Several months ago I met with two University of Calgary colleagues, Professor Patrick Finn and Senator Colin Jackson. We chatted in my office about a number of things. I mentioned my interest in showcasing stories of interdisciplinary collaboration at the University of Calgary. Patrick and Colin talked about breaking down silos and about some of […]
Author: R. Thirsk
Go Dinos! UCalgary men’s hockey team wins playoff game
The University of Calgary Dinos men’s hockey team won their playoff game today over our city rivals, the Mount Royal Cougars. It was the third and deciding game of their best-of-three series in the Canada West semi-finals (the Dinos had won the first game 3-2 while the Cougars won the second 5-2).
Good bye, Mr. Nimoy. Thanks for sharing Mr. Spock with us.
I read that Leonard Nimoy died yesterday. How sad. He was a great actor and person. The media today is full of stories of Nimoy’s death and of his life achievements. Nimoy’s passing caused me to reflect on the Star Trek TV and movie series. I am a great fan and have always been enamored […]
Chancellor’s Scholars on path to become great community and national leaders
One of my privileges as Chancellor is to work closely with a group of students at the University of Calgary known as Chancellor’s Scholars. These are extraordinary students who not only demonstrate academic excellence but also community involvement. For example, some of these students have helped raise money to fight poverty and homelessness, built a […]
New Earth-Space Technologies’ Research Strategy
Today I had the pleasure to participate in a Town Hall meeting on campus. The topic of the meeting was the University of Calgary’s ‘New Earth-Space Technologies’ Research Strategy. New Earth-Space Technologies is quite a mouthful to say so I was amused that the meeting attendees had already developed their own acronym for the topic: […]
Heartbreak in Calgary
I was saddened to hear of the April 15 slaying of the five young people who were associated with the University of Calgary. The awful news evoked a number of thoughts. My first and foremost thought was of the youth and innocence of the victims. What a loss.
Everything is one – We are all connected
I was in Nanaimo in late January to participate in the winter convocation ceremonies of Vancouver Island University. This university offers a variety of certificate, diploma, undergraduate and master degree programs on campuses in Nanaimo, Powell River, Cowichan and Parksville-Qualicum. Under the leadership of President Ralph Nilson, VIU is well known for having close cultural, […]
Health Innovations from Space
Our guest blogger today is Dr. Ozzy Mermut. Ozzy is the Program Manager of Biophotonics at the Institut National d’Optique (INO) in Quebec City and Associate Professor at Laval University.
Physical activity and neurons
Our guest blogger today is Dr. Phillip Gardiner of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. Phil is just completing a term as the interim Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis.
Intestinal bacteria in disease
In today’s post, guest blogger and clinician-scientist Philip M. Sherman, MD, FRCPC, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, shares his perspectives on role of intestinal bacteria in disease: