UNews - CAIP Chair

Neuroscience research capacity boosted by addition of Mohajerani

trevor.kenney — Mon, 12 May 2014 20:16:47 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has added to its internationally recognized research capacity in neuroscience by appointing Dr. Majid H. Mohajerani as the new CAIP Chair in Brain Health and Dementia.

Dr. Majid Mohajerani comes to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ after serving as a research associate at the International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste, Italy.

Mohajerani is the third of four new research Chairs being added to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as part of the Government of Alberta's Campus Alberta Innovation Program (CAIP) Chairs plan. Last year, aquatic health expert Dr. Greg Pyle and remote sensing researcher Dr. Chris Hopkinson were attracted to the U of L through the program.

The government is contributing $1 million for four Chairs, over the course of seven years, for a total investment of $7 million.

Vice-President (Research) Dr. Dan Weeks says this latest CAIP Chair is a tremendous addition for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ that will compliment the world class research currently undertaken at the U of L’s Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN).

“The work that Dr. Mohajerani has undertaken in brain mapping, and in stroke research, is groundbreaking and has been recognized nationally,” says Weeks. “This expertise, combined with the world-class talent that already resides at the U of L, will ensure that important discoveries continue to be made on our campus that will improve the quality of local, national and international communities.”

In 2010, Mohajerani received the New Investigator Award from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Additionally, he received the Henry J.M. Barnett Award –presented annually to the highest rated investigator working in the area of stroke research.

Mohajerani comes to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ after serving as a research associate at the International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste, Italy, where he received his PhD, and at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia.

“I had offers from several institutions within Canada, the United States and Europe and chose to work in the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge because the CCBN is a world class research facility including some of the top researchers in the system and behavioural neuroscience,” says Mohajerani.

Mohajerani’s lab employs in vivo microscopic imaging technologies such as two-photon microscopy and functional imaging to study neural activity on the subcellular, cellular, and circuit level in real-time. A central goal of Mohajerani's research program is to use these experimental approaches to study the neurophysiological mechanisms that allow the cerebral cortex to develop normally and change throughout life in response to new experiences (eg. learning) or diseases such as stroke.

The CAIP Chairs plan is part of the Government of Alberta's Campus Alberta collaborative initiative and will provide research Chairs to Alberta's four Comprehensive Academic and Research Intensive (CARI) institutions: the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Athabasca ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary.

“The Campus Alberta Innovation Program brings some of the world’s best research talent to Alberta to discover and create new knowledge in priority areas including human health,” says Dave Hancock, Premier of Alberta and Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education. “I welcome Dr. Mohajerani to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and to Alberta. His leadership and expertise will bring the original and innovative thinking that CAIP research chair recipients are renowned for. CAIP and Campus Alberta’s research facilities are making important discoveries right here in Alberta and those discoveries will have benefits that reach far beyond our borders.”

Updated President's message on 2013/14 Alberta budget

trevor.kenney — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:50:25 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon discusses latest details

On March 7, 2013, the Alberta government released the 2013/2014 budget for the Province of Alberta. As indicated in my initial message, the Campus Alberta Operating Grant for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will be reduced by 7.3% in 2013/2014. Since that time, Senior Administration has had the opportunity to have additional conversations with the Ministry of Enterprise and Advanced Education and have learned the following additional details.

Campus Alberta Operating Grant – The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will receive a Campus Alberta Operating grant of $92,072,000 – a 7.3% decrease from last year. This reduction translates into reducing the operating budget by approximately $11.9 million in 2013/2014.

The 7.3% decrease is consistent with some, though not all; of the Campus Alberta Operating Grant reductions that other Alberta post-secondary institutions were assessed. The Comprehensive Academic and Research Institutions all received a cut in the range of 7.2%-7.3%.

In the 2012/13 Alberta budget, post-secondary institutions were informed by the government that there would be three years of stable funding with a 2% increase in the operating grant per year. While the economic climate suggested that the planned 2% was in jeopardy, there was no indication or warning from the Ministry of Enterprise and Advanced Education, or elected officials, that a cut of this significance was planned or forthcoming. Even with a 2% increase in the operating grant the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ would have been looking to decrease its overall budget expenditures by $2.6 million in order to produce a balanced budget.

Infrastructure Maintenance Program – Last year, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ had its Infrastructure Maintenance Program funding cut by 50% from $3,646,729 to $1,823,365. The 2013/14 Alberta Budget reduced this grant a further 2.3 % to $1,782,000.

These funds are restricted grants for use only in the maintenance and replacement of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ infrastructure. These funds cannot be used for operating expenses or to offset the operating budget deficit. Ongoing infrastructure renewal projects and projects slated to commence during the spring and summer of 2013 are enabled through this dedicated grant. More information on these planned projects as well as the source of funds for the projects will be released in a subsequent communication.

Campus Alberta Innovation Program (CAIP) Chairs – The Government of Alberta is maintaining its commitment to the CAIP Chair program. The U of L has hired two CAIP Chairs to date and will continue the process to fill the additional chairs. Also, the U of L will look to fill its allocated health-related chairs through a similar Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions Chairs program.

