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A Message FROM THE ASSO CIATE DEAN RESEARCH AND GRADUATE STUDIES By Dr. Graham Carr The Faculty ofArts and Some centres in Arts and Science house unique research collections. Science is home to nearly 20 The Concordia Centre for Broadcasting Studiesholds an outstanding research centres whose archive ofCBC radio drama scripts,while the Karl Polanyi Institute of interests span topics from Political Economyhouses the personal papers ofone ofthe 20th century’s PBL high-speed computing to most influential political economists.Our Faculty is also home to a PH human development.These number ofhigh-profile centres that are strongly supported by O TO centres play a key synergistic endowment funding.The Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human G RA role in the life ofthe Faculty, Rights Studies,the Centre for Canadian Irish Studiesand the Concordia PHY the University and external Institute for Canadian Jewish Studiesall play an important role in seeding communities.Their mission new research activity and hosting high-profile research-related is to foster collaborative research and facilitate the creation ofstrong conferences and events.This is also true ofthe newly created Concordia networks that bring together scholars from different departments and Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture,which is disciplines around common themes and topics ofinquiry that sponsored jointly by Arts and Science and the Faculty ofFine Arts. ultimately serve the interests ofthe public at large. Arguably,the best-known research centres housed in Arts and Science Many ofthese research centres house unique infrastructure are supported by external funding from Quebec’s major granting platforms.Their space and equipment enable researchers to carry agencies.The Centre for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiologyis the only out highly specialized work and also provide singular opportunities research centre located in a non-medical faculty that is funded by the for graduate and postdoctoral training.For example,the Centre for Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec.The Centre for Research in Research on Molecular Modelingis part ofa national high-speed Human Developmentand the Centre for the Study ofLearning and computing network funded by the Canada Foundation for Performanceare centres ofexcellence funded by the Fonds québécois de Innovation (CFI).The Centre for Biological Applications ofMass la recherche sur la société et la culture.By definition,these provincially Spectrometryis the most comprehensive academic mass funded centres occupy unique research niches in Quebec and enhance spectrometry centre in Canada and provides students with hands- Concordia’s external visibility by connecting our researchers and on training in the applications ofmass spectrometry to biological students to colleagues elsewhere in the province and internationally. chemistry.Similarly,the Centre for Oral History and Digital The research centres that are located in the Faculty ofArts and Storytellingand the Centre for Ethnographic Research on Exhibition Science play a pivotal role in advancing our Faculty’s mission to after Genocidedraw on funding from CFI and the Canada Research support leading-edge research and graduate education.The research Chairs program to host Canada’s most advanced platforms for oral centres bring enormous recognition to our Faculty by forging strong history and ethnographic research.For its part,the Centre for partnerships between Concordia,other universities,institutions, Structural and Functional Genomics,which was originally created community organizations and the public at large.Most importantly, with CFI funding,houses 19 laboratories specifically designed for our research centres play a crucial role in enhancing quality oflife and microscopy,proteomics,robotics,liquid handling,cell culturing and maintaining the University’s tradition ofservice to the community. bioinformatics. C onnections Volume 3 | Issue 1 | Winter 08-09 The Voice of Concordia University’s Faculty of Arts and Science C TheRCentreH for ResDearch in Human Development Life transitions are often filled with wonder and excitement. years,CRDH researchers have conducted major longitudinal studies First steps,first words,the first day ofschool,moving to a new on parent-child relationships,aggression in youth,goal adaptation city,marriage and having children can be life-changing in mid-life,and coping with regret during aging. moments in one’s lifetime.While these changes allow us to grow and In keeping with the University’s tradition ofcommunity flourish as individuals,they can also present challenges that can leave involvement,members ofthe Centre are active participants in us feeling overwhelmed,anxious or even troubled. the community,ensuring the dissemination ofknowledge and Established in 1981,the Centre for Research in Human information that can help to empower individuals to thrive Development (CRDH) examines some ofthe most crucial and costly throughout various life stages.On October 29,Dr.William Bukowski, social and health challenges facing our society,namely the acquisition Director ofthe CRDH,participated in a Café Scientifique-style