Former dean takes new research post

Thompson was dean of the science faculty for eleven years, a term that ended on June 30. As associate VP he'll serve for an initial three-year term.

A memo from Paul Guild, vice-president (university research), yesterday explained the new position and introduced Thompson in his new role:

"He will be responsible for the development, encouragement, management and operation of the University of Waterloo's major projects. He will also provide advice and otherwise contribute to the development of the University's research and scholarship strengths and areas of expertise, encouraging interdisciplinary research activities across campus.

"John will work closely with the President, Vice-President, University Research, the Vice-President Academic & Provost, the Senate Research Council, Deans Council, and the Manager, Special Programs,

Well, I did say it was an initial appointment!

in an advisory and consultative manner. He will serve as my Advisor in dealing with the development of institutional strategies regarding the application and nomination process for CRC, CFI, PREA, OIT and ORDCF applications.

"John Thompson . . . received his PhD from the University of Alberta in 1966 and joined UW as an Assistant Professor in 1968. He served as Chair of the Department of Biology from 1980-1986, spent a brief period at the University of Guelph as Chair of the Department of Horticultural Science from 1987-1990, and returned to UW to serve as Dean of Science from 1990 to 2001. John was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1987 and was recipient of the Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists (CSPP) Gold Medal in 1995.

"John is a biologist who uses molecular, biochemical and biophysical tools to study the mechanisms underlying senescence (aging) in plants. A particular focus of his present work is the characterization of two regulatory genes isolated by his group that initiate natural senescence as well as that induced prematurely in response to stress. Indeed, transgenic plants in which the expression of one or both of these genes is suppressed exhibit delayed senescence. Of significant interest as well is their recent finding that these same two genes also regulate apoptosis, which is the animal/human counterpart of plant senescence.

"I look forward to working with John, and am confident that he will have your full cooperation and support."

Pension statements The human resources department says individual pension statements were sent this week to "the majority of pension plan members". A memo adds: "The statements for members who are part-time, on long-term disability or close to retirement will be sent out shortly. If any pension plan members have not received a statement by October 12, they are asked to call David Tran in human resources at ext. 2785."

Architecture hosts nature conference

The intent, says conference co-chair and architecture professor Philip Beesley, is "to generate intensive discussions about the complex boundaries that exist between Nature and contemporary human artifice. It will bring together academics and practitioners from the disciplines of architecture, textiles and biology who are working on new technologies."

Co-chair with Beesley is Sarah Bonnemaison of Dalhousie University and the University of Southern California. The conference is an official event of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, a North American network of schools that provides "a forum for the leading edge of architectural innovation".

Keynote addresses will be presented on Friday and Saturday evenings, and some 35 original research papers will be presented on Friday and Saturday in two locations in Cambridge. On Sunday, conference participants head for Toronto to tour the Textile Museum of Canada, which currently has an exhibition also titled "On Growth and Form". All events are open to the public, and all individual events in Cambridge are free admission. Papers, exhibits, computer-generated images and models of experimental construction will be on display.

Sessions today are at Wesley United Church in Cambridge, winding up with an 8 p.m. keynote address by John Hamilton Frazer of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, author of An Evolutionary Architecture. Tomorrow, sessions are at the Riverbank Old Mill, and the evening keynote speaker will be Michael Stacey, principal in a major British architectural firm.

Says Beesley: "The conference will include pioneers from Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, England, United States, China, Australia, and Denmark presenting leading research on experimental structures. Building elements being developed by these innovators will result in the environments and buildings we live in ten and twenty years from now."

On Growth and Form will bring together artists, scientists, engineers and architects to discuss the future of materials and construction, exploring everything from lightweight structures to digital generation of design, biotechnology and textiles. The conference is inspired by the early-20th century book On Growth and Form by D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson. Thompson's explorations of the underlying structures of nature has influenced generations of artists and scientists.

More about the new Nortel chair -- from the UW news bureau

Nortel chairholder Ric Holt chats with Tom Brzustowski, NSERC president and former provost of UW, after yesterday's event. "I always feel so welcome when I come with money," Brzustowski told the Waterloo audience.

