.
Built in 1998, the original horse health facility includes a high-speed treadmill and a computerized force plate system. The centre’s new features will include a paved indoor runway for lameness examinations, an indoor exercise ring that is critical for diagnosing and detecting subtle lameness issues, and a multi-purpose area equipped with two restraint stocks. The centre will also become a focal point for horse handling labs, teaching demonstrations and continuing veterinary education seminars.
Ryan and Dubé’s previous contributions to the WCVM include a $1.07 million gift to the college’s equine and companion animal health programs. They also created a matching gift incentive program in 2006 that has helped raise more than $450,000 for equine health research at the WCVM in the past four years.
The WCVM is Western Canada’s premier centre for veterinary education, research and expertise. Nearly 450 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at the internationally-recognized institution that includes a veterinary teaching hospital, provincial diagnostics laboratory and research facilities.
-30-
For more information contact:
Myrna MacDonald, Communications
WCVM, University of Saskatchewan
Tel: 306-225-4479 Cell: 306-291-9950
Email: sm.ridley@sasktel.net
January 14, 2011
U of S College of Agriculture and Bioresources announces Aboriginal initiatives
Posted January 14, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 14, 2011
2011-01-08-AG
The University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources is taking two major advancements toward expanding its commitment in Aboriginal relations. The Sprott Foundation donated $1 million in support of a proposed post-graduate program for Aboriginal students, and David Natcher was appointed as the new assistant dean of Aboriginal programs and research.
David Natcher, assistant dean of Aboriginal programs and research in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources
The post-graduate diploma will be an opportunity for Aboriginal students who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree in a non-agricultural discipline to further their education. The college has a tradition of partnerships with industry, conservation groups and government, through which graduates become
familiar with current trends and issues required for successful careers with these partners. Once approved, the new post-graduate diploma in Aboriginal agriculture and land management will provide students with practical training in agribusiness and land management to enable them to operate at the interface of the Aboriginal community and the agribusiness sector.
“Partnering with the Sprott Foundation allowed us to extensively consult with various Aboriginal groups and then create an innovative program that will meet their needs and serve our society,” said Dean Mary Buhr, College of Agriculture and Bioresources. “By creating an assistant dean of Aboriginal programs and research, we have provided a focal point around which our various initiatives can cluster, while also providing outside communities with an obvious go-to place for inquiries, ideas and activities. Finally, by appointing David Natcher to this position, we have committed one of our college’s most successful, energetic and talented young faculty to encourage the success of this very important endeavour for the college, the university and the province.”
The creation of this position demonstrates the college’s genuine commitment to Aboriginal programming. Natcher is also director of the Indigenous Land Management Institute in the college. The new assistant dean will foster relationships with provincial and national Aboriginal organizations and communities to identify and develop opportunities related to Aboriginal agriculture and resource management education and research.
“The College of Agriculture and Bioresources is determined to collaborate with this land’s indigenous peoples to better understand and serve our environment and its inhabitants,” said Buhr.
The Sprott Foundation is a charitable trust that has been active for nearly 20 years as a philanthropic foundation addressing urgent human need, hunger, homelessness and other areas of interest to the founding family. The Sprott Foundation believes that philanthropy should offer recipients the means to become self-sufficient. Beyond supporting program development, funding will also provide bursaries for Aboriginal students.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Kira Paluck, Communications Co-ordinator
College of Agriculture and Bioresources
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6873
kira.paluck@usask.ca
January 13, 2011
U of S students host Canada’s largest student-run conference
Posted January 13, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Jan. 13, 2011
2011-01-06-PH
University of Saskatchewan pharmacy students from the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition have begun their Professional Development Week (PDW) 2011 Conference. The annual conference is being held in Saskatoon from Jan 12-15, 2011 at TCU Place.
“The students from the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition are excited to welcome students from across Canada to what promises to be one of the best Professional Development Weeks to date,” says Melanie Harding, U of S student and marketing co-ordinator for PDW 2011.
This year’s motivational speaker is Catriona Le May Doan, two-time Olympic gold medalist and Saskatchewan Blue Cross spokesperson, who will be speaking about her journey in life and the challenges she has overcome to become the world’s fastest speed skater.
David Hill, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, said “We have an exceptionally active student body within our pharmacy undergraduate program in the college. The PDW planning team has organized a number of sessions that address current issues of interest to students in the areas of clinical skills enhancement, pharmacy practice development and changes to the health care system that will be important to pharmacists.
“Graduates of the pharmacy program at the University of Saskatchewan have been leaders within the profession for many years and the 2011 PDW conference is another opportunity for students from the other pharmacy schools in Canada to experience the ‘Saskatchewan way,’” said Hill.
The College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan is dedicated to fostering knowledge creation through excellence in teaching and research that will improve the health of individuals and communities within Saskatchewan and beyond.
PDW 2011 is presented by the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI) and the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Pharmacy and Nutrition. More than 600 pharmacy students from across the country are expected to attend. This year’s conference sponsor is Saskatchewan Blue Cross.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Heather Dawson
Advancement Officer
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-2502Email: heather.dawson@usask.ca
Melanie Harding
Marketing Co-ordinator
PDW 2011
Email: melanie.harding@usask.ca
January 10, 2011
U of S opens bioprocessing pilot plant in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources
Posted January 10, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Jan. 10, 2011
2011-01-04-AG
At a ceremony Jan. 10, the University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources opened a new bioprocessing pilot plant that will be used to study plant compounds that can be used in biofuels, crop development, and health products.
The 279 sq. m (3000 sq. ft) facility, funded by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, has recently been equipped with over $1.2 million in new, industrial-grade scientific equipment designed for the isolation of valuable components from Saskatchewan crops.
The facility contains equipment used in the extraction and purification of large amounts of naturally occurring molecules. The facility can operate under extreme process conditions, allowing extractions to be conducted in the presence of strong acid, strong base, high temperature and high pressure, and concentrating extracted materials prior to purification.
The equipment’s various functions will allow continued research, increase productivity and teaching capacity, and support the creation of new spin-off businesses in the growing food and bioproducts sector.
Unique to Western Canada, the pilot plant will allow researchers to look for natural product in crops that have potentially useful applications in areas as diverse as foods, biofuels, new drugs, vaccines and nanomaterials for use in human and animal health. Co-operative research and development with industry partners will be a mandate of the facility.
Research conducted in the pilot plant can be taken directly to industry where it can be commercialized. With its ‘industrial scale-up’ tools, the pilot plant is the ideal facility from which many areas of crop utilization research can be supported.
“Our government is committed to innovation and research,” said Minister of Agriculture Bob Bjornerud. “This pilot plant will support Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry by bringing together key pieces of equipment in one spot to help researchers continue their work on bioprocessing.”
“This unique bioprocessing facility highlights the innovative approach that the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the university employ to advance the province’s agricultural potential,” said Mary Buhr, dean of the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. “Together we can develop new uses for crops, understand their natural properties, and devise better methods for our province’s industrial sector.
Exposing our students to such a facility ensures there is a highly-qualified workforce that has the knowledge and skills to produce food, fibre, energy, and other renewable bioproducts.”
-30-
For more information, contact:
Kira Paluck, Communications Co-ordinator
College of Agriculture and Bioresources
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-6873
Email: kira.paluck@usask.ca
