Guelph The Portico Magazine, Winter 2011

RE

TU

RN

UN

DE

LIV

ER

AB

LE C

AN

AD

IAN

AD

DR

ES

SE

S T

O:

TH

E P

OR

TIC

O M

AG

AZ

INE

, U

NIV

ER

SIT

Y O

F G

UE

LPH

, G

UE

LPH

, O

N N

1G 2

W1

PU

BLI

CAT

ION

S M

AIL

400

6467

3

W I N T E R 2 0 1 1

porticoU N I V E R S I T Y O F G U E L P H M A G A Z I N E F O R A L U M N I A N D F R I E N D S

Nature’sperfectfood getsbetter

Guelphresearchersexploreyour innerecosystem

the

Portico_Covers_Portico_Covers 12/24/10 10:31 AM Page cvr1

When John fell into the boards, here’s what it cost:

John’s provincial health plan paid for none of it.

His Alumni Health & Dental Plan paid for most of it.

Discover how the Alumni Health & Dental Plan can help you save on both routine and unexpected health care expenses.

Call 1-866-842-5757 for a free personalized information package, or to get more info now visit: www.manulife.com/uofguelphmag

ALUMNI HEALTH & DENTAL INSURANCEUMNIAL

AL ITH & DENTTAHEAL

AL INSURANCE

w hoervoDisc

lumni Health & Dental Plan can help ythe Aw

ou salumni Health & Dental Plan can help y

e onvou sa

outine and uneboth r

l Cal -866-81to get moror

xpected health caroutine and une

757-542-866-8 ee per a fror fvisit: w o noe infto get mor www.manulif

xpenses.e expected health car

ormation package,sonalized infee peruofguelphmagom/e.cwww.manulif

Underwritten by:

ormation package,uofguelphmag

lustr ilore fExpense amounts ar

.e purposes onlyativlustr

The Manufactur

ers Life Insurance CompanyThe Manufactur

Portico_Covers_Portico_Covers 12/20/10 1:01 PM Page cvr2

i n and around the un ivers i ty

A Guelph chemist

discovers a way toreduce the environmentalimpact of aluminum min-ing, OVC opens a newbuilding for research anddiagnostic services, andenvironmental scienceprofessors show thatplanting trees to offsetcarbon emissions won’taffect global warming.

a lumni mat ters

T he School of

Engineering launchesa new awards program asthe University of GuelphAlumni Associationapplauds its annual alumniaward winners. Alumni-in-Action volunteers hosttheir annual dinner forinternational students, andarts graduate AndreaLindsay celebrates a Juno.

4

24

8

3 — president’s page • grad news — 30 • passages — 37

on the coverU of G food scientist

Milena Corredig

PHOTO BY DEAN PALMER building a better planetU of G celebrates major

donations that will

support student learning,

promote environmental

governance and fund

research to improve the

health of horses.

contentst h e p o r t i c o • w i n t e r 2 0 1 0

HOW GUT BACTERIA AFFECT YOUR HEALTH

Prof. Emma Allen-Vercoe’s made-in-Guelph “robo-gut” is a unique research tool for studying the causes of inflammatory

bowel disease, gum disease and even autism.

— 19 —

ALUMNI PROFILESGuelph grad Claudia Harvey entered the Dragon’s Den

and came out a winner. Software developer Barry Billings designs health-care tools for the Canadian market. And physics alumni Derek and Michelle Brown

are modifying medical equipment for use in developing countries.

— 16 — cover story

MAKING HEALTHY FOOD EVEN BETTER

Foods of the future will be more specialized for the health needs of the individual consumer,

says U of G food scientist Milena Corredig.

12

Portico onlineMore U of G news at

uoguelph.ca/theportico

Portico_01to11_Portico_01to11 12/20/10 2:11 PM Page 1

2 The Portico

porticoWinter 2011 • Volume 43 Issue 1

EditorMary Dickieson

DirectorCharles Cunningham

Art DirectionPeter Enneson Design Inc.

