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The Hurt Blocker

Mike Hildebrand fell asleep on the job once, in the parking lot of The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic Campus. It’s understandable, considering the demands of his research. Hildebrand, a Neuroscience professor at Carleton, is trying to figure out, with the help of some graduate students, what’s happening in the spinal cord to perpetuate chronic pain, a scourge that impacts as many as one in five people, mostly older adults. For nearly 10 years, Hildebrand used spinal cord tissue from rats to record electrical signals travelling between neurons and study the molecules, present or absent, that control the delivery of pain signals to the brain. Like her Carleton collaborator Mike Hildebrand, Ottawa Hospital neurosurgeon and researcher Dr. Eve Tsai is focused on…

Carleton Highlights Life Sciences Research

By Matt Gergyek Humans have the tendency to see themselves as the pinnacle of all living things. The reality is, we represent a miniscule amount of all life on Earth and we often take this for granted. Humans are just one of the estimated 8.7 million living species in the world. For every human, two chickens roam the Earth. For every chicken, more than 300,000 ants roam the Earth. And, for every ant, a quadrillion more bacteria are alive (that’s a one with 15 zeroes after it). Carleton University hosted the second edition of its research showcase called Life Sciences Day 2.0 on May 30, highlighting every living thing. This year, the theme was three-fold, focussing on healthy populations, a…

Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon Appointed as Carleton University’s 15th President

Carleton University's Board of Governors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon as its 15th President and Vice-Chancellor. Dr. Bacon will commence his five-year appointment effective July 1, 2018. The appointment of Dr. Bacon follows an international search process that engaged hundreds of internal and external constituents at Carleton and in the Ottawa community. "On behalf of the Carleton University community, I am very pleased that our comprehensive search process identified a leader of Benoit's calibre," said Chris Carruthers, chair of the Board of Governors. "As Carleton begins a new era and its next 75 years, the university community will benefit from the energy and vision that Benoit will bring to the presidency. He is an experienced…

Carleton Student Volunteers Earn Service Awards

By Tyrone Burke Photos by Chris Roussakis Every incoming student knows the demands will be different in university, but what does that mean, exactly? And how can you prepare for it? The Carleton Science Student Success Centre helps new students excel through a peer-mentorship program in which upper-year undergraduate and graduate students share their experience, advice and subject expertise. On April 15, nine of its volunteer mentors were honoured with the Ontario Volunteer Service Award Medal for Young Volunteers. Awarded by Ontario’s Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, the medal recognizes youth aged 15 to 24 who have volunteered a large number of hours for an organization and are role models for other young people. “In the Kickstart program, we take…

Carleton Research Projects Receive $500,000 from CFI to Improve the Lives of Canadians

Eight Carleton University research projects received $504,780 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to conduct research on important areas such as water treatment, diabetes, 5G wireless connectivity and obesity. “Carleton researchers are paving the way in innovative and important fields that will directly improve the lives of Canadians,” said Rafik Goubran, vice-president (Research and International). “We are extremely grateful for CFI’s ongoing support of this vital research.” The CFI funds, part of the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF), covers 40 per cent of the costs and is matched by the Ontario Research Fund. The remainder is provided by the university and/or partners. Projects receiving CFI funds include: Sustainable Water Treatment Lab Onita Basu, Civil and Environmental Engineering Clean…

Board of Governors Meeting Summary – March 27, 2018

To All Members of the Carleton Community, This is an update from today’s Board of Governors meeting. Board Pleased Bargaining Teams Returning to Table with Mediator The volunteer board members and the university are very pleased that the union has agreed to return to the bargaining table and meet on Wednesday with an external, expert mediator. The board is listening and is aware of the concerns in the university community about the length of the strike. It is our hope that the two teams, who will be meeting with the mediator for the first time on Wednesday, will be able to reach a negotiated settlement as soon as possible. Update on Negotiations Rob Thomas, Assistant Vice-President (Human Resources) reported how…

Experts Available: Mental Health

As Bell Let’s Talk Day takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 31, Carleton experts are available to comment on topics related to mental health.   Alfonso Abizaid Professor, Department of Neuroscience Phone: 613-520-2600, ext. 1544 Email: alfonso.abizaidbucio@carleton.ca Abizaid is an expert in how the brain integrates sensory and hormonal information to modulate eating, reproduction and activity rhythms. He researches stress, emotional eating, obesity and affective disorders.  Abizaid’s research includes the impact of metabolic hormones and aging on the circadian system, which could lead to treatments that maintain biological and behavioral rhythms functioning optimally for a longer period of time.   Michelle Baulch Assistant Manager, Student Success and Advising in the Office of the Vice-President (Students and Enrolment) Phone: 613-520-2600, ext.3305 Email:…

Carleton Thanks CU75 Volunteers

By Dan Rubinstein Photos by Chris Roussakis Contributions by members of the Carleton community who helped the university celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2017 were recognized at the Carleton University 75th Anniversary Volunteer Thank You Breakfast at Bakers restaurant on Jan. 18. “It was a really fantastic year in so many ways,” said Vice-President (Academic) Jerry Tomberlin, chair of the 75th Anniversary Steering Committee. “Thank you for all of the support you gave to Carleton. Our anniversary celebrations would not have been possible without the energy of all the people in this room.” The university hosted nearly 80 anniversary events last year. More than 60 were initiatives spearheaded by Carleton faculties, schools, and academic and administrative departments, while external groups…

Experts Available: Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

As January is Alzheimer’s Awareness month, Carleton experts are available to comment. Matthew Holahan Professor, Department of Neuroscience Phone: 613-520-2600, ext. 1543 Email:   Matthew.Holahan@carleton.ca Holahan’s research interests include brain development, memory, addiction and concussions.  The Holahan Lab is currently undertaking research related to the effects of low doses of phthalates on stress and development; the acquisition and expression of remote spatial memories during the juvenile period and how glutamate receptor blockade during development can effect spatial memories; as well as concussion research. Holahan teaches a course titled Neurodegeneration and Aging, which includes the topic of Alzheimer’s. Bruce Wallace Adjunct Research Professor, Department of Systems and Computer Engineering Phone: 613-520-2600, ext. 1943 Email: wally@sce.carleton.ca Wallace is the executive director of the Sensors and…

Preventing Neurological Disorders

Hongyu Sun's $2.5 million Canada Research Chair in Developmental Neuroscience is seeking a better understanding of how to prevent the onset of common neurological disorders.