U of C scientist wins Gairdner International Award

Samuel Weiss, PhD’83, director of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine, has earned one of the world’s most prestigious medical science awards, a Gairdner International Award. Historically, one in four Gairdner awardees has gone on to win a Nobel Prize.

“I am humbled and thrilled to receive this award,” says Weiss, “I was fortunate early in my career to work with incredible mentors who taught me one simple thing: keep your mind and your imagination open when you’re exploring a good idea. You often make major scientific discoveries when you’re looking for something else.”

Weiss’ explorations into the brain have changed the fields of developmental neurobiology and neural regeneration. In 1992, he discovered the existence of neural stem cells in the adult brain. That groundbreaking discovery has led scientists around the world to investigate how to stimulate those cells to heal the brain. It is anticipated that Weiss’s work will lead to new treatments for people with devastating brain diseases and spinal cord injuries. His current research is focusing on regeneration of brain cells in patients who have multiple sclerosis or who had suffered a stroke.

“When we made that discovery in 1992, we were actually investigating how to use growth factors to protect the brain. During one of our experiments, we found cells in the brain that seemed to behave like stem cells. We did some more experiments and confirmed it—they were neural stem cells,” says Weiss. “The thing that is unique about stem cells is, they live forever. When you cut your finger, your skin stem cells repair your skin, and your blood stem cells replenish your blood. I can’t think of a more fascinating area of science in which to spend a career.”

“Dr. Weiss’s results are a good example of how basic research leads to significant discoveries applicable and transferable to some of society’s most pressing problems, in this case the treatment and cure of debilitating diseases and injuries,” says University of Calgary President Harvey Weingarten. “Dr. Weiss has a passion and dedication for his work that will undoubtedly lead to further discovery and solutions.”

Weiss is the first medical scientist from the University of Calgary to win this award. In the 49-year history of the Gairdner International Awards, 294 awards have been given out, with only 42 of them (14%) going to Canadians. The Gairdner Foundation was created in 1957 by James Arthur Gairdner to recognize and reward the achievements of medical researchers whose work contributes significantly to improving the quality of human life.

Boyles named athletic director

Former Olympian and Dino all-star Kevin Boyles has been named the new interim Dino athletic director. Boyles, BPE’88, MKin’98, had a long career with the Dinos as a volleyball star, and more recently has spent nine years as the coach of the women’s volleyball team.

“I believe that given our university, and the resources and people of the city of Calgary, we should be able to field teams that are in the top three in the country on a consistent basis. That’s my goal,” says Boyles. “Will there be challenges–yes–but I see a tremendous amount of upside and a lot of opportunity.”

Share donations soar

It has been two years since the federal government introduced a policy to give better tax breaks for donations of shares. Over this time, the U of C has seen a dramatic rise in donations coming in the form of company stock. Gifts of shares doubled in 2006/2007 from 2004/2005.

“Since the new rules were announced, we had an immediate influx of donations and queries about donating shares,” said Gary Durbeniuk, vice-president of development at the University of Calgary. “This continues to this day from donors, both established and young. This is a wonderful example of how donors can both fulfill their philanthropic objectives, and respond to incentives.”

At the U of C, at least $12 million has been donated in shares over the past two years, up from $6 million in the two previous years. Charities across the nation have reported similar gains in donations, and added interest from donors.

“My gift of shares allowed me to not only provide a gift that had tax advantages while I am living, but also allowed me to provide a lasting legacy earlier. Now I can be around to see some of the folks that will benefit from my gift,” said Ted Eddy, BA’72, donor to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
 

Industry fuels innovative energy research

Four new U of C research chair positions have been created through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Industrial Research Chairs program, with $3.4 million in new funding announced in March.

Roberto Aguilera, the NSERC/ConocoPhillips/AERI Industrial Research Chair in Tight Gas Engineering in the Schulich School of Engineering, plans to make the U of C the international leader in the emerging field of “tight gas” research. Faculty of Science microbiology professor Gerrit Voordouw, the NSERC Chair in Petroleum Microbiology, has spent decades studying the behaviour and genetics of an iron-eating bacteria known as Desulfovibrio vulgaris. New industrial research chairs have also been created to support work in the areas of quantum cryptography and interactive computer technology, both of which are leading to advancements in information security and how computers are used at home and in the workplace. Wolfgang Tittel of the U of C’s Institute for Quantum Information Science will hold the new NSERC/General Dynamics Canada/iCORE Industrial Research Chair in Quantum Cryptography and Communication, while professors Saul Greenberg and Sheelagh Carpendale, in the Department of Computer Science, will jointly hold the NSERC/iCORE/Smart Technologies Industrial Research Chair in Interactive Technologies.

Alumni head to Edmonton legislature Eight University of Calgary graduates were elected as Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on March 3, 2008—Alberta’s 27th general election.	Newly elected Progressive Conservative MLA Kyle Fawcett, BA’02, Calgary-North Hill, hopes to bring government processes and politics to those who, in the past, have felt disengaged. After graduating from the U of C, Fawcett worked as a research consultant and was elected to the Calgary Board of Education in 2004, the youngest elected official in Alberta.	Re-elected Progressive Conservative MLA Ron Stevens, BA’71, Calgary-Glenmore, was appointed the government’s Deputy Premier and Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations. Prior to becoming an MLA, Stevens practised civil litigation law and acted as a mediator with a major Calgary law firm.
Neil Brown, BSc’71, LLB’82, Calgary-Nose Hill, was re-elected as a Progressive Conversative MLA and appointed Chair, Cabinet Policy Committee, Public Safety and Services. Before entering politics, Brown was a biology professor and litigation lawyer. He is a past member of the U of C Board of Governors.	New Liberal MLA Kent Hehr, BA’97, LLB’01, Calgary-Buffalo, was born and educated in Calgary. He was the U of C’s Graduate of the Last Decade award recipient in 2005 and was one of Calgary Inc. magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2006. Kent is the shadow minister for Justice and Attorney General, Solicitor General and Public Security.	Progressive Conservative MLA Len Webber, BComm’98, Calgary-Foothills, was re-elected and appointed Parliamentary Assistant, Energy. He was born in Calgary, and raised in the northwest community of Brentwood. Prior to running for provincial office, Webber was the vice-president and director of Webber Academy, a private school in Calgary.
Re-elected MLA for Calgary-Varsity, Harry Chase, BEd’71, has been a resident of his constituency for 26 years. After graduating from the U of C, Chase taught primarily at the junior high level for 34 years. He has been appointed the Liberal shadow minister for Education, Children and Youth Services and Tourism, Parks and Recreation.	Rob Renner, BComm’76, Medicine Hat, was re-elected as a Progressive Conservative MLA and appointed Minister of Environment. Born in his constituency, he was instrumental in founding the Medicine Hat Downtown Business Revitalization Zone Association and co-chaired a team that oversaw reductions in insurance premiums for Albertans.	Newly elected Progressive Conservative MLA Teresa Woo-Paw, BSW’83, Calgary-Mackay, immigrated to Calgary in the 1970s, and has worked as a program facilitator, instructor, diversity manager, trainer and consultant. Prior to entering politics, Woo-Paw was elected as trustee and chair of the Calgary Board of Education.

Correction

“A-Z of International Activities” (Winter 2008) included a section on Azerbaijan that referred to the 1991 fall of Russia. Of course, the passage should have referred to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which included Russia, Azerbaijan and 13 other member republics. U apologizes for the error.