UNews - Royal Society of Canada

Researcher’s work on how gut inflammation drives changes in brain structure earns national recognition

trevor.kenney — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 17:09:10 +0000

Seeking to understand how chronic gut inflammation drives changes in brain structure, function, and behaviour, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge postdoctoral researcher Dr. Chelsea Matisz (BSc ’05, MSc ’09) has received national recognition in support of her quest. Now, as she focuses on how cannabinoids and psilocybin may help remediate chronic inflammation-induced changes in brain and behaviour, she’s excited about the therapeutic potential of her work.

Dr. Chelsea Matisz returned to ULethbridge for the opportunity to work in the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience to advance her studies.

Matisz recently received a L'Oréal Canada For Women in Science Research Excellence Fellowship and one of three Royal Society of Canada Alice Wilson Awards. The support validates how important her research is and how widespread and debilitating gut inflammation can be for people.

“Research agencies are recognizing the importance of the gut-brain axis on all aspects of human health, whether it's neurodegenerative diseases and gut diseases, as well as arthritis, aging, pregnancy — all of these kinds of things,” says Matisz. “Recognizing that understanding the gut-brain axis and its relationship to the microbiome can open a whole new world of therapeutic options for different kinds of diseases.”

It has been a winding road for Matisz to reach this point in her career. Her undergraduate work at ULethbridge focused on hummingbirds and evolutionary biology with Dr. Andrew Hurley before she turned her attention to parasitology and Dr. Cam Goater’s lab for her master’s studies.

“After my master’s, I was still really interested in parasites, but I wanted to do something related to human health,” says Matisz.

She looked into pursuing a career in public health but felt she could make a greater impact as a researcher and gravitated to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary (2016) where her doctoral work focused on human health and parasites and eventually the connection between gut inflammation and the brain. Inevitably, that focus led her back to ULethbridge and the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience.

“We’re a smaller institution and there’s dialogue happening all the time between departments. It was Cam (Goater) who had a discussion with Aaron Gruber that put him on my radar as a potential supervisor,” says Matisz.

Dr. Chelsea Matisz, left, with grad student Kaylen Beekman (BSc '22) in the lab as they continue to examine the relationship between gut inflammation and changes in the brain.

It also opened a whole new area of study. With Matisz’s expertise in gastrointestinal sciences and Gruber’s research as a behavioural neuroscientist, the pairing is an ideal fit to pursue how non-psychoactive cannabinoids and psilocybin can be used therapeutically.

“We’ve already done some work with cannabinoids and exploring the anti-inflammatory effects of that, and it yielded some interesting results,” she says. “Now, we're really interested in psilocybin because of its ability to potentially ameliorate mood disorders that are so comorbid with gut disease. The evidence is very striking that a single dose of psilocybin can have huge therapeutic effects in people with refractive depression.”

Matisz says the mice study they just completed examined the effectiveness of psilocybin in reducing anxiety in cases of recurring gut inflammation.

“A single bout of gut inflammation does not have a lasting effect on someone, but multiple bouts of chronic gut inflammation, which is what people with IBD experience, really drives the anxiety phenotype in the mice,” she says. “Now we're looking at whether psilocybin can remediate that, along with what the right doses might be and the right mode of delivery.”

Breaking the cycle for those who suffer from chronic inflammation is the key. She explains their research has found that those dealing with chronic inflammation experience functional and structural changes in their brains such that the sickness morphs into more depression and anxiety, which in turn changes the way your body responds to stress, triggering more inflammation.

“That’s why we’re so excited about this work because of the prospect that psilocybin might be able to help remediate the structural and functional inflammation induced changes. I also think a lot of people are excited at the prospect of something that is quicker acting than traditional antidepressants. The evidence suggests that in conjunction with behavioral therapy, it can be really effective.”

For more, see the L’Oréal Canada for Women in Science Research Excellence Fellowship awards presentation and video here (1:32.07).

Professor Mary Kavanagh elected to the Royal Society of Canada

trevor.kenney — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 15:34:17 +0000

Recognized as an artist and scholar of exceptional caliber and an expert in interdisciplinary art practice, Professor Mary Kavanagh is being honoured for contributions to her field by being elected a Fellow to the Royal Society of Canada, Academy of Arts and Humanities.

