June 24, 2004

McMaster announced its 2004 football recruiting class Wednesday. Comprised of 21 student-athletes, the class includes players from Almonte, Barrie, Burlington, Cambridge, Chatham, Hamilton, London, Oakville, St. Catharines, Stoney Creek, Thornhill, Toronto, Beaconsfield, QC - via Upper Canada College in Toronto and Nassau, Bahamas - via Ridley College in St. Catharines. The McMaster recruiting class includes seven receivers, five linebackers and five running backs (including two full backs), three defensive backs and one defensive lineman. "We improved our depth at receiver, linebacker and running back, three areas identified by our coaching staff for improvement," said head coach Marcello Campanaro on his first recruiting class with McMaster. "We were also successful in recruiting a very athletic group of kids with a lot of character who are excited about coming to McMaster and competing for a position in the fall."

June 23, 2004

A second-year McMaster University student has presented a major research paper and received an award from the American Physiological Society. Jacob Rullo of Hamilton, 20, has won a David S. Bruce Award for undergraduate research. This is the first year for the awards, which are given annually to up to four undergraduate students at North American universities. Rullo, who has just finished his second year of the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program, has been working in the laboratory of Alison Fox-Robichaud since his last year of high school. His current project involves developing and characterizing a model of liver injury associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The model involves giving mice a compound called dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) in the drinking water. In five to seven days the mice develop inflammation that has features of ulcerative colitis, one form of inflammatory bowel disease.

June 22, 2004

A McMaster University student is headed to Yale University to pursue a post-doctoral fellowship after receiving a rare "perfect score" on her application from a Canadian funding agency. Amy Latimer, a PhD student in McMaster's Department of Kinesiology, plans to use the two-year fellowship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to study health communication strategies at Yale's Health, Emotion and Behaviour Laboratory. "I'm very excited about this opportunity to build on my current research interests in a large lab that receives a lot of international profile," says Latimer. "My family and my colleagues here are just thrilled."

June 21, 2004

Since obtaining his PhD in 1999, McMaster's Hendrik Poinar has achieved a lot. Aside from international media attention surrounding his research into the genetics of ancient humans, Poinar has had four successful major grant proposals to develop new lab facilities and support his ongoing research. He has authored or co-authored more than 40 articles and book chapters, in leading journals such as Nature and Science. And he has offered undergraduates, research assistants, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows several opportunities to participate in this research. Now, he has another success to add to that list  one that recognizes him for achieving so much so early in his career. The 35-year-old assistant anthropology professor was named the winner of the 2004 Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award. The award provides $25,000 to a new McMaster professor (less than eight years from a PhD) to encourage creative thinking about how undergraduate students can participate in University research. This is the second year for this award. The 2003 recipient was Imre Szeman, director of McMaster's Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition.

June 18, 2004

Barb Rabicki's favorite plant has three Latin names. To the layperson, it's called "bugbane" or "snakeroot," a tall, fragrant perennial with purple leaves that thrives in moist, shady areas. But she's unlikely to plant it on campus just yet. "You need the right place for it," she says. "Most of our garden beds on campus receive full sun exposure, so we have to keep that in mind when we're selecting new cultivars." Rabicki has an Ontario Diploma of Horticulture from the University of Guelph and a Bachelor's degree from Western. Before joining McMaster's grounds team as the grounds manager last month, she was a parks manager at the City of Hamilton. "McMaster is gifted with the most tremendous natural environment," says Rabicki. "My goals will be to optimize the beauty of the campus, create compelling spaces for people to enjoy, introduce new landscaping ideas and enhance the natural beauty."

June 17, 2004

Globetrotters who are looking for comprehensive care, before and after they travel, can seek advice from McMaster's Shariq Haider at Hamilton Health Sciences new International Health and Tropical Diseases Clinic. Under the direction of Haider, the clinic sees patients before they travel to review their overall health, discuss the health risks of the region they're visiting and receive the shots they need to protect their health. If, when they return, they aren't feeling well, they can come back to the clinic for assessment and treatment. Haider is an assistant professor of medicine at McMaster and a specialist in tropical medicine and infectious diseases. He knows the importance of continuity of care when it comes to today's exotic illnesses. "Over and over again, research shows that people who receive pre-travel advice have better outcomes," said Haider. "Our clinic can help travellers reduce their risks of getting sick and, if they do come down with something, we have the expertise to treat them quickly and effectively."

