PrescienCE [pre • science] – noun – having foresight or foreknowledge
Faculty of Science Newsletter
WELL PRESERVED 6 RESEARCH 3 STUDENTS 11 SCIENCE 16 FUNDING 20 COMMUNITY 23 ALUMNI 25 DEVELOPMENT 27 FACULTY 29 LECTURES 31
VOL. 5
FROM THE DEAN As we near completion of the
national and international connections
design phase of the new core science
we are making through our participation
facility, the underlying philosophy
in networks studying the role of the
is to promote opportunities for
Labrador Sea in the Earth’s climate
interdisciplinary research. This is not
system and a developing research
news to most faculty, as they are already
project on the reproductive ecology of
engaged in interdisciplinary research
salmon between Memorial University and
on a range of problems. In part this is
scientists in Ireland.
because of the increasingly complex
Closer to home, we’re developing
problems we confront that require a
links to local communities in
resolution that does not reside within
Newfoundland and Labrador through
a single discipline. It is also because
a crowd-sourced data collection
applying interdisciplinary approaches
endeavour conducted and driven by the
affords a new insight that advances our
fishermen and women of Fogo Island
research.
and an investigation on behalf of Inuit
Over the past year, we’ve seen
elders into the potential of a small-scale
some great examples of this kind of interdisciplinary cooperation, and many are contained within this issue of Prescience magazine. In it’s pages, you’ll read about the linguistics software created by the Faculty of Arts in collaboration with the Department of Computer Science; the nano-sensors designed by the Department of Chemistry in partnership with the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science,
business enterprise based on a plant that
“The increasingly complex problems we confront ... require a resolution that does not reside within a single discipline. Applying interdisciplinary approaches afford a new insight that advances our research.”
grows in Northern Labrador. We place considerable value on all of these ties and are working hard to develop even more. We look forward to sharing those stories of success with you in the near future.
and the uranium exploration and best practice strategies being developed by
Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine.
scientists in the Department of Earth
You’ll also find stories about the
PrescienCE Editor: Kelly Foss, communications co-ordinator
709 864 2019, kfoss@mun.ca
Prescience is a publication of Memorial University’s Faculty of Science. We welcome all comments, submissions, story ideas and letters. GRAPHIC DESIGN: Shane Mills Cover Photo: Chris Hammond
contributors: Janet Harron, Jeff Green, Krista Davison, Naomi Osborne and Pam Gill Faculty of Science, St. John’s, NL A2B 3X7 | Tel: 709 864 8153 or 8154 | Fax: 709 864 3316
facebook.com/MUNScience
twitter.com/MUN_Science
Webpage: www.mun.ca/science Email: science@mun.ca
RESEARCH
CELTIC
CONNECTIONS Dr. Craig Purchase in Connemara, Ireland. Submitted photo
When Dr. Craig Purchase’s new
Palm. She was also selected to receive a
scholars and academics, whose research
PhD student was given a chance to study
Fulbright award, which would allow her
contributes to the academic and cultural
in Ireland, he had no idea it would open
to spend a year conducting research in
links between the two countries.
the doors to an Irish research opportunity
Ireland.
of his own. A volunteer with the Salmonid
After speaking with all parties, it
After a successful application, Dr. Purchase travelled to Ireland for the
was determined there was a window of
first two weeks of December to set up
Association of Eastern Newfoundland
opportunity that would allow Ms. Palm to
a research project for Ms. Palm to work
(SAEN), Dr. Purchase is an associate
travel to Ireland from December to May,
on at Ireland’s Marine Institute facilities
professor of biology and ocean sciences.
enabling her to be in Newfoundland and
in Newport, County Mayo, and with
Labrador for SAEN’s busy field work in
researchers in Galway City at the Galway-
November and June.
Mayo Institute of Technology.
Last year Dr. Purchase and SAEN were successful in jointly applying for a three-year Natural Sciences and
Soon after, Dr. Purchase saw a notice
The research will eventually become
Engineering Research Council of Canada
from the Ireland Canada University
part of Ms. Palm’s thesis, which focuses
Industrial Postgraduate Scholarship,
Foundation about their Dobbin
on reproductive ecology of salmon.
which allowed them to recruit Brittany
Scholarships for Irish and Canadian
Psychology holds annual research day
behavioural ecology, developmental and social psychology. This was followed by lunch and poster presentations from the
The Department of Psychology has
department’s 36 honours students.
held its fifth annual Psychology Research
Award winners included Dr. Ken
Day. The event showcased the research
Fowler, the Rennie Gaulton Teaching
conducted by master’s and honours
Award; Emily Philpott, Psychology
students in the department.
Society Award; Melissa Walsh, the Bill
Seven second-year master’s students
McKim Best Thesis Award; Sarah Oates,
gave presentations on a wide range
Best Talk Award and Josh Quinlan, Best
of subfields within the discipline of
Poster Award. In addition, the first Robert
psychology, encompassing many areas including behavioural neuroscience, clinical, cognitive, cognitive and
Dr. Ken Fowler (left) receives the Rennie Gaulton Teaching Award. Submitted photo
Adamec Award for Best Neuroscience Poster was presented to Isaac Hughes. 3
RESEARCH
Fishing for data
‘Phon’ call
There are few who know the waters around Fogo Island better than the men and
It might not cause as big a splash as a
women who turn to it every day for their livelihood.
new version of the iPhone, but a second
A new project at Memorial University is hoping to draw on that knowledge. It
iteration of the Phon software system
aims to help the fishing community develop research questions and data collection
is a major deal for researchers studying
protocols that are meaningful to their community. Over time, this can aid in testing and
phonetics and phonology, especially in
developing strategies that can help them effectively manage their resources.
the areas of language acquisition and
For hundreds of years, fishers have combined long-term knowledge of local fishing grounds with data collected daily, such as ocean temperature, depth and bottom
speech disorders. A project managed over the last
substrate to determine where they will go for that day’s catch. Many use sophisticated
decade by Memorial linguist Dr. Yvan
onboard instruments to help make that decision. But once the day’s fishing is complete,
Rose, with programmer Gregory
this information is, in effect, just “cast overboard.”
Hedlund, Phon is a publicly funded,
A team at Memorial, including representatives from the Marine Institute, has
open-source software program for the
received funding to work with Fogo fishers to create a citizen science project that
analysis of speech sounds and language
will include a system to store this data. Citizen science, or crowd-sourced science, is
development.
scientific work undertaken by members of the general public, usually in collaboration with scientists. Dr. Yolanda Wiersma, a landscape ecologist with the Department of Biology, is
In addition to other collaborators, key participants have been Jason Gedge, Philip O’Brien, and Keith Maddocks − all
one of the researchers and is hoping to come up with a project that is driven by the
Memorial computer science alumni and
fishermen and women that answers questions they need to help them
Phon programmers − and computer
in their work. The collected data will stay with the fishers, but be
science professors Dr. Rod Byrne and Dr.
shared with Memorial, and the university will help to come up
Todd Wareham.
with ways to communicate it effectively to the wider community.
Phon 2 improves on the functions offered in previous versions of the application and brings different research methods together within a unified framework, opening up new areas of investigation. These new methods will yield faster results at a significantly lower cost and eventually allow for more efficient methods for the diagnosis and treatment of speech disorders.
From left are Gregory Hedlund and Dr. Yvan Rose with the Phon 2 software. Chris Hammond photo. 4
From left are Rennie Sullivan, fisheries technologist, Marine Institute, and Rod Budden, fish harvester, Fogo Island. Submitted photo
RESEARCH
Caribbean coral reef inhabitants critical in determining future of reefs
Environmental protection on a nano-scale
Geographer Dr. Evan Edinger is
They can detect contaminants through a
involved in a research project out of
widely occurred. This new research shows that this
Even a small amount of oil spilled in a marine environment can have a devastating impact. So small, in fact, Memorial researchers are working at the nano-level to create sensors for use in harsh environments. The solid state sensors being created by the nanofabricated sensor technology project have little or no moving parts. specialized material that the molecules
the University of Exeter that has found
is because bioerosion rates have also
can land on, sending signals to a reader
species that live in and erode coral reefs
been reduced in recent years due to
which would make a spectroscopic
will play a major role in determining the
disease and overfishing and has acted
measurement and determine which
future of reefs.
to partially offset the lower rates of coral
molecules are present, based on their
carbonate production.
particular vibration, and how much.
