Gazette fa sept23

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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.

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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.

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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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