UBC News Digest

The UBC News Digest is a weekly summary of news stories about UBC people, research, learning, community, and internationalization initiatives. News Digest past issues are also available on-line.

Mar. 11, 2005

• Civil Engineering Prof Wins Prize for Laser Scanner Idea
• First Software Engineering Prize Goes to Computer Science Professor
• Prof Selected as 2004 Fellow of National Council on Family Relations
• Alumna Donates $10,000 to Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• 1,000 Participants Needed for Web-Based Survey Tool
• UBC Student Set for 2005 World University Service of Canada Seminar
• Frederic Wood Theatre Presents Tom Stoppard Play
• Attractions Web Site E-subscription
• Faculty and Staff Get Ready for Golf
• UBC Rural Medicine Fun Run April 2
• Profs Invited to Shed Their Locks for Cancer

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Civil Engineering Prof Wins Prize for Laser Scanner Idea

UBC assistant professor of civil engineering Jacqueline Jenkins was selected as the winner in a world-wide competition sponsored by Ibeo Automobile Sensor GmBH.

The company sought ideas for new applications for its automobile laser sensor systems, with a prize of a LD Multilayer-Laser Scanner System valued at Euro dollars 62,500.

Laser scanners increase safety on the road by accurately capturing data in the vicinity of the vehicle, enabling automatic emergency braking, pedestrian safety lane change assistance and so on.

Jenkins proposed using laser scanners for capturing naturalistic driver behaviour. This would enable simulations for vehicle development and traffic safety research to model reality at a completely new level.

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First Software Engineering Prize Goes to Computer Science Professor

Gail Murphy, an associate professor in the UBC Department of Computer Science has won the first Dahl-Nygaard Junior Prize 2005.

The award recognizes her research and teaching in software engineering, and her contributions to understanding and reducing the problems associated with evolving large software systems.

The Association Internationale pour les Technologies Objet established the research prize in recognition of pioneers in programming and simulation, the late Ole-Johan Dahl and the late Kristen Nygaard.

The prize will be awarded July 2005 at the European conference on Object-Oriented Programming in Glasgow, Scotland.

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Prof Selected as 2004 Fellow of National Council on Family Relations

Professor of family studies James M. White was named a 2004 Fellow of the National Council on Family Relations.

In his work, White has addressed the limitations of family development theory and added new concepts. He has served as President of the Northwest Council on Family Relations and as a member of its board of directors, and is the author of several publications on family development, described as classics in the field.

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Alumna Donates $10,000 to Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

UBC alumna and clinical assistant professor Dr. Salvi Parpia has donated $10,000 to establish the Marguerite Yee Bursary in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences Robert Sindelar expressed his appreciation of the donation, calling it a great tribute to Yee, a senior instructor and director of student affairs, who constantly strives to raise the standards of pharmacy practice, and encourages students to participate in professional activities.

Dr. Parpia is a 1984 graduate of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences who went on to receive her PharmD in 1988 from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Medical Research Council of Canada Post-doctoral Fellowship in Pharmaceutics as a PhD candidate.

The bursary, once fully endowed with an additional $10,000, will allow an annual student award of approximately $1,000.

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1,000 Participants Needed for Web-Based Survey Tool

The Faculty of Graduate Studies has a two-year project to test a web-based survey tool, the first of its kind in the world, that allows survey participants to make more informed choices on complex issues, through the help of fictional expert advisors.

The first survey focused on human health. The second survey focuses on the science used in aquaculture. Designed like an interactive computer game, the survey is seen by researchers as a step toward a democratic consultation process. More information is available at www.yourviews.ubc.ca.

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UBC Student Set for 2005 World University Service of Canada Seminar

UBC International Relations student Krista Riley has been chosen as a participant in the 58th World University Service of Canada (WUSC) International Seminar in Burkina Faso. She will be paired with a Burkinabe student for a group research project on HIV/AIDS, agriculture and gender equality.

The 2005 International Seminar is presented by Uniterra, a joint initiative of WUSC and the Canadian Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI). More information is available at www.wusc.ca/campuses/overseas.

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Frederic Wood Theatre Presents Tom Stoppard Play

Tom Stoppard’s play Arcadia, produced by the UBC department of theatre, film and creative writing, will run to March 19. Students from the acting program of the UBC department of fine arts make up the cast.

Proceeds of opening night were given to Performing Arts Lodge Vancouver, in memory of two members of the Theatre at UBC family, Dr. John Brockington and Joan Wellwood.

The play runs from Monday to Saturday, at 7:30 pm. For tickets, visit the Frederic Wood Theatre Box Office, or call: 604-822-2678.

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Attractions Web Site E-subscription

Attractions UBC, a consortium of campus units that offers cultural, recreational, entertainment, shopping and leisure activities for residents of and visitors to Vancouver, has upgraded its web site, and now offers a new monthly events listserve. Visit www.attractions.ubc.ca to learn more about the range of activities UBC offers the greater community and to subscribe.

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Faculty and Staff Get Ready for Golf

Dust off the clubs and start practicing for the 2005 UBC Faculty and Staff Golf Tournament, Thursday, May 5. Check in is at noon. Mark the date on your calendar and contact Lynn Newman for an entry form at 604-822-9702 or lnewman@interchange.ubc.ca.

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UBC Rural Medicine Fun Run April 2

The 2005 Annual UBC Medical 5km/10km Run for Rural Medicine is scheduled for April 2, 2005 in the Pacific Spirit Park and surrounding Endowment Lands. The registration fee is $20 and post-race festivities include prizes and food.

Proceeds go to the Class of 2007 Rural Medical Practice Fund. For more information on rural practice, visit www.familypractice.ubc.ca/undergraduate/rural_prac.html.

To register for the run, please visit: www.ubcmed.com/ruralrun.

For more information, e-mail: runforruralmedicine@hotmail.com.

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Profs Invited to Shed Their Locks for Cancer

The UBC Cancer Society is inviting professors to shave their heads to support cancer research on March 17, 2005.

The Society is holding its first UBC Cuts for Cancer event to give professors the unique opportunity to help ease the suffering of children and cancer sufferers around the world and locally. Participants collect pledges, then proceed to cut or shave and donate their hair. The event first began at Queen’s University four years ago and at University of Toronto last year and has raised over $75,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society to date, and $72,000 (USD) worth of wigs.

The clipped hair will be shipped to Angel Hair of Kids, a non-profit organization in Canada that collects hair donation and manufactures wigs for children in need. The wigs are used for children who suffer from long-term medical hair loss, particularly those with the autoimmune disease Alopecia areata, for which there is no known cause or cure. About 15 ponytails are used to make one wig, which has a market value of $3,000 (USD). The prostheses help to restore self-esteem and confidence, enabling children to face the world and their peers.

To sign up for the event, contact:

Christine Chou
Tel: 778.688.1352
E-mail: christinec@ubccancer.com
Web: www.cutsforcancer.com

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