Friday, November 25, 2011

Invitation to become project client for Engineering Strategies and Practice (ESP)

Dear Colleague,

As you are surely aware, all first-year engineering students in the Faculty (with the exception of Engineering Science students) take APS111 and APS112, Engineering Strategies and Practice (ESP). During the Winter term (January to April 2012), teams of four to six students work on projects from “real” clients. I hope you will consider becoming a project client.
There are a large number of Track One students in ESP, and this is a way for each department to gain exposure to this group.

Clients come from industry, institutions, businesses, or they can be private individuals. They provide a brief proposal, typically framed as a problem, for which the team has to design possible solutions.

Typical projects include, space/workflow redesigns; product and building accessibility designs; environment, energy, and time-saving systems; household devices; and many more.

Here is a link to examples of projects from last year:

http://www.esp.engineering.utoronto.ca/Assets/ESP+Digital+Assets/pdfs/Examples+of+ESP+Projects.pdf

I encourage you to submit any proposals as soon as possible. That way, we have a better chance to discuss and "tweak" the problem statement to suit both you and the first-year students. Please feel free to write or call me with any questions. You may also visit the website at http://www.esp.engineering.utoronto.ca/ or go directly to the Client Application page: http://www.esp.engineering.utoronto.ca/project_clients/client_application.htm

You may contact me at 416-978-6712 or Ms. Phuong Huynh at 416-946-3406 (or email at h.kunov@utoronto.ca and esp@ecf.utoronto.ca respectively).

Also, if you know of other potential clients, I hope you will let them know about ESP. Feel free to forward this message, if you like. Many past clients have been pleased with the reports from the design teams, and a number of them have proceeded to implement them.

Best Regards,

Hans Kunov, Ph.D., P.Eng.;
Professor Emeritus, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering;
Project Coordinator, Engineering Strategies & Practice;
University of Toronto

Suneet Tuli Lecture: Engineering Technology for Social Change - November 30th

THE INDIA INNOVATION INSTITUTE AT THE ROTMAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND MUNK SCHOOL OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS

AND

THE FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING

PRESENT A LECTURE AND DISCUSSION WITH

SUNEET TULI
(Co-Founder and CEO, DataWind)

Wednesday, November 30, 2011. 5:00 PM

Topic: ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY FOR SOCIAL CHANGE


Bio of Suneet Tuli: Co-founder of DataWind (http://datawind.com/). DataWind and Mr. Tuli were in the news recently with the launch of the Akash tablet PC in India that retails for under $50. [http://aakashtablet.org/]. Mr. Tuli will speak about the use of technology in enhancing welfare, and engage in a discussion with participants.
Venue: Sandford Fleming Building, Room 1105
10 King’s College Road
University of Toronto

Public Transit: The Sandford Fleming Building is a short walk from the Queen’s park TTC station
Parking: Underground parking is available (closest lot is the BCIT lot), see http://www.parking.utoronto.ca/Assets/Parking+Services+Digital+Assets/Parking+Map+2010.pdf

For a map please visit http://www.osm.utoronto.ca/map/f?p=110:1:755484099157501 (SF represents the Sandford Fleming Building)

Please register online at http://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/datawind if you plan to attend.

Special thanks to TiE Toronto for help in organizing this event.

CSCE Event: Re-cladding of First Canadian Place - Canada’s Tallest Skyscraper! - December 1st

Notice of CSCE Event

Please register with Mena Morcos: mmorcos@ryerson.ca

CSCE Toronto Section is pleased to host:

Re-cladding of First Canadian Place - Canada’s Tallest Skyscraper!

SPEAKER: Michael FitzGibbon

DATE: Thursday, December 1, 2011

TIME: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Registration, light meal, networking
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Presentation

LOCATION: Room POD368 (3rd Floor), POD Building, Ryerson University
350 Victoria Street (area connecting Jorgenson Hall to
the Library Building)

COST: CSCE Members: $10 CSCE Student Members: $5
Non-CSCE Attendees: $25 Non-CSCE Students: $15

EllisDon’s Michael FitzGibbon will present: “Re-cladding of First Canadian
Place - Canada’s Tallest Skyscraper!” providing an overview of the
challenges of this $100M+ endeavour, involving the replacement of 45,000
marble panels with a new energy efficient curtain-wall system. Constructed
in Toronto’s Financial District in 1975, First Canadian Place is Canada’s
tallest skyscraper at 298 metres (978 ft) tall. The project is targeting
completion in early 2012.