ContributorsSusan BubakDeirdre HealeyLori Bona HuntWendy JespersenRebecca Kendall, BA ’99Teresa PitmanSPARK Program WritersAndrew Vowles, B.Sc. ’84

Advertising InquiriesScott Anderson519-827-9169

Direct all other correspondence to:Communications and Public AffairsUniversity of GuelphGuelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1E-mail [email protected]/theportico/

The Portico magazine is published three timesa year by Communications and PublicAffairs at the University of Guelph. Its mis-sion is to enhance the relationship betweenthe University and its alumni and friendsand promote pride and commitment with-in the University community. All materialis copyright 2011. Ideas and opinionsexpressed in the articles do not necessarilyreflect the ideas or opinions of the Univer-sity or the editors.Publications Mail Agreement # 40064673

Printed in Canada — ISSN 1714-8731

To update your alumni record, contact:Alumni Affairs and DevelopmentPhone 519-824-4120, Ext. 56550Fax 519-822-2670E-mail [email protected]

Leaders for a Sustainable World:Unique MBA and MA programs.

SustainableCommerce

Leadership

InternationalCompetitiveness

A BETTER YOU,A BETTER PLANET.

Become part of the solution.

The College of Management and Economics at the University of Guelph has aprofound commitment to community well-being, sustainable commerce and globalcompetitiveness.

Contact Patti Lago: toll free at 1-888-622-2474 • [email protected] • www.leadership.uoguelph.ca

PersonalGrowth

A unique MBA:

• Community, ethics and sustainability asintegral to competitive strategy

• Hybrid of residential and interactiveonline learning

• A focus on industries that reflectGuelph’s historic strengths (food,agribusiness, hospitality, and tourism)

A transformational MA (Leadership):

• Learning about leadership, thinking,communicating, diversity

• Influence that begins withunderstanding yourself, and then others

• Leaders from corporate, government,professional, military and not-for-profitsectors learning from each other

the

You Remember U of GSo Do Your Future Customers

• Promote your business in The Portico

• Reach more than 93,000 educatedconsumers

• Three issues per year, insertopportunities

For advertising inquiries:www.uoguelph.ca/adguide/Scott AndersonTel: 519-827-9169Fax: 519-827-9174Email: [email protected]

Portico_01to11_Portico_01to11 12/23/10 9:14 AM Page 2

Winter 2011 3

W e ’re inv it ing the world toGuelph. And we’re issuing a challenge.

People from all walks of life and from allover the world will converge upon the Uni-versity of Guelph in February to attend the sixthannual Universities Fighting World HungerSummit. It’s the first time this international eventhas been held in Canada. We expect to see morethan 400 people, including university students,faculty members, government and aid workers,politicians and social activists.

Day in and day out, hunger is a fact of lifefor one of every seven people on Earth. Near-ly one billion people in the world don’t getenough to eat. Hunger kills more people everyyear than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis com-bined. Faced with such a huge problem, it’sdifficult to know how to solve it. But it’s achallenge we can’t ignore.

Universities Fighting World Hunger workswith the United Nations World Food Programand aims to prompt university administrators and studentsto make the fight against hunger a core value of their insti-tutions. U of G was the first Canadian university to jointhe group, but a few others are now coming on board.

Along with my co-host – Gavin Armstrong, a fourth-year commerce student and a member of the U of GBoard of Governors – I’m inviting all Canadian uni-versities to attend the summit and join us in the battleagainst hunger and malnutrition. We believe universi-ties are perfectly positioned to play an important rolein this effort, drawing on two of their most vitalresources: students and researchers.

University students have the energy and enthusiasmneeded to tackle this challenge. Guelph students alreadydonate money from their meal cards every semester andcanvass the city each fall for donations for local foodbanks. Many of our students also volunteer in disad-vantaged areas in Canada and around the world.

