PRESCIENCE [pre • science] – noun – having foresight or foreknowledge
FACULTY OF SCIENCE NEWSLETTER
FEDERAL FUNDING FUELS MORE COMPREHENSIVE OCEAN RESEARCH 8 RESEARCH 3 NEWS 5 STUDENTS 7 FACULTY 10 MILESTONES 13 LECTURES 13 DEVELOPMENT 15
Vol. 1, No.1
FROM THE DEA
WELCOME to the first issue of Prescience – our new Faculty of Science magazine. Prescience is defined as being able to know the future, and we think this appropriately titles a magazine about our faculty. Every day faculty, staff and students work towards the future. Through our courses, we are shaping the leaders of tomorrow, and our research brings new knowledge. So knowing what is going on in the Faculty of Science today will give you a glimpse of what the future will bring. This publication is our way of showcasing some of the many accomplishments of our faculty and students over the past year. We are also hoping it helps us reach out and make a connection to our alumni, now some 15,000 strong, and demonstrate to all that the Faculty of Science at Memorial University is leading, developing and growing as an academic institution. I would like to say how happy we are to now have a development officer for the Faculty of Science. Since taking on the role, Nicholas Gardner has been working hard to create new scholarships, awards and bursaries within the faculty – all vital in order to attract and retain the brightest minds to Memorial University and give our students an edge when competing in the new economy.
“This publication is our way of showcasing some of the many accomplishments of our faculty and students over the past year.”
It is especially wonderful when our students come forward to help one another. In this issue you will read about a group
I hope you enjoy the premier issue of Prescience and, if you
of students from the Department of Psychology who had the
have pressing questions or thoughts about upcoming issues,
impetus to create their own award. As they will attest, the
please get in touch, because we would love to hear from you.
process is much simpler than you would think. Regards,
The information contained within this magazine is but a small sample of the large body of work the Faculty of Science produces each year. By shining a light on our achievements we hope you will see the important role the Faculty of Science plays, not only within the university, but in Newfoundland and
Mark Abrahams,
Labrador, Canada and around the world.
Dean of Science
PRESCIENCE EDITORS:
Prescience is a publication of Memorial University’s Faculty of Science. We welcome all comments, submissions, story ideas and letters.
Kelly Foss, Communications Co-ordinator, 709 864 2019, kfoss@mun.ca Nicholas Gardner, Development Officer, 709 864 2696, ngardner@mun.ca
GRAPHIC DESIGN: John Andrews COVER PHOTO: Submitted by Paul Snelgrove
Faculty of Science, St. John’s, NL, A1B 3X7 • Tel: 709 864 8153 or 8154 • Fax: 709 864 3316
Faculty of Science, Memorial University
twitter.com/MUN_Science
WEBPAGE: www.mun.ca/science EMAIL: science@mun.ca
A TEAM of researchers from Memorial
services for children and adolescents
is hoping to hear from all corners of the
with special needs and their families.
province as they conduct a comprehen-
“It is essential to hear from parents,”
sive survey of parents of children and
said Dr. Patricia Canning, a professor of
adolescents with special needs.
education and psychology at Memorial
The goal is to develop an understanding of what parents say about the serv-
and co-director, along with Dr. Mary Courage, psychology, of the university’s
ices they receive, what has helped them,
Centre of Excellence for Children and
what additional services they think would
Adolescents with Special Needs.
be helpful, and the challenges they face in providing care for their children. The information collected from the sur-
RESEARC
Researchers survey parents of children with special needs
The aim of the research project is to capture a complete picture of the services, challenges and future opportunities
Dr. Patricia Canning, Department of Education,
vey will then help to inform policy mak-
of parents of children with special
right, and Psychology student, Madhu Pinto.
ers and practitioners on how to improve
needs.
Under the sea UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS will soon
ments of Earth Sciences and Physics and
have a new way to observe what takes
Physical Oceanography.
place on the ocean floor.
The result will be the creation of
The Ocean Network Seafloor Instru-
individual compact and low-cost sensors,
mentation Project is a five-year multi–
called SEAformatics pods, which can self-
disciplinary research and development
power through ocean bottom currents,
project to design, fabricate and validate a
and communicate with each other and
seafloor array of wireless marine sensors
with the Internet, allowing observation
for use in monitoring seabed processes,
of the ocean floor from shore.
including applications such as geological imaging and earthquake detection.
The pod will contain ocean bottom
networking system to enable communica-
sensor technologies for long-term use in
tion of marine data to end users and data
harsh marine environments; a device to
compression algorithms to process vast
from the Faculty of Engineering and
harvest energy from ocean floor currents
quantities of seismic and other marine
Applied Science, as well as the depart-
to power marine technologies; a wireless
data.
