aug 15 2013 bulletin web

Summer at Indigenous Mini U Page 4

The home of hope: Faculty of Med students build with Habitat for Humanity Page 5

The arts have it: School of Art winners Back page

August 19 to 23 Jazz Camp: Free on-campus performances

August 30 Bison Football vs. Alberta Golden bears, 7:00 p.m.

September 7 Bison Football vs. Saskatchewan Huskies, 5:00 p.m.

EVENTS

The BulletinUniversity of Manitoba

August 15, 2013 Vol. 47 No. 7 umanitoba.ca/bulletin

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INSIDE

New digital news site coming! MARIIANNE MAYS WIEBE AND SEAN MOOREFor The Bulletin

Later this fall, university news will have a brand new home online that will aggregate all U of M news, events, videos and social media in one place. After 77 years of publishing, The Bulletin will transition from its regular print publication cycle and become part of this new digital news site.The Bulletin has been the university’s newspaper of record, delivered every other week to all staff and faculty of the university, along with various alumni, post-secondary institutions, government

offices, news media and friends of the university. Besides including news relevant to the university community, it also showcased the vibrancy of that community through special features, profiles and events coverage, offering a campus community focus that will continue online.The primary reason for the change to a digital news site is the overall shift in the nature of news media itself. Today’s news sites operate on an up-to-the-minute publishing schedule, are comprised of multiple types of media and include a variety of options for social interaction and engagement.

The new online portal will allow a wider audience to access elements of stories that print media alone cannot provide. The site will creatively blend videos, hyper-links, audio clips, images, social interaction and other media tools to tell more University of Manitoba stories to a larger, more diverse audience. Breaking free of printing schedules, the new format will also allow stories to be told in a timelier manner and offer new and dynamic ways to bring attention to the U of M’s innovative research and expertise, while maintaining many of those familiar components provided in The Bulletin.

This new way for us to tell our stories may seem different at first, but we think you’ll quickly appreciate its exciting strengths and readily adopt it as your source for university news and commentary. The transition is scheduled for later this fall, with more details to come. The Bulletin will continue to publish in the meantime while the new digital site is under construction.It’s a change — and a new beginning. Here’s to moving forward and the discoveries to come as we prepare to launch our new digital news site.

Students experience summer research: Undergraduate Research Awards See story page 6

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The Bulletin | August 15, 2013 | umanitoba.ca/bulletin

THE BULLETIN is the newspaper of record for the University of Manitoba. It is published by the marketing communications office every second Thursday from September to December and monthly in December, Jan., Feb., June, July and August.

Material in The Bulletin may be reprinted or broadcast, excepting materials for which The Bulletin does not hold exclusive copyright. Please contact editor for policy.

The Bulletin is printed on paper that includes recycled content.

PUBLISHERJohn Kearsey, Vice-President (External)

EDITORMariianne Mays WiebePhone 204-474-8111 Fax 204-474-7631Email [email protected]

PRODUCTION DESIGNERPat GossPhone 204-474-8388Email [email protected]

ACADEMIC ADVERTISINGKathy NiziolPhone 474 7195 Fax 474 7505Email [email protected]

ISSUE CONTRIBUTORSSean Moore, Mike Latschislaw, Katie Chalmers-Brooks, Chris Rutkowski, Lindsay Hughes, Heather McRae, Cameron Zywina and Rebecca Kunzman

SUBMISSIONSThe Bulletin welcomes submissions from members of the university community letters to the editor, columns, news briefs and story and photo suggestions.

EVENTSThe Bulletin publishes notifications of events taking place at the University of Manitoba or events that are of particular interest to the university community. There is no charge for running notices in the events column.

Send events notices [email protected]

PUBLISHING SCHEDULECopy/advertising deadline: Sept. 4, 2013Issue date: Sept. 12, 2013Copy/advertising deadline: Sept. 18, 2013Issue date: Sept. 26, 2013

UNDELIVERABLE COPIESReturn with Canadian addresses to:The University of Manitoba Bulletin137 Education Building,University of ManitobaWinnipeg, MB R3T 2N2Phone 204-474 8111Fax 204-474 7631

ADVERTISINGThe Bulletin welcomes advertising from within the university community as well as from the larger Winnipeg community. The publication is delivered directly to all University of Manitoba faculty and staff, and is additionally mailed to individual officials in provincial and federal government and at other universities and, upon request, to individuals formerly associated with or part of the university community.For more information, contact the editor.Publication schedule and advertising rates online at umanitoba.ca/bulletin/adrates

ADVERTISING POLICYWith the exception of advertisements from the University of Manitoba, ads carried in The Bulletin do not imply recommendation by the university for the product or service. The Bulletin will not knowingly publish any advertisement which is illegal, misleading or offensive to its readers. The Bulletin will also reject any advertisement which violates the university’s internal policies, equity/human rights or code of conduct.

