April 29, 2015 Volume 47 | Number 13
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
Registration Mail No. 4006252
Body smart Plastinated anatomical specimens on display By Virginia Middleton
DAVID HOWELLS PHOTO
THE HEART is one of the hardest working muscles in the human body. Have you ever seen one up close or held one in your hand? Well, now you can. Memorial University is hosting a public exhibition, titled Body Works, using some of the magnificent collection of anatomical specimens prepared by Dr. Shakti Chandra, a professor of anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine. She created the specimens for teaching during a sabbatical year in 2010-11 in Germany with Dr. Gunther von Hagens. Dr. Hagens is the inventor of the unique plastination technique and creator of the Body Worlds exhibition that travels internationally. IN-DEPTH LEARNING A high school student examines a sea urchin under a microscope at the Ocean Sciences Centre in Logy Bay. See related story on page 3.
See BODY on page 6
Two Canada Research Chair positions awarded By Krista Davidson
TWO MEMORIAL University professors with the Faculty of Medicine have been named Canada Research Chairs. The designation is one of Canada’s highest honours in research excellence. Dr. Craig S. Moore, assistant professor, neurosciences, Division of BioMedical Sciences, and crossappointed with the Discipline of Medicine (neurology), has been named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience and Brain Repair. Dr. Moore’s research program aims to identify and test novel drug targets for treating chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Michelle Ploughman, assistant professor, medicine (physical
medicine and rehabilitation), Faculty of Medicine, was named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Rehabilitation, Neuroplasticity and Brain Recovery. Dr. Ploughman is a recognized expert in neuroplasticity and neurorehabilitation in stroke and multiple sclerosis. Her research focuses on the effects of aerobic exercise, intensive training paradigms and lifestyle habits on the brain challenged by injury, disease and aging. Tier 2 Chairs, tenable for five years and renewable once, are exceptional emerging researchers acknowledged by their peers to have the potential to lead in their field. For each Tier 2 Chair, the university receives $100,000 annually for five years.
“Being named a Canada Research Chair is a tremendous honour and I congratulate both of our chair holders for this significant accomplishment.” – Dr. Gary Kachanoski
The announcement was made April 9 by Ed Holder, minister of state (science and technology), at the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus, where he announced 150 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs, and an investment of $139
million with an additional $7.6 million in infrastructure support by the Canada Foundation for Innovation. This funding will help promote research and development and support top-tier talent at Canadian post-secondary institutions. The Canada Research Chairs program was established by the Government of Canada to enable Canadian universities to achieve the highest level of research excellence. The program offers Memorial an opportunity to strengthen its research culture, infrastructure and reputation by retaining outstanding researchers and recruiting new faculty members with exceptional research records.
See CHAIR on page 4
features
2 A LU M N I S P O T L I G H T
A business alumnus is living his dream working for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
6 B O DY WO R K S
An exhibition at the Faculty of Medicine will see plastinated anatomical specimens on display.
7 REMEMBERING GALLIPOLI
Members of the Memorial community commemorate the First World War with Turkish counterparts.
9 STEPPING UP
A geography student has collected 13,000 pairs of shoes and distributed them to those in need.
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Alumni spotlight
Jordan Carroll Jordan Carroll (B.Comm.(Co-op)’06) is quick to admit he’s living his dream. The Pasadena, N.L.-native and sports fanatic is the director of sales with the national organizing committee for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Women’s World Cup of Soccer in Ottawa, Ont. Canada
is hosting the competition June 6 – July 5. It’s the latest move in a career that’s seen him work and volunteer for leading sports groups and teams such as Tennis Canada, the Hamilton Bulldogs and the Toronto Argonauts. gazette contributor Jeff Green recently connected with Mr. Carroll.
YOUR NEXT PROJECT By Amy Jones Special to the gazette
THE OPPORTUNIT Y
The income gap between the rich and poor in Newfoundland and Labrador is widening — the income of high earners is increasing at a much faster rate than that of low earners in all parts of the province. As our economic prosperity grows, can we ensure that it benefits everyone? That is a question the United Way of Newfoundland and Labrador is working on, as it partners with others around the province to provide services that strengthen individuals, families, and communities. “One of our focus areas is “from poverty to prosperity” as we help people meet basic human needs, such as the provision of food, shelter and
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Yaffle.ca is Memorial’s online connecting tool. One of its most significant jobs is to provide a way for people from outside Memorial to ask for research help. With hundreds of communitysuggested opportunities to choose from, your next project is just a click away. Here’s one...
Tammy Davis
jobs,” said Tammy Davis, executive director, United Way of N.L. “Our investments help individuals, including youth and adults, but we also believe that it takes the whole community working together to change social conditions.” In order to better understand the social conditions that lead to poverty in the province, Ms. Davis would like to see more research on these issues. THE PROJECT
Ms. Davis is looking to work with researchers at Memorial to develop a profile of poverty within the province.
JG: Where did your Memorial degree
JG: How did your education at Mem-
first take you? JC: I studied at Grenfell Campus and in St. John’s. After graduation I obtained my first job as the marketing co-ordinator for Targa Newfoundland, which I did for about a year. After that, I moved to Ottawa where I lived for about three years and was doing photocopier sales for Canon Canada. From there I decided to go back to school and obtain my MBA in sports management at Laurentian University, which I completed in 2011. JG: Now you’re working with the FIFA organization. What’s a typical day like for you? JC: A typical day for me involves reviewing the national sales results for the tournament, which is being held in six cities throughout Canada (Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton) to identify key trends we can capitalize upon. In addition, I manage a call centre that contacts previous ticket holders to sell tickets for this summer’s tournament, I meet with marketing and communications to identify any key messaging we would like to communicate and I work with each participating country within the tournament to ensure their ticketing needs are met for the tournament.
orial help prepare you for this role? JC: One of the things I draw on the most are the presentation skills I developed through class and with the ACE/SIFE [now known as Enactus] group. I consistently act as an ambassador to the event and frequently speak with large groups of people. The skills I gained through Memorial are invaluable to me today. Additionally, my bachelor of commerce background helped fast track me through my MBA program, which enabled me to enter the sports industry even quicker and helped me understand the roles of the other departments, such as marketing, accounting and finance, within the organization. JG: What do you like most about your current position? JC: I’m “working” in sports. I say “working” because sport is an absolute passion of mine and I don’t really feel like I “work” in this role. I get to work with a fantastic team of individuals in our head office as well as across our six local venues. I talk sports to co-workers and clients on a daily basis and it’s a dream come true.
