GAZETTE
Aug. 13, 2014 Volume 47 Number 1
Publication Mail Registration No. 40062527
A M E M O R I A L U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W F O U N D L A N D P U B L I C AT I O N
p3
Classical celebration An annual chamber music festival is delivering musical thrills to its summertime audience.
p6-8
p9
Reading material The latest books penned by Memorial faculty and staff can be found in a special feature inside.
Kickstart my career
A crowdfunding campaign is backing a recent computer science graduate’s visual novel.
Hibernia investment grows enrichment programming By Sandy Woolfrey-Fahey
Memorial will help cultivate the next generation of innovators in Newfoundland and Labrador thanks to a $2.85-million investment from the Hibernia Management
and
Development
Company
Ltd.
(HMDC). Shad Valley is a highly competitive, four-week summer enrichment program held at 12 Canadian universities, including Memorial. HMDC’s latest investment will create the Hibernia Project-Shad Valley Fund at Memorial to expand the program’s capacity and encourage high school students to pursue studies in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The program also will encourage students from across the country to pursue their post-secondary studies at Memorial. “Collaboration with industry and education partners such as HMDC and Shad Valley enrich Memorial’s learning environment and help us provide an engaging each summer to learn from our award-winning faculty,” said Dr. Doreen Neville, associate vice-president (academic) planning, priorities and programs. “Experiences during the Shad Valley program, in turn, help to attract students from across the country to our province to pursue their undergraduate and/or graduate studies.”
Chris Hammond photo
experience for young students who come to Memorial
From left are Barry Bisson, Dr. Leonard Lye, Jamie Long and Dr. Doreen Neville at the Shad Valley funding announcement July 24.
See HIBERNIA page 3
Memorial welcomes first dancer-in-residence in academic symposiums and conferences dialoguing
By Melanie Callahan
dance as an avenue to move through trauma. She was
Celebrated dance artist and choreographer Karen
the 2012 Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival resident
Kaeja will spend six weeks in the province this fall as
artist.
Memorial University’s first dancer-in-residence.
two successful residency programs of a similar nature – writer-in-residence and artist-in-residence. A similarly dynamic program will cultivate much-needed scholarly and creative discourse about dance, and the practice of dance, among university and artistic communities, the committee said. “Though
it
is
seldom
explicitly
gural dancer-in-residence for Memorial University,” said
Ella Cooper photo
A working group came together to explore dance as an academic discipline at Memorial. Memorial already hosts
“It is an incredible honour to be chosen as the inauMs. Kaeja. “I am looking forward to being inspired by the beautiful geography and people of Newfoundland and Labrador.” The dancer-in-residence program will include a num-
Karen Kaeja
ber of activities such as delivering workshops and open discussions as well as presentations in courses through-
A Dora Award-nominated performer and BFA (Hons.)
out the curriculum; consulting with and mentoring local
acknowledged,
graduate, Ms. Kaeja is co-artistic director of Kaeja d’Dance
dancers/choreographers on their dance productions and
Newfoundland and Labrador’s engagement with dance
with Allen Kaeja. Her awards include the Canadian Dance
interests; and providing outreach (workshops and discus-
tradition is as historically deep and rooted as the other
Assembly I Love Dance Community Award for her vision
sions) with local dance schools and community dance
performing arts,” said Prof. Todd Hennessey, committee
of Porch View Dances and the Paul D. Fleck Fellowship
groups including DanceNL. It will also allow Ms. Kaeja
member and head of Grenfell’s Division of Fine Arts.
for Innovation. A performer for stage and film, chore-
to incubate her current physical research practices and
“With many other areas of fine and performing arts
ographer, educator and project instigator, Ms. Kaeja has
writing in Newfoundland and Labrador.
represented at Memorial, the committee feels that a uni-
been recognized internationally with commissions and
In keeping with Memorial’s emphasis on a multicam-
versity dance program is warranted. Dance studies would
presented by festivals and performance series around the
pus university, the project will involve both the St. John’s
invariably draw new students, strengthen the relationship
world. Celebrated as one of this country’s top 10 dance
and Grenfell campuses, as well as a collaboration with
between Memorial and the arts community and provide
artists (NOW magazine), she is a sought-after teacher
Creative Gros Morne, a steering group responsible for
a new area through which Memorial could distinguish
at conferences, festivals and universities across North
implementing the Gros Morne Cultural Blueprint which
itself on regional, national and international stages.”
America. Recently Ms. Kaeja was invited to participate
has targeted dance as one of its priorities.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT David McComiskey
JG: How has Memorial helped prepare you for this
(M.Sc.’10) has launched a
new website that showcases photos and slice-of-life stories of
project?
everyday people. Faces of Newfoundland features his work
DMc: Immensely. As a med student I get to experience
and occasionally that of Matthew Brake (BN’11), along with
the full spectrum of human emotion and see people
short vignettes of people randomly stopped on the street.
with so much pain or joy or vulnerability on their faces.
The fourth-year medical student’s Facebook page has gone
And, in a way I’m capturing similar emotions through
viral, amassing more than 6,800 likes within its first month.
my camera.
Gazette contributor Jeff Green spoke with Mr. McComiskey JG: What are you getting out of this project?
about his web projects.
DMc: Positivity. Everybody loves a good story – and JG: Why start Faces of Newfoundland?
everybody has one. I love to see a face light up in
DMc: As a medical student, you see so much human
unexpected delight at seeing their own picture, because
emotion: from misery and hope, to joy, fear and
I know they’re seeing themselves in a more positive light
the unknown. That rollercoaster takes a toll on you
than they’re used to, and the best part is, everyone else
emotionally. This project gives me a chance to balance
gets to as well!
those feelings and connect with people through conversation and the camera. The photos amplify the
JG: What’s the reaction been to your photos?
story, giving us a glimpse into their true selves.
DMc: Overwhelming. I’m getting 75-year-old women messaging me to say how they love the site, and 16-year-
DMc: I’m naturally a very quiet person so I really push myself out of my comfort zone. Generally I walk up to people with a big smile and introduce myself and tell them what I’m doing. I try the same tactic as an 18-year-
olds saying they think it’s great a person with an artsy
Submitted photo
JG: What is your process?
side is pursuing medicine. It is so flattering and is my inspiration to continue. JG: What’s next?
David McComiskey
DMc: The goal is 1,000 portraits. We’re off to a great
their eyes. Turns out, they met decades ago but lost
who knows? Maybe a book could be in the works down
JG: What are some of the stories – and photos – that
touch and married different people. Life brought
the road.
stand out to you?
them back together 20 years later and they are happier
DMc: I recently took pictures of a couple from
than ever.
old guy trying to meet girls: appear as harmless as possible!
start and I think people like the stories we’re sharing. So
Go to www.facesofnewfoundland.com or like the group on
Washington, D.C. There was an unparalleled joy in
Facebook.
GAZETTE A M E M O R I A L U N I V E R S I T Y O F N E W F O U N D L A N D P U B L I C AT I O N
By Diane Keough
Yaffle.ca is Memorial’s online connecting tool. One of its most significant jobs is to provide a way for people from outside Memorial to ask for research help. With hundreds of community-suggested opportunities to choose from, your
Anchor Point town council photo
your next project
next project is just a click away. Here’s one . . .
The shrimp processing plant in Anchor Point.
