Gradzette
THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA’S GRADUATE STUDENT MAGAZINE August 2012
Gradzette The UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA’S GRADUATE STUDENT MAGAZINE Gradzette c/o The Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation 105 University Centre University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2 General inquiries and advertising Phone: (204) 474.6535 Fax: (204) 474.7651 Email: publisher@gradzette.com
Editor: Sheldon Birnie Copy Editor: Ryan Harby Designer: Leif Larsen Contributors: Jonahu Botha, Chinenye Alozie, Hamdi Hissawi, Beibei Lu, Foster Lyle Cover: Beibei Lu
The Gradzette is the official student magazine of the University of Manitoba’s graduate student community and is published on the first Monday of each month byThe Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation. The Gradzette is a democratic student organization, open to participation from all students. It exists to serve its readers as students and citizens. The magazine’s primary mandate is to report fairly and objectively on issues and events of importance and interest to the graduate students of the University of Manitoba, to provide an open forum for the free expression and exchange of opinions and ideas and to stimulate meaningful debate on issues that affect or would otherwise be of interest to the student body and/or society in general. The Gradzette serves as a training ground for students interested in any aspect of journalism. Students and other interested parties are invited to contribute. Please contact the Editor for submission guidelines. The Gradzette reserves the right to edit all submissions and will not publish any material deemed by its editorial board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or libelous. Opinions expressed in letters and articles are solely those of the authors. The Gradzette is a member of the Canadian University Press, a national student press cooperative with members from St. John’s to Victoria. All contents are ©2012 and may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation. Yearly subscriptions to the Gradzette are available, please contact publisher@gradzette.com for more information.
U of M alumnus heading to London Meghan Montgomery to compete in Paralympic Games By Foster Lyle Games for the first time. Montgomery realized then that she was about to take her rowing abilities to the international level. After preparing for three years
W
innipegger and University of Manitoba alumnus Meghan Montgomery is currently on her way to London, England prepping for the 2012 Paralympic Games in the Mixed Coxed
Four, Leg, Trunk, and Arms (4+ Mixed LTA) adaptive rowing event.
she represented Canada in the rowing portion of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. This would not, however, be Montgomery’s last time in the international spotlight. In 2010 at the World Championships, Montgomery took home a gold medal, setting a new world record in adaptive rowing, and is
Montgomery got her start rowing at the University of Manitoba’s campus
now getting ready for her second Paralympics.
during Orientation Week in her second year of study. At the time Montgomery
“We’ve had some really solid training in the last few weeks and we’re definitely feeling more
was working towards a Bachelor of
In 2010 at the World Championships,
Arts degree, which she would finish
Montgomery took home a gold medal,
her and her team were feeling for the upcoming
a few years later.
setting a new world record in adaptive
Paralympic Games. “We want the ‘A’ final, and
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rowing, and is now getting ready for her
along with her Bachelor of Education
“I had played basketball and
water polo after high school,” Montgomery told the Gradzette, “but I
second Paralympics.
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Joining the Manitoba Provincial Rowing Team in 2001, Montgomery
began racing in her first high performance events shortly after. The U of M alum continued to train up until 2005 when she found out through the Winnipeg Rowing Club that rowing was going to be part of the Paralympic
we’ve been working for.” Montgomery said that even though she
and her team had had somewhat disappointing results over the last several months, she believes
[ . . . ] I went to an information session, history.”
obviously we want the podium. That’s what
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wasn’t enjoying it as much as I used to went out on the water a couple of times in the fall, and the rest is kind of
race ready,” said Montgomery when asked how
that their time together over the last few weeks training as a team will give them the strength and focus they need to perform their best. #
Montgomery’s team is composed of four individuals, two male and two
female. All members of the team are impaired by a disability that does not limit the use of their legs, trunk (or ‘core’) or arms. Montgomery herself has a congenital disability on her right hand having only her thumb and two smaller
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digits. Within the Paralympic Games their team only competes against other teams of mixed fours that fall within the same disability category, having use of the legs, trunk and arms. #
Though Montgomery and all the other Canadian athletes are excited to
be going to the games in London, Montgomery says there is a disappointing side to the event. “I remember the stress of university . . . There was definitely a few times where I had to miss workouts to study.” -Meghan Montgomery #
“I definitely think [the Paralympic Games] are overshadowed by the
Olympics in the public’s eye. A lot of people, especially the media, focus on the Olympics while the Paralympics get almost no attention at all,” said Montgomery. “Everyone deserves credit for their accomplishments, and that includes Paralympians.” #
Montgomery also mentioned that certain local publications had left her
out articles highlighting ‘homegrown’ athletes stating that her “feelings were hurt, as [she] was not even mentioned.” #
While Montgomery has long since graduated from the University of
Manitoba, she still remembers juggling her busy schedule. #
“I remember the stress of university,” said Montgomery. “There was
definitely a few times where I had to miss workouts to study.” Montgomery went on to say that on the other hand there were also times during her workouts when ideas and thoughts would just pop into her head, solving problems she was having with an assignment or class. She is also a strong believer that exercise is a key to stress relief, and well being. #
The Gradzette would like to offer Meghan Montgomery and her whole team the
best of luck at The 2012 London Paralympic Games.
