Brain Researchers Bringing Ideas, Discoveries to Guelph

GUELPH, Ontario May 04, 2011 - University of Guelph News Release

Neuroscience research is one of the fastest-growing areas of study at the University of Guelph, but it's still a relatively unknown field among non-experts. Hoping to change that, Guelph’s “brain professors” are inviting the public to the annual conference of the Southern Ontario Neuroscience Association, which will draw researchers from across the province to campus May 9.

“We’re working hard to share the exciting advances in neuroscience beyond our academic peers,” said Prof. Mark Fenske, Department of Psychology, who studies how the brain’s attention and emotion systems can enhance performance.

“We want to let people know how such findings relate to their day-to-day lives.”

The conference theme is learning and motivation; lecture topics will include aging, memory, emotion, and links between movement and musical rhythm. More than 100 poster presentations will discuss everything from behaviour and addiction to stroke, depression and music-dependent memory.

The all-day event will begin at 9 a.m. in Rozanski Hall. Keynote speaker Harriet de Wit, University of Chicago, will discuss determinants of human drug preferences at 11:30 a.m. A complete schedule of talks and poster presentations is available online.

“All speakers are being asked to include messages about the importance of their research for the general public and any implications for mental health,” Fenske said.

About two dozen U of G researchers from six departments study neuroscience. Their studies include protein structure in multiple sclerosis, epilepsy in dogs and cats, and drug addictions and relapses.

U of G offers a neuroscience minor through the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences and a neuroscience graduate degree in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. Administrators plan to expand the grad degree to an interdepartmental program and to create a B.Sc. major in neuroscience.

Guelph neuroscientists host annual events such as Brain Awareness Week and Brain Bee competitions for high school students. Fenske writes about brain topics as a regular columnist for the Globe and Mail and co-wrote The Winner’s Brain: 8 Strategies Great Minds Use to Achieve Success, published in 2010.

Senator Wallin Resigns as U of G Chancellor

photo from Flickr by 2x a God Father

GUELPH, Ontario, March 31, 2011 - University of Guelph News Release

Due to increased responsibilities in the Canadian Senate, Pamela Wallin has regretfully decided to step down as chancellor of the University of Guelph. The announcement was made today by president Alastair Summerlee.

"Due to her increasing role and responsibilities in the Senate and elsewhere, Senator Wallin feels that she can no longer devote the time necessary to properly serve as chancellor," Summerlee said.

One of Canada's most prominent media figures, a diplomat and an entrepreneur, Wallin first became chancellor in March 2007. She was elected by the University’s academic governing body, Senate, to a second three-year term last March.

“This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” said Wallin. “These students are our future and our most important natural resource, and to share their moment of success is truly inspiring.”

Wallin has been a member of the Canadian Senate since 2008 and has assumed the chair of the National Security and Defence Committee. She also serves as a member of the Senate’s prestigious Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee, the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee and the Special Senate Committee on Anti-terrorism. In addition, she was appointed honorary colonel of the Air Force in 2009 by the minister of defence.

“Pamela is a valued friend and champion of the University of Guelph and a passionate supporter of our students," Summerlee added. "She has made many significant contributions to the advancement of this university and to higher education in general. We are sad to see her go but wish her all the best.”

Wallin continues to serve as the senior adviser on Canada-U.S. relations at the Americas Society and the Council of the Americas in New York and Washington. She also sits on several corporate boards, as well as a number of not-for-profit organizations.

She was the seventh person and the second woman to hold the position of chancellor since the University’s founding in 1964.

Wallin’s career has spanned more than 30 years and several continents, including numerous positions at CBC and CTV. From 2002 to 2006, she served as consul general of Canada in New York.

U of G’s Senate will start the process of searching for a new chancellor immediately.