The project team includes researchers
Igniting research connections SINCE LAUNCHING, it’s been dubbed
Anybody – anywhere on the globe – can
the spark that ignites research connec-
access Yaffle. They can find an expert,
tions, bringing together graduate students
query research being done by the univer-
and rural municipal leaders, world-
sity in their geographic region and even
renowned scientists and non-profit
suggest research ideas.
groups. The goal for those behind the on-
A year later there were plenty of connec-
Yaffle – Memorial’s research search engine – is all about linkages.
are available for media interviews and
line database, www.yaffle.ca, was to build
tions to celebrate. Hundreds of research
speaking engagements. In a year, the
a link between users and university ex-
projects are now profiled in Yaffle. The
site has had close to 50,000 hits and
perts, providing greater accessibility to
database contains the contact information
currently averages around 125 per day.
Memorial’s research expertise and re-
and research expertise of close to 500
search projects.
experts at the university, many of whom
It all adds up to plenty of interest in Memorial expertise.
3
RESEARC
Nature website tracks wildlife sightings for research DR. YOLANDA WIERSMA, an assistant professor of biology, has joined a
by Dr. Renee Sieber of McGill. The larger project is interested in how
Canada-wide project aimed at bringing
the public interacts with the Internet and
together the public, Internet technology
geographic technology, particularly
and geographical information to support
Web 2.0 which includes social networking
research on environmental issues.
sites, YouTube and other web-based
The website created by the landscape ecologist and conservation biologist, www.nlnature.com, asks users to log
forms for sharing user-generated content with the world. It will also aid in Dr. Wiersma’s own
sightings of wildlife and species at risk as
research, which looks at distribution and
Newfoundland and Labrador’s contribu-
uses habitat association to predict other
tion to a larger Geomatics for Informed
places where certain plants and wildlife
Dr. Yolanda Wiersma is a landscape ecologist
Decisions (GEOIDE) funded project led
can be found.
and conservation biologist.
Memorial connections to national study TWO MEMORIAL researchers are playing a role in a new project which aims to unlock the potential of Canada’s next oilseed.
feeds and jet fuel. Camelina (False Flax), known for its hardy
proponent and the non-profit corporation dedicated to fundamental and applied
growing nature and high oil content, is the
research in genomics, received $2.8 million
Dr. Matthew Rise, Canada Research
subject of a unique research project linking
from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities
Chair in Marine Biotechnology, and Dr.
researchers across Canada and as far away
Agency’s (ACOA) Atlantic Innovation Fund.
Chris Parrish, a professor at the Ocean Sci-
as Germany. Some experts believe the
The Memorial portion of the work makes
ences Centre, are the Memorial leads on a
plant has many commercial possibilities.
up more than $870,000 of the project’s
project to explore the potential a plant –
The project, which includes other univer-
once considered a weed – is showing as an
sities in Atlantic Canada and Saskatchew-
alternative source of oil for fish and animal
an, as well as Genome Atlantic, the project
overall budget of $6.2 million.
MUN blobologist helps identify sea monsters RESEARCHERS from Memorial University
says the method used to identify remains,
Oceans are applying state-of-the-art
such as that of a creature that turned up
forensic genetics to the identification
in Lance Cove, involves extraction of DNA
of sea monsters that wash ashore in the
from the carcass, DNA Xeroxing to
province.
increase the DNA concentration, and
The work is done by Dr. Beth Perry, Ge-
4
Dr. Carr, who calls himself a blobologist,
and the Department of Fisheries and
sequence analysis against a database of
nomics and Proteomics labratory, and Dr.
large marine animals in the North Atlantic.
Steve Carr, Department of Biology, both
The study is part of long-standing joint
from Memorial University; and Jack Law-
research between Memorial and DFO
Dr. Steve Carr uses DNA to identify the
son, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
into the genetics and evolution of marine
remains of ‘sea monsters’.
(DFO), St John’s.
species.
THE DEPARTMENT of Education invested
Grenfell campuses. Several science labora-
The announcement also included
$9.7 million last year for infrastructure
tories will receive new fume hoods and
$2 million to allow Memorial to address its
upgrades at Memorial University. The
control devices, modern low temperature
deferred maintenance projects, building on
funding will allow Memorial to upgrade
freezers, biological storage systems, elec-
the annual $4 million originally allocated in
laboratories, purchase equipment, address
tronics and other equipment. With this new
Budget 2009.
maintenance projects and improve accessi-
state-of-the-art equipment for science re-
bility for persons with disabilities.
search and teaching, graduates in biology,
investment in Memorial University’s infra-
NEW
Government provides additional funding to enhance Memorial’s infrastructure
This additional funding brought the total
The funding includes $7 million to up-
chemistry, medicine and other fields will re-
structure last year to $13.7 million. Since
grade some of the many science laborato-
ceive the best training needed to succeed
2003, the annual funding for Memorial
ries and equipment at the St. John’s and
in their professions.
