Daily News

Posted on Aug. 13: Building better engineers

Building a better engineer is the theme of McMaster's Faculty of Engineering and the UROP students' summer accomplishments are proof that it works. McMaster will honour their achievements at the inaugural Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) Symposium on Friday, Aug. 15 in the McMaster University Information Technology Building from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. UROP is the only program of its kind in Canada and, with a price tag of a quarter million dollars, offers first- and second-year students the opportunity to compete for paid summer employment in the research field. UROP provides exposure to research environments generally only experienced by upper level and graduate students. "It's a really good program," said Kevin Solomon, a second-year student who is participating in UROP for the second time. "It's relevant to my future career goals. I can apply it to school and I get an actual taste of the future."

Posted on Aug. 12: Solving the mysteries of blood transfusion allergies

Improving patient care by solving a decades-old blood transfusion allergy mystery was one career highlight for Prof. Nancy Heddle. That work, along with her other research projects in blood transfusions and blood products, led to another career high early this year when the professor in the Department of Medicine and director of the Transfusion Research Program at McMaster received the 2002 Premier's Award of Excellence. Heddle was one of six recipients of this year's award presented by Ontario Premier Ernie Eves at a Toronto reception. The annual awards recognize career success and community contributions of college graduates. Her award was in the Health Sciences category. "It was absolutely wonderful," says Heddle, a 1969 graduate of the Medical Laboratory Technology Program at Mohawk College. She received a medal and certificate as well as a $5,000 bursary to be presented to the college. "I was excited, and honoured that I had been chosen."

Posted on Aug. 11: John C. Sibley Award given to two part-time faculty members

Two teachers who take a personal approach to health education are the winners of this year's John C. Sibley Award for part-time members of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS). The co-recipients are Harald Stolberg, of the Department of Radiology and Denise Marshall, of the Department of Family Medicine. The award is named for former associate dean John (Jack) C. Sibley, one of the founders of FHS who was known both locally and internationally for his interdisciplinary approach to community health. Established in 1986, it is given annually to those who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to innovative teaching, interdisciplinary education and research in improving patient care.

Posted on Aug. 8: Stargazing led Alison Sills to a career in physics and astronomy

Even for a theoretical astrophysicist, it began with that simple but universal human impulse to look up, way up. "Almost everyone likes to look at stars and think, 'Wow, what are they? Where did they come from?' We like the idea that the vast universe out there is somehow important to us," says Alison Sills, professor of physics & astronomy. Her leisure-time pursuits while growing up in Toronto included reading science fiction novels and astronomy books and gazing at the stars. Today she spends less time looking at the night sky from her backyard and more time observing simulations of colliding stars on her desktop PC, using data fed from the Hubble Space Telescope and from fellow stargazers working at Earth-bound observatories in Chile and Hawaii. Last fall the Arthur Bourns Building became home to one of fastest supercomputers in the world dedicated solely to calculating gravitational forces between stars, particularly stars in the oldest parts of our galaxy. She's purchased the new desktop device through a New Opportunities grant worth almost $175,000 announced this past summer by the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

Posted on Aug. 7: Girls experience worlds of engineering and science

When it comes to computers, engineering, and sciences, girls are often outnumbered by boys. This week, the Venture Engineering and Science summer day camps, run by the Faculty of Engineering, are giving female campers aged 9 to 14 special opportunities to experience the worlds of engineering and science. All girls week, which runs from Aug. 5 to Aug. 8, fosters girls' confidence with computers, engineering and science in a supportive team environment. As a finale for the week, these lucky campers will learn about being a scientist from one of their mentors, Lisa Crossley, assistant professor, chemical engineering. "Our mandate is to introduce all children to the exciting world of engineering, science, and technology in a fun and innovative environment," explains Krista Adlington, co-director of Venture. "Girls are traditionally under-represented in these fields and we want to show them how much fun engineering, science and technology can be." Part of showing this excitement is to have a women scientist visit Venture to share her experiences with the girls. Crossley will speak to the campers Friday, Aug. 8, 2003 from 11 a.m. 12 noon in the John Hodgins Building, Room 264.