VIDO’s COVID-19 vaccine receives Health Canada clinical trial approval - SASKATOON – The Vaccine and infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan has received a notice of authorization from Health Canada to initiate a Phase 1 clinical vaccine trial.
USask awarded $4.8M for research chairs in digital gaming, health history, energy security, and environmental health - SASKATOON – Three University of Saskatchewan female researchers recognized as among Canada’s most promising leaders in their fields have been awarded new Canada Research Chairs (CRC) to advance their innovative work in digital gaming, northern energy security, and health history.
Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence program introduced at USask’s University Library - SASKATOON – The first position of its kind at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and unique in the province, the Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence program at the University Library is slated to begin as a six-week pilot on Jan. 4, 2021.
USask leads Canada’s medical universities in research income growth, moving up three places to 11th spot in overall national ranking - SASKATOON – In the just-published Canada's Top 50 Research Universities 2020 rankings, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is ranked first among the country’s medical universities for growth in total research income—an almost 40-per-cent gain in all external research grants and contracts
Saskatchewan’s first mental health court reduces recidivism, USask evaluation finds - SASKATOON – A University of Saskatchewan (USask) evaluation has found that the first group of people to come through Saskatoon’s Mental Health Strategy Court were arrested less often for petty offences in the year following their participation in the program.
Indigenous wellness learning at USask supported by CMA and SMA - SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) fourth-year medical students will be able to take the national award-winning Indigenous wellness online course, The Role of Practitioners in Indigenous Wellness, at no cost with the generous support of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA).
National Indigenous health research leader honoured with SHRF Achievement Award - SASKATOON – A prominent national leader, visionary and researcher in Indigenous health—Carrie Bourassa of the University of Saskatchewan (USask)—was honoured with an Achievement Award from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) today.
USask partners on a made-in-Saskatchewan ventilator project - SASKATOON – One hundred made-in-Saskatchewan ventilators will soon be available to support the needs of the province’s residents, thanks to an innovative collaboration among the University of Saskatchewan (USask), the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), and RMD Engineering Inc.
Bleach-alternative COVID-19 surface disinfectants may pollute indoor air: USask research - SASKATOON – Cleaning surfaces with hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants has the potential to pollute the air and pose a health risk, according to research led by the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
New physician training program at USask supports child mental health - SASKATOON – A new program at the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Medicine is helping Saskatchewan physicians and nurse practitioners better support pediatric mental health needs in the province.
USask researchers lead national project to eliminate cervical cancer in Canada - SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers will play a lead role in a $1.6-million Urban Public Health Network (UPHN)-led national research project to help eliminate cervical cancer in Canada by 2040.
Landmark study generates first genomic atlas for global wheat improvement - USask-led study sequences genomes of 15 wheat varieties around the world
Imminent surge in new COVID-19 cases in Saskatoon: USask wastewater data - SASKATOON – Data collected by the University of Saskatchewan (USask) wastewater surveillance team shows Saskatoon’s COVID-19 case numbers are likely to increase exponentially in the next seven days.
New agreement supports reconciliation and Treaty education at USask - SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan (USask) through the Office of the Vice-Provost of Indigenous Engagement (OVPIE) and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to ensure that more Indigenous students graduate through increased work in Treaty education implementation and reconciliation at the university.
USask appoints new provost and VP academic - SASKATOON – Dr. Airini (PhD) is joining the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) leadership team as the next provost and vice-president academic for a five-year term beginning on February 1, 2021.
USask hackathon finalists tackle social impacts of climate change - SASKATOON – Three finalists for the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) first ever virtual hackathon have been announced and a public vote will determine the winner.
New Bloomberg terminals at USask aid remote learning amidst COVID-19 pandemic - Students will get hands-on experience with real-time data using financial terminals gifted by alumnus Gordon Rawlinson.
USask researchers partner with industry to make food and pipelines safer, agriculture smarter - SASKATOON – Backed by $2 million from the federal government and partner organizations, University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers aim to make Arctic pipelines stronger and safer, protect the food supply, and improve crop processing with cutting-edge technology.
USask physicist teams up with U.K. partners in world-first program of quantum technologies - SASKATOON – As part of a new U.K.-Canada collaboration, a University of Saskatchewan (USask) quantum physics team will develop a highly sensitive and precise sensor for measuring magnetic fields, a technology of potential benefit for geological prospecting, medicine, and quantum computers.
New e-book from USask and U of R policy school examines core issues of 2020 provincial election - The Saskatchewan Election: A 2020 Perspective provides a snapshot of the provincial election and the outcomes in a variety of policy areas.
