Daily News

Posted on May 9: McMaster and City of Hamilton move ahead on biomedical incubator business plan

McMaster officials were back at City Hall yesterday presenting a plan that will help Hamilton build its biotechnology base. McMaster has been working with the City of Hamilton's economic development staff over the last several months to develop a partnership that ultimately will result in the creation of the Hamilton-McMaster Biomedical Incubator. The proposed incubator will assist new companies with the commercialization of biomedical research while capitalizing on McMaster's research and research capacity. The city has identified biotechnology as one of six economic development clusters. It was decided at the meeting that the University and the city will collaborate in the development of a business plan for this project. Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president, research & international affairs, sees this as an important first step. He believes this partnership is a tremendous opportunity for McMaster to support the city's economic development and job creation goals and to diversify its industrial base. "The timing is right for this," Shoukri told a number of city councillors who participated in the hearings sub-committee meeting. "There is a convergence of priorities the University and its affiliated hospitals, the city and the province all have identified biotechnology as an area of strategic importance, while the federal government's innovation agenda clearly outlines commercialization of university research as a priority." Mayor Bob Wade attended the meeting and told his colleagues that the biotechnology window of opportunity "may pass Hamilton by." He went on to say, "if we are intent do to something for the city's economy, then we must find a way to endorse this project." (End of story)

posted on May 8: Basmajian Award celebrates research excellence

Lori-Ann Linkins, MD, and Yu-jing Gao, PhD pharmacology, are this year's recipients of the Basmajian Award for Excellence in Post-Doctoral Research Work. The award is intended to recognize post-doctoral research fellows at McMaster who have made meritorious contributions in research during their post doctoral research training. The award, first established in 1991, was made possible by John Basmajian, professor emeritus of medicine and anatomy. Basmajian is recognized as a world leader in rehabilitation medicine and in 2001 was awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Science, at the Faculty of Health Sciences convocation. This year the Basmajian award was offered in two catergories: one to a clinical post-doctoral fellow and the other to a non-clinical post doctoral fellow.

Third annual event raises awareness for occupational health and safety

How safe is your work place? Many people think of occupational health and safety as an issue dealing mainly with chemical waste, flammable products or respiratory hazards. There are, however, other components of a safe work environment that include field trips, law and security and ergonomics. This week was North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH), and Risk Management Services (RMS) presented a variety of events to inform and educate McMaster workers. This year's fair is the third organized by RMS. Christel Kaiser-Farrell, one of the organizers of the event, states that the goal of the week's events, was "to raise safety awareness on campus." She adds, "We can also raise awareness outside of work, for example, environmental awareness." She feels that there are a lot of potential hazards on campus, but RMS is working to minimize them. The office is involved in all sectors of the university, except for Health Sciences, which has its own department. "If people have a question about work place safety, they can contact our office, and someone will be able to help them," she advises. On Wednesday (May 8), the NAOSH festivities were visible in the form of a big white tent set up in front of John Hodgins Engineering Building. Under this tent, vendors displayed various equipment designed to make the workplace safer or more comfortable. Participants included the Occupational and Environmental Health Laboratory, Borgo, Lordly Jones Office Furniture, Working at McMaster, 3M Respirators, Lawlor Safety, and Fisher Safety. Many of these companies already work with the University, training personnel and providing equipment. The vendors demonstrated and showcased all forms of safety equipment for both labs and offices. Products ranged from gloves, goggles, and gas detectors to respirators and reflective vests. Other displays included ergonomic office equipment, such as keyboard platforms and office chairs designed to aid in the prevention of repetitive stress injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome. In conjunction with the displays and a barbeque lunch, Risk Management Services tested attendees' knowledge with a safety quiz. Questions included proper responses to fire alarms and hazardous conditions in individual work areas. People who complete the quiz correctly will be entered in a draw to win one of many prizes donated by the vendors. Prizes include a chair supplied by Borgo, a cordless drill supplied by Lawlor Safety, a putter provided by 3M, T-shirts, mugs, and a sweatshirt supplied by our own bookstore. The draw for the winners will be held today(May 10). Through the NAOSH Week events, RMS hopes to make the campus a safer place. Safety is the responsibility of everyone on campus and improved awareness will create improved work environments. (End of story)

Working safely at McMaster

The goal of North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, is to "focus the attention of employers, employees, the general public and all partners in occupational health and safety on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace and at home." Risk Management Services (RMS) is once again celebrating NAOSH week by offering safety related seminars and displays to educate and reinforce the commitment to a safe and healthy workplace at McMaster. RMS has a full schedule of activities planned, beginning with four seminars on Tuesday (May 7), held in John Hodgins Engineering (JHE) 342. On Wednesday (May 8), everyone is welcome to drop by the vendor displays outside the main entrance to JHE and enjoy a $2.00 barbecue lunch (hot dog or burger and drink) between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Assess your safety knowledge and take the Safety Quiz with a chance to win one of many donated prizes. Thursday (May 9) includes a full slate of five sessions, offering everything from learning how to use a fire extinguisher to working ergonomically. NAOSH week is an annual initiative led by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety and Human Resources Development Canada. (End of story)

posted on May 3: Last day for Arts Quad Cafi

On Monday May 6 it might be wise to stay away from the halls leading from the Arts Quad Cafi to the new McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC). This route could be congested with caffeine and food deprived individuals seeking their daily hit of Tim Horton's or Pizza Pizza, who have forgotten that the doors of the Arts Quad Cafi are closed for good. Monday marks the opening of La Piazza, the MUSC's marketplace area that is one of the largest and most diverse campus facilities of its kind in Ontario. Tim Horton's self service, Pizza Pizza and Piller's Deli can be found inside La Piazza, as well as Creation X, serving everything from breakfast to dinner, and Tomassito's, where you can create your own pasta dish. By late summer, Made in Japan Teriyaki Experience, Williams Coffee Pub, a bakery and another Tim Horton's kiosk will be open to offer even more choice to the McMaster community. There will be 275 food court seats, but diners can also use the many comfortable seating areas located in the main foyer and throughout the centre. Ed Townsley, assistant director, hospitality services, is looking forward to the completion of the marketplace. "When everything is open and running, it will be quite the place." Townsley adds that there will be more service points (cashiers) located in La Piazza, which means "we have the ability to serve more people, quickly." McMaster's newest dining location will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays during the summer. (End of story)