“We’d like to discuss what the definition of poverty is in Newfoundland and Labrador, and whether the commonly used definitions reflect people’s experiences. We’d also like a better understanding of where poverty exists throughout the province, perhaps with the use of a map.” Individualized stories of people living in poverty are also critical. Many questions could be asked, such as: Who is dealing with poverty? What are the challenges they face? How did they find themselves in the situation? What are their aspirations and what would help them reach their goals? Information such as income, age, gender, place of birth, place of residence, family size and housing stability would also be of great value. These pieces of the puzzle could be undertaken as one large research project, or broken up into smaller projects that relate to each other. This research would help the United Way of N.L. invest in more proactive measures to deal with poverty, rather than reactive ones, and provide a guide for other groups and agencies tackling the issue of poverty in the province. Understanding where poverty exists and the root causes of why it exists could help focus attention on breaking the cycle of poverty and facilitating long-term solutions for individuals, families and communities throughout the province. Interested in learning more about this project? The Harris Centre’s co-ordinator of knowledge mobilization would be happy to tell you more.
EDITOR Mandy Cook GRAPHICS Jacqui Baggs REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Courtenay Alcock Laura Barron Jennifer Batten Melanie Callahan Rebecca Cohoe Nora Daly Krista Davidson Kelly Foss Elizabeth Furey Leslie Earle Pamela Gill Jeff Green Janet Harron Jill Hunt
Jackey Locke Virginia Middleton Cathy Newhook Michelle Osmond Lisa Pendergast David Penney Marcia Porter Kristine Power Dave Sorensen Melissa Watton Meaghan Whelan Susan White Heidi Wicks Laura Woodford
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Kelly Hickey PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Hammond ADVERTISING Mandy Cook T. 709 864 2142 mandyc@mun.ca Next gazette deadline May 12 for May 20 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 T. 709 864 2142 F. 709 864 8699 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 2 gazette | Wednesday, April 29, 2015 | www.mun.ca/gazette
To the seashore Ocean Sciences Cente staff member passionate about bringing ocean to the community
THE STUDENTS tentatively grip their scalpels. The herring lie waiting on the lab tables. “Alright, let’s look at some fish,” calls one of the instructors. They set to work, gently scraping scales from the flesh. “We start on the outside,” says a second instructor, moving from group to group. “Let’s get a good look at the fins, scales, mouth. Then we’ll open it up.”
“Kids today want to work with equipment like digital scopes and high resolution cameras.” – Danielle Nichols
There are a few giggles and whispers. But by the time they get into the internal organs, the whole room is deep in concentration. Fish dissection is one of the tasks for these students from Holy Trinity High in Torbay. Before their visit to Memorial University’s Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC) is over, they will also identify and classify invertebrates, learn about water quality and marine habitats, and do a training session with the harp seals. Danielle Nichols would like to be part of it all. Leading the high school groups used to be part of her job. Instead, she’s in her third-floor office, planning tomorrow’s visit by a class from Discovery Collegiate in Bonavista. “I get so much pleasure out of teaching those kids,” she says. “It’s great that our graduate students have taken it over, but I miss it. I’m more the administrator now. But I still like to go down and stick my hand in a tank and tell them something about a particular fish or a sea cucumber.” It’s largely due to her efforts that the high school program is thriving.
It began with 130 students in 2013, and expanded to take in 400 students from 12 schools in 2014. As the OSC’s research marketing manager, her responsibilities are many. But the school visits have a personal connection for her. “I came here with a school group when I was a student, and I always remembered that visit. It stuck with me.” A self-described “people person and problem solver,” Ms. Nichols has a master’s degree in marine studies from Memorial, and began her career working in the fisheries and aquaculture industry. Since joining the centre, she has overseen a renewed commitment to bring the ocean, in all its spectacular diversity, to the larger community. The OSC’s Public Education Program draws more than 18,000 visitors every summer. Its travelling touch tank keeps up a steady itinerary of summer camps, daycares and community events. Marine science staff, faculty and students also visit school science fairs and take part in public events like World Oceans Day. The high school program was designed in collaboration with the Oceans Learning Partnership, a network of scientists and educators from Memorial, the Marine Institute and Parks Canada, and supported by the Hebron Project. Teachers from participating schools were involved as well, incorporating the program into the science curriculum. To ensure each student a handson learning experience, two OSC lab spaces were refitted for school visits. The OSC is currently seeking funding to upgrade those labs. “Kids today want to work with equipment like digital scopes and high resolution cameras. They want to project images on smart boards and tablets, and they want to be connected. The student in Labrador should be able to go online and talk to the student in St. John’s, and say, ‘Could you zoom in on the sea snail?’ and so on.” Another priority is to make the Ocean Sciences Centre more accessible, which would allow visitors with disabilities easier access to the harp seals and touch tanks. As an internationally recognized research centre, the OSC is always
Danielle Nichols
DAVE HOWELLS PHOTOS
By Jamie Fitzpatrick Special to the gazette
A student holds a starfish from the Ocean Sciences Centre touch tanks. buzzing with projects initiated by marine science students, faculty and visiting scholars. Supporting that work is a big part of Ms. Nichols’ job. Watching a first-time visitor pick apart a fish or hold a hermit crab offers a different reward. For Ms. Nichols, it’s a reminder of the spirit of curiosity and adventure that lies at the heart of ocean science.
“Just to see the delight on their faces when they touch those animals, I thrive on it. In order to teach someone you have to have a passion for it. You have to be elbows deep in it, right there with the kids. You have to be excited about it. This is my passion.”
Grenfell enhances campus food court and catering GRENFELL CAMPUS is moving forward with its plans to improve oncampus food services to better meet the expectations and needs of the entire campus community. Through surveys and focus groups, consultants met with diverse groups on campus where they obtained information needed to make decisions about the future of food services at Grenfell. As a part of enhancing food services the campus food court will
be closed for renovations beginning May 2015 for the installation of new flooring, lighting, seating and décor. The GCSU Backlot will also undergo renovations as a part of this project. The venue will reopen as a full-service dining hall in September 2015. Recently the steering committee for the renovations asked the Grenfell community for name suggestions for the new operator that will be the sole food service provider in the dining hall. The committee and the
operator have chosen “The Grove.” The Grove will offer quality services featuring an exciting menu, with healthy meal choices including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. The Grove will also enhance campus food services with onsite professional catering. In addition, dining hall services will be improved through expanded menus items and increased hours of operation, including breakfast, lunch, evening and weekend operations, and
the introduction of an optional meal card. There will also be convenience/ take-away options whereby students can finish preparing or reheat meals in their residence kitchens. For more information on the campus dining hall project and related food services, please contact Kirk Wiseman by phone at 709-637-7184 or by email kdwiseman@grenfell.mun.ca.
Seeds of research
New academic director appointed at botanical garden A NEW POSITION at Memorial University’s Botanical Garden will help build the relationship between the garden and Memorial’s academic campuses and units. As the first academic director of the garden, Dr. Norman Goodyear will help develop its academic and scientific research potential.