Dr. Volker Gerdts to speak on COVID-19 vaccine work at VIDO-InterVac Community-Liaison meeting - SASKATOON – The general public along with members of the media are invited to attend the online VIDO-InterVac Community Liaison Committee (CLC) biennial community meeting on Nov.12, 2020.
USask launches first study on effects of smoked cannabis on brain development - SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) pharmacologist Robert Laprairie will use a Brain Canada research grant to determine how a mother’s use of cannabis during pregnancy affects the brain of the developing fetus she’s carrying.
New CT scanner gives USask’s VIDO-InterVac scientists a window on COVID-19 disease - SASKATOON – New imaging equipment to help understand COVID-19 infection will soon be coming to the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization—International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), thanks to a Canada Foundation for Innovation grant announced today by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
USask researchers find face masks don't hinder breathing during exercise - SASKATOON – A new University of Saskatchewan (USask) study has found that exercise performance and blood and muscle oxygen levels are not affected for healthy individuals wearing a face mask during strenuous workouts.
Extending the lifespan of N95 masks - Researchers in national facilities at USask are working together to better understand how decontamination procedures might affect the structure and potential reuse of N95 masks.
USask launches global lecture series focusing on health, wellness - SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Kinesiology is launching the Don Bailey Lecture Series this week, featuring guest speakers from across the globe, presenting on a broad range of topics that advance health and wellness, and promote the importance of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.
COVID-19 callback centre set up at USask - SASKATOON – A callback centre for COVID-19 has been set up by the USask College of Nursing, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Public Health.
USask doctor volunteers to support COVID-19 efforts in Bolivia - SASKATOON – Helping the community where he was born, Dr. Ivar Mendez has decided to take a six-month unpaid leave as department head of surgery at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) beginning Jan 1, 2021, to provide pandemic support in Bolivia.
COVID-19 levels in Saskatoon’s wastewater point to upcoming increase in cases - New tool developed at the University of Saskatchewan to detect virus levels
International team tracks record-setting smoke cloud from Australian wildfires - SASKATOON – Researchers with the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Institute of Space and Atmospheric Studies are part of a global team that has found that the smoke cloud pushed into the stratosphere by last winter’s Australian wildfires was three times larger than anything previously recorded.
USask-led Global Water Futures announces 12 new projects to advance water security across Canada - SASKATOON – After four years of transformative research, the University of Saskatchewan (USask)–led Global Water Futures (GWF) program—the world’s largest university-led freshwater research program —is launching the second phase of its seven-year mission with a $2.5-million investment in 12 new critically important water security projects.
USask to pay tribute to distinguished honorary degree recipients - SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan (USask) will honour a trio of survivors who went on to make major contributions to their communities and to society, and whose stories have inspired and informed Canadians all across the country.
USask law group helps promote inclusive justice system across Canada - SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) CREATE Justice centre is teaming up with other organizations across Canada to acknowledge Access to Justice Week (Oct. 26-31) by providing the tools needed to address justice system obstacles.
USask researcher and Métis partners collaborate to jig away cardiac woes - SASKATOON – In a first-of-its-kind Canadian study, University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Heather Foulds will assess the physical, mental, cultural, and social benefits that result from performing traditional Métis social dances—something she says can narrow the health gap between Métis and non-Indigenous people.
USask Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence moves into next stage of development with new interim director - Renowned University of Saskatchewan (USask) forage breeder Bruce Coulman has been selected to lead the university’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE) as interim director, effective Oct. 19. An international search for a permanent director is underway.
USask plant scientists develop model for identifying lentil varieties best suited to climate change impacts - SASKATOON – With demand for lentils growing globally and climate change driving temperatures higher, a University of Saskatchewan (USask)-led international research team has developed a model for predicting which varieties of the pulse crop are most likely to thrive in new production environments.
New dental clinic on USask Prince Albert Campus welcomes patients - PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Dentistry has officially opened a seven-chair dental clinic on the USask Prince Albert Campus and is now accepting patients.
USask VIDO-InterVac expands international role to test antiviral compounds against COVID-19 - SASKATOON – The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has been awarded a grant of almost $830,000 from the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator to determine the effectiveness of several antiviral compounds against COVID-19.
USask research teams awarded $345,000 for COVID-19 mental health projects - SASKATOON – Two University of Saskatchewan (USask)-led research teams have been awarded a total of $345,064 in federal funding to expand the reach of innovative digital technology projects aimed at meeting mental health needs of people coping with physical distancing and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
USask research teams awarded $400K for COVID-19 mental health projects - SASKATOON – Two University of Saskatchewan (USask)-led research teams have been awarded a total of $400,000 in federal and provincial funding to expand the reach of innovative digital technology projects aimed at meeting mental health needs of people coping with physical distancing and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
USask researcher targets aggressive breast cancers with new drugs - SASKATOON – More than 5,100 women in Canada—about 75 a day—will die from breast cancers this year, a dismal statistic that University of Saskatchewan (USask) radiopharmacist Dr. Humphrey Fonge (PhD) aims to sharply reduce with potent new drugs that specifically target two aggressive types of cancer.
USask water scientist honoured with prestigious international lifetime achievement award - SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) hydrologist Jay Famiglietti has been awarded the 2020 Hydrologic Sciences Award by the American Geophysical Union (AGU) for outstanding contributions to the science of water over his career.
BASF marks 25-year partnership with USask Crop Development Centre with $100K investment - SASKATOON – BASF Agricultural Solutions has pledged $100,000 towards the advancement of a new world-class plant breeding facility at the Crop Development Centre (CDC) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) in Saskatoon.
Bangladesh Economic Seminar Highlights Trade, Investment Opportunities for Sask. and Canada - SASKATOON – Investment and trade opportunities for Saskatchewan and Canada in Bangladesh were the focus of a seminar that took place this week in Saskatoon. It was jointly hosted by the Bangladesh High Commission to Canada, the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and Ag-West Bio Inc.
Canada Water Agency will help protect and sustain Canada’s water resources, say USask water scientists - SASKATOON – The new Canada Water Agency—announced in the recent federal Throne Speech—is the first critical step toward transforming how water is managed across the country, said John Pomeroy, director of the University of Saskatchewan (USask)-led Global Water Futures (GWF) program.
USask partners with Sask. First Nation to open Northern community dental clinic - SASKATOON – The College of Dentistry at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has partnered with the Big River First Nation to launch a new dental clinic, providing service to a community with limited access to oral health-care.
World-leading water scientists warn of ecological risks in global shift to monoculture crops and tree plantations - Conversion of large swaths of land to uniform tree plantations and single-crop species may lead to unintended consequences for the water cycle, putting ecosystems at greater risk for fires, floods, droughts and even hurricanes, warns a think-tank group of almost 30 water scientists from 11 countries.
SaskTel and USask collaborate to foster and support innovation in agriculture - SASKATOON – Today SaskTel and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) announced that they are partnering to launch a “living laboratory” at the university’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE) to test, develop and demonstrate world-class agricultural technologies.
USask researcher studying COVID-19 impact on Indigenous businesses - SASKATOON – Ken Coates, Canada Research Chair in Regional Innovation at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), has been awarded $25,000 in federal funding to study the impact of COVID-19 on Aboriginal Economic Development Corporations (AEDCs) which have helped to greatly expand the number and scale of Indigenous businesses nationally.
USask launches Canadian Hub for Applied and Social Research - SASKATOON – A newly launched research support and consulting hub at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) offers a unique menu of research services within Canada, including gathering data on public opinion and human behaviour.
CBRC commits $2.7M to USask CDC barley breeding activities - SASKATOON – The Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC) announced today it will invest $2.7 million over five years in the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Crop Development Centre (CDC) through a core breeding agreement to develop barley varieties with improved agronomics, disease resistance and end-use quality.
Royal Society of Canada honours renowned USask researchers Creed, Dalai - SASKATOON – Two internationally renowned University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have been recognized by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) with prestigious awards that rank among the country’s highest honours for academics.
USask researchers take aim at airborne COVID-19 virus - SASKATOON – Daily moments made potentially risky by COVID-19, such as cramming into a crowded bus or elevator, sitting in a packed classroom, and visiting a vulnerable relative in long-term care, may be rendered safer again thanks to new federally funded University of Saskatchewan (USask) research into ventilation systems.
Dr. Baljit Singh chosen to lead USask Vice-President Research Office - SASKATOON – Following an extensive national and international search, Dr. Baljit Singh, a highly accomplished veterinary researcher, educator and administrator, will join University of Saskatchewan (USask) President Peter Stoicheff’s leadership team as vice-president research, effective February 1, 2021.
$134M interprovincial agreement renewed for Western College of Veterinary Medicine - Three provincial governments announced the renewal of their financial commitment to the University of Saskatchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) today.
Three USask female faculty members honored by the Royal Society of Canada - SASKATOON – Two University of Saskatchewan (USask) faculty members—internationally renowned artist and sculptor Alison Norlen and historian Valerie Korinek—have been named Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), the national academy of distinguished scholars, scientists, artists and humanists.
USask expected to reach record enrolment - SASKATOON – As of the first day classes on Thursday, Sept. 3, enrolment at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) for Fall 2020 is up by two per cent and on track to be the university’s highest enrolment ever.
USask welcomes newest Schulich Leaders - SASKATOON – Arliss Sidloski and Olivia Stewart have been named the University of Saskatchewan (USask) recipients of the Schulich Leader Scholarship.
