The federal election, real-time video and Einstein’s brain
McMaster is known for making a positive impact on the local, national and international stages. Every Monday, Public Relations highlights some of the many McMaster stories making news in the past week.
Expert opinion:
The New York Times interviewed Salim Yusuf (Population Health Research Institute) for a story about how heart research is funded and how results are shared.
The Wall Street Journal, The Canadian Press, 640 News Toronto and CBC Radio Toronto’s Here and Now interviewed Henry Jacek (Political Science) in continuing coverage of the federal election. Among the outlets to pick up the CP story was The Hamilton Spectator.
The Globe and Mail interviewed Arthur Sweetman (Economics) for a front-page story on the potential of the Trans-Pacific Partnership to bring many more temporary foreign workers to Canada.
CBC Radio’s national science program Quirks and Quarks interviewed Christine Wilson (Physics and Astronomy) about developments in astronomy since 1975, as part of the program’s 40th anniversary special. She was one of five professors from four universities selected to appear.
The Toronto Star interviewed Christopher Anand (Engineering – Computing and Software) about the viability of startups in the emerging field of real-time video apps.
The Toronto Star interviewed Josipa Petrunic (Institute for Transportation and Logistics) about Toyota’s plan to stop selling gas-powered cars by 2050.
The Hamilton Spectator and CHML radio interviewed Marvin Ryder (DeGroote School of Business) in ongoing coverage of US Steel Canada’s effort to be freed from its pension and property-tax obligations. The Spec turned to Ryder again later in the week for a piece on the impact on pensioners and local businesses from the termination of benefits.
The Spectator also interviewed Ryder about increasing diversification in Hamilton’s port operations, including the construction of a new $50-million grain terminal.
Research:
The Canadian Press, CTV News, CBC.ca, and The Hamilton Spectator reported on research led by Dominik Mertz (Institute for Infectious Disease Research) showing that Enterovirus D68, commonly feared to be life-threatening, is actually closer to the common cold in terms of danger. Among the outlets to pick up the CP story were The Montreal Gazette, Regina Leader-Post, Windsor Star, Vancouver Sun, Vancouver Province, Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, Ottawa Citizen, Victoria Times Colonist, CFRA Radio (Toronto) and 610 CKTB Radio.
The Globe and Mail published a feature on the role of animals in cancer research that highlighted ongoing research using McMaster-developed viruses to fight tumours in cats.
The Toronto Star published a piece about research by Sandra Witelson (Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences) on pieces of Albert Einstein’s brain.
The Hamilton Spectator reported on research done in part at McMaster which found that universal tuberculosis screening of immigrants is very inefficient.
Teaching, learning and student success:
Canadian Architect reported on the groundbreaking for the Hatch Centre for Engineering Experiential Learning.
Community engagement:
The Hamilton Spectator published an opinion piece on the niqab issue, written by Rama Singh (Biology, Peace Studies)
In the news:
The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, Canadian Press, Broadcast News, CTV News, CFRB radio, The Hamilton Spectator, CHCH News, CITY TV, CP24, 680 News and Newstalk 1010 were among the outlets reporting on an Internet threat against McMaster, which was quickly proven not to be credible, and traced to a 16-year-old Ontario boy. The anonymous threat was similar in form to another that had forced the closure of Wilfrid Laurier University last week.
The Globe and Mail published an opinion piece by Communitech CEO Iain Klugman and BMO vice-chair Kevin Lynch, arguing for the establishment of a Canadian innovation corridor between Toronto and Waterloo that would include McMaster, the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo.
