SEPTEMBER 2013—JANUARY 2014

Innovating life

Quarterly Research Update from the University of Regina

Introductory Remarks from

the Vice-President (Research) oot Dr. David Malloy k ee k elcome to the second issue of the Innovating Life research ahyah l Y l Wupdate—our quarterly report on the University of Regina’s research abrie activities on and off campus. As you will read in the many stories to follow, research at our university continues G PHOTO: to flourish on a variety of fronts. The successes across disciplines and facul- ties demonstrate clearly that we are making an impact both nationally and internationally through our work. As you know, we have, in recent months, invited reviews by both the Provincial Auditor and external research peers. In both cases, it has been shown that we face many challenges in our re- FUNDING THE WAY FORWARD search policies, processes, funding, [October] and infrastructure. These are chal- team of researchers from the ship with the Fire Hills Qu’Appelle lenges, to be sure, and in some case, Indigenous Peoples’ Health Tribal Council Health Services. will be neither simple, nor inexpensive Research Centre (IPHRC) was A [October] Dr. Gordon Huang, to address. However, as both Vice- awarded a new grant in the amount Research Chair Tier 1 and Professor President (Research) and a profes- of $535,556 over three years from the in Engineering, obtained a research sor, I also view these as tremendous Canadian Institutes for Health Re- grant for a project entitled “Developing opportunities to change the way we search. The grant, Kitinikewin misiwa- Future Projected IDF Curves Across do what we do, and to enhance the nacihisowin: Researching arts-based the Entire Province and to Make the research culture on our campus. wellness promotion for suicide preven- Project Results and All Associated Data The coming months will be a period of tion among Aboriginal youth, builds Publicly Available on a Data Portal” transition and positive transformation on an existing CIHR arts-based re- from the Ontario Ministry of Environ- for the University’s research enterprise, search project that works in partner- ment in the amount of $100,000. and I am dedicated to work with each one of you to make this happen. visit us online at: www.uregina.ca/research

DC Malloy, VP Research

RESEARCH UPDATE 1 UNIVERSITY OF REGINA PHOTO: PATRICIA HOLDSWORTH PATRICIA PHOTO:

FUNDING (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

[OCTOBER] Dr. Tom Conroy, Associ- ate Professor in Electronic Systems Engineering, is part of a large, multi- disciplinary team from Texas A&M which won a five-year, $10 million grant from the Department of Energy. This team will be developing new software code for Mega-node simulation on large grid computers for thermal trans- port. Dr. Conroy’s portion is $150,000 over five years, and involves develop- ing the neutron detection system as well as high-speed data storage. [NOVEMBER] Sun Life Financial provided $500,000 in funding for two important health-related initiatives at the University of Regina. The Lifestyle Management Program for Children with Diabetes will receive $250,000, to be facilitated through the Dr. Paul Schwann Applied Health and Successes Centre. Another $250,000 will sup- [OCTOBER] port the Psychology Training Clinic. r. Bruno Dupeyron, Associate [NOVEMBER] Dr. David Malloy, Vice- [November] NSERC renewed fund- Professor in the Johnson-Shoya- President (Research) and professor in ing for the work of Canada Research Dma Graduate School of Public the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Chair Dr. Christopher Somers in the Policy, was awarded two Fulbright Studies, was invited to take up resi- amount of $500,000. CRC in Genes and awards—one as the Fulbright Visit- dence at the University of Cambridge the Environment, Dr. Somers conducts ing Research Chair in Policy Studies at as a visiting scholar. During his two- research in the interactions between the University of Texas, and the other week residency, Dr. Malloy collabo- humans and wildlife, and the frequency as the Fulbright Canada-CN Scholar rated with colleagues in the College of of genetic mutations that can be passed at Western Washington University. Medicine on research focusing on reli- on from one generation to the next. gion, culture, and healthcare ethics. [JANUARY] Three University of Regina researchers were awarded more than $400,000 in grants from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI): PHOTO:SHRF • Dr. Thomas Hadjistavropoulos received $59,687, which will be PHOTO: AMY HAMPTON AMY PHOTO: matched by the In- novation and Science Fund (SISF), for total funding of $119,374; • Dr. Josef Buttigieg was award- DR. GREG MARCHILDON ed $79,808 for the Oxygen MICHELLE GAGNON Stress Research Laboratory to [DECEMBER] Dr. Greg Marchildon, Cana- study neurodegenerative dis- da Research Chair Tier 1 in Public Policy eases. This funding will also [OCTOBER] Michelle Gagnon, a second- and Economic History, and Professor at be matched by SISF; and year doctoral student in the Depart- the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of ment of Psychology, was awarded the • Dr. Andrew Cameron was Public Policy received the 2013 Achieve- highly prestigious Vanier Canada Gradu- ment Award from the Saskatchewan awarded $75,501 to study the ate Scholarship. This award, valued at genetic mechanisms that con- Health Research Foundation (SHRF). This $50,000 per year for three years, is one award is the Foundation’s premier honour, trol bacterial diseases. Fund- of the most significant awards avail- ing to be matched by SISF. recognizing leading health researchers able to PhD students in Canada. for career contributions to the field.

