June 24, 2010
OGI RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
Faculty of Science student Kevin Chen is one of six Ontario students to receive a 2010 Ontario Genomics Institute Summer Research Fellowship. The program, which includes $5,000, offers undergraduate students at Ontario universities an opportunity to engage in leading-edge genomics and proteomics research. Chen, who will work at Western with Biochemistry professor Gregory Gloor, is carrying out research in the field of metagenomics, which involves sampling the genomes of a community of organisms without isolating the organisms individually.
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
Professors Carol Jones and Jisou Jin have earned Faculty of Science Awards of Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Jin teaches a number of paleontology courses while Jones teaches courses spanning the departments of applied mathematics, mathematics as well as physics & astronomy.
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORSHIP
Chemistry professor Bernie Kraatz’s award-winning work on biosensors has earned him the 2010-11 Distinguished Research Professorship from the Faculty of Science. The professorship releases researchers from teaching duties to pursue new avenues in their investigations. One of the applications of the biosensors is the early detection of HIV (within one week).
MITACS MENTORSHIP AWARD
Computer Science professor Marc Moreno Maza has been awarded the MITACS (Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems) Mentorship Award of Excellence. MITACS is an organization that links businesses, governments and not-for-profits with more than 50 Canadian universities to develop tools for the knowledge economy. Moreno Maza, his team and the Ontario Research Centre for Computer Algebra lab at Western developed part of the mathematics software for Waterloo-based Maplesoft.
NATIONAL WRITING HONOUR
Continuing Studies writing instructor Suzanne Boles has been named the recipient of the Lawrence Jackson Outstanding Achievement Award by the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). This award is the organization’s most important national honour, going to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the organization and has shown exemplary commitment and service.
PUBLIC POLICY PRIZE
Western Law Professor Robert Solomon is the recipient of The Kaiser Foundation’s 2010 National Award for Excellence in Public Policy. Solomon was selected by a National Advisory Board based on his record of outstanding achievement in reducing alcohol and other drug harm through effective public policy. The award is accompanied by a $10,000 grant to be donated to a charity, which Solomon has asked to be split between My Sister’s Place, which offers transitional support for women, and MADD Canada. Founded 25 years ago, the Kaiser Foundation is a national organization designed to promote the understanding and importance of dealing with issues related to mental health and addictions.
PETRO-CANADA YOUNG INNOVATOR
Chemistry professor Yang Song has been awarded Western’s 2010 Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award for his novel research project targeting the development of hydrogen storage materials using high-pressure techniques. The $12,500 award, presented by Research Western, helps to promote outstanding research by new faculty. Song’s development of suitable hydrogen storage materials is of fundamental importance for the practical use of next generation clean fuels, and could potentially revolutionize the energy industry.