Feds Applaud Brainscan Potential to Lead the World
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September 15, 2016 / Vol. 52 No. 23 westernnews.ca PM 41195534 Western’s newspaper of record since 1972 ILLUSTRATION BY FRANK NEUFELD ILLUSTRATION Feds applaud BrainsCAN potential to lead the world BY ADELA TALBOT at McGill University – who received $88 million for its research strength will bolster findings and potential Healthy Brains for Healthy Lives initiative – to leverage impact. both institutions’ complementary expertise to better “This (grant) is a big sum. But what is even more t is important to support and celebrate research understand disorders such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, important is, for the first time in our long history, we and innovation, but at the end of the day, what “BrainsCAN traumatic brain injury and schizophrenia. decided as a nation that we are going to focus on key matters most is the impact research can have, “This government is intent on pursuing an innova- areas, as opposed to spreading the peanut butter thin. said Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for will radically tion agenda, but we know innovation extends beyond This is the first time the Government of Canada decided ILondon North Centre. mere research findings and the economic contribu- it’s important to have a few areas where Canada is going Fragiskatos joined Kate Young, Member of Parlia- transform our tion that comes from research findings. We know this to be a global leader, and as part of that, we are proud ment for London West, at Robarts Research Institute last understanding contribution will position Canada as a global leader to be a global leader in the area of brain research,” week, where members of the London and Western com- in brain research, but more than that, there are 3.6 Chakma noted. munities gathered to celebrate a $66-million Canada of the brain ... million Canadians suffering from brain disorders and Funding from CFREF is not only a boost for cogni- First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) grant – the larg- and will deliver concussion-related ailments,” Fragiskatos said. “These tive neuroscience research at Western, it is a bold step est research grant in the university’s history – supporting are our community members and we are to be sure the in brain research across Canada, added Adrian Owen, the BrainsCAN: Brain Health For Life initiative. evidence-based findings that come from this research will benefit people BrainsCAN Co-scientific Director and Canada Excel- Already ranked among the best in the world in cogni- intervention in well beyond Canada’s borders.” lence Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience and tive neuroscience and neuroimaging, Western excels Western is at the forefront of research in the field of Imaging at Western’s Brain and Mind Institute. in the breadth of cognitive, computational, clinical, the classroom, cognitive neuroscience, he added, and funding from “In my opinion, this comes at a really critical time technological and translational approaches required for CFREF will ensure the university is well positioned to for our understanding of the human brain and the understanding and intervening in brain function. operating room move forward and ensure a positive impact for patients challenges we are working hard to address. What I can BrainsCAN will bring together researchers from and in the clinic.” worldwide. promise you is, BrainsCAN will radically transform our across campus under one unifying initiative. Western President Amit Chakma echoed this sen- As part of it, Western will partner with researchers - Adrian Owen timent, adding honing in on one particular area of BRAINSCAN // CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 2 westernnews.ca Western News September 15, 2016 westernnews.ca Western News September 15, 2016 3 Editor’s Letter Honours BEST BETS Visit the Western Events Calendar at Wang earns top undergrad honours www.events.westernu.ca for a full look at the week ahead. Western News (ISSNO316- BY PAUL MAYNE 8654), a publication of West- AMONG THE BEST ern University’s Department of Earlier this summer, the Undergraduate Communications and Public SEPT. 15 5-7 p.m., Visual Arts Centre, Artlab Gallery Affairs, is published every Thurs- | hen the call came, Mary Wang wasn’t Awards (UA) recognized 33 papers by 29 day throughout the school year even interested in answering it. Western students as Highly Commended and operates under a reduced Wang, a fourth-year Medical Sci- schedule during December, Entrants. The students were selected May, June, July and August. ences student, was recently named from an entrant pool of more than 5,000 Wone of 25 Global Winners in the Undergraduate submissions from undergraduates studying An award-winning weekly news- JASON WINDERS Awards (UA) competition, an academic awards paper and electronic news ser- Western News Editor FOLLOW @WesternEditor program that celebrates the world’s brightest under- at more than 250 universities across 39 vice, Western News serves as graduate students by recognizing their