ON CAMPUS NEWS news.usask.ca DEC. 13, 2019 Volume 27, Issue 4 A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE A world where everyone has access to safe and nutritious food: that is the bold vision of the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). Established in 2012 by three founding partners—Nutrien (formerly PotashCorp), the Government of Saskatchewan and USask, GIFS works with a diverse research community to discover, develop and deliver innovative solutions for the production of globally sustainable food. In this edition of On Campus News, we chat with researchers like Dr. Andrew Sharpe (PhD), pictured here, and take a look at some of the work currently underway in GIFS. SEE PAGES 8-9 — 3 — — 6 — — 14 — NEW CHANCELLOR EMERGING RESEARCHER ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE Publication Mail Agreement #40065156 Engagement project right on track JAMES SHEWAGA A new state-of-the-art informa- success, and alumni and donors. On Campus News is published 12 times tion system designed to stream- “When it comes to the kind of per year by University of Saskatchewan line and enhance engagement with relationship tracking infrastructure Marketing and Communications. It is University of Saskatchewan (USask) that you need at the modern univer- distributed to all USask faculty, staff, graduate students and members of students, alumni, donors and stake- sity, this is an essential project,” said governing bodies, as well as to others holders is on pace to go live in the Pozega Osburn. “Your relationship in the university community, related summer of 2020. management system is one of the organizations, some Saskatchewan “We are on track,” said Dr. Debra most important initiatives for you to government officials and news media. Pozega Osburn (PhD), vice-presi- get right. It’s really, really critical that Subscriptions are available for $24 dent, University Relations. “We are we relate to our stakeholders in new per year. Story and photo ideas moving well in terms of building and ways and in the kind of ways that our are welcome. Advertising rates are available online or on request. implementing the system, and will stakeholders expect us to engage with soon move into the training and the them. A relationship management - testing. I would say that mid-July to system of the type that we are putting On Campus News aims to provide a early-August is when you would see in allows us to do exactly that.” forum for the sharing of timely news, us going live, and that’s well within The new system will centralize DAVID STOBBE information and opinions about the timelines we expected.” and co-ordinate information to avoid events and issues of interest to the Dr. Debra Pozega Osburn (PhD) is vice-president, University Relations. USask community. The establishment of the new duplication, saving time and money. relationship management system, One of the other big benefits will be The views and opinions expressed by writers of letters to the editor and specifically designed for post-sec- to address the issue of donor fatigue, campaigns, as well as volunteer and Pozega Osburn. “How can we under- viewpoints do not necessarily reflect ondary institutions, is a $3.6-million by streamlining and limiting contact mentoring initiatives. stand their interests in a way that those of USask or On Campus News. project that started in the fall of 2018. with current and future donors “It allows us to have a deeper allows us to build and sustain these - The system features three applica- and alumni by better pinpointing understanding of what’s motivating mutually beneficial relationships? tions implemented in three stages: projects that they want to support the alumni, donors, corporate partners We acknowledge we are on Treaty 6 SEE NEW, PAGE 15 Territory and the Homeland of the recruitment, student retention and university on in future fundraising and others, to partner with us,” said Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nation and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. - IN CASE YOU MISSED IT A lot happens at the USask during the weeks when On Campus News isn’t published. EDITOR James Shewaga Here are a few of the top stories from news.usask.ca: WRITER Chris Morin Métis Nation MOU Dental award Algae warning PTSD initiative DESIGNERS Brian Kachur The University of Saskatchewan For the first time, a USask dental As blue-green algae proliferates Learning how psychiatric service Pierre Wilkinson and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan researcher has earned the right around the world, a USask researcher dogs can help veterans living with (MN-S) signed a Memorandum of to take part in the world’s most cautions that current municipal post-traumatic stress disorder Understanding (MOU) designed prestigious international student drinking water monitoring that (PTSD) recover from problematic to improve the education status of research competition. Dr. Lina focuses on a single toxin associated alcohol and drug use is the