“There are possibilities for collaboration within a broad range of disciplines.” – Dr. Norman Goodyear
“Many people understand the garden’s value from a recreation and teaching perspective; however, its potential as a research facility is
significant,” he explained. “There are possibilities for collaboration within a broad range of disciplines.” For example, Dr. Goodyear’s own research focuses on a range of topics, including horticultural therapy, an intersection between botany, psychology and other life sciences, and sustainable agriculture in cold climates. The position is a joint appointment with Grenfell Campus – another emerging hub for agricultural research at Memorial. The relationship emphasizes Memorial’s dedication to enhancing research and public engagement activities at the garden. Originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, Dr. Goodyear has spent the past 20 years in Nova Scotia, most recently as an associate professor in Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture, where he has developed diverse experience in national and international development projects. “We’re very pleased to have someone
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By Rebecca Cohoe
Dr. Norman Goodyear at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Vancouver, B.C. with Dr. Goodyear’s background in this new role,” said Dr. Antony Card, associate vice-president (Grenfell Campus) research. “Research and public engagement projects between
the garden and Memorial’s campuses and academic units have the potential to offer major benefits, both within the university and across the province.”
Reviewers, which is made up of experts from a wide range of research fields. The announcement of these positions will create opportunities for advancement in research for both Drs. Moore and Ploughman. “The Canada Research Chair position will allow me to develop a high-calibre research laboratory and infrastructure to study how the brain responds and recovers during disease or injury,” said Dr. Moore. “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, which will help promote and advance basic and clinical neuroscience research at Memorial University.” “The Canada Research Chair
in rehabilitation, neuroplasticity and brain recovery builds critical capacity within Memorial University and Canada to improve recovery after stroke and multiple sclerosis,” said Dr. Ploughman. “The award will support my research and a new research laboratory to test innovative methods to enhance brain plasticity and train the next generation of Canadian researchers. This comes at a time when our population is aging and brain health takes on an even higher priority.”
notable
obituaries
Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor, and Dr. Robert Shea, associate vice-president (academic and student affairs) Marine Institute, were appointed to the board of directors of the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation.
DR. H. DOREEN COULTAS Dr. H. Doreen Coultas, a retired faculty member of the Faculty of Education, passed away April 5, 2015. She was 88.
Cont’d from CHAIR on page 1
Dr. Michelle Ploughman
“Being named a Canada Research Chair is a tremendous honour and I congratulate both of our chair holders for this significant accomplishment,” said President Kachanoski. “Their contribution to innovative research in their respective fields will no doubt lead to significant breakthroughs that will have a real impact on the people of this province and beyond.” “This announcement is a testament to the remarkable talent and leadership of Memorial’s researchers,” said Dr. Richard Marceau, vice-president (research), Memorial University. “To be awarded a Canada Research Chair position is one of the highest levels of research excellence in this country and Memorial is very proud to be able to support and celebrate this prestigious honour.” Currently, Memorial is home to 13 Canada Research Chairs active
Dr. Craig Moore
in areas including traditional music and ethnomusicology; marine bioscience; neuroscience and brain repair; rehabilitation, neuroplasticity and brain repair; scientific modelling and simulation; viral hepatitis/immunology, Aboriginal studies; proteomics; natural resource sustainability and community development; marine biotechnology; glacial dynamics modelling; regional language and oral text; and environmental science. Public announcements of Canada Research Chairs are made twice a year. To view the full list of Memorial University’s Canada Research Chairs, please visit www.mun.ca/ research/explore/chairs/crc.php. All nominations, whether they are for a new chair, the renewal of a current chair or the advancement of a chair holder, are assessed by the College of
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Dr. Darrell Boone was reappointed chair of the Discipline of Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine for a three-year term, effective Jan. 1, 2015. Sue Fahey was reappointed division head of Serials and Acquisitions in the Queen Elizabeth II Library for a five-year term, effective Jan. 1, 2015. Dr. Kevin Chan was appointed chair of the Discipline of Pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine for a three-year term, effective Feb. 16, 2015. Dr. Scott Moffatt was reappointed assistant dean of Student Affairs in the Faculty of Medicine for a three-year term, effective Jan. 1, 2015.
JOHN HARE John Hare, a retired faculty member of the Department of French and Spanish, passed away March 5, 2015. He was 80. BLAIR RICHARD BERTRAM TULK Blair Richard Bertram Tulk, a student in the Faculty of Education, passed away April 19, 2015. He was 29. LEO S. MACKEY Leo S. Mackey, a retired employee of the Office of the Registrar, passed away April 25, 2015. He was 73.
Frameworks in action MEMORIAL’S FRAMEWORKS IN ACTION
The three overarching frameworks guiding Memorial’s future direction — the Research Framework, the Teaching and Learning Framework and the Public Engagement Framework — are the result of several years of consultations with the university community and the people and organizations of Newfoundland and Labrador. This regular feature will help showcase the frameworks in action by sharing projects and highlighting the successes that are bringing them to life.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Empowering communities to support youth mental health By Rebecca Cohoe
THERE HAS BEEN a lot of discussion of youth mental health in the media recently. That’s a good thing, but according to the School of Pharmacy’s Dr. Lisa Bishop, sometimes the move from talk to action is challenging. One way to help promote positive outcomes is to actively engage communities in research, from the earliest stages of a project. Using a community-based participatory research model, Dr. Bishop and her research partner, Dr. Stephen Darcy of the Faculty of Medicine, have developed a sustained partnership with a local community
board to conduct exploratory research around youth mental health and wellness within a small urban community in the province. In order to respect the privacy of participants, the name and location of the community is not emphasized when speaking publicly about the collaboration. “The continued participation of community members helps make sure that real experiences and voices influence the research aspects of the project,” Dr. Bishop said. “There’s also a sense of shared responsibility that develops when community partners see that they’re part of a longer-term plan.” The project leads identified the need for a community event to disseminate initial research findings and solicit direction on how to move forward with the development of a communitybased youth wellness program. While major funders are essential to conducting research, sometimes they don’t allow for community engagement activities, which is extremely valuable to community-based research. That’s
Dr. Lisa Bishop where the Quick Start Fund for Public Engagement was able to help. The fund offers a modest amount of funding with a quick turnaround time to support such a project. “Quick Start was a great source of funding,” said Dr. Bishop. “Community engagement is a major part of our research, yet it is difficult to find funding to support this part of our project. The information gathered from the session is integral to us moving forward to our next phase.” The public community event began with a presentation of the most relevant findings of their focus group research. This was followed by breakout sessions, each related to
various findings that emerged from the research results. Groups focused on solutions to the issues identified, including access to services, how to keep youth healthy and how to build on the community’s own resources. The information gathered was then compiled and used to frame a community action plan which is now being used to solicit funding to develop community-based program/ services for youth wellness. The Quick Start Fund for Public Engagement is currently accepting applications. For more information, please see www.mun.ca/engagement.