The opportunity:
The project:
Anchor Point on the province’s Northern Peninsula
All levels of government provide oversight and reg-
has a deep-rooted history in the fishery. Like many
ulations for the fishing industry. Mr. Gros says that
communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, it was
much of the information and inventory on the fishery
founded for its fishing, and the settlement quickly
infrastructure exists in various provincial and federal
became the fishing base for the new English settle-
government departments, but no one has pulled it all
ments along the coast. That was more than 270 years
together and analyzed it.
ago, and despite the often turbulent times of the fish-
“Anchor Point and the surrounding region could really
ing industry in this province, Anchor Point contin-
benefit from a marine and fisheries infrastructure-needs
ues to survive, with the fishery remaining its main
assessment,” he said. “You can’t develop infrastructure
industry.
if you don’t already know what is going on. There is
Anchor Point and its surrounding communi-
a lack of recording or understanding about what is in
ties each have the necessary basic infrastructure
place already, and what is needed, with respect to fish-
– wharves, slipways, piers, etc. – to support the fish-
eries infrastructure.”
ery, but there is no overarching plan for determining
The town is looking for someone to complete a needs
the area’s infrastructure needs. According to Anchor
assessment on the marine and fisheries infrastructure
Point mayor Gerry Gros, it’s time to examine the cur-
for the region. It would involve compiling all the exist-
rent state and plan accordingly to keep the fishery
ing information available from the various government
sustainable.
departments, determining the information gaps (if
“We need to take stock of what infrastructure
any), completing the infrastructure inventory (if nec-
resources are in the region, and determine where to
essary) and analyzing the fisheries infrastructure needs
best allocate investments for the betterment of the
against the existing resources.
region,” he said. “Anchor Point has always been a hub for the fishery in this area, and there is opportunity to
Interested in learning more about this project? The Harris
really develop and enhance the fishing infrastructure
Centre’s co-ordinator of knowledge mobilization would be
to service the region.”
happy to tell you more. Call Amy Tucker at 709-864-6115 or email amy.tucker@mun.ca.
Gazette | Wednesday, August 13, 2014
2
Editor Graphics Mandy Cook John Andrews Regular Contributors
Laura Barron Melanie Callahan Nora Daly Krista Davidson Paula Dyke Kelly Foss Elizabeth Furey Pamela Gill Sharon Gray Jeff Green Janet Harron Jill Hunt Diane Keough Jackey Locke
Classified Advertising Kelly Hickey
Virginia Middleton Cathy Newhook Naomi Osborne Michelle Osmond David Penney Marcia Porter Kristine Power Dave Sorensen Melissa Watton Meaghan Whelan Susan White-MacPherson Heidi Wicks Laura Woodford Sandy Woolfrey-Fahey
Photography Chris Hammond
Advertising Mandy Cook Telephone: 709 864 2142 Email: mandyc@mun.ca Next Gazette deadline Aug. 27 for Sept. 3 publication. The Gazette is published 17 times annually by the Division of Marketing and Communications at Memorial University. Material in the Gazette may be reprinted or broadcast without permission, excepting materials for which the Gazette does not hold exclusive copyright. Gazette, Room A-1024 Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7 Telephone: 709 864 2142 Fax: 709 864 8699 Email: mandyc@mun.ca ISSN 0228-88 77 With the exception of advertisements from Memorial University, ads carried in the Gazette do not imply recommendation by the university for the service or product.
www.mun.ca/gazette
Inspired, powerful and diverse
Fourteenth annual summertime chamber music festival delivers musical thrills By Mandy Cook
The 2014
Tuckamore Festival — one of Atlantic
Canada’s leading summertime chamber music programs — is running Aug. 4-17, which leaves five more days to take in beautiful music being made by participating local and visiting artists. The Tuckamore Festival is led by artistic directors Drs. Timothy Steeves and Nancy Dahn, professors of music in the School of Music, who are also known as Duo Concertante. The 14th season of the festival has been a celebration of classical music composed for a small number of instruments, including concerts, open rehearsals, master classes, lunchtime performances and children’s concerts on Memorial’s St. John’s campus and the communities of Brigus and Admiral’s Cove, as well as the Rocket Room on Water Street in the capital city for several late-night performances. One of the evening performances will take place on Thursday, Aug. 14, with the award-winning singer Patricia O’Callaghan and pianist Robert Kortgaard, who will perform a cabaret concert at the Rocket Room at “Patricia is Canada’s finest cabaret singer and she’s gotten rave reviews from all over the world,” said Dr Steeves. “I know their concert will be thrilling!” The same evening, the Cecilia String Quartet — winners of the Banff International String Quartet Competition – will perform in Admiral’s Cove on the
Submitted photo
10 p.m.
The Cecilia String quartet will perform as part of the Tuckamore Festival.
Southern Shore at the Old Church at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, Aug. 15, the Cecilia String Quartet will perform a children’s concert at 12 p.m. at the D.F. Cook Recital Hall at the School of Music, followed by an 8
Dvorak’s famous and tumultuous Dumky Trio,” said Dr.
some performances, which aim to enlighten, entertain
Steeves.
and hopefully deepen audience members’ experiences.
The festival has grown over the past number of years,
“Our vision is to have a world class chamber music
p.m. performance at the D.F. Cook by the Cecilia String
says Dr. Dahn. Events which offer up a broader interpre-
festival that has broad and wide-reaching appeal but
Quartet, Duo Concertante, Robert Kortgaard and cellist
tation to the term chamber music have been introduced,
also really engages and stimulates our audience. I think
Simon Fryer.
such as jazz performances, improvisation workshops,
we’re really on track,” said Dr. Dahn.
“Two mega works are on that concert – Schonberg’s
cabaret music and new music, for example. New this
epic and intensely romantic Transfigured Night and
year is informal pre-concert chats on the morning of
Keep calm and beat the heat
For more information and a full schedule of events, please visit www.tuckamorefestival.ca.
Cont’d from HIBERNIA page 1 “The program at Memorial is considered one of the
STUDENTVIEW Darlington Mandondo
for those who would rather study close to exam time.
best in Canada and HMDC has given us the ability to
In fact, this may even prove to be an advantage as the
make it even better,” said Dr. Leonard Lye, Memorial’s
recency effect on retention might even tilt the scales
Shad Valley program director. “We will be able to accept
in your favour.
more students into our program here at Memorial and
It is also essential to maintain a positive mindset
it also will allow more local students to travel to other
amidst all the anxiety that accompanies late prepara-
parts of the country to participate in the program at
time of the semester again when
tion. Instead of riddling yourself with unproductive
other schools.”
instructors and students lock horns for the last time
self pity, you would probably be better off trying to
“Hibernia is a strong supporter of science, technol-
during the final examination period. If you pay
make the most of whatever time you still have. The
ogy, engineering and math educational initiatives,”
enough attention, you can actually feel the tension
great philosopher Confucius aptly captured the impor-
said Jamie Long, president of HMDC. “The Shad Valley
escalating around campus as the nerves kick in.
tance of self-belief when he said, “The man who thinks
program offers students an exciting summer opportu-
Library attendance is scaling new highs by the passing
he can and the man who thinks he cannot are both
nity. We hope it will inspire students and encourage
day. Even in class, “new” faces have started showing
usually right.” Speaking more generally, students can
them to pursue STEM studies.”
up (in the sense that they were previously unseen in
also employ various means of beating the heat, or at
HMDC will invest $450,000 per year for five years to
that class), much to the amusement of fellow students.