University professors and researchers also bring par-ticular skills and knowledge to bear on finding solutionsto hunger and malnutrition. Guelph scientists and schol-ars from varied disciplines already collaborate to addressenvironmental degradation, climate change, disease, socialand economic disorder, political conflicts and numer-ous other issues that cause or worsen hunger and its soul-mate, poverty. Improving the quality of life for peoplearound the world is the goal of The BetterPlanet Pro-ject, which is intended to increase the capacity forresearch and innovation at the University of Guelph.

Supporting The BetterPlanet Project will furtherstrengthen U of G expertise in food, health, environ-ment and community – all critical parts of the solutionto hunger and malnutrition.

In fact, fighting hunger and malnutrition is one prior-ity under the BetterPlanet initiative to fund a global net-work in sustainable food production. This collaboration ofexperts will lead changes in food production systemsthrough education, research and outreach. For Canadians,that means a sustainable production system and plenty ofhealthful food choices. For much of the developing world,we aim to improve nutrition and food security. Ideally, wewill find solutions no matter where they arise.

“Hunger Has No Boundaries” is the theme of thisyear’s Universities Fighting World Hunger summit. Theevent will encourage collaboration among governments,companies, schools, media and not-for-profit agencies.I look forward to a special president’s dialogue and pan-el discussions on the roles of these groups in harnessingintellectual discovery and social responsibility toward asustainable world. U of G will be represented by ourstudents, faculty and several alumni experts.

I invite you to follow the Universities Fighting WorldHunger Summit Feb. 25 to 27 on the University of Guelphwebsite (www.uoguelph.ca/worldhunger/). And read sev-eral stories in this issue of The Portico to learn how otherGuelph grads and faculty are looking out for the welfareof others and helping to make this a better planet.

Alastair Summerlee, President

the president’s pageUNIVERSITY SUMMIT TO FIGHT HUNGER

PH

OTO

BY

RO

SS

DAV

IDS

ON

-PILO

N


T he opening of a new research anddiagnostic centre at the Ontario Vet-

erinary College (OVC) has strengthenedCanada’s capacity to solve health problemsthat occur where people meet animals.

The Pathobiology and Animal HealthLaboratory will support the growing roleof veterinarians in research and teaching inpublic health, infectious diseases, patholo-gy and immunology. Researchers will diag-nose and study a range of animal diseasesand pathogenic organisms, from bird flu andSARS to E. coli and West Nile virus.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canadacommitted $37 million to the project; theOntario Ministry of Agriculture, Food andRural Affairs (OMAFRA), $25 million.

“Our government is pleased to providefunding to the University of Guelph to helpsupport ongoing research activities that pre-serve consumer confidence, protect againstanimal disease and demonstrate our com-mitment to a competitive and sustainable

agri-food industry,” said Carol Mitchell,minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs,at the Oct. 7 opening.

As a partner with OMAFRA in theOntario Animal Health Surveillance Network,the Animal Health Laboratory helps maintainhealthy animals and safe food by providingspecialized diagnostic services for veterinari-

ans and public- and private-sector agencies,said OVC dean Elizabeth Stone. The open-concept space around the new labs encour-ages cross-training and improves facilities forbetter control of pathogenic organisms.

The new building also fulfils a key com-ponent of OVC’s strategic vision as the col-lege approaches its 150th birthday in 2012.

4 The Portico

PH

OTO

BY

MA

RTI

N S

CH

WA

LBE

&

PH

OTO

BY

BA

RR

Y G

UN

N

U OF G OPENS ADVANCED PUBLIC, ANIMAL HEALTH FACILITY

in around Everybody has a bad habit“I ’ve yet to meet someone who

doesn’t have at least one bad habit,”says psychology professor Ian Newby-Clark.

Whether it’s biting your nails or blurt-ing out comments at inappropriate times,we all seem to have some foible. And there’sa reason for that.