ONLINEThe Bulletin can be viewed online at umanitoba.ca/bulletin

The U of M in the News

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ARCTIC CYCLONE CHEWS UP SEA ICEJuly 26, 2013 The Globe and Mail, Canadian Press, Vancouver Sun, Calgary Herald, Montreal Gazette, and 13 othersA recent event earned University of Manitoba researchers some ink in the national media: a raging summer cyclone tore up what may be a record amount of rotting northern sea ice. “We’re really watching this year with a lot of fascination,” said Matthew Asplin, a research programs manager at CEOS. Cyclones are not unusual in the Arctic, but they seem to be changing in recent years, David Barber, director of CEOS and a Canada Research Chair, told the media. “These cyclones are not getting more frequent, but they are getting deeper — which means stronger,” he said. Cyclones can destroy large amounts of ice very quickly. “In 2009, we actually documented one of these events in which large, multiyear ice floes — Manhattan-sized — broke up in a matter of minutes,” Barber said. Last year, a particularly powerful cyclone is thought to have wiped out 800,000 square kilometres of ice. “The effects of [this year’s storm] are nowhere near what we saw last August,” Asplin said. “But because the ice is thinner and it’s already been preconditioned, and because there’s less volume, it’s much more vulnerable to impacts from this sort of thing.” Dr. Barber said the ice is getting so weak that new categories have had to be created for it. It’s called “decayed ice”.

HOW THE RULES OF THE RAIL CHANGED-UNTIL LAC-MÉGANTICJuly 29 2013Toronto Star The Transport Institute’s professor Barry Prentice spoke to media about the rail industry, in light of the July 6 railway disaster in Quebec. The story is about railway regulation and oversight. It notes that the Railway Safety Act, implemented in 1989, pushed responsibility onto companies for the safe operation of their railroads. This Act opened the door to letting Canada’s two major carriers — CN and CP — to start to sell off unprofitable sections of track. Barry Prentice said that once smaller operators, free of forceful unions, took over such lines, many could turn profits again by operating with more flexibility. Without those changes, some of those lines would have been abandoned outright, said Prentice, meaning more road traffic to haul goods. “If we do abandon these lines, it’s almost impossible that we’ll ever see these lines back in operation again.”

HEADLINES“A doorknob, a child’s shoe and a tapestry of pain,” Globe and Mail, Aug. 8, story about a Residential School Survivor and how he hopes his collected artifacts end up at the National Research Centre at the U of M. “The truth about Indian schools; There will be more horrible tales to absorb as networks across the country attempt to build a national archive of Canada’s shame,” Toronto Star, July 21, story about Residential School Survivor, and how he will hand over his artifacts to the U of M.—compiled by Sean Moore

Jazz Camp celebrates 20 years with special performancesJazz Camp will celebrate its 20th season with free on-campus performances from August 19 to 23.The 20th season of Jazz Camp Performances:• Free on campus student performances. August 20 to 23, 12:15 – 12:45 p.m.

Where: University Centre patio (rain location Fireplace Lounge). Open to the public.

• Instructor and student performances. August 19, 20, 22, and 23. Where: The Hang (Nicolino’s). Open to the public.

• Student performances. August 24. Where: The Forks (details pending). Open to the public.

• Concert at the WAG featuring the UM Jazz Camp Faculty, Wycliffe Gordon, Steve Wilson and Steve Turre. August 21 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Muriel Richardson Auditorium. Tickets are $25 and available at umanitoba.ca/faculties/coned/summer/media/UM_Jazz_Camp_Concert_2013_final.pdf (note: tickets will not be available at the door).

For more information, see: umanitoba.ca/faculties/coned/summer/jazz/index.html

Speed limits monitored on campus

Security Services have an important message for drivers on the University of Manitoba campus. Slow down.Starting on July 18, the department monitored speeds on campus roads on nine different occasions as part of the SpeedWatch program. In association with MPI, a speed-timing device and digital display board to were setup to monitor traffic. Drivers’ speed was recorded on Freedman, Dysart and Sifton where the posted speed limit is 30 km/h.The average speed of 1304 vehicles tracked was about 39 km/h. However, 663 vehicles (51per cent) sped 11km/h or more over the posted speed limit.“Over half of vehicle traffic we recorded drove 41 km/h or faster,” says John Burchill from the university’s Risk Management and Security department. “We need to educate our entire community that the speed limit is 30.”

Burchill points to the fact that the University of Manitoba has no control over the speed limits on the arterial roads leading into the campus. Vehicles can travel 50 and 70 km/h on University Crescent and Chancellor Matheson respectively. On campus drivers must slow down.Security Services started the SpeedWatch program as part of the ongoing awareness campaign to promote safe driving on campus. “With two day cares and Mini U, the risk of speeding isn’t worth it,” says Burchill.The highest recorded speed during recent monitoring was 67 km/h where the fine for this rate of speed alone is $520.00.“We could give tickets ourselves, or even get the Winnipeg Police Service involved, but we’d rather focus on the awareness campaign and educate the community about the potential dangers of speeding,” says Burchill.

