AVC recently received funding from the Government of Canada for new equipment for its equine and virology services. The equine equipment, like the 4-K arthroscopic system shown above, aids in the diagnosis and treatment of lameness, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal conditions in horses.  AVC is the only veterinary school in Canada to have a 4-K arthroscope.  AVC’s regional diagnostic virology unit purchased innovative diagnostic tools designed to increase animal health within the cattle and hog industry. See below for more information.

The following is a media release issued by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency at the announcement on  August 31:

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri Food, and Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today joined representatives from the University of Prince Edward Island to announce over $811,000 in Government of Canada assistance for four projects at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) in support of research and enhanced service delivery in various disciplines.

With the purchase and installation of state-of-the-art equipment resulting from these investments, UPEI and the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at UPEI will continue to bolster their well-deserved reputation for research excellence. UPEI and AVC remain dedicated to keeping up-to-date with the latest innovative technology, supporting its mandate to provide top quality education experience and research capacity to students, faculty and industry partners.

The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, is supporting two projects at AVC with a combined non-repayable contribution of $659,886. The UPEI Marine Natural Products Lab is also receiving a non-repayable contribution of $54,093, while the UPEI Chemistry Department is being provided with a non-repayable contribution of $97,500.

Quotes:

“As outlined in the Atlantic Growth Strategy, the Government of Canada and our provincial counterparts understand that innovation is a key element for growth across all industries and is essential in shaping our future. The University of Prince Edward Island has built an impressive reputation of innovation success and academic excellence. I am pleased to announce funding for these four projects that will further support UPEI research and development.”

- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“The Government of Canada is working hard to develop an inclusive Innovation Agenda, one that positions Canada as a global leader. Innovation is also a key element of the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which is focused on stimulating our region’s economy.”

- Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown

“Exploration, discovery, and innovation are key elements of UPEI’s success. With this generous support from the Government of Canada, we will expand our research capacity, and, in doing so, enhance the education of our students. I thank the Government of Canada for its ongoing support of UPEI.”

- Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor, UPEI

“With this new state-of-the-art equine and virology equipment, the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) is enhancing its support of the equine, bovine, and porcine industries in Atlantic Canada, all of which are important economic sectors. The equine equipment allows us to enhance our ability to diagnose and treat medical conditions affecting equine athletes such as standardbred race horses and equestrian competition horses. And the virology equipment builds on our ability to maintain and protect the health of cattle and swine.”

- Dr. Greg Keefe, Dean, Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI

“We are excited to receive the new fermentation equipment in the Marine Natural Products laboratory. This will accelerate development of new microbial natural products discovered by our researchers and will strengthen industrial collaborations. The new infrastructure will also be invaluable in providing valuable opportunities for student training.”

- Dr. Russell Kerr, Canada Research Chair in Marine Natural Products, UPEI

“We are grateful for this support toward the purchase of an Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectrometer, a highly specialized equipment used to characterize nanocomposite materials synthesized by UPEI researchers. The researchers will collaborate with industry to find potential applications of these materials in lithium ion batteries, as coatings, and solid lubricants.”

- Dr. Rabin Bissessur, Chair, UPEI Department of Chemistry

Background:

Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at UPEI – This project supports the expansion of the clinical services AVC provides to the equine industry in Atlantic Canada. The new equipment aids in the diagnosis and treatment of lameness, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal conditions in horses. The second project supports AVC’s regional diagnostic virology unit through the purchase of innovative diagnostic tools designed to increase animal health within the cattle and hog industries.

UPEI Marine Natural Products Lab – This project supports the purchase of new fermentation equipment to complement existing equipment in the natural products chemistry lab and allow for more in-depth investigations within the lab and increase collaboration opportunities with industry partners in the bioscience sector.

UPEI Chemistry Department – This project supports the purchase of specialized equipment that can assist in chemistry analysis. University researchers will collaborate with industry to find potential industrial applications such as coating materials, lubricants and batteries.
 