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3
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Erica Lam By Chinenye Alozie
E
rica Lam is a research assistant at the University of Manitoba, working
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as part of a team of veterinarians, animal welfare officers, and
by the American Veterinary Medical Association include barbiturates, carbon
engineers to design a mobile and effective control measure for
dioxide, and penetrating captive bolt. For farm animals, however, there is
managing animal populations in the event of a pathogenic or viral outbreak.
presently no ideal stunning or killing method in the case of both commercial
Animals are sometimes observed, quarantined, or euthanized when a virus is
slaughter and euthanasia. Carbon dioxide, for instance, causes death by
suspected to have invaded a given animal population. How this control is
asphyxiation and can be irritating and painful to inhale in high concentrations.
achieved
Other methods either require skill to perform or pose human safety risks.
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has
long
been
of
concern
to
animal
l o v e r s .
Lam took on this challenge after completing the course Air Pollution
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Current methods of euthanasia considered acceptable for use on swine
Lam, who presently works with the big animal chamber unit located at
Assessment and Management with Dr Qiang Zhang, who is also supervising the
the animal science department, hopes the results will be worthwhile.
research. Working with animal welfare officers, veterinarians, animal
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technicians from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives and the
euthanasia of diseased animals is desirable to prevent the spread of pathogens
university, Lam and her team are currently obtaining results and ought to
and the mobility of the euthanizing device is essential for emergency
conclude
situations,”
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the
preliminar y
research
by
Au g u s t .
Lam received her undergraduate degree at the University of Manitoba in
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“During an outbreak of contagious disease on a farm, the efficient
says
L a m .
“The long-term goal of this project is to construct a mobile euthanasia
the department of biosystems engineering and presently works as a technician
unit that could be deployed in such emergencies. The method must be humane
with Zhang. Lam’s others interests include reading, tennis, and tie-dyeing.
and acceptable from a welfare perspective. At the same time, the unit must
Being an animal lover, Lam is highly motivated to provide a more humane and
allow for a large number of animals to be euthanized in a timely manner. It
effective means of euthanizing animals, without pain and suffering.
should be portable to allow for on-site disposal or movement of the unit from
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farm
Lam sees this as a bit of a morbid issue. She is terrified of seeing living
to
f a r m . ”
s e n t i e n t c r e a t u r e s s u f f e r o r d i e t h r o u g h p a i n s a n d d i s e a s e s .
#
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“I think is an important issue that needs to be addressed as long as we
to operate, easy to maintain, and that any consumables required need to be
continue to raise animals for consumption,” Lam told the Gradzette.
readily available in large quantities. The research also took into consideration
Other technical objectives demand the equipment be relatively safe, easy
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4
Photo by Chinenye Alozie
environmental effects like safely disposing the carcasses and assessing whether
be euthanized are placed inside the chamber. The internal and atmospheric
the disposed carcasses pose any danger to predators, as well as the effect on
condition of the drum is initially maintained at a normal condition; then, the
operators
oxygen level of the chamber is gradually reduced. This results from a gradual
and
o b s e r v e r s .
The lab-scale equipment being used in the research was designed and
drop in the pressure of the chamber. The cut in the oxygen available for the
built by Scott Melvin, an engineer and graduate of the biosystems engineering
animals then results in a condition called anoxia, or inadequate oxygenation of
depar tment at the University of Manitoba. Melvin’s company, Node
the
blood
Engineering, specializes in novel designs and custom equipment fabrication. The
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“The use of low pressure, called decompression, is considered acceptable
hypobaric chamber unit is a six-foot by six-foot drum like device. The animals to
by the American Humane Association for use on poultry,” says Lam. “The anoxic
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and
t i s s u e s .