least lessening its impact on your studying. For a lot
support the cost of Newfoundland and Labrador stu-
It is that
To compound our worries, the record high tem-
of people, reading during the night yields significant
dents attending Shad Valley programs throughout the
peratures that have been recorded in St. John’s have
benefits, as it will be much cooler, hence easier to con-
country. Eight new student positions will be created
not aided studying, either. Whoever coined the word
centrate. Discipline is of paramount importance if you
at Memorial, increasing the number of out-of-prov-
“studying” must have put a lot of thought into the
adopt this study regime, as the temptation to sleep will
ince students who will be exposed to programming
last five letters because it does feel akin to dying at
in all likelihood be lurking at the back of your mind. It
and research opportunities in Newfoundland and
times. Exaggeration? Probably. But the point is, in a
is also vital to stay hydrated because the intense heat
Labrador.
fair world, exam pressure and sweltering heat should
can be energy sapping. In addition, study breaks will
Additionally, HMDC will invest $120,000 per year
never occur
be more essential than ever. Nothing works quite like a
for five years to support a new Shad Valley program
rejuvenating break to get you back on track.
co-ordinator at Memorial. The co-ordinator will focus
simultaneously. This article, however,
is not intended to spread the Utopian doctrine, but rather to give simple, practical advice on coping with
While the suggestions above may not be an ultimate
the upcoming examinations amid unfavourable study
panacea to everyone’s study woes, I am fairly certain
“We are extremely grateful to both HMDC and
conditions.
that somewhere at Memorial, someone can identify
Memorial for the opportunity to forge this new part-
on increasing high school student interest in STEM.
Popular opinion postulates that there are two types
with the tribulations I speak of. I will also seize the
nership,” said Barry Bisson, president, Shad Valley
of students – those who study in advance and those
opportunity to wish everyone the very best in their
International. “The activities that will flow from this
who leave it till late. As a permanent member of the lat-
final examinations.
funding will enhance our already excellent partnership with Memorial and help our national organiza-
ter crew, I feel qualified enough to tell fellow students that even though the early bird usually does catch the
Darlington Mandondo is a third-year student in the bachelor
tion expand in Newfoundland and Labrador to help
fattest worm, it does not render the situation hopeless
of commerce program. He can be reached at dnm355@mun.ca.
address the needs of exceptional students.”
Gazette | Wednesday, August 13, 2014
3
www.mun.ca/gazette
Business boot camp
Enactus Memorial offers week-long training for Canadian ex-military By Susan White-MacPherson
A week-long
business boot camp that offers
former military members the chance to develop business skills wrapped up at Memorial recently. Based in Business, run by Enactus Memorial, provided 21 former and transitioning members of the Canadian Forces with in-classroom learning and one-on-one mentoring to help them transition into new careers as business owners. “It’s a bit of an information overload, but I’ve enjoyed it all,” said Mike Ottogalli, formerly of Windsor, Ont., now living in St. John’s. “I’ve tried to be a sponge [and] it’s got me excited about starting a business of my own.” Mr. Ottogalli spent a total of seven years in the Royal
“It’s a bit of an information overload, but I’ve enjoyed it all.” in downtown St. John’s and is exploring ways to turn his passion for nature and nautical photography into a business. He signed up for Based in Business hoping to expand his understanding of the questions that need to be answered before starting a business. “I had no idea how to go about doing a business plan, so that was one of my expectations was hoping to
Submitted photo
Canadian Navy. He currently works at an art gallery
From left, business students Andrea Williams, Shaun Morrissey and Alex Robbins mentor Mike Ottogalli, a participant in Based in Business, a program of Enactus Memorial and Prince’s Charities Canada.
understand that. And I was hoping to learn more about business startup financing,” he said. “I’ve been given
Entrepreneur is a program of Prince’s Charities Canada
a lot of resources for financing, and we’re been work-
and is the only program of its kind in Canada.
ing on a business plan. I’ve realized that a business plan
Based in Business is held every year at the Gardiner
isn’t the easiest. It’s not a one-week tool. There’s still a
Centre. Participants take in classroom sessions to learn
lot of research that I have to go through.”
about business-related topics such as entrepreneurship,
“You’re actually hands-on with the participants and you’re working one-on-one with them. It’s a lot more real than I thought it would be,” she said. Ms. States says the program’s value comes from offering participants the chance to succeed in a new career.
Based in Business began as a project of Enactus
customer relations, accounting and finance, market-
“A lot of veterans don’t necessarily have the access to
Memorial in 2008 when the volunteer student group
ing, human resources, legal issues and business ethics.
the skills they need for starting a business. It’s really
was contacted by the Department of National Defence
Instruction is provided by staff and faculty members at
hard to see when they actually go out and start their
with the request that a program be developed to help
the Faculty of Business Administration. They also work
ventures, and a lot of the times they fail because they
entrepreneurially minded service men and women rein-
one-on-one with student volunteers to develop final
just don’t have those basic skills,” she said. “It’s not that
tegrate into civilian life once they leave the military.
presentations and business plans.
they’re not driven – they’re all so motivated – but when
In 2011, Enactus Memorial partnered with Canadian
Business students Angelise States and Shaun Morrissey
you come to a Based in Business boot camp, you actu-
Youth Business Foundation, now known as futurpre-
are co-project managers of Based in Business this year.
ally receive those basic ground level skills that are going
neur, to develop the Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur,
Ms. States says she’s enjoyed the personal interactions
to be necessary for any business.”
currently in its third year. The Prince’s Operation
that students have had with participants.
NOTABLE Dr. Xiao-Qiang Zhao, Department of Mathematics and
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Statistics, and Dr. Fereidoon Shahidi, Department of
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, for a one-
Janet Bangma was appointed associate university
Biochemistry, have been named among the world’s most
year term beginning May 1, 2014.
librarian, Health Sciences Centre, for a three-year term
cited researchers in 2014. Over 3,200 names appear on
starting July 1, 2014.
the Thomson Reuters list, representing those who are
Dr. Faisal Khan was appointed interim head of
making the biggest impact in science worldwide. Dr.
the Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of
Dr. James Rourke has graciously agreed to an extension
Zhao is one of only two Canadians to make the list in
Engineering and Applied Science, for a one-year term
of his role as dean, Faculty of Medicine, for a one-year
the mathematics category, while Dr. Shahidi was also
beginning May 1, 2014.
term to June 2016. Dr. Rourke’s extension was approved
on the last Thompson Reuters highly cited researchers
by the Board of Regents on Aug. 5. Dr. Rourke has served Dr. Amgad Hussein was appointed interim head
as dean of Medicine and professor of family medicine
of the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of
at Memorial University since April 5, 2004. Dr. Rourke’s
Dr. Cathy Vardy was appointed vice-dean of the
Engineering and Applied Science, for a one-year
extension will provide continuity in decanal leadership
Faculty of Medicine for a three-year term beginning
term beginning May 1, 2014.
pending the appointment of a new provost and a dean
list in 2001.
July 1, 2014.
of Medicine. Dr. Scott MacKinnon was appointed associate dean,
Dr. Nick Krouglicof was appointed interim head of
graduate studies and research, School of Human Kinetics
the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of
and Recreation, for a three-year term beginning July 1,
Engineering and Applied Science, for a one-year term,
2014.
obituary
beginning May 1, 2014. Dr. John Buffinga was appointed head of the
Dr. Ronald George Rompkey
Dr. Bruce Colborne was appointed interim head of
Department of German and Russian, Faculty of Arts, for
Dr. Ronald George Rompkey, a retired faculty
the Department of Ocean and Naval Architectural
a three-year term beginning June 1, 2014.
member and professor emeritus in the Department
Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, for a one-year term beginning May 1, 2014.
of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Andrea Brennan-Hunter was appointed associate
Arts, passed away July 31, 2014. He was 71.
dean, undergraduate programs, School of Nursing, for Dr. Dennis Peters was appointed interim head of the
Gazette | Wednesday, August 13, 2014
a three-year term beginning Sept. 1, 2014.
