Faculty of SCIENCE

Annual Report

January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011

E=mc2 Message from the Dean

My time as Dean has ended as I write this note so I am going to take the opportunity to thank all the faculty and staff in Science for their support and for the dedication and effort they give to Science every working day. With the appointment of two new vice-presidents on July 1, Dr. Thomas Chase as Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and Dr. Dennis Fitzpatrick as Vice-President (Research), the Faculty wanted to provide both vice-presidents with a comprehensive picture of the teaching and research activities in Science. With good planning and perhaps a bit of luck, we realized that we could design a tour that illustrated the emphasis on excellence on teaching and research in Science while simultaneously illustrating the contributions made by all members of Science. We started with the front-office staff that might be the early contact or resource for a new student or faculty member. Then we added the contributions of the teaching and research laboratory support teams and explained how all of these contributions are necessary to ensure that the Faculty can carry out its teaching and research mandate.

With the tours including the normally hidden aspects of the support areas and with Geremy Lague’s excellent video productions about this work being shown on the “Wall” in RIC, we found a way to allow everyone to better appreciate the role and contributions of all members of Science. It certainly gave me a much better understanding of the complexity of delivering the various programs in Science.

The 2011 Annual Report continues last year’s emphasis on the people, students, faculty and staff, who work, learn and, on occasion, play in the Faculty of Science. Again, we have included dozens of photographs in this profile of Science as feedback from last year indicated that readers were enjoying the increased emphasis on people as opposed to facts and figures.

Construction in EQAL2 on the fifth floor of the Research and Innovation Centre (RIC) concluded. Staff need to be hired as the emphasis moves from creating this excellent facility to undertaking the many research initiatives that the facility will support. 2011 also saw the relocation of most of the Geology research labs into the Laboratory Building.

We have highlighted selected examples of the accomplishments of the research activities to be found in Science. It is not possible to cover the work of everyone so please follow the links to the Faculty’s web site to learn more about what we do outside the classroom. The examples we have provided cover topics from making water supplies safer, to why faster and faster computers are needed to support research, to volcanic eruptions. Curiosity driven research is alive and well in Science.

The Faculty of Nursing, in collaboration with SIAST, offered its initial courses in the Fall semester. The inclusion of several courses from Science in the Nursing BSc provides a nice increase in credit hours offered by Science. However, 2011 saw a continuation of enrolment increases throughout the University and Science continued to keep pace with healthy increases right across the Faculty. 2011 saw the initiation of awards to recognize the fine work being done by our Supplemental Instruction Leaders, those students who undertake to share their knowledge and experience with students in Science who are making the transition from high school to university. Science students receive several hundred scholarships every year and you will find their many accomplishments in the pages that follow.

Please enjoy reading about the many activities and accomplishments described throughout the Annual Report while learning more about the people who work and study in Science. Please also welcome Dr. Daniel Gagnon who joined us as the new Dean of Science on January 1, 2012.

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Table of Contents

Academic Research read about read about Biology ...... 6 Science in Research ...... 25

Chemistry and Biochemistry ...... 9 NSERC Awards & Recipients...... 25

Computer Science ...... 10 Canada Research Chairs ...... 26

Geology ...... 13 Community read about Mathematics and Statistics .....14 Science in the Community ...... 28 Physics ...... 17 Mathematics Enrichment Camp ....28 Celebrating Science Students..18 Virtual Science Fair Awards ...... 29 Math Central ...... 19 Alumni of Influence ...... 30 Administrative read about Science Pubs Series ...... 32

Science’s Long Service Science Rendezvous ...... 33 Honourees ...... 21 Summer Science Camps ...... 34 New faces in Science ...... 22

Admin people of Science ...... 23 Congratulations SCIENCE Undergraduate students

201130 (Fall Semester) Wallace McConnell Memorial Scholarship (1) Academic All Canadian Scholarship (10) Wascana Preceptory No. 51 Knights Templar Scholarship (1) Academic and Athletic Achievement Award (3) Willoughby Scholarship (2) Academic Gold Scholarship (9) Academic Silver Scholarship (105) 201120 (Spring/Summer Semester) Association of Regina REALTORS Inc. Scholarship (1) Academic Gold Scholarship (2) Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (2) Academic Silver Scholarship (21) Bert Fox/Ferguson U of R Alumni Entrance Scholarship (1) D. M. Kent Consulting Geologist Ltd. Prize In Sedimentary Geology Breast Cancer Action Saskatchewan Scholarship (1) tttttScholarship (1) Canadian Council of Muslim Women - Regina Entrance Scholarship(1) International Mobility Scholarship (1) Canadian Federation of University Women (1) John Lewry Prize in Geology (1) Centennial Merit Plus Scholarship (38) Lowe Family Conservatory Bursary Viola (1) Centennial Merit Scholarship (35) Organic Chemistry Prize (1) City of Regina Henry Baker Scholarship (2) University of Regina International Experience Travel Fund Travel Fund (1) Co-operators Life Insurance Company Actuarial Science Scholarship (2) University of Regina Scholarship (1) D. E. and M. W. Cuddington Scholarship (1) Dr. Suzanne Marcia Nilson Scholarship In Biology (1) 201110 (Winter Semester) Engineering, Math, and Science Entrance Bursary (1) University of Regina Family Scholarship (3) Faculty of Science 10th Anniversary Entrance Scholarship (1) UR Undergraduate Bursary (113) Faculty of Science Supplemental Instruction Scholar Award (3) Academic Silver Scholarship (34) Frederick W. & Bertha A. Wenzel Entrance Bursary (2) Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Award (2) G.F. Ledingham Scholarship (1) CIC Aboriginal Bursary (1) Holt-Todoruck Entrance Bursary (1) Provincial Sport Governing Body Student-Athlete Awards at the University of I.O.D.E. - James Henderson LL.D. Scholarship (1) tttttRegina (9) Independent Order of Foresters Scholarship (1) CIPS (Canadian Information Processing Society) Saskatchewan Bursary (1) Innovation Place Regina Aboriginal Scholarship (1) Miscellaneous One Time Scholarship (6) International Baccalaureate Certificate (3) Academic and Athletic Achievement Award (1) International Baccalaureate Diploma (1) Elmer Shaw Entrance Scholarship (1) E = hf = pc James B. Carefoot Memorial Scholarship (1) John Spencer Middleton & Jack Spencer Gordon Middleton Scholarship (5) Kornelius G. Toews Award (1) Faculty of Science Supplemental Instruction Scholar Award (1) Mature Admission Entrance Scholarship (2) Academic Gold Scholarship (4) Miscellaneous One Time Scholarship (10) Miscellaneous One Time Scholarship II (1) Muriel E. Finlayson Undergraduate Environmental Science Scholarship(1) Simon Yu Bursary (1) Non Direct Entry Entrance Bursary (2) Independent Order of Foresters Scholarship (1) Part-Time Studies Undergraduate Bursary (1) Bruce Wayne Basketball Scholarship (1) Pat Moir Award (1) Rural Student Entrance Scholarship (2) Petar C. Hein Memorial Scholarship in Physics (1) Faculty of Science 10th Anniversary Entrance Scholarship (1) Phoenix Group Athletic Award (1) Prospective Student Award (1) Regina High School Aboriginal Scholarship (4) Regina Medical Laboratories Ltd. Entrance Scholarship Scholarship (2) Ross John Kirk Entrance Scholarship (1) Rural Student Entrance Scholarship (2) Saskatchewan Government Insurance Actuarial Science Scholarship (1) Saskatchewan Science Fair Scholarship (1) Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board Actuarial Science Scholarship (1) SaskPower Award (1) SED Systems Inc. Scholarship (1) The Faculty of Science celebrates the 2011 scholarships Shell Canada Scholarship In Computer Science (20) TD Bank Financial Group in Energy & Environmental Studies (1) and awards for all Undergraduate Science Students! The Bill Ciz Memorial Athletic Award (1) 2011 Semester Totals University of Regina Aboriginal Student Engineering, Math, and Science $88,529 in the Winter Semester tttttEntrance Bursary (2) University of Regina Advanced Placement Entrance Scholarships (3) $11,305 in the Spring/Summer Semester University of Regina Alumni Association Children of Alumni Entrance $515,563 in the Fall Semester tttttScholarship (1) University of Regina Alumni Association Dr. John Archer Scholarship (1) University of Regina Alumni Association Leadership Award (1) University of Regina Family Scholarship (9) University of Regina Out of Province Entrance Scholarship (3) University of Regina Rams Football Athletic Award (1) University of Regina UR X-celerating! Entering Scholarship (1) UR Circle of Scholars Scholarship (5) UR Connected! Award (2) UR Undergraduate Bursary (2)

The Faculty of Science congratulates the following SCIENCE STUDENTS:

Alisha Beler as the recipient for the Canadian Cancer Society Student Assistantship. Cheghaf Madarati as the recipient for the Canadian Cancer Society Student Assistantship. Caitlin Hunter as the recipient for the Muriel E. Finlayson Undergraduate Environmental Science Scholarship. “I have really enjoyed my time here as an undergraduate and graduate student. The faculty, staff, and students are very friendly and I will miss them all when I leave. The skills I have learned while studying here will carry me through further education and will be useful in helping me establish my future career.”

