Vol. 3 No. 9

U of C scientists unveil the virtual human

Scientists at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Medicine have created the world’s first complete object-oriented computer model of a human body. The 4D human atlas, dubbed the CAVEman, will be useful in studying genetic diseases and surgical training by allowing researchers to literally get inside their experiments by translating medical and genomic data into 4D images.
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Young alumni shine in national spotlight

Two Schulich School of Engineering grads and a Haskayne School of Business alumnus have been named to a national Top 40 Under 40 list for their remarkable contributions in research, business and community leadership—in fields as diverse as oil and gas software marketing, computer applications of algorithms and brewing. >> more

Industry calls for more engineering PhD students

The engineering industry needs more highly skilled employees who have not just technical strength, but advanced leadership skills. And that translates into a demand for more engineering PhD students, a recent summit on engineering education held at the Schulich School of Engineering was told.
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Encounter with social justice

The University of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work is taking a leadership role in building and sustaining social justice by sponsoring a number of events in the community. At Living the Vision—a day-long encounter with social justice—more than 150 activists gathered on campus to reflect on social issues, identify obstacles and propose strategies. >> more

Schulich professor is finding a better route

City drivers know the problem all too well. They choose an alternate route to avoid construction, only to find that hundreds of other drivers have made the same choice. Schulich School of Engineering professor Dr. Alex de Barros is developing a traffic routing technology system that takes into account up-to-date traffic flow to show drivers the best routes. >> more

Study suggests babies’ diet affects health later in life

New research by the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Kinesiology suggests that a high-fat, high-protein diet could alter the way infants’ metabolism works later in life, making them more susceptible to certain chronic diseases. Conducted by fourth-year student Christine McPherson under the supervision of Dr. Raylene Reimer, the study found newborn rats fed a Atkins-style diet showed a marked rise in the expression of a couple of genes that deal with insulin sensitivity. >> more

First Canadian meteorite of 2007 discovered

A life-long rock collector, Wayne Langlois has kept for 52 years an unusual potato-sized rock he found while digging a sump at his boyhood home in Churchill, Manitoba. The University of Calgary-based Prairie Meteorite Search has confirmed it is the first new Canadian meteorite find of 2007. >> more

U of C scientist receives top diabetes research award

The University of Calgary’s Dr. Pere Santamaria—director of the Julia McFarlane Diabetes Research Centre in the Faculty of Medicine—has won an award of up to $1.25 million from the world’s largest charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research for his novel technique for preventing diabetes by using a vaccine in which tiny particles of iron are coated with proteins and then injected into the body. >> more

Women guide women in new mentorship program

It’s not uncommon for recent university graduates to feel a bit lost and unsure of what’s best for them as they leave school and begin working. The University of Calgary’s Women’s Resource Centre is helping with this transition by pairing grads with working professionals in a new mentorship program called Women Guiding Women. >> more

Students learn more by working together

Multidisciplinary collaboration is a concept that can be hard to understand. But a group of University of Calgary nursing and social work students learned its benefits first-hand during a practicum with the Salvation Army. >> more

Aboriginal artist recognized for “penetrating ideas”

Winning a national achievement award is definitely a career highlight for multimedia artist and writer Joane Cardinal-Schubert. But it should not be taken as a sign that this alumna is slowing down. “Artists,” she says, “do not retire.”>>more

Postcard from Peru

With a degree in archeology and a master’s of teaching almost completed, Echo Miller has found Lima, Peru to be a perfect choice for a teaching abroad practicum. Miller has been able to tour Peru’s magnificent archaeological sites and wonders such as Machu Picchu, while discovering a desire to teach internationally after graduation. >> more

Rules of engagement: Helping students succeed

More and more, universities are talking about engagement—of students and of community. Research-intensive universities, especially in the U.S., are increasingly embracing the concept of the scholarship of engagement. Dr. Alan Harrison, University of Calgary provost and vice-president (academic), will lead a discussion on May 29 on how the U of C can engage our students and set them up for success. >> more

Students’ art talents “merge” in Nickle exhibition

It’s been a University of Calgary tradition for more than 25 years and a rite of passage for graduating Bachelor of Fine Arts students. The annual Graduating Art Exhibition at The Nickle Arts Museum runs until June 8 and features an amazing showcase of works—from painting and sculpture, to printmaking and photography, as well as works produced in less traditional media. >> more

Pushing boundaries: U of C author launches two books

Fresh from his tenure as the Fulbright chair in creative writing at Arizona State University, University of Calgary author Tom Wayman returns home to launch two new books. His new collection of poems and his first-ever collection of short stories share a theme of self-discovery. >> more

Commuters: Are you up to the challenge?

For one week in June, people across Canada will be parking their cars and choosing to walk, cycle, carpool, telecommute and take transit to work and school to help the environment as part of the national Commuter Challenge. The University of Calgary is hoping to increase its participation rate—many students, staff and faculty already take transit and getting counted is fast and easy. >> more

Great minds push limits of physics

A University of Calgary-hosted conference is drawing Nobel laureates and science pioneers to discuss discoveries at the boundaries of scientific knowledge—including the ultra-cold, ultra-fast and ultra-small. More than 800 participants are expected to attend this pre-eminent event in the field of physics, the 38th annual DAMOP/DAMPΦ conference. >> more

Community partners make Campus Fair the best yet

This year, a number of University of Calgary faculties are working with community partners to enhance the exhibits at Campus Fair. The Faculty of Communication and Culture, for example, is working with two companies to provide visitors with an in-depth look at cinema, and to give kids the chance to make their own movie. >> more