“A habit is a behaviour that you do ona regular basis in a less than deliberate man-ner. You’re almost on automatic pilot. Manyhabits are good, and once they become ahabit it’s helpful because they make lowerdemands on our brains,” says Newby-Clark.“We do them almost without thinking.”

But while good habits make our liveseasier, bad ones can be tough to eradicate.“Bad habits have a short-term benefit buta long-term cost. So if you snack on junk

food while watching TV, you enjoy theshort-term benefit of the taste and relax-ation, but there will be a long-term cost.”

To help people who want to get rid oftheir bad habits, Newby-Clark started a“Bad Habits” blog three years ago. “It’s aunique, scientifically based perspective,” hesays, but written in accessible language peo-ple can understand.

The blog’s been so popular — he has morethan 70,000 readers — that he was asked tostart blogging for Psychology Today in 2009.

Although two blogs keep him busy,Newby-Clark says it’s valuable to receivecomments, and “I’ve realized that morepeople have read my blogs than will everread my scientific research.” www.my-bad-habits.blogspot.com/

Ian Newby-Clark


Winter 2011 5

the

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y C

ATHE

RIN

E C

AR

STA

IRSP

HO

TO B

Y T

OM

AS

BE

NE

DIK

OV

IC/IS

IFA

/GE

TTY

IMA

GE

S

Catherine Carstairs

W hile searching for a wayto produce higher-grade heat-

ing fuel from agricultural and forestrybiomass, U of G chemist Marcel Schlafdiscovered a technique that might alsoeliminate huge reservoirs of red mudlike the one that collapsed in westernHungary in October, flooding three vil-lages and killing several people.

Red mud is an alkaline waste by-product of the aluminum industry.About 70 million tonnes of it are pro-duced each year worldwide.

“We think we have found a way inwhich we can use this aluminum min-ing by-product to process by-productsfrom agriculture and forestry to createfuel,” says Schlaf.

He’s looking for ways to use oil frombiological sources to replace crude oil.Schlaf says the high acidity of “bio oil”makes it unstable, corrosive and impos-

sible to store. “We needed to find achemical process to transform the acidcomponents into something non-acidic.This upgraded state would then makethe oil compatible with existing tech-nology.”

Investigating the metals he could useas catalysts to upgrade bio oil led himto red mud. “The list of these metals isvery short, and it just so happens thatred mud is composed of those metals.”

Tests by Schlaf and post-doc ElhamKarimi were successful in lowering theacid level of the organic liquid and pro-ducing higher-grade oil. The sameprocess changes red mud itself into aneutral magnetic material that is nolonger caustic and toxic but that couldbe used as a building material.

Read more about this research inThe Portico online: www.uoguelph.ca/theportico.

Could Guelph research dry up red mudreservoirs from aluminum mining?

A man in Devecser, Hungary, begins to clean up after the Oct. 5 flood of red toxic

mud from the sludge reservoir of the Ajka aluminum works.

universityWHY DO WE WORRYABOUT WHAT WE EAT?

F or many people, a plateful of food can be

more worrying than appetizing. Are there

pesticides on the vegetables? Too much fat in

the sauce? Too little fibre?

History professor Catherine Carstairs says

that questioning the health aspects of our diet

has been increasingly common since the 1970s,

but the roots of these concerns go back at least

a few more decades. She’s currently a Fulbright

Scholar at the University of California’s (UC) Davis

campus, where she’s exploring the lives of two

American writers who made the idea of “health

food” popular in the mid-1900s.

Gaylord Hauser published his best-known

book, Look Younger, Live Longer, in 1950.

“Hauser’s book was aimed at women in what

he called ‘the second half of life’ and was all

about how to keep your beauty after you turned

40,” explains Carstairs. His was an optimistic

view that pushed relaxation and healthy eating.

Adelle Davis wrote books full of warnings

about subclinical deficiencies, pesticide-soaked

fruits and vegetables, and depleted soils in farm-

ers’ fields. “She sold fear,” says Carstairs.

