U of S News Briefs

July 17, 2009

Grants for grad students

The Canadian Northern Studies Trust recently awarded several competitive research grants to students at the University of Saskatchewan. The recipients are:

• Carissa Brown, PhD candidate in biology, received the Garfield Weston Award for Northern Research (Doctoral), valued at $40,000.
• Ross Phillips, master’s candidate in hydrology, was awarded the Garfield Weston Award for Northern Research (Masters), valued at $15,000.
• Deanna Kimbley, master’s candidate in native studies, received the Northern Resident Award for Graduate Studies, valued at $10,000.

Cameco chair in aboriginal health

The Board of Governors approved the creation of the Cameco Chair in Aboriginal Health in the College of Medicine at their meeting June 25.

The role of the new chair is to enhance research, education and clinical programs dedicated to disease prevention, identification and treatment for aboriginal people. The chair will also facilitate aboriginal community-initiated research and support health care responsibility in aboriginal communities. Cameco has stepped forward as a major donor, which helped the College of Medicine secure sufficient funding for the position. The Saskatoon Health Region will also provide office and administrative support.

Background material provided to the board said the new chair advances the college’s commitment to enhance aboriginal programming and scholarship in the health sciences. Its creation provides an opportunity to profile the need for improved aboriginal health care services and to attract aboriginal physicians to academic positions at the university.

University Council approved the chair on June 18. Recruitment for the new position was schedule to begin in July.

Sled Dogs finish 12th

The Sled Dogs ¼ Scale Tractor Team finished 12th in a field of 23 competitors at this year’s American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) ¼ Scale Tractor Student Design Competition in Peoria, IL.

According to a College of Engineering media release from June 1, the Sled Dogs won the best appearance award and placed fifth in the written design report. They finished ahead of the only other Canadian team, Quebec’s Université Laval, which placed 16th overall.

Partnership in adherence

Each year, patients failing to take prescription medication as directed cost Canadians $10 billion. A new partnership with the U of S College of Pharmacy and Nutrition is hoping to change that.

According to a U of S news release from June 15, Saskatchewan Health, AstraZeneca Canada, Merck Frosst Canada and Pfizer Canada have joined the college in supporting a $1.7 million Joint Venture on Patient Adherence program. The venture will create an academic chair in adherence research to oversee the program’s research and educational activities. Pharmacy, medical and nursing professionals will work with the chair to collect first-hand patient information and improve patient adherence to drug therapy.