GAZETTE
Sept. 24, 2014 Volume 47 Number 3
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
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Comedian connection A business alum and standup comic will crack jokes and play host at the Super TSC Night concert during MUNdays.
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Fall honours
Three outstanding citizens will be recognized with honorary degrees during the fall sessions of convocation at Memorial.
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Engineering careers Youth summer camps open young minds and eyes to future career possibilities in the field of engineering.
Diverse perspectives Pair elected to Royal Society of Canada College By Janet Harron
Two Memorial
University professors have
been elected to the Royal Society of Canada’s newly established College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists, Canada’s first national system of multidisciplinary
recognition
for
the
emerging
generation of Canada’s intellectual leadership. Drs.
Sean
McGrath
and
Andrew
Staniland
are among the first individuals to be invited to membership in the college. Memorial was permitted to nominate four faculty members with a maximum of two permitted to be selected, according to the Royal Society of Canada. “The election of Dr. Staniland and Dr. McGrath into undoubtedly one of the highest honours a young scholar can receive,” said Dr. Richard Marceau, vicepresident (research). “Both are highly esteemed and accomplished individuals in their own right. This election confirms the importance of their contributions and their growing importance in their respective fields. It also contributes to the growth of Memorial’s own reputation for which we are grateful.”
See Royal page 4
Chris Hammond photo
the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists is
Global classroom From left are Josh Bonnell, Meghan McDonald and Jon Manko.
The students have been granted Russian State scholarships and will be studying in the country during the 2014-15 academic year. See related story on page five.
Fall honorary degree recipients announced Memorial University has announced the names
Some 900 students will receive their degrees
Mr. Slade was born in North Harbour, Placentia Bay,
of three people to whom it will award honorary
during fall convocation. Three distinguished retired
N.L. He was educated there and in Clarenville, N.L.,
doctorates at fall convocation ceremonies next month.
faculty members who were recently accorded the
and completed courses at Memorial University and the
The Corner Brook session of fall convocation will
title professor emeritus by the university’s Senate will
University of Alberta.
take place at the Arts and Culture Centre on Friday,
be recognized: Dr. Tom Gordon, School of Music; Dr.
In 1961 Mr. Slade joined the federal Department
Oct. 3. Heritage conservationist and former public
Noel Roy, Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts;
of Fisheries, where he served for 12 years in fisheries
servant Gordon Slade will receive an honorary doctor
and Dr. Sudesh Vasdev, Division of Medicine, Faculty
conservation and protection. He later moved to
of laws degree.
of Medicine.
Newfoundland
and
Labrador’s
Department
of
Anna Curren, nursing educator, author and gay
The distinction of professor emeritus/emerita is open
Fisheries, where he was appointed deputy minister. In
rights activist, and Dr. Roger Peattie, bibliophile and
only to retired members of the faculty. To be eligible,
1987, he became vice-president of the Atlantic Canada
benefactor of Memorial, will receive honorary doctor
a person must have served at least 10 years as a regular
Opportunities Agency, and stayed in that role until his
of laws degrees at fall convocation sessions in St. John’s
full-time faculty member at Memorial and must have
retirement in 1995. Not idle for long, a year later Mr.
on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Arts and Culture Centre.
held the rank of professor upon retirement. The prime
Slade took the helm of Memorial University’s highly
Biographies of all honorary degree recipients follow.
criteria for nomination are sustained, outstanding
successful campaign, the Opportunity Fund. From
Honorary degree recipients are chosen by the Senate,
scholarly work and/or service to the university.
1996-2000, the fundraising venture raised $60 million
the university’s academic governing body, after careful examination of the grounds for their nomination. The honorary doctorate is designed to recognize extraordinary contributions to society or exceptional intellectual or artistic achievement.
Biographies of honorary graduands Gordon Churchill Slade
and was considered the crowning achievement of the late Dr. Arthur May’s tenure as president. In the meantime, Mr. Slade had begun the development of an idea to preserve Battle Harbour, a
In recognition of his wide-ranging contributions to the
major fishing station in Labrador since the 1770s and
The awarding of honorary doctorates, an important
preservation of Newfoundland and Labrador communities
where many of the main commercial buildings and
feature of Memorial’s convocation, serves to celebrate
and their heritage, Gordon Slade will be awarded an
the church were still in a good state of preservation.
both the individual and the university as well as to
honorary doctor of laws degree during the Corner Brook
inspire graduates, their families and guests.
session of convocation on Friday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m.
See HONORARIES page 3
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Comedian Matt Wright (B.Comm.’11)
forward to most?
has opened for mainstream comics such as MW: The music and the party, honestly.
and Randy and Mr. Lahey from the Trailer
The lineup looks fantastic. I’m also excited
Park Boys. The Gander, N.L., native has
to go to The Breezeway again. I hope it still
performed at the legendary Comedy Nest in
smells like hopes, dreams and old draught
Montreal, Que., is prepping a show to pitch
beer. I was there recently doing a show for
to CBC and can be found centre stage on
first-year university students, which was a
the stand-up circuit in St. John’s at venues
lot of fun. I felt old. I’m looking forward
including Yuk Yuk’s. Next month, he’ll be back at Memorial hosting the Super TSC Night Concert, a flagship event during this year’s
MUNdays
celebrations.
Gazette
contributor Jeff Green caught up with Mr. Wright to chat about his projects.
Chris Hammond photo
Mark Critch, Shaun Majumder, Nikki Payne
to this in a completely different way. JG: Aside from Super TSC Night, where can people see you perform? MW: I’m doing a Newfoundland tour this fall. Also developing a show with Deanne
Matt Wright
Foley and Mike Fardy called “the lease”
JG: Why did you decide you wanted to be a comedian?
which you can check out at theleasetv. Mulaney. I’ve been on a Tig Notaro kick
I write a lot of my jokes dressed as a cop.
MW: I don’t know if I ever decided to be.
com.
lately.
I just did it to get back on stage. I did a
JG: How tough is it to be a comedian in
lot of stage acting in high school. I never
Newfoundland and Labrador?
JG: Why are Newfoundlanders and
The Super TSC Night Concert takes place
imagined doing it for a job but I’ve been
MW: Being a comedian is tough anywhere.
Labradorians naturally funny people?
Saturday, Oct. 25, in The Breezeway.
lucky enough to be doing exactly that for
Newfoundland is tricky because it’s a
MW: It’s in us; passed down from
The show features Shanneyganock, Barry
the last year or so. I love it.
small market. But it’s a supportive market.
generations. Some of the funniest comics
Canning and Mick Davis, along with DJ Slim
It’s still the best place I’ve been.
in the country are from this province
Macho. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are
JG: Do you do anything aside from
despite our small population. I’m very
$25; $20 for students taxes included. The
comedy?
JG: Who makes you laugh? Why?
proud of that as a Newfoundlander and
show is open to 19-plus. Tickets are available
MW: No traditional employment. I do
MW: My family. My dogs. My girlfriend.
Labradorian.
online at etixnow.com or at all Orangestore
some writing, dabble in filmmaking,
Because they’re great. And I love laughing.
sometimes I’m a cop on Republic of Doyle.
If you’re looking for comedians: Mitch
JG: Tell me about hosting the Super TSC
in the University Centre. For more about
I’m a background cop wandering around.
Hedberg, Demetri Martin, and John
Night concert. What are you looking
MUNdays, go to www.mun.ca/mundays.
locations. Students can get theirs at The Attic
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 Amy Tucker
Amy Tucker photo
your next project
Participants at the Great Northern Peninsula regional workshop earlier this year.
