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Brandon Sweet
University Communications
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Explore extreme weather risks and climate resilience at Research Talks
As the planet warms, extreme weather is significantly impacting communities across the globe and driving the need for robust planning.
Find out how ݮƵ researchers and experts in finance and insurance are helping communities build climate resilience at the next Research Talks on Thursday, November 21, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pleaseregister to attendas seating is limited.
The panel presentation will feature:
- Kathryn Bakos (Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation): Climate focused investment strategies that minimize risk
- Rebecca Saari (Civil and Environmental Engineering): The burden of climate driven air pollution on public health systems
- Peter Johnson (Scotiabank):A shift in global finance: Sustainable practices and products
- Claudia Verno(Insurance Bureau of Canada): Climate-smart policies that improve community resilience
Research Talks is a regular series hosted by the Office of Research and supported by theResearch Support Fundto provide ݮƵ staff, faculty, and students with an opportunity to learn about world-class research at ݮƵ. Refreshments will be provided.
CORE Researchers Become new Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry
By Lauren Ward.
On a beautiful Thursday afternoon in sunny Florida, three members of(CORE) research team were inducted as Fellows of the(FAAO). Alison Ng, Chau-Minh Phan, and Hendrik Walther were honoured at the 3rdWorld Congress of Optometry held in Orlando, FL, from October 23-27, 2019.
Prior to joining CORE, Alison Ng, a graduate from the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences at Cardiff University, UK, qualified as an optometrist in 2007. Following this, she worked in private practices for three years until returning to Cardiff University to obtain her PhD. Her thesis examined the effects of eye cosmetics on the ocular surface and tear film. She was also a part-time clinical teacher at Cardiff and was an invited faculty member at the Vision Care Institute of Johnson & Johnson Medical, UK. Her interested research focus is on the interaction of the anterior eye and ocular surface in response to the environment and external stimuli, including contact lenses and cosmetic products.
Chau-Minh Phan is a proud University of ݮƵ Post Doctoral Fellow. Having completed his degree in Biomedical Science and then his MA in Biochemistry here at uݮƵ, his primary focus was on developing inhibitors for steroid sulfatase, one of the key enzymes in breast cancer. Under the supervision of CORE’s own director, Dr. Lyndon Jones, Chau-Minh developed ocular drug delivery materials (contact lenses and nanoparticles) for antifungals.
Starting his career as an optician in Germany, Hendrik Walther would go onto receive his BSc and MSc degrees in Optometry from the University of Applied Sciences in Jena. He then joined the University of ݮƵ to complete his Doctorate, investigating ways to quantify lipid deposition onto various contact lens materials. Along with Chau-Minh and optometry student Han Qiao, Hendrik, under his company OcuBlink, created an artificial eyeball with the intention to be used by optometry students to practice the intricate task of removing foreign materials, such as metal, from the surface of an eye.
To obtain a fellowship from the Academy and maintain it, individuals are evaluated against high standards of professional competence. These standards include those who have accredited themselves and optometry by their contributions to optometry or vision science. Having the status of FAAO indicates that the optometrist, scientist, or other qualified person have met the rigorous qualifications for fellowship.
Soup's On - it's Souper Tuesday
A message from the University of ݮƵ United Way Campaign.
Join us in the STC atrium today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.ٴǻ岹ڴǰSouper Tuesday. Grab a healthy lunch and support your community by purchasing a bowl of soup(for $5)served by campus celebrity chefs. Whether you are participating in the Thrive Walk for Mental Health first, or just coming by for a tasty lunch with coworkers, we thank you for your support.
Proceeds from the lunch will go to, whichin our community working to support vulnerable children and youth, fight poverty, and empower neighbourhoods. Some of these organizations focus on mental health – like KW Counselling.to learn more about United Way’s partner agencies.
If you are interested in giving directly to United Way now or in the future, pleasevisit our websitefor directions.
Concept $5K Semi-Finals and other notes
ݮƵ students will pitch their early stage startup ideas at theConcept $5K Semi-Finals(previously known as the Velocity Fund $5K) today and tomorrow from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The top ten teams across both nights will be chosen by local startup community members. Winning teamswill be invited to pitch at the Concept $5K Finals on November 20 for a chance to win one of four $5,000 grant prizes.
Since 2011, the Concept $5K Grant has been supporting undergraduate and graduate students at ݮƵ. Each term, $20,000 in grants are awarded to students who pitchcreative tech ideas.
If you're not pitching, you canto join the audience,see the pitches live and listen to feedback from judges. The event takes place in STC 0020. Attendees will get free pizza andhave thechance to win a JBL Bluetooth speaker.
ճWomen in Mathematics (WiM) Lean in Circleis happening today beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event is an opportunityto share experiences and get advice from other women on how to navigate the workplace.
The event website describes a Lean-In Circle as“a place where women can be unapologetically ambitious. Where we can give voice to our dreams and find the encouragement to start chasing them. They’re a place for sharing ideas, gaining skills, seeking advice, and showing solidarity. Most of all, they’re a place where we help each other become our very best selves. Whatever your goal—whether you’re working toward a promotion or building your confidence, reentering the workforce or starting a business—your Circle will help you get there.”
