staff.matters
the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences staff newsletter
August 6, 2003
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Friends of the Delta Marsh Field Station are holding their fundraiser Annual Pignic on Saturday, August 9 at the Delta Marsh Field Station. The event includes a barbecued pig dinner (vegetarian meals available on request!), silent auction and a guest speaker. Other activities will include canoeing, volleyball, swimming and much more, including an evening of beach astronomy - weather permitting. Adults $20, children (6-12) $10 and (under 6) free. For more details or to buy tickets, contact the Station at 474-9297 or Connie LeBlanc at 255-1553 leblancc@ms.umanitoba.ca by August 7. You can also visit them online.
Mark your calendar now for the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals' first international conference, "Canada: Global Innovator in Functional Food Ingredients", to be held October 6 and 7, 2003 at the Fairmont Hotel, Winnipeg. This conference will precede the second annual Business of Science Symposium organized by the Province. Stay tuned for more information.
ACADEMIC NEWS
Welcome to Karmin O, who officially began her appointment in Animal Science on July 1. Coming to us from the University of Hong Kong, Karmin will be based out of the National Centre for Agri-Food Research in Medicine at the St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre. Her research will focus on the health-related benefits of nutraceuticals and functional foods, particularly in the areas of cardiovascular and renal disorders. Wasting no time, Karmin has already been awarded an Establishment Grant and an Operating Grant by the Manitoba Health Research Council! She can be reached at 235-3951 or karmino@sbrc.ca.
And - welcome to Derek G. Brewin, who began August 1 in the Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics Department. Derek's background is in agribusiness and regional economics and his most recent research focuses on rural income growth, migration and the expansion of the hog industry in the U.S. He will be teaching two diploma courses in the second semester - Financial Management II and Agricultural Finance & Credit. Derek can be reached at 474-8702 or derek_brewin@umanitoba.ca.
Fouad Daayf, Plant Science, co-edited the recently released book "Polyphenols 2002, Recent Advances in Polyphenols Research". The Table of Contents can be viewed online here. Those interested in more details about the contents of this book may contact Fouad directly at 474-6096 or email Daayff@ms.umanitoba.ca.
STUDENT NEWS
Two University of Manitoba student teams from Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics competed in the Academic Quiz-Bowl Competition in Montreal at the AAEA/CAES meetings held July 26th-30th. Close to 40 teams participated from agricultural schools across North America. Both teams did extremely well, with the squad of Crystal Sosinkalo-Chapman, Nathan Hildebrandt, and Joseph Janzen finishing in the Top 10! The team of Jackie Gordon and Tim Giesbrecht also won several matches, despite the huge disadvantage of being one player short throughout the competition. ABSA wishes to thank its sponsors - Meyers Norris Penny, Monsanto, MacDon, the Canadian Wheat Board, University of Manitoba Student Union, and the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences for their generous financial support.
IN THE NEWS
Wole Akinremi, Soil Science, was interviewed on July 30 by Bruce Cochrane of CKRQ Radio in Brandon on a new study that is jointly funded by MLMMI and MRAC. This $80,000 study is a joint endeavour between the Department of Soil Science (Drs Akinremi and Flaten), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Bob Eilers) and Manitoba Agriculture and Food (Peter Haluschak). The study will determine phosphorus sorption-desorption characteristics of Manitoba soils. Check out the news release on the MRAC website.
The Hort Line is still making news, this time on the University of Manitoba home page.
LIBRARY NEWS
Notice about Extended Loans due August 15 - This is a reminder that all extended loans due August 15, 2003 must be renewed in person on or before this date. Please bring any books for renewal to either the William R. Newman Library or the Sciences and Technology Library. Please note that your card will be blocked as of August 16, 2003 if you have five or more overdue books. All books on extended loan may now be renewed until December 15, 2003 (with the exception of items with holds). Please remember that books signed out on extended loan are subject to recall. If a book is recalled, a new due date is calculated and you will be notified by e-mail. Please ensure that your current e-mail address is on file at the Libraries.
Book of the week - Bugs in the system: insects and their impact on human affairs by May R. Berenbaum, Cambridge Ma: Perseus Books, 1995. Call number : QL 463 B46 1995b. Currently on the new book shelf, this title will find its way to the fifth floor of the Sciences and Technology Library. Dr. Berenbaum is an entomology professor at the University of Illinois and has written this book for "the vast majority of people [who] consider it a high priority to minimize the extent of their interaction with the insect world." This is an excellent introduction for students (lots of references!) and others whose education barely glanced at the insect domain. She touches on a range of topics from classification to fly fishing.
GENERAL NEWS
The Biggest Beef Barbecue, put on by the Animal Science Grads Association and members of the Department of Animal Science, was a smokin' success! The total body count was well over 150 people, and they consumed 240 burgers, 50 hotdogs and half a dozen veggie burgers. The courtyard was overflowing and a collection jar was available for anyone wishing to donate to the Manitoba Cattle Producers. Congratulations on a job well done!
A very fond farewell to Mona Anderson, who is retiring from the Dean's Office and moving to High River, AB where husband Denny has a new job. Mona has been with the University for 17 years - with the Alumni Association, the Department of Plant Science and for the past 13 years with the Dean's Office. Mona's final day is this Friday, August 8. We're going to miss you, Mona!
Email Sarah Broadfoot with your news or get in touch with your department staff.matters rep:
- Agribusiness: Judy Powell 9259
- Animal Science and Entomology: Claire Hutchinson 6125
- Biosystems Engineering: Connie Wenzoski 6033
- Food Science: Yvonne Halden 9621
- Plant Science: Tammy Petriew 8563
- Soil Science: Terry Ramm 8153
The weekly deadline is Tuesday at 4:00 pm.