Researchers at UPEI's Atlantic Veterinary College will receive a $2.5 million grant to support scientific research aimed at preventing and treating illness in Atlantic salmon. The grant is part of a new partnership between Dalhousie University in Halifax, UPEI, and Memorial University in Newfoundland called the Ocean Frontier Institute.

The following is a media release issued at the announcement of the creation of the Ocean Frontier Institute at Dalhousie University, Halifax, on September 6, 2016:

The Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI), led by Dalhousie University, represents an historic partnership with Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of Prince Edward Island. It will be one of the world’s most significant international ocean science collaborations. OFI will focus on the globally significant Northwest Atlantic and Canadian Arctic gateway. With this investment, Canada is now a world leader in ocean science.

OFI is built on world-class Canadian university expertise of Dalhousie, Memorial University of Newfoundland and University of Prince Edward Island, together with eight international partners including four of the top five ocean institutes in the world as well as partners in the Government of Canada’s federal laboratories, the Royal Canadian Navy, the National Film Board of Canada and national and international industry.

Today, Minister Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, announced $94 million in funding through the Government of Canada’s Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) to support the Ocean Frontier Institute, the largest grant in the history of the three Canadian partner universities. OFI has also attracted an additional $125 million in support from provincial governments and partners, including a gift of $25 million from Mr. John Risley, prominent business leader, entrepreneur and philanthropist. This massive total investment of $220 million dollars is unprecedented in Canada’s ocean science sector.

OFI’s innovative research program is focused on understanding key aspects of ocean and ecosystem change; delivering ocean data science and technology tools to policy-makers, scientists and industry; and developing safe and sustainable solutions for ocean development. The Northwest Atlantic is one of the few places on earth where ocean changes are happening first and happening fastest, making it an epicenter of international scientific interest.

The OFI will provide the scientific, technological and human capacity to advance Canada’s ocean research leadership. OFI research will foster innovations related to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture to support transformation of those industries, as well as the development of

disruptive ocean technologies (innovations creating new markets and value markets) and data solutions to support Canada’s growing ocean tech industry. OFI’s innovative research program is focused on understanding key aspects of ocean and ecosystem change and developing strategic and effective solutions that can apply both locally and globally.

Through linkages with organizations like the National Research Council of Canada’s Ocean Technology Enterprise Centre and Memorial University’s Marine Institute in St. John’s, and the Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE) in Halifax, OFI will help develop a nexus of high quality marine industries.

The institute will attract and retain world-leading research talent to Canada, and advance the region’s position as a center of ocean-related teaching and learning. The research developed through OFI will allow Canada to optimize opportunities and minimize the economic and environmental risks in the expanding ocean economy.

The OFI’s headquarters will be located at Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an additional centre located at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Find more on the Ocean Frontier Institute here.

Quotes:

“Today’s investment ensures Canadian institutions, experts and researchers are able to compete and excel globally. The projects funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, including the  Safe and Sustainable Development of the Ocean Frontier, will transform the post-secondary research conducted on several of our Atlantic campuses and pave the way for exciting new discoveries.”
The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board     

“Through the Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI), Dalhousie is bringing together the best in Atlantic Canada and the world to understand and sustain an ocean that is changing at an unprecedented rate. Led by Dal, OFI will be one of the world’s most significant international ocean science collaborations, creating opportunities for our students, scholars and partners to advance knowledge on a topic of regional and global importance.”
Dr. Richard Florizone, President, Dalhousie University

“Today marks a truly unprecedented era in research innovation at Memorial as our university moves from world class to world leader, engaging with global partners on solutions for safe and sustainable ocean development. This shared federal investment with Dalhousie and the University of Prince Edward Island will boost our partnership’s unmatched research strengths relating to oceans, including offshore fisheries, aquaculture and sustainable coastal communities.”
Dr. Gary Kachanoski, President and Vice-Chancellor, Memorial University.