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5
Photo by Chinenye Alozie
effects produced by decompression are similar to those experienced during ascent to high altitudes, during mountain climbing and flying in unpressurized a i r c r a f t . ” #
Is there a researcher you think we should profile?
“The literature suggests that decompression is a painless procedure for all
species when done properly,” continues Lam. “Decompression is supposed to
result in anoxia without the asphyxiation you would experience with CO2. The
Manitoba research by profiling a researcher from our
equipment has also been designed to allow the chamber to be flooded with gases
community.
to purge the oxygen from the chamber. The European Food Safety Authority says the use of inert gases appears to be the most humane way of stunning pigs so #
we
are
also
investigating
t h a t . ”
The actualization of these objectives would surely come as welcome news
Each month the Gradzette celebrates University of
If you know a graduate student, post-doc or professor
who is doing exciting work who you think should be profiled here please let us know.
to animal lovers around the world. Providing a safe, efficient system to deal with
unforeseen viral outbreaks or disease in a way that is both humane and cruelty
editor@gradzette.com. Feel free to nominate yourself
free is important not only for current pet owners, but also those who raise
(we won’t tell).
animals for a living.
Email your nominations for researcher profiles to
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6
What’s in a place? Putting geography back on the academic's map By Johanu Botha
“T
here is nothing like retur ning to a place that remains
Wi n n i p e g ,
unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”
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answer is straightforward: balancing academics with the actual people of the
In that now famous phrase, Nelson Mandela lashed
at
the
Un i v e r s i t y
of
Ma n i t o b a ?
Susan Prentice is a professor in the department of sociology, and her
together the concepts of identity and place. Location may be no mirror to the
p r o v i n c e .
self, but it nevertheless plays a role in what that self looks like. This dynamic is
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no stranger to the academic context of the university, a place where some
I am active in public education and advocacy to make services, policies and
disciplines — like social psychology — are intrinsically affected by their
programs better for Manitoba and Winnipeg families, children and women.”
“I practice what is sometimes called ‘public sociology,’” says Prentice, “so
immediate environment,
# S h e m o v e d t o t h e c i t y,
whereas others are a
“very happily,” from Toronto
veritable function of it.
i n 1 9 9 3 t o t a ke u p t h e
Some lofty subjects, abstract
Margaret Laurence Chair in
philosophy for instance, may
Wo m e n's
actively
# “I was very honoured to be
ignore
its
S t u d i e s .
surroundings, but abstract
able to work across the U of
philosophers certainly can’t.
M and the U of W and other
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All over the world
prairie universities to tr y
graduate students and their
build linka ges between
professors are blending who
women inside and outside
they are as researchers with
the
where
# The Chair spanned a
they
are
geographically. What does it
three-year term that ended
mean to be doing so in the heart of the continent; in
a c a d e m y. ”
Photo by Beibei Lu
in 1996, at which point she joined
the
sociology
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7
department. Along with her work in policy, Prentice strives to reach outside of
justice issues related to Aboriginal peoples. I am encouraged by the support in
the
university
the city - from grassroots activism to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
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“Lately, I've been working hard to improve my French, since I want to
in
other
w a y s .
— a n d b y t h e Un i v e r s i t y o f Ma n i to b a 's r o l e i n r e d r e s s p r o ce s s e s . ”
have a stronger working relationship with Manitoba's francophone community.”
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Another individual with even more explicit academic parallels to her
Erdmann tells a more familiar story for students. Location is initially tied up in
location is Renate Eigenbrod, associate professor and department head at the
how, what, and when specific programs are offered. Switching her interest from
department
the pathology to the immunology department because its size allowed for more
of
native
s t u d i e s .
Across the academic spectrum, both in subject and level of study, Rachael
opportunities, Erdmann has found a happy niche since she started her graduate studies
“We are a tight-knit department, and this has a
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two
summers
a g o .
“We are a tight-knit department, and this has a positive influence on
every aspect of the training program. There is a strong spirit of collaboration
positive influence on every aspect of the training
between researchers in the faculty of medicine that allows for equipment and
program. There is a strong spirit of collaboration
knowledge sharing. In addition, I’ve found that all of the principal investigators
between researchers in the faculty of medicine that
here are accessible and willing to give advice to students who need it.”
allows for equipment and knowledge sharing.”
