This Is Your Brain on a Microchip
Nerve cells grown on a microchip can learn and memorize information and then communicate that information to the brain says Naweed Syed, a neurobiologist with the Faculty of Medicine. “We’ve made a giant leap in answering several fundamental questions of biology and neuro-electronics that will pave the way for us to harness the power of nanotechnology,” Syed said, after they proved it is possible to cultivate a network of snail's brain cells that reconnected on a silicon chip. The possibilities of this science means sight could be restored to a visually impaired person, another could easily control an artificial limb, or memory function could be restored.

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Building Donated to U of C
With the donation of the Petro-Canada building that sits in the University Research Park, the oil company has made the second-largest donation in U of C’s history. Valued at $6.9 million, the 60,000-square-foot building already houses the Faculty of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. “This significant gift will further support our research and education initiatives aimed at serving society and the industry,” says President Harvey Weingarten.

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For Romans it Really Is all in the Family
The epitaphs written on ancient Roman tombstones have been partially documented and compiled in reference books before, but not until one U of C professor took on the job have they been comprehensively described and analyzed. With her in-depth study, Hanne Sigismund Nielsen has found that the concept of the Roman family is much more broad than our definition today. “Quite a few family relationships existed by choice and were not at all contained in the biological family," explains Nielsen. For example, slaves were often related to their masters by choice, families often included foster parents or children, and wet nurses were especially honoured.

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President Spoke at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce
On Monday, President Harvey Weingarten spoke at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and announced the university’s plans for a downtown campus and the university’s partnership with the Calgary Health Region.

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For more University of Calgary news, go to http://www.ucalgary.ca/news to find the latest version of the weekly OnCampus newspaper.

Coming Soon to a Mailbox Near You

Watch your mailboxes for the spring issue of Arch magazine, which will be mailed in early March. In it, you’ll learn how the University of Calgary is involved in the race for the Red Planet, be able to read about U of C alumni who are also Rhodes Scholars, and find out what other alumni are doing around the globe in this internationally themed issue.

U of C Connections to the Order of Canada
A U of C alumna, Stephanie Felesky, has joined an elite group in Canada by being named a Member of the Order of Canada for her volunteer service. The U of C has three other connections to the Order this year with David Bercuson (director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies), William Leiss (Haskayne School of Business), and Gerald Maier (Van Horne Institute) all being named Officers to the Order of the Canada.

Judges Wanted
Alumni are invited to be judges at the 43rd annual Calgary Youth Science Fair, which will be held from March 17–20 at the Stampede Grounds. More than 1,000 students will compete.

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Bullying Workshop for Teachers
When should a teacher step in to stop bullying? This and more will be discussed at a “bullying” workshop: March 4, 7 pm in room 388 of the Education Block. Free to alumni, but you must pre-register by March 1 to educalum@ucalgary.ca.

EMBA Alumni in Calgary Meet at Murrieta's
Executive MBA alumni are invited to meet at Murrieta's West Coast Bar & Grill, 200-808 1 St SW, on Thursday, March 4 from 5 to 7 pm. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail craig@craigelias.com.

After School Social for MIS Alumni
On Thursday, March 4 the Management Information Systems Association (MISA) at the Haskayne School of Business is hosting an “after school social” for MIS alumni. The event is an opportunity for students to network with MIS alumni and learn more about possible career paths. The event will be held at the Haskayne School of Business, Oak Room from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. To rsvp, please e-mail misa@ucalgary.ca.

Bands Play at MacEwan Ballroom
Broken Social Scene, along with The Stills and Raising the Fawn will play the MacEwan Ballroom on Saturday, March 6. Doors open at 8 pm, and tickets available through Ticketmaster, Megatunes, and Sloth Records.

MBA Alumni Calgary Luncheon
The next MBA Alumni Networking Luncheon will be held on Friday, March 12 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Delta Bow Valley in Calgary. The guest speaker will be Gary Nieuwenburg (vice president, Synthetic Crude at Nexen), who will present on Nexen’s Long Lake Oil Sands Project. The cost of the luncheon is $25. Register by Tuesday, March 9 by e-mailing rsvp@haskayne.ucalgary.ca.

Big Rock University Lecture Series
The Big Rock University Lecture Series continues with Molly Bloom and Other Irresistible Irish Characters (presented by Pat Benedict, professor emeritus of the Department of Drama) on Wednesday, March 17. Dinner at 7 pm, with lecture and discussion to follow. Tickets are $30. Info: 720-3239. The Big Rock Grill - 5555 76 Avenue SE.

Edmonton Alumni Reception
The Haskayne School of Business invites all alumni from the Edmonton area to an alumni reception on Wednesday, March 17. Guest speaker will be Carol Stewart, interim dean of the Haskayne School of Business. The event will be held at the Hotel Macdonald, 10065 – 100 Street from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. If you plan to attend, please email rsvp@haskayne.ucalgary.ca or call Pam Fawcett at (403) 220-2048 by March 8.

Alumnus Plays for Alberta in Concert Series
Alumnus Daniel Moran (piano) will be performing at the Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall in the Rosza Centre as part of the Alberta in Concert series on Saturday, March 27 at 8 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors and are available at the door or by calling 220-7202.

Toronto Alumni Reception
Alumni in Toronto and area are invited to an Alumni Reception hosted by the Haskayne School of Business on Wednesday, March 30 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at the Royal York Hotel, Front Street. Guest speaker will be Carol Stewart, interim dean of the Haskayne School of Business. Watch your mailbox for an invitation, e-mail your RSVP now at rsvp@haskayne.ucalgary.ca, or call Pam Fawcett at (403) 220-2048. RSVP deadline is Wednesday, March 23.

Alumni Pub Night
Alumni are invited to an alumni pub night on Wednesday, March 31 for “happy hour” at the James Joyce Irish Pub on Stephen Avenue Mall, Calgary from 5 to 7 pm. The evening will be an industry night for faculty, students, and alumni of the Operations Management program but all alumni are invited to come out to meet, reminisce, and network with fellow graduates, students, and faculty.

For more events, go to http://www.ucalgary.ca/events/