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Thursday, October 2, 2014

 

 

  • Researchers recognized for disease prevention
  • Staff Association awards available for students
  • Cooking, Lunch & Learn, and other tasty tidbits

 

 

Applied Health Sciences folks dressed in red for the United Way.Red letter day: Members of the campus community painted the town red yesterday for the launch of the University's United Way Campaign. Pictured above are staff members from Housing and Residences. At right are members of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, who foreswore their usual teal for a more scarlet shade.

Yesterday marked the start of the annual University
of Waterloo campaign in support of the United Way of
Kitchener Waterloo and Area. The goal for the 2014 campaign is $250,000.

In working to address the social service issues in the community, The United Way helps to create a support network, whether it be with a food basket, counselling services, or a literacy program.

For more information about the United Way campaign, check out the website.

And if you have any "going red" team photos you'd like to share, send them my way.

 

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Researchers recognized for disease prevention

Two University of Waterloo researchers specializing in chronic disease prevention are newly appointed Applied Public Health Chairs, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has announced.

The prestigious positions, awarded only once every five years, include close to a million dollars each in funding for highly focused research programs of national relevance to public health.

Professors Scott Leatherdale and David Hammond, both of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences and the School of Public Health and Health Systems at Waterloo, are recognized nationally as leading experts in developing and evaluating strategies for reducing the prevalence of chronic disease among the Canadian population. 

Professor Leatherdale, an expert in youth health and an advisor for provincial and national policy- makers, will use his award to further expand his project COMPASS — the world’s largest and most comprehensive longitudinal study of youth focused on using programs and policies to reduce the future cancer burden in Canada.

The first study of its kind, COMPASS uses a systems science approach to guide evidence-based decision making in youth-focused policy and practice. Its goal is to change the major modifiable risk factors for cancer, including tobacco use, poor diet, alcohol use, physical inactivity and obesity.

“A key to improving the health of large segments of the population is in understanding the relationship between the environmental context in which people live and how it impacts their future disease risk,” said Professor Leatherdale.  If we can change or adapt the environment to reduce the future risk of cancer and other related diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the outcomes for Canada can be substantial.”

Professor Hammond will continue his work on obesity and tobacco use—two major health issues.

“The number of obese children and youth in Canada has tripled over the past 30 years and smoking rates remain at more than 4 million Canada,” said Professor Hammond.

“Obesity is a leading cause of death and disease in this country, but it is a risk factor we can change.”

Professor Hammond specializes in nutrition policies and the efficacy of nutritional labelling, including ways to improve nutrition labels on food products and promote healthier diets. He works closely with policy-makers around the world to evaluate new laws and regulations, including with the World Health Organization’s first public health treaty.

He is also conducting a clinical trial on e-cigarettes as a cessation aid, as well as research to prevent youth uptake of e-cigarettes.  His work on the effects of plain packaging on smoking behaviour has helped shaped legislation in such countries as Australia, the UK and Ireland.

“Tobacco control has unparalleled potential to impact population-level health at the national and international scale,” said Professor Hammond.

Professors Hammond and Leatherdale join 12 other Applied Public Health Chairs across the country. CIHR and the Public Health Agency of Canada funded the positions.

 

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Staff Association awards available for students

The University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) is offering three student awards, each valued at $500. Two are aimed at undergraduate students, and one is being offered to graduate students.

One of the undergraduate awards is proudly sponsored and funded by the Education Credit Union.

Eligibility requirements are straightforward - the recipient must be a full or part-time student in a degree program at the University of Waterloo and must be either a member of the UWSA, or the spouse, child, grandchild, or dependent of a UWSA member.

More details about the awards, including the application forms and terms of reference, are available on the UWSA website.

The application deadline for the Fall Term is Wednesday, October 15.