Yaffle.ca is Memorial’s online connecting tool. One of its
more entrepreneurial spirit in the region, which needs
most significant jobs is to provide a way for people from
to start while youth are in kindergarten to Grade 12.”
outside Memorial to ask for research help. With hundreds of
There have been successful opportunities with the
community-suggested opportunities to choose from, your next
Red Ochre Regional Board and CBDC Nortip in the past
project is just a click away. Here’s one . . .
to engage youth in entrepreneurship. These activities included a youth forum and competitions that mimicked
The opportunity:
TV shows like Dragons’ Den and The Apprentice. However,
With declining populations in many communities on
these programs were lost after funding cuts.
the Great Northern Peninsula, it is important to residents
Currently, there is an essay competition sponsored by
there that they try to retain youth, entice them to return
the Community Business Development Corportation
or recruit new people to settle there. However, a lack of
and the Department of Advanced Education and Skills,
available employment opportunities can discourage
as well as some optional high school curricula. However,
youth from living in the region.
these may not be enough to encourage students to enter
At a recent Harris Centre regional workshop in St.
into entrepreneurship themselves.
Anthony, residents pointed out that waiting for others, such as industry or government, to develop these
The project:
opportunities is not the answer.
“Memorial
could
help
develop
programs
that
would reach out to youth and teach them about
A program that gives a local perspective on entrepreneurship, and shows how it can work for people in the region, is greatly needed for children of all ages.
entrepreneurship as a career choice,” said Ms. Doyle. “These programs could include a youth forum or symposium; having mentors present in classrooms, at group sessions, or one-on-one with youth; or maybe taking field trips to local businesses. The local College of the North Atlantic campus in St. Anthony may be a great resource as well. A program that gives a local perspective on entrepreneurship, and shows how it can work for people in the region, is greatly needed for
“It is possible for youth to create employment
children of all ages.”
opportunities themselves, which would benefit them and their communities. But how do we get them
Interested in learning more about this project? The Harris
interested in becoming entrepreneurs?” asked Chatal
Centre’s co-ordinator of knowledge mobilization would be
Doyle, former youth representative on the now closed
happy to tell you more. Call Amy Tucker at 709-864-6115 or
Red Ochre Regional Board. “A shift is needed to create a
email amy.tucker@mun.ca.
Gazette | Wednesday, September 24, 2014
2
Editor Graphics Mandy Cook John Andrews Regular Contributors
Courtenay Alcock Laura Barron Melanie Callahan Nora Daly Krista Davidson Paula Dyke Kelly Foss Pamela Gill Sharon Gray Jeff Green Janet Harron Jill Hunt Diane Keough
Classified Advertising Kelly Hickey
Jackey Locke Virginia Middleton Cathy Newhook Michelle Osmond David Penney Marcia Porter Kristine Power Dave Sorensen Melissa Watton Meaghan Whelan Susan White Heidi Wicks Laura Woodford
Photography Chris Hammond
Advertising Mandy Cook Telephone: 709 864 2142 Email: mandyc@mun.ca Next Gazette deadline Oct. 8 for Oct. 15 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
Gordon Churchill Slade
Anna Mary Curren
Dr. Roger William Peattie
From HONORARIES on page 1
nursing degrees in Montreal, Que., and Halifax, N.S.,
on Friday, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m. Dr. Peattie was born in Grand Falls, N.L., and began
respectively.
Assembling a series of studies and a strong board of
City
his academic life at Memorial University College on
directors, Mr. Slade acquired the premises, found
College in California, Ms. Curren was disturbed by
Parade Street. Following completion of his master
funding to develop the site as a tourist destination and
the limitations of the textbooks, so she enrolled in
of arts degree, he undertook his doctoral studies at
drove its designation as a National Historic Site in 1998.
a master of arts program in education-instructional
University College, University of London. Returning
His voluntary heritage work has also included the
media at California State University. It was there she
to Canada in 1966 he took a post at the University of
preservation and restoration of Port Union, a settlement
began work on what became Math for Meds. The text,
Calgary, where he was a professor of English for more
founded by the Fishermen’s Protective Union under Sir
published independently in 1986 after it was rejected
than three decades.
William Coaker; and chairing the advisory committees
by a national publisher, has become the standard text
As a Victorian scholar specializing in illustrated
of the Ryan Premises National Historic Site at Bonavista
for dosage calculation and has sold over 1.3 million
books, publishing history and the Pre-Raphaelites,
and the Red Bay National Historic Site, now a UNESCO
copies worldwide.
Dr. Peattie has led the field in identifying William
World Heritage Site.
While
teaching
nursing
at
Long
Beach
In 1972 Ms. Curren started her own business and
Michael Rossetti’s centrality to the Pre-Raphaelite
As the current chair of the Shorefast Foundation, Mr.
named it Wallcur, in honour of her father Wallace
Circle. His seminal Selected Letters of William Michael
Slade has turned his attention to the renaissance of
Curren, a St. John’s-based businessman. The company
Rossetti and his meticulous editorial work on the nine-
Fogo Island and the Change Islands region. In this role,
is one of the largest medical demonstration device
volume Correspondence of Dante Gabriel Rossetti have
he is committing countless hours to find new ways to
companies in the world. For more than 40 years,
had an enormous impact on Victorian studies.
sustain the future for these remote islands sitting on
Wallcur has been the leading innovator and provider
Dr. Peattie is also a serious bibliophile and book
the northeast coast of Newfoundland. A memorandum
for educational training and simulation in nursing,
collector. Beginning in the 1960s, he and his wife,
of
Shorefast
medical assistance, pharmacy, emergency medical
Marlene, built what is considered one of the best, if
Foundation and Memorial; the relationship will
understanding
exists
between
the
technicians, the medical corps and other allied health
not the best, collections of Pre-Raphaelite literature
facilitate tracking and monitoring multiple projects
programs throughout the world.
and Victorian illustrated books in Canada. In 2000
and partnerships related to Fogo Island and Change
A gay rights advocate, Ms. Curren was a vocal
the Peatties donated the entire collection to Memorial.
Islands from across the university’s units, departments
opponent of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy of
As one of only two collections with such breadth
and faculties.
the
member
and richness, it has transformed the university into
American
military
and
a
board
For his tireless work protecting and preserving
of OutServe-Servicemembers Legal Defense Network
a major resource for the scholarly researcher in the
Newfoundland and Labrador’s unique rural cultural
and of the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation. In
Victorian book world. Now known as the Roger
traditions and establishing their importance in the
2010 President Barack Obama signed the bill to repeal
and Marlene Peattie Collection, it is housed in
modern day context of Canada, Mr. Slade received
the policy.
the Queen Elizabeth II Library’s Archives and Special
the Gold Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in 2002 and the Order of Canada in 2005.
Anna Mary Curren
For her dedication and commitment to the nursing
Collections unit and contains over 3,000 items.
field and for her championship of civil rights and
It includes many first editions as well as primary
citizenship, Ms. Curren was given the OutServe-
works from major authors, illustrators and designers
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network’s top award in
of the period, among them Morris, Swinburne and
2010, which was renamed in her honour.
Ruskin. With it is another collection of extraordinary
For her many contributions to the nursing field, nursing education and her work as a gay rights advocate, Anna Curren will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree
beauty: Victorian illustrated books whose bindings Dr. Roger William Peattie
and coloured pictures are masterpieces of the bookmaker’s art.
during the St. John’s session of convocation on Friday,
For his contributions to research on book publishing
For his internationally acclaimed scholarship,
Oct. 17, at 10 a.m.
and on Pre-Raphaelite literature and for his continuing
Dr. Peattie was awarded a Canada Council Leave
Born in St. John’s, N.L., Ms. Curren attended
contributions to Memorial’s intellectual life, Dr. Roger
Fellowship in 1972 and a Social Sciences and
Memorial University College on Parade Street for a year
Peattie will be recognized with an honorary doctor of
Humanities Research Council of Canada Leave
before attaining her registered nursing and bachelor of
laws degree during the St. John’s session of convocation
Fellowship in 1980.
