Campus Notices
Presenter: Leah Gauthier
Title: “Soil Microorganisms As Biopesticides: From Soil To Organism To Natural Product”
Abstract: This thesis defense will present research on advances in all critical stages of biopesticide candidate discovery including microorganism isolation, bioactivity screening, and the structural elucidation of microbial natural products with biopesticidal properties. Using a modified ichip, novel bacterial species were isolated from an agricultural Fusarium head blight (FHB) nursery, exhibiting antagonism against Fusarium spp. and other fungal pathogens. This supports the hypothesis that the FHB nursery harbors beneficial microorganisms adapted to fight Fusarium. A thin layer chromatography direct bioautography assay was optimized to screen for NPs active against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the causal agent of Sclerotinia stem rot in canola. Antifungal NP leads were identified, showcasing the assay’s utility in detecting known and novel NPs. Subsequent structure elucidation of lead compounds by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and chemical derivatization revealed novel cyclic lipopeptides, boyetchkins A-C, from a new Pseudomonas species. Collectively, this work provides a framework for isolating and characterizing biopesticide candidates with commercial potential.
Date/Time /Location: Friday, October 18, 2024, 9:00 am, AVC 286A
Everyone is welcome.
UPEI Strategic Plan Development: Upcoming Staff and Faculty Consultations
UPEI staff and faculty members are invited to join Dr. Wendy Rodgers (President and Vice-Chancellor) and Dr. Suzanne Kresta (Dean, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering), co-chairs of the University Strategic Plan Steering Committee, to discuss UPEI’s direction over the next five years.
Two upcoming consultation sessions are planned for UPEI employee groups.
Participants can attend the sessions in person or online:
UPEI Staff Members
Tuesday, October 15
3:00 to 4:00 pm
Room 104, K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre, UPEI
UPEI Faculty Members
Thursday, October 17
1:00 to 2:00 pm
Room 104, K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre, UPEI
Input by email is always welcome! strategicplan@upei.ca
Upcoming consultation sessions for undergraduate and graduate students are currently being planned in collaboration with UPEI Student Union and the UPEI Graduate Student Association.
The UPEI Department of Music hosts pianist Peter Allen in concert on Thursday, October 24, at 7:30 pm, in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall, Steel Building.
Peter Allen is one of Canada’s most respected and talented musicians, known nationally as a concert pianist, composer, conductor, and teacher. He will perform works by Haydn, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, and some of his own bagatelles.
As a concert pianist, he has been often heard on CBC regional and national radio and is well known to audiences in the Maritimes and throughout Canada for his captivating interpretations. He has recorded two solo piano CDs, one featuring some of his own very popular bagatelles, an all-Haydn disc, and numerous duo CDs with flautist Patricia Creighton. He is currently associate professor of piano at Dalhousie University's Department of Music where he teaches piano and orchestration and is a guest conductor for the Dalhousie Symphony Orchestra.
The Association of Atlantic Universities is pleased to partner with Acadia University to host the 2024 Annual AAU Teaching Showcase in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mik’maq people and part of the beautiful Annapolis Valley in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The 2024 AAU Teaching Showcase will take place in person on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Acadia University.
To view the schedule, go to https://www.canva.com/design/DAGPzLlrB0Q/3RPyUb_NIOvbXmHrzxgmkw/view
Keynote workshop: We are excited to announce this year’s AAU Teaching Showcase Keynote Workshop! Titled "Ay, Ay, AI!: Innovate or Die?", this interactive keynote workshop by Dr. Jodi L. Porter and Rev. John Campbell of Acadia Divinity College offers time and space for participants to consider the future of higher education given advances in artificial intelligence.
Registration is now open! For details, go to Acadia University - 2024 AAU Teaching Showcase.
We are excited to invite you to an upcoming webinar in collaboration with Mitacs and the University of Prince Edward Island, tailored for students, faculty, and industry and community partners. This event will showcase how Mitacs can empower your research and innovation projects with essential funding and partnerships.
Webinar Details:
Topic: Driving Innovation: How Mitacs Can Support Your Journey
Date: October 22, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM (ADT)
Speaker: Ives Kennedy Eyquem, Business Development Advisor, Mitacs
Registration Link: Sign up here
During this session, you will discover how Mitacs can provide the support needed to drive your innovative projects to success. Whether you’re looking to collaborate on cutting-edge research or secure funding to bring your ideas to life, this webinar is a must-attend!