Kavanagh’s artistic contributions are extensive and critically significant.

Kavanagh is a Tier I Board of Governors Research Chair and Chair of the Department of Art in the Faculty of Fine Arts. She joined the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2000 having earned degrees in art studio and art history from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Guelph, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Western Ontario, and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan. Since that time, Kavanagh has advanced a prodigious research agenda, consistently confronting existential issues with a material engagement that is conceptually and visually exacting, while establishing a distinguished record of leadership in her field of expertise.

“This recognition is only possible because of the active and generous support of peers, colleagues and students over many years,” says Kavanagh. “I have tremendous gratitude for all those who have valued and celebrated my work and efforts throughout my career. It’s an honour to be invited into fellowship with the RSC.”

Deftly weaving artistic and scholarly methods, Kavanagh’s examination of the material evidence of war, industry, and weaponized landscapes has been supported by grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Projects in Canada, Japan, Italy and the United States (Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Alaska) illustrate the universality and global reach of Kavanagh's work, which is of further relevance to current scholarship in nuclear culture and post-atomic studies. Through exhibitions, lectures and publications, she makes visible the entanglement of public and private realms and the encoding of political conflict on the body, translated through inventive forms of artistic presentation and public dissemination.

Kavanagh’s artistic contributions are extensive and critically significant. In the last 25 years, her videography, photographic work, drawings, archives and installations have been presented in over three peer-reviewed, solo or thematic group exhibitions per year, a remarkable pace of exhibition, and a solid indication of her abiding commitment to her work. Her impressive list of exhibitions in prestigious institutions, participation in numerous international residencies, and frequent contributions to public debate and civic engagement, illustrate the lasting impact of her work.

Professor Mary Kavanagh’s election will be formally recognized at the Royal Society of Canada’s meeting at McGill ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in November.

For more, see this profile.

Two U of L scholars elected to The Royal Society of Canada

caroline.zentner — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 20:45:09 +0000

The Royal Society of Canada recently welcomed 70 new members to The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists, including two ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge faculty members.

Dr. Yale Belanger

Dr. Yale Belanger (BA ’98), a member of the Department of Political Science, is a leading scholar of Indigenous Studies whose research breaks new ground in the understanding of First Nations’ gambling enterprises, urban Aboriginal policy and the role of federal housing policy in addressing homelessness among Indigenous peoples.

“Being named to The Royal Society is a real honour for me,” says Belanger. “The U of L also benefits by having the quality of scholarly work and research being conducted here highlighted. As an alum who finished his BA in 1998 only to return as a faculty member, this is an especially proud moment.”

Dr. Ute Kothe

Dr. Ute Kothe, a professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, has made pioneering discoveries regarding the role of RNAs and proteins in gene expression with relevance for several diseases. RNA stands for RiboNucleic Acid and is a critical biomolecule derived from DNA, the well-known genetic material in all cells.Her leadership in the international RNA community and in science outreach has gained her numerous awards.

“Being elected to The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists is a tremendous privilege,” says Kothe. “As part of the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute at the U of L, I am enjoying an inspiring environment to conduct groundbreaking RNA research. And I’m passionate about our outreach work with the Let’s Talk Science team to engage children and youth in science.”

The College is a handpicked selection of top mid-career scholars and artists in Canada, representing the emerging generation of scholarly, scientific and artistic leadership in Canada. Its members have already received recognition in their fields for excellence and serve as ambassadors of their fields.

“We sincerely congratulate Yale and Ute in their election to The Royal Society of Canada,” says Dr. Erasmus Okine, vice-president research. “Their dedication and hard work in their respective fields have earned them this honour. We are proud of their accomplishments and wish them continuing success.”

The Royal Society of Canada, founded in 1882, comprises the Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences, in addition to The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. Its mission is to recognize scholarly, research and artistic excellence, advise governments and organizations and promote a culture of knowledge and innovation in Canada.

Research excellence continues to grow at the U of L

caroline.zentner — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 22:40:35 +0000

On the strength of a year in which four ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge faculty members earned nominations for Royal Society of Canada (RSC) membership, junior faculty members recently had the chance to obtain advice about their research careers directly from the president of the RSC College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

In 2016, three U of L faculty members, Drs. Louise Barrett, Bruce McNaughton and Joe Rasmussen, were elected to the RSC and Dr. Artur Luczak was elected to the RSC College. Membership in the College is reserved for faculty researchers who are within 15 years of having received their doctoral degree.