Turning another page By Janet Harron
ISER BOOKS, the publishing division of the Institute of Social and Economic Research in Memorial’s Faculty of Arts, has launched a completely revamped and improved website. The website is located at www.arts.mun.ca/iserbooks. And it’s a whole new world for ISER Books. Customers will now be able to purchase books directly from the publisher — an innovation that has been at the top of managing editor Alison Carr’s wish list since joining the publisher in 2012. “We’re really excited about the launch of the updated website — not just because of the new look and the more functional online store — but because we’re actually doing so much these days,” said Ms. Carr. “We’re publishing four books this year, instead of the usual two, and we’re getting really active in the community. We’re doing launches, community events, conferences, trade shows and tons of online stuff, like 49th Shelf and an e-newsletter. The
new website enables us to share with our readers everything we and our authors are up to, as well as other writing and publishing related news.” To celebrate the new website, ISER Books is offering a 25 per cent off sale on all books (frontlist and backlist) until May 31. ISER Books author and sociologist Dr. Adrian Tanner is one reason Ms. Carr is so busy lately. The second edition of his book Bringing Home Animals was recently published by the press and has been shortlisted for an Atlantic Book Award in the category of scholarly writing. Dr. Tanner will read along with his fellow shortlisted author and Faculty of Arts staff member Jenny Higgins on Tuesday, May 12, in A-1026 at 7:30 p.m. Academic editor Dr. Sharon Roseman is delighted with the redesigned platform and with the work currently being submitted to ISER Books from a variety of genres, specialties and authors. “Visitors to our site will discover new volumes as well as earlier works that we have maintained in print,” she said. “We continue with ISER Books’ longstanding
DIANNE CARR PHOTO
A new chapter for ISER Books
From left are Alison Carr, Dr. Sharon Roseman, Dr. Adrian Tanner and Sandy Newton at the Bringing Home Animals book launch. commitment to publishing high quality, peer-reviewed books on Newfoundland and Labrador and other North Atlantic regions and on topics relevant to our place such as maritime and coastal studies; Indigenous studies; culture,
politics, and identity; and public policy.” The next volume for ISER Books is Dr. Katherine Side’s Patching Peace: Women’s Civil Society Organizing in Northern Ireland, which will be published in the fall of 2015.
Hundreds ‘Come See MI World’ IT’S NOT EVERY day the general public has an opportunity to visit the world’s largest flume tank, learn about important halibut tagging research and pilot a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), but that’s exactly what the community was invited to do at the Marine Institute (MI) on March 21. More than 500 visitors took one of the world’s most respected centres for marine learning and applied research up on its invitation to “Come See MI World” and stopped by 155 Ridge Rd. in St. John’s during the four-hour event. The general public, potential students and alumni had a chance to speak with MI faculty, staff and other representatives and check out the latest developments at MI’s education and applied research facilities. But the fun didn’t stop there. Visitors took part in a taste panel, explored ROVs and other ocean mapping equipment and got up close and personal with some interesting fish specimens. Some younger guests found out what it takes to blow up a gummy bear and learned how elephant toothpaste is made in a chemistry lab. Of course, no trip to MI is ever complete without a stop at the full mission ship bridge simulator and a peek at the night sky in the facility’s planetarium. Miss the open house and interested
ANGIE BISHOP PHOTO
By Leslie Earle
Visitors view a display of interesting fish and sea creatures and learn about MI’s Marine Environmental Program at a recent open house. in learning more about the institute? Potential students are in luck! High
schools and students can request a tour all year round with MI’s
Office of Student Recruitment at www.mi.mun.ca/reserveatour.
HSIMS PHOTO
Cont’d from BODY on page 1
A specimen of a plastinated arm, viewable at the Body Works exhibition on May 2. The exhibition is taking place on Saturday, May 2, from 1-5 p.m. in the atrium of the Faculty of Medicine’s new building that is adjacent to the Health Sciences Centre and located on the east side of Clinch Crescent. Dr. Chandra became a physician after studying at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi and has been teaching anatomy at Memorial University for more than 40 years. She is excited to provide another teaching opportunity helping others learn about some of the mysteries of the body. “Teaching, researching, dissecting
and making videos gives me great satisfaction because I feel that my teaching contributes to the making of future physicians,” she said. “I strive to go a step ahead and make a difference in their lives.” Dr. Chandra has been recognized for outstanding teaching. She received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Memorial’s student union and has twice been named Teacher of the Year, an honour chosen by first-year medical students. “Students are inspired by Dr. Shakti Chandra’s teaching and her passion for teaching about the
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fascinating complexities of the human body,” said Dr. James Rourke, dean, Faculty of Medicine. “Before a student can become a physician, they need to understand the human body so that they can build a strong foundation of knowledge.” The May 2 exhibition is an opportunity to view real bones and organs that have been plastinated and appreciate the connectedness of the human body. It will also be possible to see an artificial joint, lungs that are healthy and a smoker’s lungs, a heart with a coronary bypass, a liver that is cirrhotic and a normal liver.
Whole bodies will also be displayed. The event is free and open to the public. Admission is free; however, contributions to support the anatomy public programming through a charitable gift are welcome. Come meet Dr. Shakti Chandra, discover the world of plastination and learn about your own body, inside and out. For more information about Dr. Chandra’s work, visit www.med.mun. ca/Medicine/Faculty/Chandra_S.aspx.
Memories of Gallipoli Faculty of Medicine members attend Turkish First World War commemorations By Elizabeth Furey
“Where once they stood, we stand.”
honour the soldiers and medical personnel who fought in the campaign. Medical school representatives from around the world whose countries participated in the battle were invited to attend the commemorations of both anniversaries.