Who should attend?
- Faculty members seeking partnerships and funding for research projects
- Students eager to pursue research opportunities and gain industry connections
- Industry and Community partners interested in collaboration opportunities with UPEI
- Any other interested participants looking to learn more about research and innovation funding opportunities
We look forward to having you at the webinar and exploring how Mitacs can help advance your research journey.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Office of Commercialization, Industry & Innovation at ocii@upei.ca.
The Teaching and Learning Centre is calling for proposals for two grant programs:
- Internal Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Research Grants - VALUE: up to $2,000 for a two-year term. The Internal SoTL Research Grant (ISRG) program provides funding for SoTL research at UPEI. The scholarship of teaching and learning involves the systematic study of teaching practices and learning experiences that are grounded in context and methodologically sound. SoTL research is frequently conducted in partnership with students with findings made appropriately public.
- Internal Teaching and Learning Innovations with Gen AI Research Grant - VALUE: one course release over the two-year duration of the grant and a budget of $2,000 to carry out the work of the project. The Internal Teaching and Learning Innovations with Gen AI Research Grant supports research pursuits that explore innovative approaches to the use of Gen AI in student learning at UPEI.
These calls are open to all faculty, sessionals, lab instructors, CNIs, etc. in all faculties at UPEI. Applications are due by December 16, 2024, by 4 pm. Please review the general information in the guidelines for eligibility considerations. Support in developing proposals for these grant programs is available through the UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre.
Program guidelines and application instructions can be found on the UPEI Internal Funding webpage.
The Scholarships and Awards Office has extended the deadline to apply for selected 2024 MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing.
In the categories of "Faculty and Staff" and "UPEI Writing Centre," applications are encouraged to be submitted electronically to scholarships@upei.ca by October 25, 2024. Criteria and application forms for the two remaining prize categories can be found through the links below. Note that there are a number of awards available per category.
- MacLauchlan Prize for Effective Writing (Faculty and Staff)
- MacLauchlan Prize for Effective Writing (UPEI Writing)
For more information, please contact scholarships@upei.ca.
UPEI Human Resources and EDI/Human Rights is offering a "Peri/Menopause in the Workplace" presentation via Microsoft Teams on October 16, 2024, from 12:00-1:00 pm.
The UPEI Philosophy Reading Group will meet on Friday, October 18, from 3:00-4:00 pm, in the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre, 97 Queen Street, Charlottetown. All are welcome.
During this gathering, we will discuss French philosopher and musicologist Vladimir Jankélévitch's "The Bad Conscience." For further details about the book, go to https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/B/bo14824527.html
If you would like to attend, please reach out to Dr. Max Schaefer at mschaefer@upei.ca for more information.
The IRG and SERG programs support stand-alone projects through the funding of fully developed research proposals.
VALUE: up to $7,000 for a one-year term
APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 16, 2024, by 4 pm
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Tenured, tenure-track, term, and sessional UPEI faculty in Arts, Business, Education, IKERAS, Nursing, Science, or Sustainable Design Engineering, and librarians who are employed by UPEI at the time of application and for the duration of the award. Faculty members in Veterinary Medicine may participate as co-applicants but cannot be the principal investigator. A professor emeritus or adjunct professor may apply as co-applicant with a tenure/tenure-track UPEI faculty member.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Program guidelines and application instructions can be found here. Apply using the UPEI Romeo Researcher Portal.
Information regarding 2024 recipients can be found here.
Presenter: Leah Gauthier
Title: “Soil Microorganisms As Biopesticides: From Soil To Organism To Natural Product”
Abstract: This thesis defense will present research on advances in all critical stages of biopesticide candidate discovery including microorganism isolation, bioactivity screening, and the structural elucidation of microbial natural products with biopesticidal properties. Using a modified ichip, novel bacterial species were isolated from an agricultural Fusarium head blight (FHB) nursery, exhibiting antagonism against Fusarium spp. and other fungal pathogens. This supports the hypothesis that the FHB nursery harbors beneficial microorganisms adapted to fight Fusarium. A thin layer chromatography direct bioautography assay was optimized to screen for NPs active against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the causal agent of Sclerotinia stem rot in canola. Antifungal NP leads were identified, showcasing the assay’s utility in detecting known and novel NPs. Subsequent structure elucidation of lead compounds by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and chemical derivatization revealed novel cyclic lipopeptides, boyetchkins A-C, from a new Pseudomonas species. Collectively, this work provides a framework for isolating and characterizing biopesticide candidates with commercial potential.