Virtual University gets real at U of M and beyondAt the University of Manitoba, 30 per cent of part-time students took an online course last year. Several degree programs are available entirely online, including a bachelor’s degree in social work. These “anytime and anywhere” options allow students to overcome the barriers of distance and time, as well as balance work and family commitments. Registrations in online courses bumped the 200,000 mark last year at 11 Canadian universities belonging to the Canadian Virtual University (CVU) consortium.“This is a 70 per cent increase since 2000, the year the consortium began sharing data,” states Vicky Busch, executive director of CVU, the national consortium of English and French universities specializing in online and distance education. “Since the establishment of CVU in 2000, increasing access to university education has been central to its mandate,” notes Lori Wallace, chair of the CVU Board and dean of Extended Education at the University of Manitoba. “As demonstration of this commitment, member universities accept one another’s courses for transfer credit where they meet program requirements and we waive

certain administrative fees to facilitate our students enrolling in courses from partner universities.” CVU is a consortium of innovative Canadian universities collaborating in online and distance education to facilitate access to, and student mobility within, university education; to increase flexibility for learners; to encourage joint program development; and to disseminate best practices across Canada and around the world. In addition to the University of Manitoba, CVU members are: Athabasca University, Carleton University, Laurentian University, Memorial University, Mount Royal University, Royal Military College of Canada, Royal Roads University, TÉLUQ, Thompson Rivers University and University of New Brunswick.CVU members reported 210,000 registrations by 100,500 students in over 630,000 course credit hours in the 2012-13 academic year. CVU universities collectively offer over 2,000 courses and 400 programs which students can easily search from a single website.>>For more information, see: www.cvu-uvc.ca


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FROM RUSSIA WITH INSIGHT

Students and Faculty Members to host G20 Public Engagement EventCAMERON ZYWINA AND REBECCA KUNZMANThis past April, a delegation of students, faculty and staff representing the U of M participated in the 8th annual G20 Youth Forum, held in St. Petersburg, Russia.Over 1,500 students, academics, young leaders, business people and politicians from around the world presented and discussed current and emerging global problems and potential solutions. The G20 Youth Forum, organized by the G8 & G20 Alumni Association, a non-governmental organization, was expected to be one of the largest gatherings of different members of civil society to discuss diverse global issues in 2013. During the forum, U of M students took on active roles, with Melina Djulancic and Rebecca Kunzman acting as Head of State and Minister of Education for the Canadian students’ delegation at the Youth Summit part of the forum. Christiane Fischer and Laura Poppel made presentations during the conference, and Matthew Stewart participated as an observer. Faculty members Jacky Baltes, professor, computer science, James Fergusson, professor, political studies, Maureen Flaherty, assistant professor, Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice, Witold Kinsner, professor, electrical and computer engineering, and Roberta Woodgate, professor, Faculty of Nursing, made presentations specific to their fields and led discussions at the conference.Having organized the delegation in partnership with Brendan Hughes, director, student life, Cameron Zywina, international project officer, office of international relations, accompanied the delegation as a staff observer.As a follow-up to the G20 Youth Forum and to coincide with the actual G20 Summit of the Heads of State, members of the delegation will hold a G20 public engagement event featuring presentations from student and faculty delegates to share their insights on global issues with U of M students, faculty, staff and the general public. The presentations and a roundtable discussion with the audience will take place on Thursday, September 5.Both students and faculty members are excited to share their experiences in

Russia with the university community. Student delegate Rebecca Kunzman said, “Being able to participate in the G20 Youth Forum was an amazing experience. The international dialogue that took place at the forum has challenged my perception of youth as agents of change in the 21st century.”Academic delegate Maureen Flaherty concurred, affirming that “it was definitely worthwhile.“It was an opportunity to publicize the work of our university and my field of scholarship in particular. I was also able to network with other academics and prospective students. Several connections have come out of this. Thirdly, it was an opportunity for all of us from the U of M to mentor not only our own students, but students from other universities. And finally, we learned about this organization, which has the potential, I believe, to have quite an international impact.”The G20 public engagement event is also a opportunity to highlight two priorities of the U of M’s Strategic Planning Framework. Student leaders enjoyed an exceptional student experience (one of the university’s priorities) through an outstanding international travel and learning opportunity, and the academics involved promoted the teaching, research and creative excellence of the U of M internationally, thereby contributing to the academic enhancement priority. The financial and logistical support provided by different units to enable their participation at the G20 Youth Forum is closely aligned with the international strategy that is currently being developed through consultation with all U of M constituencies. The U of M hopes to send a delegation to the next G20 Youth Forum, which will take place in Brisbane, Australia in spring 2014.>>Further information on the G20 Youth Forum is available at: g20youthforum.org.