His research, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society
Major management efforts are
B, highlights the delicate balance
directed at protecting at least one
Merschrod and Christina Bottaro, Faculty
that exists between bioerosion and
major group of bioeroders, the
of Science, and Dr. Kelly Hawboldt,
carbonate production on coral reefs.
Chief investigators include Drs. Erika
parrotfish. Although parrotfish erode
Faculty of Engineering and Applied
Coral eroders, termed bioeroders,
reef substrate, the advantages they
Science.
include species of sea urchins, sponges,
offer through the removal of fleshy
parrotfish and micro-organisms, known
macroalgal cover and promoting coral
materials to get stronger, more specific
as microendoliths. Erosion occurs as a
recruitment outweigh the negative
signals, and have already created three
result of feeding and during the creation
effects of substrate erosion.
new classes of materials that promote the
of living spaces and is a natural process on all coral reefs. The study shows that the future
Dr. Edinger says understanding the ‘negative’ side of the reef
The researchers are inventing new
binding of molecules and amplification of signals from these sensors.
budget balance sheet is crucial to
The sensors could function on a
health and growth potential of coral
understanding the future growth
buoy or be attached to an autonomous
reefs is in part dependent on rates of
capacity of coral reefs.
underwater vehicle during surveys around
coral carbonate production, and on the
an oil platform. They could also function
species that live in and on them, and
on the platform itself, testing water as it
which act to erode carbonate.
comes off a platform and goes back into
If bioeroding species increase in
the ocean, as part of the platform’s own
number, and erosion rates increase
monitoring practices.
relative to carbonate production, this could spell trouble for many Caribbean coral reefs. On healthy reefs, bioerosion rates can be high, but more carbonate is typically produced than is lost. However, rates of carbonate production have slowed on many reefs and coral cover has declined dramatically since the early 1980s. Despite this, marked shifts to states of net coral reef erosion have not
A boring sponge, Cliona, inside a dead coral skeleton. Scott Smith photo.
Graduate student Liam Whelan is part of a team at Memorial working towards the development of nano sensors to detect contaminants in marine environments. Chris Hammond photo.
5
RESEARCH
WELL PRESERVED A fossil discovered in
agreed it was an early stauromedusan
Newfoundland and Labrador may
cnidarian, and that the bundles represent
contain one of the first animals on Earth
muscle tissue.
and, quite possibly, the oldest evidence of muscle tissue ever recorded.
The finding is an important one. Historically, it was believed that the
Dr. Alex Liu holds a PhD from
origin, evolution and spread of animals
the Department of Earth Sciences at
began during the Cambrian period, 541
Oxford University, and was lead author
million years ago. But the Bonavista
on a paper published in the journal
fossil dates back to the earlier Ediacaran
Proceedings of the Royal Society B. He
period, approximately 560 million years
discovered the fossil on the Bonavista
ago.
Peninsula. Named Haootia quadriformis, the
Professor Duncan McIlroy of Memorial’s Department of Earth
fossil is made up of bundles of fibres
Sciences co-supervised Dr. Liu along
in a four-fold symmetrical arrangement
with Professor Martin Brasier, an adjunct
similar to modern animals from the
professor at Memorial based out of the
cnidarian group, which includes corals,
University of Oxford. Both co-authored
sea anemones and jellyfish. The
the paper with Dr. Liu, and two other
Memorial and Oxford teams eventually
co-supervised graduate students.
Background Image: A photograph of Haootia quadriformis, a fossil discovered on the Bonavista Peninsula. Submitted photo 6
An artist’s reconstruction of Haootia quadriformis. Submitted photo
RESEARCH
From left are biochemistry professor Dr. Sukhinder Kaur Cheema with PhD graduate student Kayode Balogun. Chris Hammond photo
Maternal consumption of omega-3 may prevent neurological disorders in offspring Formed during late pregnancy and
pregnancy and lactation so offspring
involved in the maintenance of brain
early postnatal periods, the brain relies
would be exposed to it in utero and
function during development and brain
on docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a classic
during breastfeeding. Interestingly, they
plasticity as we grow older. Memorial was
omega-3 fatty acid, which plays an
found that mothers fed high omega-3
the first to show that brains with a high
important role in development, neuronal
diets had high amounts in their breast
expression of omega-3 also had a high
signalling and neural function.
milk.
expression of neurotrophins.
However, the body cannot make it.
When offspring were weaned they
When mice were exposed to omega-3
So offspring require an external supply
found there was an increased accretion
for longer periods, neurotrophin gene
through the mother’s diet or breast milk.
of DHA compared to offspring fed a
expression was maintained as mice aged.
Decreasing the amount of omega-3 in
low omega-3 diet. DHA also increased
But neurotrophins in those fed a low
the brain at this critical period can lead to
in offspring fed a high omega-3 diet
omega-3 diet went down significantly,
improper brain function and neurological
post-weaning.
which may explain why mental disorders
disorders. Biochemistry professor Dr. Sukhinder
The duo has also analyzed genes and proteins responsible for brain function
Kaur Cheema and her PhD student
and brain development to determine the
Kayode Balougun fed pregnant mice with
effects of the omega-3 diets.
high or low omega-3 diets throughout
increase as humans age.
Neurotrophins are a family of proteins
7
RESEARCH
Can blueberry extract prevent Parkinson’s? Can blueberry extract prevent
families that have more of the gene, or
effects with antioxidants. Blueberries
or reduce the effects of Parkinson’s? A
an unusual form of it. Dr. Staveley and
are an excellent source of dietary
paper by David Lipsett and Dr. Brian
his group have taken that gene and put
antioxidants and studies in fruit flies
Staveley of the Department of Biology
it in fruit flies, discovering that it causes
suggest that plant extracts may be
does indeed suggest that a diet
defects, including decreased lifespan
beneficial to individuals suffering from
supplemented with blueberry extract
and retinal degeneration.
neurodegenerative diseases.
may positively impact a fruit fly model of Parkinson’s disease. Initially believed to be a random
Evidence also suggests those with
During the study, Dr. Staveley noted
an accumulation of the gene are more
that flies with the gene fed blueberry
susceptible to oxidative stress, an
extract had up to an eight-day, or 15 per
disease, studies have identified alpha-
imbalance between the production
cent, greater median lifespan than those
synuclein as the first gene related to
of free radicals, which can cause cell
fed a standard control diet. In addition,
Parkinson’s. This gene is proven to cause
damage or death, and the ability of
the extract improved the eye defects
inherited Parkinson’s disease in human
the body to counteract their harmful
caused by the gene.
Blueberries are an excellent source of dietary antioxidants and may help prevent neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Todd Boland photo
Unique workshop prepares mosquito researchers to ID species posing risk
through mosquito-borne diseases, such
focusing on the mosquito and are
as equine and human encephalitis and
building a permanent reference library of
the West Nile virus.
preserved specimens.
To broaden their taxonomic understanding, Dr. Tom Chapman and entomology graduate students Andrew Chaulk and Kate Bassett participated in a
In Newfoundland and Labrador
Mosquito Identification and Certification
the mosquito is considered a nuisance
workshop offered by the Florida Medical
– an itchy annoyance to be squished, if
Entomology Laboratory in Vero Beach –
caught in close quarters, but otherwise
the only such program of its kind in the
ignored.
world.
Researchers at Memorial, however,
8
Being able to identify mosquitos,
are educating themselves so they can
and discover their local habitats, is vital
identify the large variety of species of
to understanding the potential risks that
mosquito in the province. The goal is
can arise from their presence. Having
to be better prepared to recognize the
completed the course, the trio is now
potential health risks they can pose
considering new areas of research
Andrew Chalk, a graduate student in the Department of Biology, collects mosquito larvae as part of a workshop offered by the University of Florida. Submitted photo
RESEARCH
Researchers work with Inuit to develop plantbased business
Projects to study Labrador Sea’s role in Earth’s climate system
Researchers at Memorial and the Montreal Botanical Garden are working with Inuit elders from communities in Northern Labrador to develop a smallscale business enterprise based on a plant that grows in Northern coastal regions of the world. Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.) is considered by some alternative medicine supporters to be a treatment for fatigue, memory and mild
Memorial University is at the centre
of Physics and Physical Oceanography,
of two international, multimillion dollar
during the numerical modelling phase.
projects to get a better understanding
Dr. de Young is also the only
depression/anxiety. Dr. Luise Hermanutz, a biology professor at Memorial; Dr. Alain Cuerrier,
of the role of the Labrador Sea in the
Memorial researcher involved in
an ethnobotanist at the Montreal
Earth’s climate system.
the international Overturning in the
Botanical Garden; and PhD graduate
Ventilation, Interactions and
Subpolar North Atlantic Program, which
student Vanessa Mardones have been
Transports Across the Labrador Sea,
is also partly occurring in the Labrador
studying the ethnobotany and biology of
or VITALs, is a pan-Canadian initiative,
Sea.
this globally important medicinal plant.
which includes scientists from 11
This program is designed to provide
Most Canadian roseroot is grown
Canadian universities, multiple federal
a continuous record of the full-water
in Alberta and originates from Russian
government laboratories, and industrial
column circulation, which sees surface
populations, which differs from the
and foreign partners.
currents taking warm water in one
Labrador populations. The researchers
direction while the deeper colder water
are now investigating the Labrador
to understand and model the
circulates in another. Understanding
plant’s active medicinal ingredients,
functioning and vulnerability of the
these currents and their impacts on
chemical profiles and robustness to see
Labrador Sea, including its uptake of
weather and climate in the North
if it can be grown in community gardens,
oxygen, carbon and heat exchange with
Atlantic will begin with the deployment
providing a business opportunity that
the atmosphere.
of an array of sensors and floats, which
would also use sustainable fair trade
will collect data over the next several
production practices.