-Marc Beal, Masters Candidate E = hf = pc ACADEMIC

human-computer symbiosis 126.904 Department of biology

The University of Regina’s Biology Department is committed to excellence in the areas of teaching and research. The teaching and research activities are interrelated, reinforce each other, and have been divided into two themes: Cellular & Molecular Biology and Ecology & Environmental Biology. These areas provide the framework for coordinated staff and student recruitment and also for program development. At the undergraduate level, Biology offers both BSc and BSc Hons degrees, which may include a designated “area of concentration” in one of the two themes. Biology also offers several combined BSc programs with other units at the University of Regina, and also BSc and BSc Hons programs in Environmental Biology offered in conjunction with three Western Canadian colleges. Graduate student research (MSc and PhD) encompasses both laboratory- and field-based work, including research conducted at the University of Regina Research Station located in the Cypress Hills of southwestern Saskatchewan. The Biology Department is also home to the George F. Ledingham Herbarium, the newly expanded Environmental Quality Analysis Laboratory (relocating to the Research and Innovation Centre), and a 1700 square foot Aquatics Facility.

The Department is home to three Canada Research Chairs, all of whom have research programs that include investigations of environmental issues in Saskatchewan. Biology is also involved with the newly-established University of Regina Faculty of Nursing. We offer three Biology courses (Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology) for nursing students. Members of the Biology Dept are involved in outreach activities such as: presentations at schools and service organizations, research collaborations with government agencies, dealing with biological questions/issues from the public and from government agencies, and science fairs and science camps.

Faculty of Science 2011Annual Report 6 Accomplishments

• Collectively 11 faculty members in the Department plus one Lecturer and the manager of Environmental Quality Analysis Laboratory (EQAL) held 8 NSERC Discovery Grants and a variety of other grants and contracts totalling about $1.69 million.

• Faculty members supervised 25 MSc students (4 completed) and 12 PhD students (1 completed). The Department supported 3 Postdoctoral Fellows and an intern from the UK.

• The Department supervised 8 NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (URSAs).

• Collectively, faculty members and their students published 34 refereed articles or book chapters in national and international journals and presented 61 oral talks or posters at national or international conferences.

BUGS The Biology Undergraduate & Graduate Society (BUGS) is a society bringing together all students interested in Biology. Our lounge is in LB 153 and all BUGS members are welcome to come on in and relax, study, or socialize. http://uregina.ca/~biolugs/ Also, feel free to join our facebook page!

University of Regina biologists, Drs. Richard Manzon and Chris Somers have teamed up with industrial partners and faculty at McMaster University to study the effects of thermal, chemical and radiological waste from industrial power generation on whitefish populations, physiology and development.

Dr. Richard Manzon Dr. Chris Somers Associate Professor Associate Professor CanadaResearch Chair in Genes and the

Dr.Manzon’s research program will provide a The objective of Dr. Somers’ research is to better understanding of how fish respond to understand interactions between humans and changes in their internal and external environment wildlife and the response of animals to human- that alter their physiology and developmental modified environments. Ultimately he seeks to timing. These factors ultimately influence survival advance our knowledge of animal behaviour, and reproduction of individual fish. ecology, and genetics in a way that facilitates conservation and management. Through a partnership with McMaster University and the nuclear power industry, Dr. Manzon’s Through a partnership with McMaster University research group will study the effects of multiple and the nuclear power industry, Dr. Somers is stressors (temperature, chemicals, and radiation) examining the movement, habitat use, and on whitefish development and physiology at population structure of whitefish in Lake Huron. The the cellular and molecular level. This will provide objective is to understand whether point sources an understanding of the long-term effects on of thermal pollution from industry are potentially individuals and populations. The results will be affecting unique local populations of fish. The used to better regulate and manage thermal results will contribute to long-term environmental and other types of water pollution. and fisheries management practices in the Great Lakes region and elsewhere.

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Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 7 Zero Accomplishments

• The Department supervised 3 NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs) and 2 Canadian Cancer Society Student Assistantships

• Collectively, faculty members published 13 refereed articles or book chapters in national and international journals and presented a total of 21 conference papers.

• The Department participated in Science Camp, the Research Gala and Science Rendezvous 2011, the signature event celebrating the International Year of Chemistry.

• Hosted the Reactive Intermediate Student Exchange (RISE) Conference, showcasing the University as a premier research and teaching institution. RISE is Canada’s largest summer research exchange program in the chemical sciences.

Pesticides – Search for their Occurrence in the Atmosphere

Agriculture is a key natural resource to Canada with 35.9 million hectares of crop land, 229,000 farms, $248.3 billion in farm capital, and $42.2 billion in farm receipts in 2011. There are more than 500 pesticides currently registered for use in Canada and Saskatchewan has the highest agricultural pesticide usage in Canada. Pesticides have a wide range of chemical and physical properties and have the potential to be transported in the environment in the atmosphere or water. Dr. Raina’s research group investigates the occurrence of currently used pesticides in the atmosphere with a goal to discover which pesticides or their breakdown products can be transported on a regional or long-range transport scale in the atmosphere. Dr. Raina’s group develops analytical methods for the analysis of trace levels of pesticides in the atmosphere in the gas and particle phase. These new analytical methods which include gas or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods have enabled the first detections of some pesticides or their breakdown products in the atmosphere in North America. Research is continuing not only to discover which pesticides are moving in the atmosphere but also to discover those pesticides that can be transported in the atmosphere longer distances and have potentially greater environmental impacts. Atmospheric samples are collected in agricultural regions of western Canada including the prairies, Lower Fraser Valley, and the Okanagan Valley. These regions were selected due to the high usage of pesticides, differences in crop types, climate, and expected types and quantities of pesticides used. The samples are collected with high-volume air samplers (see top right) and analyzed for a wide range of chemical classes of pesticides in the Trace Analysis Facility at the University of Regina. This research will help to develop better management strategies for pesticides.

Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 8 Zero Department of Chemistry and biochemistry

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry contributes to all three proposed thrusts in the University’s newest Strategic Research Plan: Sustainable Development (in sub-themes Energy and National Resources and Environment); Human Development (in sub-theme Health); Knowledge, Creation and Discovery (in sub-theme Pure Discovery-Based Research). These areas provide the framework for recruitment and program development (teaching and research). The Department is working hard toward fulfilling key goals, namely (a) to achieve and maintain excellence in its execution of Teaching and Research, and (b) to build a “critical mass” of faculty members to facilitate the process of building and sustaining cohesive research programs in the chemical and biological sciences, environmental sciences, and to foster meaningful research collaborations with other departments.

The delivery of quality undergraduate and graduate programs in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry continues to be a top priority. Although the Department is fully participating in the current university wide Academic Program Review, the Department has recently redesigned our curriculum in the undergraduate and graduate programs. The Department aims to provide a vibrant and positive environment for higher learning and training for our undergraduates and graduates.

• Faculty members supervised 11 MSc students (4 completed) and 8 PhD students (1 completed).