 

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Cooking, Lunch & Learn, and other tasty tidbits

Cooking Show poster.Food Services is putting on a cooking show next week. Executive Chef David Evans will be teaching students how to make simple meals they can prepare quickly and with minimal ingredients on Wednesday, October 8. The UW Cooking Show will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Festival Room of South Campus Hall. Afterwards, UW Chefs will be making other simple dishes for attendees to enjoy. The event is free, but registration is recommended. Attendees will be entered into a draw for a door prize provided by Campbells Soups.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has organized an October Brown Bag Lunch & Learn session, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 15 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in DC 1302. It's entitled "Navigating the University Admissions Process." Here's the lowdown:

"Are you a staff or faculty member who knows a student who is planning to attend university? Come join the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for a brown bag lunch session and learn more about applying to Ontario universities. Representatives from the Registrar’s Office and HR will cover the application process, financing an education, and Waterloo’s tuition benefit."

No registration is required to attend. If you have questions about the session, contact Mark Lisetto-Smith of the EAP steering committee via email or by calling extension 38257.

Professor Robert Park, wearing a life jacket.The Faculty of Arts is hosting a public lecture by Professor Robert Park of the Department of Anthropology on Thursday, October 9 at 5:00 p.m. in the Theatre of the Arts. Park, you'll recall, has spent parts of the past four summers assisting the Government of Nunavut in its land-based archaeological investigations into the Franklin Expedition tragedy, which has been a top story in the national media after the Prime Minister's announcement on September 9 of the discovery of one of Sir John Franklin's two ships, missing since 1845. Yesterday it was announced that the shipwreck had been identified as the HMS Erebus, Franklin's flagship.

Professor Park helped make the find that led Parks Canada's underwater archaeologists to the wreck. In his presentation, "Finding Franklin's Ships and other remnants of the 1845 Northwest Passage Expedition," Park will describe what recent archaeological research has revealed about the lives and deaths of these explorers, and how the first of Franklin's ships was finally found.

Tyler Norrie's memorial patch.When the Warriors men's hockey team plays their opening game today, they'll be honouring the memory of Tyler Norrie with a special pre-game ceremony. Norrie, a native of Simcoe, Ontario, died suddenly in June at the age of 22.

As part of the ceremony, the Warriors will welcome Norrie's mother Karen, father Duncan, and sister Lynsey for the ceremonial puck drop. Team members will be sporting a memorial jersey patch on their uniforms for the 2014-2015 season that prominently features Norris's number 16 prominently, along with the phrase "Warriors live forever."

The Warriors will be playing the Brock Badgers at the Columbia Icefield.

 

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Link of the day

World Day for Farmed Animals

When and where


6th International Conference on Post-Quantum Cryptography, Wednesday, October 1 to Friday, October 3, Institute for Quantum Computing. Details.

WPIRG presents “They Came in Ships: Settler Colonialism from Turtle Island to Palestine,” Thursday, October 2, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., RCH 301. Details.

Faculty of Arts Graduate Studies Info Reception, Thursday, October 2, 7:00 p.m., School of Accounting and Finance Don Craig Atrium. Details.

Arriscraft Fall Lecture Series featuring Jenny Sabin, “Elasticity and Networks: Computing BioMatters,” Thursday, October 2, 7:00 p.m., Cummings Lecture Theatre, School of Architecture. Details.

Department of Chemical Engineering seminar featuring Maryam Emami, McMaster University, “The Role of Rheology in Non-Pressurized Polymer Foaming Systems,” Friday, October 3, 11:30 a.m., E6 2024.

Knowledge Integration seminar: Philosophical Analysis in an Interdisciplinary Mode, featuring Prof. Heather Douglas, Waterloo Chair in Science and Society, Department of Philosophy, Friday, October 3, 2:30 p.m., EV3 1408. Details.

Biology seminar featuring John Brumell, University of Toronto, "Mechanisms of cell-to-cell spread by Listeria monocytogenes," Friday, October 3, 2:30 p.m., QNC 1501.

Staff Relations Committee meeting, Friday October 3, 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., NH 3001.

Centre for Teaching Excellence’s Teaching Week, Monday, October 6 to Friday, October 10.

Dispelling the Myths of Engineering Grad Studies, Tuesday, October 7, 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., E5 – 1001. Details.

UW Cooking Show, Wednesday, October 8, 6:00 p.m., Festival Room, South Campus Hall. Details.