USask Alumni Week a virtual experience this year - SASKATOON — Traditionally, Alumni Weekend is a time to get together and reconnect with old friends and reminisce about old times, visit old haunts and have a few laughs. This year’s University of Saskatchewan (USask) Alumni Week will still allow for that, but in a decidedly different fashion.
USask and GIFS host global software competition to advance digital agriculture - SASKATOON—Accurate determination of the number of wheat heads (the grain-bearing tip) in a field is vital for estimating yields in wheat crops, but the usual method—manual counting from digital images—is a long and tedious job.
USask Global Institute for Food Security partners on supercluster project to help lower crop pesticide use - University of Saskatchewan (USask) digital agriculture researchers are part of a new Protein Industries Canada (PIC) consortium that will develop technology to help lower pesticide use across Canada, making crop protection more efficient and providing economic benefits for farmers.
USask awarded $1.2M to advance health, agriculture and environmental research - SASKATOON – Creating artificial substitutes for human tissue and organs, discovering the best diet to help bacteria break down oil spills, and using high-powered computing to develop next-generation materials are some of the University of Saskatchewan (USask) projects made possible by new research infrastructure funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
USask researchers to examine AI in education, Canada’s labour movement, and ESL student writing - SASKATOON – Three University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have been awarded federal funding to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) will transform higher education, how one major event transformed the modern Canadian labour movement, and how new tools can help English-as-a-second-language students excel in academic writing.
Traces of ancient life tell story of early diversity in marine ecosystems - If you could dive down to the ocean floor nearly 540 million years ago just past the point where waves begin to break, you would find an explosion of life—scores of worm-like animals and other sea creatures tunneling complex holes and structures in the mud and sand—where before the environment had been mostly barren.
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) board of directors are pleased to announce that Nutrien executive Candace Laing has joined the GIFS board.
New USask-led research reveals previously hidden features of plant genomes - SASKATOON - An international team led by the Plant Phenotyping and Imaging Research Centre (P2IRC) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has decoded the full genome for the black mustard plant—research that will advance breeding of oilseed mustard crops and provide a foundation for improved breeding of wheat, canola and lentils.
Agtech to the rescue in a pandemic: adapting plant labs for human testing - Just as redeploying a fleet of small British fishing boats helped during the Battle of Dunkirk, marshalling the research equipment and expertise of the many agtech labs around the world could help combat pandemics, say the authors of a just-published article in Nature Biotechnology.
SASKATOON – A University of Saskatchewan (USask) research team has partnered with researchers across Canada to study how different types of affordable rental housing impact the lives of marginalized people and families.
SASKATOON – A University of Saskatchewan (USask) research team has partnered with researchers across Canada to study how different types of affordable rental housing impact the lives of marginalized people and families.
USask-led Indigenous health research network finds home at Station 20 West - SASKATOON — In a significant step for Indigenous health research in Saskatchewan and nationally, a new University of Saskatchewan (USask)-led network dedicated to improving health and wellness in Indigenous communities will be moving into Station 20 West in a core neighborhood of Saskatoon’s west side.
Canadian universities partner to fight COVID-19 at USask’s VIDO-InterVac - Infectious disease experts from Dalhousie University and University of Manitoba (UM) are joining the leading-edge research team at the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) on one-year secondments to collaboratively advance research and development against COVID-19.
CFI awards $77.5M to help major USask science facilities address COVID-19 and other global challenges - SASKATOON – Two of Canada’s top science facilities at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have been awarded a total of more than $77.5 million—a third of the total $230 million announced today by Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains for 14 research facilities across Canada.
USask receives $3.14M from Sask govt. to replace turf at Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park - SASKATOON—The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has received $3.14 million in funding from the Government of Saskatchewan for its artificial turf replacement project at Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park.
USask researchers awarded $715,000 to tackle mental health and addictions, MS, and other health issues - SASKATOON – Six University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have been awarded a total of more than $715,000 by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) to lead new health research programs, half of which are related to mental health and addictions.
SASKATOON—Members of the media are invited to attend an announcement of major funding provided by the Government of Saskatchewan, involving the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) turf replacement project at Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park.
USask ranked No. 1 in Canada for water resources research and among top 100 globally in four subject areas - The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is ranked first in Canada and 20th in the world for water resources research, according to the recently published 2020 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).
USask projects awarded $1.73M for social sciences and humanities research - SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have been awarded a total of more than $1.73 million in federal funding to examine critical societal questions in areas ranging from anthropology to philosophy. Forty per cent of the funding will support projects focused on Indigenous peoples.
Salmonella biofilm protein causes autoimmune responses—possible link with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s - SASKATOON – Scientists from the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and Temple University in Philadelphia, Penn., have demonstrated that a salmonella biofilm protein can cause autoimmune responses and arthritis in animals.
