Daily News

posted on April 25: New student publication launched

A motivated group of first-year McMaster students united with a vision to create a unique learning experience in the field of medicine and health. The result was the birth of the Meducator, McMaster's Medical Research and Health Ethics Student Publication. To foster learning in the field, the student organization assembled writers to research medical and health ethics topics, connected them with McMaster researchers for personal interviews whenever possible, subjected the articles for review by post-graduates, and published the finished content in a free publication available around the McMaster campus and on the www.meducator.org web site. As an opportunity to further the educational value of the initiative, readers (students, faculty and staff) are invited to participate in on-topic discussions on the website, where cross-referencing and collaboration can take place. The first issue of the Meducator, launched on April 5, discusses current issues in regards to medical research and health ethics. The Meducator is an MSU organisation and welcomes new writers and researchers with open arms. The publication is a great venue to voice an informative outlook in the arena of medicine and science. The purpose is to inform the McMaster populace on current trends and hot topics that confront medical doctors, researchers, and scientists. The Meducator intends to be a new source of fascinating medical information that will interest the entire McMaster community. Free copies of the Meducator are available (on a limited basis) at the following locations: Hamilton Hall (near the Information Centre and the main entrance) Burke Science Building (Near main entrance) Bachelor of Health Science Honours Programme Office (At office counter and on coffee table) Health Science Lounge (Passcard only) Health Science Centre (Near Ewart Angus Centre on table) In Front of the Health Science Library (On table) (End of story)

posted on April 18: Software engineering students strut their stuff

Six senior software engineering students are $1000 richer after winning this year's IBM Challenge to design the best "Bio-Bank" software product. For their senior thesis project, 65 students were asked to develop a product that could conceivably be offered on the market after their project was complete. A team from IBM's Toronto lab assessed the projects for their effectiveness, performance reliability, maintenance and usability. The student team of Curtis Miles (team leader), Rajan Bhakta, Joseph Fakhri, Trevor Liang, Chris Murray and Alan Young developed the winning system, a product they called BIFF (Biography Information Fact Finder). The "Bio-Bank" challenge was designed by David Parnas, professor and director of the software engineering program, in response to a practical problem he encountered during a meeting last year. Even though he has been described as "one of the grandmasters of software engineering", Parnas doesn't always remember the 'Who's Who' of industry. During a meeting with representatives of a major mobile communications company, Parnas didn't recognize the name of the individual who was the subject of conversation. "I wished I could simply type this person's name into my laptop and get some kind of information about him."

posted on April 17: A centre with all the right angles

Students studying angles of refraction at McMaster will soon see their assignments from a new vantage point. The James Stewart Centre for Mathematics, slated for opening in fall 2003 will, quite literally, have all the right angles. The angles will come from the beams of light that will help to transform a historic building into a modern teaching centre and research facility. Light refracted through big, tall windows, overhead skylights and atria is a key feature of the new facility to be created within the walls of Hamilton Hall. While the exterior of the historic building will remain virtually untouched, the interior will be completely renewed and renovated. The well-known architectural firm of Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg, which is currently retrofitting the Hamilton Art Gallery and built the Fields Institute for Mathematics in Toronto, has been hired to design the facility. The firm and the donor for whom the centre is named share a love for glass and light. "We wanted a building that would admit as much light as possible and the architect's design, which calls for the creation of two atria within the building, will go a long way towards ensuring that the building is bright and open. The building has beautiful windows and these will play a key role in transmitting the natural light into the building," explains Matt Valeriote, chair of mathematics & statistics.

posted on April 19: McMaster graduate is new director of alumni advancement

McMaster's alumni operation has a new leader. Rod Morrison will be joining McMaster as director, alumni advancement. Morrison is returning to his McMaster roots and he says he couldn't be more pleased to be back. He graduated from McMaster with his B.A. in history in 1979, followed by his Masters degree in 1980. He then traveled to Oxford, where he earned his D.Phil. After returning to Canada he worked as a lecturer at Memorial University, held several positions with the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and most recently was executive director of the Huntington Society of Canada where he led a national team of 20 staff members and successfully established a number of new funding partnerships. "Rod brings with him tremendous experience in volunteer management," says Roger Trull, vice-president, university advancement. "I'm confident he will build on the success of our alumni and annual giving programs, and that he will be quick to establish relationships with the University, our alumni volunteers, and the McMaster Alumni Association Board." For his part, Morrison says, "I couldn't be more pleased to return to such a great institution. McMaster was a wonderful place to go to school and I have a strong sentimental attachment to the University. I'm looking forward to working with the advancement team and the alumni community." Morrison begins his duties at McMaster on May 6th. He replaces Scott Koblyk, who left the director's position last week after more than seven years with the alumni team. Koblyk will continue to be involved with the University but has chosen to concentrate on his writing career. (End of story)