Posted on Feb. 18: New Functional Genomics Centre connects leading researchers
A new Functional Genomics Centre that will bring together some of McMaster's leading-edge researchers in the area of human disease, specifically cancer, received Senate approval last week.
“Genomics research is substantially altering our understanding of normal physiological processes and the molecular basis of disease,” says biochemistry professor and one of the centre's core faculty members John Hassell, in a report to Senate. “The greatest impact of genomics thus far has come from knowledge of the sequence of the genomes of experimental organisms.”
The centre is part of the restructuring of the Institute for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MOBIX). MOBIX, established in the mid-80s, focuses McMaster's research efforts in the emerging area of molecular biology and biotechnology.
The centre's core faculty includes: John Hassell; Juliet Daniel, biology; Suleiman Igdoura, biology; Yingfu Li, biochemistry; Bernardo Trigatti, biochemistry; Peter Whyte, pathology and molecular medicine. Other professors associated with the centre include Damu Tang, medicine, and Joe Macri, pathology and molecular medicine.
The proposal will go to the Board of Governors for final approval.
Other news from Senate:
McMaster will join forces with Mohawk College to offer a new Concurrent Certificate in Applied Business Management.
The new program will be offered for students interested in receiving both a university degree and college diploma in four years one year less than it would take if the two programs were taken sequentially.
This program will allow students in humanities, social sciences and science to complete a Certificate in Human Resources Management at Mohawk College for up to one year to earn credits towards their degree.
McMaster's new academic integrity policy will take effect May 1, 2003.
The policy supercedes the Senate Statement on Academic Ethics and the Senate Resolution on Academic Dishonesty. As a result, any charge of academic dishonesty that is laid after April 30 will be administered under the new policy.
Andrea Thyret-Kidd has been appointed the new Academic Integrity Officer. Thyret-Kidd's main responsibilities include educating the university community on academic dishonesty issues and developing procedures and programs to present academic dishonesty. She also will implement the new policy and will make an annual report to Senate. Thyret-Kidd is a former first-year experience/judicial education manager of Student Affairs at McMaster.
University Senate revised its policy regarding letters to the press.
The policy sets out guidelines for members of the McMaster community who interact with the media. It states that when a University staff or faculty member presents a view through the media, he or she should distinguish their statement between an official University position and the personal views of a person or group.
Senate approved the creation of a new assistant dean in the Faculty of Social Sciences.
The position is intended to improve responsiveness to student issues and overall administrative efficiency within the faculty and enhance the profile of the person who makes decisions on student petitions.
Working closely with the dean and associate dean, the assistant dean will provide continuity and institutional memory in matters related to undergraduate education in the Faculty of Social Sciences.