University has grown by over 86 per cent.
Researchers receive $1.9 million investment THE RESEARCH & Development Corporation (RDC), the Crown corporation for improving research and development activity and performance in Newfoundland and Labrador, announced nearly $4 million in investment in research projects at Memorial University through the Industrial Research and Innovation Fund (IRIF). The investment is being made in 29 research projects in areas relevant to local industry and the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador including aquaculture, ocean technology, geodynamics, oil and gas, fisheries, marine biology, biochemistry and medicine. The IRIF investment enables researchers to leverage nearly $10 million in additional funding from other sources.
Dr. Craig Purchase is one of many Science researchers to benefit from RDC funding.
Faculty of Science researchers receiving funding include: Dr. Matt Rise and Dr. Kurt
Science; Dr. Mark Abrahams, Faculty of
Gamperl, Ocean Sciences Centre/Biology;
Science; Dr. Minglun Gong, Computer
to build R&D capacity in Newfoundland
Dr. Chris Kozak, Chemistry; Dr. Craig Pur-
Science; Dr. Patrick Gagnon, Ocean Sci-
and Labrador’s post-secondary institutions
chase, Biology; Dr. Andrew Lang, Biology;
ences Centre/Biology; and Dr. Andrei
and other not-for-profit research facilities
Dr. Simon Lamarre, Biochemistry; Dr. Mark
Igamberdiev, Biology.
that support research and development,
Collins, Biochemistry; Dr. Jeremy Hall, Earth Sciences; Orland Hoeber, Computer
of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2004
The Industrial Research and Innovation
innovation and commercialization in areas
Fund was established by the Government
relevant to industry and the local economy.
5
NEWS
Memorial receives $6.5 million in federal funding in support of ocean research FUNDING for ocean research and infrastructure at Memorial University of Newfoundland got a major boost as the federal government announced an investment of more than $6.5 million in the university’s Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC), their share of a total project costing $16.3 million. Through its Leading Edge Fund, the
Dr. Chris Loomis, Hon. Tony Clement, Dr. Eliot Phillipson and Dr. Ian Fleming discuss the Cold and Deep Ocean Research Facility. ture at the centre, including the construc-
allowing researchers to further study
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
tion of new buildings, laboratories, re-
deep-ocean organisms. Additionally, a
is supporting the creation of new state-of-
search facilities and equipment. Memorial
new facility for work on aquatic infectious
the-art facilities for the study of cold-
plans to develop a deep-seawater source
diseases and invasive species will also be
water and deep-sea organisms and
that will provide consistent, high-quality
constructed.
ecosystems at the OSC, located in Logy
low-temperature seawater year-round.
The OSC team was awarded the fund-
Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove.
New wet and dry laboratories for cold-
ing through a highly-competitive process.
The funding will go towards infrastruc-
water research will also be constructed,
New research plan under development STRATEGIC in scope and recognizing the high value
Biologist gets Convocation honours
Memorial places on diversity in research activity, the seeds have been set for the development of Memorial’s new
A WORLD-renowned molecular
research plan.
biologist received an honorary
Senior administrators have been hearing from all academic units and external partners in research to help identify major research opportunities and plan how
sity’s Convocation.
Nobel Laureate Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn
Elizabeth Blackburn, the Morris
Memorial can build on its strengths and add new research
Herzstein Professor of biology and physiology at the University of
capacity to the university.
California, San Francisco, was awarded Memorial’s highest honour.
The development of the plan is a direct response to
Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn is most noted for her discovery of the
Memorial’s Strategic Plan, released in 2007, which included
enzyme telomerase, which has major implications for cancer re-
research, creative activity and scholarship as one of five key
search and treatment. Her work has been published in major sci-
pillars to advance the university’s mission.
entific journals and she has received all the major accolades of
Through the planning process, faculties, schools and research units and centres are defining their strengths, identifying the support mechanisms needed for advancing
science accolades of science including the 2009 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. Honorary degree recipients are chosen by the Senate, the
research and developing a vision for additional research that
university’s academic governing body, after careful examination
will be pursued over the next five to 10 years, building upon
of the grounds for their nomination. The honorary doctorate is
research strengths at Memorial and emerging opportunities
designed to recognize extraordinary contribution to society or
for new fields of research.
exceptional intellectual or artistic achievement. The awarding of
The first phase of the plan, which involves taking stock of Memorial’s existing research strengths, has concluded. 6
degree during Memorial Univer-
honorary doctorates, an important feature of Memorial’s Convocation, serves to celebrate both the individual and the university as well as to inspire graduates, their families and guests.