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Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 9 Department of Computer science

The Department has identified three principal areas of focus: Artificial Intelligence, Digital/Multi Mediaand Software Systems Development. These areas provide the framework for recruitment and program development (teaching and research) in the Department and are consistent with the theme of Knowledge Creation and Discovery: Information and Communication as presented in the University of Regina’s Strategic Research Plan for 2010-2015. To meet the future needs from the rapidly developing IT industry and the fast growing provincial/ national economy, the Department has developed and will continue to develop innovative programs in collaboration with other faculties. The Department currently hosts one Canadian Research Chair in the area of Computational Learning. In addition to their own top quality research, several members of the Department make significant contributions to their respective research communities by serving on editorial boards of highly ranked international journals and chairing/co-chairing national or international conferences. These activities have made a very positive impact on the reputation of the University. Members of the Department are also actively involved with the Sustainable Communities Initiative and promotion of Science in general plus new computer technology in particular, to the general public.

The Department is committed to the promotion of excellence in research and teaching. It aims to build a vibrant research and training environment for our undergraduate and graduate students. It encourages research collaboration both internally and externally, and conducts nationally and internationally recognized scholarship. The Department makes a special effort to strengthen its relationship with industry by developing collaborative projects and consulting on curriculum development. VLSI chips

Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 10 Accomplishments

• Faculty members supervised 31 MSc students (14 completed) and 21 PhD students (1 completed) and 1 Postdoctoral Fellow. The Department hosted 4 international Visiting Scholars.

• The Department supervised 5 NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs).

• Collectively, faculty members published 53 refereed articles in national and international journals and peer-reviewed conference proceedings, 12 books and 1 book chapter, and presented a total of 20 conference papers.

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The department is pleased to acknowledge the significant contributions and successes of our members in the areas of research, teaching, and community engagement for 2011. Ten of the most outstanding are highlighted here: Research 1. Four current and former faculty members in Computer Science were ranked among the top 10 most cited researchers at the University of Regina according to Microsoft Academic Search website. Dr. Yiyu Yao of our department was ranked as the most cited researcher. Index scores for the website measure lifetime publication productivity and citation use of those publications. 2. Drs. Robert Hilderman and Howard Hamilton received an award from the Pacific-Asia Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (PAKDD) for the most influential research paper published from the conference ten years ago. In retrospect, their paper made significant contributions to subsequent research. 3. Dr. Sandra Zilles, Canada Research Chair in theoretical Machine Learning, had a paper accepted in the top journal in the field of Artificial Intelligence, for the second year in a row. 4. As program chair for the 2011 International Rough Sets and Knowledge Technology conference, Dr. Jing Tao Yao was responsible for overseeing all aspects including venue, invited speakers, and paper submissions. The conference, which was held in Banff, Alberta, was well received and attended. Teaching 5. Enrolment in Computer Science courses and declared majors rose for the third consecutive year. 6. A new course on Mobile Computing, with emphasis on programming iPhone apps, attracted media attention and industrial registrations in Winter 2011. Another new course on Building Interactive Gadgets offered in Fall 2011 was also a hit with students and filled to capacity quickly.

7. Dr. David Gerhard has been appointed as a President’s Teaching and Learning Scholar. These awards recognize faculty at the University of Regina who are undertaking innovative projects designed to enhance the practice of teaching. Dr. Gerhard’s winning project is entitled, The University of Regina iPad Orchestra: Engaging Mobile Audiovisual Technologies in Music Teaching and Learning. Dr. Gerhard is collaborating on the project with Rebecca Caines (Theatre Department) and Pauline Minevich (Music Department). Community Engagement 8. Alumnus Ross Mitchell received the Alumni Award for Distinguished Professional Achievement in September 2011.

9. A project team from the Department of Computer Science, led by Drs. Daryl Hepting and Howard Hamilton, worked with the E-Learning division of the Regina Catholic School Board to develop innovative curriculum materials for CS 20 (grade 11 Computer Science class) using Scratch and Greenfoot. 10. Computer Science hosted a Professional Development Day for grade 6-12 Science teachers in December 2011. The successes of that day led the attendees and organizers to coalesce and form a Saskatchewan chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). The mandate of the CSTA is to support and promote Computer Science education in Saskatchewan.

Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 11 Accomplishments

• The research activities of 7 faculty members were supported by 3 NSERC Discovery Grants and 6 other grants and contracts totalling $298,232.

• Collectively, 7 faculty members published 35 refereed national and international journals (10 were accepted) and presented a total of 27 conference papers.

• The Department directs 121 geology undergraduate students; supervises 16 MSc and 4 PhD students; and hosted 1 post doctoral fellow and 8 international visiting scholars/students.

• The Department graduated 26 geology undergraduate students and 3 masters students, respectively.

Faculty members:

The 2011 Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching was awarded to Dr. Stephen Bend. Stephen gained a BA (Hons) in Geology and Geography with a minor in Geochemistry from the University of Keele, England, and received both his MSc in Petroleum Geochemistry and PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. Following a period of 6 years working in industry, Stephen began his University teaching career at the University of Regina in 1990 and has since taught over 5,100 students at various levels. He is also the single author of the American Association of Petroleum Geologist’s (AAPG) ground-breaking textbook (eTextbook) on Petroleum Geology. First published in 2007, it has become one of the all-time best selling texts for AAPG and can be found in use within numerous Colleges and Universities over three continents.

Research uncovers clues: DISCOVERED NEW MINERAL WEALTH

Tiny droplets of fluid trapped in minerals for millions of years, called fluid inclusions, can provide important clues to locating new deposits of minerals or petroleum. These ancient samples of geologic fluid are the main subjects of research by Dr. Guoxiang Chi. By analyzing the fluid inclusions, Dr. Chi and his team can determine the composition of the fluid and its temperature and pressure at the time the deposit was forming. They then combine this information with numerical models to determine the speed, direction, temperature and other characteristics of the paleo-fluid flow systems. These studies will assist mineral or petroleum exploration companies to decide the best locations to search for new deposits. Dr. Chi and his team are currently focusing on the study of fluid flow systems related to uranium deposits in northern Saskatchewan, one of the top uranium producing districts in the world.

Students

Ms. Rachelle Boulanger was awarded “The Best Graduate Talk” for her presentation at the Western Inter- University Geosciences Conference 2012, Rachelle gained a Bachelor of Science in Geology at the University of Regina in 2009. Her strong interest in economic geology led her to pursue a master degree under Dr. Chi’s supervision. Over the course of her master program, she received the Graduate Studies Award from the faculty of Graduate Studies and Research and won the Best Student Poster Award at the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources Open House. Rachelle successfully defended her MSc thesis in May, 2012.

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Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 12 Department of geology

The Department of Geology continues to maintain excellence in both research and the training of highly qualified personnel through the dedication of its’ research-focused and student centered Faculty, whose expertise is widely recognized Provincially, Nationally and Internationally. Our students continue to receive a level of education that is both hands-on and at a level more typical of the very largest schools in North America.

This reputation for excellence is recognized by industry and government agencies who actively pursue our graduate and undergraduate students. The Department seeks to continue this tradition of excellence by providing courses that meet the standards for professional registration with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS).

Graduate and undergraduate students were supported in numerous field and laboratory based thesis projects by individual faculty research grants from NSERC, PTRC, government surveys and oil industry. This focus is consistent with the strategic areas of research emphases outlined within the University of Regina’s Strategic Research Plan.

Our reputation for excellence and the continued demand for geo-science professionals has led to a steady increase in Geology undergraduate enrolments during the last 10 years. The Department’s daily operation depends on 7 Faculty members, 2 Laboratory Instructors, and 2 support staff. • The research activities of 7 facu

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Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 13 Department of mathematics and statistics

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers programs in mathematics, statistics and actuarial science. This variety of programs provides the framework for recruitment and development initiatives. The principal areas of research are algebra and number theory, discrete mathematics, geometry and topology, matrix theory, operator algebras, and probability theory and statistics. The active colloquium series and research seminars in the Department exemplify the University's goal in scholarship and research to "sustain a vibrant research enterprise where faculty members are enthusiastic about intellectual activity." The actuarial program and the variety of outreach initiatives in the Department meet the University's goal in service to "Take our academic expertise into the community…" These areas of focus are consistent with the University of Regina Strategic Research Plan that commits to supporting high quality areas of basic research and the strategic research emphasis in Informatics. The Department is also active in public outreach through Math Central and Math Camp. This is one of the stated goals of the University of Regina in the Strategic Planning Document under public service and accountability.