The Guelph professor is re-examining the

work of these writers and others whose roots

grew into the health-food movement.


6 The Portico

PH

OTO

BY

RIC

HA

RD

BA

IN

PH

OTO

BY

MA

RTI

N S

CH

WA

LBE

U nder the Kyoto Protocol ,countries are encouraged to use

forests to sequester carbon and help meettargets for emissions of global-warminggases, but two separate U of G studies sug-gest this plan is flawed.

1Guelph geography professors

Ze’ev Gedalof and Aaron Berg saytheir research results will surprise

people on both sides of the debate on car-bon-sequestration. “Trees will play a role inassimilating atmospheric CO2, but it’s muchsmaller than most people expect,” saysGedalof. “Our results suggest that lookingto forests to grow more quickly and there-by offset emissions is not going to work.”

Studying archived tree-ring measure-ments held by the National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration in the UnitedStates, they found CO2 fertilization spurredfaster tree growth at only about 20 per centof sites worldwide, despite the fact that the

gas typically accelerates growth in plants.“Eighty per cent of the world’s forests

don’t care,” said Gedalof.The researchers found that those faster

growth rates could not be traced to climaticchange, nitrogen deposition, changing sen-sitivity to climate, elevation or latitude, all ofwhich may influence growth rates of trees.

Planting Trees to Offset Carbon Emissions Won’t Work

Innovative ideas are wrapping together two of

Ontario’s largest agricultural sectors: soybeans

and meat processing. Guelph researchers in the

Department of Food Science are using the by-

products of harvested soybeans to develop bio-

based packaging materials and edible films to

streamline meat processing techniques.

Using sausages as a model system, they are

creating an edible soy-film casing made simul-

taneously with the sausage, using a process

known as co-extrusion. Prof. Loong-Tak Lim

says these films could replace preformed

sausage casings, which are usually made from

animal intestines.

The co-extruded sausage casing provides

many advantages over existing preformed mate-

rials by overcoming limitations associated with nat-

ural animal casings, such as inconsistent size and

thickness, variable material properties, and size

limitations. And the co-extruded technique is con-

tinuous, allowing the casing material to feed auto-

matically without the need to interrupt the sausage-

stuffing process to reload the preformed casing.

“We could change the casing formulation

more easily and add different ingredients, spices

or even antimicrobial agents to give the product

a longer shelf life,” says Lim. “By using soy-based

casing, we can potentially open up some new

possibilities for sausage product development.”

Lim and his collaborators are also develop-

ing soy-based packaging materials to replace

those made from non-renewable resources such

as petroleum.This research is funded by the

OMAFRA-U of G partnership.

in around universityFood scientists find new uses for soybeans

Prof. Loong-Tak Lim, right,

with collaborators

Profs. Massimo Marcone,

left, and Shai Barbut.

& the


NOTEWORTHY• Graham Walker, one of the world’s

most esteemed microbiologists and

a professor at the Massachusetts

Institute of Technology, received an

honorary degree from the Universi-

ty of Guelph during fall convocation

Oct. 16. Walker’s studies of DNA

damage, repair and replication have

applications in understanding can-

cer and bacterial infections.

• Fine art professor Sandra Rechico

created a giant multimedia art

exhibit as a focal point of Nuit

Blanche, Toronto’s annual sunset-

to-sunrise celebration of contem-

porary art held Oct. 1. She marked

the 1850 line where Lake Ontario

once met the city with a wide glow-

ing wall of blue light. The project

required 12- by 24-foot scaffolding,

hundreds of LED lights and a team

of technicians.

• Patrick Case, director of U of G’s

Human Rights and Equity Office,

has been appointed chair of the

board of directors of Ontario’s

Human Rights Legal Support Cen-

tre. Opened in 2008, the provincial

centre offers legal services to peo-

ple who believe they have experi-

enced discrimination.