G20 public engagement event

Presentations and a roundtable discussion with the audience Thursday, Sept. 5, 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Borger Boardroom, Engineering (E1-270)

Above, from left: Christiane Fischer (political studies), Melina Djulancic (law), Laura Poppel (law), Rebecca Kunzman (University 1) and Matthew Stewart (business) in downtown St. Petersburg, Russia.

Changes to examination regulations coming into effectA series of changes to the U of M’s examination regulations are being implemented this year.Awareness of and willingness to communicate these changes to students is both encouraged and appreciated. Some important revisions that affect faculty, staff, and students include: A shortened application deadline for deferred examinations resulting in more timely scheduling of the deferred exam; special exams being collapsed into the deferred exam process; a defined single location for posting of final grades; changes to where student belongings can be stored during examinations; restricted access to retroactive exam deferrals; a definition of who can invigilate a final exam; the streamlined use of the term Supplemental Examinations; and a defined procedure for re-appealing final grades.Further, changes made to the existing U of M Examination Regulations Policy will see a simplified Final Examinations and Final

Grades Policy, which has been separated from administrative procedures. Updated procedural information about grading systems, final grade reporting, final grade appeals, supplementary examinations, missed exams and exam deferrals will be found in three new documents: Deferred and Supplemental Examination Procedures, Final Examinations Procedures and Final Grades Procedures.These changes join others that are affecting the U of M community this Fall Term — the new Electronic Communications with Students Policy as well as the new myumanitoba student email system. >>For more information about the Final Examinations and Final Grades Policy and Procedures, see:intranet.umanitoba.ca/registrar/finalexaminationspolicy.html

ACADEMIC JOB OPPORTUNITIESA full listing of employment opportunities at the University of Manitoba can be found at umanitoba.ca. U of M encourages applications from qualified women and men, including members of visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Please include the position number when applying for openings at the university.

FACULTY OF KINESIOLOGY AND RECREATION MANAGEMENTPosition: One full-time Other Academic position in the area of Indigenous AchievementDeadline: August 31, 2013Start date: October 1, 2013For information: Dr. Michelle Porter, Acting Dean, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at [email protected]

FACULTY OF LAWPosition: Up to two tenure-track or tenured positions at the Assistant, Associate or Professor rank Position number: 15208 and 16921Deadline: September 16, 2013Start date: July 1, 2014For information: Dean Lorna A. Turnbull, c/o Marcia Kort, Confidential Assistant to the Dean, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N2, email [email protected]

FACULTY OF MEDICINEPosition: Two tenure-track faculty positions are available at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor in Neuroscience

Position number: 10634 and 10635Start date: January 1, 2014For information: Dr. Kevin Coombs, co-Chair, Neuroscience Program search committee ([email protected]), Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, A108 Chown Bldg, 753 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0T6 Tel: 204-789-3375 Fax: 204-789-3942.

FACULTY OF NURSINGPosition: Two three-year term Instructor II positions. One Nurse Practitioner position (#16409), and one open position (#17042)Position number: 16409 and 17402Deadline: September 15, 2013Start date: January 1, 2014For information: Dr. Beverly O’Connell, dean, Faculty of Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, [email protected]: Two Nurse Practitioner tenure-track positions (#17045 & #17046)Position number: 17045 and 17046Deadline: September 15, 2013Start date: January 1, 2014For information: Dr. Jo-Ann Sawatzky, Associate Dean, Graduate Programs at 204-474-9317 or [email protected]


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Culturally-based camp offered as part of Mini U

MARIIANNE MAYS WIEBE AND HEATHER MCRAEThe Bulletin

When Indigenous Mini U ended this summer, its participants wanted it to last

longer. Sonya Schulzki worked with the program, and said that many of the kids were sad to see it end. “The kids said how much fun they had, and it’s also great for them to see that they are welcome at the university.”

The program at the Fort Garry campus included visits to the Aboriginal Student Centre in Migizii Agamik-Bald Eagle Lodge.The summer program is the first culturally-based camp offered as part of the University of Manitoba’s Mini U program. The purpose of Indigenous Mini U is to provide an inclusive, welcoming and culturally-affirming summer camp experience for indigenous and inner Winnipeg youth. 30 children and youth from Winnipeg’s culturally-diverse, inner-city community converged at the Fort Garry campus to play games, have fun, and develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous traditions and activities. The camp, which concluded on Friday, July 26, was free to all participants and included transportation and snacks.Schulzki, who also works as a program coordinator for the Rec and Read program which operates through the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, was there to provide support to Mini U instructors. The U of M alumna went to school to be a Phys. Ed. teacher, she says, so “it was great to go out and play with the kids after being in an office for the past year.”Part of what made the work special, according to Schulzki, was “seeing the kids learning more about their own culture and hearing them tell about themselves and their backgrounds.” The sharing circle was a particular highlight, because it allowed

