UBC News Digest

Dec 9, 2005

The UBC News Digest is a weekly summary of news stories about UBC
people, research, learning, community, and internationalization
initiatives. News Digest past
issues are also available on-line.

Dec. 9, 2005

Receive UBC News Digest via
e-mail.

Faculty Win Science Awards for Early Career Achievement

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) presented two UBC researchers with national mid-career and junior awards for excellence in science and engineering on December 1, 2005.

Kyle Shen, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, received the NSERC Howard Alper Postdoctoral Prize, awarded annually to the top applicant in NSERC’s annual competition for postdoctoral fellowships.

Michael Doebeli, Depts. Of Mathematics and Zoology, was presented with the NSERC Steacie Fellowship, awarded to enhance the career development of university faculty who are earning a strong international reputation for original research.

Full information about the prizes and achievements of the winners can be found at www.nserc.gc.ca/about/prizes_e.asp.

to top

Dianne Newell to Lead Peter Wall Institute

History Prof. Dianne Newell has been appointed director of the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, effective January 1, 2007. Olav Slaymaker will act as interim director for the period of January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. Newell has been Acting Director since 2003.

Newell came to UBC as an assistant professor in 1980. She earned her PhD in history in 1981, having gone to the University of Western Ontario following several consulting positions with government. She has an MA in Canadian Studies from Carleton University with a concentration in social history and anthropology sociology.

The Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies supports basic research through interdisciplinary initiatives that have the potential to make important advances in knowledge. The Institute has as its aim to create a community of scholars, composed of outstanding researchers across the campus who will contribute significantly to the intellectual life of the university.

For more info, visit: www.pwias.ubc.ca.

to top

Staff and Faculty Invited to Free UBC Seasonal Concert

UBC Staff and Faculty are invited to attend this year’s Seasonal Concert on Wednesday, December 14, 2005, 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

A free event at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts, the concert will feature the Cascades Brass Quintet, members of the University Singers and excerpts from the UBC Opera Ensemble’s upcoming production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Tickets are available at the Chan Centre ticket office from Monday to Friday, noon to 5 p.m. and after 10:30 a.m. on the day of the concert.

For more information, contact the UBC Ceremonies Office at 604.822.2484 or ceremonies.office@ubc.ca.

to top

CiTR Radio Launches Capital Campaign

CiTR 101.9 FM radio has launched a Capital Campaign to raise funds for the major upgrading of its broadcast facilities, equipment, and web-streaming capabilities.

Efforts will include a mail and phone campaign to former CiTR members from November 2005 to January of 2006. The station is calling on UBC alumni and community members of the station to identify themselves and support the drive.

Broadcasting from UBC’s Student Union Building, the not-for-profit station is run by three staff members and more than 300 volunteers. CiTR provides students with experience in broadcasting, television and music promotion, and counts celebrity interviewer Nardwuar and CTV’s Chris Olsen as alumni.

More information on the CiTR Capital Campaign and how to donate can be found at: www.citr.ca/capital.