• Prof. John Fryxell, Integrative Biol-

ogy, and PhD student Andrew Kit-

tle are featured in a seven-part

National Geographic television

series called Great Migrations. The

series, which was filmed on all sev-

en continents, looks at how millions

of animals, from monarch butter-

flies to the African wildebeest that

Fryxell studies, undertake epic jour-

neys involving great distances and

extreme climates.

• An internal review by U of G’s Office

of Resource Planning and Analysis

estimates the University’s econom-

ic impact on the City of Guelph is

$750 million a year in direct and

indirect spending. Students alone

spend an estimated $105 million a

year.

Winter 2011 7

A Guelph-based research teamwants to engineer more nutri-

tional foods for older adults living inlong-term care facilities.

Prof. Heather Keller, Family Rela-tions and Applied Nutrition, has beeninterviewing and observing older adultsso she can determine where their diets

are least nutritious. She’s found thatmany menu items, particularly meatand vegetable purees, are plagued byunappealing tastes and textures.

Older adults need foods with fewercalories but more vitamins and nutrients.Keller has teamed up with food scienceand human nutrition researchers to devel-op nutritionally enhanced foods andpurees fortified with omega-3 and pro-tein. She and her team are also runningsensory trials to dramatically improve thefoods’ taste, texture and quality.

Keller believes better food couldhelp delay the onset of debilitating neu-rological diseases such as dementia andAlzheimer’s by several years.

Keller is working with Guelph pro-fessors Alison Duncan, Human Healthand Nutritional Sciences, and Lisa Duiz-er, Department of Food Science; and KenStark from the University of Waterloo.

They also found no evidence thathigher atmospheric CO2 enables treesto use water more efficiently, contraryto claims that climate change will allowforests to extend into dry areas.

Gedalof and Berg analyzed datafrom about 2,300 forest sites on six con-tinents and covered 86 species of trees.

2 Contrary to expectations,tree growth has declined overthe past century despite rising

amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere, saysProf. Madhur Anand, School of Envi-ronmental Sciences. Along with PhDstudents Lucas Silva and Mark Leithead,she co-authored a paper that challengespredictions that more atmospheric car-bon will effectively “fertilize” forests.

The researchers say the predictedbenefits of CO2 fertilization may beoverestimated. They found that warm-ing has caused a growth decline in tem-perate and boreal forests during the pastcentury and especially since the 1950s.

Under warming-related stress, sometrees use water more efficiently but growmore slowly. That means trees are storingless atmospheric CO2 than expected, saidAnand, who holds the Canada ResearchChair in Global Ecological Change.

“We need to entirely rethinkimpacts of climate change. We need toconsider multiple stressors and interac-tions with disturbances. More researchis needed in these areas to better pre-dict implications for forest productiv-ity, management and even restoration.”

The U of G team studied red oaks,red maples, red pine and black spruceat five sites from Long Point in south-ern Ontario to Moosonee near JamesBay. They measured tree growth ringsand studied carbon isotopes in thoserings to gauge trees’ water-use effi-ciency and to distinguish climaticeffects from other factors. They focusedon Ontario forests after they discov-ered tree-growth declines in Brazil andthen in other parts of the world.

Guelph research redefines dinner

PH

OTO

BY

MA

RTI

N S

CH

WA

LBE

Heather Keller

Read U of G daily news at www.uoguelph.ca


Guelph Alumni Pledge to Student Success

The Univers ity of Guelph AlumniAssociation (UGAA) board has pledged $1 mil-lion over the next 10 years to help the Univer-sity reintroduce its first-year seminar program.

“We’re making an investment in both stu-dents and future alumni,” says UGAA presi-dent Brad Rooney, ADA ’93 and B.Sc.(Agr.)’97. “Students enrolled in seminar coursesbecome more engaged in learning and citi-zenship and are more apt to stay connectedwith the University after they graduate.”