THE RESEARCH & Development Corpora-
to $30,000 per year at the graduate level,
ondary students across Canada and inter-
tion (RDC) of Newfoundland and Labrador
to $5,000 to $7,500 per year for under-
nationally, who are interested in pursuing
has announced the creation of its RDC
graduate research.
their studies and conducting leading edge
Ocean Industries Research Awards. Up to
The new awards will be targeted at post-
research in Newfoundland and Labrador.
20 student research awards will be avail-
secondary students enrolled in science,
able at the graduate (master’s and doc-
engineering and technology programs
ested in supervised research specific to
toral) and undergraduate (diploma and
who have an interest in pursuing research
offshore petroleum, ocean engineering,
bachelor’s) level.
in the province’s growing ocean industries
fisheries and aquaculture, and marine sci-
sector. They will be open to post-sec-
ence are encouraged to apply.
Awards will range in value from $20,000
Students who are studying and are inter-
STUDENT
Substantial support for student research
TD donates $400,000 to support graduate students GRADUATE STUDENTS pursuing environment-related studies will be eligible for new bursaries thanks to a donation from TD Bank Financial Group. The $400,000 endowed donation will enable the university to advance its teaching and research strengths in multiple environment-related disciplines. TD’s support will also address Memorial’s urgent need to build its number and level of graduate awards. In 2008-2009, only 79 graduate students – three per cent of the graduate student population – received donated financial support. “A key pillar of Memorial’s Strategic Plan is to grow our capacity, impact and reputation in research. Increasing the number of graduate students, especially those
Earth Sciences students participate in a field trip to Venezuela
in PhD programs, is critical to achieving that goal,” said Dr. Christopher W. Loomis, A PAIR of master's students from the
undergraduate students to partner
“This funding will not only enable schol-
Department of Earth Sciences have
with another 10 students and a
Memorial’s vice-president (research). ars to advance cutting-edge research proj-
organized a student-led field trip to
professor from Simon Bolivar Univer-
ects, but will also make it possible for
conduct research in the mountains
sity in Caracas, Venezuela.
deserving students to focus more on their
of Venezuela.
academic pursuits without the burden of
Tiffany Piercey and Emma Brand say
The students went to Venezuela for just over a week and spent their
financial obstacles,” added Dr. Noreen
approximately $15,000 in funding for
time in the Venezuelan Andes in
Golfman, dean of the School of Graduate
the trip was contributed by the Soci-
a town called Merida, studying
Studies (SGS).
ety of Exploration Geophysicists
sediment layers for paleo-climatic
(SEG). It allowed 11 graduate and
implications.
7
STUDENT
Earth Sciences students have strong showing at IBA FOR THE second year in a row a team of students from the Department of Earth Sciences has had a strong showing at the Imperial Barrel Awards (IBA) in Calgary. The IBA is a competition for geosciences students from around the world sponsored by
Dr. Paul Snelgrove with a class at the Bonne Bay Marine Station. For more on Bonne Bay,
the American Association of Petro-
see p. 13.
leum Geologists. Although they came second, team
Federal funding fuels more comprehensive ocean research
coach Dr. Elliott Burden says he is proud of the students, who were challenged to produce an exploration and drilling strategy of the Danish North
SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING from Ottawa is
Research Chair in Boreal and Cold Ocean
Sea using real data in a head-to-head
giving Canadian students studying ocean-
Systems at Memorial and national director
competition against teams from West-
related issues a chance to partner with
of CHONe.
ern Ontario, Calgary and Edmonton.
some of the world’s best scientists, said
The Natural Sciences and Engineering
Dr. Burden says the four-person
the director of a national group of re-
Research Council of Canada (NSERC) an-
team, which consisted of two gradu-
searchers focused on biodiversity science
nounced more than $580,000 in additional
ate students, Matthew Drew and Mar-
for the sustainability of this country’s three
funding for the network. The investment
jem Hasham, and two undergrads,
oceans.
will allow students – and CHONe collabo-
Mary Leaman and Jon Furlong, pro-
rators – the opportunity to link up with
duced a professional, well-researched
(CHONe) consists of 65 researchers from
The Canadian Healthy Oceans Network
global experts exploring ocean issues.
and reasoned exploration strategy.
15 universities and multiple federal re-
Students will also get a chance to work in
search labs. It is based at Memorial Univer-
labratories and participate in training
the Canadian competition and went
sity and led by Dr. Paul Snelgrove, Canada
workshops on policy development.
on to place third in the world.
Last year’s team took first place in
Social Psychology students advance to finals in national competition FOUR MEMORIAL students were chosen
tious company ICE Consulting, is one of
from among 24 teams from across
four Memorial teams that entered the
Canada to advance to the final round of
competition this year. The three others in-
the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES)
clude another team from the Applied So-
Student Case Competition.
cial Psychology Program and two teams
Applied Social Psychology program
from the School of Nursing — the first
students Melissa Languille, Madhu Pinto,
Canadian nursing students to enter the
Shannon Aylward and Stephen McKim
competition.
secured one of three top spots in the first
8
The members of the Canadian Evalua-
(L-R) Students Shannon Alyward, Madhu Pinto, Melissa Languille and Stephen McKim
round of competition and travelled to
tion Society are mainly practicing profes-
Victoria, B.C., for the final round of
sionals from government or consulting
competition.
firms dedicated to the advancement of
moting leadership, knowledge, advocacy
evaluation theory and practice, while pro-
and professional development.
