Page 9 - Eureka! Spring 2008

Faculty news Extreme Calling it a day: faculty retirements Faculty stars Faculty news
makeover:
Carleton University honours its best and brightest researchers with annual Research Achievement Awards. Established in
Peter Watson, professor of physics
1989, the $15,000 awards enhance the quality of research conducted at Carleton.
Steacie edition
When the ATLAS particle physics experiment be-
gins in Geneva this summer, it will search for the
y middle age, time has taken a
Humans have lost their ability to
ago by Carleton’s Peter Watson, M.K. Sundaresan
newly discovered small molecules,
and Lazer Resnick. In 1973, the trio was the first
Btoll, priorities have changed, and Higgs boson using a method suggested 35 years Cold play Storey’s latest explorations are how
shut down and survive in the cold.
many start to think about a lift here to publish how the possible effect of the Higgs Despite having all the same tissues microRNA, can interfere with cell
and a tuck there. For the 42-year-old boson might be observed. Watson, then a research as hibernating mammals, if we function in order to turn off human
Steacie Building, a major makeover associate, was trying to understand an anomaly in attempted to lie down all winter organs; how epigenetic mechanisms
is underway to maximize and renew the short-lived muonic atoms. Now on the verge of Photo: Chris Strangemore we would be plagued by bed sores that activate and inactivate cellular
space, modernize laboratories and retirement, the former dean of science will see one and atrophied muscles. And without genomes can turn off and stop life
incorporate a new program in food of his earliest ideas put to the test. slowing down our metabolism, we signs and disease processes; and how
science and nutrition. Since arriving at Carleton in 1971, Watson has would also need to eat and drink, the widespread process of autopha-
In April, the complete demolition worked in a variety of fields of theoretical phys- Peter Watson interrupting that long winter’s nap. gy—whereby cells and organs revers-
of chemistry labs kicked off the first ics, including quark models, broken colour mod- ibly eat themselves during times of
of three phases of the $12.6-mil- els, and Higgs and neutrino phenomenology. As a member of the Sudbury Neutrino stress—works.
lion renovation. In their place is a Observatory (SNO) collaboration, Watson’s principle interest is in possible neutrino “This award helps keep me out of
“super lab” for first-year chemistry signals from astrophysical sources such as γ-ray bursters and pulsars. With the grant prison,” says Storey. “It gives
and organic chemistry courses. By analysis of SNO data winding up in a year’s time, “it fits in quite nicely with retire- me freedom to pursue new avenues of
September, the lab will accommodate ment plans,” he says. discovery.”
almost 30 per cent more students Respected among his colleagues for sharing best practices and resources on teach- In April, John Oommen (pictured) and post-doc-
and give the university flexibility in ing methods—and how to motivate students to study physics—Watson was feted with toral researcher Dragos Calitoiu were presented
scheduling. a Carleton University Teaching Achievement Award in 2005 for his creation and use of Photo: Brigette Bouvier, Ottawa Citizen Learning from mistakes with the Best Paper Award from the International
Conference on Health Sciences Simulation for their
“The super lab will ensure we con- technology-assisted learning. The Faculty of Science gave him a teaching award in 2007 If everything in education is simulation methodology that can predict how a
tinue to offer our students hands-on for his commitment to science education via outreach to high schools and the commu- fallible—teachers, teaching disease spreads to infect healthy people in a certain
training in state-of-the-art research nity, innovative course delivery and new programs. (See page 11.) techniques, textbooks—how do geographical region.
and laboratory facilities,” says “I’ll certainly go on teaching as long as there is an opportunity,” says Watson. students learn accurately? John
George Iwama, dean of the Faculty “It’s always been the most satisfying part of what I have done.” Oommen, chancellor’s professor in the chapter. Finally, the model also lets
of Science. Kenneth Storey has identified the molecular school of computer science, explores the teacher improve teaching skills
The next two phases of the renova- Gerald Buchanan, chancellor’s professor of chemistry technology the wood frog has evolved over time to this question in designing electronic through interacting with and feed-
tion project will include upgrades When Gerald Buchanan arrived at Carleton in survive freezing. teaching and learning strategies. back from the students.