U of G offered the small, discussion-basedcourses for five years but suspended them in2008 due to funding constraints. The UGAAgift will help to revive these highly interactiveclasses that Rooney says are proven to buildcommunication, research and leadership skillsin students.

“What better way to improve the Univer-sity experience and the quality of education?We’re supporting professors, staff and the Uni-versity curriculum, and we also get to help stu-dents become better people.”

He adds that this alumni gift supports theglobal outlook of The BetterPlanet Project andthe University’s mandate to change lives andimprove life. “We’re accomplishing both byhelping students who will graduate and go onto be great leaders in their chosen field, butwhile they are still at U of G, we can showthem how to make a difference in their ownlives and the lives of people around them.”

The $1-million pledge will be funded byalumni participation in UGAA partnership pro-grams that provide life insurance, home and autoinsurance, credit cards and mortgage services.

The Better P

HO

TO B

Y J

AS

ON

JO

NE

SAisha Yorke, left, Laura Jewell and Nathan Lachowsky.

A BETTERWORLD BEGINSWITH STUDENTS Guelph native Sophia Oke knew

about U of G health research

before she came to campus as

a Chancellor’s Scholar. She

consulted Guelph faculty for a

science project on reducing the

side effects of chemotherapy;

the project earned an innova-

tion award at the Canada Wide

Science Fair. Sophia is a First

Response Team member at U

of G and a community volun-

teer with Red Cross, Canadian

Blood Services and a local hos-

pital. She was named one of

Youth in Motion’s Top 20 Under

20 for 2010.

Hear Sophia’s BetterPlanet

message by scanning this QR

code with your cellphone.

8 The Portico


GOSLING FOUNDATIONBUILDS A LIVING LEGACY

A dedication ceremony was held Sept. 27

to name a new greenhouse in memory of

one of the Arboretum’s best-known horticul-

turalists, Henry Kock, who died in 2005. Philip

and Susan Gosling of the Gosling Foundation

donated $250,000 to help establish the Hen-

ry Kock Propagation Centre.

“I am truly pleased that this much-needed

and long-awaited greenhouse is now built and

ready for growing,” said Philip Gosling. “The

naming of the greenhouse gave the foundation

the opportunity to remember Henry, and par-

ticularly, the important role he played in pre-

serving native species.”

Kock graduated from U of G in 1977 and

joined the Arboretum in 1982 as a plant prop-

agator, later becoming an interpretive horticul-

turalist. He also launched the Elm Recovery

Project to create a seed orchard and cultivate

disease-resistant trees.

“The greenhouse is the heart of the Arbore-

tum,” says director Alan Watson. The 3,600-

square-foot facility will provide educational,

research and outreach opportunities for students,

staff and faculty.

Previously, the Goslings established the

Arboretum’s popular Gosling Wildlife Gardens

to teach people how to transform their own

backyards into wildlife habitats.

Planet Project

T he University of Guelph hasreceived $2 million from theE.P. Taylor Equine Research

Fund to support clinical research in thehealth and performance of racehorses.

“The E.P. Taylor Equine ResearchFund was established to honour theenormous contributions of E.P. Taylor tothe horseracing industry in Canada and,indeed, worldwide,” says long-timetrustee Robert McMartin. “This dona-tion marks our belief in Guelph and itsvision to build a centre of excellence forequine performance and reproduction.We believe clinical research is an essen-tial part of this vision.”

The E.P. Taylor Equine ResearchFund has supported graduate student andfaculty research conducted through theUniversity, the Ontario Veterinary Col-lege (OVC) and Equine Guelph (a part-nership between U of G and the equine

industry) since the mid-1970s. “We take this latest gift as a vote of

confidence that we are on the right trackwith our plans to support and improve thehealth and performance of Ontario’s race-horses,” says OVC dean Elizabeth Stone.“This donation will help fund unprece-dented new research and allow our equineexperts to advance and improve equinemedicine, surgery and husbandry.”