“We wanted to build on this success so Dr. Alidad Amirfazli came out to work with invited faculty — people who are in this junior realm and have a strong research career,” says Dr. Claudia Malacrida, associate vice-president research. “It was a real privilege for us to have him here as a representative of the College of the Royal Society.”

“I’m quite happy to be here in Lethbridge. As president of the College and as a fellow academic, one of our biggest responsibilities is giving back to the community to make sure the next generation is underway,” says Amirfazli, a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at York ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Dr. Alidad Amirfazli, president of the Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

With that goal in mind, Amirfazli presented a workshop to help ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in the beginning phases of their research careers. Conducting high-quality research provides a necessary foundation, but the impact and influence of such scholarly work also needs to be communicated. Frequently, this is accomplished through a step-by-step process that begins with recognition at an institutional level and proceeds to the provincial, national and international levels.

“If you’re one or two years into your work, just focus on your work and build your foundation,” says Amirfazli. “If you have been in the system for two or three years, I think it’s tremendously important to start to think about your recognition profile in multiple levels: A, you owe it to yourself; you’ve worked so hard so you might as well get that recognition that you deserve at the level that is appropriate for where you are in your career; B, you owe it to the institution and your colleagues because, by your profile being raised, you are raising the profile of the institution and your colleagues and that’s part of giving back in an indirect way.

“All this starts to bring various people to you, which is going to help with your own work going forward and make you that much more successful. So it becomes sort of a virtuous circle—the more people are aware of what you’re doing and the recognition and the impact, the more they will be attracted to listening to your ideas and thoughts and what you’re doing.”

Amirfazli says people are always looking for new ideas. Even if an application fails to succeed in a particular competition, other people working in the field start to take notice and recognize an up-and-comer.

Publishing is of primary importance to an academic as it provides evidence of his or her work, says Amirfazli, adding that includes not only articles and books, but also exhibitions and community projects.

Post-secondary institutions are given a yearly allocation of seats they can nominate people for, and members of the Royal Society can also nominate independently. However, a nomination doesn’t necessarily lead to acceptance.

“This effort of the College is to sit down with early-stage researchers and make those long-term plans about what steps need to be taken to achieve the level of excellence in order to be successful once nominated,” says Malacrida. “To be a member of the Royal Society is hugely prestigious. We can have this aspiration institutionally to continue to grow that kind of strength.”

Typically, large universities, especially those with a medical school and a reputation for research excellence, have larger memberships in the Royal Society.

“We’re moving into that realm,” said Malacrida. “As an institution, we need to be able to carry our colleagues with us. Dr. Amirfazli’s visit is an important support for that goal.”

Iwaniuk inducted as Fellow into Royal Society of Canada

trevor.kenney — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 18:59:12 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Dr. Andrew Iwaniuk, a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Comparative Neuroanatomy, has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) and was officially inducted into the RSC at the annual general meeting in Quebec City this past weekend.

Dr. Andrew Iwaniuk, centre, with U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon and Interim Vice-President (Research) Dr. Lesley Brown at the Royal Society of Canada annual general meeting.

One of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's emerging young researchers, Iwaniuk's research program aims to understand how the brain evolves into different sizes and forms in different species.

Following is his nomination citation.

Dr. Andrew Iwaniuk

Since publishing his first scientific paper in 1998, Andrew has strived to be not only a productive Canadian scientist, but also one that expands our basic knowledge of how the brain is organized. He has been enormously successful in research productivity, attracting graduate students and in expanding his research support through tri-council agencies and other sources. Andrew’s research focuses on how the brain evolves and he is widely regarded as an emerging leader in his field, as shown by his appointment to several editorial boards, service as a reviewer to a wide range of journals and granting agencies worldwide and dozens of invited presentations. Andrew’s papers are not only cited within his specific field and in neuroscience, but also across multiple other disciplines of the life sciences, such as psychology, paleontology, ornithology, anthropology and animal behaviour. Few other researchers at my career stage or within my field have achieved such widespread success and recognition. Three aspects of his research deserve special mention and are discussed below.