open and maintenance ofcompetencies that enable people to cope with discussion.More than 50 individuals participated in this first “public stressful developmental transitions throughout the life course. conversation”co-organized by the University ofthe Streets Café and Housed in the Department ofPsychology,the Centre also includes the Office ofResearch.Dr.Bukowski discussed his research on how faculty from Concordia’s departments ofEducation,Exercise Science, peer relations contribute to the emotional and social development of Political Science and Decision Sciences.Renowned for their adolescents.The CIHR Café Scientifique program,sponsored by the distinctive transdisciplinary approach and innovative methodologies, Canadian Institutes ofHealth Research (CIHR),is intended to the research programs at CRDH focus on four major life-course axes: “provide insight into health-related issues ofpopular interest to the the acquisition in infancy and early childhood ofbasic skills for general public,and in turn provoke questions and provide answers.” entering the social world;social,emotional and cognitive Widely recognized as one ofCanada’s leading centres ofresearch development during the school-age years and adolescence;parenting excellence in the area ofhuman development across the life course, and the transition to family life;and healthy aging. CRDH is at the forefront ofConcordia’s impressive contribution to Funded by Le Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la société et la the advancement ofhealth knowledge through effective partnerships culture (FQRSC),CRDH brings together researchers from five and innovative research.The impact ofresearch into human lifespan Quebec universities as well as the United States and Europe.The development that is being done at Concordia will ultimately improve Centre has key partnerships with area hospitals and clinics.Over the the quality oflife ofall Canadians. 2 0 0 8 Dean’s Awards FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY FACULTY AND STAFF On October 30, 2008, the Office of the Dean hosted a ceremony and reception to recognize and honour the recipients of the 2007-2008 Dean’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement by Faculty and Staff.The 11 outstanding individuals (listed below) were honoured for their contribution to the University, the Faculty, their colleagues and our students. Distinguished Scholarship Dr.Anna-Beth Doyle,Psychology Dr.Raymond Le Van Mao,Chemistry and Biochemistry Exceptional Service to the Faculty Ms.Miriam Posner,Chemistry and Biochemistry New Scholar A Dr.Sean Gurd,Classics,Modern Languages and Linguistics N D R Dr.Steven High,History EW D Dr.Mebs Kanji,Political Science O BRO Dr.Michael Sacher,Biology W O LSKY Outstanding Academic Service J Back row left to right: Dr. Mebs Kanji, Political Science; Dr. Michael Sacher, Dr.June Chaikelson,Psychology Biology; Dr. Sean Gurd, Classics, Modern Languages and Linguistics; Dr. Raymond Le Van Mao, Chemistry and Biochemistry; Dr. Ian Ferguson, Biology; Dr. Paul Teaching Excellence Joyce, Chemistry and Biochemistry; Dr. J. A. Miller, English; and Professor Joanne Dr.Ian Ferguson,Biology Locke, Interim Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science. Front row: Dr. Anna-Beth Doyle, Psychology; Dr. June Chaikelson, Psychology; and Ms. Miriam Posner, Dr.Paul Joyce,Chemistry and Biochemistry Chemistry and Biochemistry. Dr.J.A.Miller,English P B L P H O TO G R A PH Y Congratulations to the 2007/08 Arts and Science Scholars Pictured above, left: Provost Graham, Sheila Anderson, More than 300 people filled the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall on November 22, 2008, Elodie Friedrich, W. Bernadette Wanner, to recognize and honour the 2007-08 Arts and Science Scholars. Professor Joanne Locke, Interim Dean, Faculty ofArts and Science and Dr. Lisa Ostiguy, Chair, Department ofApplied Faculty of Arts and Science Scholars are those students who have earned the highest Human Sciences; grade point averages in our programs during the 2007-08 academic year. These Scholars right: Liliane Chamas, Lee Deckelbaum, are the top 1% of a remarkable group of approximately 1,300 students who are on the Dan Xu, Professor Joanne Locke, 2007-08 Dean’s List for having achieved a grade point average of 3.75 or higher. Interim Dean, Faculty ofArts and Science and Dr. James Grant, Chair, Department ofBiology Congratulations to all of this year’s winners! SnapsShnaposhtotss Congratulations to Concordia University students Sarah Quinn Louis Patrick Leroux(English and Études françaises) staged a lab- (Liberal Arts College) and Sébastien Rist(Communication oratory production ofa multimedia theatre piece,Dialogues fan- Studies),who were presented with the 2008 Norman McLaren tasques pour causeurs éperdus,as part ofhis artist residency at Prize for best film at the 39th Canadian Student Film Festival for Matralab,the research-creation centre affiliated with the CRC in their fiction film This Little Piggy.