“This research comes at a critical time for our planet and its oceans. We’re proud that UPEI and the Atlantic Veterinary College can bring our unique expertise in aquaculture and marine disease control and prevention to this unprecedented partnership. Together, we can help ensure healthy fish in a healthy environment, and nurture a sustainable source of quality protein for future generations.”
Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President of the University of Prince Edward Island

“Nova Scotia is home to groundbreaking oceans research and some of the world's best ocean technology companies. The Ocean Frontier Institute is a key example of the kind of collaboration we need, and it will elevate Nova Scotia’s ocean science presence to the world stage and help us capitalize on our ocean advantage.”
Minister Kelly Regan, Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education

“I am simply thrilled to be a part of this initiative. I have nothing but praise for Martha Crago, Vice-President of Research at Dalhousie and the whole Dal team, they are heroes for getting us this far. We also owe huge thanks to Minister Brison for convincing his cabinet colleagues this project was worthy of such generous Federal support. It is enormously important the community appreciate the extent to which the Institute has and will bring together so many partners across the Atlantic Canadian scene. I have every confidence the OFI can become an engine for regional economic growth and firmly establish us as global leaders in ocean science.”
Mr. John Risley, Business leader, entrepreneur and philanthropist

Young Islanders are invited to attend YDAY, a new summit that will bring together youth from across Prince Edward Island to help shape policies and opportunities that meet the interests of young people.

YDAY is a full-day event to discuss opportunities for youth on Prince Edward Island and strategies related to youth, including employment, entrepreneurship, skills and training, migration and demographic shifts, labour market challenges, and more. The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 21 at Holland College in Charlottetown.

The summit will be the inaugural event of the recently-announced Youth Futures Council; the summit is now accepting registrations from Islanders aged 16-34 years, who are passionate about creating better opportunities for young people in Prince Edward Island, and can bring diverse perspectives and life experiences to the day.

“Youth are extremely important to Prince Edward Island and ensuring they have great opportunities to succeed in this province is a priority for my department and a commitment of the Province of Prince Edward Island,” said Minister Richard Brown, Workforce and Advanced Learning. “YDAY is a great way for our Island youth to be heard and engaged to ensure we build vibrant communities to grow, live, and work.”

“YDAY is a tremendous opportunity to connect with the young people of our Province to hear their views on issues that impact their future,” said UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. “YDAY will allow post secondary institutions to hear, first-hand, the vision these participants have for Prince Edward Island and collaboratively make positive changes.”

YDAY will be facilitated by Tim Merry, who works locally and internationally to support change in communities, organizations, and societies through participatory engagement. Following the Summit, a report will be created to outline the recommendations and discuss next steps. It will be presented to policy makers, post secondary institutions, and businesses and will inform policies and programs for government and employers in Prince Edward Island.

“Holland College is proud to be working with the organizing committee and supporting YDAY as the event host,” said Brian McMillan, President of Holland College. “This important initiative will serve as an energizing platform for youth to collaborate, learn, and share perspectives regarding employment, entrepreneurship, and a variety of topics focusing on making Prince Edward Island a place for our youth to prosper.”

To register for YDAY, please visit www.yday.ca. Deadline to register is September 21, 2016.

YDAY is supported by the Government of Prince Edward Island through the Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism; the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce; the University of Prince Edward Island; Holland College; and Collège Acadie.

Every week, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Rebecca Chapman (women’s rugby) and Brett Strba (men’s soccer), the UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the week for September 5-11!

Rebecca Chapman plays the number 8 position for the Panther women’s rugby team. The fifth-year honours kinesiology student from Souris played an outstanding game in the season opener to the number one-ranked Acadia. The Panthers ultimately lost the game 29-17, but coach John Laboyne said, “’Beccs’ was effective at every aspect of the game and led the team from the front, both in attack and defence.”

Brett Strba is the keeper for the Panther men’s soccer team. He is a second-year BBA student from Windsor Junction, Nova Scotia. “Brett played two very strong games for us on the weekend,” said coach Lewis Page. The Panther men dropped two games over the weekend, losing to St. FX and CBU.