the participants to share their stories. The camp offered the same benefits of the regular Mini U camp — active play, creativity and leadership development — but also integrated important lessons and activities that teach camp participants about their cultural traditions and identity. By fostering a positive cultural identity and sense of belonging among Indigenous and inner-Winnipeg youth, Indigenous Mini U hopes to encourage camp participants to see post-secondary education as an achievable future goal. Cultural activities included pow-wow dancing, Michif language lessons, Seven Teachings, Metis history and traditions, and a traditional Aboriginal games workshop. Through these and other activities, camp participants learn about the deep influence that indigenous cultural traditions and practices have had, and will have, on their collective past, present and future. Partners working with Mini U on this initiative include the Executive Lead of Indigenous Achievement and the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. David Budd of Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Inc., Shirley Delorme Russell of the Louis Riel Institute/Manitoba Metis Federation and Norman Fleury, a Michif elder, provided traditional teachings at the camp.Two Indigenous Mini U camps were offered: one at the Fort Garry campus and one for inner-Winnipeg youth, hosted at the Bannatyne campus.

CARDIOVASCULAR

AWARDS

Heather McRae and Seneca Chartrand both worked with U of M’s Indigenous Mini U program this summer.


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BUILDING HOPE

Faculty of Medicine Partners on Habitat HomeBY LINDSAY HUGHESFor The Bulletin

When an email circulated asking for volunteers to participate in a Habitat for Humanity build on Bannatyne campus, third-year medical student Ashleigh Sprange was quick to sign up. “It seemed like a good way to give back to the community, and give back in a way that helps a population of people that we commonly see in medicine as needing things like proper housing,” Sprange said. “There are a lot of reasons why they present us with medical problems. As a student, the patients we see are giving to me by letting me learn from them. So this is my way to give back to them and hopefully a new house for a new family gives them a healthy start at life.”Nearly two weeks into the build a mix of burning hot sun, the odd rain shower, and even hail hadn’t cooled Sprange’s and other volunteers’ enthusiasm for the project. Everyone committed to a full eight-hour day to tasks assigned by the Habitat team ranging from framing to installing windows to roofing. The build attracted 125 volunteers and many donations.“We were proud to see such a high level of commitment to the build from our students, faculty and staff,” said dean of Medicine Brian Postl. “As members of the community, it’s important that as a faculty, we take on projects that are socially accountable to our neighbours.”The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba is the first in Canada to sponsor a Habitat for Humanity build.

The home was built in a parking lot on Bannatyne Campus and moved to its permanent location in August. “The Faculty of Medicine sponsorship of the Habitat for Humanity build was recognition of the faculty’s awareness that housing is an important determinant of the health and well-being of families,” said Bruce Martin, associate dean, students, and lead organizer of the Habitat build project.He added that the support shown from

across the campus — including Aramark’s sponsorship of refreshments and meals throughout the build and physical plant’s assistance — ensured the project’s success. So did the volunteers on the ground floor.For Sprange, it was just what she needed to take a break from the pressures of medical school.“I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up in a family where my dad’s done some

building and I’ve been able to help out, but it’s really neat to see people from all different backgrounds and skill levels getting together to help each other and work as a team,” she said. “I just wrote an exam this morning so to get out and bang a hammer is a nice stress relief.”

BE PART OF A NEW ERA IN FOOTBALL.BE PART OF A NEW ERA IN FOOTBALL.

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Top view of Bannatyne campus’s Habitat for Humanity building site.


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University of Manitoba Knight Lecture call for proposals ad Bulletin August 15, 2013

The University of Manitoba is now accepting proposals from across the university community for scholars in the fields of commerce, finance, economics, political studies, history and literature; leaders in the areas of commerce, industry and government; and others who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of knowledge or to cultural, social and economic development.

Besides public lectures, distinguished visitors are encouraged to engage in a variety of activities that allow them to interact with university faculty, staff and students, as well as members of the outside community.

Submission deadline: September 30, 2013 The Robert and Elizabeth Knight Distinguished Visitors Program is supported by the R.G. and E.M. Knight Fund, which was established to commemorate the lives and achievements of alumni Robert Greenwell Knight and Elizabeth Moore Knight.