About the speaker: With over 25 years of experience in the construction
industry, Michael FitzGibbon has a portfolio of successful projects in a
variety of areas including high rise office building, airport, automotive,
stadium, hospital, performing arts and bridge construction. Most recent
successes include First Canadian Place and Bay Adelaide Centre.

To reserve a place, contact Mena Marcos by email at mmorcos@ryerson.ca with
CSCE LECTURE in the subject line. Please provide your name, company,
contact number and designation (CSCE Member with registration number, CSCE
Student Member with registration number, Non-Member or Student Non-Member).
Registration is requested by Monday Nov 28, 2011. Payment is to be made at
the door in cash or cheque (made to CSCE Toronto Section).

Please advise the CSCE National Office, of any updated information,
including your email address, by sending an email to info@csce.ca Please
indicate member information update in the subject line and include your
name and membership number along with the updated information.


Regards,

Cameron Blair, P.Eng., LEED® AP
Chair, CSCE Toronto Section
c/o

EllisDon Corporation
89 Queensway Avenue West, Suite 800
Mississauga, Ontario L5B 2V2
Ph: (905) 896-8900 Fax: (905) 803-6262
Direct Line: (905) 803-6357
email: cblair@ellisdon.com
www.ellisdon.com

Departmental Holiday Party Reminder to RSVP

On behalf of the Department, I would like to invite you and your family to our Annual Holiday Celebration on Wednesday, December 7th from 4 – 8 pm at the Polish Combatants Association (see attached invitation for all the details). We have many things to celebrate including, of course, the end of term, the end of 2011 and the retirement of Professors Barry Adams and Phil Byer.

This will be a potluck celebration - the Department will provide the hot entrees and you are welcome to bring a salad, appetizer or dessert. There will be a “mystery build contest”. Details to be announced at the party.

Please RSVP before December 2nd to:
http://www.civil.engineering.utoronto.ca/news/events/holiday2011.htm

Thanks and have a good weekend.

Nelly

Friday, November 18, 2011

SGS: Late Grade Submission or Grade Revision Form

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Graduate Chairs/Directors/Coordinators/Administrators

Cc: Student Services, School of Graduate Studies

FROM: Michael Godwin, Student Services Officer, Division I

DATE: November 14, 2011

RE: Late Grade Submission or Grade Revision Form

On the recommendation of graduate units and approved by SGS committee, the Grade Submission and the Grade Revision forms were combined to create one form: Late Grade Submission or Grade Revision (see link).

Please note that SGS forms for administrative staff are updated periodically throughout the academic year, with the most recent versions available on our website: http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/adminsupport/form.htm. Please update your records and communications to students (e.g. website, graduate unit handbooks, if applicable) to include the latest version of the form.

If you have any questions, please consult with your Student Services Officer.

Regards,

Michael


Michael Godwin

Student Services Officer, Division I & CERES, FI, LAW, MGT, MMPA.
School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto
63 St. George Street
Toronto, ON M5S 2Z9
CANADA

Phone: 416-978-6390 | Fax: 416-946-0992 | Email: michael.godwin@sgs.utoronto.ca | Website: www.sgs.utoronto.ca

Public Phase Launch of the Campaign for the University of Toronto

To: PDAD&C
From: David Palmer, Vice-President, Advancement
Date: November 18, 2011
Re: Public Phase Launch of the Campaign for the University of Toronto

On Sunday, November 20 2011, the University of Toronto will celebrate a major milestone with the announcement of a comprehensive fundraising campaign—the third such campaign in the last 30 years. This campaign will build on the University’s track record of success in attracting private philanthropic support, both in the previous campaign and during the quiet phase of the current effort.

As the campaign enters the public phase with the launch on Sunday evening, we hope it will become an effective vehicle to engage our world-wide community of alumni and friends, capture the public’s imagination, draw attention to the University as a priority for philanthropy and volunteerism, and achieve sustainable increases to annual private support. The launch itself will give us an opportunity to announce the campaign goal, its themes, and volunteer leadership; highlight many of the recent gifts to the University that have helped fund initiatives across all three campuses; and say thank you to our volunteer leaders and donors for their generosity of time, guidance and philanthropic support.