The research network is attempting
Memorial’s role is focused on the deployment of instruments and
years.
numerical modelling. This summer, Dr. Brad de Young, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, led a team, including Dr. Ralf Bachmayer, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, and Dr. Evan Edinger, Department of Geography, to deploy moorings along the shelf and into the deep ocean. They also flew ocean gliders across the shelf break, collecting real-time data, which will help other teams, including Dr. Entcho Demirov, also of the Department
Deployment of glider from CSS Hudson. Submitted photo
Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.), a variety of which grows in Labrador, is considered by some alternative medicine supporters to be a treatment for fatigue, memory and mild depression/anxiety. Submitted photo
9
RESEARCH
UNCOVERING THE MYSTERIES OF THE EARTH Tens of thousands of years ago,
picked up and find hidden deposits
analyzed by the machine. It can analyze
the Northern Hemisphere was covered by
of diamond, gold, platinum and base
up to 20,000 particles and give a full
continental glaciers. These glaciers acted
metals.
range of minerals present and in what
like bulldozers, pushing dirt and rocks
laborious work, beginning with 40
them kilometres away from their original
kilograms of till, sifted down to a few
location.
hundred grams, and then separated
Since then, trees and other vegetation
amounts, opening the door to new discoveries.
using heavy liquids to sort out the dense
have grown on top of the till, leaving
minerals. Those are viewed under a
mineral deposits buried metres below.
microscope so individual grains can
In searching for these hidden deposits
be picked out from the thousands that
of economic minerals, Dr. Derek Wilton
remain.
of the Department of Earth Sciences has
Recently, Dr. Wilton has begun
turned to other, more common, minerals
working to automate that process with
associated with ore minerals.
a mineral liberation analyzer scanning
By identifying these “indicator”
electron microscope. With it he’s been
minerals in the till, and determining the
able to take a much smaller 10-kilogram
Pictured is a zircon crystal magnified by a mineral liberation analyzer scanning electron microscope.
direction the glacier travelled, he hopes
sample, sieve it down and mount the
Submitted photo
to track back to where the minerals were
remainder in an epoxy puck to be
Proposed uranium mine creates unique research collaboration Ordinarily a professor of earth
environmental health risks of uranium
and researchers at the University of
exploration and possible mining in
Saskatchewan.
Central Labrador. They are, in part,
members of a community can co-operate
an old development at the Kitt’s uranium
on such a project, the trip was an
deposit near Makkovik.
opportunity to encourage a unique
The two researchers have been collecting information on best practices
much in common with a public health
to help all parties work together
physician. But a potential uranium
to develop a proper strategy of
mine in Labrador is bringing together
environmental protection in Labrador
these two very different researchers at
before any actual uranium mining
Memorial.
begins. To that end, they travelled
collaboration at the institutional level.
to the McArthur River in Northern
physician and an assistant professor
Saskatchewan to the site of the world’s
with the Faculty of Medicine’s Division
largest high-grade uranium mine.
of Community Health and Humanities.
In addition to seeing how various
examining the environmental effects of
sciences might not be expected to have
Dr. Atanu Sarkar is a public health
10
But finding indicator minerals is
(called till) across the land and dumping
During the trip, the pair toured
He’s currently involved in a project
the mine site, almost 500 metres
with Dr. Derek Wilton, a professor with
underground, and dialogued with
the Faculty of Science’s Department
company executives, Aboriginal leaders,
of Earth Sciences, to assess potential
physicians, government members
From left are Dr. Atanu Sarkar and Dr. Derek Wilton at the MacArthur uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan. Submitted photo
STUDENTS
OFF TO OXFORD Devin Grant is Newfoundland and
Grant has been heavily involved with
Labrador’s 2015 Rhodes Scholar.
Memorial’s student union and United
Each year, 11 outstanding Canadian
Nations Society, is a member of the
students are chosen on the basis
award-winning Newman’s Sound Men’s
of exceptional intellect, character,
Choir and a founding member of The
leadership and commitment to services
Night Caps, an all-male vocal quartet
to study at the University of Oxford.
specializing in holiday performances. He
The St. John’s resident is currently in his fifth year of studies at Memorial University and is nearing completion of
has also been involved in several musical productions. Mr. Grant will begin his master’s in
an honours degree in applied math with
mathematical modelling and scientific
a minor in computer science.
computing at Oxford in the fall of 2015.
A regular on the Dean’s List, Mr.
Devin Grant has always enjoyed seeking answers to his questions. That drive will serve him well as Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2015 Rhodes Scholar. Chris Hammond photo
MEASURING SUCCESS When the Women in Resource
project with Nicole Shea and Nicole
and show accountability, and made
Development Corporation (WRDC)
Power, who took on the project as part of
it possible for them to evaluate the
needed professional, but inexpensive,
their course requirement.
program as they move forward.
consultants to assist them in evaluating
After collecting the information and
one of their long-running programs, the
evaluating it, the students determined
not-for-profit group turned to Memorial
the program was indeed successful, with
University.
the majority of participants indicating
Developed in 1999, the Orientation
the program was helpful to them. A
to Trades and Technology (OTT) program
significant number went on to further
is one of WRDC’s key programs, a
their education and of those, most went
16-week career exploration program
on to pursue education in the trades and
for women, which provides hands-on
technology field. Half of the participants
learning in a variety of trades and
in the sample were employed, with
technology fields.
nearly 20 per cent working in a non-
Dr. Cathryn Button brought the request to her students in a graduate
traditional occupation. Jenna Hawkins, WRDC’s research
class in program evaluation for the
and evaluation co-ordinator, says their
master’s in applied social psychology. As
findings have given the organization
a result, WRDC began a semester-long
an ability to confirm past successes
The OTT program is one of WRDC’s key programs. Memorial University provided WRDC assistance with evaluating the long-running program. Image copyright © WRDC, all rights reserved.
11
STUDENTS
National honours for Memorial University researcher A Faculty of Science researcher has received a national research award from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Kirk Luther, a PhD candidate in the Department of Psychology, was awarded the 2014 Talent Award at the SSHRC Impact Awards ceremony in Ottawa, Ont., for his research on human behaviour within the criminal justice system. The award is valued at $50,000. The Talent Award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual holding a SSHRC doctoral or post-doctoral fellowship or scholarship and who has a talent for research, knowledge mobilization and a clear potential to be a future leader within and/or outside the academic sector. Mr. Luther is an emerging talent in the academic community with proven skills in social justice and knowledge mobilization. His work focuses on improving policing practices and protecting the human rights of vulnerable youth in Canada. It’s been a particularly successful year for Mr. Luther. He received the People’s Choice Award in the national 2013 Three-Minute Thesis competition, first place in the Eastern Kirk Luther. David Howells photo.
12
Regional Three-Minute Thesis competition and the 2013 SSHRC Storytellers Award.
STUDENTS
New university medals recognize the dichotomy of math/stats The Department of Mathematics and Statistics saw three new convocation awards handed out to students this year. The Senate Committee on Undergraduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards approved
Science student, alumnus participate in Fulbright Canada Fulbright Canada announced this year’s cohort of participants in the
new University Medals for Academic Excellence in the areas of pure math, applied math and
foundation’s educational and cultural
statistics. Previously, students vied for a single top medal for the whole department. The new
exchange programs, and the Faculty of
medals highlight the diversity of students in Mathematics and Statistics.