4
www.mun.ca/gazette
Frameworks at work: Memorial’s frameworks in action The three overarching frameworks guiding Memorial’s future direction — the Research Framework, the Teaching and Learning Framework and the Public Engagement Framework — are the result of several years of consultations with the university community and the people and organizations of Newfoundland and Labrador. This regular sharing projects and highlighting the successes that are bringing them to life.
Research Strategy
Submitted photo
feature will help showcase the frameworks in action by
Integrated approach
The Explorer AUV (pictured) explored the area of Smith Sound, N.L., in a survey to benefit various disciplines in the arts, sciences and engineering and applied research.
By Krista Davidson
outside the box.
approach to the AUV’s practical research applications so
In 2012 Dr. Trevor Bell began measuring lead levels in
Researchers
that many disciplines could benefit from the use of one
at Memorial University are using
trees. Tropical storm Leslie took down many of the oldest
unconventional methods to seek answers to their
trees in Bannerman Park in St. John’s, offering a prime
The AUV embarked on a recent survey through Smith
questions, and they’re doing so with the help of the Core
opportunity for Dr. Bell and his team to work with Dr.
Sound, N.L., home to one of the largest overwintering
Research Equipment and Instrument Training Network
Lam in the laser ablation facility. The project blossomed
inshore cod populations, despite the decline of cod in
(CREAIT).
into something bigger – creating a 170-year-old record of
other areas. It is also the location of documented, but yet-
lead pollution and opening the door for future work on
to-be found shipwrecks and internal seiches and resonant
sustainability and environmental monitoring.
tidal forcing – making it a prime location of interest for
Take Dr. Meghan Burchell. Dr. Burchell, an assistant professor with the Department of Archaeology, is
survey.
working with Dr. Rebecca Lam and the Micro Analysis
Explorer, Memorial’s autonomous underwater vehi-
Facility (MAF-IIC) to examine the unique chemical sig-
cle (AUV) and the star of the Marine Environmental
natures of shells. Her research will use laser ablation to
Research Lab for Intelligent Vehicles (MERLIN), is also
“The staff at the CREAIT Network has a very acute
examine the chemical composition of a shell to iden-
providing opportunities for unconventional research for
understanding of the inner workings and capabilities
tify periods of environmental change that may help
many disciplines at once.
of the research facilities and equipment at Memorial
to understand the decline of the salmon industry in British Columbia.
various disciplines: history, geography, computer science and physics.
Like MAF-IIC, MERLIN is part of the CREAIT
University, and they are always working towards provid-
Network’s various research facilities and equipment.
ing new and inventive means for discovering extraordi-
“Archaeological research doesn’t typically use trace
Although used mostly for underwater research in areas
nary research,” said Dr. Richard Marceau, vice-president
elements to answer these kinds of questions about our
too hazardous or difficult to access, Explorer recently
(research).
past,” said Dr. Burchell. “Working with the staff at
embarked on the first multidisciplinary scientific research
An integrated approach enables other disciplines to
CREAIT allows faculty and graduate students in archae-
mission of its kind through the Responsive Autonomous
access affordable research equipment, but also to collab-
ology to answer questions about peoples’ past interac-
Underwater Vehicle Localization and Mapping Project.
orate with the CREAIT team, paving the way for devel-
tions with both the natural and material world.”
The five-year project, led by Memorial University and
oping resourceful strategies for research, no matter how
managed by MERLIN staff, developed an integrated
unconventional.
Archaeology is not the only discipline thinking
Hanging her hat Memorial’s longest running employee moves on By Michelle Osmond
and have shared fond memories with them,” she added.
In the last few years, Donna Vey has answered one
her lunch break for an aerobics or Pilates class.
Every day, Ms. Vey can be seen heading to The Works on question in particular a lot.
“Working in HKR has allowed me to do my lunchtime
“When are you retiring?”
workout without leaving the building. So I guess you could
But Ms. Vey hasn’t really felt the need to retire. Even
say that my job gave me the chance to combine a lot of my
of the university’s workforce so far – she likes her job and everything about it. But recently, Ms. Vey announced she will leave Memorial Aug. 1.
mental, social and physical fitness needs,” she noted. Stephen Dodge is the director of Human Resources at Memorial. “I would like to congratulate Donna on her upcoming
She says there is “no secret” to her longevity.
retirement,” he said. “According to our records, with 47
“I was fortunate enough to secure a position at Memorial
years of service, she is the university’s longest serving
University and then wisely moved to the School of Human
employee to date. This is quite an accomplishment that
Kinetics and Recreation. I enjoy my work and find it mean-
speaks to Donna’s dedication to her work. She will truly
ingful and rewarding. I’ve been blessed over the years with
be missed by her colleagues in HRK and throughout
wonderful co-workers who have been very supportive and
Memorial.”
with whom I have formed close friendships. The atmosphere in HKR is unique; it’s very energetic and upbeat.
Michelle Osmond photo
after 47 years at Memorial – the longest running member
Donna Vey heading to The Works for her daily workout.
Ms. Vey started her career with Memorial in 1967 as a clerk stenographer in the Queen Elizabeth II Library and
and Recreation – for a secretarial position where she
“As one of the smaller faculties, there’s closer interaction
stayed for two years. She later moved to the Department
stayed. Ms. Vey’s last position in HKR is administrative
with the students. Many of whom I’ve met in later years
of Physical Education – now the School of Human Kinetics
staff specialist.
Gazette | Wednesday, August 13, 2014
5
www.mun.ca/gazette
BOOKS AT Surviving Incarceration: Inside Canadian Prisons Dr. Rose Ricciardelli
Is prison a humane form of punishment and an effective
prisoners navigate in order to survive. Rose Ricciardelli,
means of rehabilitation? Are current prison policies, such
an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology
as shifting resources away from rehabilitation toward
at Memorial, draws on interviews with federal prisoners
housing more offenders, improving the safety and lives
to show how their criminal convictions, masculinity
of incarcerated populations? Considering that many
and sexuality determined their social status in prison
Canadians have served time, are currently incarcerated
and, in consequence, their potential for victimization.
or may one day be incarcerated – and then released
The book outlines the modern “inmate code” that
back into society – it is essential for the functioning
governs prisoner behaviours, the formal controls put
and betterment of communities that we understand
forth by the administration, the dynamics that shape
the realities that shape the prison experience for adult
sex-offender experiences of incarceration and the
male offenders. Surviving Incarceration reveals the
personal growth experiences of many prisoners as they
omnipresent violence in prisons, the heterogeneity of
cope with incarceration.
the prisoner population and the realities that different
Knowledge and Networking: On Communication in the Social Sciences Dr. Anton Oleinik
Success and career growth in academic life depend
reproduces features of a “small world,” in which per-
upon reaching and influencing the widest audience
sonal connections prevail. Who knows whom matters
possible. To do so, scientists strive to develop
more than who knows what. In this scenario, one’s
personalized trust. They do so by establishing a large
status derives more from affiliation with a specific
number of connections through networking and also
group of scholars or a particular university than from
through the strength of their arguments and the
contributing to advancing knowledge. Acknowledging
validity and reliability of their research. To secure
that it would be a mistake to consider networking the
increasingly rare tenure positions and achieve salary
main source of evils in science, Dr. Oleinik instead
increases, promotions, and recognition, scholars place
criticizes the decisions scholars make while strug-
themselves on a continuum of priorities ranging from
gling to find that middle ground between networking
total emphasis on networking to complete focus on
and advancing knowledge, and managing conflicts
advancing knowledge, trying to find some middle
between these priorities.
ground between the two extremes. Dr.