It’s not too late to purchase your Panther Package, the best sports deal on Prince Edward Island! Your $75 season ticket gets you into every home Panther home game, in every sport (except men’s hockey). Find more details at gopanthersgo.ca.

At the recent opening of the new School of Sustainable Design Engineering building, UPEI was proud to dedicate one of the building’s main throroughfares as the RBC Concourse. The RBC Concourse was named in honour of a generous donation to UPEI’s Inspire! Campaign by RBC.

“I want to thank RBC for its generosity and vision in supporting what will be an exciting new chapter in the history of the University of Prince Edward Island,” said Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor. “We’re creating an exciting future for our students and the Island, and we’re doing it with the help of RBC.”

“RBC is committed to Canadian youth with a focus on supporting young people to ensure future generations have the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive and prosper in a rapidly-changing world,” said Kirk Muise, RBC’s Regional Vice President, Eastern N.B. and P.E.I. “We are simply thrilled to support UPEI’s new School of Sustainable Design Engineering and commend the university for being a leader in this field.”

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

All UPEI Alumni, corporate partners, season ticket holders, and Panther fans are invited to Red Shores Racetrack and Casino to help us kick off the 2016/2017 season! The evening begins at 5:00 pm in the grandstand. UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director Chris Huggan and each Panther coach will give a preview of the season. Join us after for a reception with all our student-athletes in attendance, where the fun continues into the evening’s race card with Panthers matched up with horses in races two and three.

It’s not too late to purchase your Panther Package, the best sports deal on Prince Edward Island! Your $75 season ticket gets you into every home Panther home game, in every sport (except men’s hockey). Find more details at www.gopanthersgo.ca.

University of Prince Edward Island President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz issued a statement today on the passing of UPEI honorary degree recipient Donald N. MacKenzie.

“On behalf of the UPEI community, I would like to extend my condolences to Donald’s wife Marion and to his family and friends,” said UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. “Not only will he be missed by all of us here at UPEI who were fortunate enough to know him and of his generosity, but he will be forever remembered by the agricultural community.”

Dr. MacKenzie's far-sightedness in the potato industry led to the development of major seed varieties in PEI and improvements in potato handling and transportation. A graduate of Prince of Wales College, he continued on to McGill University before the lure of farming brought him back to Prince Edward Island, where, in 1952, he became a partner in H. B. Willis, Inc.

He was named to the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2008, as an Honorary Lifetime Director of the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts in 2000, and a recipient of an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at UPEI in 2010. Donald and Marion MacKenzie also established the E. Marion and Donald N. MacKenzie Renewable Entrance Scholarship in Nursing in 2010.

Dr. MacKenzie passed away in Charlottetown on September 10, 2016 in his 90th year.
 

The men’s and women’s soccer teams play at home Friday evening, playing host to Acadia. The finishing touches are still being put in on the artificial turf field at UPEI, so the games will be played at the Terry Fox Sports Complex in Cornwall. The women’s game begins at 5:00 pm. The men begin at 7:15 pm.

“We are excited and look forward to watching the new recruits play in their first home opener this year,” said Graeme McDonald, head coach of the women’s soccer team. “We are expecting a tough game against a strong Acadia team who were last year’s finalists. Everyone is motivated for this game and the players are ready to wear the Panther jersey with pride.”

“UPEI Men's Soccer is excited about the opportunity presented in our home opener,” said Lewis Page, head coach of the men’s team. “Following a weekend when we competed well but fell short in attack we will be looking to get forward quickly and create more chances in front of the goal. Acadia is a perennial AUS playoff team. We look forward to the challenge.”

Both team also see action Sunday on the road against UNB. Follow all the games on Twitter with @upeipanthers, or watch the webcast at  www.austv.ca.

Don’t forget to buy your Panther Package! It’s the best sports deal on the Island. Watch every Panther home game (except men’s hockey) and get yourself some cool swag. It’s just $75. Find the details at gopanthersgo.ca.

