Prescience, Vol. 1 (2010)

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