Anton
Oleinik
argues
in
Anton Oleinik is an associate professor of socioland
ogy at Memorial and a leading research fellow at the
Networking: On Communication in the Social Sciences
Central Economics and Mathematics Institute of the
that when scholars prioritize networking, science
Russian Academy of Sciences.
Knowledge
Canada: Becoming a Sustainable Energy Powerhouse Co-edited by Dr. Richard Marceau and Clement W. Bowman A publication addressing Canada’s massive energy
said Dr. Richard Marceau, vice-president (research),
resource endowment and the opportunities for both
at Memorial. “Canada: Becoming a Sustainable Energy
economic growth and carbon footprint reduction,
Powerhouse builds on Canada’s historically successful
Canada: Becoming a Sustainable Energy Powerhouse
‘big project innovation strategy’ to point the way for-
proposes three objectives for Canada – add value to
ward for unleashing its economic potential across the
Canada’s energy exports, extending our country’s value
nation, while building a foundation for a more sustain-
chain and strengthening our innovation ecosystem;
able long-term energy future.”
contribute
carbon
The book is the latest initiative undertaken by the
footprint, such as being the lowest cost producer of
to
reducing
North
America’s
Canadian Academy of Engineering’s Energy Pathways
low-greenhouse gas electricity; and contribute to the
Task Force, which has published a number of import-
increasing global energy demand, recognizing Canada’s
ant reports since 2005. It brings together contribu-
huge energy resource base.
tions from national experts and leaders in the fields of
“Canada has an abundance of unique energy resources, both renewable and non-renewable, that present incredible opportunities for innovation, economic
energy, resources and economic strategy. To obtain a copy of Canada: Becoming a Sustainable Energy Powerhouse, visit www.cae-acg.ca/.
growth, job creation, and lowering carbon footprint,”
Gazette | Wednesday, August 13, 2014
6
www.mun.ca/gazette
MEMORIAL Time of Treason Susan M. MacDonald
Picking up right where Edge of Time left off, Time of
Author Susan M. MacDonald lived in half the prov-
Treason continues the story of Riley and Alec, otherwise
inces of Canada before settling in Newfoundland and
normal teens whose special genetic traits grant them
Labrador in 1998. She sent her first manuscript to a pub-
powers they are only now learning to control – powers
lisher in Grade 6, but was politely rejected. A life-long
that also make them targets for the extraterrestrial Tyons.
reader of science fiction and fantasy, she began writing
Riley and Alec have travelled back in time to the start
in earnest 30 years later.
of their adventures, courtesy of Alec’s creepy time shift-
Dr. MacDonald is an associate professor of medicine
ing abilities. But instead of fixing things, it’s made every-
and family medicine with the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy
thing much worse. The Tyons have tracked their time
Cancer Centre. She says writing fiction is a break from
shift and are hot on their heels, and Rhozan is back,
palliative care. She and her husband, Dr. Christopher
more dangerous than ever. After a brazen attack, Alec
Kovacs, write articles for the New York Review of Science
finds himself out of the frying pan and definitely into
Fiction on medical myths and errors in science fiction
the fire.
and have done multiple panels on this topic at science
Can Riley save him? Or is Alec just a pawn of time?
fiction conventions
Perished: The 1914 Newfoundland Sealing Disaster Jenny Higgins
On March 31, 1914, 132 men from the SS
examining its long-term ramifications. It is
Newfoundland scrambled onto the treacherous
also a one-of-a-kind backgrounder on the seal
North Atlantic ice floes to hunt seals. Lost in
hunt, exploring the roots of the industry, the
a sudden blizzard, the sealers wandered for
conditions on-board the sealing vessels, the
two days and nights before rescue. Only 55
cutthroat competitiveness of sealing captains
made it back alive. The disaster had a deep
and the determination of sealers who put their
and lasting effect; one hundred years later, the
lives on the line every spring as they headed to
story still resonates. In Perished, Jenny Higgins
the ice. Perished is illustrated with more than
a research assistant at Memorial’s Maritime
200 rarely seen archival photos and documents,
History Archive, traces the events leading up
including pullout facsimiles of maps, logbook
to, during and after the tragedy, revisiting the
entries, telegrams, a sealer’s ticket for the SS
horrors of those days and nights on the ice and
Newfoundland and more.
Motherhood and Infertility in Ireland Jill Allison
Gazette | Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Through the lens of infertility, Dr. Jill Allison, co-ordinator of
but as agents and beneficiaries of changing social values and
the Global Health Office in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial,
expectations.
offers a cultural account of shifting meanings of conception,
The book also examines how religious, medical and state
fertility, motherhood and family in the current climate of
institutions use the meanings of nature and science in an effort
changing Irish social life. This book portrays how the taken for
to be the dominant voice in ongoing politics which encourage
granted associations between nature, reproduction, marriage,
bearing of children. Dr. Allison shows how the use of repro-
family and morality are also shaping the production of new
ductive technologies is discussed in relation to the historical
kinds of reproductive knowledge and the use of reproductive
and contemporary debates about reproductive choice. The
technologies in Ireland.
dilemmas people face when using assisted reproduction tech-
The infertility stories in this book show us how the once
nologies also highlight the complexity and contingency of
seamless connection between marriage, motherhood, sex
the local morality in which reproductive politics operates in
and procreation in Ireland is contested. Through the stories
Ireland. Overall, this book makes an important contribution
of women and men facing infertility, the book brings to life
to the story of change in Ireland as it represents the current
the forces that shape the idea of motherhood and the way
cultural context in which people are making decisions about
many women see themselves, not as victims of circumstance,
family building.
7
www.mun.ca/gazette
BOOKS AT MEMORIAL Deputy Ministers in Canada: Comparative and Jurisdictional Perspectives Co-edited by Dr. Christopher Dunn Collectively,
provincial
deputy
ministers
command
the largest assembly of government budgets, employees and influence in Canada. Despite their importance they have not been the subject of systematic study until now. This unique volume reviews the role of deputy ministers within government, providing a new understanding of their responsibilities and interactions at both the federal and provincial levels. It also contributes important comparative analysis not previously available. Featuring articles by many of Canada’s most prominent scholars of public administration, Deputy Ministers in Canada examines a number of factors in the evolution of
Kentucky Handicap Horse Racing: A History of the Great Weight Carriers
up
for
some
bluegrass
equine
excitement! In a handicap, horses are assigned
weights
based
on
their
ministerial-bureaucratic relations. Deputy Ministers in
administrative history, the essays probe topics such as
Canada makes an important contribution to the political
the socio-economic characteristics of administrative
science and public administration literature. Co-editor
elites, the politicization of recruitment processes, the
and contributor Dr. Christopher Dunn is a professor in the
impact of New Public Management and varieties of
Department of Political Science at Memorial.