Building next generation ‘smart pill’ gut-imaging device with AI sensors for improved cancer detection - A team led by University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Dr. Khan Wahid (PhD) has been awarded $250,000 from the federal New Frontiers in Research Fund to create a new pill-sized capsule that uses artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled sensing to diagnose gastrointestinal cancers and bleeding earlier and more precisely than is currently possible.
New USask app promotes potential economic value of planting carbon-storing shelterbelts - A unique new app developed by University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers offers agricultural landowners tailored information about the carbon offset value of planting shelterbelts—a tool that could help reduce the carbon footprint of farming and potentially put a little extra money in farmers’ pockets.
USask medical researchers awarded $900K to help fight COVID-19 - SASKATOON – The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has awarded three University of Saskatchewan (USask) research teams a total of $900,000 to help strengthen Canada’s rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic which had killed more than 450,000 people worldwide.
USask researchers to develop saliva-based COVID-19 home testing kit - SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers are part of two COVID-19-related projects awarded major federal funding today—one to develop a unique saliva-based test for COVID-19 detection and the other to track COVID-19 incidence rates among Canadian dentists.
New agreement supports enhanced environmental education in public schools - SASKATOON – Saskatoon Public Schools (SPS) and the Sustainability and Education Policy Network (SEPN) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further sustainability and climate change education initiatives.
Researchers awarded prestigious national fellowships for climate change-related projects - SASKATOON – Two exceptional young University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have been awarded highly competitive Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships totalling $280,000 over two years for projects that focus on aspects of climate change.
USask researchers awarded more than $10M for innovative science and engineering projects - SASKATOON – As research starts to resume with the flattening of the COVID-19 curve, University of Saskatchewan (USask) faculty and students will be tackling some big science and engineering questions, thanks to $10.3 million awarded by Canada’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) for nearly 60 wide-ranging projects.
USask Global Institute for Food Security sets new strategy to collaboratively advance food security - SASKATOON – Increased collaboration with partners to advance sustainable global access to safe and nutritious food is the focus of a new strategy by the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
USask appoints new Crop Development Centre director - SASKATOON – Dr. Curtis Pozniak (PhD) has been appointed the new director of the Crop Development Centre (CDC) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
Protecting chickens from heart disease - SASKATOON – The health and welfare of broiler chickens may improve thanks to University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Andrew Olkowski and colleagues.
Mitacs, USask and U of R to support Indigenous and northern communities with new digital technologies in fight against COVID-19 - SASKATOON — Two projects led by faculty of the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS)—based at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and University of Regina (U of R) campuses—have been awarded $400,000 from Mitacs, a national not-for-profit innovation organization.
Canada West makes decision to cancel first term sport seasons - SASKATOON – Following the recommendation of the Canada West (CW) board, the 17 members of the CW conference voted on Friday, June 5 for the cancellation of first term competition team sports due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
USask-led partnership awarded $2.5M to advance global climate education - SASKATOON – Working with international partners, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has been awarded a $2.5-million Partnership Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) to increase climate change education, training and public awareness on a global scale.
Sask. post-secondary institutions receive $840K for Indigenous students impacted by COVID-19 - SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan (USask), the Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research (GDI), and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) have partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to support Indigenous students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Western Canadian scientists discover what an armoured dinosaur ate for its last meal - More than 110 million years ago, a lumbering 1,300-kilogram, armour-plated dinosaur ate its last meal, died, and was washed out to sea in what is now northern Alberta. This ancient beast then sank onto its thorny back, churning up mud in the seabed that entombed it—until its fossilized body was discovered in a mine near Fort McMurray in 2011.
Unique USask-led research and training project awarded $1.65M to advance software development - SASKATOON — An inter-university group led by University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Chanchal Roy has been awarded $1.65 million by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to establish a first-in-Canada graduate-level program to train a new generation of software engineers.
Teens to help USask researchers track climate change and wildlife impacts in northern Canada - SASKATOON – As part of a University of Saskatchewan (USask) research project, small teams of high school students from Saskatchewan and Manitoba will spend their summers in bug jackets, venturing into the wilderness to measure permafrost and track caribou around Churchill, Man.
USask-led international film festival launches with PBS documentary featuring water expert Jay Famiglietti - SASKATOON – A six-week film festival and competition showcasing internationally acclaimed documentaries, features and independent shorts—including films by students from Saskatoon schools—was launched this week by the Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
USask asks community to help celebrate spring 2020 graduates online - SASKATOON – Graduation ceremonies and powwow at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are a time to acknowledge academic achievements and a time to celebrate with family, friends and members of the community.