coursework countries. Papers are recognized as Highly the university’s newspaper of and projects. Commended if they finish in the top 10 per record. The publication traces its roots to The University of With the program based out of Ireland, the five- cent of their subject category. Western Ontario Newsletter, a MARK KASUMOVIC: “INSTRUMENTAL” hour time difference caused a bit of a delayed reac- Western students honoured included: Through his body of work, Mark Kasumovic interrogates our relationship one-page leaflet-style publica- tion for Wang hearing the news. • Jason Mile, Art History, Music, Film & tion which debuted on Sept. Draw out to science and its increasing dependence on complex technological tools. “It was very early in the morning. The call was 23, 1965. The first issue of the Runs through Sept. 22. from an ‘unknown number.’ I was so sleepy and Theatre; Western News, under found- figured it was a telemarketer so I didn’t answer,” she • Josh Jadischke, Chemical & ing editor Alan Johnston, was the fainting couch Pharmaceutical Sciences; published on Nov. 16, 1972 said, adding they left a voice message she checked replacing the UWO Times and SEPT. 15 7-8:30 p.m., North Campus Building, Room 113 at the end of the day. “I checked email too and there • Jin Liu, Computer Sciences; Western Times. Today, West- | was a message there, as well. So walking to the bus • Delia Chen and Richard Kelly, ern News continues to provide new academic year is upon us and with that comes stop I did a little happy dance.” Economics; timely news, information and one of my favourite rites of the season – the arrival of Wang earned a Gold Medal for her paper, Does • Andrea Holstein, History; a forum for discussion of post- the What’s Wrong With Universities Today? newspaper developmental social pragmatic intervention for secondary issues in the campus • Mary Wang, Languages & Linguistics; and broader community. column. children with autism influence parent language AAh, yes, draw out the fainting couch because there is no sign use?, in the Languages & Linguistics category. She • Allison Bell, Jethro Kwong, Shirley Long of autumn quite like when aging denizens of mainstream punditry will receive the award at the UA Global Summit in and David Watson, Life Sciences; turn their attention to the incoming class and wonder aloud as to Dublin. • Michelle Bunton, Emily Denomme why ‘these kids today’ aren’t more like the ones they knew in their Wang’s research explores the potential benefits WESTERN NEWS (King’s University College, two papers university years. And nobody does this better than the Maven of of parents and primary caregivers providing a key PAUL MAYNE // WESTERN NEWS nominated), Maryam Golafshani Hyperbolic Histrionics, Margaret Wente of The Globe and Mail. ART NOW! SPEAKERS’ SERIES: PAUL WALDE source of linguistic input early in the developmental WesternNews.ca Bachelor of Medical Sciences student Mary Wang earned a Gold Medal for her paper, and Wyatt Merkley (King’s University Westminster Hall, Suite 360 Let it be known: She did not disappoint again this season. Paul Walde is an intermedia artist, composer and curator whose work process of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Does developmental social pragmatic intervention for children with autism influence parent Western University It goes without saying that Wente’s most recent column, Wel- suggests unexpected interconnections between landscape, identity, and (ASD), specifically using the Milton and Ethel Harris College), Literature: English; London, ON N6A 3K7 come to college – and the thought police, is exactly what you technology. Research Initiative Treatment (MEHRIT). Based out language use?, in the Languages & Linguistics category of the Undergraduate Awards (UA) • Nathalie Thibert, Mathematics & Telephone 519 661-2045 annual competition. Fax 519 661-3921 would expect. I would summarize her points here, but you already of York University, MEHRIT is a program that teaches Physics; know them by heart. Microaggressions. Trigger warnings. Victim parents to support their child’s communication • Ye Seul Kim, Medical Sciences; PUBLISHER culture. All the classic hits. development. ing. Was it changing the way they were speaking to is to get the parents involved. They are with them Helen Connell SEPT 16 12:30-1:20 p.m., Music Building, von Kuster Hall • Victor Parchment and Dylan Vallance, The recipe to cook up these columns is simple: Use random | On the research, the Scholar’s Elective student their children? What were they saying and how were every day so we want to give them the ability to [email protected], Philosophy; 519 661-2111 Ext. 85469 examples of campus silliness from across North America without worked closely with Janis Oram Cardy, Director of they saying it? help their child and they are motivated to do that.” developing a connection or trend. Sprinkle in at least one ‘they the Autism Spectrum & Language Disorders Lab, She found parents in the MEHRIT group outper- Wang added the results of this study offer sup- • Christopher Ginou (King’s University EDITOR just don’t make students like they used to’ lament.