The winning team, known as the ficti-
MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY students were
Ashley Blagdon, Michael Davis, Megan
The Volunteer Incentive Program was
feted by Minister Dave Denine. The minis-
Freake, George Furey, Chantille Haynes,
launched in 2003 and is designed to en-
ter, who is responsible for the volunteer
Jamie Preston, Kristina Roche and April
courage, recognize and reward student
and non-profit sector, hosted a reception
Skanes all completed more than 80 hours
volunteerism. The program is a joint initia-
ceremony to recognize the 2009 hon-
of volunteer service in two consecutive
tive of the Student Volunteer Bureau and
ourees of Memorial’s Volunteer Incentive
semesters while maintaining at least a
the Centre for Career Development and
Program.
65 per cent average.
since it began various organizations have
Out of the 12 students receiving the pro-
Minister Denine recognized another
gram’s highest award, eight were from the
10 students for achieving bronze, while
Faculty of Science. To receive the award,
another 43 received silver.
Earth Sciences graduate, Patrick
benefitted from over 17,000 volunteer
STUDENTS
Science students participate in Volunteer Incentive Program
hours from students at Memorial.
Building a legacy
Caul received a special award at convocation.
THE FACULTY of Science will see its scholarship and research funds grow significantly over the next few decades thanks to several individuals who have included the faculty in their estate planning. “At present, the Faculty of Science has approximately $700,000 in pledged gifts from people who wish to establish scholarships or research funds through gifts in their will or by designating the faculty as the beneficiary of an insurance policy,” says Catherine Barrett of Memorial’s Office of Alumni Affairs and Development, who works in the area of legacy donations. This is great news for the Faculty of Science. Student numbers are growing and far outstrip
Earth Sciences holds annual scholarship ceremony
available scholarship support. Legacy donations will fund much-needed entrance scholar-
NEARLY $50,000 in student scholarships
Hanchar, encouraged scholarship recipi-
ships to attract bright students, and to
was handed out in the Department of
ents to consider making their own com-
provide ongoing financial support so that our
Earth Sciences. The awards recognized
mitment to the department in the future.
students can concentrate on their studies.
academic achievement, financial need
“The financial value of awards pre-
“I work with a special group of donors,”
sented today is nowhere near the actual
adds Ms. Barrett. “Some have done very well
Among the many scholarships pre-
university cost for even a single student,”
for themselves financially, but many are of
sented this year were two new scholar-
he said. “There is a growing need for ad-
ordinary means. What they have in common is
ships, the Rees Scholarship, created by
ditional support and for program devel-
a strong desire to leave something behind to
a recent alumnus, and the Teck Scholar-
opment. As you prepare to leave here
help others. I often hear people say that they
ship, created by and named for a Cana-
and to develop your careers, we would
wouldn’t be where they are in life without
dian mining company. In addition, it was
like you to think about someday return-
education and I think that inspires them to
noted that nearly one third of the schol-
ing the favour and contributing to the
help future generations.”
arships awarded by the Canadian Explo-
earth sciences scholarships program.
For information on leaving a legacy gift
ration Geophysicists Society (KEGS),
Our history is your history. Our future
to the Faculty of Science contact Catherine
went to Memorial University students.
successes are in many ways tied to your
Barrett, in confidence, by telephone at
future success.”
864-2157 or via email crbarrett@mun.ca.
and community involvement.
The head of Earth Sciences, Dr. John
9
FACULT
Professor receives national honour DR. SEAN BROSNAN, former head of the Department of Biochemistry, has been inducted into the Royal Society of Canada. Dr. Brosnan has collaborated with his wife, Dr. Margaret Brosnan, on research on the functional organization of the liver. In particular, he studies the conversion of amino acids to glucose in diabetes, the role of amino acids in the function of folic acid and vitamin
Dr. Duncan McIlroy, discusses his research with Dr. Ray Gosine and Senator Fabian Manning
B12, the use of amino acids by the body to synthesize creatine and the utility of amino acids in the preserva-
Millions in federal funding fuels
tion of organs for transplantation. THREE LEADING researchers from the
renewed as Canada Research Chair in
branches of learning who have
Faculty of Science have been renewed
photonics, and Dr. Duncan McIlroy, an
The RSC elects members from all achieved national and international
as Canada Research Chairs (CRC).
associate professor from the Department
recognition by publishing learned
Dr. William Driedzic, a professor at the
of Earth Sciences, has been renewed as
works or original research in the arts,
Ocean Sciences Centre, has been re-
Canada Research Chair in petroleum
humanities and sciences. Founded in
newed as the CRC in marine bioscience
geoscience/geotechnology.