“The Canadian Student Film Inter-X Arts.The production,a collaboration including profes- Festival is part ofthe 2008 World Film Festival,and This Little sional actors and faculty and students from Music,Film,Theatre, Piggywas selected by a jury that included Ravida Din (NFB), English and Études françaises,was staged in various Matralab and Francine Brücher (Swiss Films) and Pierre Jutras (Cinémathèque Hexagram spaces in Concordia’s EV building in May. québécoise)” (National Film Board ofCanada press release, August 28,2008). Congratulations to Dr.Richard DeMont,Associate Professor, Department ofExercise Science,who was recently named “Most Congratulations to Dr.Jason Camlot,Chair ofthe Department of Outstanding Alumni”by the Indiana State Athletic English,who published two books this year,a collection ofpoems Training/Therapy program at the National Athletic Trainers entitled The Debaucher(Insomniac Press) and a scholarly mono- Association (NATA) conference in St.Louis in June 2008. graph,Style and the Nineteenth-Century British Critic (Ashgate). Dr.Damon Matthews,Assistant Professor,Department of Wael Chanaband Daniel Grozdanov,both students with the Geography,Planning and Environment,was awarded research Department ofPhysics,participated in the “Rising Stars of funding from the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Research”conference,which was held in Vancouver,B.C.,in Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS) to support groundbreaking August.Mr.Grozdanov presented a poster titled “Spectral hole research that will advance Canada’s science and technology objec- burning and low-temperature protein dynamics:photoproduct tives while helping prepare for the impacts ofclimate change.Dr. shape and comparison with single molecule spectroscopy.”Mr. Matthews studies the role ofCanada’s forests today and into the Chanab’s poster presentation was titled “Study ofmembrane leak- future,when their capacity to absorb carbon,a greenhouse gas, age in unilamellar liposomes by fluorescence spectroscopy.” will need to be better understood.His research will improve the way Canada plans for and adapts to the impacts ofclimate change. Congratulations to Dr.Adrian Iovita,Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair,Department ofMathematics and Two faculty members from Concordia University’s Faculty ofArts Statistics,who was awarded the 2008 Ribenboim Prize in Number and Science have been elected Fellows ofthe Royal Society of Theory by the Canadian Number Theory Association (CNTA). Canada (RSC).Études françaises professor Sherry Simonhas been The prize is given every two to four years for distinguished elected to the Royal Society ofCanada,Academy ofHumanities. research in number theory by a mathematician who is Canadian Psychology professor and Concordia University Research Chair or has connections to Canadian mathematics. Shimon Amirhas been elected to the Royal Society ofCanada, Academy ofScience. Alexander Goldberg,a student in Dr.Vladimir Titorenko’s (Biology) lab,received a Special Recognition Award from the On September 27,2008,a conference was held in the History Institute ofAging ofthe Canadian Institutes ofHealth Research Department to celebrate the Concordia career ofrecent retiree (CIHR).The award recognizes the highest ranking candidate in John Hill,who inspired many students over several decades with the field ofaging in the CIHR Research Personnel Awards compe- his teaching ofthe history ofIndia,Pakistan,Vietnam and China. titions.As an award winner,Alexander was invited to be on the Adjudication Committee ofthe Student Poster Competition at the Congratulations to Gabriela Abbud,MSc,for being the first stu- Canadian Association on Gerontology Annual Meeting that took dent to obtain an MSc from the Department ofExercise Science. place in London,Ontario,on October 23-26. Congratulations to Dr.Ivana Djordjevic,Liberal Arts College, who co-edited Sir Bevis ofHampton,which was recently published by Boydell & Brewer (August 21,2008). Dr.Vladimir Titorenko’s(Biology) research on aging has been chosen by the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Public Information Committee for inclusion in “Cell Biology 2008,”a press book for science journalists covering the 48th ASCB Annual Meeting,which will take place in San Francisco in December 2008. The abstract describing the research,“A Mechanism Linking Lipid Pictured left to right:Dr.Richard DeMont,CAT(C) thesis supervi- Dynamics and Longevity,”was chosen from more than 1,200 sub- sor,Dr.Richard Courtemanche,Graduate Program Director, mitted for the 48th ASCB Annual Meeting abstracts as one ofthis Gabriela Abbud,MSc,and Dr.Robert Kilgour,Chair,Department year's “Novel & Newsworthy Top Picks.” ofExercise Science. CConnectionsis published ofour times a yeanr by Concordia Univernsity’s ections Faculty ofArts and Science. Its mandate is to provide current information on the many activities ofthe Faculty. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views ofthe Faculty or the University. Interim Dean:Joanne Locke Please send comments or story ideas to: Communications Advisor: Lynn Roy Lynn Roy, Communications Advisor, [email protected] Layout & Design: Caroline Grainger,Concordia Marketing Communications c/o Faculty ofArts and Science Photographers: Ryan Blau, PBL Photography; IITS Creative Media Services; Marion Elissalde; 7141 Sherbrooke St. West, Suite AD 328 Andrew Dobrowolskyj Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4B 1R6 Proofreader:Jane Jackel