In announcing and promoting the campaign to our broad alumni community and general public, we have given pride of place to the stories of faculty, students, and particularly of our alumni—stories that illustrate the impact of our research and teaching mission in shaping the experience of students, in pursuit of fundamental and applied inquiry, and in addressing today’s most pressing issues. The campaign case for support, its website, outdoor banners, and other supporting materials, feature these stories prominently as the primary means for delivering the campaign’s key messages. And as with the previous Great Minds campaign, our promotion of this new campaign will roll out in multiple phases, allowing for broad coverage of all our constituencies across these phases, across all three campuses, and across the various campaign media.

In all of this, it is important to note that the campaign will serve to support and advance our institutional strategies; fundraising at this University is, as always, done only in service to approved academic priorities, firmly grounded in the disciplinary excellence of our strong academic divisions. Members of P&D have been active partners in the planning of our campaign, and they, together with our senior volunteers and advancement professionals, look forward to working with you in seeking support for your division’s campaign priorities.

Following the public launch, the DUA will circulate an internal campaign communications Q&A to senior academic leaders in order to assist you with questions you might receive from media, members of our University community, and the public.

The campaign promises to be an exciting time in the life of our University. The launch this Sunday, together with subsequent divisional, regional and international launch events over the next year, will reinforce a sense of community among our alumni and donors, building momentum, awareness, and support for important campaign goals. Thank you for your dedication to the University of Toronto and your support of the campaign. We hope you can join us on Sunday, and we look forward to supporting you and your colleagues with your divisional campaign activities over the coming year.

Research Alerts: Gates Grand Challenges Explorations - Round 8

Gates Grand Challenges Explorations - Round 8

Please reply to: Laura DeBartolo (laura.debartolo@utoronto.ca)

This is a reminder that the deadline for submissions for Round 8 of Grand Challenges Explorations is less than a week away.

Applications are due November 17, 2011, 11:30AM Pacific.

GRAND CHALLENGES EXPLORATIONS
Grand Challenges Explorations is a $100 million initiative to encourage bold and unconventional global health solutions. Anyone can apply, regardless of prior experience or institutional affiliation. Previous winners include graduate students, entrepreneurs at private companies, and creative thinkers from all fields of research.

Initial grants will be $100,000 (U.S.) each, and projects showing promise will have the opportunity to receive additional funding of up to $1 million. Full descriptions of topics and application instructions are available at:
http://www.grandchallenges.org/explorations.

Click below to apply now.
http://www.grandchallenges.org/Explorations/Pages/ApplicationInstructions.aspx

Exploring What's Behind "I Don't Understand" Session - Tuesday, November 22

Exploring What's Behind "I Don't Understand"

Tanya Lewis, Director, Academic Success & Accessibility Centre
Martha Harris, Faculty Liaison, Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation
Andrea Graham, Learning Strategist, Student Life

Making conceptual connections between course materials or "deep learning" is foundational for successful academic work. In this session we will look at how to guide students through periods of confusion that are a normal part of learning, and moving beyond "I don't understand". This workshop will model strategies to support students to move from surface to deep learning as well as provide opportunities to reflect on how to incorporate new strategies into your current work.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011
10am to 12pm
Robarts Library 4049

safeTALK workshop - Wednesday, December 7th

I am writing to invite you to a safeTALK workshop facilitated by Lesley Mak on Wednesday, December 7th. The training for this workshop will help you learn the four basic steps to recognizing persons with thoughts of suicide and will teach you how to connect them with suicide helping resources. safeTALK will allow you to feel equipped to respond to students who indicate that they may have thoughts of suicide.
Contrary to popular belief, most people with thoughts of suicide invite help. Often these opportunities are missed, dismissed or avoided-- leaving people more alone and at great risk. safeTALK training prepares you to help by using TALK (Tell, Ask, Listen, KeepSafe) to identify and engage people with thoughts of suicide and to connect them with further help and care. SafeTALK is a World Health Organization approved training module

This is an interactive and engaging workshop that takes place in an understanding and supportive environment, facilitated by Lesley Mak.

DATE: Wednesday, December 7th,
TIME: 9:30am-1pm **you must be able to attend the full session.**
COST: FREE
LOCATION: TBA
 
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED AND WILL BE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS. PLEASE RSVP AT firstyr@ecf.utoronto.ca BY MONDAY DECEMBER 5, 5PM

Barbara McCann| Faculty Registrar
Faculty of Applied Science + Engineering | University of Toronto
Mailing Address: 35 St. George Street | Toronto | Ontario | M5S 1A4
Office Location: 35 St. George Street , Room 157
mccann@ecf.utoronto.ca | www.engineering.utoronto.ca
Tel 416.978.5894| Fax 416.978-1866

Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecture - What Does It Mean To Be Chemically Green?

Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecture Series

What Does It Mean To Be Chemically Green?

Dr. Andrew P. Dicks
Senior Lecturer, Chemistry Department, University of Toronto

Thursday, November 24, 2011, 5:00pm
Ramsay Wright Zoological Laboratories
25 Harbord Street, Lecture Room 432
University of Toronto

Location map: http://www.sigmaxi.utoronto.ca/events/location.html

Abstract: “Green” is one of the most used (and misused) adjectives of the 21st century. Conceptually, to be “green” might refer to appearing “wholesome”, “biodegradable” or “environmentally-friendly”. But what does being “green” really mean? What are the principles driving the development of safer consumables, cleaner industrial processes, and a sustainable future for humankind? From the manufacture of blockbuster drugs such as Viagra® to the so-called “greenwashing” of company policies and products, chemical scientists are shaping society in an unprecedented manner. This presentation will focus on the role chemists currently play in the “greening” of society from both teaching and research perspectives.

All students, faculty, and the general public are welcome.

--
Madhur Anand
Associate Professor
Global Ecological Change (GEC) Laboratory
School of Environmental Sciences
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
519-824-4120 x56254
manand@uoguelph.ca

RSETE 2012 - 2nd International Conference on Remote Sensing, Environment and Transportation Engineering

The 2nd International Conference on Remote Sensing, Environment and Transportation Engineering (RSETE 2012) will be held from June 1st to 3rd, 2012 in Nanjing, China. All accepted papers will be published by IEEE, included in IEEE Xplore and indexed by Ei Compendex.

All papers accepted in RSETE 2011 have been indexed by Ei Compendex, two months after the conference.

Important Date: Submission Deadlines: Dec. 28th, 2011
Conference Date: Jun. 1st to 3rd, Nanjing, China
Website: www.rsete.org/2012

The conference can be found in IEEE Conference List. Please CLICK HERE to check it.
The conference ID is: #19949

The technical areas to be covered in this conference include:
*Remote Sensing and Application
*Energy, Environmental, Sustainable Development
*Environment Pollution and Protection
*Transportation Engineering

Special Sessions:
1. The International Conference on Bioengineering, Chemistry and Environment Science (BCES 2012)
2. The International Workshop on Materials Science and Engineering (WMSE 2012)


Dr. Xu
RSETE Organizing Committee
icrsete@126.com
icrsete@gmail.com

ReNew Canada - P3: The Next Generation

P3: The Next Generation

With all levels of government across Canada facing growing infrastructure deficits matched by equally challenging fiscal restraints, many are turning to public-private partnerships as an innovative way to ensure long-term value for much-needed infrastructure and service delivery.

The Annual CCPPP National Conference brings together 1,200 Canadian and international leaders in public-private partnerships (P3) for a two-day event discussing the latest projects, people and policies that have made Canada one of the most robust P3 markets in the world. It will be held on November 21 & 22, 2011 at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. This unique networking opportunity will connect you with "who's who" of P3 from government and the private sector. We hope you can join us.

This year's theme points to the next generation of projects and people that will shape the Canadian P3 landscape in the coming years.
Eighteen sessions on a wide variety of topics and sectors will offer delegates a unique opportunity to hear from Canadian and international
P3 thought leaders and practitioners. For those that are new to the P3 area and those that are interested in more advanced P3 discussions, this program offers it all.

The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships is Canada's national voice on P3, promoting innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery at all levels of government. We are a non-profit, non-partisan membership-based organization that conducts research, promotes evidence-based public policy and promotes education on P3 through a variety of regional and national events.

This year CCPPP is offering a free one-year CCPPP membership to all non-members that register for the 2011 National Conference. Effective December 1, 2011, your membership entitles you to research, unique regional and national events, interactive online tools and a connection with over 2,500 P3 leaders from Canada and internationally.

For more information on the conference and to register now, please click on the following links:

View 2011 National Conference Program


Register online now


We hope you can join us in Toronto for what promises to be a "must-attend" event focused on P3 and new opportunities for governments and the private sector to work together to build Canada's future.

Friday, November 11, 2011

13th World Conference of ACUUS 2012 Singapore: Call for papers

13th World Conference of the Associated research Centers for the Urban Underground Space

Underground Space Development – Opportunities and Challenges

7 – 9 November 2012
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Themed “Underground Space Development – Opportunities and Challenges”, ACUUS 2012 will put the spotlight on unprecedented opportunities for improving urban infrastructure and urban livability. Topics to be explored are comprehensive, ranging from top level management issues like master planning, legal framework and government policies, cost benefit analysis to operational issues including architectural design, site investigation and geo-planning and geotechnical and rock engineering.

Share your knowledge

Are you passionate about the industry? Share your knowledge at the conference. Submit your Abstract of not more than 300 words by 30 November 2011.

Themes & topics:
Master planning Innovations and technology advancement
Architectural design for liveable underground space Research and support
Safety, health, and the environment Underground transport systems
Legal framework and government policies Deep caverns and mined space
Reasons for going underground Earth-sheltered buildings and pedestrian networks
Cost-benefit-analysis Industrial and commercial applications
Socio-economic issues Underground space as a strategic resource
Site investigation and geo-planning Utilisation of underground space and case studies
Geotechnical and rock engineering Special projects

Join the conference
• Discover new opportunities amid a re-focus on developing urban underground space as part of sustainable development.
• Understand special challenges faced in creating underground spaces – be it technical, economic or design - in order to address human psychology of underground habitation.
• Appreciate these challenges from different points of view, from planners to developers to the engineers.
• Expect engaging discussions and exchanges among planners, engineers, researchers and policy makers from renowned organizations and associations around the world.
• Expand your horizons with our technical programme, technical visits, exhibition, social programmes, pre-conference workshops, short courses and special sessions tailored for you.
A highly regarded knowledge platform for industry players for the last 12 years, ACUUS 2012 is truly an event not to be missed.

Be a part of the event

Attractive packages for exhibition and sponsorship are available for organizations that wish to showcase and market their services and products in the rapidly growing markets in the region. Find out how.

Downloads

Visit our download site to find out more on Helsinki’s Underground Masterplan and other related news..

Welcome Onboard

We are honored to have Hong Kong Institute of Engineers as one of our Supporting Organisations for ACUUS 2012.

Keep in touch

For updates of ACUUS 2012 Singapore, please visit our website at www.acuus2012.com or contact the Conference Secretariat at email: info@acuus2012.com or tel: 65 6271 2453.

See you at ACUUS 2012 Singapore

IEEE IV2012: Call for papers, June 3-7, 2012

CALL FOR PAPERS
2012 IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium
June 3-7, 2012
Alcalá de Henares, Spain

www.robesafe.es/iv2012



==============================

THE INTELLIGENT VEHICLES SYMPOSIUM (IV'12) is the premier annual forum sponsored by the IEEE INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS SOCIETY (ITSS). Researchers, academicians, practitioners, and students from universities, industry, and government agencies are invited to discuss research and applications for Intelligent Vehicles and Vehicle-Infrastructure Cooperation. The technical presentations are characterized by a single session format, so that all attendees remain in a single room for multilateral communications in an informal atmosphere. Tutorials will be offered on the first day followed by three days of presentations and a vehicle demonstration day. An exhibition area will be available for the presentation of products and projects, as well as for small demonstrations.

Program topics include but are not limited to:

* Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
* Automated Vehicles
* Vehicular Safety, Active and Passive
* Vehicle Environment Perception
* Driver State and Intent Recognition
* Eco-driving and Energy-Efficient Vehicles
* Impact on Traffic Flows
* Cooperative Vehicle-Highway Systems
* Collision Avoidance
* Pedestrian Protection
* V2I / V2V Communication
* Assistive Mobility Systems
* Intelligent Ground, Air and Space Vehicles
* Autonomous / Intelligent Robotic Vehicles
* Image, Radar, Lidar Signal Processing
* Information Fusion
* Vehicle Control
* Telematics
* Human Factors and HMI
* Electric and Hybrid Technologies
* Novel Interfaces and Displays
* Intelligent Vehicle Software Infrastructure

Manuscripts of 6 pages in PDF format must be electronically submitted for peer-review in IEEE standard-format. For detailed submission instructions visit the conference website www.robesafe.es/iv2012

Important Dates

* Special Session Proposal: January 16th, 2012
* Paper submission deadline: January 16th, 2012
* Notification of acceptance: March 15th, 2012
* Final paper submission: April 15th, 2012

Contact

* For proposal of a special session, demonstration, and exhibition contact the organization committee at iv2012@robesafe.es

The Research Insider: November 2011

NEWS

Strategic Research Plan creates framework for research excellence
After two years of planning, collaboration and consultation with more than 200 research leaders across the university community, U of T is launching a new strategic research plan that creates a framework to support research for the next five years.