Promising pre-clinical results for USask VIDO-InterVac COVID-19 vaccine - SASKATOON – A COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) has cleared another major milestone in moving towards human clinical trials: the novel vaccine has proven highly effective in ferrets, one of the commonly used animal models for COVID-19.
New Canada Water Agency to provide solutions for emerging water crisis—expert panel - SASKATOON – The new Canada Water Agency—a mandated commitment of the federal government—will provide much-needed solutions to the emerging water crisis, according to Tom Axworthy, chair of a national water policy panel organized by Global Water Futures (GWF) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
USask appoints new dean in College of Agriculture and Bioresources - SASKATOON – Dr. Angela Bedard-Haughn (PhD) has been appointed the new dean of the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
Developing microbeam radiation therapy for inoperable cancer - SASKATOON – An innovative radiation treatment that could one day be a valuable addition to conventional radiation therapy for inoperable brain and spinal tumors is a step closer, thanks to new research led by University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers at the Canadian Light Source (CLS).
USask’s VIDO-InterVac and the National Research Council of Canada collaborate to advance development of vaccine against COVID-19 - Key research and development organizations to leverage Canadian expertise and technologies in battle against COVID-19.
New USask podcast series focuses on mental health, wellness amid COVID-19 - SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has launched a podcast series, Be Well at USask, delving into issues of health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
USask introduces community-driven COVID-19 digital archive - SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has launched a COVID-19 Community Archive to document life in Saskatchewan during the global health crisis.
USask Indigenous health leader appointed to national COVID-19 Immunity Task Force - SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) Indigenous health research leader Dr. Carrie Bourassa has been appointed as the Indigenous Engagement Lead on the federal COVID-19 Immunity Task Force. The leadership group will oversee national efforts to measure the scope and scale of SARS-CoV-2 immunity across Canada.
Bat 'super immunity' may explain how bats carry coronaviruses—USask study - Bat-virus adaptation may explain species spillover, researchers say.
Feeling COVID-19 stress? Video games could be the cure, says USask computer scientist - SASKATOON – Landing silently on a roof in the middle of hostile territory, your team—a rag-tag band of friends from across the globe—weaves through a complex maze to slip undetected into the opposing team’s base. Quickened footsteps nearby. A radio crackles. Have you been detected?
USask researchers and Sask Health launch online program to track ticks - SASKATOON – A new online program, eTick, has expanded into Saskatchewan, allowing University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers and the province’s Ministry of Health to efficiently monitor ticks and inform residents of potential health risks.
USask VIDO-InterVac awarded $23M for COVID-19 vaccine research - SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) has been awarded $23 million to fast-track efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today.
USask ranks as one of the top global leaders in sustainability ranking - SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan (USask) placed 96th overall in the world—and as high as fourth and twelfth in certain categories—in the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings, which measure the success of universities around the world in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
USask Global Institute for Food Security supporting Saskatchewan Health Authority COVID-19 testing - SASKATOON – The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is providing its research equipment to support the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA) diagnostic testing for COVID-19.
USask researchers offer online support program for people with MS, Parkinson’s and spinal cord injury - SASKATOON – During the COVID-19 pandemic, University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers in physiotherapy, rehabilitation science, and neurology are combining their expertise to provide a free online, virtual program to people with neurological conditions.
USask engineering team designing 3D-printed N95 masks to help combat COVID-19 - SASKATOON – Using 3D printers, a University of Saskatchewan (USask) engineering team is designing a comfortable, reusable and sanitizable N95 class respirator mask aimed at protecting emergency room doctors and nurses from COVID-19 in the midst of a global shortage of medical-grade masks.
USask therapy dogs go virtual amidst COVID-19 pandemic - SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan (USask) PAWS Your Stress Therapy Dog program is live online. Students and other members of the community can now connect and receive comfort and support from St. John Ambulance therapy dogs while learning pandemic-specific mental health self-care tips.
SASKATOON – Most students have enough to focus on in the last months of any school year—between finishing classes and assignments, looking for summer work opportunities, and planning for their final exam study schedule. But spring of 2020 has brought additional challenges for University of Saskatchewan (USask) students who have faced unexpected and increased pressures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
USask researchers team up with companies to make hand sanitizer - SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers and three local companies are helping to address a provincial shortage of hand sanitizer using a bioprocessing facility on the USask campus to temporarily produce sanitizer and key ingredients, while the business group gears up for larger-scale production.
USask law team studies impact of COVID-19 international travel and trade restrictions - SASKATOON – How does a country balance the need to contain a disease outbreak such as COVID-19, with pressures to allow international traffic and trade? When should a country shut its borders—or re-open them—in the interests of protecting public health?
SHA and USask’s VIDO-InterVac partner to help ensure supply of N95 respirator masks - SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are partnering on a way to safely decontaminate and reuse N95 respiratory masks that are normally thrown away after each use.
SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) PhD student Joel Bernbaum, well-known in Saskatoon as an accomplished actor, director, playwright, and journalist, has been awarded the prestigious Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation doctoral scholarship—the first ever awarded to a USask student.
USask drinking water study shows beef cattle can tolerate high levels of sulphates - SASKATOON — Scientists at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have published a study that shows beef cattle can tolerate higher concentrations of sulphates in drinking water than previously believed.
SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Holly Graham has been awarded an Indigenous Research Chair in Nursing by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to build research capacity in Indigenous nursing and improve the health of Indigenous peoples.
USask Greystone Singers won’t let COVID-19 stop them - SASKATOON – When an in-person, year-end concert was not possible due to social distancing in response to COVID-19, University of Saskatchewan (USask) music professor and Greystone Singers director Jennifer Lang came up with a novel way for the choir to perform virtually together.
USask awarded $5 million to lead new CIHR Indigenous health research networks to address health disparities - SASKATOON—University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have been awarded $5 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) as part of a major new national initiative that aims to create a network of Indigenous research centres driven by and grounded in Indigenous communities.
Morning Star Lodge and USask health research leader launch “Protecting Our Home Fires” strategy for COVID-19 prevention - SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) health research leader Dr. Carrie Bourassa and Morning Star Lodge, an Indigenous community-based health research lab in Regina, are launching a strategy to inform Indigenous communities about the risks of COVID-19 infection and how to prevent its spread.
USask VIDO-InterVac and International Vaccine Institute collaborate on COVID-19 work - The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) of South Korea, a world-renowned international organization founded by the United Nations Development Programme, is collaborating with VIDO-InterVac at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) to better understand the virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic and to develop vaccines and potential treatments.
Saskatchewan government invests $3.6M in USask COVID-19 vaccine research - SASKATOON — The Government of Saskatchewan has announced $3.6 million in new funding for the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization – International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), one of the world’s most advanced infectious disease labs and a leader in global efforts to find a COVID-19 vaccine.
Mapping the cannabis genome to improve crops and health - SASKATOON – Unlocking the full potential of cannabis for agriculture and human health will require a co-ordinated scientific effort to assemble and map the cannabis genome, according to a just-published international study led by University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers.
PM announces $12M for new vaccine manufacturing at USask’s VIDO-InterVac, part of $23.3M for the lab to fight COVID-19 and other infectious disease threats - SASKATOON – As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to rapidly evolve, the federal government is announcing $23.3 million in total support for the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization – International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), one of the largest and most advanced infectious disease research facilities in the world.
POSTPONED: One Day for Students celebrates giving on USask campus - SASKATOON – In light of growing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) will NOT be holding its seventh annual One Day for Students campaign on Tuesday, March 17.
USask researchers training fungi to sense radiation and potentially help clean up nuclear waste - SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have demonstrated that it is possible to “train” microscopic black fungi in the lab to find radiation sources—a discovery with potential applications such as cleaning up radioactive waste from nuclear accidents and detecting radioactive fallout from illicit nuclear testing.
VIDO-InterVac-led research team at USask awarded almost $1M to fight new coronavirus - SASKATOON – A University of Saskatchewan (USask) research team and collaborating scientists from across the country have been awarded almost $1 million over two years to develop animal models and test vaccine candidates for effectiveness and safety against the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
USask awarded $3.6M to tackle opioid withdrawal in babies, improve health care for youth and elderly - SASKATOON – Eight University of Saskatchewan (USask) health research projects have been awarded nearly $3.6 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to improve health and quality of life for children, mothers, seniors, Indigenous communities, and people in rural areas.
Pharmacists may hold the key to solving the opioid crisis: $1.7M awarded by Health Canada for USask pilot project - SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) pharmacy researchers have been awarded more than $1.7 million over three years to implement and assess a new pharmacist-led interprofessional model for chronic pain management aimed at helping to reduce opioid use and improve patient health.
New USask research chair to provide integrated approach to agronomy research - SASKATOON – To help expand agronomy research in Western Canada, crop scientist Dr. Maryse Bourgault (PhD) has been recruited from the United States as the first Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) Integrated Agronomy Chair at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).
Top-notch accreditation results for USask College of Medicine - SASKATOON –The University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Medicine has achieved further strong results from the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS), meaning a site visit will not be required until 2025 or 2026
USask computer-based simulator tests insects for effects of new pesticide - SASKATOON—University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have used a novel combination of techniques to compare the effects of two families of pesticides used in agriculture, and found that at low dosages the newer pesticide is less toxic than a currently used neonicotinoid one.