ANTHONY MAHER PHOTO
“To visit a site where my great-great uncle served a century ago, when he was even younger than me, was surreal.” – Anthony Maher
THE LINE FROM the Ode to Newfoundland rang true last month for Dr. Pamela Snow, associate professor of family medicine, and Anthony Maher, a first-year student in the MD program in Memorial’s Faculty of Medicine, when the pair represented Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada at the Medicine Day celebrations in Turkey. Medicine Day, the anniversary of the day the first medical school opened in Turkey on March 14, 1827, also celebrates and raises awareness of doctors’ rights in medicine in the country. As well, upon the centenary of the First World War’s Battle of Gallipoli, the Turkish government wished to
Dr. Snow and Mr. Maher were the only guests from North America in attendance and were joined by medical professionals from 29 countries around the world, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Germany, Ireland and Pakistan. The pair attended a gala dinner that included a welcome from the Turkish minister of health and an opportunity to meet and chat with other physicians from around the globe. “I met a cardiologist from India whose brother works in Vancouver with my brother-in-law,” said Dr. Snow. “Chance meetings like this show you how small the world really is.” For both Dr. Snow and Mr. Maher, having familial connections to the Battle of Gallipoli made the trip all the
Nominate Dedication
2015 PRESIDENT’S AWARDS FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE
Pictured above is the Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial, which commemorates the service of Turkish soldiers who participated at the Battle of Gallipoli. It is located in Çanakkale Province, Turkey. more significant. Mr. Maher’s greatgreat uncle, Private Joseph Hollahan, and Dr. Snow’s great uncle-in-law, Lance Corporal Frederick E. Snow, both served in the Newfoundland Regiment during the battle. The group of invited representatives was taken on a tour of the Gallipoli Peninsula, where they visited beaches where battles were fought and monuments erected in memory of the soldiers who died there. “One of the beaches was the site where the Newfoundland Regiment landed during the battle,” said Mr. Maher. “To visit a site where my
great-great uncle served a century ago, when he was even younger than me, was surreal. It was an honour to join representatives from around the world in remembering the sacrifices made by so many.” For her part, Dr. Snow says the experience provided a meaningful connection between Newfoundland and Labrador and Turkey. “It was such a privilege to participate in this occasion and represent our university and province,” she said. “It was humbling to be there for our family members, and all families, really, who were affected by the war.”
Academic leadership changes A NUMBER OF important academic leadership changes that will take place in the coming months were approved by the Board of Regents on March 26, 2015. Lorraine Busby, university librarian, has decided not to seek renewal for a third term. Ms. Busby’s term concludes on Aug. 31, 2015, but will be extended to Dec. 31, 2015, to allow sufficient time for a successful search for this key position. Dr. Ellen Waterman was recommended for renewal in the role of dean of the School of Music but has decided instead to return to her role as a professor and dedicate more time to her research. She will finish in the role on June 30, 2015. Dr. Maureen Volk, professor in the School of Music, will serve in the role pro tempore effective July 1, 2015, until a permanent dean
is appointed or until April 30, 2016. Dr. Faye Murrin will continue in the role of dean of the School of Graduate Studies, pro tempore, effective immediately until a permanent dean is recruited. “I offer my thanks to Ms. Busby and Dr. Waterman for their strong leadership and many contributions to Memorial University, and I wish them well in their future endeavours,” said Dr. Noreen Golfman, provost and vice-president (academic). “I also look forward to working with Dr. Murrin and Dr. Volk in these important and challenging acting positions while the searches for permanent deans take place.” Separate search committees for all three positions will be established in the coming weeks and searches will begin shortly.
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Free coffee, scavenger hunts and preparedness mark safety celebrations By Michelle Osmond
MEMORIAL is celebrating Emergency Preparedness Week and North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH) from May 4-8 with disaster crash courses, scavenger hunts with prizes and free coffee for safe drivers. The motto of the team at Emergency Management (EM) at Memorial is that disasters happen. They want the university community to learn how to be prepared in the event of emergencies at home and at work, so they’re holding sessions that include preparing for bomb threats and severe weather at work, flood and power outages at home and how to prepare emergency kits. Once you learn how to become an emergency preparedness expert, you will be able to take part in a scavenger hunt and win prizes, sponsored by Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and SafetyNet. Register your team of four by Monday, May 4, at health.safety@mun.ca. At the Marine Institute the disaster crash course will take place on Tuesday, May 5, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Hampton Hall with the scavenger hunt happening from 1:30-3:30 p.m. On the St. John’s campus, the disaster crash course will take place on Wednesday, May 6, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Arts building (A-1046) with the scavenger hunt happening from 1:30-3:30 p.m. And at Grenfell Campus, events take place on Thursday, May 7, with the disaster crash course from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Arts and Science building (AS375) and the scavenger hunt from 1:30-3:30 p.m. In addition, on Monday, May 4, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in A-1043 there will be an information session titled WHMIS 2015 Is Here: Are You Ready? by the Workplace Health, and Safety Compensation Commission (WHSCC) and facilitated by
industrial hygienist Kelly Taylor. The folks at Environmental Health and Safety and SafetyNet will also be rewarding drivers around campus with free coffee cards when they back into a parking space for NAOSH Week.
“It’s tough to back out quickly, a clear disadvantage in an emergency situation.” – Barbara Battcock
Barbara Battcock, associate director of EHS at Memorial, says it takes a bit more time to reverse into your driveway or a parking spot, but the benefits far outweigh the time it takes. “If you pull in front-first, you later back out into unknown traffic. Your field of view is severely limited and can cause you to overlook oncoming cars. Plus, it’s tough to back out quickly, a clear disadvantage in an emergency situation.” Ms. Battcock and her colleagues believe it’s important to celebrate NAOSH week to “focus employers, employees, partners and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community.” EHS and EM are both part of the Office of the Chief Risk Officer (OCRO) which also oversees Campus Enforcement and Patrol and Enterprise Risk Management. This includes the development and implementation of an emergency management program; maintaining a risk management framework; the safety and security of people and property of the university; and the health, safety and environmental program. For more information, please visit www.mun.ca/ocro.
This emergency preparedness kit is one of the prizes being given out during NAOSH and EPW week activities at Memorial.
8 gazette | Wednesday, April 29, 2015 | www.mun.ca/gazette
A lighter footprint By Carrie Ivardi Special to the gazette
WHEN BETHANY Downer became inspired to start a non-profit organization while attending the 2014 Impact Youth for Sustainability conference in Guelph, Ont., she couldn’t have anticipated the impact her decision would make. Ms. Downer, a 21-year-old geography student at Memorial, is president of One Step Shoe Recycling, an organization that began with a goal of collecting 100 pairs of gently used shoes for people in need. “I consider shoes a basic need, and I was learning the stats, how great the demand was, and how many unused shoes there are out there,” she said. To date, she has collected 13,000 pairs of shoes and distributed them to five different provinces and 15 countries. One Step Shoe Recycling began collecting shoes on Sept. 1, 2014, in St. John’s and 30 other locations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. By November, the organization was shipping shoes to the mainland. Ms. Downer recruited the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board and the Ontario-based business Running Free Canada, among other partners, to assist financially with the distribution. “In three months we had collected 5,000 pairs of shoes, and re-directed 9,000 pounds of waste from landfills,” said Ms. Downer, who counts and weighs each and every pair of shoes
that comes through the makeshift warehouse in the Downer residence. The remarkable response to the shoe drive and the rapid growth of the organization encouraged Ms. Downer to enlist the help of friends and family. By the time December rolled around, the joke in her household was that there was a shoe tree in place of a Christmas tree in the living room. “Our partnerships grew fast, too,” said Ms. Downer, who has made connections with Love Volunteers, Rotary International and even the National Basketball Association (NBA). “We are hoping to be involved in the All-Star Week 2016 in Toronto to collect basketball shoes from the NBA teams.” Ms. Downer has prioritized the need for shoes to be distributed first to homeless shelters, then to lowincome families through support networks like community centres and then to long-term hospital patients and low-income seniors. “Holy Heart of Mary High School has a huge dress drive every year, and now, we will be able to provide gently used shoes for proms, as well.” Today, there is a five-member board of directors and 100 benevolent volunteers that were recruited through the Student Volunteer Bureau at Memorial. Ms. Downer is currently working to achieve charity status for One Step. For more information, please visit www.onestepshoerecycling.org.