Stephen Lye and collaborators win Connaught Global Challenge Award
What if you could prevent your daughter from developing heart disease — before she was even born? Or maximize the potential of your children to do well at school — before they actually start going to school? An ambitious new research program led by Stephen Lye is the winner of the inaugural Connaught Global Challenge Award.

U of T spinoff poised to revolutionize our understanding of disease
DVS Sciences, a U of T spinoff company led by Scott Tanner of chemistry celebrated the opening of its Markham, Ont., facility. The company has developed “mass cytometry” technology that applies the principles of mass spectrometry to biology. Science calls their innovation “a game changer” that is poised to revolutionize our studies of the human immune system.”

Where’s the money? Check the new funding opportunities database
U of T researchers will find it easier to secure the funding they need with the launch of the new and improved Funding Opportunities Database developed by the Research Services Office (RSO) in the Office of the Vice President, Research.

Research Alerts launched: New e-mail- and web-based tool allows university to share targeted information
The OVPR has launched Research Alerts, a new e-mail and web tool that allows it to share information with the U of T research community based on individual roles and interests.

Royal Society of Canada Honours 19 U of T Faculty Members
The University of Toronto’s research community has had one of its most successful years in earning honours from the prestigious Royal Society of Canada (RSC), with 18 faculty members named Fellows and one, Dwayne Miller, winning a major medal.

Innovation hub forming in Banting and Best complex
The Banting and Best buildings are getting new life as various groups of faculty and students from U of T and its partner hospitals focused on research commercialization convert the buildings into a united centre.

THE BACKGROUNDER

U of T’s SSHRC performance hits a high note in 2011
U of T’s success rate in the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s Standard Grant (recently renamed Insight Grant) competition has hit a high of 57.1 per cent. U of T represented 8.1 per cent of the applicants, but won 12.6 per cent of the awards. This achievement follows a trend over the past three years, with steady improvements in success rates seen in 2009 (48.1 per cent) and 2010 (54.3 per cent). Significantly, this trend supports an upward trajectory in U of T’s “market share” of total funds awarded in this program — which has a positive impact on our allocation of SSHRC Canada Research Chairs. Way to go, social scientists and humanities scholars!

INSIDE THE OVPR

Meet the NSERC team
Meet Jessica, Mike, Martina, and Drew, who administer NSERC at the University of Toronto

"Our goal is to help researchers maximize the time they spend actually doing research while fulfilling their roles as project leaders."

THE VIEW FROM MARS INNOVATION

Turning promising research into commercial success: the MaRS Innovation way
In less than two years, MaRS Innovation (MI) has established itself as the “go to” business partner for Toronto’s leading hospital and university research institutions. President and CEO Dr. Rafi Hofstein brings us up to speed on some of MI's recent successes.

Research Alerts: The International Council for Canadian Studies-Call for Proposals

The International Council for Canadian Studies-Call for Proposals

Please reply to: Laura Debartolo (laura.debartolo@utoronto.ca)

The International Council for Canadian Studies (ICCS)

International Research Linkage Program

The main objective of the International Research Linkage Program is to facilitate international collaboration within the academic community, while fostering the development of permanent exchange networks in the field of Canadian Studies. ICCS will provide assistance to teams of researchers from Canada and one or more countries to organize seminars or other forms of research linkages.

Eligibility

Proposals must include at least two research teams; one must be based at a Canadian University.

Each team must be actively engaged in research related to the proposed linkage project.

Proposals must include goals to foster academic mobility and exchange of research ideas and information. However, funds cannot be used to finance research.

Proposals must also describe a strategy to pursue linkages after the initial activity has completed.

Funding

Succesful proposals can receive a maximum of $10,000 CAD. Eligible costs include: economy travel, accommodation, team communication costs, administrative assistance, stationery, and photocopy charges directly related to the proposal.