One of the more significant papers that arose from Andrew’s PhD thesis focused on parrot brains. Parrots are renowned for their cognitive abilities, which are often on par with primates, but until his study was published, we knew very little about the composition of their brains and how their brains stacked up against other birds and mammals. He collected data for a large number of parrot species and using sophisticated statistical methods showed that parrots have some of the largest brains, relative to body size, of any birds and that their brains are dominated by the cerebral hemispheres. Further, the relative size of the brain and cerebral hemispheres of parrots are very similar to that of primates. In fact, some parrots had larger brains than primates of a similar body size. This was the first demonstration that parrots and primates had brains that were so similar to one another and changed how we view parrot behaviour, including animal welfare implications. The paper attracted a significant amount of attention from the media as well as from researchers interested in neuroscience, cognition and behaviour.

In that same year, Andrew also published a paper that has changed how many researchers view brain evolution. Prior to the publication of this study, many papers had discussed how evolutionary changes in the brain rarely occur independently of one another, yet there were few attempts to use multivariate statistics to develop a comprehensive view of how the brain evolves across a wide range of species. In this study, Andrew used multivariate statistics and a large dataset that he developed to show that groups of birds clustered together in multivariate space in groups he referred to as ‘cerebrotypes’. The concept of cerebrotypes is that each ‘type’ reflects a distinct brain shape determined by the sizes of all of its constituent regions. These cerebrotypes are an important concept with respect to brain evolution because they not reflect developmental traits or phylogenetic relationships. Instead, birds were grouped according to a suite of behavioural and ecological characteristics. In other words, species that were not closely related to one another shared similar cerebrotypes because of apparent similarities in behaviour and ecology. For example, species that have the same foraging behaviour shared common cerebrotype, even though they were not closely related to one another. This was the first paper to ever demonstrate that a multivariate analysis of the brain’s anatomy could be linked to behaviour and the first to document how the avian brain evolved in a comprehensive fashion. It is one of his most highly cited papers and was the most frequently downloaded and cited paper in the journal (Brain, Behavior and Evolution) for over one year. Further, it has stimulated further research into multivariate approaches, thereby changing how researchers analyze evolutionary patterns in brain anatomy across species and even within populations.

Perhaps the greatest contribution that Andrew has made to date is his impressive comparative brain collection. At over 500 specimens representing more than 160 species, this is the largest comparative brain collection in Canada and the largest collection of bird brains in the world. These range from Central American hummingbirds to albatrosses and penguins and all birds in between. This collection has formed the basis of 30 publications to date, including the two studies discussed above. Collectively, these studies have greatly improved our knowledge of species differences in the nervous system and how this variation reflects ecology and behaviour. There are far too many examples to discuss in detail, but a couple of studies on the visual system warrant specific comment. In the first study, Andrew found that a single brain region that processes visual motion is greatly enlarged in hummingbirds and this enables them to maintain a ‘stationary’ position while feeding. This was the first evidence that hummingbird flight involves a neural adaptation and was not only featured on the journal’s cover, but also on numerous media outlets. In the second study, Andrew was able to examine the brain of a Kakapo, which is a critically endangered nocturnal parrot found only in New Zealand. This unique parrot has a brain that has features that are both parrot-like and owl-like, a finding that has broken traditional notions of how brains are adapted to a nocturnal lifestyle. It also provided novel insight into the sensory abilities of the Kakapo, which will aid significantly in captive breeding efforts.

Through these studies, Andrew has received international recognition as an expert in evolutionary neurobiology. He sits on several editorial boards and has been the only Canadian researcher invited to two prestigious meetings on brain evolution. The most recent of these meetings was organized by the National Science Foundation and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and his input is playing a significant part in determining funding priorities related to evolutionary neurobiology in the United States.

Alumnus Mardon named to Royal Society of Canada

trevor.kenney — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 18:24:02 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumnus and 2014 honorary degree recipient Dr. Austin Mardon (BA '85) has been named a Fellow to the Royal Society of Canada.

Mardon was named a Specially Elected Fellow on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, for his extensive work in the field of mental illness. The following citation accompanied today's announcement of 90 new Fellows.

Specially Elected Fellow - Austin Mardon

Austin Mardon’s contribution to our store of knowledge on living with mental illnesses and the stigma that surrounds them has been immense and unique. Since giving the first partnership speech on schizophrenia in 1993, he has devoted his life to educating professionals and the public on mental illness. He has given hundreds of speeches, written scores of articles, and allowed himself to be the public face of Schizophrenia in Canada.