For more details on submitting a proposal, visit umanitoba.ca/president.

umanitoba.ca

Robert and Elizabeth Knight Distinguished Visitors Program

From stem cells to Romantic suicide:

Undergraduate Research Awards acquaint students with an array of academic researchMARIIANNE MAYS WIEBEThe Bulletin

There’s mounting confidence in his voice as Evan Proulx tells me about the lab research he’s helping to conduct this summer as a recipient of an Undergraduate Research Award. He is composed and articulate, and his knowledge about his research and regenerative medicine is impressive; he’s been placed with Soheila Karimi, an assistant professor in the department of physiology and pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, and director of the Spinal Cord Injury and Stem Cell Laboratory. The Karimi Lab focuses on promoting repair and regeneration after spinal cord injury using stem cell-based therapeutic approaches.The undergraduate student in microbiology wasn’t always so confident, he says. In fact, Proulx’s summer research experience, along with two Faculty of Science co-op placements in Lethbridge, have allowed him to grow both as a student and as a person. Along with improving his social skills, he says, the research experience has also exposed him to “the kind of dedication it takes” to do work at this elevated level. “Dr. Karimi’s expectations in the lab are very high,” he says. “And as an undergraduate student, you need as much experience as possible,” not only for future job or graduate work possibilities,

but also to help ease the transition into the job market, he adds.Hands-on work such as this research has helped him to clarify his goals, too. Though he began his university education with a science focus, he is now looking towards something in the health care field and plans to apply for master’s studies after he completes the final year in his program. “I don’t know exactly where my academic path will lead, but I am now leaning towards something in health care. I like the idea of helping in that way,” he says.For her part, Karimi agrees that the Undergraduate Research Award is a tremendous prospect — for both the students and researchers. “Undergraduate Research Awards are excellent opportunities for junior students to get exposure and develop hands-on experience in scientific research,” she said.“We need to train the next generation of researchers in biomedical science and these initiatives would allow us to recruit enthusiastic students like Evan into our research programs. Training and teaching fresh and motivated students such as Evan is a part of my job that I enjoy the most.”It’s not all about science research, though.More than 80 undergraduate students, from sciences to the fine arts, received Undergraduate Research Awards and

were placed with a faculty member or lab this summer. As part of the application process for the awards, students interview any two professors to find out more about their areas of research, scholarly work or creative activity and write summaries. Students then choose one professor and write a rationale for their choice, indicating how this research, scholarly work or creative activity fits with their own long-term career aspirations. Students present the results of their research, scholarly work or creative activity at the annual Undergraduate Student Research Poster Competition.Undergraduate Faculty of Arts student Michelle Fu is working with Michelle Faubert, an associate professor in the department of English, film and theatre. Faubert’s research interests in the history of psychology and insanity in the Romantic period have led her in interesting directions, and have resulted in a prolific output — she’s edited and written several books on aspects of those topics. Fu says that the subject matter fascinated her since she took a course with Faubert in her second year; now she is helping Faubert research her latest book project, on suicide during the Romantic era.Faubert describes the research as focusing primarily on literary representations of suicide in the Romantic-era, though she also look at how “philosophical, religious, medical, and legal discourses of the period played a role in shaping the way suicide was perceived and understood by society.” Her experience working with an undergraduate researcher has been completely positive: “With only a minimum of training about how to use various databases and catalogues, Michelle

Fu has discovered a wealth of information on my topic that will help me to advance my research greatly.”Additional benefits for the professor of participating in this award program, notes Faubert, “are to advance your research by gaining raw data and discovering new resources, as well as through discussing your research with someone new and thereby developing your conceptualization of it.” She also notes that the research process “helps a new scholar to discover new research methods and gain first-hand experience of an advanced research project” and provides “the satisfaction of seeing a new scholar advance in their intellectual development.”Not only has the experience allowed Fu that intellectual development as a scholar, both the research activity and content have been extremely interesting, she says. And it’s also provided her with sustained experience in research methods and exposure to primary-source research. She’s learned, for instance, that a small document can provide a plethora of unexpected information: The language used in a historical newspaper death notice offers a window on the era’s attitudes towards suicide, notable because Faubert’s project is concentrated around the idea that “suicide was silenced as a topic of rational debate,” explains Fu. “I’m enjoying it a lot. You get to do things that you wouldn’t in the regular classroom,” Fu adds enthusiastically. “You are participating in an in-depth research process — it’s the scope of research and the range and diversity of the research for a large project like this.“It’s just a great opportunity.”

Michelle Faubert, associate professor, English, film and theatre, Faculty of Arts.

Michelle Fu, undergraduate student doing research with Faubert as part of her Undergraduate Research Award.

Student Evan Proulx in the lab with Soheila Karima, assistant professor, department of physiology and pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine.


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Published by the Office of the Vice-President (Research and International)Comments, submissions and event listingsto: [email protected]: (204) 474-7300 Fax (204) 261-0325

umanitoba.ca/research

they’re not consuming enough. Treberg is looking to better understand which process is dominant and under what conditions. Scientists have known for decades that mitochondria are involved with this oxidative stress. “But the sort of mechanistic level we’re working at now is certainly beyond what they could do at the time,” says Treberg, who came to the U of M two years ago. “New technologies have been of immense help and it continues to advance, so the ability to access small-scale function is continuing to improve. And it’s been a huge advantage.”