Submission Process

Internal & Sponsor Deadline Date: November 24, 2011

Applicants must submit:
• a copy of their full proposal and a signed RIS form to the Research Services Office (RSO) on or before November 24, 2011.
• their full proposal to ICCS directly. Details are contained in the ICCS proposal guide, available via the link below:

For more information on this program, including the program guide, click on: ICCS International Research Linkage Program Guide.

Appointment of Dr. Howard Hu as Director, Dalla Lana School of Public Health

PDAD&C#26, 2011-12

To: Faculty, Staff & Students of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health
PDAD&C

From: Cheryl Misak, Vice-President and Provost
Catharine Whiteside, Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Vice Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions

Date: November 11, 2011

Re: Appointment of Dr. Howard Hu as Director, Dalla Lana School of Public Health

We are extremely pleased to announce that the Agenda Committee of the Academic Board has approved the appointment of Dr. Howard Hu, MD, MPH, ScD, to lead the Dalla Lana School of Public Health for a five-year term effective July 1, 2012.

Dr. Hu is a physician, board-certified in internal medicine and occupational/environmental medicine, who also holds a doctoral degree in epidemiology. Since 2006 he has been at the University of Michigan Schools of Public Health & Medicine, where he is the NSF International Department Chair, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and Professor of Environmental Health, Epidemiology and Internal Medicine. During Dr. Hu’s tenure, the Department of Environmental Health Sciences added 14 new faculty, expanded the recruitment of top students, and created new programs and laboratories in nutrition-toxicant interactions and environmental epigenetics. Dr. Hu also led the establishment of the Michigan NIEHS Center for Research on Lifestage Exposures, Epigenetics and Adult Disease. Prior to that, as Professor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the Harvard School of Public Health and the Channing Laboratory of the Brigham & Women’s Hospital, he directed the Harvard Metals Epidemiology Research Group, the Center for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research and the Harvard University Residency Program in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Dr. Hu’s creative and innovative research on environmental health has focused on issues such as the adverse health effects of lead and other heavy metals, the impacts of gene/environment interactions, the long-term effects of fetal exposure to lead and other chemical toxicants, interactions between aging and the environment, and global climate variability and change. Much of his work has been conducted internationally with collaborators in Mexico and India. He has authored or co-authored over 300 scientific papers and book chapters and co-edited or co-authored 7 books. Dr. Hu was the founding Medical Editor and continues as an Associate Editor of Environmental Health Perspectives, the official journal of the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

A respected researcher, clinician and educator, Dr. Hu’s numerous awards and honours include: the 1999 NIEHS Progress and Achievement Award; the 2006 Harriet Hardy Award; the 2009 Linus Pauling Lifetime Achievement Award; and most recently, the 2011 American Public Health Association (APHA) Award for Excellence for his work on environmental health issues as well as his advocacy for human rights.

Dr. Hu served as the principal epidemiologist and/or leader on fact-finding missions related to potential violations of human rights in South Korea, Iraq, Burma and Guatemala on behalf of Physicians for Human Rights, and he also served on that organization’s founding board of directors. He was chair of the Research Commission for the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, has served on the Population and Public Health Practice Board of the Institute of Medicine and currently serves on the Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology of the National Research Council.

Dr. Hu brings a highly distinguished record of research and service to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Please join us in welcoming him to the University of Toronto.

Further Information Regarding Nov 4, 2011 St. George Garage Incident

To: PDAD&C
Professional and Managerial Staff

From: Angela Hildyard, Vice-President, Human Resources & Equity

Date: November 10, 2011

Subject: Further Information Regarding Nov 4, 2011 St. George Garage Incident

As many may have heard, on Friday, November 4, 2011 at approximately 11:40 a.m., University of Toronto Campus Community Police received a call from a University employee alleging that a woman had been heard calling for help in the garage at 107 St. George Street and had been forced into a car. Toronto Police were called, attended immediately, and have been conducting an investigation.

Some media outlets subsequently reported that a woman was physically forced into the trunk of a car and that a University of Toronto special constable witnessed the incident and failed to do anything to assist. The Toronto Police Service has advised the University that it did not provide that information to the media and that a detective sergeant spoke to the media to clarify misrepresentation of the facts in issue.

The Toronto Police Service has further informed the University that its lead investigators believe this to be an isolated incident and that they have no reason to think that there is any increased danger in University parking lots or other properties. The investigators are still hopeful they will identify the registered owner of the vehicle seen leaving the area at the time of the incident. No complainant has yet come forward.