Bookstore Author Event featuring Laurie Hoffman-Goetz, Lorie Donelle, and Rukhsana Ahmed, "Health Literacy in Canada - A Primer for Students," Thursday, October 9, 4:30 p.m., Bookstore, SCH.

Public Lecture featuring Professor Robert Park, Department of Anthropology, "Finding Franklin's Ships and other remnants of the 1845 Northwest Passage Expedition," Thursday, October 9, 5:00 p.m., Theatre of the Arts. Details.

Centre for Teaching Excellence’s Teaching Week, Monday, October 6 to Friday, October 10.

Velocity Science Brainstorming event, Tuesday, October 7, 7:30 p.m., EV3 4412. Details. 

Velocity Alpha workshop, Wednesday, October 8, 7:30 p.m., PHY 150. Details.

Arriscraft Fall Lecture Series featuring Nader Tehrani, “Pedagogical Constructs,” Thursday, October 9, 7:00 p.m., Cummings Lecture Theatre, School of Architecture. Details.

Thanksgiving Holiday, Monday, October 13, most university buildings and services closed.

Velocity Alpha workshop, “Do People Want Your Sh*t?” featuring Mike Kirkup and Tristan Lehari, Wednesday, October 15, 7:30 p.m., EV3 4412. Registration details.

Arriscraft Fall Lecture Series featuring Jesse Reiser, “Projection and Reception,” Thursday, October 16, 7:00 p.m., Cummings Lecture Theatre, School of Architecture. Details.

The Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE) presents Energy Day 2014, Friday, October 17, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., DC 1301 and DC 1302.

Velocity Science Talk featuring Aman Iqbal, Tuesday, October 21, 7:30 p.m., EV3 4412. Registration details.

Velocity Alpha Q/A panel, Wednesday, October 22, 7:30 p.m., EV3 4412. Registration details.

Fall 2014 Convocation, Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25.

University of Waterloo Gem and Mineral Show, Friday, October 24, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, October 25, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Earth Sciences Museum. Details.

Municipal Election Day, Monday, October 27.

Board of Governors meeting, Tuesday, October 28, 1:30 p.m., location TBA.

Velocity Alpha presents “Finding Your Customers Online,” Wednesday, October 29, 7:30 p.m., EV3 4412. Registration details.

President's Town Hall meeting, Thursday, October 30, 10:30 a.m., Humanities Theatre.

Park and Veva Reilly Distinguished Seminar featuring Michael Pyne, Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Waterloo, “Genetic and Metabolic Engineering of Clostridium Pasteurianum for Production of Butanol as a Renewable Biofuel,” Thursday, October 30, 3:30 p.m., E6-2024.

Arriscraft Fall Lecture Series featuring Joel Sanders, “Immersive Environments: Media, Architecture and Landscape,” Thursday, October 30, 7:00 p.m., Cummings Lecture Theatre, School of Architecture. Details.

PhD Oral Defences

Biology. Wendy Michaud, "Environmental variability and ecological diversity of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus (L.)): implications for managing a highly diverse species in the context of climate change." Supervisor, Michael Power. On deposit in the Faculty of Science graduate office, PHY 2008. Oral defence Tuesday, October 7, 10:00 a.m., B1 266.

Geography and Environmental Management. Xiao Xu, "Exploring the Use of Remote Sensing CO2 Data to Measure the CO2 Concentration Enhancements Caused by Coal-fired Power Plants." Supervisors, Richard Kelly, Paul Parker. On display in the Faculty of Environment, EV1 335. Oral defence Wednesday, October 8, 1:00 p.m., EV1 221.

Environment and Resources Studies. Holly Gardner, "Effective Consultation and Participation in Environmental Assessment and Land Use Planning: Advancing sustainable development in a remote first nations community in northern Ontario, Canada." Supervisor, Leonard Tsuji. On display in the Faculty of Environment, EV1 335. Oral defence Thursday, October 9, 12:00 p.m., EV1 221.

Civil & Environmental Engineering. Doubra Ambaiowei, "Innovative Evaluation of Crumb Rubber Asphalt and Recycled Flexible Pavements." Supervisor, Susan Tighe. On deposit in the Engineering graduate office, PHY 3004. Oral defence Thursday, October 9, 1:30 p.m., E2 2350.

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