UBC This Week | Feb. 26, 2009

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UBC This Week is a weekly summary of UBC people in the news, recent media releases and upcoming event highlights. UBC This Week past issues are also available on-line.

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Recent UBC Media Releases

Upcoming Event Highlights

Visit UBCevents, UBC’s new campus-wide calendar: www.events.ubc.ca

Find out what else is happening at UBC this week. For sports events, visit the UBC Athletics site at www.gothunderbirds.ca/schedule.asp.

UBC People


UBC People

UBC launches workplace experiences survey

UBC faculty and staff are invited to participate in the university’s first Workplace Experiences Survey.

The survey will measure overall people practices and determine how the university can continue to create a better workplace based on the priorities and concerns of faculty and staff.

The survey should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete, and all responses will be confidential. Survey results will be released during the summer to the UBC community.

The university-wide survey closes March 18 and can be accessed at www.focusonpeople.ubc.ca.

The survey is an initiative of UBC’s Focus on People: Workplace Practices at UBC framework.

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UBC professors appointed Leopold Leadership Fellows

UBC Asst. Prof. Simon Donner, Dept. of Geography and Dr. Rashid Sumaila, Acting Director, Fisheries Centre, have been selected as two of 19 Leopold Leadership Fellows for 2009.

Donner is recognized for his research on the effects of climate change and land use change on ecosystems. Sumaila is recognized for his research on the economics of fishing and impacts on marine conservation policies.

Each fellow participates in two week-long training sessions that include practice media interviews and testimony at a mock congressional hearing.

For more information, visit www.leopoldleadership.org.

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UBC Farm receives Fraser Basin Council sustainability award

For its work in education, leadership and outreach, the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm has received the 2009 “Understanding Sustainability" Award from the Fraser Basin Council (FBC).

The UBC Farm provides students, researchers and the broader community a living laboratory to explore global food system issues within a local working farm context. Among UBC Farm initiatives are field research in food production and biodiversity, a weekly student-run farmer’s market and a farm-based urban Aboriginal health program.

FBC is a not-for-profit organization that aims to advance sustainability throughout the Fraser River Basin. Other FBC 2009 award recipients include the City of Surrey (Overall Sustainability Award) and Siska Traditions Society (Strengthening Communities).

For details, visit: http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/awards/index.html.

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UBC nursing professors receive honours

UBC nursing professors Bernie Garrett, Judith Lynam and Wendy Hall will receive Awards of Excellence from the College of Registered Nurses of B.C.

Garrett has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to education through curriculum, teaching, educational scholarship and applications in informatics, not only at UBC but also provincially, nationally and internationally.

Lynam, recognized for research excellence in the field of clinical pediatrics, focuses on adolescent and family health within immigrant and marginalized communities, and her studies have led to an innovative approach known as “social pediatrics.”

Hall is a pioneer in clinical and translational research directed toward enhancing parenting ability, particularly for infant feeding and behavioural sleep problems.

For more information: www.apsc.ubc.ca/news/2009/feb25.html.

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UBC hosts first Vancouver Brain Bee

The UBC Brain Research Centre and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute will host Vancouver’s first Brain Bee, a spelling bee-style competition for high school students who will answer questions on the brain and nervous system.

The winner will go to the National Brain Bee competition in Hamilton in May. The winner of the nationals will represent Canada at the International Brain Bee this fall.

Date: March 28
Time: 12 – 5 p.m.
Place: Life Sciences Centre, UBC Campus, 2350 Health Sciences Mall
Info: Registration required, deadline March 6, contact vancouver@brainbee.ca
http://www.science.mcmaster.ca/brainbee
http://www.brain.ubc.ca/brainbee.php

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UBC TEC holds entrepreneurship gala

The UBC Technology Entrepreneurship Club will hold its annual Young Entrepreneurs Dinner, a networking and informational event where students, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and company executives share insights and showcase ventures and innovations.

Bringing together over 150 top leaders from UBC, this interdisciplinary gala dinner will include presentations from guest speakers and display booths.

For more information, visit http://www.tecubc.com/.