RESEARCH UPDATE 2 UNIVERSITY OF REGINA SUCCESSES (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2)

ACCOLADES: Clearing The Plains, University of Regina Press’s first national K

HU bestseller, has been named “Book of the Year” by The Globe & Mail, Quill C and Quire, The Writer’s Trust, and The Independent Booksellers of Canada. Longlisted for the BC Book Prize, James Daschuk’s book has also been nominated for four Saskatchewan Book Awards and has recieved international critical acclaim. PHOTO: DOMINIQUE PHOTO: DAS DR. JAMES DASCHUK

[January] Dr. Gordon Asmundson, [NOVEMBER] Dr. James Daschuk’s book professor of Psychology and Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of Fellow of the Royal Starvation, and the Loss of Aboriginal Society of Canada, Life caught the attention of Canadian was selected to receive Member of Parliament , the 2014 Donald O. who is also a singer-songwriter. Angus Hebb Award from the was inspired by the book to write a Canadian Psychologi- song about it, and Bruce Walsh, Direc- cal Association. This is tor of the University of Regina Press, the highest award be- worked with Angus to produce a music stowed by the CPA, and video for the track. The music video has is intended to recognize had more than 10,000 hits since it was distinguished contribu- released. See the music video here. tions to the scientific study of Psychology.

TAKE NOTE! [SEPTEMBER] he University of Regina hosted years was greater success in attracting of 60, meaning that each of his top 60 “Pain and Education Research Day” social sciences and humanities grants. publications has been cited in at least 60 on September 28, 2013. Activi- papers. For academic researchers, the T [NOVEMBER] Department of Music As- ties included round-table discussions on sociate Professor Pauline Minevich pub- h-index gives an estimate of the impor- advances in research on pain assessment, lished Art of Immersive Soundscapes. A tance, significance, and broad impact management and treatment, as well University of Regina Press publication, of a scientist’s cumulative research as talks by six prominent international this work is the culmination of a large contributions. In all, Dr. Yao’s work has researchers from Canada and Europe. program of research and represents a been cited more than 13,000 times. [OCTOBER] IPHRC hosted a weekend- significant contribution to the field. [DECEMBER] Principal Investigator long symposium on arts-based innova- [NOVEMBER] The Humanities Re- Dr. David Sauchyn and a team of U of tions in Aboriginal health research. search Institute and the Office of the R colleagues on the federally funded Over 30 health researchers, applied Vice-President Research collaborated “Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate arts practitioners, health profession- to bring attention to the central role of Extremes in the Americas” (VACEA) proj- als, and students from across North humanities and social sciences research ect travelled to Chile to participate in a America were in attendance. Read on our campus and in the broader conference and project workshops with more about the symposium here. world through Humanities and Social colleagues from Colombia, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina. The project is managed [NOVEMBER] The University of Regina Sciences Week from November 5-8. by PARC at the University of Regina. moved up one spot in the annual Ma- [DECEMBER] Dr. Yiyu Yao, Professor clean’s magazine university rankings, to in Computer Science, scores very high [DECEMBER] On December 16, 2013, eighth place out of 15 in the comprehen- when it comes to having his work cited University of Regina alumna, Dr. Yong- sive university category. One of the areas by other researchers. According to ping Li, received the 13th National that saw the most improvement over past Google Scholar, Dr. Yao has an h-index Award for Youth in Science and Tech-