DENNIS FLYNN PHOTO
Geography student spearheads international shoe recycling mission
Student Bethany Downer is president of One Step Shoe Recycling.
A greener future Enactus Memorial launches carbon offset program that supports local farmers By Susan White
A STUDENT GROUP at Memorial has launched a carbon offset program that directly benefits green initiatives on farms in Newfoundland and Labrador. Enactus Footprint, a project of Enactus Memorial, allows local businesses and individuals to determine the negative environmental impact of their daily operations using an online calculator, and then to reduce their overall carbon footprint by purchasing carbon offsets. Businesses and individuals may choose which beneficiary program they wish to direct the funds toward. All of the participating programs support the provincial agriculture sector and attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Newfoundland and Labrador. Enactus Footprint is the first carbon offset program in the province to support local programs with the resulting funds. “Enactus Memorial is committed to
improving the lives of people around the world but there is no better place to start than here in our province,” said Abigail Ricketts, project manager for AGreenCulture, an Enactus Memorial project that helps local farmers to undertake environmentally friendly practices that also make economic sense. Enactus Footprint is an initiative of AGreenCulture. “With many businesses not having
the resources to alter their own practices to be more environmentally friendly, the need for carbon offset programs has grown exponentially as a way for companies to minimize their environmental impact,” Ms. Ricketts continued. “On the other hand, the agriculture sector has suffered in the past decade, with one in five farms closing their doors. Our volunteers saw this as a
great opportunity to help farmers decrease their costs while at the same time helping the environment by implementing green solutions.” Randy Clarke, owner of Atlantic Fireplaces, was one of the first businesses to sign up for the program. “I’ve been in business for over 30 years and I’ve never seen another program quite like this,” he said. “It’s so important to give back to your community and to protect your environment so to find a carbon offset program that does both is absolutely incredible.” Businesses and individuals contribute to climate change in many ways including the use of fuel, electricity, paper and propane. Enactus Footprint offers a local solution for those looking to lower their economic impact while simultaneously supporting local farmers and communities to undertake environmentally sustainable agriculture practices and green initiatives.
More efficiencies identified through Operations and Budget Review THE OPERATIONS and Budget Review Secretariat has been busy over the past year carrying out its mandate to implement an ongoing efficiency review process throughout the university. The goal of the review is to ensure Memorial is operating in a focused, strategic and fiscally responsible manner. For the past 14 months, academic and administrative operations have been viewed through the lens of continuous efficiency and effectiveness. The secretariat has conducted oneon-one meetings with all academic, research and administrative units, and made a number of presentations to various groups to identify areas where potential efficiencies might exist. “We are extremely pleased with the response of university units so far,” said President Gary Kachanoski. “As expected, a comprehensive review of university operations such as this takes time. We are working across our campuses and our many complex
processes, identifying, reviewing and implementing effort-reducing, cost-saving or space-saving measures. That said, already 22 initiatives have been implemented, resulting in an annualized cost-savings of more than $5.2 million.” Some examples of the diverse initiatives undertaken to date include the consolidation of printing satellite offices, co-operative education reorganization, software licensing consolidation at Grenfell Campus, and program and operational changes at the Marine Institute. In addition, six more projects have been approved and are currently in progress. These include: • Human Resources’ Shared Services Centre: Implementing a case management system to increase the effectiveness of the service that is provided to clients and to streamline processes and transactions to increase efficiency. • Marine Institute Vehicle
Replacement: Undertaking a pilot project to review the vehicle replacement procedure to maximize return on investment in the Marine Institute vehicle fleet. • Computer Lab Utilization: Completing an inventory of the current space allocation for computer labs, reviewing usage data and investigating the potential for managing both central and shared resources in a new and more effective way. • Travel and Expense Management: Documenting and analyzing current business and audit processes related to travel and expense claim management, recommending improvements to these processes, including implementing software to automate these processes. • Electronic Purchase Requisitioning: Undertaking an academic unit pilot in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences to implement electronic purchase requisitioning in Banner Finance. • Procurement: Engaging a
pan-university team to review the procurement process, procedure and Banner Finance utilization, and recommend changes that would become standard across the organization. “The main consequence of the review will be resource reinvestment over the next several years,” said Bruce Gorman, co-chair, Operations and Budget Review Secretariat. “Savings will be reinvested back into the institution in the areas of academic programming, students and other priorities. It is also important to note that there is no end date to this review. We intend to continually review our operations to ensure we are using our resources to pursue the right opportunities for the future development of the institution.” Mr. Gorman encourages anyone who identifies a potential efficiency to contact him to discuss possibilities. He can be reached at bgorman@ mun.ca or 709-864-8572. For more information, please www.mun. ca/operationsbudgetreview.
Pharmacy to receive $150,000 for interdisciplinary health research MEMBERS OF Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Medicine and the University of British Columbia have been awarded a Health Research Foundation Interdisciplinary Team Grant. The grant totals $150,000 over three years to assess the effectiveness of implementing a pharmacy-delivered medication management service to improve medication adherence and the quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). “COPD affects over one million people and is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada,” said Dr. Carlo Marra, team researcher and dean, School of Pharmacy. “It accounts for the highest rates of hospital admission and re-admission among major chronic illnesses. The disease is also expensive to manage. Nationally, the annual cost is over $4 billion with more than 60 per cent arising from hospitalization.” In Newfoundland and Labrador, the COPD hospitalization rate is 1,119 out of every 100,000 and the mortality rate is 32 per 100,000. “These rates are higher than the national average, but the good news is that this disease is preventable and treatable,” added Dr. Marra. “When
used properly, medications can address COPD symptoms, reduce the frequency and severity of pulmonary exacerbations and improve quality of life and exercise tolerance.” Up to 50 per cent of patients do not adhere to their medications, and as many as 75 per cent use improper inhaler technique. Pharmacists are highly skilled but underutilized health-care providers who engage with patients regarding their medications more frequently than any other health-care practitioner.
“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects over one million people and is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada.” – Dr. Carlo Marra
“This project proposes that pharmacists are able to engage those with COPD in a more comprehensive manner, thereby improving their medication adherence and improving overall health outcomes,” Dr. Marra said.