focus of a Métis people, remove barriers and Marin (DDS), a post-doctoral with blooms is likely to miss the true new $1.4-million research program close the university achievement gaps fellow working with Dr. Walter public health risks. “We typically led by USask, in partnership between Métis and non-Indigenous Siqueira (DDS) in USask’s College test only for microcystin in drinking with five universities and a dozen populations. USask and MN-S of Dentistry, finished in first place in water, but the toxicity risk is greater community organizations. Dr. committed to formalize, expand and the Senior Basic Science category of than that one toxin,” said Dr. Helen Colleen Dell (PhD), a USask enhance their relationship, identify the Canadian Association for Dental Baulch (PhD), an associate professor sociology professor specializing ISSN: 1195-7654 common priorities and maximize Research – Network for Canadian in USask’s School of Environment in addiction and animal-assisted PUBLICATIONS MAIL beneficial opportunities. The MOU Oral Health Research Student and Sustainability. The frequency interventions, has been awarded AGREEMENT NO. 40065156 will include partnerships, planning, Research Award competition. She and severity of algal blooms are $850,000 by Health Canada to lead Return undeliverable addresses to: and sharing of ethical research now moves on to the International increasing across the globe due to a national project that will help UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN initiatives that would advance the Association for Dental Research/ phosphorus and nitrogen in lakes veterans suffering from trauma who MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS interest of the Métis Nation and Unilever Hatton Competition on caused by runoff from agricultural are coping through the problematic G16 THORVALDSON BUILDING 110 SCIENCE PLACE residents of Saskatchewan. March 17, 2020 in Washington, D.C. land, and municipal effluent. use of substances. SASKATOON, SK S7N 5C9 Email: [email protected] FOR MORE UP-TO-THE-MINUTE NEWS, VISIT: news.usask.ca @usask 2 DECEMBER 13, 2019 Engagement project right on track PEOPLE OF THE PLAN The University of Saskatchewan’s new seven-year plan through to 2025 is entitled The University the World Needs and has been gifted Indigenous names nīkānītān manācihitowinihk (Cree) and ni manachīhitoonaan (Michif), which translate to “Let us lead with respect.” In each issue of On Campus News in 2019, we take a closer look at the 12 major goals of the new plan by profiling individuals involved in the university’s commitment to Courageous Curiosity, Boundless Collaboration and Inspired Communities. In this issue, we chat with Grit McCreath, the university’s new chancellor and honorary ambassador. COMMITMENT: INSPIRED COMMUNITIES GOAL: ENERGIZE CHAMPIONS (Inspire the world by achieving meaningful change with and (Galvanize and diversify relationships with our alumni and for our communities) donor community) Grit McCreath: Energizing champions JAMES SHEWAGA When it comes to being an ambassadors for the university advocate for the University of and share those stories all the way Saskatchewan (USask), you won’t down the line. Once you talk to meet a more passionate supporter people who have graduated from than Grit McCreath. this university and you hear what The university’s new chan- they’ve done and you share what’s cellor and first honorary ambas- happening on campus, I think it’s sador, McCreath has long been just such an automatic response to a proud promoter of her alma want to be part of that excitement.” mater, with a relationship that has After graduating from spanned more than 30 years since USask, McCreath went on to earning her Bachelor of Education spend 32 years as an educator, degree at USask in 1991. In fact, serving as a teacher and an McCreath’s connection to campus administrator, in Saskatoon, goes back much further than that. Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto. “My parents were academics With her new roles as chancellor in Europe and when we came to and honorary ambassador, she Saskatchewan and the University has come full circle with USask, of Saskatchewan … my parents proudly supporting the university were always students and I was that has meant so much to her, in always hanging out on the campus her home province. waiting for them to go to class or “I think there is something come out of class, so the university extremely unique about students is definitely in my DNA,” she said. and alumni from this province,” In addition to her chancellor said McCreath, who was officially and honorary ambassador roles installed as USask’s 16th chan- for the university, McCreath has cellor at Fall Convocation on Nov. served on the Senate and the Longtime USask supporter, alumna, donor and honorary ambassador Grit McCreath was installed as the DAVID STOBBE 13 at Merlis Belsher Place. “We Board of Governors, has chaired University of Saskatchewan’s 16th chancellor at Fall Convocation on Nov.