Science is well represented. An alumnus
Anthony Payne, statistics medal winner and the province’s 2014 Rhodes Scholar, has
and a current student will each travel to
begun a doctor of philosophy degree in the clinical medicine program at Oxford University
the United States to conduct research or
in the area of diabetes research. Jason LeGrow, pure math medal recipient and winner of the
pursue their studies.
Governor General’s Silver Medal for highest academic standing upon graduation, is studying
Dr. Joel Heath of the Arctic Elder
at the University of Waterloo, one of the top destinations for math studies in the world.
Society has received a Canadian
Michael Grudich, who took home the applied math medal, is continuing his theoretical
Fulbright Scholar Award and will become
astrophysics research at the California Institute of Technology, working towards solving the
the Fulbright Visiting Research Chair
mathematical problems surrounding the more extreme predictions of Einstein’s theory of
in Arctic Studies at the University of
gravitation, particularly as they relate to black holes and neutron stars.
Washington. An accomplished Canadian academic and filmmaker, Dr. Heath holds a joint B.Sc.(Hons.) in biology and
Physics department rewards student success
psychology and a master’s in cognitive and behavioural ecology from Memorial. Fulbright Scholars are emerging and established scholars, post-
The Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography had the pleasure of
doctoral researchers and experienced
recognizing student achievement at their annual awards ceremony. This year, the
professionals who conduct research,
department offered two new awards.
teach or undertake a combination of
The Graduate Teaching Award was developed in recognition of the outstanding contributions of graduate students to their teaching program. Kolawole Akintola and
activities for one semester or the full academic year.
Swomitra Pailt each received the award, which included a book prize and a certificate.
Sean Leonard, an undergraduate
The Hugh J. Anderson Senior and Junior Scholarships in Physics are the result of
student pursuing a major in biochemistry
a bequest from Dr. Hugh J. Anderson, a long-term member of the Department of
with a minor in French, has received the
Chemistry, who generously endowed the scholarship for students majoring in physics.
coveted Canadian Killam Fellow award.
The department awarded one $4,000 Senior Award to Michael Grudich and five
A proud volunteer with Let’s Talk Science,
$2,000 Junior Awards to Riley Brooks, Nathaniel Drover, Anna O’Grady, Mark Holden
and part-time actor, Mr. Leonard will
and Haruki Hirasawa.
attend Arizona State University.
Also awarded was the $500 T.C. Noel Scholarship to Cole Walsh, the $1,000 Harry
Killam Fellows are undergraduate
Kiefte scholarship to Colin Knight and the $1,000 S.W. Breckon scholarship to Catherine
students from Canada and the United
Woodford.
States who participate in a program of bi-national residential exchange.
The 2014 Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography award winners. Justin Pittman photo.
Sean Leonard Submitted photo.
13
STUDENTS
GALACTIC REACH A third-year joint physics and applied mathematics student spent the summer researching astronomy at Yale. Anna O’Grady, a resident of Kilbride, was chosen to receive the Hoffleit Undergraduate Astronomy Research Scholarship, which allowed her to work as an intern for six weeks at the institution during the summer of 2014. Of the 70 international applicants for the scholarship, Ms. O’Grady was astonished to find out she had ranked first. She believes the scholarship opportunity has given her a better understanding of the practical research aspect of a career in astronomy.
Anna O’Grady Chris Hammond photo
Marine biologist honoured with mentor-student scholarship Master of science biology
Dr. Deanne Renouf, who died of
candidate Victoria Howse was honoured
cancer. The family of Dr. Renouf
as the 2013-14 recipient of the Dr. Jon
added her scholarship money
Lien Memorial Scholarship during a
as a contribution to Dr. Lien’s
presentation with the family of Dr. Jon
Memorial Scholarship.
Lien. The scholarship is awarded to a
Ms. Howse is pursuing a master of science with the
graduate student undertaking studies
Marine Institute’s Centre for
in marine animal behaviour, marine
Fisheries Ecosystems Research.
conservation, coastal community revitalization or a current fishery challenge. It was established in the spirit of collaboration that Dr. Lien held dear between professors and students. The scholarship recognizes the work of both Dr. Lien and his former student 14
Victoria Howse Submitted photo
STUDENTS
Memorial University student wins prestigious Prime Minister’s Volunteer Award for Let’s Talk Science outreach Cody O’Brien with Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards Ceremony in Toronto. Office of the Prime Minister Photo
Cody O’Brien, a Memorial University
outreach was a natural fit when it came to
of Newfoundland biochemistry major
volunteering. I understand the importance
and avid Let’s Talk Science volunteer, has
of reaching our province’s youth with
of the dedicated students we have at
been named Community Leader (Atlantic)
educational methods that really spark
Memorial, who are committed to sharing
in the 2015 Prime Minister’s Volunteer
their interest. Using science outreach as a
the knowledge they have gained with
Awards.
platform to do this is incredibly rewarding.
the wider community,” said Dr. Gary
The Happy Valley-Goose Bay student
“As a Labradorian, I also take great
Science Outreach team.” “Mr. O’Brien is a wonderful example
Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor,
is one of just 17 successful award
pride in promoting science learning in my
Memorial University. “Programs like
recipients chosen from 385 nominees.
own community and in bringing STEM
Let’s Talk Science provide invaluable
These prestigious awards recognize the
learning activities to rural and remote
opportunities for students like Mr. O’Brien
tremendous contributions of Canadians
areas that otherwise wouldn’t have this
to take on leadership roles throughout
whose volunteer efforts improve the
kind of access or opportunity,” he added.
the province, as well as to inspire the next
well-being of their communities. Mr.
Glenda Casimir, manager, volunteer
O’Brien was presented with his award this
engagement and community partnerships,
afternoon at an official awards ceremony
Let’s Talk Science, nominated Mr. O’Brien
in Toronto, Ont.
and was thrilled with the outcome.
An honours student with plans to study
“Cody is a superstar outreach
generation of highly skilled thinkers and doers.” The Prime Minister’s Volunteer Award recipients will receive a medal, pin and certificate from the prime minister and
medicine, Mr. O’Brien credits his love of
volunteer, having contributed over 250
participate in a session in which they
science as the catalyst for his intensive
hours leading hands-on STEM activities in
share their achievements and exemplary
volunteer efforts. It spurred him to join
both French and English at urban and rural
practices in community leadership. As part
Let’s Talk Science, a national, charitable
schools across the province,” she said.
of his award, Mr. O’Brien is also eligible
organization that delivers science,
“Last year, in just one week, he engaged
to identify a not-for-profit organization to
technology, engineering and math (STEM)
1,100 kindergarten to Grade 10 students
receive a $5,000 grant.
learning programs to engage children,
by leading 29 workshops in three schools
youth and educators.
in Labrador. It’s mind-blowing to see the
Talk Science is generously supported
kind of impact that volunteers like Cody
by Hibernia Management Development
this award,” said Mr. O’Brien. “Science
can have. We’re so proud to count him
Company Ltd.
is a major part of my life, so science
as a member of our national Let’s Talk
“It’s a tremendous honour to receive
In Newfoundland and Labrador, Let’s
15
SCIENCE
New co-operative program for biology A small group of students are the first participants in a new biology co-operative education program at Memorial. Dr. Yolanda Wiersma, an associate professor with the department, is one of the co-ordinators and helped choose Jaime Wilson, Jessica Hackett, Phillip Hillier and April Hall, the third-year students who make up the first cohort. Upon completion of their initial work terms last summer, Dr. Wiersma found that the opportunity made the students more aware of the types of jobs available for those with a biology degree. The students have also enrolled in courses they would not have previous to the experience. Julie Downey is an academic staff member with the Division of Co-operative Education. She worked with the students to provide them with the professional training given to all co-operative participants at Memorial, including interviewing and resumĂŠ writing skills, information on how to apply themselves on the job, ethics and more. She also met with the students and employers mid-way through the summer to give feedback and as a means of ensuring all parties were happy.
16
April Hall is one of four biology students chosen as the first cohort of the department’s new co-operative program. Dave Howells photo
SCIENCE
Academics, research and service lauded at annual awards ceremony
REMEMBERING HISTORY: 50th anniversary of Grand Banks sea adventure In June of 1964 a small group from Memorial University approached Premier Joey Smallwood for funding for a diving expedition to conduct geological research on the Grand Banks. For 400 years, the Banks had contributed to the economy
It was standing-room only at the annual Dean’s Awards
of Newfoundland but no scientist had ever “set foot” on them.