Pi Day

Maxwell’s equations

Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 14 Accomplishments

• Collectively 22 faculty members in the Department held 15 NSERC Discovery Grants and other grants and contracts totalling about $227,000.

• Faculty members supervised 14 MSc students (3 completed), 16 PhD students and 3 Postdoctoral Fellows. The department also hosted 3 international Visiting Scholars.

• The Department supervised 3 NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (URSAs).

• Collectively faculty members published 32 refereed articles or book chapters in national and international journals and presented a total of 21 conference papers.

November 18, 2011: Volker Runde, University of Alberta Big Things Are Rarely Amenable Abstract: We survey how the phenomenon of amenability manifests itself for locally compact groups and for Banach algebras, and we will try to convince the audience that amenability is best viewed as a weak finiteness condition. November 9, 2011: Marcelo Laca, University of Victoria Broken Symmetries Abstract: There is a remarkable connection pioneered by Alain Connes between operator algebras, which originated as the mathematical models for quantum mechanical systems, and abstract structures arising from number theory. This connection is based on the fact that systems of numbers and of sub-atomic particles share some common features that make them tractable with the same mathematical tools. One of these features is the prominent role that symmetries play in both cases; another is the relevance of pairs of operations that do not commute with each other. For quantum systems, the non-commuting operations are the measurements of position and momentum of particles; for number systems, they are addition and multiplication. I will give a nontechnical overview of the subject, discussing its motivations and implications, and then briefly report some recent developments. September 29, 2011: Richard Anstee, University of British Columbia Forbidden Configurations: A Survey Abstract: Problems in extremal set theory take the form of determining the maximum number of subsets of {1,2, ..., m } you can choose so that the resulting family of subsets has some property. The property I will consider is a trace being forbidden (in hypergraph terms a subhypergraph being forbidden). An incidence matrix encodes the system of subsets as an m-rowed (0,1)-matrix A with no repeated columns. The forbidden trace becomes a ‘forbidden configuration’ namely for some given (0,1)-matrix F you are forbidding A from having any submatrix which is a row and column permutation of F. One defines forb(m,F) as the maximum number of columns, over all m-rowed (0,1)-matrices with no repeated column and no submatrix which is a row and column permutation of F. This concept of forbidden configurations appears in a variety of problems of which the study of VC-dimension has been the most notable. I will discuss a number of the bounds obtained and the interesting variety of proofs. September 22, 2011: Sebastian Cioaba, University of Delaware Eigenvalues of Graphs Abstract: Graph theory is the study of networks. In many situations, the only way we can study key combinatorial parameters of graphs such as edge-distribution, connectivity or expansion, is by using their eigenvalues. In this talk, I will describe some connections between the structure of graphs and their eigenvalues. The talk should be accessible to undergraduate students. May 5, 2011: Peter Lancaster, University of Calgary Canonical Structures for Matrix Functions Abstract: Many problems of mechanics, sound propagation, mathematical biology, etc., can be effectively modelled with matrix eigenvalue problems in which the eigenvalue parameter appears in a nonlinear fashion. Over the last fifty years or so, this has given rise to a comprehensive theory. In particular, canonical structures play an important role, and can be arrived at by either algebraic or analytical methods. We will give a survey of results of this kind in which either Hermitian or unitary symmetry plays an important role. (This talk can be understood with little more than ideas from undergraduate algebra and analysis.)

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Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 15 Accomplishments

• Collectively 10 faculty members in the Department held 1 NSERC Discovery Grant and other grants and contracts totalling about $1,008,000.

• Faculty members supervised 6 MSc students (1 completed), 3 PhD students and 1 Postdoctoral Fellow. The department also hosted 1 International Visiting Student.

• The Department supervised 3 NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (URSAs).

• Collectively faculty members published 10 refereed articles or book chapters in national and international journals and presented a total of 21 conference papers.

Random Motion

The GlueX Experiment is the definitive and detailed mapping of the spectrum of a new family of particles called hybrid mesons. This is essential for finding the answer to an outstanding and fundamental question in physics - a quantitative understanding of the confinement mechanism in quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Completion of the 25 ton Barrel Calorimeter (BCAL) and its delivery to Jefferson Laboratory (JLab) (Hall D) ahead of schedule (December 2011) marked a major milestone for the SPARRO group and the entire 12 GeV Upgrade Project (needed for this experiment) at JLab. This was promoted widely through the media and the press and subsequently featured on the front cover of the April 2012 issue of lab Product News (see accompanying photograph, left to right: Andrei Semenov, George Lolos, Zisis Papandreou).

WEAK INTERACTIONS AND NEUTRINO PHYSICS. Scope of Research and Major Achievements: TWIST was completed in 2011 after a decade of research at TRIUMF to determine the highest precision (by far) parameterizations of muon decay, a fundamental process of nature involving only leptons. The T2K Experiment is a major, long-term, international collaborative experiment formulated to discover and measure neutrino oscillation parameters and to determine the potential contribution from the neutrino sector to the asymmetry between matter and anti- matter in the Universe. Despite the 2011 earthquake in Japan, data collection and publication began. The T2K-Regina group has previously made a major contribution to this project, namely the onsite construction and offsite delivery (in 2008) of a Fine-Grained Detector (FGD) for the Near Neutrino Detector (ND280) in the facility in Tokai, Japan.

THEORETICAL COSMOLOGY. Scope of Research: The current focus is on intersections of quantum physics and relativity in the context of formulations of quantum phenomena on the curved space-time background of general relativity. The primary objective is to identify possible observable consequences of such formulations in atomic and subatomic physics. The main motivation is to gain a better understanding of the energy regime where the general relativistic effects become important in describing microscopic phenomena, which, in turn, may shed some light on the structure of a unified theory of gravity and quantum physics.

THE PHYSICS OF DINOSAUR FOSSILS. Scope of Research: This group (formed by Dr. Barbi in 2011) is investigating the elemental constitution of Tyrannosaurus rex and other dinosaurs and is attempting to relate this to their Late Cretaceous environment. This initiative was publicised widely through the media and the press, e.g. by The Globe and Mail on December 27, 2011.

Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 16 ATOM Department of physics

The primary emphasis of the Department is Subatomic Physics and we have active research programs in both Experiment and Theory. There is also an adjunct faculty member, Dr. Martin Beech, who conducts research in Observational Astronomy. The accomplishments of our faculty members are described under headings that reflect their primary research interests and, in some cases, the major experiments theyare conducting. The Department of Physics continues its commitment to provide an enviable learning experience for both graduate and undergraduate students and regularly enhances the classroom, laboratory and co-operative educational opportunities that it offers. This commitment becomes a reality through the teaching contributions of the faculty members, whose research achievements are documented herein, and by the dedication of other faculty members whose primary role is teaching, in particular our lecturers, Pierre Ouimet and Nikolay Kolev, and our laboratory instructors, Shaun Szymanski and Dan MacQueen.

Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 17 Does P = NP? Celebrating Science sTUDENTS

Faculty of Science 5th Annual Graduation and Awards Gala

An evening of celebration to recognize the achievements of our graduates.

The Faculty of Science graduates, faculty members, staff and distinguished guests were invited to a special evening full of entertainment, conversation and hors d’oeuvres. The guest speaker was Donald Narcisse, 2010 CFL Hall of Fame Inductee.

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The Faculty of Science congratulates Christine Selinger as the recipient for the Faculty of Science Dean’s Medal for the Spring 2011 convocation.

Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 18 Does P = NP? Math Central

Math Central is an Internet service for mathematics students and teachers. This site is maintained by faculty and students in Mathematics and Statistics and Mathematics Education at the University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. It became an internet site in September, 1995 and has since earned several awards.