Mardon is currently an assistant adjunct professor in the John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta.

Gairdner speaker event brings Dr. Samuel Weiss to campus

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 22:12:28 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge faculty and students, along with select southern Alberta high school students, will have the unique opportunity to experience a lecture by Gairdner International Award winner Dr. Samuel Weiss, Monday, Oct. 21.

The Gairdner Foundation Speaker Event will include a lecture for the area’s elite high school students, a lecture for U of L faculty and undergraduate students, as well as a host of interactive science activities designed to engage the visiting students as well as showcase the research activities taking place on campus.

Dr. Samuel Weiss won a 2008 Gairdner International Award.

“It is very exciting to be able to bring a Gairdner International Award winner to campus,” says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon. “The fact that many people with our Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience also work closely with Dr. Weiss, makes it even more fitting.

“We’re also pleased to be able to allow high school students from throughout the area access to such a distinguished speaker, hopefully further inspiring their passion for science.”

Dr. Samuel Weiss is a Professor and Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions Scientist in the Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Faculty of Medicine.

His lecture, The Stem Cells You Have in Your Brain: What Can They Do?, will be presented to high school students at 9:30 a.m., followed by a second lecture, Adult Neural Stem Cells: From Basic Science to Therapeutic Applications, at 11 a.m. for U of L faculty, undergraduate and graduate students. Both talks are in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre. High school students can sign up here.

Weiss is the inaugural Director of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, whose mission is to translate innovative research and education into advances in neurological and mental health.

“The Gairdner Foundation is very pleased that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has become the 22nd institution to participate in our annual National Program of Lectures,” says Dr. John Dirks, President and Scientific Director of the Gairdner Foundation. “During a recent visit to the campus, we were very impressed with the quality of teaching and research, and particularly with the opportunities for undergraduate students. This year, Sam Weiss will speak to high school students about his life in science. We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with the U of L.”

In 2008, Weiss was named recipient of a Gairdner International Award for “his seminal discovery of adult neural stem cells in the mammalian brain and its importance in nerve cell regeneration,” and in 2009 he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

His current research focuses on human brain tumour stem cells and the development of new therapies for adult brain cancer.

Created in 1959 by James Arthur Gairdner, the Gairdner Foundation recognizes and rewards the achievements of medical researchers whose work contributes significantly to improving the quality of life. Over the past 53 years, a total of 313 Canada Gairdner International Awards have been presented to scientists from 15 countries, with 80 Canada Gairdner Laureates going on to win Nobel Prizes.

The Gairdner Foundation 2013 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Lectures are sponsored by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, BMO Bank of Montreal, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, London Drugs and the Globe and Mail.

To register for the high school portion of the event, follow this link.

Kolb, McDaniel join list of Jubilee medalists

trevor.kenney — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:12:12 +0000

In late February, Dr. Bryan Kolb (Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience) and Dr. Susan McDaniel (Sociology, Director, Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy) received Jubilee Medals awarded by the Royal Society of Canada. Both Kolb and McDaniel are Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC). This was the first visit to the U of L campus by Royal Society executive director Darren Gilmour and Royal Society President, Yolande Grisé.

In addition to Kolb and McDaniel, a number of U of L faculty members have also recently received Jubilee medals, among them Dr. Peter McCormick (Political Science), Dr. Reg Bibby (Sociology), Dr. Dayna Daniels (Women and Gender Studies), Dr. Rick Mrazek (Education), Tanya Harnett (Fine Arts/Native American Studies) and U of L President Dr. Mike Mahon. A complete list of medal recipients to date is available on the Government of Alberta website: alberta.ca/diamondjubileemedal.cfm

Alumna of the Year Preuss realizes destiny

trevor.kenney — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 22:24:20 +0000

Do scientists believe in fate? If you talk to Dr. Kathryn Preuss (BSc '95) about her academic life and professional career, you'll notice a string of coincidences and happenings that seem to have set her on a path that's led Preuss to her current position as an associate professor at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Guelph and a Tier II Canada Research Chair in the Chemistry of Molecular Materials.

