Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
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Speaker Series event will address antagonism in environmental research tomorrow
There is still time to register forthe fourth panel discussion in the Antagonism and Intimidation in Academia Speaker Series.will take place on Tuesday, March 26, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:25p.m. in the Theatre of the Arts. A reception will follow from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Panel participants include:
- ٰ.Ի徱ٲ,a Tier I Canada Research Chair of Global Water Sustainability and Ecohydrology, and a Professor in the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth and Environmental Sciences;
- Dr. Ashley Rose Mehlenbacher,an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Science, Health, and Technology Communication in the Department of English Language and Literature, in the Faculty of Arts. She is also the inaugural Co-Director, with Donna Strickland, for the Trust in Research Undertaken in Science and Technology (TRuST) network;
- Dr. JuanMoreno-Cruz,an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Energy Transitions at the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) in the Faculty of Environment.Juan Moreno-Cruzis also a Center of Economic Studies (CESifo) Research Affiliate; and
- Dr. Kirsten Müller,Professor and the Department Chair of Biology in the Faculty of Science.
Moderating the discussion will beDr. Kelly Grindrod, Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy. TheLead Organizer and Chairof the series isDr. Suzan Ilcan, Professor and University Research Chair, Sociology and Legal Studies in theFaculty of Arts.
This event is open to all faculty, staff and students.
Lectures in Catholic Experience will feature Brother Guy Consolmagno
A message from St. Jerome's University.
On April 15, St. Jerome’s University will welcome the director of the Vatican Observatory, Brother Guy Consolmagno SJ, as part of this year’s Lectures in Catholic Experience series, “Legacies and Lessons.” He will address the university community and speak about his recent book,“When Science Goes Wrong: The Desire and Search for Truth.”The catalyst for his book was inspired by the pandemic, which culminated in a lack of trust and skepticism of science.
As a gifted storyteller, Brother Guy will illuminate historical texts to demonstrate how scientific theory on the universe and life on earth has evolved throughout human history and that our understanding of science as a fundamental truth needs to be reimagined.
"St. Jerome's is honoured to have Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ as this year's final speaker in the 2023 - 2024 Lectures in Catholic Experience. Having experienced his engaging talks in the past, I know that Brother Guy brings a powerful commitment to faith and science to his own pursuit of truth, both as a Jesuit religious brother and as an accomplished scholar and planetary scientist,” stated Peter Meehan, president and vice-chancellor at St. Jerome’s. “I think this will be an important talk here on the campus of a world-renowned STEM university such as the University of ݮƵ."
Brother Guy challenges us to think about science as an imperfect part of the human experience. Science isn’t about empirical truth but about encountering concepts that force us to reflect on and challenge our worldview. Contextualizing science within this framework allows us to explore new ideas and concepts and enjoy the journey of discovery.
Brother Guy earned an undergraduate and master’s degree from MIT and a PhD in Planetary Science from the University of Arizona. He was a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard and MIT and has been at the Vatican Observatory since 1993. Pope Francis appointed him director of the Vatican Observatory in 2015.
His research draws connections between meteorites, asteroids and the evolution of small solar system bodies. From the Vatican Observatory, he observed objects within the Kuiper Belt to ascertain the properties of meteorites and better understand their origins and structure. With more than 250 scientific publications, he has also been globally recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), naming an asteroid in his honour, asteroid 4597 Consolmagno. He also received the Carl Sagan Medal in 2014 from the American Astronomical Society Division for Planetary Sciences for excellence in public communication in planetary sciences. Brother Guy is chair of the IAU Mars Nomenclature Task Group and vice president of the Meteoritical Society.
Please join us in welcoming Brother Guy Consolmagno SJ to St. Jerome’s University on April 15at 7:30 p.m. This lecture will be in-person and available to stream online. The lecture is free and open to the public.is required.
Pushing Africa's plastic revolution
This is an excerpt of an article originally published on ݮƵ News.
Plastics makeup more than half of marine litter and,in 2020, over700 million poundswere dumpedworldwidewith much of the debriswashingup on the shores of Africa.
Ironically,the biggestpolluters are not African nations. It is thelargest developed and rapidly developing countriesthat are propelling thisissue,and itwill continue to worsenif action is not taken.So how do we safeguard our oceans for future generations and realize a sustainable future?
Thanks to the generous support of TD, Dr. DenisAhetowas able to share his vision with ݮƵ as he was this year’sTD Walter Bean Professor in Environment.
“Plastics is a transboundary issue; one where we don’t currently have a coordinated effort to address the root causes and deal with the levels of trash,” Dr.Ahetosaid.“We must look at a multistakeholder approach incorporating community, policy,industry and academia.”
Ahetoadvocated forfiveinterrelated methods the global community should pursuetotackle plastic pollution:investing intrainingknowledgeable professionals and transferring knowledge between developed and developing nations,implementing policyat national and international levels,increasing issue awareness throughadvocacy,buildingpartnershipsacross sectors to co-design, createand implement activities,andprioritizingintergenerational equityto ensurefuture generationsinherit the same resources that the previous generation had.