Draft of Strategic Internationalization Plan released By Krista Davidson
Dr.
Richard
(research),
has
Marceau,
released
this end, the document, presently in draft form, will
range of ambitious international and intercultural
be available to the Memorial University community
the
initiatives. The plan makes eight recommendations for
for comments and suggestions. Feedback will be accepted
strengthening its internationalization efforts; these can
until Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, at 5 p.m., via email
feedback. The Strategic Internationalization Plan was
be found, as well as a pdf of the plan, online at today.
to vp.research@mun.ca or by internal mail: Office of
initiated by the provost and vice-president (academic)
mun.ca/news.php?id=9169.
the
2020
of
internationalization efforts and set the stage for a wide vice-president Strategic
Plan
draft
aspirations of the entire university community. To
university-wide
Internationalization
a
The purpose of the plan is to strengthen the university’s
for
with Dr. Marceau appointed to lead the initiative.
Gazette | Wednesday, September 24, 2014
To be successful, the plan needs to express the
3
Vice-President
(Research),
A2021,
St.
John’s
campus.
www.mun.ca/gazette
Chris Hammond photo
From left are Drs. Sean McGrath and Andrew Staniland.
From Royal on page 1 Dr. Sean McGrath is an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts. His work
Society and as a member of the executive committee of
worldwide who successfully combines the traditional art
the Canadian Society for Continental Philosophy and
of musical composition with the digital media of the 21st
received the President’s Award for Outstanding Research
century.
in 2012.
The college’s mandate is “to gather scholars, artists and
encompasses the research fields of cultural studies,
Dr. Andrew Staniland is an assistant professor in the
scientists at a highly productive stage of their careers into
philosophy of religion, history of ideas and continental
School of Music. He is an award-winning composer
a single collegium where new advances in understanding
philosophy. His ability to bring his knowledge of the
whose original output includes orchestral and chamber
will emerge from the interaction of diverse intellectual,
history of philosophy to bear on contemporary ways of
works, chamber opera and songs for solo voice, and
cultural and social perspectives.”
thinking and to non-specialists is exemplary. A three-
electroacoustic and mixed media works. Winner of
Drs. McGrath and Staniland, along with their inaugural
time Humbolt fellow, Dr. McGrath’s current project
multiple awards, Dr. Staniland has been called “one of
cohorts, will be welcomed to the college at the Royal
looks at the relation of religion to secular society. He
the most important musicians in Canada” by senior
Society of Canada’s annual general meeting in Ottawa,
serves as the co-chair of the North American Schelling
composer Gary Kulesha. He is one of the few composers
Ont., this November.
NOTABLE Dr. Carrie Dyck was re-appointed as associate dean (research and graduate) in the Faculty of Arts for a three year term, starting July 1, 2014. Dr. Tahir Husain was re-appointed associate dean (research) in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science for a three-year term starting May 1, 2014.
Dr. Paul Marino was re-appointed head of the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, for a threeyear term, starting Sept. 1, 2014. Dr. Paul Dancey was appointed acting assistant dean of admissions in the Faculty of Medicine for a oneyear term, starting Sept. 1, 2014.
&
PAPERS PRESENTATIONS Dr. Sudhir B. Abhyankar, associate professor, chemistry and environmental science, presented a paper titled Effective Approaches to Integrating Green Chemistry in Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Courses at the Fifth International Conference on Green Chemistry in Durban, South Africa, Aug. 1721, 2014. Dr. Abhyankar was the only conference participant from Newfoundland and Labrador. Non-climatic Constraints on Upper Elevational Plant Range Expansion Under Climate Change, a paper written by Carissa Brown, assistant professor, Department of Geography, will appear in the Sept. 24 issue of the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences.
Gazette | Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Submitted photo
Dr. Norm Catto was appointed head of the Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts, for a three year term, starting Jan. 1, 2015.
Northern innovation Dr. Gary Kachanoski visited Tromsø, Norway, recently as part of the Canada Norway Northern Innovation Initiative. The event will help develop further interest and connections between Norway, which is growing in importance in the Arctic and Canadian institutions and organizations. President Kachanoski, second from left, is pictured above shaking hands with Mona Elisabeth Brøther, Norway’s ambassador to Canada, upon the signing of a memorandum of understanding that has been established between Memorial and UiT the Arctic University of Norway.
Visit us online
obituary
www.mun.ca/gazette
Dr. G. Llewellyn Parsons Dr. G. Llewellyn Parsons, a retired professor
GAZETTE 4
in the Faculty of Education and former head of the Department of Educational Administration, passed away Sept. 13, 2014. He was 84.
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 with the university community and the people and organizations of Newfoundland and Labrador. This regular feature will help showcase the frameworks in action by sharing projects and highlighting the successes that are bringing them to life.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Inaugural Public Engagement Post-doctoral Fellow appointed
Chris Hammond photo
Framework — are the result of several years of consultations
Dr. Pam Hall stands by her recent exhibit at The Rooms provincial art gallery. Hall, who recently completed the first section of
Dr. Lynne Phillips, dean, Faculty of Arts, says Dr.
her Encyclopedia of Local Knowledge, which focuses
Hall’s artistic practice has long reflected engagement
on Newfoundland’s west coast and includes local
with communities and is therefore a “perfect” choice
knowledge on ecology, fishing, baking, hunting and
for the new fellowship.
trapping, gardening, boat building and local names
“Her work is a testament to how the arts can both
for places and names of local experts. “This will be the
reflect and change our lives by questioning exclusive
next chapter, literally. I will be able to implement and
understandings of knowledge and by documenting the
Dr. Pam Hall is most at home among the unique
share the public engagement processes I’ve developed
unique dynamics of a place,” she said.
and colourful towns and villages of Newfoundland
through my work on the west coast, as well as develop
and Labrador. In fact, they are from where she draws
and foster new techniques by looking to the community
much of her creative inspiration.
to help guide my work.”
By Cathy Newhook
this past summer, has been creatively engaging the province’s communities in her art for more than 30 years – making her an ideal candidate for Memorial’s first Public Engagement Post-doctoral Fellowship.
chair,
Shorefast
Foundation,
is
delighted to welcome Dr. Hall to the community. Memorial University on a variety of projects,” he said.
“We need more than a single kind of knowledge to build a sustainable future”
The fellowship is a new creation of Memorial’s Office of Public Engagement in partnership with the
Slade,
“We look forward to a continuing collaboration with
The interdisciplinary artist, whose 10-year survey exhibition HouseWork(s) was on display at The Rooms
Gordon
“Community and academic partnerships bring great value and insight to the issues of economic, social and cultural well-being for rural communities.” Dr. Hall will begin her work on Fogo Island and Change Islands this month. “For me this project is about rethinking how we see
The
new
fellowship
opportunity
is
about
knowledge as something produced only by scholars
Faculty of Arts and in association with the Shorefast
providing another vehicle for community-university
in universities,” she said. “We need to challenge
Foundation. It will provide an opportunity for Dr.
collaboration, says Dr. Rob Greenwood, executive
that belief and recognize that there are many kinds
Hall, a recent graduate of Memorial’s interdisciplinary
director of public engagement at Memorial.
of knowledge and many diverse knowers in every
PhD program, to build public engagement capacity
“Through a unique partnership with the Shorefast
community, especially those in rural and coastal
and contribute to research and learning on a topic
Foundation, Dr. Hall will be able to work with the
settings where people work closely in, and with, their
of mutual interest to the people of Fogo Island and
people of Fogo Island and Change Islands in true
local environments. We need more than a single kind
Change Islands, the Shorefast Foundation and the
collaboration, where the community helps determine
of knowledge to build a sustainable future together
university.
the priorities and brings their own expertise to the
and hopefully this ongoing project will reveal some of
table – equal contribution, for equal benefit,” he said.
them.”