His most significant finding to date has been the discovery that particular mitochondria have a far greater capacity to consume particular ROS relative to their ability to produce them. This suggests mitochondria may be important in keeping levels of ROS low and failure in that role could cause problems for cells. That’s “an important change in perspective,” Treberg notes.

He had his own change in perspective years ago as a student, switching gears from marine biology to study chemical processes after working with a biochemist that shared an interest in sharks. The basics of how biology works at the sub-cellular level captured his imagination.

Treberg was fascinated by how things happening on a small scale influenced the big picture, including how animals fuel and survive migration or how well they grow. “It was quite striking to realize that.”

Bringing Research to LIFE

By Katie Chalmers-BrooKsfor the Bulletin

When Jason Treberg reels in a big one he thinks small, right down to the sub-cellular level. He wonders: how well are the fish’s microscopic mitochondria functioning and what kind of external factors might be playing a role?

His biochemist side will surface even on fishing trips with friends, admits Treberg, who grew up angling in small-town Paisley, Ont. “I notice the water temperature, whether they’re well fed—I can’t help but do it,” he says.

A Canada Research Chair in E nv i ron me nt a l D y n am i c s and Metabolism, Treberg investigates the behaviour of mitochondria and how these small compartments within a cell transform energy and chemicals from food into something useable. Not only are they involved in metabolism, they affect how quickly our tissues—like muscle—can do the activities we demand of them. In humans, their function has been connected to diabetes, liver disease, cancers and aging-related diseases.

The biological sciences assistant professor is exploring the mechanics of these structures in animals including mammals and fish (mostly rainbow trout and carp) to see how changes at this small scale will alter tissue function. His work could further research into both fish conservation and human disease.

“Fighting off disease, growth, even

just maintaining healthy cells, these are all energy-requiring processes and most of the supply for that is coming from the mitochondria in animal cells,” he says. “So if the mitochondria are not up to the job because they are not functioning well then that translates to poor functioning cells and can limit how an animal is dealing with poor diet or other external factors that are less than ideal.”

For fish, Treberg is most interested in dramatic changes in water temperature. The environment sets a fish’s internal temperature, which means their cells change temperature quickly. “We’re not quite clear how that change in temperature influences things like mitochondria function and dysfunction,” Treberg says.

His work on mammals and fish also focuses on reactive oxygen species (ROS), a type of molecule produced by mitochondria that, when under stress, can damage cells and the organs they form. Other researchers are exploring whether or not tweaks can be done to minimize the effects from ROS to prevent disease .

“There’s no cut and dry answer,” Treberg says. “Right now, we’re really trying to work at the nuts and bolts-level of how mitochondria function, at a mechanistic level so we can have a better sense of putting oxidative stress in context.”

He wants to know if mitochondria are producing too much ROS or if

Upcomingevents how tiny cells influence the big picture

Researcher investigates sub-cellular function helping parents understand & help their

anxious child or teenagerRoughly one in 10 kids and teenagers

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help all who are affected, from children to parents.

september 17, 2013 - 7:00 p.m. mcNally robinson Booksellers,

1120 Grant ave.experts:

Dr. Leanne Mak Clinical Health Psychology,

University of Manitoba & Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre

Dr. John Walker Clinical Health Psychology, University of Manitoba &

St-Boniface Hospital Dr. Roberta Woodgate

CIHR Applied Chair in Reproductive, Child & Youth Health Services &

Policy Research, University of Manitoba,

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moderator:Dr. Carolyn Peters

Director of Alternative Solutions, Therapy Services, Agency Training and

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to assist in planning seating rsVP to: research_Communications@

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For more information on Café Scientifique go to: umanitoba.ca/

cafescientifique

researchlifeThe summer 2013 issue is out!

Profs. Elissavet Kardami and Peter Cattini, a couple who work in similar

research fields and collaborate regularly, get to the “Heart of the

Matter” in the cover feature. This exciting issue has several features

on couples and their research life on campus.

Check it out online at

researchlife.ca or pick up a copy in researchlife bins around campus.

Photo by Mike Latschislaw

Prof. Jason treberg, Canada research Chair in environmental Dynamics and metabolism


Colour

MEMORY AND ILLNESS

School of Art graduates transform ideas into winning artworksMARIIANNE MAYS WIEBEThe Bulletin