It started when Preuss was a school kid, and her father, Dr. Peter Preuss, taught philosophy at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

"I remember going to the Christmas parties, running around and having fun on campus as a child," recalls Preuss. "The U of L has always been a positive environment for me."

Preuss values the research opportunities she enjoyed as an undergraduate student at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Attending the U of L was therefore pretty much in the cards for Preuss from the beginning. She knew the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ well and was aware of its great undergrad reputation across the country. Preuss enrolled at the U of L with the intention of taking her talent for science into the field of medicine. But as it happened, fate once again played its hand.

"When you're a girl and you're good at science, everybody tells you that you should become a doctor, so that's what I assumed I'd be," says Preuss. "But then I met professor René Boeré."

In 1992, Preuss had earned the highest marks among all first-year chemistry students. At the end of the year, Boeré approached Preuss about accepting a summer job in his lab and she jumped at the opportunity. In need of a job, the idea of getting paid to do something she was genuinely interested in was too enticing to pass up.

Preuss spent that summer conducting experiments on inorganic synthesis and doing all sorts of exciting things that very few first-year undergrad students ever have the chance to do.

"It was eye opening," recalls Preuss. "I couldn't believe I was getting paid to do all that cool stuff and was building my academic credentials at the same time. Suddenly I realized that it was possible to be a professional chemist, to do research and actually make a living at it."

From there, Preuss's path took a turn. She focused on obtaining a degree in chemistry and continued to work in various professors' labs between semesters. Preuss furthered her experiments in inorganic synthesis and later expanded her research to the areas of organic synthesis, thermodynamics and photochemistry.

By the time Preuss had finished her undergraduate studies, she had no fewer than seven published papers to her name – more than most PhD students tend to have on their CVs. Preuss graduated with distinction from the U of L, was awarded the Faculty of Arts & Science Gold Medal (Science) for her achievements and went on to complete a PhD in inorganic chemistry at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Waterloo.

Today, Preuss is a leading expert in the field of materials science. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the Royal Society of Canada's Alice Wilson Award, the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada's UFA ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Faculty Award, and the Ontario Government's Early Research Award.

Her research is innovative and influential – the magnitude of which only a chemist can truly appreciate.

"We are attempting to make bifunctional or multifunctional materials, but our design is unique," she explains. "We are the first to actually develop thiazyl radicals as ligands in a rational way, and we have added a new class of radicals. We've taken the entire metal-radical concept a step further than it has every been taken before."

Ask her how she feels the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge prepared her for academic achievement and professional success, and Preuss's response is crystal clear.

"My education at the U of L is directly responsible for where I am today," says Preuss. "If I hadn't gone to the U of L, met professor Boeré and worked in his lab, I wouldn't have become a chemist. None of what I've done would have been accomplished. The U of L gave me the opportunity to do a lot of really significant research and be recognized for it early on. Attending the U of L definitely gave me a head start and got me going in the right direction, academically and professionally."

It might be hard to prove, but scientists may just believe in fate after all.

GET THE FACTS

· After completing her PhD in 2000, Preuss held post-doctoral positions at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Colorado and North Carolina State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. She returned to Canada in 2002

· Her current research has implications in the areas of low-power data storage, sensors and other adaptive technologies

· In addition to her teaching and research commitments, Preuss is an avid sailor and tries to spend some time each summer on Georgian Bay (Lake Huron) with her young family. She is married to Joel and has two children, Genevive (3) and Marco (1)

This story first appeared in the October 2012 issue of the Legend. To read the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Investigating global population and economies

trevor.kenney — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:11:23 +0000

The extent and implications of population change and the dynamics of economies raise questions that demographers and social scientists alike are working to better understand. Taken together in a global context, the number of questions only increases. Yet both population and economies affect our lives, our choices and our policies.

At the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, global population challenges are explored from different angles and potential solutions are investigated in new ways.

By DANA YATES

Like many people, John Prentice of Calmar, Alta., dreamed of making a difference in the world. But the late agri-business entrepreneur and philanthropist didn't just stop there; he wanted to change the course of history altogether.

It was an ambitious goal – and one that prompted Prentice, along with his wife Connie, to donate more than $8 million to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2006. The endowment marked the largest-single gift in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's history and established the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy. The institute, which was officially launched in 2009, studies changes in the world population and their lasting impact on demographics, economies and societies.