Canadians for Health Research (CHR) have named Dr. Andrew Tasker its Researcher of the Month. Dr. Tasker is a Professor of Neuropharmacology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Atlantic Veterinary College. He is also the Jeanne and J.Louis Lévesque Research Professor in Nutrisciences and Health.

A profile on the CHR website plots the twists and turns of Dr. Tasker’s impressive career, from his first posting as a post-doctoral researcher examining the neurological effects of analgesic drugs on chronic pain at AVC. His focus shifted abruptly after a small group of people in Montreal developed neurological symptoms, including seizures and amnesia, after eating contaminated PEI mussels. They had contracted amnesic shellfish poisoning, caused by a deadly toxin known as domoic acid.

Dr. Tasker shifted his research focus to study how domoic acid adversely affects the brain. He became an internationally recognized expert in this area. His research grew and expanded to include other brain disorders. Today, he and his team are trying to identify biomarkers that signal the early development of many brain diseases, including epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, depression, and autism. They hope to unlock the mysteries of brain function and, ultimately, find ways to cure or prevent neurological diseases.

The article also tracks his involvement with the development of NA-1, a stroke medication The Globe and Mail calls the first “blockbuster” drug from Canada since insulin.

“I’ve always been more interested in asking and answering questions,” said Dr. Tasker in the article. “At UPEI, I have the flexibility to try new ideas and maintain a good work-life balance.”

Congratulations, Andy!

UPEI’s UNESCO Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability and the UPEI Climate Research Lab will co-host a public forum on climate change adaptations and islands. The forum begins at 7 pm on Thursday, September 22 in the Florence Simmons Performance Hall on the Prince of Wales Campus of Holland College. Information gathered at the forum will be become part of a statement delivered at the 22^nd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change this November in Morocco and will inform public policy in local, national, and international jurisdictions.

“Despite being minor contributors to global climate change, many of the 600 million islanders of the world are seeing their way of life, and indeed the very existence of their islands, being threatened by human-induced global warming,” said Dr. Jim Randall, co-holder of the UNESCO Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability. “This public forum and the larger symposium is an opportunity to show how islands and islanders are being adaptive and resilient; and at the same time provide practical lessons to the rest of the world on how we should adapt to climate change.”

Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino, co-holder of the UNESCO Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability, will prime the forum by presenting a summary of a two-day international symposium on small island resilience to climate change. “Building Small Island Resilience to Global Climate Change: An International Symposium” brings together 15 people from around the world to discuss how residents of small islands and coastal jurisdictions can build on their strengths and resourcefulness to respond to the consequences of climate change. The focus is on four areas: food security, renewable energy, innovation, and cultural heritage. Also hosted by the UNESCO Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability and the UPEI Climate Research Lab, the symposium is funded in part by the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency (ACOA) and the province of Prince Edward Island.

"The Government of Prince Edward Island is a proud sponsor of this international symposium that will provide a platform for participants to engage on the topic of climate change and small Islands. Small islands, like Prince Edward Island, do face unique challenges and we have an opportunity to be leaders in confronting these challenges by making proactive decisions on how we adapt to these new realities. As the Minister Responsible for the Environment, I wish all event organizers and participants a successful and engaging symposium and I look forward to hearing the outcomes of this week's discussions," said the Hon. Robert J. Mitchell, Minister of Communities, Land and Environment.

“Taking action to address climate change is an important part of building a strong and sustainable economy,” said Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “That’s why the Government of Canada has made clean growth and climate change a priority under the Atlantic Growth Strategy. ACOA’s investment of $35,190 to support this conference is part of our commitment to encourage innovation and create jobs while at the same time protecting our environment.”

“The symposium provides a great opportunity for us to focus on climate change and adaptation in respect to islands. The forum gives the public an important venue to have their input added to this discussion,” said Dr. Adam Fenech, director of the UPEI Climate Research Lab, who will help present the first draft of the symposium statement to the forum. The moderator will then invite comments and suggestions from the audience.

Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, contact iis@upei.ca or 902-894-2881.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.