“This is an exciting opportunity for me,” said Dr.
Good news from the Russian front Ms. McDonald acknowledges that studying Russian
By Janet Harron
Russian after graduating from Memorial.
at university isn’t the type of discipline “you think of
“For some reason, this niche discipline — which
threats of sanctions, reprisals,
when you’re a kid.” Growing up in a family of cinephiles,
might seem confining — actually opens up so many
counter-reprisals and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine,
she gained an appreciation for Soviet Russian movies of
possibilities for me,” she said. “Once you become well
there is good news on the Russian front for Memorial
the 1950s and 1960s, an era known as “the thaw” after
acquainted with faculty members in a department, you
University.
decades of Stalinism. Arriving at Memorial, she enrolled
can see where they’ve gone and what they’ve done with
as an English student but then took a Russian film course
their careers. Well, I’m very confident about the future.”
Despite the
Three undergraduate students — two from the Faculty of Arts and one from the Faculty of Business Administration — have been granted Russian State scholarships and will spend up to 10 months studying in the country during the 2014-15 academic year.
with Dr. Alec Brookes.
The Russian State awards are administered by the
“It clicked — this is what I want to study,” she said.
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Canada and cover
Ms. McDonald assesses her ability in the Russian
all tuition costs and living expenses.
language as intermediate — “I can order food and
“Three years ago I made a formal request in Moscow
Conception Bay South-native Meghan McDonald is in
function in everyday life,” she said — but at Kazan
to establish more awards for Canadian students to study
the fourth year of her degree program in the Faculty of
she will be immersed in the language, living among
in Russia, and since then I have promoted the idea so
Arts. She has been accepted to study Russian language
and learning from Russian students and locals. She is
now I am gratified that students here at Memorial have
at Kazan Federal University in the Volga Region, which
looking forward both to experiencing the country’s
this opportunity,” said Dr. Stuart Durrant, Department
was founded in 1804 and is one of the oldest universities
cultural richness and to being on her own.
of German and Russian.
in Russia. Leo Tolstoy and Vladimir Lenin, who studied
“The longest I’ve been away from home before is a
law there but was expelled for organizing student
month in St. Petersburg with the Memorial summer
Faculty of Arts, and Jon Manko, Faculty of Business
disturbances, are two of Kazan’s most noteworthy
program.”
Administration, will attend the Southern Federal
alumni.
Gazette | Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Ms. McDonald plans to pursue graduate studies in
5
Ms.
McDonald’s
fellow
students
Josh
Bonnell,
University in Rostov, Russia.
www.mun.ca/gazette
Global leader
International excellence award for Faculty of Medicine commitment to social accountability in
By Virginia Middleton
four areas: organization and function
Faculty
of Medicine at
of the school; education of medical
Memorial University has received a 2014
doctors; research activities; and impact
ASPIRE Award of Excellence in Social
on communities served. These four areas
Accountability of Medical Schools.
are reflected in numerous ways within
The award was presented at the 2014
the faculty.
International Conference in Medical Education in Milan, Italy, on Sept. 2.
“We start right from high school through our summer MedQuest program,
The ASPIRE awards were created by
which introduces high school students
the Association for Medical Education
to careers in health-care professions,”
in Europe (AMEE), an international
said Dr. James Rourke, dean, Faculty of
association for medical education, to set
Medicine. “We’re really connecting with
high international criteria and a rigorous
communities
process to recognize medical schools
province. Between 30-40 per cent of
who
have
the
entire
excellence.
our undergraduate medical students
Memorial University is now one of only
come from rural areas, compared to a
five medical schools to be recognized
Canadian average of 11 per cent.
worldwide
demonstrated
throughout
by
the
association
for
excellence in social accountability.
“The presentation in Milan has given Memorial
remarkable
international
The award recognizes medical schools
recognition as a global leader in social
for their excellence in engaging and
accountability and medical education,”
partnering
communities
said Dr. Rourke, one of the world’s leaders
and responding to the needs of their
in the area of social accountability
region. This fits closely with Memorial
of
University’s special obligation to the
Memorial University’s excellence and
people of Newfoundland and Labrador
identified us as an exemplar in how we
and its Public Engagement Framework.
engage with our partners to meet the
with
their
medical
schools.
“It
recognizes
Receipt of the ASPIRE award was
needs of our communities and region.
based on the success of the Faculty
Two examples that helped Memorial
of Medicine’s mission to direct its
stand out are the student-led Gateway
education, research and service activities
initiative, which provides refugees with
to address the priority health concerns
medical care, and the increase in the
of the communities of Newfoundland
number of medical graduates who have
and Labrador.
chosen to set up practice and remain in
The
award
assessed
Memorial’s
HSIMS photo
The
Dean James Rourke and the ASPIRE Award.
rural Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Building the foundation Summer programs inspire youth to choose engineering By Jackey Locke
For the third year in a row, engineering summer camps continued to inspire elementary and high school students from across the province to consider a career in engineering. The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science runs three programs each summer – Junior Robotics/ Engineers, ArcticENGINEER Enrichment Program and Girl Quest. Participants build and program robots, design bridges and rockets, conduct field tests for salinity levels and temperature and learn about ice surveillance technology. Kathryn Hong is the co-ordinator of outreach activities in the faculty and of the summer programs. “The main goal is to increase awareness of engineering programs in youth and to de-mystify the profession and the career paths that it can lead to,” she said. The Robotics/Junior Engineers program is designed for boys and girls between the ages of nine and 12. Participants spend part of the week working with LEGO Mindstorm robot kits. They learn programming skills and build their very own robot to do specific challenges.
Participants of this summer’s Robotics/Junior Engineers camp.
The other part of the week is centred on core and basic engineering properties, which involves building copper-
“The participants of the ArcticENGINEER program
by introducing young girls to the role of engineers
coiled boats and paper-based rockets. The students learn
learn about research, development and conservation in
in society in hopes that they will be able to envision
about aerodynamics and bridge building and how to use
harsh environments,” said Ms. Hong. “They learn about
themselves in some of these roles.
simple machines.
personal safety devices, structures used for ships and a
“The goal of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied
lot about the challenges that the Arctic region presents.
Science and for HMDC is to encourage more young girls
Many aspects of engineering come into play.”
to consider a career in engineering,” said Ms. Hong.
The focus of the ArcticENGINEER Enrichment Program, funded by the Research & Development Corporation (RDC) through its ArcticTECH Program, is
Girl Quest is funded by the Hibernia Management
“Allowing them to see the positive impact that engineers
to encourage high school students to consider a career in
and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC). The goal
have in society is very important when considering their
engineering related to the Arctic.
of the program is to increase diversity in engineering
future plans.”