Just a short time later, the Prentice Institute has become a leading research centre, one of only a few worldwide that is focused on global population changes and the economy. What's more, the institute has attracted many external research grants and is building graduate programs, along with bringing together 20 research affiliates from across eight departments at the U of L.

From looking at how people move through life stages in different economies with different demographic structures, to questions of food security, ethnic diversity, immigration and international trade, the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is at the cutting edge of demographic research.

"It's magical when you get that cross-pollination of expertise," says Dr. Trevor Harrison, a U of L sociology professor who served as the Prentice Institute's interim director between 2007 and 2009.

At the Prentice Institute, sociologists, historians, anthropologists and economists work alongside experts in such diverse fields as nursing, public health, political science and women's studies. Those researchers, in turn, create partnerships with experts across Canada and around the world. The result: global population challenges are explored from different angles and potential solutions are investigated in new ways.

"John Prentice was a big thinker," says
Dr. Susan McDaniel, the institute's current director. She also holds the Prentice Research Chair in Global Population and Economy, the first endowed position of its kind at the U of L. "John was a Renaissance man who understood how things were connected."

Indeed, many forces and factors affect – and are connected to – the global population and economy. But the links between the former and latter are not well understood. Prentice Institute researchers are advancing our understanding of this relationship and using data to verify or refute popular beliefs about demographic changes. This "myth-busting" practice can be applied to numerous situations, says McDaniel.

"We often hear, for instance, that providing health care to an aging population will bankrupt the system," she explains. "In reality, there are much wider concerns. Medical treatments are expensive, and there is a deepening problem of poverty and the health issues associated with it."

To that end, Prentice Institute researchers are studying various issues that appear, at first blush, to be unconnected. They include international trade, migration, aging and family size. But while the subjects may seem disparate, McDaniel says cause-and-effect relationships are at work – and they are having a major impact on the world's citizens.

"Growing inequalities, for example, are happening in developed countries, such as Canada and the United States, and in developing countries, too. These inequalities cause health problems and lower everyone's life expectancy," says McDaniel. The process, she explains, is similar to an illness spreading through a classroom. If one unvaccinated child becomes sick, others will inevitably be affected.

That concept of social ramifications is one in which McDaniel is well versed. An internationally recognized sociology researcher and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, her expertise includes demographic aging, generational relationships, family change and the social impacts of technology. Before joining the Prentice Institute and the U of L Department of Sociology two years ago, McDaniel was a professor of family and consumer studies at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Utah and a senior scholar at its Institute of Public and International Affairs.

Having lived in Alberta before, McDaniel's return north of the border has helped attract other researchers to the Prentice Institute. Among them is Dr. Kathrin Komp, a post-doctoral fellow from VU ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Amsterdam. Other researchers, such as Drs. Harrison and Alexander Darku, who were U of L faculty members before the Prentice Institute was created, currently serve as the institute's associate directors. Their collective experience and expertise have made a significant impact on the institute.

For example, Darku, an assistant professor of economics at the U of L, previously taught at McGill and Concordia Universities. He has also served as a consultant to the World Bank at its Washington, D.C., headquarters and has worked as an economist in Ghana. Through his association with the Prentice Institute, Darku has noticed a shift in his research interests.

Whereas he was previously focused strictly on economic policies and international development, he now studies the interplay among international trade, migration and health. Specifically, Darku is currently looking at the growth of multinational companies in developing countries and the resulting impact on populations' eating habits. The situation, Darku has found, contributes to a "nutritional shift" within a population and can increase obesity rates.

"The interdisciplinary nature of the Prentice Institute has brought many new dimensions to my research," says Darku.

Harrison, meanwhile, has shared his research with new audiences; he has spoken at a number of presentations hosted by the institute. Once a visiting professor at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta and Hokkai-Gakuen ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Japan, Harrison was the 2010 Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Canadian Studies at Georgia's Kennesaw State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. As a researcher and guest lecturer at the university, he brought a Canadian perspective to the relationship between Canada and the United States since Sept. 11.

Today at the Prentice Institute, Harrison – like Darku – balances his research with administrative responsibilities. And it seems both areas involve big-picture thinking.

"We're developing programs that will keep the institute moving forward. Ultimately, we're creating a research infrastructure that supports creative thinking and incubates good ideas."