Math Central was created by Denis Hanson, Vi Maeers and Harley Weston at the University of Regina. Denis and Harley are Emeritus Professors in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and Vi is a Professor in the Faculty of Education. The Quandaries and Queries consultants are teachers, faculty and students at Canadian schools and universities.

http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/

Human Genome

Dean’s Honour List Campion *, Luther **, First Nations University of Canada *** W I N T E R 2 0 1 1 Nicole Janier Karla Signo Darah Boesch Jordan Laing Natasha Jaques * Bobby Singh Alexis Brassard Ha Lam Neil Arnstead ** Samuel Jaques * Samantha Spicer Hafsah Chalchal Adam Lanigan Marc Beaton * Brett Jones * Ashley Stahl * Clinton Chess Jonathan Llewelyn-Williams * Melissa Bereti * Jacey Jones * Devin Storle * Breanna Chin Kelsey Lothian ** Sara Boczulak * Jordan Laing Allan Stromberg * Chelsea Cunningham Katherine Ludlow ** Sindy Boczulak * Jeremy Lane Landon Tam Joshua Davis Brendon Macknak Kristin Bonkowski Adam Lanigan Kirsten Tangedal Megan Deck Courtney Maltman ** Emily Boutilier * Jonathan Llewelyn- Ryan Tessier * Savannah Dreger Janessa Mann * Alexis Brassard * Williams * Tanner Tetlow * Aaron Eckel Chance McDougall * Barry Bushell ** Kelsey Lothian ** Jordan Thompson * Lance Erickson Kaelan McPeek Irene Chair Katherine Ludlow ** Jaydon Tsui ** Justin Ficor Johannes Moersch * Clinton Chess Brittany MacDougall Chidinma Ukabam Alexander Fischer Roya Nabi Breanna Chin Brendon Macknak Jason Unruh * Thomas Fitz-Gerald Shanda Oleynik Alana Dalrymple Nathan Magnus * Baljinder Uppal Sarah Fortowsky Morgan Ollinger ** Michelle Degelman * Blaine Marchuk * Adam Vantomme ** Yun Gao Chad Patterson ** Deric Diep Ryan Marcotte Victoria Verlysdonk Stavroula Giannaris Matthew Pechey ** Peter Dowdy Marcia Mitschke ** Sarah Vinge Miroslav Golubovic Tara Petrie * Natasia Dreger ** Johannes Moersch * Megan Vogelsang * Adam Gorr Noah Plosker Shanna Dumontier * Rachelle Mondor Brendan Warner Danielle Gray Jordan Power * Justin Eckert * Ian Montgomery * Kevin Williams * Ashley Halstead Larissa Richards Justin Ficor Evelyn Muma * Jared Wolfe * Chuanzan Han Dylan Smart * Shelby Fink * Geneva Murphy ** Brian Wong Sidra Haque Dale Thomson Alexander Fischer Shanda Oleynik * Jennifer Wood ** Sara Hendrickson Jaydon Tsui ** Taegen Fitch Morgan Ollinger ** Jacob Ziegler * Shelby Herman * Chidinma Ukabam Thomas Fitz-Gerald ** Anokhi Patel Jonathon Herriot * Jason Unruh * Sarah Fortowsky * Erin Patterson * S U M M E R 2 0 1 1 Kimberley Higgins * Williams Usama ** David Don Fox * Chad Patterson ** Sarah Fortowsky* Caitlin Hunter * Erik Vantomme ** Miroslav Golubovic Tara Petrie * Matthew Leib Elliot James * Emilie Wellman ** Danielle Gray ** Noah Plosker Samuel Jaques * Megan Wilson ** Taylor Haid * Jordan Power * F A L L 2 0 1 1 Natasha Jaques * Jared Wolfe * Shelby Herman * Brandon Prevost * Joshua Jensen * Brian Wong Jonathon Herriot * Sean Reimer * Jordan Anderson Brett Jones * Jennifer Wood ** Karla Hillis ** Barret Rennie Neil Arnstead Devon Jones * William Workman Erin Hillis ** Larissa Richards Nathan Baron Courtney Kelly ** Randi Yee ** Andrew Houmphan ** Christian Rilling ** Melissa Baron Ryan King Young Yoo Ha ** Caitlin Hunter * Timothy Sample Tegan Beattie Carter Klein * Jason Yuen ** Benjamin Inglis * Izn Shahab Mary Lynn Beaulieu Colin Kuntz * Megan Zak Elliot James * Gena Shepherd Melissa Bereti Naomi Kwong Spencer Zwarych *

Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 19 “As an Alumna of the University of Regina, I have gained valuable experience that I draw upon every day in my work with our students.”

-Jane Rose, Academic Advisor administrative Science’s Long Service honourees

Teri Dibble Harold Weger Sarah Carnochan Chemistry & Biology Naqvi Biochemistry 20 years Mathematics & 40 years Statistics 10 years

LeighAnne MacKnight Peter Douglas Danny Ng Mathematics & Mathematics & Chemistry & Statistics Statistics Biochemistry 15 years 10 years 30 years

Cory Butz Terry Ross Computer Science Daryl Hepting Biology 10 years Computer Science 25 years 10 years

Howard Hamiltion Computer Scinece 20 years

silicon wafer masks

Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 21 Brown Dwarf New faces in SCIENCE

Dr. Josef Buttigieg recently joined the Department of Biology in September 2011 as a Neurophysiologist. He obtained his PhD from McMaster University in 2008, under the supervision of Dr Colin Nurse. Here Josef studied the mechanism by which newborns are able to detect changes in oxygen availability. After obtaining his PhD, Josef next went to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Michael Fehlings at the University Health Network in Toronto. Here Josef investigated the expression of proteins in the cell membrane during stem cell and tissue development. As an assistant professor at the University of Regina, Josef has combined his research interests and past experience to study how low levels of oxygen modulate stem cell development and gene regulation. He is also exploring how environmental toxins alter the ability for animals and fish to acquire oxygen. In addition to his love of research, Josef is an enthusiastic teacher. His teaching responsibilities include Anatomy and Physiology (Faculty of Nursing), and various physiology courses in the Department of Biology (Faculty of Science). When not teaching or performing research, Josef can be found in a variety of places. He may be playing on the rugby pitch, tending to his garden, training his dog to help herd his children (Eirene and Daniel), or up late at night as an astronomer.

Amy Hunter was appointed to a permanent full-time Administrative Assistant position in the department office for Computer Science and Mathematics and Statistics in August 2011. Amy is a University of Regina graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in English, Minor in History. She also holds a Certificate in Administration (Level I and II) from the University of Regina. Throughout her studies at the UofR Amy worked for Canada Life/Great West Life in Regina and for Campion College as a student advisor. After she graduated she accepted a position on campus with SPHERU (Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit). Both the position at Campion and SPHERU provided firsthand experience using various University of Regina information systems. Amy’s background, skills and experience are an excellent match for the skills required to successfully contribute to the administrative support team in Science. Amy has an interest in running and soccer.

Geremy Lague was hired as a Student Summer Assistant in the Faculty of Science in May 2011. His primary role was to work closely with Richelle Leonard and James Kraushaar to gather and prepare video, web and print promotional materials and assist in developing a multi-media presence for Science, specifically The Science Wall. When September arrived Geremy resumed his full- time studies in Fine Arts and we were able to retain his assistance on a part-time basis. Projects enhanced by Geremy’s expertise include the following Science events: Science Rendezvous, Science Grad Gala, Alumni Homecoming, the Science Fall Social and the Science Pub Series.

Richelle Leonard joined the Faculty of Science in January 2011 as the Communication and Data Administrator for a one-year term appointment. Her focus in Science was to coordinate the development, production and ongoing maintenance of The Science Wall project in the RIC Atrium as well as lead the production of other Science communication tools such as the Annual Report and the Science website. Prior to her work with Science, Richelle was the Research Administrator for SPHERU (Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit), Administrative Assistant with the Office of Resource Planning and also served as an Executive Administrative Assistant with the President’s Office. Richelle has been with the University of Regina since May 1995. Her expertise in database management, her skill in developing and preparing publications and her knowledge of the University of Regina financial and human resource systems are assets that she brings to the Faculty of Science. Away from the campus Richelle keeps busy with her family, husband Jas and their three girls Avery, Teah and Londyn.

Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 22 Admin people of SCIENCE

Dean's Office

Dean of Science brien Maguire Administrative Assistant to the Dean Michelle Kowbel Administrative Assistant Jacqui Lockert Associate Dean (Academic) Nader Mobed Associate Dean (Research) Scott Wilson Faculty Administrator audrey Perra

Science Student Services

Registration Assistant angela Dohms Registration Assistant Lindsay Haubrich Academic Advisor Jane Rose Program Coordinator (Computer Science) Wendy Preikchat Program Coordinator (Mathematics & Statistics) ara Steininger

Science Operations and Technical and Analytical Services

Coordinator, Science Operations Lee Aument Science Stores Joe Zieger Machine Shop derek Gervais Electronics Shop Keith Wolbaum Coordinator, Information Technology James Kraushaar Technician, Biology Joanne Downing Technician, Biology angela Arthur Technician, Chemistry & Biochemistry Chuanzhong Wang Technician, Geology Mets Ritsema Lab for Computational Discovery John Jorgensen Environmental Quality Analysis Lab bjoern Wissel

Departments Ag Biology, Head (Jan - June) Harold Weger Biology, Head (July - Dec) Mark Brigham Biology, Administrative Assistant Nicole Stark Chemistry & Biochemistry, Head Lynn Mihichuk Chemistry & Biochemistry, Administrative Assistant teri Dibble Computer Science, Head (Jan - June) Xue Dong Yang Computer Science, Head (July - Dec) Howard Hamilton Computer Science, Administrative Assistant Marilyn Hepp Computer Science, Administrative Assistant amy Hunter Geology, Head Hairuo Qing Geology, Administrative Assistant Van Tran Mathematics & Statistics, Head allen Herman Mathematics & Statistics, Administrative Assistant Pamela Sparvier Mathematics & Statistics, Administrative Assistant amy Hunter Physics, Head Neil Ashton Physics, Administrative Assistant Jacqui Lockert

Faculty of Science 2011Annual Report 23 In 2011, our neutrino physics research group was thrilled to publish performance details of the intricate T2K experiment we are conducting in Japan, after several years of construction, and to announce the first ever indications of electron- neutrino appearance in a man made muon-neutrino beam via the strange phenomenon of neutrino oscillations! -Dr. Edward Mathie, Physics, Professor research The Uncertainty Principle Science in RESEARCH

The Faculty of Science wishes to acknowledge the 2011 NSERC Two University of Regina professors win award for most influential paper at international conference Awards and Scholarships recipients.

Two University of Regina computer science professors have won a major international Faculty MEMBERS award for their influential research paper. Dr. Bruce Gilligan (Mathematics and Statistics) The Pacific-Asia Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining presented the Most Dr. Garth Huber (Physics) Influential Paper award to Dr. Robert Hilderman and Dr. Howard Hamilton in Shenzhen, China. Dr. Edward Mathie (Physics) Dr. Renata Raina (Chemistry and Biochemistry) Although computer systems can collect and store massive amounts of information, their paper looks Dr. Christopher Yost (Biology) at ways that such data can be examined - or “mined” - so that interesting and relevant material Dr. Chang-Nian Zhang (Computer Science) can by used by businesses, by, for example, identifying buying patterns and quantities of sales. GRADUATE Students Each year, the Steering Committee for the Pacific- Asia Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Matthew Bogard (Biology) Data Mining reviews the papers presented at the Ashley Fortney (Biology) conference 10 years ago to recognize one that offered a significant new idea that challenged or changed thinking in the knowledge discovery Post-doctoral FELLOWSHIP research community. In considering all of the papers published at the conference in 2001, the Steering Dr. Ryan Fisher (Biology) Committee chose the paper entitled Evaluation of Interestingness Measures for Ranking Discovered Knowledge by Hilderman and Hamilton. In this paper, they suggest an automated approach that identifies the most interesting patterns by ordering and ranking them according to objective criteria. F = ma

“I am very pleased that our paper is being recognized for its substantial contribution to the science of data mining, “ says Hilderman. He adds this international attention enhances the reputation of the University of Regina in other countries. “This paper is frequently cited by researchers in Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States.”

For more information contact Robert Hilderman at robert.hilderman@uregina. ca or 585-4061 or Howard Hamilton at [email protected] or 585-4079.

Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 25 Canada Research CHAIRS

Pollution: Is it In Our Genes?

Before Christopher Somers’ work, we knew that contaminants in our air and water could cause genetic damage leading to cancer, but we didn’t know that pollution can also cause mutations that are passed from one generation to the next.

Somers’ research examines the frequency of DNA mutations in the sperm or eggs of wild birds and other animals exposed to environmental pollution. These mutations can be passed on to their offspring. This scenario is fascinating because it is so different from other aspects of toxicology. The impacts of pollution in this case are felt by individuals that didn’t even experience the exposure.

Somers approaches this phenomena from a number of angles. In the field, he studies the behaviour, breeding and diet of birds to understand how they are exposed to contaminants. He is particularly interested in urban species—such as pigeons or sparrows—because these birds share habitats, and thereby pollution exposure, with humans. Somers then takes DNA samples from complete families of birds and genetically profiles parents Tier 2 Canada and offspring to detect mutations that are passed to the next generation. Research Chair in Human Wildlife In the lab, Somers has housed experiments with mice outdoors in order Interactions to isolate particular types of pollution exposure. These experiments have shown that industrial air pollution can create mutations from one generation to the next. This finding is especially important, as millions of humans and other animals worldwide are exposed to air pollution.

From Farm to Fork: Protecting Canada’s Food Supply From Contamination

You hear it on the evening news, and the information sends you rushing to the fridge. You rummage and eventually find the package that contained some of the food you prepared last night. You check the label and breathe a sign of relief—it wasn’t the brand they mentioned on the newscast, the one recalled because it had made many seriously ill.

Stories like these are common, even in an highly developed country like Canada— contaminated food makes many Canadians ill each year, and can destroy the livelihood of a farmer or restaurant owner who, despite his or her best efforts, delivers or serves contaminated food. As Canada Research Chair in Microbes, the Environment and Food Safety, Dr. Christopher K. Yost will work to prevent food contamination, focusing on two promising ways to enhance Canadian food safety.

One way food gets contaminated is through irrigation of crops with dirty water— water contaminated by fecal material loaded with potentially lethal microbial pathogens. But where did that contamination start? This question can be answered by microbial source tracking (MST). Yost will work to develop better bio- indicators to improve the accuracy of MST, thereby helping policy-makers and food producers design better strategies to protect watersheds from contamination. Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Environmental Microbiology IMPACT=P*A*T

Faculty of Science 2011Annual Report 26

“Science is a sponsor of the Canada Wide Virtual Science Fair:

“Thank you for your support of this very worthwhile program. You are making a difference in the lives of children from coast to coast.”

--Participant from Coquitlam, BC

Community Science and the COMMUNITY

Mathematics Enrichment Camp

The one-day Mathematics Enrichment Camp is for students in grades 7 through 12 who are interested in exploring the infinite frontier of Mathematics beyond the school curriculum.

The Faculty of Science is pleased to participate as a sponsor in the Canada Wide Virtual Science Fair and appreciates very much these comments received from some of the winners.

“I would like to offer my family’s thanks for your generous support of the Canada Wide Virtual Science Fair. We had two children who participated this year, and to say that it was enlightening experience for the whole family would be an understatement.”

“Our kids chose to be home-schooled this year, via the EBUS in British Columbia. They have many exta-curricular activities that connect them with other children, but we are always looking for new ways to spark an interest in learning and specifically an interest in scientific inquiry. It was a delight to sit with them and read over the many VSF projects from previous years, and to learn that Children from right across the country would be creating experiments just like them. We felt as though we were part of something much, much bigger and we were inspired by the amazing websites that we viewed.”

“Thank you for your support of this very worthwhile program. You are making a difference in the lives of children from coast to coast.” --Coquitlam, BC

The goal of URWISE is to foster and promote the full participation of women in all fields of science and engineering by creating opportunities for networking and mentoring of U of R women in science and engineering at the undergraduate, graduate, staff, and faculty levels by maintaining connections with our alumni and initiating contacts with women scientists and engineers outside academia and by encouraging girls in elementary and high schools to consider science and engineering as viable career choices.

Membership is open to anyone on campus (Undergraduates, Graduate Students, Staff and Faculty) as well as associate members from the greater Saskatchewan science community who support the URWISE mandate. Diversity strengthens our membership and helps achieve the URWISE mandate. http://www.urwise.uregina.ca/

Na SCIENCE HOMECOMING

2011 marked the first ever University of Regina Homecoming. Alumni were encouraged to Shake it up at the Science Soda Pop Shop (DIY Ice Cream Parlour and Candy Bar) and stroll through the hallways and labs . The displays and presentations included: Science photos through the years posted on the walls of the Lab Cafe and hallway, DNA isolation, bats, chess strategies, making and measuring the world with computers, homemade bottle rockets as well as lab tours of our newest research facilities in the Research and Innovation Centre (Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry).