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Erdmann’s final thoughts combine the importance of place with the all
too
common
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“I can say that studying in Winnipeg has afforded me opportunities that
students’
trepidation
about
the
f u t u r e .
would be unavailable elsewhere. I have no regrets about moving to Winnipeg. No w I n e e d t o f i g u r e o u t w h a t t o d o n e x t . ” #
“Winnipeg's uniqueness lies for me in its Aboriginal — First Nations and
Métis — history and in the strong presence of Aboriginal people,” says Eigenbrod. “As my area of expertise is Aboriginal literatures in Canada, this was the place where I wanted to be. The many facets of Aboriginal culture in this city #
ke e p
inspiring
my
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Like many academics who came before her, Erdmann’s next endeavors are
bound to be informed and influenced not just by what she is doing, but by where she’s doing it.
w o r k . ”
Not only are her studies connected to the place she is in, but she notes
that broader societal challenges and goals are intertwined with the two as well. #
“Canada, this province and this city have to work much harder on social
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8
U of A prof helps verify source of organic Martian material Alien hunters pound fists in frustration once again Hamdi Hissawi — The Gateway (University of Alberta)
E #
DMONTON (CUP) Thanks to the contribution of a researcher at the
igneous rocks that began as magma — molten rock deep below the planet’s
University of Alberta, speculation over the origin of a mysterious
surface. The magma is then pushed to the surface as a lava flow, much like
organic compound found in Martian meteorites has been put to rest.
volcanic
A recent study investigated the presence of an organic compound in
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eruptions
that
happen
on
E a r t h .
Once above ground, the rock cools and settles before being ejected from
Martian meteorites that landed on Earth. What this study reveals, however, is
the surface by some force, like an asteroid collision, which sends it hurtling into
that the carbon found in these meteorites originated from Mars’ mantle layer
space
— the region between the planet’s crust and the core — and not as the result of
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any
carbon rich material — was actually found locked up inside the crystals that
life
a c t i v i t y.
to
m a ke
its
way
towards
our
p l a n e t .
“The significance of the study is that the carbonaceous material — the
f o r m e d a s t h e r o c k w a s c o o l i n g o ff i n t h e l a v a f l o w, ” He r d s a i d .
Unlike Earth, Mars does not have plate tectonics that cycle carbon by pushing crust material back into the mantle.
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Unlike Earth, Mars does not have plate tectonics that cycle carbon by
pushing crust material back into the mantle. This one-way flow of carbon suggests that this material is coming from inside Mars itself, and has been there
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Dr. Chris Herd, an associate professor for the Department of Earth and
since
the
planet
formed
more
than
4
billion
years
a g o .
Atmospheric Sciences at the U of A and an expert in interpreting Martian
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meteorites, contributed to the study by looking at the conditions that helped to
break down these igneous rocks and release carbonaceous content onto the
preser ve
surface, it is expected that NASA’s Curiosity Rover, due to land on Mars this
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this
organic
material
in
the
r o c k s .
Unlike graphite, which is made entirely out of carbon, Herd found that
Because weathering processes, like those caused by wind and water,
August, will encounter the organic material in its search for signs of Martian
the compound in the Martian samples contains other components, like
l i f e .
hydrogen, that make it organic and usable in biological processes.
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we’ve shown in this study that it has nothing to do with life,” Herd said.
“It’s like the material that life either uses or produces,” Herd said. “So in
“It could confuse things and say that we found evidence of life when
t h a t s e n s e i t w a s d e f i n i t e l y a s u r p r i s e t o f i n d i t i n t h e r e . ”
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additional source of carbonaceous material, and it’s something that the team
According to Herd, all Martian meteorites that have landed on Earth are
“The timing of this study is good in that it shows that there’s this
members of the Curiosity mission should be aware of.”
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GSA Announcements GSA Awards Luncheon Celebrates Graduate Student Achievement: The Graduate Students’ Association confers peer-to-peer recognition of fellow graduate students who are currently not recognized by the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship or other national awards. The Awards are designed to recognize the important contributions gradate students make to society through scholarship and community involvement. The awards have been made possible by the generous contribution of Dr. James Burns, a levy applied to all graduate students approved through a GSA referendum, and a contribution made by the Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative. Venue: Marshall McLuhan Hall, Room 204 University Centre Date: August 28, 2012 Time: 11:30
The red planet. (Photo Courtesy of NASA/Flickr Creative Commons)
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