USask researchers develop fast, accurate test to identify toxins in cereal crops - SASKATOON – Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Crop Development Centre (CDC) have developed a fast and accurate method for identifying and quantifying toxins in fusarium-infected cereal grain, an innovation that could reduce toxins that are harmful to both animals and humans.
USask research projects with the City of Saskatoon awarded nearly $150K to target urban issues - SASKATOON – Measuring pharmaceuticals in Saskatoon’s wastewater, diverting food from the landfill to save money and the planet, and improving property assessment appeals are some of the first research projects of the new Research Junction collaboration between the City of Saskatoon (City) and University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers.
Canadian scientists first to test novel diagnostic tool for TB in bison - SASKATOON – To help protect Canada’s cattle and bison and maintain the country’s bovine tuberculosis (TB)-free status, scientists from University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) and Parks Canada are conducting trials in bison of several diagnostic tools, including the innovative Actiphage® blood test developed by the diagnostics company PBD Biotech.
USask study reveals origin of endangered Colombian poison frog hybrids - SASKATOON – The origin of an understudied hybrid population of poisonous frogs—highly endangered colourful animals that live deep in the Colombian jungle—is the result of natural breeding and not caused by wildlife traffickers moving them, a University of Saskatchewan (USask) study shows.
SASKATOON — One of the world’s most horrific environmental disasters—the 1950s and ’60s mercury poisoning in Minamata, Japan—may have been caused by a previously unstudied form of mercury discharged directly from a chemical factory, research by the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has found.
SASKATOON – The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) of the Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture have agreed to a multidisciplinary research, training and development partnership to help promote sustainable food security in the country.
USask study links high stillbirth rates worldwide to gender inequality - SASKATOON – In the first comprehensive study mapping global patterns of stillbirth rates, University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers have found that pregnant women who are poor and have lower access to education and employment are more likely to experience a child’s death at delivery.
Canterbury Tales is first major literary work developed as an app - A University of Saskatchewan-led international team has produced the first web and mobile phone app of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales—the first major literary work augmented by new scholarship, in any language, presented in an app.
New $2.35M USask research chair targets improved health, productivity in beef herds - SASKATOON – With $2.35 million in funding from the federal government and the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), University of Saskatchewan (USask) veterinary researcher Dr. Cheryl Waldner will undertake a major five-year research program to advance beef cattle health and productivity, helping to sustain the profitability and competitiveness of Canada’s $17-billion-a-year beef industry.
SASKATOON — The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has officially opened the USask Community Centre, located in Marquis Hall on the Saskatoon campus.
USask livestock researchers awarded nearly $7M to improve food sustainability and safety - SASKATOON – Twenty University of Saskatchewan (USask) projects have been awarded nearly $7 million through a joint federal-provincial government funding program to advance cattle, swine, and poultry research.
SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) research has received a $675,000 boost from the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) to investigate social science impacts on food security and barriers to agri-food innovation.
USask crop researchers awarded $8M to advance food and bio-products for a sustainable future - SASKATOON – Thirty University of Saskatchewan (USask) crop research projects have been awarded a total of more than $8 million through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), a program jointly supported by the federal and provincial governments and supplemented by industry partners.
USask Global Institute for Food Security awarded $600K to study extended growing season - SASKATOON – A grant from Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) is helping researchers at the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) pursue a project that could help extend the growing season for canola and soybean in the province and in temperate climates around the world.
USask Global Institute for Food Security researchers help crack canola genome - SASKATOON —Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are members of an international consortium of key academic and global seed company leaders from Canada, the United States, Europe and Israel that has successfully sequenced the genome for canola.
USask Global Institute for Food Security and federal partners to pilot first ‘omics’ and precision agriculture laboratory in Canada - SASKATOON — Canada’s first laboratory combining digital data analysis of plant genes and traits with the latest precision agriculture technologies to improve crop yield, profitability and sustainability in the agri-food sector is gearing up for a two-year pilot project this year at the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS).
Increasing Canada’s preparedness for African swine fever with USask’s VIDO-InterVac - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is pleased to announce that the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) will work with African swine fever (ASF), further supporting Canada’s preparedness strategy by increasing research capacity.
Pre-clinical study seeks to determine the impact of cannabis derivatives on mental health conditions.
USask and Indian institute sign MOU to advance water security, climate science and policy issues - SASKATOON — The University of Saskatchewan’s Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) and a top Indian research institution—the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru—have signed an over-arching agreement to partner for five years on joint research, training and academic exchanges related to water security, climate science and policy issues.
SASKATOON – Members of the media are invited to attend the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Dentistry White Coat Ceremony.
SASKATOON – With a sound on-going commitment towards Indigenization, decolonization and reconciliation, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is pleased to announce that it has joined a growing number of organizations in renewing its presence on an urban reserve in the city of Saskatoon with the announcement of a new location.