RESEARCH UPDATE 3 UNIVERSITY OF REGINA TAKE NOTE! (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3)

nology in Beijing, China. This is the top tion with the Canadian Association (UAVs) they have been working on governmental award for young scientists of Schools of Nursing. A few of through an NSERC Strategic Project and engineers in China. Dr. Li com- the remarkable accomplishments entitled “Flexible Control of Low pleted her MSc and PhD degrees at the achieved in only three years include: Altitude UAVs”. The event was featured University of Regina in 2004 and 2007 by the Leader Post and CTV. respectively, and is currently a professor • 24 articles published in at North China Electric Power University. refereed journals; [ONGOING] PARC’s Heritage Forest project, led by Dr. Norm Henderson, [JANUARY] The Honourable Rob Norris, • 10 invited guest speaker spots progressed well at a test site south of the Minister of Advanced Education, at professional events; Moose Jaw, SK. Together with partners met with the Vice-President (Research) • 16 papers in refereed conferences; at SaskWater and at Agriculture and six Canada Research Chairs at Canada, the project is managing over the University of Regina. Discussion • 19 grants (as PI, Co-PI, or Co-Investigator). 3000 trees, of about 25 species, which touched on everything from public are undergoing effluent irrigation policy to genes, and the environment. [JANUARY] On January 15, Dr. as a demonstration test project [JANUARY] The University of Regina’s Raman Paranjape and his students for adaptation to climate change. newest faculty, the Faculty of Nurs- demonstrated some of the capabilities The project may expand to other ing, has recently received accredita- of the unmanned aerial vehicles Saskatchewan communities in 2014. ERATTA APPOINTMENTS r. Mohan Babu, Assistant DENA MCMARTIN [JANUARY] Dr. Dena McMartin has been appointed to Professor in the Department a five-year term as Associate Vice-President (Academic Dof Biochemistry, received and Research). Dr. McMartin holds advanced degrees $785,000 from CIHR for his project in environmental engineering and is a full professor of “Elucidating the Physical and Func- environmental systems in the Faculty of Engineering and tional Interactome of Mitochondria Applied Science. A prolific and accomplished researcher, in Yeast”. The September edition of Dr. McMartin was named a Fellow of Engineers of Canada Innovating Life: Quarterly Research in 2013. In addition to her extensive and ongoing research Update incorrectly listed the amount portfolio, Dr. McMartin has served as chair of several faculty of this grant as $300,000. Dr. Babu and campus committees, and has developed and supported numerous academic instead received $300,000 for a CIHR and research partnerships with the University and with international partners. New Investigator Award, which was not listed in the previous edition. Dr. Gordon Huang, Institute for Energy, Environment, and Sustain- UPCOMING EVENTS able Communities, received $910,669 from the Saskatchewan Ministry of The 67th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, GeoRegina 2014, will take place Economy for evaluating operation from September 28—October 1, 2014 in Regina. The theme, “Engineering conditions of various environmental for the Extremes”, will highlight current trends in geotechnical engineering processes. The September edition by addressing increasingly complex problems under more extreme operating incorrectly stated that this grant was conditions. Submissions of technical papers will be accepted until May 16. from Enterprise Saskatchewan. For more information click here.

FOR INFORMATION OR TO SUGGEST ITEMS IN AN UPCOMING REPORT CONTACT: DR. DAVID MALLOY REBECCA BERTHIAUME Vice-President Research Awards Facilitator, President’s Office, CONTACT US Administration-Humanities Building, 510 Administration-Humanities Building, 510.2 306.585.5184 306.585.4258 [email protected] [email protected]

RESEARCH UPDATE 4 UNIVERSITY OF REGINA