June 16, 2004

The following are highlights from the June 9 Senate meeting and June 10 Board of Governors meeting: Bob Rae commission McMaster President Peter George is . . .

June 16, 2004

McMaster has responded to the need for new athletic and recreational facilities by announcing plans to build a new $43-million athletic and recreation centre and stadium. Scheduled to open for the fall of 2006, the $30-million Athletics & Recreation Complex will be an addition to the University's existing Ivor Wynne Centre. This new centre will provide: a new sports hall, an indoor running track, a wellness and fitness centre twice the size and capacity of the current Pulse, international standard squash courts, new locker rooms, an expanded sports medicine clinic, as well as other teaching and training facilities. In addition, the new complex will be capable for use in hosting exams, movies, speakers, conventions and other community events. Construction of the complex is set to begin in March 2005. A future $13-million McMaster stadium to replace the existing Les Prince Field will have seating for 7,000 and will include varsity locker rooms, meeting space, storage areas, food preparation and concession facilities and seasonal multi-purpose training areas. The stadium field will be a high quality soft-surface artificial turf. The outdoor track will also be refurbished with a new track surface and new multi-seasonal artificial turf.

June 15, 2004

McMaster University's Venture Engineering and Science was awarded the 2004 Actua Best Project Award on June 8 for a project that is educational, fun, and . . .

June 15, 2004

On June 10, President Peter George hosted a reception in honour of 158 outstanding employees who have been recognized by members of the McMaster community as nominees for the President's Awards for Outstanding Service in 2003. This year's President's Awards for Outstanding Service resulted in 34 total nominations highlighting the achievements of 25 individuals and nine teams for their contribution to McMaster's mission. In his remarks President George noted, "We are committed to creativity, innovation and excellence. Today's nominees and award recipients have achieved the recognition of their peers as a result of incorporating these values in their day-to-day work and helping make McMaster the quality institution that it is. You are very much part of the reason McMaster ranks among the finest Universities in the world."

June 15, 2004

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/MechaWish.jpg” caption=”Mech-A-Wish”]Imagine a giant game of Mousetrap built out of Tinker Toys. Three engineering students did just that, building a sophisticated game designed . . .

June 14, 2004

Three McMaster history students have been recognized for the quality of their research, winning three of the available six scholarships awarded annually by a national organization. Doctoral students Jessa Chupik, Wendy Churchill, and Erika Dyck, have each been awarded a Hannah General Scholarship from the Associated Medical Services, winning $17,700 for their research in fields within the history of medicine. "This is a bit of a coup for the University," says David Wright, associate professor in the Department of History and Hannah Chair holder. "It shows our students are being recognized by their peers at the professional level for the fascinating work that's coming out of McMaster's History of Medicine program."

June 14, 2004

New cameras will be installed on campus, and educational programs on safety and security will be instituted, thanks to the injection of a $50,000 Women's . . .

June 11, 2004

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/cellutions.jpg” caption=”CELLutions Biosystems, Inc. launch”]McMaster launched an alliance with Toronto-based biotechnology company CELLutions Biosystems, Inc. at a luncheon this week. Through this partnership, . . .

June 11, 2004

An innovative new process that can machine automotive engine blocks faster, cheaper and greener has been developed by a national team of researchers, led by a McMaster University professor. The new process achieves a 150 per cent improvement in the amount of time required to cut an engine block. On June 17, 2004, Eu-Gene Ng, a research manager in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at McMaster will present some of the team's findings at the AUTO21 Scientific Conference in Montreal, Quebec. "In addition to the time the new procedure saves, it also reduces the amount of coolants normally used by 99 per cent," said Ng. Instead of using large volumes of lubricants during the cutting process, the new process uses a high-pressure mixture of compressed air and synthetic oil. Only five millilitres of oil are used per hour  an amount much lower than the amount of traditional coolant currently in use and more environmentally friendly.