Faculty of Science 2011Annual Report 28 Science and the COMMUNITY

The Faculty of Science supports the 2011 Canada Wide Virtual Science Fair Cum Laude Awards (value varies for each award)

Irradiated Foods and Birth Defects Grades:7-9 Health/Sport See It Smell It Taste It Grades:7-9 Health/Sport Does The Nose Know? Grades:4-6 Biology The Soap Scoop Grades:7-9 Biology Reaction Time Grades:7-9 Health/Sport The Product You Don’t Pay For Grades:7-9 Chemistry Catch that Drug: The Nanonet Grades:10-12 Engineering/ Keep It Fresh Grades:7-9 Health/Sport ComputerScience Hot Ashes Grades:7-9 Chemistry Wind Turbines Grades:4-6 Earth/Energy/Environmental Beans And Water Grades:7-9 Physics/Astronomy/Mathematics Tired Muscles Grades:4-6 Biology Birds In Oil Spills Grades:7-9 Earth/Energy/Environmental Enzymes Grades:4-6 Biology Temperatures of the Ocean Grades:7-9 Earth/Energy/ Urinary System Grades:4-6 Biology Environmental Skeletal System Diseases Grades:4-6 Biology Light & Colour Grades:4-6 Physics/Astronomy/Mathematics The Nervous System Grades:4-6 Biology Blobs In A Bottle Grades:4-6 Chemistry What Controls the Brain? Grades:4-6 Biology Swirling Milk Grades:7-9 Physics/Astronomy/Mathematics Different Toothpastes Grades:4-6 Biology Tired Muscles Grades:4-6 Biology Eye Glasses and Contact Lenses Grades:4-6 Biology Testing Toilet Paper Grades:4-6 Physics/Astronomy/ Vision Test Grades:4-6 Biology Mathematics Coffee has gone CRAZY Grades:4-6 Biology Nervous System Grades:4-6 Biology Lighting a R room Grades:4-6 Physics/Astronomy/Mathematics Recycling Paper Grades:7-9 Earth/Energy/Environmental The Passage Way Grades:4-6 Biology Melting Ice Grades:4-6 Physics/Astronomy/Mathematics Poisons in Tobacco Smoke Grades:4-6 Biology Temperature Effect On Magnets Grades:7-9 Physics/ Heart Rate Grades:4-6 Biology Astronomy/Mathematics Antioxidant Flavonoids in Dandelion Grades:7-9 Biology Hot Ice Grades:4-6 Physics/Astronomy/Mathematics Fanta Soda vs. Crush Soda Grades:4-6 Chemistry Fire in a Cup Grades:4-6 Physics/Astronomy/Mathematics Remote Control Grades:4-6 Engineering/ComputerScience Gravity Grades:4-6 Physics/Astronomy/Mathematics Coke and Mentos Grades:4-6 Chemistry Acid Rain Grades:7-9 Chemistry Finding the Vitamin C in Juice Grades:4-6 Chemistry Popcorn Grades:7-9 Physics/Astronomy/Mathematics Hair Static Grades:4-6 Physics/Astronomy/Mathematics Bed of Nails Grades:4-6 Physics/Astronomy/Mathematics The Average Family’s Diet Grades:4-6 Biology Optical Illusions Grades:4-6 Biology Non-Newtonian Fluid Grades:7-9 Chemistry Food-Tastic Grades:7-9 Biology

http://www.virtualsciencefair.com/

SCIENCE Faculty elected to the Board of Governors

Mark Brigham has been elected as the faculty representative to the Board of Governors. His term expires June 30, 2014. Brigham is a professor and head of the Department of Biology whose research interests include the behaviour and ecology of free-living animals under natural conditions. He has received the University of Regina Alumni Awards for both Public Service and Teaching.

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Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 29 Alumni of influence

MIT chancellor receives University of Regina Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Eric Grimson BSc’75 (High Honours) receives 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award. -Photo: Adam Hunger Photography.

Critically-ill patients undergoing surgery and thousands of students are among the many that have benefited from University of Regina alumnus Dr. Eric Grimson’s love of research and teaching. Grimson, who was appointed chancellor earlier this year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has worked to develop computer systems that can be used to analyze images and infer information about them. One use of this technology is the analysis of medical images.

“Our systems build detailed, three-dimensional models of patient-specific anatomy, which are then used to provide surgeons with guidance during surgery,” said Grimson. “This enables minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures, in which the surgeon operates through a small opening, yet accurately and safely reaches and removes a tumor.”

Grimson says it is extremely satisfying to know that the research he and his graduate students have done has been used in hundreds of neurosurgical cases, enabling surgeons to complete procedures in less time, with less collateral damage, and with improved patient outcomes.

Prior to his appointment as chancellor, Grimson built his career at MIT as a faculty member and was the Bernard Gordon Professor of Medical Engineering and head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. As a teacher, he focused on undergraduate education, in particular introductory courses in computer science.

In his 27 years as a faculty member, Grimson taught more than 10,000 students, supervised close to 50 PhD students and was awarded the Bose Award for Excellence in Teaching in the School of Engineering at MIT. He says this aspect of his work, whether it’s been offering advice on career paths, making students aware of the exciting opportunities in science and technology or development of new curriculum, has given him great satisfaction.

Grimson credits his years at the University of Regina and the mentorship provided by some of the faculty members he encountered, with helping him grow intellectually and providing him the confidence needed to succeed at MIT.

“I was fortunate to have a set of inspiring faculty members who encouraged me to aim high, provided me with opportunities, and fostered a strong sense of tackling challenging situations by reasoning from basic principles,” said Grimson.

Grimson will receive the 2011 Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the University of Regina and the University of Regina Alumni Association, which recognizes an alumnus who has distinguished himself or herself on a regional, national or international basis.

Grimson was one of five distinguished alumni honoured at the 7th Annual Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards Gala, the pinnacle event of the Alumni Homecoming Weekend that took place on September 29 - October 1.

Faculty of Science 2011Annual Report 30 Alumni of influence

Medical imaging informatics researcher is outstanding alumnus

Dr. Ross Mitchell BSc’86 (High Honours), MSc’89 receives 2011 Alumni Award for Distinguished Professional Achievement -Photo: Todd Korol Photography

Dr. Ross Mitchell’s first experience at the University of Regina took place when he was 12 years old. He enrolled in a computer class for kids, sparking a life-long passion.

He went on to pursue an undergraduate degree at the University of Regina in computer science, where, throughout his studies, he spent co-operative education terms at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina. From this transformative experience on, Mitchell knew that he would apply his computer skills to the field of medicine.

Today, Mitchell is an expert in biomedical informatics, and at the forefront of technological research aimed at improving health-care delivery and patient outcomes. He is co-founder and founding scientist of Calgary Scientific Inc. (CSI).

Working with CSI, he developed a medical application that allows doctors to examine and manipulate brain-scan images on their smartphones or iPads, then diagnose and prescribe treatment for patients who have suffered stroke, heart attack or trauma. This gives medical facilities access to experts thousands of kilometres away.

“An expert can now weigh in on the diagnosis and, hopefully, this will mean the patient not only is treated sooner but may not even have to be moved to another centre,” said Mitchell. “This will be better for the patient and better for the health care system.”

At CSI, Mitchell also ensures the commercialization of research. This fall he will begin work as the division chair for health sciences research at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. He will also be a full professor at Arizona State University, which is collaborating with the Mayo Clinic in expanding research in biomedical informatics.

Mitchell has held such positions at the University of Calgary as professor in the Departments of Radiology and Clinical Neurosciences, adjunct professor of computer science and the Alberta Innovates Technology Futures/CSI and industrial research chair in medical imaging informatics.

Mitchell says there is still much research to be done in biomedical informatics because health care has been slow to use information technology to improve efficiencies and quality of care. The core of his research has been, and continues to be, a virtual biopsy or developing methods to extract additional information out of medical images to help doctors diagnose, treat and monitor disease.

The University of Regina and the University of Regina Alumni Association named Mitchell as the recipient of the Alumni Award for Distinguished Professional Achievement, which recognizes an alumnus who has achieved professional excellence and shown leadership.