One example is a policy concept known as a guaranteed annual income (GAI). While there are many different approaches to a GAI, the initiative would essentially provide each citizen with a base sum of money. Harrison has studied this complex issue since the 1970s, and while the logistics of implementing a GAI system would be considerable, it would also offer a number of advantages. They include administrative efficiencies, the reduction or elimination of poverty and an increasingly mobile workforce that can afford to move around the country.

GAI supplements, however, are just one of many ideas being analysed at the Prentice Institute. And it's all part of an effort to inform public and private policies that will better reflect, and keep up with, a changing Canada and world. To raise awareness of this vital work, Prentice Institute researchers participate in conferences and dialogue sessions, and contribute to articles, journals and books. Finally, there are future plans to build international partnerships with sister institutes.

"There are many challenges that governments, corporations, education systems and individuals have to address," says McDaniel. "But once they have the information they need, they have the potential to act upon it.

"People are hungry for knowledge. And we're training them how to look beyond myths and build a better society. It will lead to better voters, parents, consumers and caregivers."

What can we learn from other countries with regard to population aging and social policy?

Population aging and economic challenges have raised questions about how social policy regimes are, or will be, affected in various types of economies. Some research indicates a downward convergence across countries is inevitable as global economic and demographic pressures work to bring greater homogeneity to social policies. Other studies suggest that demographic and economic pressures can actually have stimulating effects on social policies.

To address these issues, Prentice Institute researchers are investigating Japan, which has experienced population aging and economic challenges simultaneously. Scholars are analysing changing relations among demographics, economics and social policy. They ask what opportunities can be discerned from the experience of Japan for re-creation of social policy regimes elsewhere in the 21st century. Ultimately, researchers will widen the comparative lens to include other Asian and developed countries. The findings from this crucial research will guide policy-makers in various countries facing similar challenges.

Is there a "Canadian exceptionalism" in issues related to immigration and diversity?

The rapid rise in ethnic diversity in immigrant-receiving countries has resulted in a general anti-diversity, anti-multiculturalism sentiment. Some studies indicate that a generalized trust is more difficult to foster in a multicultural society, resulting in a loss of sense of community and togetherness. However, other research suggests that Canada might be immune from these largely European trends.

At the Prentice Institute, researchers are investigating the extent of, and the reasons for, this Canadian exceptionalism. A clearer understanding of the differences among ethno-racial groups in terms of labour-market integration and social capital could make a significant difference in the lives of Canadians and the global community.

To what extent is population, at root, a problem with respect to food security?

Food is a basic resource essential for human survival. It is estimated that at the end of 2009, more than one billion of the world's population did not have adequate food to meet basic nutritional needs. As the most populous country in the world, China is constantly challenged in providing food for its citizens. Given the sheer size and strategic prominence of China, food security there is a global concern.

As leaders of an international team, researchers at the Prentice Institute are examining the stress points related to food security in various regions in China. The set of indicators of food security and rural development they develop will be an important assessment tool in China and around the world.

How can we achieve economic equality in developing countries?

Throughout most of human history, the conditions of human life have varied from difficult to tolerable, from starvation to subsistence. In some parts of the developing world, these conditions have not changed much, while in others, progress has been made. Disparities in the distribution of economic assets and income exist in a wide range of societies and their nature and cause are issues our world must address.

Researchers at the Prentice Institute are studying how international trade can lead to growth and the distribution of income, especially in developing countries. Another crucial line of research focuses on the relationship between business cycles, poverty and income inequalities.

How will social policy address our aging population?

Wayne Gretzky is credited with saying, "You must skate to where the puck will be." In contemplating the future of aging populations, policy often skates instead to where the puck is now. The presumption is that by studying those who are older now, we can understand those who will be older in the future. But... the older of tomorrow will be very different, as will the socio-economic contexts in which they live.

As leaders of a Canada/U.S. multidisciplinary team, Prentice Institute researchers are studying how people in mid-life in Canada and the U.S. are aging in terms of health and overall well-being. How they help (or not) younger and older relatives now and as they age, and how they anticipate their later years relative to their older relatives now and their younger relatives as they reach their later years, are two of the important questions being addressed. These studies will yield a wealth of information that is critical to addressing policy and family needs in the future.

This story first appeared in SAM Magazine. For a look at SAM in a flipbook format, follow this link.

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