Date/Time /Location: Friday, October 18, 2024, 9:00 am, AVC 286A
Everyone is welcome.
UPEI Strategic Plan Development: Upcoming Staff and Faculty Consultations
UPEI staff and faculty members are invited to join Dr. Wendy Rodgers (President and Vice-Chancellor) and Dr. Suzanne Kresta (Dean, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering), co-chairs of the University Strategic Plan Steering Committee, to discuss UPEI’s direction over the next five years.
Two upcoming consultation sessions are planned for UPEI employee groups.
Participants can attend the sessions in person or online:
UPEI Staff Members
Tuesday, October 15
3:00 to 4:00 pm
Room 104, K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre, UPEI
UPEI Faculty Members
Thursday, October 17
1:00 to 2:00 pm
Room 104, K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre, UPEI
Input by email is always welcome! strategicplan@upei.ca
Upcoming consultation sessions for undergraduate and graduate students are currently being planned in collaboration with UPEI Student Union and the UPEI Graduate Student Association.
Join us in the Department of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Human Rights, Kelley Memorial Building, Room 115, for an educational display on Islamophobia, where we will explore its origins, widespread effects, and the vital importance of addressing it within our university community.
Event highlights:
- In-depth presentations: Discover the historical roots of Islamophobia, orientalism, and anti-Arab racism, examining how it has evolved over time and how it manifests in our daily lives and institutions.
- Case studies: Delve into how the war on Palestine and the War on Terrorism exemplify Islamophobia in action, shaping public perception, policy decisions, and global narratives about Muslims and Arabs.
- Interactive discussions: Engage in meaningful conversations about the significance of recognizing and combating Islamophobia, and how it can foster a more inclusive campus environment.
Why understanding Islamophobia matters:
Understanding Islamophobia is crucial for several reasons:
- Combatting stereotypes: By recognizing the origins and impacts of Islamophobia, we can challenge harmful stereotypes that perpetuate discrimination and division. This understanding helps us foster empathy and respect among diverse communities.
- Promoting inclusivity: Universities are places for learning and growth. Addressing Islamophobia is essential for creating an inclusive environment where all students feel safe, valued, and able to express their identities.
- Global perspectives: Islamophobia affects millions worldwide, particularly in conflict areas. By studying its manifestations, such as in the war on Palestine and the war on terrorism, we gain insights into broader issues of human rights, justice, and global solidarity.
The northeast entrance of the Kelley Memorial Building features an automatic door with a 36-inch clearance. The door swings outward and leads to a ramp that is 62 inches wide. Please note that the ramp makes a sharp right turn, after which the width reduces to 36 inches.
At the end of the ramp, you will find the exhibit entrance, which has a door clearance of 32 inches and a small bump at the threshold. We encourage all visitors to reach out if you require additional assistance or have any questions regarding accessibility.
The George Coles Bursary for the 2024-2025 academic year will be awarded to eligible students in the 2025 Winter semester. Information about this provincial bursary and the eligibility criteria can be found on the Government of Prince Edward Island website here.
An initial list of potential recipients will be sent to PEI Student Financial Services in early November for their eligibility review. To be included in this initial review, eligible students must ensure that
- their Social Insurance Number is on file at UPEI;
- they are registered in full-time studies for both the 2024 Fall and 2025 Winter semesters (unless graduating in the 2024-2025 academic year);
- if graduating in the 2024-2025 academic year, they have applied to graduate prior to generation of the list in early November.
For any questions relating to this message or the George Coles Bursary, contact scholarships@upei.ca.
UPEI Human Resources and EDI/Human Rights is offering a "Peri/Menopause in the Workplace" presentation via Microsoft Teams on October 16, 2024, from 12:00-1:00 pm.
