The important role of basic research for society and how it is funded are at the heart of a special lecture titled, "Funding Basic Research, Promoting Excellence, and Building Trust", which will be delivered at 91ŃÇÉ« by Professor Helmut Schwarz, the president of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and a leading international researcher in the field of molecular chemistry. This special lecture will be presented Oct. 31, from 3 to 4pm in the Senate Chamber, 940 North Ross Building.

Helmut Schwarz 

Schwarz will argue that publicly financed, fundamental research is neither a luxury nor a subsidy, but a cultural achievement and, as such, marks the starting point of every single value-added chain. In his comments, Schwarz will also reflect on the funding principles and core mission of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation – the funding of individuals rather than projects, the emphasis on individual excellence and academic freedom. He will argue that more campaigning on behalf of the individual researcher is needed to support genuinely high-risk endeavors that are necessary for groundbreaking research.

Schwarz holds a research chair in organic chemistry at the Technische Universität Berlin.

Schwarz’s visit also marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of 91ŃÇɫ’s Centre for Research in Mass Spectrometry laboratory space on the second floor of the Chemisty Building, which he helped to celebrate 10 years ago at 91ŃÇÉ«.  A private roundtable discussion will be held in honour of this event and attended by Schwarz and the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany Sabine Sparwasser.

91ŃÇɫ’s Centre for Research in Mass Spectrometry promotes and organizes research collaboration with other universities, hospitals, government institutes, such as , Ontario Centre of Excellence INC, ISTPCanada Incorporated, and the , and industries, such as , YESBiotech  and Concept 2 Clinic. Research in mass spectrometry has become an increasingly important and multi-disciplinary scientific activity world-wide.

“91ŃÇÉ« is delighted to host  Professor Helmut Schwarz, President of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Institut fĂĽr Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin and pleased that Sabine Sparwasser, consul general of the Federal Republic of Germany will also be joining us at this visit to mark this special occasion,” said Robert HachĂ©, vice-president research & Innovation. “We look forward to the continued development of collaborative research initiatives and to strengthening the ties between 91ŃÇÉ« and research institutions in Germany.”

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation grants research fellowships and research awards to researchers from around the world, allowing them to conduct research with collaborative partners in Germany. All researchers sponsored by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation become life-long members of the international “Humboldt Network”. Support from the foundation enables more than 2,000 researchers from all over the world to spend time researching in Germany. The Humboldt Network numbers more than 25,000 Humboldtians from all disciplines in over 130 countries worldwide - including 49 Nobel Laureates.

This lecture is sponsored by the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation and the Faculty of Science & Engineering. It is free and open to University community members. Seating is limited, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ŃÇɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

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“On behalf of the 91ŃÇÉ« research community, I would like to congratulate Professor Arturo Orellana on his receipt of the Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award,” said Robert HachĂ©, 91ŃÇɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “This prestigious award recognizes Professor Orellana’s exceptional research achievements and contributions to the field of Organic Chemistry, at the early stages of his career. We are very proud of this well-deserved recognition of Dr. Orellana’s work.”

Arturo Orellana

Orellana’s research relates to the development of innovative metal-catalyzed chemical reactions for organic synthesis. In particular his research involves the development of new reactions to prepare small molecule building blocks with applications in the synthesis of pharmaceutically active agents and naturally occurring substances with important biological properties.

The R&D division of Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) is one of Canada’s largest pharmaceutical research centres. The Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Award for Organic Chemistry is awarded yearly to a promising organic chemist in the early stages of their academic career and was established to support research in synthetic organic chemistry in Canadian universities.

For more information, visit the Orellana Research GroupĚý·É±đ˛ú˛őľ±łŮ±đ.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ŃÇɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

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Why do plankton matter? 91ŃÇÉ« biology Professor Norman Yan, the study’s senior author, says these tiny creatures are critical to our survival. “Without plankton, humans would be quite hungry and perhaps even dead. Much of the world's photosynthesis, the basis of all of our food, comes from the ocean's plankton. The oxygen in every other breath we take is a product of phytoplankton photosynthesis,” says Yan.