Members of our community should be aware that, in response to this alleged incident, the University immediately increased patrols in campus garages and parking lots. Campus police continue to provide community policing programs that are designed to maximize safety and security of students, staff and faculty at all times. Some of the safety programs in place are alarm monitoring, security patrols, WALKsmart escort and emergency (Code Blue) call boxes.

Campus Community Police are available 24/7 and can be reached at 416-978-2222 for urgent matters and 416 978-2323 for general information and non-urgent matters. For more information on Campus Police functions and programs, go to www.campuspolice.utoronto.ca.

USW General Membership Meeting Reminder - December 8, 2011

HR #13, 2011

November 10, 2011

To: PDAD&C
Professional and Managerial Staff

From: Christina Sass-Kortsak
Assistant Vice-President, Human Resources

Re: USW General Membership Meeting - December 8, 2011

By email of March 10, 2011, members of PDAD&C and Professionals/Managers were advised of the dates and times of the three USW general membership meetings scheduled for 2011. The link to this information may be found at
http://www.hrandequity.utoronto.ca/news/memoranda/1011/HR_20.htm

This is a reminder that USW has scheduled a General Membership meeting for December 8, 2011 at 3:30 pm at the Steelworkers Hall at 25 Cecil Street.

In accordance with the terms of the staff-appointed collective agreement between the United Steelworkers and the University of Toronto, "employees will be given time off (not to exceed two (2) hours), with no loss of regular straight time pay, up to three (3) times per year to attend General Membership Meetings of the Local Union".

Please note that in accordance with the terms of the collective agreement employees who will be attending the USW general meeting must notify their manager at least one week in advance of the meeting date.

We ask that those staff-appointed employees wishing to participate in the meeting who are represented by USW on the St. George Campus be permitted to leave at 3:15 p.m. and those employees at the University of Toronto at Scarborough and Mississauga and the Institute for Aerospace Studies be permitted to leave at 2:45 p.m. in order to participate in the meeting. Please note that there will be no videoconferencing for this meeting.

There is no comparable clause in the non-appointed (casual) collective agreement. However, such employees may attend on their own time if they are not scheduled to work.

Reappointment of Janice Stein, Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs

PDAD&C# 25, 2011-12

MEMORANDUM

To: Faculty, Staff and Students, Munk School of Global Affairs
PDAD&C

From: Cheryl Misak, Vice-President and Provost
Meric S. Gertler, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science

Date: November 9, 2011

Re: Reappointment of Prof. Janice Stein, Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs

We are very pleased to announce that the Agenda Committee of Academic Board has approved the reappointment of Professor Janice Stein as Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs for a two year term from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014.

Professor Stein is the Belzberg Professor of Conflict Management and Negotiation, and has a stellar record as a scholar and administrator. She has served with distinction as the founding Director of the School since 2008, and previously as the founding Director of the Munk Centre for International Studies. She is a specialist in Middle East area studies; negotiation theory; foreign policy decision-making; and international conflict management. She has authored over 80 books, book chapters and articles on intelligence, international security, negotiation processes, peace-making and public policy. Her publications include The Cult of Efficiency (2001); and The Unexpected War: Canada in Kandahar co-authored with Eugene Lang (2007).

Professor Stein has been honoured for her scholarly achievements and for her outstanding service as one of Canada's finest public intellectuals. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a member of the Order of Ontario and a member of the Order of Canada. She has been a Massey Lecturer and a Trudeau Fellow. She was awarded the Molson Prize by the Canada Council for her outstanding contribution as a social scientist to public debate. She is an Honorary Foreign Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Advisory Board, International Rescue Committee, the Advisory Committee to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Canadian Judicial Council. She was a long-time member of the foreign affairs panel on TVOntario's Studio 2 and Diplomatic Immunity, and continues as a regular guest on The Agenda. She has also appeared on CBC Television's The National numerous times.

Given the significant and exciting changes currently underway at the Munk School, including the rapid growth of the Master of Global Affairs program; the construction/renovation of a new building; and the growth of the School in scope, size, and stature, Professor Stein's reappointment provides invaluable continuity and excellence. Her experience and leadership will enable the Munk School to sustain its tremendous momentum. We are delighted that she has agreed to serve another term as Director. Please join us in congratulating her.

Welcome to the CIV-MIN Blog

This is where we compile all the announcements, postings and non-urgent alerts that used to clog up your email inbox. Feel free to scroll through the latest postings organized by date below, or check our categorized listings on the right for the information you want.