The UPEI Philosophy Reading Group will meet on Friday, October 18, from 3:00-4:00 pm, in the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre, 97 Queen Street, Charlottetown. All are welcome.
During this gathering, we will discuss French philosopher and musicologist Vladimir Jankélévitch's "The Bad Conscience." For further details about the book, go to https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/B/bo14824527.html
If you would like to attend, please reach out to Dr. Max Schaefer at mschaefer@upei.ca for more information.
The IRG and SERG programs support stand-alone projects through the funding of fully developed research proposals.
VALUE: up to $7,000 for a one-year term
APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 16, 2024, by 4 pm
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Tenured, tenure-track, term, and sessional UPEI faculty in Arts, Business, Education, IKERAS, Nursing, Science, or Sustainable Design Engineering, and librarians who are employed by UPEI at the time of application and for the duration of the award. Faculty members in Veterinary Medicine may participate as co-applicants but cannot be the principal investigator. A professor emeritus or adjunct professor may apply as co-applicant with a tenure/tenure-track UPEI faculty member.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Program guidelines and application instructions can be found here. Apply using the UPEI Romeo Researcher Portal.
Information regarding 2024 recipients can be found here.
Presenter: Leah Gauthier
Title: “Soil Microorganisms As Biopesticides: From Soil To Organism To Natural Product”
Abstract: This thesis defense will present research on advances in all critical stages of biopesticide candidate discovery including microorganism isolation, bioactivity screening, and the structural elucidation of microbial natural products with biopesticidal properties. Using a modified ichip, novel bacterial species were isolated from an agricultural Fusarium head blight (FHB) nursery, exhibiting antagonism against Fusarium spp. and other fungal pathogens. This supports the hypothesis that the FHB nursery harbors beneficial microorganisms adapted to fight Fusarium. A thin layer chromatography direct bioautography assay was optimized to screen for NPs active against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the causal agent of Sclerotinia stem rot in canola. Antifungal NP leads were identified, showcasing the assay’s utility in detecting known and novel NPs. Subsequent structure elucidation of lead compounds by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and chemical derivatization revealed novel cyclic lipopeptides, boyetchkins A-C, from a new Pseudomonas species. Collectively, this work provides a framework for isolating and characterizing biopesticide candidates with commercial potential.
Date/Time /Location: Friday, October 18, 2024, 9:00 am, AVC 286A
Everyone is welcome.
UPEI Strategic Plan Development: Upcoming Staff and Faculty Consultations
UPEI staff and faculty members are invited to join Dr. Wendy Rodgers (President and Vice-Chancellor) and Dr. Suzanne Kresta (Dean, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering), co-chairs of the University Strategic Plan Steering Committee, to discuss UPEI’s direction over the next five years.
Two upcoming consultation sessions are planned for UPEI employee groups.
Participants can attend the sessions in person or online:
UPEI Staff Members
Tuesday, October 15
3:00 to 4:00 pm
Room 104, K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre, UPEI
UPEI Faculty Members
Thursday, October 17
1:00 to 2:00 pm
Room 104, K.C. Irving Chemistry Centre, UPEI
Input by email is always welcome! strategicplan@upei.ca
Upcoming consultation sessions for undergraduate and graduate students are currently being planned in collaboration with UPEI Student Union and the UPEI Graduate Student Association.
The UPEI Health and Wellness Centre is offering COVID-19 vaccine appointments throughout November for all students, faculty, and staff.
The updated COVID-19 vaccine is designed to target current variants more effectively, boosting your immunity and reducing the risk of severe symptoms. Protect yourself and those around you by scheduling your appointment today.
To book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, email healthcentre@upei.ca with “COVID” in the subject line. Also, members of the campus community attending the flu vaccine clinics on October 23, 24, or 30 may book their COVID-19 vaccine appointment at that time.
Important details:
- It is recommended that booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are scheduled 3-6 months after your last dose or 3-6 months after COVID-19 illness (whichever is later).
- Vaccines are provided at no cost.
- Please note that we cannot administer COVID-19 vaccines to children under 12 years of age.
- Bring a valid provincial health card or your student ID for registration.
- A 15-minute observation period is required after your vaccination to monitor for any adverse reactions. Please plan your visit accordingly.
Protect yourself and help to reduce the spread in your community. Get vaccinated this November!