Letters of Expectation – There has been much media and public speculation about the introduction of letters of expectation ("Mandate Letters") directed to each institution in Alberta. Through our discussion with the Assistant Deputy Minister, we have been informed that our approved government mandate will not be changed. We have been told that the letter will include expectations pertaining to learner pathways, working with government, industry and system partners, fiscal responsibility, and research and entrepreneurship directions.

While the details of this letter are not yet fully understood, the Assistant Deputy Minister has assured us that the letter will be received in draft form and that we will be consulted before the letter is finalized. I will be attending a meeting on April 12 with the Ministry, along with the other Alberta post-secondary Presidents, to discuss our letters of expectation and to gain further details of the budget.

Other items in the provincial budget that will be of direct impact on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community are:

Student Aid - The Alberta budget outlines $211 million for the Student Aid programs in 2013‑14. This budget includes:

$71 million for merit‑based scholarship awards;

$59 million for bursaries and grants;

$42 million for student debt management programs; and

$11 million for Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan grants.

In addition, $425 million in student loans will be disbursed in 2013‑14.

Innovation and Economic Competitiveness - The budget is $204 million in 2013/14 for economic development, innovation and technology commercialization.

I will continue to provide regular updates to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community as more information becomes available regarding the Letters of Expectation, the impact of the provincial budget on our own operating budget and most importantly on the process we will follow to address these budget reductions. As well, I will schedule a series of open meetings to ensure that everyone at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has access to the information I have just shared with you. I have no doubt that utilizing the experience, intelligence and the breadth of talent of the people we have at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge we can find innovative solutions to this current challenge.

As a community, we cannot understate the significance of these reductions and the negative impact they may have on our students, faculty and staff. As one of the largest employers and contributors to the economies in Lethbridge and southern Alberta, these reductions will also be felt well beyond our campuses.
We also cannot understate the fact that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has faced significant challenges in the past and from those challenges we, along with those who have come before us, have built one of the top ranked universities in Canada recognized for the quality of its academic programs and research, and for the outstanding experience provided to our students.
Dr. Mike Mahon
President and Vice-Chancellor
The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

Mahon pushes for bold approach to future

trevor.kenney — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:45:23 +0000

President Mike Mahon speaks to the Alberta budget and the formation of a discussion paper that will address the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's approach heading into a new strategic plan

The Government of Alberta released the 2012 Provincial Budget late last week, and while we are still learning more details about the budget and how it will affect the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, we are encouraged by the government's introduction of predictable, three-year funding for the post-secondary sector.

The modest operating grant increases of 2 per cent per year for the next three years is also welcome, especially in light of the 0 per cent we have received for the last two years. While we are grateful for the increase, it is important to note that this will not fully offset the cost of increases we will face this year and beyond, including a rise in cost of living, utility prices and other associated items.

President Mike Mahon advocates a nimble and bold approach to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's future.

There will be no new capital projects funded for 2012 but the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will continue to benefit from previously approved projects. These include the construction of the new residence building, significant renovations to existing structures and upgrades to the overall campus environment. In addition, the planning funding we received last year for a proposed 300,000 square foot academic complex is secure and that planning process will continue.

Further announcements about a new CAIP Chair program are also expected. This will provide the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ an opportunity to compete for funding in areas that are still to be determined.

The budget speech also referenced enhancements to student financial assistance programs. We welcome any effort made to change and ease the process by which students can qualify for financial assistance. We are keenly aware of the challenges students face, and are constantly working to enhance our own scholarship and bursary funding programs. To see the government make a commitment to contribute to this process is commendable.

Again, much more will become clear in the coming weeks. Financial Planning is working hard to determine the impact of the budget on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, and we look forward to having further discussions with the Minister and the Department of Advanced Education and Technology.

Over the past 18 months I have spent a lot of time talking with and listening to many people in our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. As we process the announcements from the provincial government in relation to the budget, look ahead to our own budget planning process and begin work on the next iteration of our Strategic Plan, I believe it is important to look at where we have advanced in the framework of our current plan and consider the aspirations of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as we move forward.

I am beginning to work on drafting a discussion paper that will speak to some of the intentional directives that can help drive the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ forward within the context of our strategic directions. This paper will serve as a catalyst for future conversations on our next Strategic Plan. While our current Strategic Plan speaks to broad aspirations and potential strategies, it is time to build upon these strategies with concrete initiatives that support our goals.

Already, these conversations have yielded intentional strategies such as the Recruitment, Retention and Integrated Planning team and enhanced support for our First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.

There is much more to talk about as we seek to move forward as a destination, comprehensive university, such as what it means to be a liberal education-based institution focused on increasing graduate education and research, our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ structure and how it can be maximized to aid in our progression and the opportunity to develop an international strategy. These and other questions will be on the table and open for discussion as we look ahead.

If we are going to be successful in moving forward, we need to be nimble and we need to be bold in our thinking and planning. As I begin to craft this discussion paper, I look forward to hearing from those who have thoughts about the future of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. This paper will commence a conversation that will carry on throughout our strategic planning process, offering many opportunities for input.

UNews - CAIP Chair

Neuroscience research capacity boosted by addition of Mohajerani

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Updated President's message on 2013/14 Alberta budget

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Mahon pushes for bold approach to future

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