Daily News

posted on Feb. 26: New chairholder explores connections between women’s health, vascular disease

Sonia Anand, an assistant professor of medicine in the Faculty of Health Sciences, has been named to an endowed chair in women's health. The chair is called the Eli Lilly Canada - May Cohen Chair in Women's Health. In her current research, Anand looks at the causes of cardiovascular disease in various ethnic groups, including aboriginal people, and the evaluation of antithrombotic therapies used in preventing further cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks). The formation of the Eli Lilly Canada - May Cohen Chair in Women's Health was announced in June 2000. The chairholder will conduct epidemiological research and clinical trials that address the determinants and prevalence of women's health problems as they relate to vascular diseases. Eli Lilly Canada is supporting the chair with a $1 million contribution over five years. Funding has also come from McMaster University, with additional support from the Population Health Research Institute, directed by Salim Yusuf. As the chairholder, Anand will develop policy recommendations from the research findings and educate both the public and health care professionals on women's health. "Dr. Anand is an excellent scientist and truly a rising star internationally in the area of cardiovascular medicine and population-based epidemiology," said John Kelton, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences. "We are pleased to be able to recognize her important work with this appointment. Her research and methodologic expertise will allow her to create a program of study and facilitate clinical trials that will address issues affecting women's health."

posted on Feb. 25: Government relations, research funding opportunities focus for two advisers

McMaster University announces the appointment of two senior advisers who will focus on opportunities in the areas of government relations and research. Peter Sadlier-Brown has been appointed government relations adviser in the Office of the President. Prior to his appointment at the University, Sadlier-Brown held a number of senior executive positions in the Ontario government. He was an assistant deputy minister in the Ministries of Finance, Labour, Intergovernmental Affairs and most recently, Economic Development and Trade. Before joining the provincial government, Sadlier-Brown worked for the C. D. Howe Research Institute, a labour union, and on Parliament Hill. Nick Markettos, on a year's secondment from the Ministry of Energy, Science & Technology, has joined the University as a special adviser to Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president research & international affairs. "Peter and Nick bring a considerable amount of knowledge and expertise to the University," said Acting President Peter Sutherland. "They will be instrumental in helping McMaster foster new relationships with government, map out a blueprint to enhance our current relationships and build on existing partnerships in our research enterprise. I'm delighted they are on board."

posted on Feb. 22: High energy Fame musical opens tonight

McMaster Musical Theatre cast members are dreaming of becoming stars. Tonight they launch this year's production, Fame, a musical about a group of students in the School of the Performing Arts in the early 1980s in New York City who want to become famous. The musical tells the story of their developing relationships with each other, their teachers, their talent, and themselves. "It's a high energy show full of singing and dancing," said producer Terri Galan. The cast is comprised of 23 students and one staff member and the production team includes director Josephone Ho, musical director Rob Hancock, choreographer Jennifer Paul, pit director Jordynn McIntosh, technical director Mark Pereira, costumes headed by Toni Jack, properties lead by Kaif Pardhan, lighting operator Alexa Smith and sound operator Lyanne Quirt. The show opens tonight, Friday, Feb. 22 and continues Saturday, Feb. 23, Wednesday, Feb. 27 and Thursday, Feb. 28. All evening performances begin at 8 p.m. There is a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 2. The evening performances for Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2 are sold out. Tickets are available by calling the Fame box office at ext. 26988. McMaster Musical Theatre (MMT) is a non-profit organization created in accordance with the McMaster Students Union. Members of the MMT executive are those who have been involved in the previous years' shows and who hail from all Faculties and all levels. MMT relies on revenue from previous years as well as sponsorship from members of the community. (End of story)

posted on Feb. 21: Trudeau foundation receives $125M for humanities, human sciences research fellowships

Ottawa is giving $125 million to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation to support advanced research in the humanities and human sciences. The endowment will be used to support up to 100 doctoral fellowships, 20 mid-career achievement awards and 15 mentor relationships in the humanities in any given year. The work undertaken by fellowship and mid-career award winners will cover themes reflective of the late prime minister's personal interests, including human rights and social justice, responsible citizenship, Canada and the world and humans in their natural environment. Winners will work in disciplines such as Canadian studies, history, international relations, journalism, law, peace and conflict studies, philosophy, political economy, political science, sociology and urban and community studies. "Pierre Elliott Trudeau had a vision of a mature and confident Canada, united by shared rights, mutual responsibility and a common citizenship," said Industry Minister Allan Rock, who made the endowment announcement yesterday in Ottawa. "This fund will help promote excellence and encourage promising students, leading scholars and researchers to study issues of interest to all Canadians. These talented individuals will explore and study the values, rights and beliefs that inform Canada's sense of identity, our public policy and our place in the world."