Using examples from African countrieslikeCôte d'Ivoire, hedetailedhowwe cantransform challenges into opportunities for growthandsimultaneouslybolster sustainable development and stimulate socioeconomic transformation.
Read the rest of the article on ݮƵ News
Retirees association to host conference and other notes
The University of ݮƵ Retirees Association (UWRA) will be hosting the annualColleges and Universities Retirees Associations of Canada (CURAC) conference, entitledThriving In Retirement, from May 22 to 24, at Federation Hall.
The conference will feature practical tips, advice, and motivation for healthy aging. There will be an opening reception, plenary and breakout sessions, lightning tables, roundtable discussions, and exhibits, all with the focus on successful retirement years.Visit theUWRA website for conference information and to register.Space is limited.Register by April 5 for the early-bird discount. Partner/spouse registration is available.
The ݮƵ Climate Institute and the Faculty of Mathematics are hosting a guest lecture entitledFuelling Forests, Modelling Nutrient Cycling, and Projecting Climate Changeon the intricacies of how nitrogen cycling is represented within Earth System Models. Dr.Sian Kou-Giesbrecht from the University of Dalhousie will explore how the terrestrial biosphere currently sequesters a third of human CO2 emissions in plant and soil biomass, and is known as the “terrestrial carbon sink”.The lecture takes place today from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. inDC 1302. Refreshments will be provided.There’s still time to register.
The next event in theMenstrual Equity Lunch and Learn Seriestakes place tomorrow.The Fifth Phase: Taking a closer look at menopausewill discuss the complexities of perimenopause and menopause, as well as share important insights and resources. The online session runs from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Register for "Antagonistic Responses to Environment and Climate Change in the Academy"
Registration for the next event in theAntagonism and Intimidation in Academia Speaker Seriesis now open.will take place on Tuesday, March 26, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Theatre of the Arts. This event is open to all faculty, staff and students.
Linkof the day
When and Where
TheStudent Health Pharmacy(located in the lower level of the ݮƵ Centre) is offering flu shots with no appointments needed daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for more info. COVID shots will be available on appointment basis only. You can register online at.
Winter, March Break and PD Day camps available for boys and girls ages 5-18. Baseball, Basketball, Football and Multi-Sport and Games camps available.
Warriors Youth Summer Camps.Basketball, Baseball, Football, Hockey, Multi-Sport and Volleyball.
Fuelling Forests, Modelling Nutrient Cycling, and Projecting Climate Change,Monday, March 25, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., DC 1302.
The Fifth Phase: Taking a closer look at menopause,Tuesday, March 26, 12 noon to1:00 p.m., online.
, Tuesday, March 26, 3:00 p.m. to 4:25 p.m.,reception 4:30 p.m. to 5:00p.m., Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages.
Embark on your VC adVENTURE, Tuesday, March 26, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., STC 0020.
NEW -Barre/Pilates with Sandra Gibson (ݮƵ Womxn + Nonbinary Wednesdays), Wednesday, March 27, PAC Studio 3.
Recognizing and Responding to a Person in Distress,Wednesday, March 27, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., MS Teams..
GreenHouse Social Impact Showcase,Wednesday, March 27, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Alumni Hall (UTD 201), United College.
, Wednesday, March 27, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., ݮƵ Centre Great Hall.
, Wednesday, March 27, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., E7-1401.
NEW - Campus Association for Baha'i Studies presents Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi, Baha'i Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland, “Hope and Vision for Peace in a Challenging Time,”Wednesday, March 27, 6:00 p.m., QNC 1506 and Zoom. (ID 894 0533 1887, PW 421812).
Equity and Mental Health Literacy, Thursday, March 28, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Good Friday holiday,Friday, March 29, most University operations closed.
NEW -Global Engagement Seminar 2024 Desmarais Family Summit, Wednesday, April 3, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., United College Alumni Hall (UTD 201).
Future Cities Institute launch, Wednesday, April 3, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Federation Hall.
NEW -featuringKathrinöԲԲ, Eindhoven University of Technology, “Fujisaki-Okamoto — a recipe for post-quantum public key encryption,” Wednesday, April 3, 2:00 p.m., MC 5501 and.
NEW -Dr.RIC,featuringpresentations and perspectives from two of the funders in the RIC network: The, and the, Wednesday, April 3, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.Please contactNadine Quehlto register.
NEW -ݮƵ RoboHub Spring Symposium, Thursday, April 4, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Engineering 7.
NEW -ݮƵ RoboHub Spring Career Fair,Friday, April 5, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Engineering 7.
NEW -Pivot-RP virtual training workshop for faculty members, postdocs and graduate students, Friday, April 5, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., MS Teams.Please registerto participate in the workshop.
NEW -Equitable Recruitment and Selection, Monday, April 8, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., online.
NEW -Planning your research trajectory: Strategies for Successfor researchers in the first three years of a tenure-track appointment,Wednesday, April 10, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon,J.R. Coutts Engineering Lecture Hall – RCH 301.Please register to attend.