Ceremony as parents, employees and friends joined the
The hope was to use scuba divers to explore the more shallow
Faculty of Science to celebrate student, faculty and staff
parts, collecting samples and data about the Banks’ terrain, rock
achievement.
type and bottom flora and fauna.
During the event, Dr. Mark Abrahams, dean of Science,
Now deceased, Hugh Lilly was then a professor at Memorial
named 259 students to the Dean’s List, a group comprised of
and led the expedition. His son, Chris Lilly, has compiled a
the top 10 per cent of students in the Faculty of Science.
historical record of the event from photos and dive journals
Dr. Noreen Golfman, provost and vice-president (academic), pro tempore, attended the ceremony and
written in his father’s own hand. It tells of how, on that first trip, a storm drove the tiny ship
presented the Lou Visentin Award. Named for a former dean
back to the shore, at which point the majority of seasick and
of Science, the award recognizes students who have remained
exhausted participants left the ship and returned to St. John’s.
on the Dean’s List for four consecutive years.
But Prof. Lilly, along with diver John Snow, biology student
She also presented the Dean of Science Book Prize,
and deckhand Ron Scaplen, and captain Mat Whalen (a former
awarded annually to a student in each department offering
member of the House of Assembly under Premier Smallwood),
a B.Sc. program on the basis of demonstrated academic
persevered and went back out to become the first man to stand
excellence in the declared major.
on the Grand Banks. A large bronze plaque the team placed in
Dr. Abrahams also presented the Distinguished Service Award to Craig Skinner of the Department of Biochemistry, and the Distinguished Scholar Award to Dr. John Hanchar, head of the Department of Earth Sciences.
a rock trench 11 fathoms below sea level commemorates the event. The true value of the expedition, however, can be measured in the scientific evidence collected during that trip and others that followed over the next two years before Hugh Lilly died in 1966. Subsequent trips became part of a much larger effort on both sides of the Atlantic to consolidate evidence for continental drift/plate tectonics on land as well as underwater. Memorial would go on to play a key role in determining that the Appalachian Mountains in the United States, the Long Range Mountains in Newfoundland and the mountains of Wales and Scotland were once part of a single range prior to the opening of the Atlantic rift.
Dr. Mark Abrahams named 259 students to the 2014 Dean’s List. Chris Hammond photo
The commemorative plaque affixed to the bottom of the sea by Hugh Lilly’s dive team. Submitted photo
17
SCIENCE
WHERE MUSIC AND SCIENCE
MEET Grenfell alumnus Kyle Bustin has
of six-hour days to complete the massive
made his mark on the St. John’s campus.
mural, which flows along the entire
The bachelor of fine arts graduate
length of the corridor and measures
painted a graffiti-style mural in the
approximately 12 feet at it’s highest point
tunnel connecting the Science and Music
and roughly 150 feet long.
buildings that was commissioned by the two academic units. Originally from Nova Scotia, Mr.
He started with a light base of house paint, filling in the sections with a foam roller and brush, before finishing it off
Bustin graduated from Memorial in 2011.
with vividly coloured spray paint. Mr.
The artist met with students from both
Bustin says what he liked best about
Science and Music to brainstorm, the
using a graffiti-style for the project
result of which he worked into a design
was that the technique creates long
that met the approval of all.
continuous lines, which helped link the
It took the artist just over two weeks
Kyle Bustin paints a vivid mural along the tunnel wall connecting the Science and Music buildings. Chris Hammond photo
whole piece together.
Successful launch of climate change exhibit at Bonne Bay Marine Station Representatives of Memorial
Change and Memorial University’s Office
University and the provincial government
of Public Engagement. The project is a
officially launched a new exhibit about
component of the government’s Climate
climate change and the ocean at the
Change Action Plan through the Turn
Bonne Bay Marine Station (BBMS) in
Back the Tide campaign.
Norris Point. The event also highlighted
downloadable digital application to show
exhibit.
how climate change is impacting the
The project is an interactive
marine environment, with information
climate change awareness exhibit
and examples that are specific to
titled Newfoundland and Labrador: A
Newfoundland and Labrador. An
Sea of Change, and is the product of
interactive application is also available
Dr. Robert Scott, Bonne Bay Marine Station director, and the iPad installations hosting the new application.
collaboration between the Office of
for download on smartphones.
Submitted photo.
Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
18
The exhibit uses a custom-built
a new app that will accompany the
This project will provide enriched
and the BBMS, with financial support
learning experiences for students and
from the Department of Fisheries and
the 11,000 tourists and local visitors
Aquaculture, the Office of Climate
welcomed by the facility each year.
SCIENCE
Science post-doc receives Memorial’s first Banting fellowship Dr. Trevor VandenBoer is the recipient of Memorial University’s first Banting Post-doctoral Fellowship. The program provides funding to “the very best post-doctoral applicants, both nationally and internationally, who will positively contribute to the country’s economic, social and research-based growth.” The objective of the Banting program is to attract and retain top-tier post-doctoral talent, develop their leadership potential and position them for success as research leaders of tomorrow. Only 70 of these are awarded annually at a value of $70,000 a year for two years. Originally from Ontario, Dr. VandenBoer holds an undergraduate degree in forensic science and analytical chemistry from Laurentian University. He completed a M.Sc. and PhD in environmental chemistry, specializing in atmospheric chemistry, at the University of Toronto before beginning a post-doc at Memorial University in 2012 with Dr. Christina Bottaro, Department of Chemistry, and Dr. Sue Ziegler, Department of Earth Sciences. For the next two years, this funding will allow Dr. VandenBoer to work with Dr. Ziegler and her partners from the Canadian Forest Service and the provincial Centre for Forest Science and Innovation
Dr. Trevor VandenBoer
to build upon their studies of how boreal ecosystems are impacted by
Submitted photo
climate change.
Memorial and Royal Ontario Museum partner to keep blue whale carcass in province Memorial University and the Royal
opportunity and having the remains of a
Ontario Museum (ROM) have reached
blue whale displayed at the university is a
an agreement that will see the remains
great teaching and learning opportunity
of a blue whale that washed ashore on
for students, staff and visitors.
the province’s west coast come to the university. Memorial doesn’t have the expertise
Properly treating a blue whale so it can be displayed can take as long as four years. Details about where and when it
to dismantle and treat the whale carcass,
will be accessible to the public have yet
so a partnership with the ROM will
to be determined.
allow for the appropriate treatment of
The ROM will disarticulate and clean
the animal’s remains and ensure the
the whale carcass, while Memorial will
educational and cultural artefact remains
look to the ROM’s experts to advise on
in the province.
next steps.
Dr. Mark Abrahams, dean of the Faculty of Science, says it is a rare
The remains of this blue whale will eventually be on display at Memorial University. Pam Gill photo
19
FUNDING
ACOA announces support for Ocean Sciences Centre The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced an investment of $110,000, through its Innovative Communities Fund, to allow Memorial University’s Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC) to enhance its capacity to respond to the needs of the provincial aquaculture industry. The OSC will engage in Atlantic salmon aquaculture and climatechange research to improve its ability to work with private sector partners and other industry stakeholders to collaborate and share research. Memorial has long been an active proponent of marine and aquaculture research and development activity within Newfoundland and Labrador. The OSC and its staff are recognized internationally for their ability to study cold-ocean organisms and for their contribution towards the development of various species that have the potential to become important to the province’s aquaculture industry. The funding will allow Memorial to purchase heat exchangers, sand filters, sterilization units and monitoring systems, which will enhance the research capacity at the OSC. This will allow the facility to focus its research on challenges facing the salmon aquaculture industry, such as fish health, broodstock development and environmental and production management, and explore how climate change may impact species currently cultured in the province.
20
FUNDING
$2.3 million
to overcome challenges in oil and gas sector
Memorial to receive funding to enhance aquaculture industry Memorial University is among 12 industry-academic partnerships that
The Research & Development
and Tracking of Oil in Marine Waters
received funding through Genome
Corporation (RDC) announced
in Harsh Climates by Dr. Christina
Canada’s Genomic Applications
a $2.3-million investment in 17
Bottaro and Dr. Erika Merschrod,
Partnership Program, announced by Ed
Memorial-led R&D projects to address
Department of Chemistry, with Dr.