Come join the conversation! The event takes place in MC 5501 andis free. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.
Linkof the day
When and Where
,Students, staff, and faculty are invited to get their influenza vaccinationthrough Health Services,Tuesday, November 5, and Wednesday, November 6,10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., HS Family Clinic Waiting Room.
, Tuesday, November 5, 10:30 p.m. to 12:00 p.m., TC 2218.
, Tuesday, November 5, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., meet outside STC building.
, Tuesday, November 5, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., TC 1208.
More Feet on the Ground Mental Health Training for Students,Tuesday, November 5, 1:30 p.m., NH 2447 – Register on.
Women in MathematicsLean-In Circleevent for Students,Tuesday, November 5, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., MC 5501.Pizza and refreshments will be provided..
, Tuesday, November 5, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., STC 0002.
Chemistry Seminar, “Quantum Monte Carlo approach to the Full Configuration Interaction (FCI) problem,”featuring Ali Alavi, director, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Professor of Theoretical Chemistry, University of Cambridge, UK, Tuesday, November 5, 2:30 p.m., C2-361.
“Previously known as Velocity Fund $5K Qualifiers.3-minute pitches in front of a panel of judges to decide which student teams advance to the Finals”, Tuesday, November 5, 7:00 p.m., Science Teaching Complex, Room 0020.
The Buried Raging Sermons of the Warsaw Ghetto RabbifeaturingProfessor James Diamond, Chair of Jewish studies, University of ݮƵ, Tuesday,November 5, 7:00 p.m., Balsillie School of International Affairs.
, Wednesday, November 6.
Research Ethics drop-in session for faculty and students,Wednesday, November 6, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Dana Porter Library (study booth on the main floor).
Take Your Kids to Work Day: Talking Careers with Your Kids(for employees only), Wednesday, November 6, 12:00 p.m. to1:30 p.m., TC2218.
, Wednesday, November 6, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., TC 1214
Mindfulness Meditation: A Stress Reduction Program,Wednesday, November 6, 2:00 p.m., NH 2447 –Register on.
, Wednesday, November 6, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., DPL 329.
, Wednesday, November 6, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., TC 1208.
TD Walter Bean Lecture in Environmentfeaturing Professor Jacqueline McGlade, “Together, Building Sustainable Communities,”Wednesday, November 6, 5:30 p.m., Humanities Theatre.
Coping Skills Seminar - Challenging Thinking, Wednesday, November 6, 6:00 p.m., HS 2302 – Register on.
“Previously known as Velocity Fund $5K Qualifiers.3-minute pitches in front of a panel of judges to decide which student teams advance to the Finals”, Wednesday, November 6, 7:00 p.m., Science Teaching Complex, Room 0020.
,Students, staff, and faculty are invited to get their influenza vaccinationthrough Health Services, Thursday, November 7, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., HS Family Clinic Waiting Room.
, Thursday, November 7, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., TC 1112.
Faculty Meetup: Caregivers, Thursday, November 7, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., MC 5501.
Grad Student Community and Conversation Circle,Thursday, November 7, 3:30 p.m., HS 1106 –Register is on.
, Thursday, November 7, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., TC 1208.
Alleviating Anxiety Seminar, Thursday, November 7, 5:00 p.m., HS 2302 –Register on.
, Friday, November 8, 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m., TC 2218
School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability PhD Seminarfeaturing Barbara Davy, “A Rationale for the Study of Ritual and Unconscious Motivations of Pro-Environmental Behaviour,” Friday, November 8, 10:00 a.m., EV2-2022.
Knowledge Integration seminar: “Unveiling the effects of medications using numbers and visualizations”, featuring speakerJM Gamble, Clinical Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of ݮƵ, Friday, November 8, 1:00 p.m., EV2-2002.
, Friday, November 8, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., TC 2218
, Friday, November 8, 7:00 p.m.,CIF Arena.
,Saturday November 9, (W) 6:00 p.m., (M) 8:00 p.m.,PAC main gym.
PhD oral defences
Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering.Mohammad Mortada Ahmed, "Large Eddy Simulation of Partially Premixed Flames Using Doubly Conditional source-term Estimation." Supervisor, Cecile Devaud. On display in the Engineering graduate office, E7 7402. Oral defence Thursday November 21, 9:00 a.m., E5 3052.
Psychology.Edward Yeung, "On Diversity Climate in Organizations." Supervisor, Winny Shen. On deposit in the Arts graduate office, PAS 2428. Oral defence Friday November 22, 10:00 a.m., PAS 2438.
Electrical & Computer Engineering.Monsef Tahir, "Optimum Coordinated Voltage and Reactive Power Control for Renewable Dominant Smart Distribution Systems." Supervisors, Ramadan El Shatshat and Magdy Salama. On display in the Engineering graduate office, E7 7402. Oral defence Friday November 22, 1:30 p.m., EIT 3145.
Psychology.Seton Timoney, "When being agreeable matters: The importance of agreeableness (and self-esteem) for risk regulation in close relationships." Supervisor Joanne Wood. On deposit in the Arts graduate office, PAS 2428. Oral defence Monday November 25, 9:30 a.m., PAS 3026.