Gazette | Wednesday, September 24, 2014
6
www.mun.ca/gazette
Ocean ambassadors
Alumna greets and teaches thousands at Ocean Sciences Centre By Jamie Fitzpatrick Special to the Gazette
Memorial’s
Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC) teems
with life on a misty summer morning. Tourists take in the view of Logy Bay. A family climbs the steps leading to the tanks that house three harp seals. Kids crowd around the saltwater touch tanks located outside the OSC’s main building, peer through the glass to see the flounder hiding in the mud, and reach in to stroke a starfish or hermit crab. “What’s that stuff?” asks a boy as he leans over the aquarium, his nose hovering inches above the water. “It’s two kinds of seaweed,” replies interpreter Sarah Walsh. “Just feel how different they are.” She dips her fingers in, and the boy does the same. Another boy points to the blue lobster in an adjoining tank. “Can I take that lobster home and eat it?” “No, you can’t,” says Ms. Walsh with a smile. As an interpreter with the Marine Public Education Program, Ms. Walsh has to be ready for any and all ity attract more than 18,000 visitors every summer. Thousands more get a glimpse of the underwater world via the travelling touch tank, which visits groups around St. John’s and communities outside the capital city. As a girl, Ms. Walsh spent every summer boating with her family, always eager to discover more about the sea. Today she sees that same spark of curiosity when a
Dave Howells photo
questions. The OSC’s touch tanks and harp seal facil-
Sarah Walsh (foreground) and Stephanie Graham of the Ocean Sciences Centre’s Marine Public Education Program.
child lingers at the touch tanks, wide-eyed and full of questions.
from participating schools and funding by the Hebron
my friends I wanted to be a marine biologist. All my life I wanted to work on the ocean.”
“Most of them just want the cool facts, or they go
Project. The Ocean Sciences Centre is a key location in
straight to the seals,” she says. “But then you get kids
that program, with laboratory space currently being
who really want to learn. They want to stay all day
renovated to accommodate OLP students.
long, to get their hands in and touch things and pick up things.” Some of those curious kids might find themselves back at the OSC by participating in the Oceans
Ms. Walsh holds a bachelor of science from Memorial and is working towards a joint diploma/bachelor of
“I wish we had something like that when I was in
technology in ocean mapping at the Marine Institute.
high school,” says Ms. Walsh. “But there wasn’t much
She looks forward to a career that will draw on her fas-
about the ocean in my school. I didn’t know you could
cination with the wide-ranging marine environment.
make something of yourself in marine science.”
In the meantime, she enjoys spending the summer
Learning Partnership, an educational initiative that
When she began studying at Memorial, Ms. Walsh
gives elementary and high school students a hands-on
switched programs twice before she realized that the
introduction to marine science and technology. OLP
right career was the one she had been preparing for
Meet more ocean ambassadors and learn more about
programs are designed and delivered by a network of
since childhood, when she spent every summer on her
the OSC’s public engagement programs at http://olp.
scientists and educators from Memorial University,
father’s boat.
oceansnl.net.
the Marine Institute and Parks Canada, with support
at the OSC, where her passion for the sea has found a thriving hub of education and research.
“It was obvious once I found it. I always used to tell
MUNButtoned: Taking research out of the lab and into the…mall? a night of performances that link to research projects,
By Diane Keough
ranging from art therapy and traditional song, to local
The Harris Centre
is taking Memorial
theatre and youth choirs. It will take place at the Rocket
research out on the town with the second annual
Room from 7-9 p.m.
MUNButtoned Festival of Research.
The Applied Research Info Fair marks day three of
From Oct. 1-4, the festival aims to bring research
the event. It is an opportunity to learn about the Harris
out of the traditional academic setting to make it more
Centre and share ideas for applied research at Memorial.
accessible and easy to understand with events and
It will take place on Friday, Oct. 3, at The Loft in the
activities at the Rocket Bakery in downtown St. John’s,
University Centre from 12-1 p.m.
the University Centre on Memorial’s St. John’s campus
This year, MUNButtoned concludes with a family-
and the Avalon Mall.
friendly Super Science Fair at the Avalon Mall, Gap
“We had a great response to the event last year, from
Court, on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 2-4 p.m. It will feature
both the public and researchers,” said Bojan Fürst,
some of Memorial’s top minds and exciting projects,
manager of knowledge mobilization, Harris Centre.
while offering up hands-on activities such as a sea
“There is a real interest to learn about all the cool
creature touch tank, math scavenger hunt, everyday
research happening at Memorial, and MUNButtoned
physics and more, and promises to be interesting for
presents it in a way that’s fun and accessible to
children and adults alike.
everybody.”
“There will be a wide-range of research on display
MUNButtoned begins on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the
development, immigration, economy, environment
this year,” said Mr. Fürst. “It’s an opportunity for us to
Rocket Room above Rocket Bakery on Water Street from
and heritage. Presenters are restricted to a maximum of
showcase some of the truly amazing things happening
7-9 p.m. The session is called How We Work, Live and
20 slides, which change automatically after 20 seconds,
at Memorial.”
Play. It is a crash course in research on Newfoundland
to outline their research.
and Labrador society, with 10 fast-paced presentations focusing
on
health
and
wellness,
community
Gazette | Wednesday, September 24, 2014
All events are open to the public and free of charge.
On Thursday, Oct. 2, Story, Song and Stage aims to dispel the notion that research is not entertaining. It is
7
To view the complete schedule of events and locations, visit www.munbuttoned.ca.
www.mun.ca/gazette
Psychology alumna wins $150,000 Vanier Scholarship By Kelly Foss
An alumna of the Department of Psychology has received a $150,000 Vanier Scholarship to continue her studies in behavioural neuroscience at the University of Victoria. HSIMS photo
Christine Fontaine was one of 150 applicants for the federally funded award, which recognizes leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly
Dr. Thomas Michalak
achievement in graduate studies. Ms. Fontaine
‘Great honour’
country.
Medical researcher inducted into Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
was ranked 16th out of 56 awards granted in the “I truly wasn’t expecting to receive one,” she said. “It was really shocking. I thought I would apply and if it didn’t work out, it would be good practice for next year, but I was pleasantly surprised. “To have this on my CV, knowing that not only are coming on there, but also this recognition for that work, is really awesome.”
A prominent
researcher in the Faculty of Medicine
Ms. Fontaine’s first experience with Memorial
was inducted as a fellow in the Canadian Academy of Health
was as a Level II high school student. That
Sciences (CAHS) on Sept. 18. Election to fellowship in the
year, she applied for and was chosen to partic-
CAHS is considered one of the highest honours for individuals
ipate in the Women in Science and Engineering
in the Canadian health-sciences community and carries with
Newfoundland and Labrador (WISE NL) Summer
it an agreement to serve the academy and the future well-
Student Employment Program (SSEP).
being of the health sciences.
