An intimate look Under the Volcano

Apr 3, 1997

University of Warwick Prof. Martin Lowry will share reminiscences
of his celebrated uncle, Malcolm Lowry, author of Under the Volcano,
at a colloquium honouring the writer on Tuesday, April 8 in the
Heritage Room at UBC’s Main Library. UBC’s collection of Lowry archives,
the world’s largest and a mecca for scholars around the globe, will
also be on display. The keynote speaker is UBC English Professor
Sherill Grace who used the archives extensively in editing her new,
two-volume collected letters of Malcolm Lowry.

  • Contact: Brenda Peterson, Head, Fine Arts Library/Special
    Collections, 604.822.4959

Record number of exchange students accepted

A record 265 students have been accepted into UBC student exchange
programs this year across Canada and around the world. Participation
has doubled in the last two years with students now having a choice
of more than 50 institutions in 18 countries. The University of
California remains the most popular destination with 23 students
heading south on exchanges, followed by the University of New South
Wales, Lancaster University, the University of Glasgow and Keele
University in the United Kingdom. UBC’s recent agreement with the
Sorbonne in France is expected to be a popular addition.

  • Contact: Thevi Pather, UBC Student Exchange Programs,
    604.822.9613

Professor joins elite rank

Political Science Prof. Kalevi Holsti has been named a University
Killam Professor, the highest honour bestowed by the university
on its faculty. The designation recognizes the university’s most
exceptional faculty members who have distinguished themselves in
teaching, scholarly activity and service. Holsti is considered Canada’s
most distinguished scholar of international relations and has taught
and lectured around the world since joining UBC in 1961. Only six
other UBC professors have earned the rank, including Nobel Prize
winner Michael Smith.

  • Contact: Prof. Kalevi Holsti, Political Science Dept.,
    604.822.3607

Study targets brain chemistry of schizophrenia

A UBC neuroscientist has received a $300,000 grant to look at how
schizophrenia is affected by dopamine, the natural chemical that
regulates brain activity. Charles Yang, an assistant professor in
the Dept. of Psychology, is one of only six researchers in North
America to receive a grant for schizophrenia research from the Montreal-based
EJLB Foundation. Yang’s study will focus on the dysregulated interplay
between the prefrontal cortex and other regions of the brain, where
schizophrenia symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations and disorganized
thoughts and behaviour often arise. Yang’s work could lead to the
development of a new generation of anti-psychotic drugs which target
prefrontal cortex cells.

  • Contact: Asst. Prof. Charles Yang, Psychology Dept.,
    604.822.6565

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