Mitchell was one of five distinguished alumni honoured at the 7th Annual Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards Gala, the pinnacle event of the Alumni Homecoming Weekend that took place on September 29 - October 1.

Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 31 Science Pub SERIES

The Science Pub Series began as a joint venture between Bushwakker Brewpub and three faculties at the University of Regina, namely: Arts, Engineering and Applied Science and Science. The series launched on a monthly basis beginning September 2011. Each session was led by a University of Regina faculty researcher and includes a 30-40 minute presentation and an open question and answer period.

The 2011 Speakers: Thursday, September 15th

The DIY Robo-Revolution presented by David Gerhard Department of Computer Science Faculty of Science

Thursday, October 20th

Seeing the Unexpected: Peeking at the Earth from Space presented by Joseph Piwowar Department of Geography Faculty of Arts

Thursday, November 17th

Eco-Friendly Residential Housing Design presented by Nathan Brenner on behalf of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

Thursday, December 15th

Furry and Feathered Bats: Myths, Mysteries and Mushrooms presented by Mark Brigham Department of Biology Faculty of Science

Faculty of Science 2011Annual Report 32 Science RENDEZVOUS

Science Rendezvous is a non-profit organization that partners with top Canadian research institutions to present an annual science festival that is free for everyone! On Saturday, May 7, 2011, the Faculty of Science at the University of Regina held the event for the first time. With the co-operation of beautiful sunny weather, an estimated 800 participants swarmed our campus for a day of fun in Science. More than 20 activities were planned and some of the highlights included: magic chemistry show, bottle rockets, our planet earth, bats in the prairie, DNA isolation, and an interactive lab tour. We are thrilled that our visitors, volunteers, faculty members and staff had a great day.

Faculty of Science 2011 Annual Report 33 Science and the COMMUNITY

50

University of Regina Summer Sports (and ‘Science’) Camps

For the fourth consecutive year Science collaborated with the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies to provide a ‘science’ component to the Summer Sports Camps. Our part of the series included activities from all six departments. The science portions were highly subscribed and we intend to increase our involvement next summer.

The Science camp program provides children with the opportunity to explore science in a controlled environment. Instructors from the Faculty of Science engage children in experiments and hands on learning around the campus. Over a third of the Science program is delivered by Professors in the Faculty of Science assisting in experiments The Faculty of such as creating your own vibro-bot, searching the campus in a Science holds a geology scavenger hunt, and learning how to create the biggest Gold Corporate bubble to name a few of examples. Children spend approximately Membership with an hour and a half participating in science and the other hour and a half of the program participating in sports and recreational activities. the Saskatchewan Science Centre.

Research & Innovation Centre GRAND OPENING

Faculty of Science 2011Annual Report 34 Congratulations SCIENCE Graduate students

2011 Fall 2011 Spring/Summer

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Dean’s Scholarship Centre for Teaching and Learning Graduate Teaching Award Azam, Nouman, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate Agasthian, Vijayaparvathy, Science (Mathematics), Ph.D. Candidate

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Graduate Research Award Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Graduate Research Award Nadarasah, Geetanchaly, Science (Biology) Abbasian, Reza, Science (Computer Science) Torres Saldarriaga, Andrea, Science (Geology) Fan, Gaojian, Science (Computer Science) Gardiner, Laura, Science (Biology) Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Graduate Scholarship Giffin, Spencer, Science (Physics), Ph.D. Candidate Abbasian, Reza, Science (Computer Science) Moise, Marian, Science (Computer Science) Ahmadi, Bahman, Science (Mathematics), Ph.D. Candidate Tang, Wei, Science (Statistics), Ph.D. Candidate Ahmed, Sultan, Science (Computer Science) Wrolson, Bree, Science (Geology) Beal, Marc, Science (Biology) Boulanger, Rachel, Science (Geology) Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Graduate Scholarship Deng, Xiaofei, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate Agasthian, Vijayaparvathy, Science (Mathematics), Ph.D. Candidate Dong, Jun, Science (Chemistry), Ph.D. Candidate Ahmadi, Bahman, Science (Mathematics), Ph.D. Candidate Fillmore, Julie, Science (Geology) Balogianni, Vasiliki, Science (Biology), Ph.D. Candidate Lach, Peter, Science (Computer Science) Maddigan, Alison, Science (Biochemistry) Liu, Yong, Science (Mathematics), Ph.D. Candidate Samei, Rahim, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate Ludlow, Sarah, Science (Biology) Zhao, Yang, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate Malik, Obaid Ullah, Science (Computer Science) Mamun, Kazi, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate International Graduate Student Scholarship Samei, Rahim, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate Ahmadi, Seyedruhallah, Science (Mathematics), Ph.D. Candidate Stefanovic, Daniel, Science (Biology) Azam, Nouman, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate Vaheesar, Kandasamy, Science (Chemistry), Ph.D. Candidate Sampson J. Goodfellow Scholarship Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Graduate Teaching Azam, Nouman, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate Assistantship Dosselmann, Richard, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate Agasthian, Vijayaparvathy, Science (Mathematics), Ph.D. Candidate Robinson, Shawn, Science (Biology) Beal, Marc, Science (Biology) Bhat, Supriya Venkate, Science (Biochemistry) 2011 Winter Gaudet, Carolyn, Science (Biology) Giffin, Spencer, Science (Physics), Ph.D. Candidate Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Dean’s Scholarship Heisler, Leanne, Science (Biology) Sadeqi, Mehdi, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate Kovatch, Leah, Science (Biology) Tahani, Mehrnoosh, Science (Physics) Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Graduate Research Award Wrolson, Bree, Science (Geology) Wagaye, Abrha Molla, Science (Chemistry)

Gerhard Herzberg Fellowship Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Graduate Scholarship Robinson, Shawn, Science (Biology) Ahmadi, Bahman, Science (Mathematics), Ph.D. Candidate Ahmadi, Seyedruhallah, Science (Mathematics), Ph.D. Candidate Graduate Centennial Merit Scholarship Ahmed, Sultan, Science (Computer Science) Fu, Rong, Science (Computer Science) Gaudet, Carolyn, Science (Biology) Luo, Jigang, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate Graduate Student Scholarly Research Award Vaheesar, Kandasamy, Science (Chemistry), Ph.D. Candidate Azam, Nouman, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate Fillmore, Julie, Science (Geology) Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Graduate Teaching Assistantship Graduate Student Travel Award Allonby, Odette, Science (Biochemistry) Abbasian, Reza, Science (Computer Science) Daku, Rhys, Science (Biochemistry) Anas, Mohamed Usoof, Science (Biology) Gardiner, Laura, Science (Biology) Annadi, Krishna, Science (Chemistry), Ph.D. Candidate Heisler, Leanne, Science (Biology) Chacko, Aneesh, Science (Chemistry) Kirzinger, Morgan, Science (Biology) Deng, Xiaofei, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate Laprairie, Mark, Science (Computer Science) Fergus, Nicole, Science (Chemistry) Robinson, Shawn, Science (Biology) Smith, Erika, Science (Chemistry) Starks, Elizabeth, Science (Biology) Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Recruitment Scholarship Swarbrick, Vanessa, Science (Biology), Ph.D. Candidate Ming, Yao, Science (Physics), Ph.D. Candidate

Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) Graduate Student Travel Award Graduate Centennial Merit Scholarship Cai, Jianxin, Science (Chemistry) Abbasian, Reza, Science (Computer Science) Smith, Erika, Science (Chemistry) Liu, Yong, Science (Mathematics) Starks, Elizabeth, Science (Biology) Mazadi, Zeinab, Science (Computer Science)

Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) Scholarship John Spencer Middleton & Jack Spencer Gordon Middleton Ahmadi, Bahman, Science (Mathematics), Ph.D. Candidate Scholarship Kirzinger, Morgan, Science (Biology) Anas, Mohamed Usoof, Science (Biology) Azam, Nouman, Science (Computer Science), Ph.D. Candidate R.A. Kelln - J. Neuhard Graduate Entrance Scholarship in Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology Bhat, Supriya Venkate, Science (Biochemistry) F = -kx

FacultyFaculty ofof ScienceScience 20112011Annual Annual ReportReport 3535 Faculty of Science University of Regina Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2

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