Holder, minister of State (Science and
opportunities and challenges related to
Kelly Hawboldt, Faculty of Engineering
Technology).
harsh and Arctic environments.
and Applied Science; Infrastructure
RDC is investing in academic-led
Genomics is the powerful
for the Characterization of Particulate
combination of biology, genetics and
R&D projects that help overcome
Matter and Dissolved Chemical
computer science and can provide
technical challenges in the oil and gas
Species in Water, Soil and Groundwater
innovative solutions to important industry
sector, particularly in harsh offshore
Environments by Dr. Tao Cheng,
challenges.
environments. These projects aim
Department of Earth Sciences, with Dr.
to improve safety, environmental
Bing Chen and Dr. Baiyu (Helen) Zhang,
Commercial Aquaculture Feed
protection, efficiency and asset integrity
Faculty of Engineering and Applied
Development project is a $3.8-million
in Newfoundland and Labrador and
Science; and Compositional and
partnership co-led by Dr. Richard Taylor,
around the world.
Isotopic Characterization of Complex
senior research scientist at EWOS
Organic Samples for the Study of Origin
Innovation, the R&D arm of EWOS, the
an additional $4.4 million from other
and Preservation of Hydrocarbons and
world-leading fish feed producer, and Dr.
funding sources, for a total project value
Biological Tissues by Dr. Penny Morrill
Matthew Rise, associate professor and
of $6.7 million.
and Dr. James MacQuaker, Department
Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Marine
of Earth Sciences, with Dr. Vaughan
Biotechnology in the Department of
Leverage R&D projects were funded,
Grimes, Department of Archaeology,
Ocean Sciences.
including Sensing System for Detection
Faculty of Arts.
RDC’s investment will leverage
In the Faculty of Science, three
The Biomarker Platform for
The team will use genomics technologies to assess the effects of various diets on fish health at the molecular level. The information will help EWOS Innovation fine-tune feed formulas that include non-marine products, such as land-based plants to maximize fish performance and to develop clinical feeds that will combat disease. Genome Canada contributed $1,093,988 to the EWOS Innovation project, which was matched by the company in the amount of $2,710,468.
Attendees of the $2.3-million funding announcement from RDC. Chris Hammond photo
FUNDING
Science and Engineering researchers take home Discovery Grants Memorial researchers collected a combined total of $976,000 to further discoveries in fields related to science, engineering and mathematics. RDC Ocean Industries Student Research Award winners. Chris Hammond photo
Of the 35 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grants received by the university, 25 went to the Faculty of Science. Four of the five students receiving scholarships from NSERC were also from the
RDC announces $1 million for students in ocean industries research
faculty. The awards comprise the 2014 competition results for NSERC’s Discovery Grants, Discovery Accelerator Supplements, Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships, Postgraduate Scholarships and Post-doctoral Scholarships. The federal investment will support scientists, engineers, post-doctoral fellows and students at Memorial as they drive innovation and ultimately economic prosperity. Discovery Grants •D r. Janet Brunton, Dr. Amy Hurford, Dr. Dawn Marshall, Dr. Julissa Roncal and Dr. Yolanda Wiersma, Department of Biology •D r. Travis Fridgen, Dr. Francesca Kerton and Dr. Erika Merschrod, Department of Chemistry •D r. Luke Beranek, Dr. John Hanchar and Dr. Aphrodite Indares, Earth Sciences •D r. Evan Edinger, Department of Geography •D r. Jahrul Alam, Dr. Yuri Bahturin, Dr. Zhaozhi Fan, Dr. Scott MacLachlan, Dr. Yildiz Yilmaz, and Dr. Xiaoqiang Zhao, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Dr. Gary Kachanoski, president and vice-chancellor,
•D r. Iakov Afanassiev, Dr. Stephanie Curnoe, Dr. Brad de
Memorial University, hosted an announcement recognizing
Young, Dr. Jolanta Lagowski and Dr. Michael Morrow,
a $1-million investment in the ocean industries, including
Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography.
offshore petroleum, aquaculture and fisheries. Sixteen Memorial students were recognized as part of
NSERC Post-graduate Scholarships – Doctoral
the Research & Development Corporation’s Ocean Industries
• Jason Robert Laurich, Department of Biology
Student Research Awards.
• Anne Provencher St-Pierre, Department of Biology
Award winners from the Faculty of Science include Luis Valencia, M.Sc. (Geology); Hilary Rockwood, M.Sc. (Biology);
NSERC Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate
Brent Way, PhD (Biology); Brynn Devine, PhD (Biology);
Scholarships-Doctoral
Jennifer Murphy, PhD (Chemistry); Catherine Woodford, B.Sc.
• Sarah Adcock, Department of Psychology
(Physics and Math) Honours; Colin Ash, B.Sc. (Earth Sciences
• Katherine Gale, Department of Biology
and Physics)(Hons.); and Stephen Pearcey, B.Sc. (Earth Sciences)(Hons.).
22
COMMUNITY
Touch tank visit helps child overcome sensory issues Seven-year-old Jayden Druggett has something in common with his favourite
“I tell you, I had tears in my eyes I was so ecstatic. I asked him if he needed to wash his hands and he said, ‘No mommy, I’m okay.’ And I just couldn’t believe it.” Since his visit with the touch tank, Ms. Purcell says Jayden has gone from a child
Ocean Sciences wraps up field trip program for high schools
who would almost always keep his hands in his sleeves so he wouldn’t come into
The Department of Ocean Sciences
contact with anything, to a child who now
wrapped up a two-month long
touches everything.
joint collaboration with the Oceans
“I don’t know what it was, but he had
Learning Partnership that offered high
a real connection with Tyler. Whatever it
school students and their teachers an
was, he really trusted him.”
opportunity to discover the diverse and
The Botanical Garden visit had
fascinating world of ocean sciences.
animal, the moon snail. Both need a little
such an impact that Jayden insisted
extra coaxing to come out of their shells.
his seventh birthday party have a snail
Biology 2201 students and their teachers
theme and it was not complete without
a fantastic field trip that provided many
Purcell, says he is completely obsessed
a surprise visit from the OSC touch tank,
of the learning outcomes associated with
with snails, one thing she never thought
including Jayden’s new friend Tyler and
the biodiversity unit of the course.
he would be able to do is to hold one.
the moon snail.
And even though his mother, Jenny
The biodiversity lab program gave
When it concluded, the hands-on
“Jayden was born with heart
His mom says the wonderful
learning program had been delivered to
problems that led to developmental
memories helped sustain the family
more than 370 students over a six-week
issues due to a lack of oxygen,” she
during their trip to Halifax soon after,
period at Memorial’s Ocean Sciences
explained. “For the past two years he’s
where Jayden underwent his fourth and
Centre. Thirteen schools from St.
been working with an occupational
fifth heart surgeries.
John’s, Torbay, Mount Pearl, Avondale,
therapist to help him get past his sensory
Bonavista, Conception Bay South and
issues with anything sticky. She’s tried
Bell Island participated.
everything to help him get over it, but
Students rotated through learning
nothing worked.”
stations while experienced lab
So when the family visited Memorial
technicians and graduate students
University’s Botanical Garden last
guided them as they discovered the
summer they expected Jayden to be
ocean, learned hands-on lab skills and
interested in the visiting touch tank from
were exposed to a variety of career
the Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC) but
possibilities in marine research.
have little to do with it. “There was a young male summer student with the tank and he spent an hour with Jayden,” said Ms. Purcell. “The student showed him the moon snail and asked if Jayden would like to hold it and he said, ‘No, no, no, no,’ and backed away about five feet.” But the student, Tyler Engert, gently persisted and convinced Jayden to first put one finger on the snail. Then he put one finger on the sea cucumber. “He immediately washed his hands.
Jayden Druggett holds a moon snail for the first time. Submitted photo
But then the next thing you know Jayden is saying, ‘Look mom, I’m holding it! I’m holding it!’ and I turn around to see he was actually holding the moon snail.
Students were given the opportunity to assist with many ongoing research projects at the Ocean Sciences Centre. David Howells photo.