Psychiatry Disrupted: Theorizing Resistance and Crafting the (R)evolution
Melanie Greene Saddle
deputies’ roles. Taking into account social, political and
Edited by Bonnie Burstow, Brenda A. LeFrancois and Shaindl Diamond
past
performances as a way to try to create evenly matched fields. The better the horse, the heavier the weight assigned. In the United States, handicaps once accounted for the
There
majority of stakes races and were known
oppressiveness of psychiatry. While previous studies have
is
growing
international
resistance
to
the
to boast large purses, attracting the leading
critiqued psychiatry, Psychiatry Disrupted goes beyond
horses of the day. Kentucky-bred horses
theorizing what is wrong with it to theorizing how we
such as Discovery, Equipoise and Kelso won
might stop it.
under the heaviest of weights, dominating
Introducing readers to the arguments and rationale for
the handicap division year after year, and
opposing psychiatry, the book combines perspectives from
were immortalized in the hall of fame. These
anti-psychiatry and critical psychiatry activism, mad activ-
equine stars brought recognition to the “sport
ism, antiracist, critical and radical disability studies, as well
of kings” and became renowned athletes
as feminist, Marxist and anarchist thought. The editors and
for their courage, fortitude and durability.
contributors are activists and academics – adult education
the collection theorizes psychiatry while contributing to a
Author and turf historian Melanie Greene,
and social work professors, psychologists, prominent leaders
range of scholarship and presenting a comprehensive over-
doctoral candidate, Faculty of Education,
in the psychiatric survivor movement, and artists – from
view of resistance to psychiatry in the academy and in the
recounts the harrowing tales of these noble
across Canada, England, and the United States. From chap-
community. Courageous and timely, Psychiatry Disabled asks
steeds in Kentucky Handicap Horse Racing: A
ters discussing feminist opposition to the medicalization
compelling activist questions that no other book in the field
History of the Great Weight Carriers.
of human experience, to the links between psychiatry and
touches. Dr. Brenda A. LeFrancois is an associate professor
neoliberalism, to internal tensions within the various move-
in the School of Social Work with a cross-appointment in
ments and different identities from which people organize,
the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University.
War and Trade in Eighteenth-Century Newfoundland Dr. Olaf U. Janzen The
Gazette | Wednesday, August 13, 2014
18th
century
was
an
extremely
eventful
one
for
University. The articles examine many themes – the importance
Newfoundland and Labrador. It was, for instance, a century in
of cartography and map-making in determining control over dis-
which the predominantly migratory fishery, based in European
tant parts of the island of Newfoundland, the effects of peace
ports, began to be displaced by one dominated by an ever-
and of war on settlement in Western Newfoundland, piracy in
growing residential population. It was also a century when both
peacetime as well as privateering in time of war, the efforts of the
the fisher people and the fish trade endured the profound distress
state to limit Aboriginal settlement on the South Coast, the chal-
and disruption of war. The fish trade began to broaden its markets
lenges of protecting the fisheries in wartime, even an attempt
during that century beyond those of Southern Europe to include
by a partnership of Scottish merchants to break into the salt
the West Indies. It was also a century when newcomers began to
fish trade in the 1720s. Most of the essays have been published
insert themselves into a fisheries economy that traditionally had
before, though some have not been easy to locate while one has
been dominated by English and French merchants.
not previously been published. By bringing these essays together
This century provides the focus for War and Trade in Eighteenth-
into a single volume, Dr. Janzen intends to make his work more
Century Newfoundland, a collection of 12 articles by Dr. Olaf U.
accessible to those wishing to learn more about Newfoundland
Janzen, professor of history at Grenfell Campus, Memorial
in this very dynamic period of its history.
8
www.mun.ca/gazette
Kickstart the future
Crowdfunding campaign to back new computer science graduate’s visual novel price a lot to raise interest and get peo-
By Kelly Foss
ple to try it,” he said. “The game was
A Memorial
spring graduate
intended to be a series of five. But since
isn’t wasting any time putting his
the first didn’t perform well enough to
degree to work.
fund the second one, we cut the proj-
Computer science graduate Jeremy
ect down to three for the Kickstarter
Miller is already head of his own
proposal, so we could guarantee our
international interactive media devel-
backers a complete story.”
opment studio, doing so with the sup-
Dischan’s 30-day Kickstarter cam-
port of a number of individuals who
paign was successfully funded by
helped finance the endeavour.
1,457 backers for a total of $67,450,
Mr. Miller founded Dischan Media
well above their $49,000 goal.
while in high school in New Brunswick
Mr. Miller is looking forward to tak-
in 2009. The virtual company, made
ing the skills he’s learned during the
up of writers, programmers and artists
course of his degree and putting them
from around the world, collaborates
to good use with his company.
online to create visual novels – inter-
“I’ve been able to make our website
active fiction games which resemble
a lot more impressive than it would
mixed-media novels, often featuring
have been,” he said. “We’ve also cus-
static graphics, live-action stills and
tom built our store and our forum,
video footage. The games have multi-
which allows us to give a much more
ple storylines and endings and players
user-friendly experience than a lot of
come to decision points where they
other developers who don’t have those
must choose which direction to take
skills.
the game.
“I never programmed much of the
Just over a year ago the company
first episode, because we used an
released the science-fiction fantasy
engine which took care of a lot of it for
visual novel Dysfunctional Systems –
us. But moving forward we want to use
their first for-profit venture.
a more basic model that would allow
“The plot centres around a world
us to do more customization and give
which is a utopia,” explains Mr. Miller.
us more flexibility. My degree is defi-
“It’s aware of other worlds and
nitely going to help with that.”
dimensions and sends people called
He’s also hoping to branch into
mediators to those places to help
standard video games with a strong
keep those worlds stable. The stabil-
focus on blending gameplay with
ity of these other worlds is connected
Pictured is a cartoon Dischan Media is currently creating.
story, and is working on a short car-
to theirs – if a lot of worlds “go bad,”
toon for another of the company’s
their world will suffer as well.” The main character, a girl named Winter,
is
just
entering
games, Juniper’s Knot. “It’s done fairly well, but not well
specific funding goal and a deadline.
In the meantime, with funding
mediator
enough to fund a sequel like we had
If friends, fans or random strangers
confirmed, Dischan will be working
school. The first episode sees her
hoped, which is why we started a
like the idea they can pledge money
on
shadowing Cyrus, an older and more
Kickstarter campaign,” said Mr. Miller.
to make it happen. An all-or-nothing
Two, which they expect to deliver in
experienced mediator. Mr. Miller says
Kickstarter is a crowdfunding plat-
affair, Kickstarter projects only go for-
September, and Episode Three, set for
subsequent episodes will have the duo
form, which brings developers of
ward if the funding goal is met within
release in March 2015.
visit other worlds and get to know
creative projects together with poten-
a specific time period.
more about those places and Winter’s
tial backers. Developers set up an
“We were unknown when the first
home world.
online profile for their project with a
episode came out, so we had to cut the
Dysfunctional
Systems,
Episode
For more on Dischan, visit their website at https://dischan.org.
Keeping workers safer Preventing accidents before they occur in high-risk work environments risk in an informed manner, also known as dynamic risk
By Jackey Locke
assessment.
The safety
“These outcomes will facilitate real-time evaluation of risk and the implementation of performance-based safety
of workers on job sites has to be
Dr. Khan says real-time monitoring of an operation
standards in process facilities,” said Dr. Khan. “They will
paramount, and in the process, nuclear and aerospace
makes it possible to dynamically conduct risk analysis
also contribute to the development of advanced tools for
industries, the same holds true.
as abnormal events are observed. Fault identification,
online fault diagnosis and accident forecasting.”