That summer she worked in the laboratory of the
Dr. Thomas Michalak is an international authority in
Department of Psychology’s Dr. Christina Thorpe,
the field of viral hepatitis and liver diseases. Since 2001 he
a former graduate of the WISE SSEP herself, and
has been the Senior (Tier 1) Canada Research Chair in Viral
became hooked on research. Ms. Fontaine even-
Hepatitis and Immunology at Memorial. His groundbreak-
tually applied to Memorial to work on her own
ing discoveries have changed fundamental concepts about
degree.
the nature of hepatitis B and C viral infections, which affect
She says the program co-ordinator had to “pry”
more than half a billion people globally and have a direct
her away from her experiments, and that she was
impact on the safety of Canada’s blood supply and organ
compelled to offer other girls in Newfoundland
transplantation.
and Labrador the same experience. She began vol-
“He has implemented a creative, innovative and vibrant program which has used solid research to correct opposing
unteering as a member of the WISE board of directors and has been doing so ever since.
submitted photo
will I have the research and the publications that
By Sharon Gray
Christine Fontaine
“My experience at Memorial would not have been the same without the hands-on laboratory experience that I gained through incredible mentorship in the Faculties of Science and Medicine.” in the Faculties of Science and Medicine,” said Ms.
paradigms and establish a new genre in the field of viral hep-
Ms. Fontaine worked her way through her hon-
Fontaine. “The time that I spent in the lab was
atitis and hepatology – occult persistent infections,” wrote Dr.
ours degree at Memorial by conducting research
worth more than any time in the classroom could
James Rourke in his letter of nomination. “His lab was the
in neuroscience laboratories. During that time,
have ever given me, though the coursework, of
first to report the existence of this form of hepatitis C viral
she published her work on three occasions and
course, was essential to my basic understanding.”
infection in which the virus replicated at low levels both in
attended several national and international con-
Following graduation in the spring of 2013,
the liver and in the host’s immune system for years.”
ferences prior to graduation. She later moved to
Ms. Fontaine moved to the University of Victoria
In 1985 Dr. Michalak realized the outstanding benefits
the laboratory of Dr. Qi Yuan in the Faculty of
under the supervision of Dr. Brian Christie, to
of using the woodchuck animal model for hepatitis B viral
Medicine, where she completed her honours
start her master’s degree, which quickly became
research. He has established one of the top research facilities
project.
a PhD project. She is currently studying how pre-
in the world using woodchucks infected with WHV (wood-
“My experience at Memorial would not have been
natal alcohol exposure changes antioxidant levels
chuck hepatitis virus), which has provided many significant
the same without the hands-on laboratory experi-
in the brain and how it, in turn, affects essential
findings.
ence that I gained through incredible mentorship
memory processes.
In recent years, one of Dr. Michalak’s most important contributions was the characterization of occult hepatitis C viral persistence in individuals whose disease was thought to be resolved either spontaneously or after antiviral therapy. In 2004 his group was the first to report the existence of this form of hepatitis C viral infection, suggesting that the hepatitis C virus is a chronic condition and that it may persist despite the absence of clinical symptoms, biochemical evidence of liver injury or detection by routinely available clinical laboratory tests. Dr. Michalak is also recognized for his roles in national and international non-profit and professional organizations and in the education of young scientists and health professionals. “This is a great honour for Dr. Michalak and for the Faculty of Medicine,” said Dr. Rourke. “Last year two members of our Faculty of Medicine – Dr. Jane Green and Dr. Proton Rahman – were inducted as fellows in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. I am so proud of the work that each of
WW100
Dr. Gwynne Dyer will discuss the topic, What the First World War Taught Us, in a lecture on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. in the Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, room IIC-2001. All are welcome; parking is available in lot 15B. The lecture is presented by the Faculty of Arts and the First World War Commemorations Committee.
our CAHS’s inductees have done that has earned them this significant national recognition.” Dr. Michalak’s contributions have been previously recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the 2012 Top 4 in Science and the 2013 Top in Education by the International Top 100 Magazine.
Gazette | Wednesday, September 24, 2014
8
www.mun.ca/gazette
Verve and romance
Marking the 50th anniversary of a Grand Banks sea adventure
By Kelly Foss
In the life of every university there are legends − tales of high adventure and discovery. This summer marked the 50th anniversary of one of those events. In June of 1964, a small group from Memorial University approached Premier Joey Smallwood for funding for a diving expedition to conduct geological research on the Grand Banks. For
400
years
the
Grand
Banks
Newfoundland, but no scientist had ever “set foot” on them. The hope was to learn more about them by using scuba divers to explore the more shallow parts and to collect samples and data about the banks’ terrain, rock type and bottom flora and fauna. Memorial professor Hugh Lilly, now
submitted PHOTOs
had contributed to the economy of
At left is the commemorative plaque the dive team placed on the Grand Banks. Hugh Lilly, in his scuba diving suit, is at right.
deceased, led the government-supported
of Assembly under Premier Smallwood,
Hugh Lilly died in 1966.
expedition. His son, Chris Lilly, has
persevered and went back out to become
“It may be surprising for many of us
compiled a historical record of this event,
the first man to stand, and indeed, take a
to recall that the theory of continental
which he has turned into a screenplay.
stroll, on the Grand Banks.
to dive to the bottom and record the orientation of the rock before removing samples.”
drift was still highly controversial in
The first trip may not have turned out
The documents include photos and dive
The event is commemorated by a large
the mid-20th century,” he said. “The
the way the participants expected, but
journals written in his father’s own hand.
bronze plaque the team placed in a rock
theory gained increasing support during
Chris Lilly says it did not deter his father
“Reading his journal and the other
trench 11 fathoms below sea level and
the 1950s and early 1960s, and became
from trying again. Subsequent trips
materials was like getting a whole new
bearing the coats of arms of the province
subsumed into the theory of plate
proved to be much more fruitful.
perspective on my family history and a
and the Fisheries College (now known as
tectonics.
new appreciation and awareness of my
the Marine Institute).
“They became part of a much larger
“One of the new lines of evidence
effort on both sides of the Atlantic to
father and who he was,” he said. “He tells
George Lilly, a nephew of Hugh and
came from paleomagnetism, which looks
consolidate evidence for continental
of how, on that first trip, a nasty storm
one of the four participants driven ashore
at changes in the Earth’s magnetic field
drift/plate tectonics on land as well as
drove the tiny ship back to the shore, at
by seasickness, said that “to dive on the
over time as recorded in rocks. Hugh
underwater,” he said. “Memorial would
which point the majority of seasick and
shoals of the Grand Banks in the mid-
and his geological collaborators were
go on to play a key role in determining
exhausted participants left the ship and
1960s took a great deal of imagination
interested in the geological relationships
that the Appalachian Mountains in
returned to St. John’s.”
and verve, and in retrospect, had a
of the rocks to the east of the Avalon
the U.S., the Long Range Mountains in
But Prof. Lilly, along with diver John
certain romance.” But the true value
Peninsula. For paleomagnetic studies,
Newfoundland and the mountains of
Snow and biology student and deckhand
was in the scientific evidence collected
one must know the orientation of the
Wales and Scotland were once part of a
Ron Scaplen, in a ship captained by Mat
during that trip and the ones that would
bedrock. The only way to do that on
single range prior to the opening of the
Whalen, a former member of the House
follow over the next two years before
the Grand Banks in the mid-1960s was
Atlantic rift.”
Australia bound Alumni advance to final round of international business competition models
that
maximized
economic,
social
and
Four recent alumni have won the right to represent
environmental benefit. Team Memorial presented an
Canada at a prestigious international business competition
executive summary report and produced an online video
in Australia, competing for the top prize of $100,000.
presentation for more than 40 senior industry leaders,
Team Memorial is one of only six worldwide groups
financial experts and government representatives.
chosen to participate in the G20 Global Business
The group is now fine-tuning its presentation for the
Challenge, a unique and highly innovative competition
finals, which consists of a highly intensive, two-day
that attracts top graduate students from leading business
lock-in period where members will develop a detailed
schools and universities.
implementation plan for their solution followed by
Dave Winsor, B.Eng.’09, MBA’14; Daan Goossens, MBA’14;
Janine
Brophy,
another presentation to a judging panel.
submitted PHOTO
team members designed novel business and financing
By Jeff Green
From left are Dave Winsor, Janine Brophy, Lica Christensen and Daan Goossens. Prof. Coady credits the team’s success partly to its interdisciplinary background – the graduates come from
B.Comm.(Hons.)(Co-op)’08,
“Being able to showcase the ideas and talent developed
both Memorial’s master of business administration
MBA’14; and Lica Christensen, M.Env.Sc.’14, along with
in this province on the world stage is a once-in-a-lifetime
program and its master of environmental science program
Prof. Peggy Coady, an associate dean in the Faculty of
opportunity and one that we’re very honoured to do,” said
– as well as the team’s professional backgrounds and past
Business Administration who is also the team’s coach, will
Mr. Winsor. “We knew we had a strong concept, but when
experience in case competitions.
travel to Brisbane, Australia, the first week of November
you’re competing against universities from around the
for the challenge.
world you don’t know what to expect.”