Norman Yan

Yan together with the study's lead author Howard Riessen, a professor of biology at SUNY College at Buffalo studied the effect of changes in water chemistry on plankton prey defenses. Specifically, they examined how lower calcium concentrations affect Daphnia (water flea) exoskeleton development. These low calcium levels are caused by loss of calcium from forest soils, a consequence of decades of acid rain and multiple cycles of logging and forest growth. The results are published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Daphnia pulex

“At low calcium levels the organisms grow slower and cannot build their armour,” says Riessen. “Without suitable armour, they are vulnerable to ambush by predators,” he says.

“Calcium is a critical element for Daphnia and many other crustaceans,” Riessen says. “Daphnia build their exoskeletons, which include some defensive spines, with calcium to protect themselves from predators. Where calcium levels are low, the Daphnia have softer, smaller, exoskeletons with fewer defensive spines, making them an easy snack.”

This phenomenon of reduced calcium is also playing out on a much larger scale in the world’s oceans, notes Yan. “Increases in ocean acidity are complicating calcium acquisition by marine life, which is an under-reported effect of global carbon dioxide emissions. Thus marine plankton may also find themselves more vulnerable to predators,” he says.

Howard Riessen

The public is used to stories about changes in water chemistry that lead to large-scale fish kills, says Riessen. “These changes are more insidious. Daphnia might not be a household name, but they are food for fish, and they help keep our lakes clean. Changing the balance between Daphnia and their predators marks a major change in lake systems.”

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ŃÇɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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The announcement of HachĂ©'s appointment was made yesterday by 91ŃÇÉ« President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “I am thrilled that Dr. HachĂ© is coming to 91ŃÇÉ«,” said Shoukri. “Dr. HachĂ©'s ideas, experience and skills will enable us to continue to enhance our increasingly strong research profile, and expand into one of Canada’s leading interdisciplinary research and teaching universities.”

Right: Robert Haché

Haché is currently the associate vice-president research at the , where he has played a key role in advancing strategic research priorities. He has also held appointments in the university's Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy in the Faculty of Medicine, and in the Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science, where he maintained an active research program. Previously, he spent 18 years at the University of Ottawa, the last 12 in a series of research leadership positions that ended with a term as vice-dean, research for the Faculty of Medicine.

“I am delighted to be coming to 91ŃÇÉ« at what is sure to be a promising time in its history,” said HachĂ©. “I look forward to working with faculty and researchers to further the development of its rapidly growing and internationally-recognized research enterprise.”

A molecular and cellular biologist and biochemist, Haché has made important contributions to the understanding of how steroid hormone signaling takes place in cells and how cells respond to DNA damaging agents. He has chaired and been a member of a number of boards and advisory committees associated with research development and research management. Haché received his BSc in biochemistry from McGill University and his PhD in biochemistry from Queen's University.

Haché has been the recipient of many research grants and awards, including from the (CIHR), the , the (NCIC), The Inc., and the (NSERC). He is the author of more than 130 scientific articles and abstracts and has delivered many distinguished invited presentations on various aspects of his research.

“I would like to thank Stan Shapson for his outstanding leadership and friendship,” Shoukri said of 91ŃÇÉ«'s outgoing vice-president research & innovation. “During his time at 91ŃÇÉ«, Stan was instrumental in advancing 91ŃÇɫ’s research and innovation mandate, as well as raising the University’s profile externally. Among his many contributions, Stan helped to oversee the launch of the Markham Convergence Centre, an important research initiative in the provincial government’s ONE Network.”

Added Shoukri: “I am grateful to Stan for all that he has achieved over the years at 91ŃÇÉ«, and wish him well in all of his future endeavours.”

Republished courtesy of YFile – 91ŃÇɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Above, toasting their success, from left, Reihaneh Shankaie, Fatima Panju, Maisam Halabi, Derek Wilson, Jason Gregor, Mark Sever, Luba Bryushkova and Mihiret Kedida. (Dana Aljawhary is taking the picture.)

