A REMINDER about next week’s Interdisciplinary Research Showcase (Tuesday, 2^nd December, 2-5 p.m. in our Seminar Room, PAB 100).

The event will feature:

• Keynote presentation by the recipient of the first Fallona Interdisciplinary Science Award – Prof. Charles Trick
• 3-minute Thesis hosted by our grad students
• Cross-Faculty Poster Presentation

If you’re interested in participating in the Poster Session or the 3-Minute Thesis, please confirm your participation to the poster session or send nominations for Three-minute Thesis presentations to Mr. Arzie Chant at achant2@uwo.ca by this Thursday, 27^th November.

The Estate of the late Dr. Jane Bowles of Western’s Biology Department has donated her Meade 20cm. telescope to Cronyn Observatory.

The Physics and Astronomy machine shop’s Brian Dalrymple designed,  crafted, and mounted a commemorative plaque onto the tube of the telescope.

This week, the telescope arrived at its new home, The Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory, and will used in the public programs which are hosted by the Physics and Astronomy Department.

[more images]

Fall Preview Day was held on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

All of the sciences, including medical, gathered in the atrium of the Physics and Astronomy building to display their programs.

Physics and Astronomy volunteers were;

• Jeremy Locke
• Stephanie Kirkvliet
• Zach Bliss
• Danielle Whitfield
• Patrick Hatch
• Ian Mulholland
• Mona Abu Sharkh
• Peter Frank
• Dr. Eugene Wong
• Dr. Margaret Campbell-Brown
• Dr. Shantanu Basu
• Dr. Tamie Poepping
• Dr. Stan Metchev
• Phin Perquin
• Henry Leparskas

[more images]

A team of 6 stoked athletes represented the Faculty of Science at the 2014 United Way stair climb at One London Place on Nov. 6.

Everyone met early to pick up awesome “Um – The Element of Confusion” t-shirts.

This was followed by a warm up along with other Western teams.

At the base of the dreaded stairwell, RCMP office Karen Osterwald welcomed everyone and confirmed that indeed, there were 472 steps to the top.

The group forged ahead, fueled by Mountain Equipment Co-op power bars and pure adrenalin.

Photos were taken every five floors.

The highlight of the night was when team leader Loveleen made a pass at FM96 radio star Taz, who was disguised in a firefighter’s outfit. Incredibly, Taz and what appeared to be real firefighters, were going to haul up a wheel chair with a person in it.  Congratulations to them for their incredible achievement.

Faculty of Science team members were captain Loveleen Gill,  Manjeet Yashpal, John De Heus, Allison McInnis,  Shayamila Mahagammulla Gamage, and Henry Leparskas.

The team raised $317.

Physics and Astronomy Professor Blaine Chronik is a key member of the newly announced Western Cluster of Research Excellence in Musculoskeletal Health. Western will invest $5 million over five years in Musculoskeletal Health as part of the University’s commitment to foster an environment where innovation and world-class research can thrive.

David Holdsworth, an Adjunct Professor in Physics and Astronomy and presently the Dr. Sandy Kirkley Chair in Musculoskeletal Research, will be the first Director of the new cluster.

The new Cluster includes researchers from the Faculty of Health Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Social Science.

Blaine Chronik is currently a Distinguished Research Professor in the Faculty of Science. He is one of the 10 core investigators within the new Cluster. A world renowned expert in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, he also provides expert advice to both the medical device industry and the Government of Canada on the safety of new MRI-compatible medical devices and technology for all Canadians. He is a Scientist within the Robarts Research Institute, and holds appointments within the Faculty of Engineering and the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.

[read more in Western Media Relations]

[Blaine Chronik – Magnetic Resonance Development Lab]

More news:

‘Maturity,’ ‘readiness’ led to cluster designation – Western News, November 6, 2014

The hip bone’s connected to… $5 million in research – The Gazette, November 4, 2014

$5M committed by Western for bone and joint research (November 2014) – CTV News (Video), November 3, 2014

Western Invests in Bone and Joint Research – Blackburn News, November 3, 2014

http://ca.movember.com/team/1656709