She said the team has had the support of a number of Memorial stakeholders, including the Office of the
Team Memorial was victorious in the first round of this
Qualifying for the final round of the challenge is
President, the Faculty of Business Administration, Distance
year’s challenge, where they competed virtually against 40
a testament of Memorial’s high-calibre students and
Education, Learning and Teaching Support and the School
other groups from 18 countries around the world before
graduates, said Prof. Coady.
of Graduate Studies.
being chosen as one of the top six finalists.
“It is extremely prestigious to qualify for the finals of
“We are especially grateful to Andrew Kim, Memorial’s
The objective of the G20 competition is to challenge
this international competition,” she said. “Memorial’s
director of graduate enrolment services in the School of
teams to develop an innovative solution to use, recycle
business students have decades of success in business
Graduate Studies, who has been a real champion for the
and/or manage water to achieve large-scale impact.
competitions and this latest accomplishment is a reflection
team and worked very hard to secure funding for travel to
of the quality of our students and programs.”
the final round.”
Taking into consideration leading-edge technologies,
Gazette | Wednesday, September 24, 2014
9
www.mun.ca/gazette
Into the mouths of babes A glimpse into the School of Pharmacy’s annual report By Heidi Wicks
The heavily
researched benefits of breast milk
include protection against many childhood conditions, as well as health benefits for the mother such as a reduction in pre-menopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Yet Newfoundland and Labrador has the lowest initiation and duration rates of breastfeeding in Canada, with significant regional variations across the province. Many new mothers feel discouraged and inadequate if they cannot immediately nurse their child. “Yes, breastfeeding is a natural process, but for most women and babies there is a big learning curve before it becomes natural,” said Dr. Laurie Twells, who is crossof Medicine. She is also co-principal investigator on a group research initiative that combines research and community engagement as a key to understanding the benefits and barriers to breastfeeding and other forms of infant feeding. Dr. Twells, along with Dr. Rebecca Schiff, Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Leigh Anne Newhook, Faculty of
David Howells photo
appointed to the School of Pharmacy and the Faculty
Dr. Laurie Twells’ breastfeeding research is featured in the School of Pharmacy’s 2014 Annual Report.
Medicine; and Janet Murphy-Goodridge, provincial lactation consultant, Baby-Friendly N.L., have led a
planning meeting, medical grand rounds and a
“We wanted to hear directly from mothers all over
series of Canadian Institute of Health Research-funded
public presentation to address why mothers begin to
the province about their struggles and victories when
Café Scientifiques in each health region of the province
breastfeed, and whether or not they continue.
feeding their babies. Our goal is to ensure that all
– St. John’s, Corner Brook, Gander and Happy ValleyGoose Bay – over the past three years.
Members of the public, academic researchers, health-care
practitioners,
breastfeeding
mothers and health-care practitioners have easy access
experts
to the information they need to make the most informed
“We live in a society where bottle-feeding has
and community representatives united to discuss
decisions. Sessions like these are very inspiring – they
been the norm for many years and therefore women
everything from the science of human milk, to
remind us why we are doing this research in the first
have lost confidence in their abilities to nurture their
resources and support networks for nursing mothers.
place, which is to improve the health of our population
babies exclusively on human milk,” said Ms. Murphy-
Dr. Twells says the hope is to build relationships and
Goodridge. “Breastfeeding is perceived as difficult or
strengthen the network of health-care practitioners
This research project is just one of the stories that
inconvenient, or that it ties a mother down, and women
and mothers across the province. Thrilled with the
can be found in the School of Pharmacy’s 2014 Annual
feel discomfort with breastfeeding in public. It’s easy to
Café Scientifiques outcomes, she says the team gained
Report, which celebrates the connections between
see why so many new mothers stop breastfeeding.”
a solid foundation to continue moving forward with
research, teaching and learning and public engagement.
their goal.
It’s available online at www.munpharmacy2014.ca.
The
three-day
symposia
included
a
research
in every way possible.”
Writer-in-residence ‘consigned’ to art St. John’s writer Edward Riche has been
JH: What’s the best piece of advice
smartly-scripted “premium cable” fare,
named
anyone ever gave you?
but I haven’t yet seen evidence the
the Department of English Language and
ER: Andy Jones told me to “fail big,” to
notoriously timid Canadian broadcasters
Literature. Mr. Riche writes for radio, television,
have no minor failures only full blown
will take the necessary creative risks.
film, theatre, is the author of three novels and
creative catastrophes.
My
received the Thomas Head Raddall Award
Unfortunately CBC Radio no longer
for his 2004 novel Nine Planets. Gazette
JH: You’ve been called one of Canada’s
produces
contributor Janet Harron asked him a few
funniest writers. What do you personally
not something that can be practised
questions recently to find out a little more
find funny?
professionally in Canada.
about the man and his methods.
ER: Evelyn Waugh’s comic writing sets
the
2014
writer-in-residence
in
favourite
medium
scripted
is
material
radio. so
it’s
the standard in prose. CODCO were
JH: You’re very active on Twitter – what
JH: You studied chemistry initially at
brilliant, as smart and funny as any
do you like about it?
Memorial before transferring to Concordia
comedy
language.
ER: It is, or was, a fascinating new
for film studies. When and how did you
Thurber’s stories and those in Woody
medium. The enforced concision lets it
discover writing as a career?
Allen’s Side Effects are unequalled works
sometimes mimic witty conversation.
ER: I had a summer job as a chemist in
of short comic fiction.
But recent changes are making it as
in
the
English
Finland and applied to Concordia Film School on a whim.
I thought I liked
movies and might want to make them, only learning later that I really hadn’t seen enough to make that determination. Finally seeing the Godard and Fellini, the
tedious as Facebook. There’s also the
Ed Riche will read from his work on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the Suncor Energy Hall, School of Music.
experimentalists of the 1960s and 1970s,
JH: You’ve written novels, for television,
fundamental problem of the users being
and for stage and screen. Do you have a
the content, essentially unpaid writers
preference and to what do you attribute
for Twitter. Once they begin monetizing
that versatility?
it in any real way, once the “sponsored”
ER: I’ve had to work into different
content begins to dominate I will cease
mediums to make a living. I was lucky
using it.
the New German Cinema, at that time of
JH: Who have been your mentors as a
enough to be gigging during the heyday
my life, consigned me to art.
writer?
of Canadian television, when there were
JH: What are you working on right now?
ER: I’ve benefited greatly from the wisdom
shows like Slings and Arrows, DiVinci’s
ER: I am finishing a novel and a play.
JH: What are your plans for the next few
of a video artist in Toronto by the name of
Inquest, Made in Canada, being produced.
I’ve been commissioned to write two
months?