While the frequency of severe incidents in these industries is low, one can not assume that will be the case in
detection and diagnosis tools play a vital role in conducting real-time dynamic risk assessments.
The direct benefits of this research for Canadian industries is preventing losses, minimizing liabilities
the long term. A team from Memorial led by Dr. Faisal
and enhancing profitability of production and opera-
Khan, head of process engineering and Vale Research
tions. Dr. Khan’s research will help to address key issues
Chair in Process Risk and Safety Engineering, is working on a risk assessment tool to predict high-severity accidents before they occur. “Using data available on near-misses and incidents of low severity, we can predict high-severity sequences,” said Dr. Faisal Khan. “Recent accidents, such as the British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the series of explosions and fires at British Petroleum’s refin-
“Recent accidents, such as the British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the series of explosions and fires at British Petroleum’s refinery in 2005, are worrisome.”
ery in 2005, are worrisome.”
inherent safety concepts and to demonstrate a company’s commitment to safety. “In addition to the above, our research will also help Canadian industries increase awareness among practitioners; awareness about the importance of inherent safety considerations in all stages of a facility’s life cycle; provide a systematic methodology to ensure cost-effective implementation of risk minimization in oil and gas
In processing facilities, such as those used for oil and
production and processing; and increase the safety and
gas production and processing, unusual events occur on
The outcomes of the project—models, methodolo-
a regular basis. Dr. Khan and his team hope to capture
gies and an integrated software suite for safety manage-
these abnormal incidents and update the operational
ment—are all important for the industry.
Gazette | Wednesday, August 13, 2014
of safety during design and operation, to implement
9
integrity level of the processing facility, while ensuring their economic efficiency.”
www.mun.ca/gazette
Submitted photo
The Marine Institute runners who ran the Tely 10 as part of Team Memorial.
Tackling the Tely with spirit Team Memorial commemorates Marine Institute’s 50th anniversary By Naomi Osborne
Runners on
all of Memorial’s campuses are no
and wellness co-ordinator, Rose Hatfield, with assistance
excellent opportunity to showcase the institute and our
from MI anniversary events co-ordinator, Kelli-Ann
Golden Jubilee celebrations,” said Ms. Smith. “We part-
Smith. Finding willing participants didn’t take long.
nered with Memorial’s St. John’s and Grenfell Campuses
stranger to the challenge of one of the most prestigious
“Each year the Marine Institute registers a team for
running events in the Atlantic provinces and one of the
the Tely 10, but this year we saw an overwhelming inter-
oldest in Canada – the Tely 10 Mile Road Race.
est in the event to reach our goal,” said Ms. Hatfield.
This year, the Marine Institute (MI) fielded a team of 50 runners to join Team Memorial in hitting the pave-
“It was an excellent way to raise awareness of MI’s 50th anniversary and to show our spirit for the institute.”
who created our shirts, and ran the event together as the Memorial community.” The Tely 10 is just one of the many events MI has been involved in throughout 2014 to boast its 50th anniversary celebrations. The institute’s Department
ment, sporting ocean blue shirts recognizing MI’s 50th
The 87th edition of the Tely 10 broke records with just
of Development and Engagement has hosted many
anniversary, on the net-downhill course from Octagon
under 4,200 runners participating in the race. The race
anniversary MI alumni receptions and has been a part
Pond in Paradise to Bannerman Park in St. John’s July 27.
began in 1922 and has taken place every summer since,
of community events around the province such as the
Team Memorial set its own record this year with more
with the exception of a break during the Second World
Trails, Tails and Tunes Festival, a Grand Bank alumni
than 140 participants, comprised of employees, retirees,
War. The Tely 10 course record was set by Paul McCloy
event and MI’s Holyrood Open House, to name just a
spouses and children. Team Memorial included the 50
in 1986 with a time of 47:04; he won the race four times
few.
MI runners as well as two participants from Grenfell
in his career. It wasn’t until 1969 that women were able
MI 50th anniversary celebrations will continue for the
Campus.
to participate in the race. In 1985 Nicola Will set the
remainder of 2014. Visit MI’s anniversary website, www.
women’s record of 55:47.
mi50.ca for event information, alumni profiles, an inter-
Leading the charge to see 50 people sign up to run in MI’s Golden Jubilee year was the institute’s health
“With an event of this size and popularity, it was an
active timeline, photo gallery and other features.
Biochemistry welcomes new department head The Department of Biochemistry
Department of Chemistry from 2010-13
Following the discovery of trace amine
is welcoming Dr. Mark Berry as its new
and prior to joining Brandon University,
receptors in the pancreas, Dr. Berry has
head of the department.
he was senior scientific officer with ALviva
also been investigating whether trace
Biopharmaceuticals Inc.
amines may play a role in regulating insu-
Dr. Berry took up his new position on
Dr. Mark Berry Gazette | Wednesday, August 13, 2014
July 1. He succeeds Dr. Phil Davis who
Dr. Berry’s research interests lie in the
lin secretion and glucose homeostasis,
served as acting head for just over three
area of neurobiochemistry. He has worked
and the onset of diabetes. This novel angle
years.
for many years on a group of naturally
intersects with ongoing studies of lipid-
Dr. Berry was born in England and
occurring compounds called trace amines
and amino-acid metabolism in diabetes
received his undergraduate education at
to investigate and understand the role
by several members of the department.
Sunderland University where he obtained
they may play in human diseases such
More recently, Dr. Berry has been
his B.Sc. (Hons.) in pharmacology. He
as schizophrenia, mood disorders and
investigating the role of small molecules,
then moved to Canada and the University
drug addictions. Dr. Berry has shown
so-called neuroprotectants, in cell death.
of Saskatchewan where he obtained his
that, while trace amines are not tradi-
Specifically, he is interested in the differ-
PhD in neuropsychiatry. Thereafter, he
tional neurotransmitters, they do serve to
ent effects such molecules have on nor-
remained in the American midwest and
maintain basal neuronal activity within
mal cells compared with cancer cells. He
Canadian prairies with postdoctoral posi-
defined limits. Having shown that trace
has identified a compound that increases
tions at Ohio State University and the
amines can cross membranes by diffusion,
the toxicity of chemotherapeutics towards
University of Saskatchewan. He has been
he and his collaborators are carrying out
cancer cells while simultaneously protect-
a faculty member at Brandon University
molecular dynamic computer simulations
ing normal cells from the chemotherapeu-
since 2004, where he served as chair of the
of the process.
tic drug.