to the computer classroom, and a 1971, the field of nuclear magnetic resonance “The entire field of designing and Currently in the research stage
retrofit of additional undergraduate (NMR) spectroscopy was in a primitive stage: “Humans developed an extremely implementing tutorial-like systems of the project, Oommen’s prototype
teaching labs and rooms for prepara- the department of chemistry had an NMR spec- narrow lifestyle,” says Kenneth Storey, is fascinating,” says Oommen. “It demonstrates that such a teaching/
tion and instrumentation. trometer, but no one knew how to use it. Thanks professor of biochemistry and Canada is amazing how much ‘learning’ is learning paradigm is feasible and
in part to Buchanan’s late nights spent getting Research Chair in molecular physiol- possible even in the most imperfect expedient. He’ll use his 2008 Research
the machine to work, and his nearly 150 publi- ogy. “We’ve reorganized our molecular settings.” Achievement Award to develop a re-
cations, the field of NMR at Carleton can now Photo: Chris Strangemore signals away from hibernation, but Traditionally, the field of intelligent search monograph and help bring the
claim a mature—but not staid—status. we can flip those switches back.” tutorial systems has dealt with the tutorial system another step closer to
In fact Buchanan, in his latest work with Igor Storey’s program of research focus- problem of real-life students learning real-world application.
Moudrakouski at the National Research Council, es on dormancy at all levels of biolog- from a program guiding, teaching and
invented a new method of doing magnetic reso- Gerald Buchanan ical organization: from the molecu- testing the students. Oommen has
nance imaging that holds the potential of rapid, lar to the genetic, from tissues and created a tutorial-like model where
non-invasive gastrointestinal imaging within a few seconds. organs to the whole animal. Whether the teacher program can make mis-
A former chair of the department of chemistry, Buchanan is a decorated teacher, switching off an organ for transplant takes probabilistically, with teaching
twice winning the Faculty of Science Teaching Award and receiving the Carleton or slowing down a patient’s metabolic material that can also contain errors,
University Teaching Achievement Award in 2002. In 2004, the president gave him the rate to prolong the time a surgeon has and yet the student (a real person
special professorial designation of chancellor’s professor. to operate, dormancy is important for or a program) is capable of learn-
“I have enjoyed tremendously the stimulating interactions with some very medical science. Even more important ing within that setting. The student FIshy BUsINEss
bright students,” says Buchanan, who has supervised the research of more than for Storey is the thrill of studying the is also a member of a classroom of steve cooke, assistant professor of biology,
50 students at all levels. “It has been really satisfying to see them go on to suc- unexplored. students, all of whom could also have is working with scott hinch at the Forest
cessful careers in academia, industry and government.” “We do discovery science in this inaccurate knowledge. Each student sciences centre at the University of British
As for his own future, travelling to see his grandchildren is a priority, but Bu- lab,” he says. “This is the research can learn from the teacher and from columbia on climate warming and high
chanan will stay at Carleton part-time to teach the food, drugs and health course Darwin would have done if he’d had any students. Using a Socratic model, salmon migration mortality. the research
and “dabble” in areas of magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging. the same equipment.” the teacher asks multiple choice team was awarded a three-year strategic
A new “super lab” will accommodate 30 per cent “Teaching at a university is a privileged existence,” he says. “Carleton has With an infusion of funds from his questions about the material, which grant by the Natural sciences and Engi-
more chemistry and organic chemistry students in
state-of-the-art facilities. been a wonderful fit for me and I hope that I can continue to make some contri- 2008 Research Achievement Award, increases in complexity chapter by neering Research council of canada.
bution to it for many years to come.”

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