1882, the country’s oldest scholarly
while Dr. Qiying Chen, an associate pro-
organization currently has about 1,800
fessor from the Department of Physics
CRC program in 2000 with the goal of
fellows.
and Physical Oceanography, has been
making this country one of the world’s top
The federal government created the
Celebrated animal behaviourist dies A RETIRED Memorial University profes-
ing fishermen to ruin their nets to free
sor affectionately known as “the Whale
them. Dr. Lien believed there was room
Man” passed away April 14, 2010.
in the ocean for both.
Dr. Jon Lien, founder of the Whale Re-
10
He and his crew – including students –
search Group (WRG) of Memorial Uni-
would paddle a rubber zodiac alongside
versity, died after a lengthy illness.
the giant mammal, calm it, and then
As a recipient of both the Order of
gradually release its head and fins, push-
Canada and the Order of Newfound-
ing it free of the net. The result was more
land and Labrador, he is legendary for
than 1,000 whales were released from
an educational and conservation cam-
fishing nets over a period of 30 years —
paign he waged starting in 1978. While
primarily vulnerable humpbacks.
studying the vocalization first of sea
Dr. Lien was 71.
birds and eventually whales, he was
A scholarship fund has been estab-
struck by the animosity fishermen felt
lished in his name. For more informa-
towards the giant mammals that would
tion, contact the Office of Alumni Affairs
regularly get stuck in fishing nets, forc-
and Development, 864-4354.
Donations are now being accepted for the Dr. Jon Lien Memorial Fund.
DR. PETER PICKUP is the newest head of the Department of Chemistry. A university research professor and former
FACULTY
New head for Department of Chemistry
deputy head of graduate studies and research, Dr. Pickup joined Memorial University in 1986. The new head says the department is still contemplating its objectives for the next three years of his term. The unit underwent academic program review and Dr. William Driedzic speaking about the importance of the Canada Research Chairs program.
he notes that sustainable development is an area of focus. “That includes fuel cell research, pho-
Memorial research
tochemistry, green chemistry, environmental chemistry and renewable
nations in research and development. The
knowledged by their peers as world lead-
resources,” he said. “We have good
CRC program invests $300 million per year
ers in their fields. Drs. Chen and McIlroy
people working in those areas and we
to attract and retain some of the world’s
will receive $100,000 annually for five
also have a strong department in terms
most accomplished and promising minds.
years, for a total of $500,000 each. Tier
of materials chemistry and computa-
two chairs, tenable for five years and re-
tional chemistry.”
As a tier one Canada Research Chair,
Dr. Pickup notes the department’s en-
Dr. Driedzic will receive $200,000 per year
newable once, are for exceptional emerg-
individually for seven years. Tier one
ing researchers, acknowledged by their
rolment figures are strong, with approxi-
chairs, tenable for seven years and renew-
peers as having the potential to lead in
mately 20 faculty members responsible
able, are for outstanding researchers ac-
their field.
for over 80 graduate students.
New OSC director takes office IT’S HARD to think of someone who
Over the next three years,
has a longer history with the Ocean
Dr. Fletcher hopes to build on
Sciences Centre (OSC) than Dr. Garth
successes like the announcement
Fletcher. Dr. Fletcher joined the
of $6.5 million from the federal
OSC in 1971 and has been there
government for new state-of-the-art
ever since, first as a research scientist
facilities for the study of cold-water
through to professorship, to honorary
and deep-sea organisms and
professor, and finally as professor
ecosystems at the OSC, located
emeritus.
in Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer
He said that a deep love for the OSC and the people who work there
Cove, a project totalling $16.3 million. Most importantly, he feels his main
drew him to take a more active role in
role is to promote his researchers
ensuring its continued success, and
and provide any assistance needed
so he happily took on a new role as
for them to reach their greatest
director.
potential. Dr. Garth Fletcher is the new head of the Ocean Science Centre
11
FACULTY
New leadership for Computer Science DR. EDWARD BROWN is not new to Memorial, but he has taken on a new role at the university. He has become the new head of the Department of Computer Science. Born in Botwood and raised in St. John’s, Dr. Brown has his own law practice and focuses on information privacy, both as a lawyer and as a researcher. “Part of projecting a clear identity for
Dr. Ed Brown is welcomed by colleagues Donna Batten and Dr. Manrique Mata-Montero.
the department is understanding what the science of computing is all about,”
nitive science to social networking and
“Ultimately, no matter what specialty
he said. “Most people think computer
business models. It is a discipline that
you study in computer science, even on
science is programming. But that’s just
has so many connections with the things
the theoretical side, the applications
one aspect. The paradigm of computing
people do, not only in the sciences but
come from other disciplines,” said Dr.
is important for understanding structures
in everyday life.”