Gregor, who is supervised by 91ŃÇÉ« chemistry Professor and Canada Research Chair , placed first in the biological/medical category for his talk, “Investigating the Binding of Vancomycin Resistance Associated Regulator Protein with mutated DNA using Atomic Force Microscopy”.

Panju placed third in the same division for her presentation “Functional Analysis of a Chromatin Remodeling Protein in Tetrahymena thermophila”. Panju was supervised by 91ŃÇÉ« biology Professor .

Gregor and Panju, both in fourth year, based their presentations on their fourth-year chemistry research projects. Accompanying them to SOUSCC on 91ŃÇÉ«'s eight-member team were Dana Aljawhary (supervised by Prof. ), Luba Bryushkova (supervised by Prof. ),  Maisam Halabi (supervised by Prof. ), Mihiret Kedida (supervised by Prof. ), Mark Sever (supervised by Prof. Sylvie Morin) and  Reihaneh Shankaie (supervised by Prof. ).

Hosted this year by the University of Waterloo, the conference attracted 117 participants from Ontario universities. The conference provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to present their undergraduate research projects and network with other chemistry students. Nest year's conference will be held at the University of Guelph.

For more information, visit the website.

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The federal government brought in new regulations last July effectively banning phosphorus in most household cleaning products, such as dishwashing and laundry detergents. The new rules prohibit the manufacture and import of these products containing phosphorus beyond 0.5% by weight. Similar regulations in the United States banned the chemical in 17 states.

Phosphorus in certain detergents and cleaning products softens water, reduces spotting and rusting , holds dirt, and increases performance. But it is also a plant fertilizer, Prof. Molot says, meaning when it enters a lake, it causes massive amounts of algae to grow.

"When the algae die, they sink to the bottom of the lake and are consumed by bacteria. In the process, these bacteria consume all the oxygen, leading to the asphyxiation of fish," Prof. Molot said.

The chemical also causes algal blooms -- massive green blob-like growths -- which can raise pH levels in water to toxic levels and block water intake pipes. Prof. Molot says dirty dishes are a small price to pay for preventing the spread of phosphorus.

"Either the public pays huge amounts of money to remove the phosphorus at the end of the pipe, or it can choose the cheaper alternative to reduce the amount of phosphorus going into our sewers in the first place," he said. "If I have to pay a little more for a greener detergent, even if it means it doesn't clean the way it used to, I'll put up with it."

Molot has published on , most recently in February 2010. His research is funded by the (NSERC).

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer, with files courtesy of YFile– 91ŃÇɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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The evening saw the presentation of the faculty's inaugural internal research awards to chemistry Professor Dasantila Golemi-Kotra, recipient of the ; biology Professor Chun Peng, recipient of the 2010 Established Researcher Award; and physics Professor (Kumar), the recipient of the 2010 Graduate Mentoring Award.

Above: From left, Janusz Kozinski, dean of the Faculty of Science & Engineering; physics Professor Anatharaman Kumarakrishnan, biology Professor Chun Peng; and chemistry Professor Dasantila Golemi-Kotra

“These awards were created in 2010 to honour and celebrate the outstanding dedication of our faculty to research and graduate student mentoring. This year's recipients are examples of the excellent talent we have at FSE and we are proud to support our researchers in their fundamental, groundbreaking and innovative research endeavours,” said Janusz Kozinski, dean of the Faculty of Science & Engineering.

Since 2004, Golemi-Kotra has studied the mechanisms of bacterial resistance. Over the course of her research, she has secured significant funding to create a reputable team of researchers. She has established herself as a rising star in the field of biological chemistry. Her research focuses on an emerging and persistent problem of bacterial resistance.

Right: Dasantila Golemi-Kotra

Specifically, Golemi-Kotra's research focuses on the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, a leading cause of hospital- and community-acquired infections. Extensive use of antibiotics has invariably been followed by the development and spread of resistance in this organism.

Her research aims to elucidate genes involved with the bacteria’s response to antibiotics that specifically target cell wall biosynthesis. Essential to the survival of the bacterium, the cell wall is the organism’s first line of defense against antimicrobial agents. As a result, the cell wall remains an important target in drug development. Golemi-Kotra’s research seeks to identify new factors involved in antibiotic resistance, which will ultimately lead to the design of new antimicrobial agents.