Michael Balser and the English theatrical
The quantity and quality of Canadian
feature films. I am developing television
ER: I’m going to offer editorial guidance
giant Ken Campbell. Both are gone now.
television declined in the last decade.
projects with Sue Kent, Nik Sexton and
on screenplays and novel manuscripts and,
The director Charlie Tomlinson has been
(The clumsy, expository dialogue of
Steve Cochrane that are probably too
with Lisa Moore, help a group of students
a sage critic and guide over the years,
the
funny and challenging for the Canadian
produce some radio plays.
usefully impossible to impress.
There’s now talk of a return to more
Gazette | Wednesday, September 24, 2014
10
“procedural”
was
a
contagion.)
industry.
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OUTANDABOUT Wednesday, Sept. 24 OilScapes: Visual Art and the Materiality of Oil, 4-6:30 p.m., A-1046, Sponsor: Department of English, VicePresident Academic Writer-in-Residence Reading: Ed Riche, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Suncor Energy Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: Department of English Science Information Session, 1-1:50 p.m., SN-4068, Sponsor: Academic Advising Centre
CFER Seminar Series: Pacific Halibut, Hampton Hall, Marine Institute, 4-5 p.m., Sponsor: Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research (CFER)
Thursday, Sept. 25 Eric Hehner: Problems with the Halting Problem, 3-4 p.m., EN-4002, Sponsor: Department of Computer Science, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering The Walrus Talks: The Art of Conversation, 7-10 p.m., The Rooms, Sponsor: Faculty of Arts Engaging Ideas: Leading the Way to a Healthier Workforce, 8:30-10:30 a.m., BN-4000, Sponsor: Faculty of Business Administration MUN Cinema Series: Only Lovers Left Alive, 7-9 p.m., Cineplex Theatre, Avalon Mall, Sponsor: MUN Cinema Learning Verbs: Evidence from Quechua, 3:30-4:30 p.m., SN-3060, Sponsor: Department of Linguistics Seminar Series Eric Hehner: A Probability Perspective, 1-2 p.m., EN2022, Sponsor: Department of Computer Science, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Abortion and Mental Health: Identifying Who Is At Risk and How to Help, 3-4 p.m., The Landing, University Centre, Sponsor: Christian Medical and Dental Society, MUN Campus Chaplaincy, Counselling Centre
Friday, Sept. 26 Sources of Creatine and Amino Acids Sparing in Piglets, 1-2 p.m., SN-4015, Sponsor: Department of Biochemistry What the First World War Taught Us: A Lecture by Gwynne Dyer, Friday, Sept. 26, 7-8:30 p.m., IIC-2001, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: Faculty of Arts, WW100 Commemorations Committee Saturday, Sept. 27 MUN Botanical Garden Food and Garden Fair, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 306 Mount Scio Rd., St. John’s, Sponsor: Memorial University, City of St. John’s, Downhome Magazine, and The Telegram Noel J. Brown Day of Hope and Healing, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 75 Tiffany Court, Tiffany Lane, Sponsor: School of Social Work, Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group Monday, Sept. 29 Henrietta Harvey Lecture: Poetry, Language and Place, 7-8 p.m., A-1046, Sponsor: Faculty of Arts, Department of Philosophy
Mike Myer photo
The Mysterious Case of Systemic Inflammation and the Misbehaving Cerebral Vessel, 5-6 p.m., Health Sciences Centre/Janeway 2J618/2J619, Sponsor: Division of BioMedical Science
Debut concert Jazz pianist and the School of Music’s new saxophone and clarinet instructor Florian Hoefner will play his debut concert on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 8 p.m. at the D.F. Cook Hall, School of Music. Mr. Hoefner, who hails from New York City, will present a selection of his solo piano repertoire of originals and jazz standards, and for part of the show will be joined by special guest, Newfoundland-born singer Yvette Coleman. For tickets, pick them up at the door or by contacting www.ticketpro.ca by phone at 1-888-311-9090, at the Travel Bug, Water Street, and at The Attic, University Centre. Wednesday, Oct. 1
Physics and Physical Oceanography
Education Information Session, SN-4068, 1-2 p.m., Sponsor: Academic Advising Centre
Monday, Oct. 6
Silica At Work: How Bad Is the Problem?, 12:30-1:30 p.m., 95 Bonaventure, Suite 300, N.L. Centre for Applied Health Research, Sponsor: SafetyNet Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Research Go Abroad Fair, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., University Centre, The Landing, Sponsor: Career Development and Experiential Learning A Concert of Latin American Music, 12-1 p.m., University Centre, Sponsor: Faculty of Arts School of Graduate Studies Annual Meeting, 10 a.m.12 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies
Thursday, Oct. 2 MUN Cinema Series: Magic in the Moonlight, 7-8:40 p.m., Cineplex Theatre, Avalon Mall, Sponsor: MUN Cinema Second Annual Wellness Walk in Memory of Mary J. Clarke, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Long Pond, or The Works if inclement weather, Sponsor: Human Resources Development of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers in Film Format for Phenol and the Direct Detection on the Films, 1:10-3:20 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies Healthy Body/Healthy Mind: Mental Health Screening, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., University Centre, third floor, Sponsor: Counselling Centre, Wellness Program
Enactus Memorial Sendoff to the World Cup, 5:30-8 p.m., Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: Faculty of Business Administration Managing Workplace Stress, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., BN-4019, Sponsor: Gardiner Centre
Tuesday, Oct. 7 Introduction to a Teaching Dossier, 2-4 p.m., ED-5021, Sponsor: DELTS, Professional Development Experiences for Educators MUN Cares: Smoking Cessation Program, 12-1:30 p.m., multipurpose room, Field House, Sponsor: Wellness Program -- Human Resources
Wednesday, Oct. 8 A Panel Discussion on Graduate Student Supervision, 12-2 p.m., IIC-2014, Sponsor: DELTS, School of Graduate Studies An Introduction to Graduate Studies at Memorial University, 3-4 p.m., online webinar, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies Mid-term Resource Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., University Centre, third floor, Sponsor: Academic Advising Centre, Wellness Program, Student Engagement and Career Development and Experiential Learning The Newfoundland Regiment and the West Country of England, 8-9:30 p.m., Hampton Hall, Marine Institute, Sponsor: Wessex Society
Thursday, Oct. 9
Healthy Lifestyle Group, 12-12:50 p.m., UC-5002, Sponsor: Wellness Program
Information Session: English Cultural Landscape Program at Harlow Campus, 12-1 p.m., ED-4008, Sponsor: Faculty of Arts
Using Smartboards, 12-2 p.m., ED-5012, Sponsor: DELTS, Professional Development Experiences for Educators
MUN Cinema Series: Land Ho, 7-8:40 p.m., Cineplex Theatre, Avalon Mall, Sponsor: MUN Cinema
MUN Cares: Smoking Cessation Program, 12-1:30 p.m., multipurpose room, Field House, Sponsor: Wellness Program, Human Resources
Friday, Oct. 3
Tuesday, Oct. 14
Pelorus Ensemble, 8-9:30 p.m., Suncor Energy Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: School of Music
Graduate Orientation: Mid-point Check-in, 2-4 p.m., IIC-2012, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies
The Blue Castle -- Changing Places: Feminism, Empathy and Relocation, 8-9:30 p.m., Rocket Bakery, Water Street, Sponsor: Department of Gender Studies
Saturday, Oct. 4
What Happens After Children Tell? A Qualitative Analysis of Narratives of Women Who as Children Disclosed Intra-familial Sexual Abuse, 1-3 p.m., IIC2014, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies
Tuesday, Sept. 30
Gazette | Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Memorial University Biophysics Symposium, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sponsor: Department of Chemistry/Department of
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Personal Branding with Social Media, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., B-4019, Sponsor: Gardiner Centre
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Gazette | Wednesday, September 24, 2014
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