10 gazette | Wednesday, April 29, 2015 | www.mun.ca/gazette
CHRIS HAMMOND PHOTO
By Heidi Wicks
From left to right are Drs. John Hawboldt, J.M. Gamble, Erin Davis and Carlo Marra. The project will utilize a network of 500-plus community pharmacists to develop simple techniques and assessments to improve medication adherence. “The Health Research Foundation is proud to support interdisciplinary health research in academic centres across Canada that can help reduce the burden on our health system,” said Mel Cappe, chair, Health Research Foundation. “Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy
team is conducting highly-valuable research that will help doctors and pharmacists improve the quality of life for patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.” In addition to Dr. Marra, team members include Drs. Erin Davis, J.M. Gamble and John Hawboldt of the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Jamie Farrell of the Faculty of Medicine and Dr. Mark FitzGerald of the University of British Columbia.
out & about
For more on these events and other news at Memorial, please visit www.today.mun.ca.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 Community Engaged Learning: Curricular Learning Beyond the Classroom, 1-2:30 p.m., UC-3018, The Landing, Sponsor: Office of Public Engagement Mercury in Arctic Snow: Factors Affecting the Kinetics of Photoreactions, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies One-day Seminar: Understanding Personality Types in the Workplace -- Using MBTI, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Gardiner Centre, Business building, Sponsor: Gardiner Centre
THURSDAY, APRIL 30 An Introduction to Graduate Studies at Memorial, 3-3:50 p.m., ED-3048, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies Excellence and Relevance in Community Engaged Research, 12-1:30 p.m., AS2011, Grenfell Campus, Sponsor: Office of Public Engagement Engaging Ideas: Diversity in the Workplace, 8:3010:30 a.m., BN-4000, Sponsor: Faculty of Business Administration A Presentation to Memorial’s Professional Schools on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), 2-3:30 p.m., EN-1052, Sponsor: DELTS The Pirate Who Never Was? Eric Cobham and Invention in History, 8-9:30 p.m., Hampton Hall, Marine Institute, Sponsor: Newfoundland Historical Society Pharmacy Matters: Experiential Learning, 7-9 p.m., Health Sciences Centre, Lecture Theatre E, Sponsor: School of Pharmacy
MI Scavenger Hunt for Occupational Health and Safety Week, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Hampton Hall, Marine Institute, Sponsor: Office of the Chief Risk Officer and SafetyNet
33rd Annual Alumni Tribute Awards ceremony, 6-10 p.m., R. Gushue Hall, Sponsor: Alumni Affairs and Development
FRIDAY, MAY 15 Partners: A Celebration of Alumni, Students and the Business Community, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland, St. John’s, Sponsor: Faculty of Business Administration Wednesday, May 6 Backyard Composting, 6-7 p.m., Wedgewood Park Recreation Centre, Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden, City of St. John’s and MMSB An Afternoon in the Garden, 2-3 p.m., MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Road, St. John’s, Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden Disaster Crash Course: St. John’s Campus, 12:301:30 p.m., A1046, St. John’s campus, Sponsor: Office of the Chief Risk Officer St. John’s Campus Scavenger Hunt for Occupational Health and Safety Week, 1:30-3:30 p.m., A-1046, St. John’s campus, Sponsor: Office of the Chief Risk Officer and SafetyNet
THURSDAY, MAY 7 The Best of Both Worlds: Part-Time Study at Memorial University, 1-2 p.m., online webinar, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies Terry Fox Research Institute Sixth Annual Scientific Meeting: Enhancing Outcomes Through Collaboration, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Delta St. John’s Hotel and Conference Centre, Sponsor: Terry Fox Research Institute
One-day Seminar: The Recruitment and Selection Process, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Gardiner Centre, Sponsor: Gardiner Centre
TUESDAY, MAY 19 Atlantic Provinces Transportation Forum 2015: The Movement of People To, From and Within Atlantic Canada, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Holiday Inn, St. John’s, Sponsor: Harris Centre of Regional Policy and Development Ethics and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., ED-2030B, Sponsor: DELTS - Educator Development
classified FOR SALE by owner: On MUN’s doorstep, a very well maintained, 3-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom, 2-storey house on large, nicely landscaped corner lot with shed, fully-fenced backyard, and 2-car driveway. Has had substantial renovations and improvements, including kitchen by Artistic Kitchens. Also has large den on main floor and full basement, half of which is a finished rec room. Contact casharpe@mun.ca for more information. NEWLY RENOVATED, furnished apartment, one bedroom, on Allandale Road, six minutes walk to MUN. Internet access, four appliances, shared garden and storage area. Rent $600; POU. Contact: Christopher English (cenglish@mun. ca), or phone 754-4855 or 229-1686 and leave a message. LUXURY OCEANSIDE house for rent in Flatrock, 20 minutes from St. John’s/MUN. Three bedrooms, furnished, picture windows, deck, Jacuzzi, open-concept kitchen, stainless steel appliances, hiking trails seconds away. Large writer’s studio with ocean views. No pets, no smoking. Professionally managed. $1295/ month+Utilities. Available Aug. 1 or Sept. 1 for one-year lease. Email agocsmusic@gmail.com. Short-term (weekly or monthly) rentals available
out & about
Disaster Crash Course: Grenfell Campus, 12:301:30 p.m., AS375, Grenfell Campus, Sponsor: Office of the Chief Risk Officer Grenfell Campus Scavenger Hunt for Occupational Health and Safety Week, 1:30-3:30 p.m., AS375, Grenfell Campus, Sponsor: Office of the Chief Risk Officer and SafetyNet
SATURDAY, MAY 9
FRIDAY, MAY 1 Evaluating Personal Health Record Systems for Senior-Friendliness, 1:30-2:30 p.m., BN-3010, Sponsor: Faculty of Business Administration MUN Botanical Garden Opens For the Season, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Road, St. John’s, Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden Lunch and Learn Session: Phase Heat Transfer, 1-2 p.m., EN-4000, Sponsor: Engineering Research Office
SATURDAY, MAY 2 Video Game Carnival, 2:30-10 p.m., UC-3018, University Centre, Sponsor: Sandbox Gaming Society Body Works: A Public Exhibition, 1-5 p.m., New Medical School Atrium, Sponsor: Faculty of Medicine
MONDAY, MAY 4 Building Engagement Capacity Between the Faculty of Medicine and Health Care Stakeholders, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Health Sciences Centre Main Auditorium, Sponsor: Office of Public Engagement, NLCAHR and Faculty of Medicine
TUESDAY, MAY 5 Disaster Crash Course: Marine Institute, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Hampton Hall, Marine Institute, Sponsor: Office of the Chief Risk Officer
Food Futures N.L.: A Research Symposium, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Beatrice Watts boardroom, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: Food Advocacy Research at Memorial (FARM) Research Symposium
MONDAY, MAY 11 Coaching Out Of The Box: 1.5-day Seminar, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Gardiner Centre, Sponsor: Gardiner Centre
TUESDAY, MAY 12 Readings by Atlantic Book Award Nominees, 7:30-9 p.m., A-1046, Sponsor: Faculty of Arts
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 Energy-Efficient Coordination Schemes for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks, 1-3 p.m., IIC-2014, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies
COLIN STINSON PHOTO
Vegetable Gardening in Raised Beds: Session No. 4 from Garden to Campus Workshop Series, 12:30-1:30 p.m., UC-3018, The Landing, Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
An Afternoon in the Garden, 2-3 p.m., MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Rd., St. John’s, Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden The Refugees of Shangri La: The Untold Story of the Bhutanese Refugees, 7-9 p.m., IIC-2001, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Sponsor: MUNMed Gateway Program, Faculty of Medicine Global Health Office Privacy KnowledgeNet Event, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Junior Common Room, Gushue Hall, Sponsor: Information Access and Privacy Protection Office
THURSDAY, MAY 14 An Introduction to Graduate Studies at Memorial, 3-4 p.m., online webinar, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies
CHEMISTRY IS COOL High school students poured into Grenfell Campus recently from schools as far away as Flower’s Cove and Bishops Falls to experience the excitement of chemistry. Pictured is environmental chemistry student Robin Taylor demonstrating the chemistry of a super-magnet, lifting a metal stool with a tiny magnet.