A world expert in the area of ovarian cancer and the molecular basis of complications in pregnancy, biology Professor Chun Peng is the recipient of the 2010 Established Researcher Award. With an impressive track record of awards and publications, a strong research program and team, Peng has made a significant contribution to the understanding of reproductive biology and the role of hormones in human health.

Right: Chun Peng

She discovered new proteins and their role in the molecular mechanism of receptor signaling that have led to the discoveries of mis-regulation during placental pathologies. These studies are critical in understanding placental development and are important landmarks in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of hormonal control in reproduction.

Significantly, her research team has identified a novel mechanism by which chemo-resistance, a major problem in cancer therapy, is developed. Currently, as a result of those discoveries, novel serum markers may be used to predict preeclampsia, a major disorder of human pregnancy and a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Peng's studies focus on ovarian cancer as well as diseases that result from complications of pregnancy. Her research has the potential to not only advance current knowledge but may also lead to potential diagnostic tools and treatment for complications arising from pregnancy.

Kumarakrishnan (Kumar), a professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, is this year's recipient of the Excellence in Graduate Mentorship award. A large number of both graduate students have successfully completed their research under his mentorship and moved onto becoming valuable members of the scientific community.

Right: Anatharaman Kumarakrishnan (second from the left) with his team of graduate student researchers

Kumar's  research utilizes the wave nature of cold atoms and the coherent transient response of a collection of laser-cooled atoms to carry out tabletop studies of light matter interactions and precision measurements in atomic physics. The goals of these efforts are to achieve a better understanding of the theoretical foundations of atomic physics as well as to develop cutting-edge techniques and instruments for industrial applications in photonics and optics.

For more information, visit the website.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ŃÇɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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Organized by the 91ŃÇÉ« and the , Finlayson-Pitts’ talk, “Reactions at Interfaces in the Atmosphere:  Challenges and Opportunities”, starts at 2:30pm in the Senate Chamber, N940 Ross Building on 91ŃÇɫ’s Keele campus.

Right: Finlayson-Pitts

Multiphase chemistry in the atmosphere has traditionally been viewed as reactions in the gas phase and the condensed phase, with mass transfer between the two. In this case, kinetics and mechanisms determined in laboratory studies of bulk liquid or gas phase systems can be used reliably in atmospheric models. However, there is increasing evidence that some reactions occur at interfaces between air and condensed phases, in the form of airborne particles and surfaces in the boundary layer such as buildings, vegetation, etc. Such interface reactions often have unique kinetics and mechanisms that are not well represented by bulk phase chemistry. Furthermore, photochemistry at surfaces may be quite different than that in bulk phases. Some examples of unique interface chemistry and photochemistry relevant to atmospheric processes and their potential implications for understanding the chemistry of the lower atmosphere will be discussed.

Barbara J. Finlayson-Pitts

completed her BSc. (Hons.) at Trent University in Peterborough in 1970 and her MS (1971) and PhD (1973) in chemistry at the University of California, Riverside, where she also did post-doctoral work for one year. She was on the faculty in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at California State University, Fullerton, from 1974 to 1994. Finlayson-Pitts joined the faculty in the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Irvine, in 1994 where she is currently a UCI distinguished professor, professor of chemistry and director of , a multidisciplinary research unit.

Finlayson-Pitts’ research interests include the photochemistry, kinetics and mechanisms of atmospheric reactions, especially heterogeneous reactions. Current studies include the chemistry of sea salt particles, organics and oxides of nitrogen, and the photochemistry of species at interfaces. Finlayson-Pitts is author or co-author of more than 150 peer-reviewed articles, as well as two books, and , which she co-authored with James N. Pitts Jr.

Her teaching has included physical chemistry, instrumental analysis, freshman chemistry, chemistry for non-science majors and graduate seminars, and courses in atmospheric chemistry. She developed a number of new undergraduate experiments centred on the theme of the analysis of complex environmental mixtures; these are described in a number of papers published in the Journal of Chemical Education.