Brown. “I think there is a generous un-
and processes not only in the natural
He said an important part of his new
derstanding of what computing brings to
world but also inherent in the human ex-
role is continuing to foster relationships
different disciplines, but my job is to ex-
perience, from DNA encoding and cog-
with other units across the university.
pand on and foster that understanding.”
Salmonid expert part of national expert panel THE FUTURE of the world’s longest coastline is about to get the attention it deserves, said a respected member of the Memorial community who has been appointed to a new national group gauging the health of Canada’s oceans. Dr. Ian Fleming, a professor with the Ocean Sciences Centre, has been named to the Royal Society of Canada (RSC)'s Expert Panel on Ocean Climate Change and Marine Biodiversity. He is one of 10 researchers from around the world who will work together to produce a new report looking at issues such as climate change, overfishing and biodiversity, all of which are related to various international treaties and conventions to which Canada is signatory. The expert panel held its first meeting in June 2010. The RSC said the group’s report is expected 12
Dr. Ian Fleming has been named to the Royal Society of Canada's Expert
to be completed and released to the public to-
Panel on Ocean Climate Change and Marine Biodiversity.
wards the end of 2012.
found in Norris Point a few houses for
tion itself turns 40 years old and field
tally unintentionally, says Dr. Robert
sale and a wharf suitable for tying up the
courses have been delivered from this
(Bob) Hooper, director of the Bonne Bay
research ship. The rest is history.
site for the past 30 years.
Marine Station. A temporary shore station was needed
When the research project ended in 1973, Memorial University, or more
In recent years, Dr. Hooper says the facility has expanded its mandate
for a multi-university research project led
specifically, the Faculty of Science, re-
to include a commitment to public
by McGill University on plankton pro-
tained the facility for use in researching
interaction and education, for students,
ductivity in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. A
local plants and animals, as well as the
local businesses and communities,
search party from Memorial University
geography and geology of the area.
and tourists.
set out to locate such a facility. They
This year, the Bonne Bay Marine Sta-
Global warming subject of Laird Lecture THE CANADA Research Chair in Climate
scientific assessments, and is currently the
Modelling and Analysis delivered the 2010
chief editor of the Journal of Climate.
Elizabeth R. Laird Lecture.
Canadian physicist who held posts at Yale,
Scale of the Problem and the Path to the
Cambridge, Chicago, Mount Holyoke and
Solution, Dr. Andrew J. Weaver presented
Western Ontario in the first half of the 20th
the foundations of the science of global
century. Upon her death in London, On-
warming and led a discussion of our pres-
tario in 1969, Memorial was among a num-
ent climate framed within a historical per-
ber of high ranking Canadian universities
spective of the Earth’s climate over the last
to be named a beneficiary of her will. The
800,000 years.
bequest was to be held and used as a lec-
A professor in the School of Earth and
Dr. Andrew Weaver
Dr. Elizabeth R. Laird was a prominent
In a lecture titled Global Warming: The
MILESTONES
IT BEGAN like most good things – to-
LECTURES
Bonne Bay Marine Station celebrates multiple anniversaries
ture fund for the purpose of providing oc-
Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria, Dr.
casional public lectures in the field of
Weaver is a lead author in the United Na-
science or social studies to be given by
tions (UN) Intergovernmental Panel on Cli-
Canadian lecturers. The first lecture was
mate Change second, third and fourth
held in 1980.
13
LECTURES
David Suzuki lectures at Memorial DR. DAVID SUZUKI, co-founder of the
on an unprecedented scale,” said Dr.
David Suzuki Foundation and an award-
Suzuki. “The only thing we can manage is
winning scientist, environmentalist and
ourselves. Why are we not able to see the
broadcaster, conducted a public lecture
magnitude of our crisis and what keeps us
hosted by Memorial University’s Faculty
from taking the steps needed to deal with
of Science. Dr. Suzuki was in St. John’s
them?”
to receive an honorary degree from the
Dr. Suzuki is renowned for his radio
university during spring convocation. Titled The Challenge of our Time: Set-
and television programs that explain the Dr. David Suzuki addresses convocation.
ting the Real Bottom Line, Dr. Suzuki’s
complexities of the natural sciences in a compelling, easily understood way. A
lecture discussed what we can do to
“Human beings have become a geo-
address the ecological crisis that we
logical force, altering the chemical, physi-
of the University of British Columbia, Sus-
now confront on the planet.
cal and biological features of the planet
tainable Development Research Institute.