10
www.mun.ca/gazette
OUTANDABOUT Wednesday, Aug. 13 Flapper Skate: Using Sparse Data to Understand the Dynamics of an Endangered Species, 3:30-4:30 p.m., SN-2067, Sponsor: Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research Luthier Workshop with Rodney de Vries, 7-8 p.m., School of Music, Sponsor: Tuckamore Festival An Afternoon in the Garden, 2-3 p.m., 306 Mount Scio Rd., St. John’s, Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Thursday, Aug. 14 Masterclass with Robert Kortgaard, 2-4 p.m., D.F. Cook Recital Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: Tuckamore Festival
Friday, Aug. 15 Children’s Concert: Cecilia String Quartet, 12-1 p.m., Suncor Energy Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: Tuckamore Festival Transfigured Night, 8-9:30 p.m., D.F. Cook Recital Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: Tuckamore Festival
Sunday, Aug. 17 Sundays at the Botanical Garden, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 306 Mount Scio Rd., St. John’s, Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden Edible Plant Hike, 2-4 p.m., 306 Mount Scio Rd., St. John’s, Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Monday, Aug. 18 Afternoon Guided Nature Hikes, 2:30-3:30 p.m., 306 Mount Scio Rd., St. John’s, Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden Beyond the Backyard -- Fun Beyond Your Fence, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 306 Mount Scio Rd., St. John’s, Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Tuesday, Aug. 19 An Introduction to Graduate Studies at Memorial University, 3-4 p.m., online webinar, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies
Wednesday, Aug. 20 Employee and Retiree Barbecue, 2:30-5 p.m., Paton College courtyard, St. John’s campus (alternate rain location: R. Gushue Hall), Sponsor: Human Resources An Afternoon in the Garden, 2-3 p.m., MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Rd., St. John’s, Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Books and balance Pictured is Colleen Quigley, a dancer and a manuscripts librarian
Centre, Sponsor: Sandbox Gaming MUN Society
in Archives and Special Collections at the Queen Elizabeth II Library. Ms. Quigley is featured in a portrait series by Scott Campbell, a photographer and an alumnus of Memorial’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, which pictures dancers doing everyday things. See more by visiting scottcampbell.nl/gallery/newfoundland-sky/#/gallery/portraits/2014-oda-f2-2101.
Sunday, Aug. 24
Synthesis of (+) Clauslactone S and Enantiomerically Enriched
Mary Walsh Retirement Party, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., A-5014, Dean
Sundays at the Botanical Garden, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., MUN
a-Hydroxy Acid Derivatives, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau
of Arts Boardroom, Sponsor: Department of Religious Studies
Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Rd., St. John’s, Sponsor:
Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of
MUN Botanical Garden
Graduate Studies
Saturday, Aug. 23 Newfoundland Gaming Expo, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., University
Newfoundland Gaming Expo, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., University Centre, Sponsor: Sandbox Gaming MUN Society Bird Watching at the Garden, 8-09:30 a.m., MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Rd., Sponsor: Friends of MUN Botanical Garden
Tuesday, Aug. 26 Allergenomics: From Bench-top to Workplace to Prevent Occupational Asthma, 2-3 p.m., IIC-3001, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor:
SafetyNet -- Centre for
Occuaptional Health and Safety Research
Wednesday, Aug. 27 An Afternoon in the Garden, 2-3 p.m., 306 Mount Scio Rd., St. John’s, Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Thursday, Aug. 28 A Formal Synthesis (-)-Aphanorphine and Studies on the
Gazette | Wednesday, August 13, 2014
11
www.mun.ca/gazette
Nomadic life Scholar of Irish travellers and noted anthropologist returns to Memorial
By Janet Harron
Dr. George Gmelch
has come full circle at
Memorial. In the early 1970s, as a young anthropologist hailing from San Francisco, Calif., he received a two-year fellowship from the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) to study Irish travellers, a traditionally nomadic ethnic group also known as tinkers or Gypsies. ISER was established in 1961 by Memorial’s Faculty of Arts to foster and undertake research into the many social and economic questions arising from the particular historic, geographic, and economic circumstances of Newfoundland and Labrador. Now Dr. Gmelch is working with On the Move, a Canadawide project studying the impacts of employment-related mobility on workers and their families, employers, and home and host communities. “George and Diane Royal, George’s research assistant, are responsible for studying mobile workers employed in the province’s offshore oil and gas sector,” said Dr. Barbara Neis, project director, On the Move. “He is bringing to the project insights garnered from his earlier research on return migration to Newfoundland and in the Caribbean, as well as his research on Irish travellers. We’re really pleased to have him on our team.” Dr. Gmelch recently spent seven weeks in the province interviewing workers and their spouses and thoroughly enjoyed being back in Newfoundland and Labrador. “The only thing I really recognize from 1972 is the old dining hall, the gym and the MUN pool. The anthropology department was in temporary quarters, and in those days there was nothing much to do downtown,” said Dr. Gmelch, who is happy to be working with the On the Move team and hopes to return next summer for more research. “They’re all fun and interesting people to work with – Nicole Power, Barb, Sharon Roseman and Kelly Vodden are all great.” How did an anthropologist from California hear about ISER in the early 1970s? A graduate student at the time, Dr. Gmelch was planning on going back to Mexico for his PhD fieldwork, but having spent the summer in Ireland with his wife Sharon, also an anthropologist, he became acquainted with Irish travellers. Later he shared his pictures of travellers with his PhD supervisor, noted anthropologist Dr. Charles Erasmus. “Basically he told me to forget Mexico, that no one had ever studied travellers. Back then, if you could find a group
Irish traveller photos courtesy of Dr. George Gmelch.
that hadn’t been studied, that was the Holy Grail,” said Dr. Gmelch. Dr. Erasmus was also acquainted with the late Memorial anthropologist Dr. Robert Paine, then director of ISER. After receiving the ISER fellowship, Dr. Gmelch and his wife spent a year living with travellers in their own horse-
think the frequent travel of retirees is motivated by the same desire for change that drives travellers.” Many travellers encountered during the making of the film, including some young people who had never lived on the move, expressed nostalgia for the old nomadic days.
The film, Unsettled: From Tinker to Traveller, has been broadcast in prime time to huge audience shares several times in Ireland. It has been viewed more than 15,000 times on YouTube. “I’ve always tried to communicate through the printed
drawn caravan in a camp near Dublin. Forty years later,
“Even though the travellers then were living in dire pov-
world – but this film has had more of an impact than any-
they returned with an Irish film crew in tow to document
erty, under canvas on the side of the road, some of them
thing Sharon or I have ever published about travellers.
how travellers, now no longer nomads, are coping with a
think that’s a better way to live.”
Some in the Irish media described it as the antidote to the
settled life. Dr. Gmelch says the experience was an emotional one.
Today the suicide rate for male travellers is six times the national average in Ireland.
ugly My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding reality show.” A collection of his traveller photographs will be pub-
“All the men my age and many younger as well were
Especially moving to Dr. Gmelch was, apart from dis-
gone, mostly dead from alcohol abuse. But we were able to
covering three traveller children who had been named
Dr. Gmelch’s historical connections with ISER and
find many of their wives and now grown kids.”
after him and Sharon, was the reaction traveller families
Memorial make Dr. Sharon Roseman, editorial director of
and individuals had to his photographs.
ISER books and a member of the On the Move team, proud.
Most travellers have had difficulty adjusting to settled life, a phenomenon Dr. Gmelch says is shared with other nomads.
lished this fall by Indiana University Press.
“If you have a sibling who committed suicide, or a
“George is one of the many scholars funded by ISER
parent who died and you have no memory of what they
who went on to be internationally renowned leaders in
“Adrian Tanner saw the same thing among the Cree
looked like, and no pictures of your own, and then some-
their disciplines. Along with other projects, his doctoral
and Jean Briggs with the Inuit – all peoples who were once
one from the distant past, someone from America, comes
research in Ireland helped to demonstrate the value
nomadic. Nomadism introduces change in your life, new
along out of the blue and shows you a photograph, that
of ISER’s long-standing focus on Newfoundland and
places, new things to look at, new people … I sometimes
can be mind-blowing.”
Labrador, as well as other North Atlantic societies.”
Gazette | Wednesday, August 13, 2014
12
www.mun.ca/gazette