23
COMMUNITY
From left are Dr. Andy Foster, associate dean of Science (undergraduate and administration), Mark Hewitt, and Dr. Mark Abrahams, dean of Science. Chris Hammond photo
First science fair scholarship winner announced The Faculty of Science announced the first recipient of its new Eastern
24
Exacerbate Cancer? This endowed scholarship has been
program in the Faculty of Science. It will be offered annually to the winner
Newfoundland Science and Technology
made possible through the combined
of the senior project in the Eastern
Fair scholarship.
gifts of alumni and friends of the
Newfoundland Science and Technology
Mark Hewitt, a Grade 12 student
Faculty of Science. Valued at a portion
Fair and will be awarded upon
from Bishops College in St. John’s, was
of the income on the endowment, the
registration at Memorial.
selected on the basis of his project,
scholarship will provide full-time tuition
Can Popular Acne Treatments Initiate or
for two semesters in an academic
ALUMNI degree. I found a lot of people just didn’t have the same level of baseline experience I had. Q: Are you still in touch with anyone at Memorial? A: I have a strong family connection with Memorial. My grandfather, Harry Renouf, was the registrar from 1959-76. My mother and her four sisters worked as faculty there. Today my mother, brother and aunt all work at Memorial (Dr. Mary Courage, a University Research Professor, Department of Psychology, and former associate dean, Faculty of Science; Adam Courage, Marine Institute, and Tia Renouf, Faculty of Medicine). I probably resisted psychology as long as I did because I really wanted to do my own thing. But I realized that that’s where my true interest was. Other than that, I haven’t stayed in close contact with anybody and I would
ALUMNI PROFILE Catherine Courage
Senior vice-president of customer experience at Citrix
say that’s unfortunate. When I was back in February I ran into a whole fleet of people and I hope to catch up with them again the next time I go home. Q: What path did you take after Memorial? A: After I left Memorial I went to the
Catherine CouraGE has been named
allowed me to pursue a variety of courses
University of Toronto. To be quite honest
one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in
without having to lock into a major
I still didn’t know what I wanted to do or
Technology by the California Diversity
immediately.
what paths were available to me. One
Council and one of 10 Rising Stars at the
But I found the classes I took in
thing I always enjoyed was the people
World’s Most Innovative Companies by
psychology, in particular, to be really
side of psychology, understanding
Forbes.
fascinating; I loved understanding more
behaviour. So I went to the career centre
about people.
and started looking through options.
She grew up in St. John’s and holds a B.Sc. (honours) degree in psychology
I tell people all the time that
from Memorial University and a master’s
psychology has been an incredibly
human factors, which to me was the
in applied science, specializing in human
valuable base degree, in large part
perfect pairing of understanding people
factors, from the University of Toronto.
because of the labs I took and having to
and being able to influence how things
do my undergrad honours thesis – which
are designed to meet their needs. It felt
Q: Can you tell me a bit about your
entailed understanding how to conduct
like a perfect match.
educational background at Memorial?
an experiment from end-to-end, doing the research and analysis, writing it up
A: When I went to Memorial I really had no idea what I wanted to study. I found general studies beneficial because it
That’s where I came across the field of
Q: What did you do after graduation?
and having it reviewed by peers. I think it set a good foundation for me when I went off to do my master’s
A: When I graduated I was really hungry to get out into industry and it was the
25
ALUMNI wild, wild, West in San Francisco at
they really believed in this initiative, that
that time with the tech boom and the
it was critical and they were going to be
NASDAQ at an all-time high. I just had to
there to help me succeed. Five years
check that out. So I accepted a job with
later I’m still at Citrix and while we’ve
Oracle and moved to San Francisco in
done a lot of great work we still have
January 2000.
more exciting things to do. Christine Fontaine, an alumna of the
I had done a variety of courses in human-computer interaction and
Science alum wins Vanier scholarship
Q: What do you do there?
Department of Psychology, has received a Vanier scholarship worth $150,000
honestly it was the last place I thought I would end up, but Oracle had a large,
A: Our charter is to create an exceptional
to continue her studies in behavioural
established design team and user
customer experience across the entire
neuroscience at the University of Victoria.
experience group, and early in my career
journey of Citrix touch points, whether
I wanted to absorb and learn. Being in a
it’s going to a website for the first time,
applications for the Canadian
big department with a variety of people
using product day in and day out or
government award, which recognizes
having different expertise I knew I would
seeking support.
leadership skills and a high standard
get the mentorship I wanted and I knew
We use a lot of analytics to see what
Ms. Fontaine was one of 150
of scholarly achievement in graduate
there would be a lot of infrastructure
our customers are doing on our website,
studies. She ranked 16th in the country
in place to help me learn, develop and
what kind of support they are utilizing,
out of the 56 awards granted.
grow.
but we also spend a lot of time out in
Ms. Fontaine’s first experience with
After five years I felt I had become
the field with them, watching them use
Memorial was during Grade 11 when
the best individual contributor I possibly
our products. We look at the customer
she applied for, and was chosen to
could be. There were still a lot of start-
journey holistically and see those areas
participate in, the Women in Science and
ups happening, and I really felt ready to
where we are doing really well and the
Engineering Newfoundland and Labrador
build a team from the ground up. So I
areas where we need to improve and
Summer Student Employment Program.
joined Salesforce.com for the opportunity
succeed. We use this data to inform
That summer she became hooked on
to be the first person in a growing
and innovate the product and process
research, eventually coming back to
company to build a user experience
designs we evolve and create for our
Memorial to work on her own degree.
team. They were growing rapidly and
customers.
me. I spent the next five years there.
Now in the process of completing a PhD at the University of Victoria, she is
and it felt like the next big challenge for Q: What’s next?
studying how prenatal alcohol exposure changes antioxidant levels in the brain
Q: Tell me about your current company,
A: At some point in my career, and I
and how this, in turn, affects essential
Citrix.
don’t know when that is, I do want to go
memory processes.
off and create my own thing. Ever since A: I think when you look at your career
I was young I’ve wanted to own my own
what’s really important is that you are
business. I just haven’t quite figured out
not only in a job where you are giving
exactly what that is yet. It’s hard when
everything to your employer, but you’re
you’re really engaged and having a good
also getting something back that’s more
time in what you currently do, because
than a paycheque. You want to learn and
you have less time to think about what
grow and challenge yourself.
that next thing will be. But when I do
With Citrix I saw that opportunity. It
decide to move on, sometime within
was different from anything I had done
the next 10 years or so, I can see myself
before. They had just turned 20 and had
starting something completely different,
not previously invested in design or user
and not necessarily a software company.
experience. They wanted me to come
We’ll just have wait to see.
on board and build a team from the ground up within an established software
You can connect with Catherine Courage on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter @ccourage.
engineering culture. It was terrifying and exciting at the same time, but I was also 26
really inspired by the leadership. I felt
Christine Fontaine Submitted photo.
DEVELOPMENT
From left are Dr. Richard Marceau, Dr. Chuck Hurich, Jamie Long, Dr. Mark Abrahams and Dr. John Hanchar. Chris Hammond photo
Hibernia support to bolster geophysics program at Memorial Memorial University’s Department
equipment for geophysical exploration
of Earth Sciences is using a $1.98-million
used for research and undergraduate and
contribution from Hibernia Management
graduate teaching.
and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC)
HMDC’s funding supports the renewal
servers and a large format colour plotter. In addition to supporting the purchase of new equipment and the hiring of additional personnel, the
to create the Hibernia Project Geophysics
of the undergraduate geophysics
funding supports the establishment of a
Support Fund to enhance geophysics
laboratory, with 12 new dual-monitor
guest-speaker series, which will host up
education and research.
workstations and associated geophysical
to three geophysical experts annually for
software licences. The department has
the next three years.
The funding supports geophysics field-based studies for undergraduate
also updated its geophysics research
and graduate courses, as well as student
computing laboratory with eight new
to support the university’s development
and faculty research projects. It also
dual-monitor workstations, along with
of a new environmental geology and
enables the purchase of specialized
applications software, data storage
geophysics field school.
HMDC previously provided $420,000
27
DEVELOPMENT Second-year chemistry student Jason Sylvester, who was born in Australia and now lives in Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, another of the cohort of Dr. Anderson scholarship recipients, says he was thrilled to be honoured for excelling academically. “Sure, the money is great,” he said. “But for me, it’s more the accolade of seeing all my hard work paid off.” Dr. Anderson would have been proud of that sentiment and to see this year’s students honoured with their awards, says The first cohort of recipients of Dr. Hugh Anderson’s scholarships in chemistry include, from left (front row): Christopher Cooze; Cayla Pinheiro; Amy Barrett; and Olivia Griffiths. From left (back row): Dr. Peter Pickup, head, Department of Chemistry; Blake Power; Garrett McDougall; Jason Sylvester; Brandon Eastman; and Melanie Snow. Chris Hammond photo
A generous gift Dr. Hugh Anderson creates a legacy for science students
old Memorial alumna. She says Memorial was extremely important to Dr. Anderson and that his favourite place was in the classroom. “When he came here, he didn’t want to be anywhere else,” she said with a wide smile during a recent interview at her home in St. John’s. “Teaching was at the heart of what he did. He was offered jobs elsewhere in Canada and the United
Although he never met Dr. Hugh
physics have been established because
States but he loved Memorial and he loved
Anderson, second-year science student
of his gift. Alumnus Dr. Darryl Fry, who is
Newfoundland. He once said to me ‘I am
Brandon Eastman says he is grateful for the
also an honorary degree recipient from
lucky. Here I am getting paid for what I love
legacy the late professor emeritus has left at
Memorial and a former student of Dr.
to do and living where I want to be!’”