After a career in which she has received many awards and distinctions, Finlayson-Pitts was elected to both the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and to the National Academy of Sciences in 2006.  In 2008, she was awarded the Richard C. Tolman Medal of the Southern California Section of the American Chemical Society, and in 2009 the Coalition for Clean Air Carl Moyer Award for Scientific Leadership and Technical Excellence.

Finlayson-Pitts has served on a number of editorial boards, including the board of reviewing editors of Science as well as the The Journal of Physical Chemistry, Atmospheric Environment, Analytical Chemistry, Research on Chemical Intermediates and International Reviews in Physical Chemistry.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ŃÇɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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It has taken many years of toiling, but 91ŃÇÉ« Professor Emeritus Paul Herzberg has now completed a biography of his mother Luise Herzberg, the wife of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Gerhard Herzberg (Hon DSc. '69) and an astrophysicist in her own right. Luise Herzberg, Astrophysicist: A Memoir is more than just a tribute to his mother, it is a chance for Luise to step out of the shadow of her world-famous husband and have her own accomplishments recognized.

Paul’s mother was born Luise Hedwig Oettinger in 1906 and educated in Germany where she received her PhD in physics in 1933. Her husband lost his academic post because Luise was a Jew. In 1935, they arrived as refugees in Canada. (See YFile, Nov. 15, 2007.)

In (91ŃÇÉ« Bookstore, 2010), Paul describes how Luise met the challenge of combining family and career. When she returned to research in physics and astronomy after the war, she faced nepotism rules and worked largely unnoticed. In the last decade of her life, however, she gained considerable recognition as an astrophysicist. Some of her work is still referred to today, although some is mistakenly attributed to her husband.

On Luise’s death, a friend wrote: “She remained totally female, despite high intelligence, active work in science and constant contact in the learned circles of the world. It was not her nature to want to shine, but nevertheless she was completely aware of everything that was happening.”

Luise died in 1971, just months before Gerhard won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, a success which he could not have achieved without her devotion and support.

Constructing the details of Luise’s extraordinary life was not an easy task. Paul, who was a professor in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, completed a two-year stint learning German just so he could read the cache of family letters, which would provide further insight into his mother’s life, and interviewed his elderly father several times before his death at the age of 94.

Paul started down the same path as his parents, but after earning a master’s degree in physics switched fields to specialize in quantitative psychology. He taught at 91ŃÇÉ« from 1966 to 2002 where he developed a unique introductory statistics course featuring learning-to-mastery, self-pacing and tutoring by undergraduate student peers.

In 1996, he received the University-Wide Teaching Award. It had always been in the back of his mind, however, to write about his mother. A biography of his father by Boris Stoicheff, , was published in 2002.

Paul's book may be purchased online or directly at the . For more information, contact Paul Herzberg at herzberg@yorku.ca.

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Two 91ŃÇÉ« chemistry students have won second place in two separate categories at the 38th Southern Ontario Undergraduate Student Chemistry Conference (SOUSCC), the largest undergraduate chemistry conference in the country. The competition provides undergraduate students with a unique opportunity to present their research projects and network with fellow chemists.

Right: Nadine Wellington shows her excitement at coming in second

Nadine Wellington, supervised by Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus , took second in the Inorganic Chemistry division for her talk, titled “Cobaltt(II) Complexes of Substituted Quinonoid Ligands”. Katarina Markovic, supervised by Distinguised Research Professor and Canada Research Chair in Chemical Mass Spectometry , won second place in the Analytical Chemistry division for her talk, “Zinc Fingers: Understanding Zn(II) Interactions with Amino Acids and Short Oligopeptides”.

91ŃÇÉ« sent six participants from the Department of Chemistry to the conference held March 20 – Homaira Haqdad, Katarina Markovic, Kulwinder Sidhu, Nadine Wellington and Nikolay Yordanov.

Left: Katarina Markovic

Hosted this year by the University of Western Ontario, the conference attracted over 100 participants from Trent University, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Ryerson University, the University of Toronto, 91ŃÇÉ«, McMaster University, the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Windsor.

For more information, visit the Web site.

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