June 10, 2004

Peter George will serve a third five-year term as President of McMaster University. McMaster University Board of Governors today approved the re-appointment, following the approval of the McMaster University Senate on June 9, 2004. The joint Senate  Board of Governors Committee to Recommend a President was established this past January. Chaired by Edward Buffett, chair of the Board of Governors, the 10-member committee unanimously recommended George for a third term, commencing July 1, 2005. "After extensive consultation and reflection the committee concluded unanimously that Dr. Peter George should be reappointed for a third five-year term as President and Vice-Chancellor," Buffett said. "Over the past nine years Dr. George has earned the support and respect of those within and beyond the University community. His achievements are outstanding. He is a tireless promoter of the excellence that McMaster University embodies and he has contributed immeasurably to its growth. The Committee has every confidence in Dr. George's experience, knowledge, compassion and leadership to move McMaster forward over the coming five years."

June 9, 2004

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/elbestawi.jpg” caption=”Mohamed Elbestawi”]Dean of engineering Mohamed Elbestawi was one of 30 Canadian engineers inducted into the Canadian Academy of Engineering. “I am truly . . .

June 9, 2004

McMaster University generated $670 million of provincial economic activity, and $455 million of economic activity in Hamilton, says a report released today by the University. The report, prepared for the University by PriceWaterhouseCoopers based on data from 2001, shows that with operating expenditures more than $477 million, McMaster was responsible for creating 14,500 person-years of employment province-wide, with 11,600 person-years in Hamilton. The operating budget created $670 million of provincial economic activity, $455 million in Hamilton. McMaster is Hamilton's sixth largest employer with approximately 3,500 full-time equivalent academic and support staff. Annual operations generate government revenues in excess of $201 million, with almost $139 million of that accruing from within the Hamilton economy. "Hamilton and McMaster are like two parts of the same ecosystem," Peter George, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University, told a luncheon hosted by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Business Development Committee today (Wednesday). "We sustain each other without ever getting together and acknowledging the depth and power of our symbiotic partnership."

June 9, 2004

A sound and sensory exhibit and geometrical interpretations of nature are the focus of two new exhibits opening at the McMaster Museum of Art. The Museum presents Flotilla, by artist Erika James, and My Mother Tongue, by Lee MyungSook, from June 13 to Aug. 22. There will be a public reception for both exhibits on June 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. Flotilla is the first in a series of exhibitions by contemporary artists who submitted proposals to the Museum's call for submissions last fall. Curated by Alexandra Pierce, acting director of the museum, the exhibit presents a sound and sensory experience with objects that shape an "unnatural" environment or landscape. With an installation of floating, breathing, murmuring organic sculptures that pulse with light, James challenges traditional perceptions of landscape in art.

June 8, 2004

Before throwing that pop can or newspaper in the garbage, think about how much it's costing. A recent audit on McMaster's waste stream revealed 40 per cent of garbage on campus consists of recyclable materials. By reducing that, the University has the potential to save tens of thousands of dollars a year. "If we take recyclables out of our waste stream, there is the potential the University could save up to $100,000 a year," says University planner Linda Axford, explaining a reduction in waste equates to less disposal costs. On April 8, Waste Services Inc. (WSI) conducted an audit on campus to identify the composition of the University's waste. In the audit, conducted in accordance with provincial regulation, WSI collected waste and inspected it at the WSI transfer station in Hamilton. Bags of waste were opened and divided into six categories: waste, metal, papers, mixed recyclables, cardboard and pizza boxes. The audit revealed that of 5,230 kilograms of garbage collected, 3,190 kg was waste, 510 kg was metal, 450 kg was paper, 450 kg was mixed recyclables, 360 kg was cardboard and 270 kg was pizza boxes. "We really need to reduce waste and increase recyclables, but it will take the will of everyone on campus to make this happen," Axford says, adding education on how to accomplish this is key.