Memorial.
Anderson, has also established a chemistry
Mr. Eastman is one of 13 recipients of a new endowed scholarship for chemistry
scholarship in his honour. “Dr. Anderson had a formative influence
Mrs. Whiteway and her late husband, Evan, spent much of their leisure time with Dr. Anderson, including weekly lunch dates
students set up in Dr. Anderson’s name.
on teaching and research, particularly in
Each student received $1,000. The awards
the teaching of organic chemistry and the
are the latest in a string of scholarships
development of graduate studies,” said
noted. “He often gave anonymously to a lot
made possible by a bequest Dr. Anderson
Dr. Peter Pickup, head of chemistry. “All
of things near and dear to his heart. I think
left to Memorial totalling more than $1
of these scholarships provide students
he would be delighted to see students
million.
with recognition of their success and it
benefit from his gifts – but he never sought
will enhance their university experience.
praise.”
“I had no idea I would receive it,” said Mr. Eastman, a native of Corner Brook. “I
Chemistry is a very challenging subject that
was very pleased. This scholarship helps a
requires many hours of laboratory work to
lot because I don’t come from a wealthy
become proficient. The financial support
family. I think these scholarships are a
provided by these scholarships will help
testament to Dr. Anderson’s commitment to
students balance their workload.”
chemistry.”
28
his close friend Helen Whiteway, a 102-year-
at the former Battery Hotel in St. John’s. “He was a very generous man,” she
Born in Winnipeg, Man., on March
A long time professor and former
17, 1926, Dr. Anderson was educated at
department head, Dr. Anderson passed
the University of Manitoba, Northwestern
away in 2012 at the age of 86 after a life
University in Illinois and overseas at Oxford.
dedicated to teaching. Many members
He joined the chemistry department in
of the university community still fondly
September 1953 and stayed for 38 years.
remember the quiet, unassuming man,
After his retirement in 1991, he remained
who strongly believed in the power of
active at Memorial and continued to
education. Scholarships in chemistry and
support students.
Helen Whiteway, a 102-year-old Memorial alumna, holds a photo of her and Dr. Hugh Anderson taken in St. John’s. The two were close personal friends. Jeff Green photo.
FACULTY
Researcher honoured for outstanding dissertation paper Dr. Amy Hurford has won the R.A. Fisher Prize from the Society for the Study of Evolution. The award is presented annually for an outstanding PhD dissertation paper published in the journal Evolution during a given calendar year and comes with a $1,000 honorarium. Her paper, co-written with Dr. Troy Day, her former supervisor at Queen’s University, is titled, Immune Evasion and the Evolution of Molecular Mimicry in Parasites. In the paper, Dr. Hurford explores a variety of hypotheses about the co-evolution of vertebrate immune systems and pathogens using mathematical models. One of her primary goals was to understand the evolutionary origins of infectioninduced autoimmune disorders. Dr. Hurford developed mathematical models using techniques from dynamical systems and game theory to better understand the conditions under which we might expect pathogens to evolve molecular mimicry. She and her co-author analyzed the patterns of molecular mimicry that are expected under two hypotheses regarding molecular mimicry by parasites. One of their findings was that the highest risk of autoimmunity comes from parasites that display intermediate levels of mimicry. They also explored the consequences of different medical interventions on the evolution of mimicry and the incidence of autoimmunity.
Amy Hurford Chris Hammond photo
29
FACULTY
Biochemistry welcomes new department head The Department of Biochemistry
such as schizophrenia, mood disorders
so-called neuroprotectants, in cell
has welcomed Dr. Mark Berry as its new
and drug addictions.
death. Specifically, he is interested in
head. He succeeds Dr. Phil Davis, who served as acting head for three years. Born in England, Dr. Berry received
He has shown that, while trace amines
the different effects such molecules
are not traditional neurotransmitters,
have on normal cells compared with
they do serve to maintain basal neuronal
cancer cells. He has identified a
a B.Sc. (Hons.) in pharmacology
activity within defined limits. Having
compound that increases the toxicity of
from Sunderland University. He then
shown that trace amines can cross
chemotherapeutics towards cancer cells
obtained a PhD in neuropsychiatry
membranes by diffusion, he and his
while simultaneously protecting normal
from the University of Saskatchewan.
collaborators are carrying out molecular
cells from the chemotherapeutic drug.
Thereafter, he completed post-doctoral
dynamic computer simulations of the
positions at Ohio State University
process.
and the University of Saskatchewan
Following the discovery of trace
and was a senior scientific officer with
amine receptors in the pancreas, Dr.
ALviva Biopharmaceuticals Inc. before
Berry has also been investigating
becoming a faculty member at Brandon
whether trace amines play a role
University in 2004, serving as chair of the
in regulating insulin secretion and
Department of Chemistry from 2010-13.
glucose homeostasis, and the onset of
Dr. Berry’s research interests lie in the
diabetes. This novel angle intersects with
area of neurobiochemistry. He worked
ongoing studies of lipid- and amino-
for many years on a group of naturally
acid metabolism in diabetes by several
occurring compounds called trace
members of the department.
amines to investigate and understand
More recently, Dr. Berry has been
the role they may play in human diseases
investigating the role of small molecules,
Ocean Sciences researcher receives guest professorship ‘by the hand of the King’
states: “Professor Fleming will be able
The Royal Swedish Academy of
University of Gothenburg (UGot) where
Agriculture and Forestry (KSLA) has
he will bring new skills to strengthen
appointed Dr. Ian Fleming the first holder
activities within fisheries and aquaculture.
of its Wallenberg Professorship.
The university nominated Dr. Fleming for
Mark Berry Submitted photo
Dr. Fleming was invited to KLSA’s
to contribute to a more integrated
202nd commemorative meeting
perspective, from evolutionary ecology
in Stockholm to recognize the
to fisheries and aquaculture sciences and
announcement, which was followed by a
conservation biology. The professorship
banquet in the presence of King Carl XVI
will further broaden ongoing and
Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, both
planned European collaboration by
keen environmentalists.
adding a North American perspective.” Dr. Fleming will be attached to the
The purpose of the Wallenberg
30
the award and its Department of Biology
professorships is to establish ties with
and Environmental Sciences will play
universities, academic institutions
host to him during his time as a guest
and prominent foreign scientists who
professor in Sweden. He will also take
can contribute toward the renewal of
shorter visits to the UGot’s Sven Lovén
Swedish science in the green sector.
Centre for Marine Sciences at Tjärnö on
The academy’s press release
Sweden’s West Coast.
Ian Fleming Submitted Photo
LECTURES
Creator of glycemic index gives inaugural nutrition lecture
Chronic diseases, such as heart
recognized as creating an effective
disease and diabetes, have enormous
dietary alternative to drug therapy for
impacts on the health and well-being
many people.
of Canadians. The causes of these
Dr. Jenkins gave a free public lecture
diseases are not completely understood
titled Diet and Chronic Disease in the
but include behavioural, genetic and
21st Century in the Bruneau Centre for
environmental risk factors.
Research and Innovation. In his lecture,
Dr. David Jenkins is the Canadian
he discussed the effect of diet on
Research Chair in Nutrition and
modifying the progression and severity
Metabolism with the Department of
of chronic diseases.
Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Medicine,
The event was the inaugural Faith
at the University of Toronto. His team
Elizabeth Winifred (Rusted) Bayley
was the first to define and explore
Nutrition Lecture and was hosted by the
the concept of the glycemic index of
Department of Biochemistry. This lecture
foods and demonstrate the breadth of
series was established by a bequest
metabolic effects of viscous soluble fibre,
from Dr. Nigel Rusted in memory of his
including effects on blood glucose and
sister, a dietitian and high-ranking Royal
cholesterol lowering.
Canadian Air Force squadron leader in
His studies on combining cholesterollowering food components have been
the Eastern Air Command during the
Dr. David Jenkins
Submitted photo.
Second World War.
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