Tom Brzustowski, president of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, announced the new NSERC-Nortel Networks Industrial Research Chair in Telecommunications Software Engineering. The federal contribution is $600,000 to be paid over five years.

Named to oversee the work of the new research initiative are two UW computer science professors -- Ric Holt as senior chairholder and Michael Godfrey, who will be the junior chairholder.

"Canadian innovation in telecommunications is recognized worldwide," said Andrew Telegdi, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Waterloo on behalf of Brian Tobin, minister of industry. "This government of Canada investment provides another boost to this country's great track record as a global leader in the field of telecom software engineering."

Holt described the chair's work as "a logical continuation of Canada's record of excellence. Whatever the economic climate, this is an excellence that will always be maintained."

"Telecommunications will always be a Canadian strength," Brzustowski said. "This chair's research program will not only help keep us ahead but it will also train graduate students who will be creating future generations of products."

Holt is well known for his early work in deadlock in operating systems, as well as on compilers and the Turing programming language, which he developed. His most recent work includes research in visualizing and navigating through huge software systems, such as those that are embedded in telecommunications systems.

Godfrey is an expert in software evolution and the patterns of change that large systems go through as they are modified to meet new market conditions.

"Where in Canada is there such a critical mass in 'hard-core' software engineering? " said Paul Guild, UW vice-president, university research. "These chairs enhance UW's disciplined approach to the design, development, implementation and maintenance of software," he said. "Focusing as it does on telecommunications, we look forward to significant benefits to Canadian industry and society as a whole."

Friday before a long weekend A Thanksgiving lunch buffet is offered at the University Club today for $10.95 -- reservations, ext. 3801. John Bacher, historian and author of Petrotyranny, will speak at noon today in the multipurpose room of the Student Life Centre, brought in by the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group. "Bacher believes that reducing the dependence on oil by industrialized countries will undermine bin Laden's terrorist network and the dictatorial states that actively or passively support him. Bacher believes oil, not religion, fuels dictatorship, intolerance and war." The tourism research lecture series continues with a talk at 2:30 (Environmental Studies I room 132) by Kit Jenkins of the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, on "Policy, Planning and Implementation Issues in Developing Countries". The United Way campaign continues on campus. As of last night, gifts and pledges had reached $78,352, which is 52 per cent of the $150,000 goal, Tricia Corrin in the United Way office reports. Sports over the weekend: The soccer Warriors host Wilfrid Laurier at Columbia Field this afternoon (women at 1 p.m., men at 3 p.m.). Tomorrow at 7:30, the football Warriors host Guelph at University Stadium. Off campus, the hockey Warriors will get their first taste of competition for the year, playing two games against Michigan teams; the men's rugby team plays at Western today; and that's about it.

Thanksgiving brings Oktoberfest to K-W

Services that are always open at UW, including holiday weekends:

• University police, 888-4911
• Student Life Centre, 888-4434
• Maintenance emergencies, ext. 3793
• Automated switchboard, 888-4567

• Free family breakfast at Waterloo Town Square tomorrow, 7:30 to 11:30.
• Parade, Monday morning starting at 8:45 at King and Erb Streets, winding up at King and Cedar in downtown Kitchener, televised nationally on CTV.
• Women of the Year awards, October 11 at the Waterloo Inn.
• "Spass 'n' Spiel" family event at the Bechtel Park recreation centre, Sunday night, October 14.

Oh, did I mention the "festhallen"? Those are big spaces around the city, including the gym at University Stadium, that are turned into beer halls for some or all the nights of Oktoberfest -- a place for drinking, eating and singing. Admission is by ticket, and it can be hard to get last-minute tickets, which is why many groups book early, including some at UW. The International Student Association has an outing to one of them, the Concordia Club, next Thursday; and the UW chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity has been selling tickets for "Karlsberghaus", held at the Kitchener Auditorium, and will be running buses there from campus.

With the beginning of Oktoberfest, there can be more than the usual number of too-merry drivers on the road; may we celebrate with moderation and drive with care. The weather forecast is mixed for the weekend, so it might be wise to dress warmly for the parade on Monday morning.

And may we be, as the old grace says, truly thankful. The sorrows and burdens come easily enough to mind, but still, I know, we at Waterloo have much to be thankful for.

CAR