Dialogue on fisheries
Dr. Ray Hilborn
A SPECIALIST in natural resource manage-
maintaining biological productivity and
ment and conservation was the 2009 guest
economic profitability, often at the expense
lecturer for the Dialogue on Advancing Global
of communities and jobs. In his public lecture,
Sustainability.
he explored how allocation methods and
Dr. Ray Hilborn is a professor in the School
harvest strategies can be modified to achieve
of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the Univer-
both biological and community
sity of Washington. His public lecture was
sustainability.
titled Maintaining Fishing Communities –
geneticist, he is now professor emeritus
The Dialogue on Advancing Global
Harvest Strategies and Allocation Methods.
Sustainability is an initiative of Memorial
Dr. Hilborn argued that fisheries manage-
University which brings to the university
ment agencies have historically emphasized
outstanding figures able to communicate
the maintenance of fishing communities and
insight and understanding to diverse audi-
jobs – often leading to excess fishing capacity
ences on environmental issues. Past dialogue
and ultimately overfishing. In response,
lecturers have included Dr. Diana Liverman,
he feels many agencies now concentrate on
Dr. Mark Jaccard and Dr. William Rees.
Computer Science hosts founding father of computational complexity THE DEPARTMENT of Computer Science
tury, with the Clay Mathematics Institute offer-
hosted Dr. Stephen A. Cook, one of the found-
ing a million-dollar prize for its solution.
ing fathers of computational complexity. His seminal 1971 paper, The Complexity of Theo-
often considered to be the Nobel Prize of
rem Proving Procedures, introduced the theory
computer science. He is a fellow of both the
of NP-completeness, and stated the P versus
Royal Society of Canada and the Royal Society
NP problem.
of London and was elected to membership in
This problem has become one of the most
14
Dr. Stephen Cook
Dr. Cook is a recipient of the Turing award,
the National Academy of Sciences (United
important open questions in computer sci-
States) and the Academy of Arts and Sciences.
ence. It is now recognized as one of the top
Currently he is a Distinguished University Pro-
three mathematical problems of the 21st cen-
fessor at the University of Toronto.
DEVELOPMEN
Psychology Society creates own scholarship STUDENTS FROM the Psychology Society have come together to create their own scholarship. The scholarship has been a work in progress for a while. However, the current group of students made a concerted effort to make the scholarship permanent. Past members had raised over $7,700 and the first scholarship has been given out, but the society realized the fund would soon be depleted unless they successfully raised enough to endow the scholarship. The society, led by president Allison Pridham and fellow members Jodi Stuckless and Kellie Lynch, increased their
Dr. Mark Abrahams, Dean of Science, and Allison Pridham celebrate the Psychology Society's creation of a new scholarship. The goal is to give out $1,000 a year in
a student’s involvement in university life
fundraising efforts and over the past year
a scholarship that is not just based on ac-
and of the psychology community at
contributed another $5,700 to the fund.
ademic achievement, but also considers
large.
Moved?
Scholarships make futures possible
HAVE YOU changed cities? Changed email
IN MANY AREAS, Memorial can claim to be among the best in the world.
address? Would like to get back in touch with
However, we lag behind other top Canadian universities when it comes to financial
Memorial? By updating your information we’ll
support. That’s significant, because the market for attracting students through
be able to reach you from time to time and
scholarships and bursaries is increasingly competitive.
share with you our exciting news and have the opportunity to say thank you for being an alumnus of Memorial. But we can’t do it without you. If you are web savvy, simply go to www.mu-
We must be able to attract more students within and outside the province by offering more and larger entrance scholarships. To create a new scholarship, bursary, or award, Memorial has established these minimum guidelines:
nalum.ca and click on the link for Update Your Information. If you have any questions about
• A gift of at least $22,500 will endow a named scholarship or bursary
the collection and use of your information,
with an annual award. The greater the endowment, the more significant
please contact the Office of Alumni Affairs
the impact on the lives of students.
and Development at 709 864 4354 or
• A gift of at least $11,000 will endow a named award.
munalum@mun.ca. Bursaries are given out based primarily on financial need or other factors, while scholarships are awarded primarily for academic standing. However, many new
Being Green Matters
scholarships now combine these two criteria.
WE’D LOVE to be able to send Prescience to
donations are made by several individuals and groups. In this way, funds grow
you via email and save the trees we use in
quickly, allowing deserving students to reap the benefits.
printing. To make it happen we need your up-to-date e-mail address. The more e-mail we can send the less paper we have to use. Go
Often, a scholarship fund is begun to honour or remember someone, and
Some funds are established through a one-time lump sum donation, but an award can be created through donations made over five years. If you are interested in establishing an award or bursary or would like more infor-
to www.munalum.ca and click on the link for
mation on how your gift might benefit students, please contact Nicholas Gardner,
Update Your Information to help us be greener.
development officer, Faculty of Science at (709) 864-2696 or ngardner@mun.ca
15
033-219-02-11-500