Our environment, our health Maintaining Inuit culture in the face of climate change
By Janet Harron
SUBMITTED PHOTO
SEA ICE FORMS an integral part of Inuit culture and well-being in the Labrador communities of Rigolet and North West River, located on the shores of Lake Melville in South-central Labrador. During the cold season, ice provides access to food and critical activities, such as travel. However, concern over changing ice conditions is increasing among the local Inuit population. Enter geography master’s student
Merren Smith. Ms. Smith is originally from the Yukon and has been fascinated by Labrador for years. It was while engaged in climate change work in the Yukon that Ms. Smith became acquainted with Dr. Trevor Bell of Memorial’s Department of Geography. Now, Dr. Bell, along with the department’s Dr. Joel Finnis, are Ms. Smith’s supervisors on a community-based project studying sea ice change on Lake Melville and its potential impacts on the Labrador Inuit.
Merran Smith is researching how changing sea ice conditions are impacting Inuit culture and life.
“Merren’s project is part of a Nunatsiavut Government-Memorial University project called Lake Melville: Avativut, Kanuittailinnivut (Our Environment, Our Health),” said Dr. Bell. “The project goals are to establish baseline conditions and develop the necessary monitoring science for the downstream effects of hydroelectric development in Lake Melville, prior to Lower Churchill development.” About 140 kilometres long and more than 3,000 kilometres square, Lake Melville is one of the largest estuaries in Newfoundland and Labrador and drains approximately 55 billion cubic metres of water annually from the Ungava-Labrador plateau. It also plays a key role in the lives of several communities, including Happy Valley-Goose Bay, North West River, Sheshatshiu and Rigolet. Throughout the winter months, Inuit travel over the ice to hunt seals and harvest other country foods, visit cabins and family in other communities and collect firewood from the surrounding forests to heat homes, as well as other activities. “Wood is a major heating source for many of the North Coast populations,” said Ms. Smith. “A community might have little to no wood in their own bay and will have to travel up to 75 kilometres to access good firewood. Ice is much easier than land for transporting wood in these areas.” Ms. Smith will use Canadian Ice Service ice concentration data and Environment Canada weather data to investigate the climate sensitivity and drivers of these recent sea ice changes.
Although climate change is likely a major contributing factor to sea ice change in Lake Melville, 40 years of the Upper Churchill hydroelectric development has also contributed to local alterations of the hydrological cycle, which in turn affects sea ice conditions. “Freshwater input from reservoirs, for example, can affect Northern estuaries depending on a variety of factors,” explained Ms. Smith. “The freshwater coming in is typically warmer than the saltwater and may maintain little or no ice at outflows. Yet freshwater also freezes at slightly higher temperatures than saltwater, so ice can sometimes form more readily in the less saline surface waters of the estuary.” Ms. Smith will spend much of the next eight months analyzing scientific data. She will also collect local knowledge on sea ice use and change through interviews with community members in Rigolet about their past and current experiences. One of the data collection tools she will use is the map biography approach. “I’ll use a map so that Rigolet Inuit can show me places they go and routes they take and where things are that they’ve witnessed. I hope this will help identify spatial and temporal trends in sea ice change and how Inuit have adapted to these changes in maintaining their livelihoods and culture.” Ms. Smith’s goal is that her research will help Labrador Inuit develop future adaptation strategies regarding ice variability and change, which in turn will help inform decisions by Inuit across the North.
Major leagues Alumnus of the Year encourages nominations for Tribute Awards IT’S BEEN NEARLY 20 years since Dr. Kevin Major was named Memorial’s Alumnus of the Year, but the awardwinning author stills recalls receiving the honour as if it were yesterday. The recognition, he says, was “a chorus of thanks” for choosing a career in writing. “I was very pleased to be singled out and to be appreciated for the hard work that goes into being an author,” he said recently. “On a professional level, the award validated my choice of career. It had been an uncommon path to take, especially in the 1970s when I started. It had its moments of doubt to be sure.” An author of more than 15 books, Dr. Major is a graduate of the Faculty of Science and an honorary degree recipient of Memorial. He was selected as Alumnus of the Year in 1997. Nominations are currently being accepted for the 34th annual Alumni Tribute Awards. There are four award categories: • Alumni of the Year honours individuals who’ve achieved an exceptionally high distinction and made an outstanding contribution to
their field while remaining an active member of the Memorial community; • J.D. Eaton Alumni Award recognizes outstanding volunteer contribution to the university; • Alumni Horizon Award honours graduates 35 years of age or younger who’ve demonstrated exceptional distinction or contribution in a chosen field of endeavour; • Outstanding Community Service Award recognizes exceptional volunteer service locally or internationally that has made a positive difference to the well-being of others. Nominations for the 34th annual Alumni Tribute Awards will be accepted until May 30. Forms and guidelines are available online at www.munalum.ca. Dr. Major encourages other alumni and friends to consider nominating worthy individuals for awards. “If you feel strongly that a graduate of Memorial deserves special recognition, then take the initiative to advance the nomination.” The 33rd annual ceremony will take place Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m. at R. Gushue Hall.
12 gazette | Wednesday, April 29, 2015 | www.mun.ca/gazette
CHRIS HAMMOND PHOTO
By Jeff Green
Dr. Kevin Major holding his 1997 Alumnus of the Year Award.