When Erika Dueck was six, she overheard adults saying they couldn’t remember anything about their childhood. She didn’t want that to happen to her, and so she would systematically revisit favourite memories throughout her childhood and into young adulthood; Dueck called it “memory-cleaning.”Years later, the U of M School of Art student recreated some of her memories in her art, and now the actualization of her ideas about memory has earned her a $10,000 BMO art prize. The BMO 1st Art! Invitational Student Art Competition is an annual contest that selects top regional and national artworks by graduating students from across the country as chosen by their instructors and professors. In addition to Dueck’s national win, the regional prize worth $5,000 was taken by Hillary Smith, another School of Art graduate.“The Ephemeral Mind,” Dueck’s mixed-media installation, was chosen as the national competition winner. After depicting specific memories in her art, the artist chose to create an installation whose point of departure was the way memory works. She said she’s fascinated by the way that “you can think something in your memory is tidy,” when “what I thought was secure has collapsed.”Though she started her art education with an interest in graphic design, she

soon moved on to photography and printmaking. During the final year of her program at the U of M, she shifted her focus to sculpture, largely because the final project she wanted to complete, she felt, needed a three-dimensional model. Dueck said that her work in her first term with School of Art’s Elizabeth Roy and Holger Kalberg helped her to formulate her ideas, while her second term working with Grace Nickel and Dominique Rey allowed her to further clarify them. The installation that became “The Ephemeral Mind” needed a different relationship to its audience, Dueck felt. Rather than the personal memories that she had previously made into artworks, she wanted something more generic, something that others could look at to experience their own questions surrounding memory, and perhaps even reconstruct their own memories.She also knew that the installation, comprised of constructed miniature files and cabinets, papers and piles of material to represent the artist’s conceptualization of how memory works, needed to be “a protected space.” The conviction grew stronger despite challenges from profs who thought the piece might become too complicated, or that “maybe it didn’t need to be covered.” However, Dueck stayed firm, and the challenges only strengthened her resolve. “I knew I didn’t want it to be dollhouse- or TV-like for the viewer,” she said. “It needed to be an

intimate experience, something private. I also wanted to get at this idea that there’s always a separation between ourselves and what we know about ourselves. I wanted people looking into the piece to feel some frustration or anxiety at not being able to see more.”Dueck will continue her academic studies, pursuing a master’s degree in landscape architecture. “I’ve always enjoyed gardening and plants and being outside,” she said, “and in a way landscape is a form of sculpture, one that develops over time and changes season to season. I’m not sure where it will all lead.“But either way, the landscape architecture and my fine arts background will inform each other.”Hillary Smith’s work, “Phrenological Petrifactions,” was awarded the regional prize for Manitoba. For her project, Smith was interested in antiquated scientific methods to explain the human body and its ailments and illnesses, as well as Victorian display methods and

sensibilities, as illustrated in something like the curiosity cabinet. Her own “curiosity cabinet” contains organs and items found inside the human body, rendered in white porcelain and decorated with gold. Ceramic was chosen for its fragility, she said, and the pieces of fabric and cushions on which items were displayed, were used for their intimation of comfort. She wanted to explore the tension between the “eeriness” of a sort of “dehumanized” display of internal organs and the human relationship to the body, including its fragility and its need for comfort and security. At the School of Art, Smith worked with Elizabeth Roy and Holger Kalberg in her first term, and Robin DuPont and Cliff Eyland in the second.She plans to continue with a career in art-making, and several of her pieces are being shown at the Brandon Craft Council and at Art Mûr in Montreal. “Winnipeg has a wonderful art community,” said Smith. “And it’s great to be able to do something you’re passionate about.”

How the artists describe their work

ERIKA DUECK:The mind is both organized and disorderly, linking thoughts and experiences unconnected within reality. It is unstable; memories are misplaced, sometimes forgotten, trapped in storage next to the illuminated, while others are never processed. This temporal structure is built up and destroyed within a lifetime, unique and never wholly accessible.

My inspiration came from my own childhood understandings of how memories functioned. I imagined that the mind resembled a large filing room that required recurrent visits in order to maintain information’s availability. If memories were placed in a room and not accessed often enough, an individual could potentially forget the existence of an entire room and its memories. In order to prevent this loss, I regularly practiced “memory-cleaning” days throughout my life, systematically revisiting important “files” and allowing me to retain some memories from as young as two

years old.

This piece is meant to be an impetus for viewers to further meditate and consider their minds and memories in relation to their understandings, their motivations, their fears, and their habits and question what they have remembered and forgotten, neglected, tried to forget, and what has become overwhelming, obsessive and perhaps even relevant.

HILLARY SMITH:In medicine there is a separation of the patient and their affliction. My work tries to connect the illnesses we suffer to the essences of our being, attempting to give feelings to parts of us that don’t normally feel emotion. I give our bones, organs, and entrails a voice and through my work they may tell us their otherwise silent stories. The objects I create imitate the human anatomy but have been dehumanized and embellished into beautifully delicate and petrified remains. They are the manifestations of perhaps the souls living within our bones and organs, the parts that are unseen when dissected.

The elements of construction in my work involve all things precious and fragile. Porcelain, bell jars, gold lustre and cloth. The materials I use play a large role in the communication of our delicate state and the intricacies that lie under our skin.

School of Art winners Hillary Smith and Erika Dueck.

View of Erika Dueck’s installation piece, “The Ephemeral Mind.”

Outside view of the installation piece.

Hillary Smith’s artwork, “Phrenological Petrifactions.”

Detail of Smith’s artwork.