Results of the University’s equineperformance research will be put intopractice at a new Equine Sports Medi-cine and Reproduction Centre beingplanned for the U of G campus. Thecentre will apply discoveries, offer directaccess to equine specialists, and attracttop students and veterinarians interestedin equine research.

The new centre is part of the Uni-versity’s multi-year plan to enhance exist-ing OVC facilities and services.

E.P. Taylor Gift EnsuresWin for Racehorses

PH

OTO

BY

GR

AN

T MA

RTIN

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HY

PH

OTO

BY

DAV

E LA

ND

RY

Philip and Susan Gosling

There are more than one million horses in Canada, with nearly half of them

in racing and breeding.

Winter 2011 9


10 The Portico

The BetterPlanet Project

Kinross, U of G Promote Sustainability Promoting environmental and governance practices that support sus-tainability is the aim of a new chair at the University of Guelph funded by a$1-million gift from Kinross Gold Corp.

Unlike traditional research chairs, the Kinross Chair in Environmental Gov-ernance will be held by a succession of high-profile experts in the field ratherthan by a single academic scholar. Spending one or two semesters in U of G’sCollege of Social and Applied Human Sciences (CSAHS), each chair will bringgovernance expertise developed through their professional experience and linkit with the scientific and policy expertise of the University community.

The ultimate goal, says CSAHS dean Kerry Daly, is to develop new gover-nance models for achieving solutions to environmental problems. “There is agrowing consensus that many of the problems contributing to environmentaldegradation relate to political, economic, institutional and behavioural consid-erations rather than to a lack of scientific knowledge or adequate technology.”

Kinross president and CEO Tye Burt adds: “Addressing the world’s chal-lenges requires new forms of collaboration and leadership that build newglobal connections among citizens, government and industry. The work weare teaming up to do is vital at a time when people around the world strug-gle to cope with the effects of environmental changes.”

DONOR NODS TOAGRI-FOOD SECTOR

A ndy Wilder, B.Sc.(Agr) ’84, has

pledged $250,000 to U of G’s pro-

posed Institute for the Advanced Study

of Food and Agriculture Policy. The

institute is an important initiative of the

Department of Food, Agricultural, and

Resource Economics. Its members will

provide independent, credible and time-

ly analysis of food and agricultural issues

with the goal of improving the lives and

competitiveness of Canadian farmers,

producers and food processors.

Wilder is well-versed on issues

affecting the agri-food sector. He is a

grain merchant for Horizon Milling in

Burlington, Ont., a branch of Cargill

Foods that refines flour products under

the Robin Hood brand. He is also a

member of The BetterPlanet Project

campaign cabinet and has been a

donor to the University’s annual fund

almost since the day he graduated.

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDHONOURS KEN KNOX

C olleagues and friends of Ken Knox, K.Dip

’61 and B.Sc.(Agr.) ’72, have established

a scholarship endowment in his honour to ben-

efit diploma, undergrad and graduate students

of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC). The

endowment was initiated by Bruce Archibald,

B.Sc.(Agr.) ’79, M.Sc. ’84 and PhD ’93, who

acknowledges Knox as his mentor.

More than $80,000 in donations has been

received and will be matched dollar-for-dollar

by the provincial government’s Ontario Trust for

Student Support program.

After retiring from a 27-year career in the

Ontario government, including six years as a

deputy minister, Knox is now president and CEO

of the Innovation Institute of Ontario. And he is

still involved in a 300-acre family farm north of

Oshawa that supports educational agriculture pro-

grams. The Kenneth W. Knox Scholarships will

provide experiential learning and travel opportu-

nities for OAC students. The first grants, ranging

from $1,000 to $3,500, will be awarded this fall.

PHILANTHROPIST SUPPORTS ATHLETES

A sports enthusiast and philanthropist at

heart, John Embry’s decision to estab-

lish a scholarship endowment at U of G is a

boost for varsity athletes. “Having been an

impoverished athlete in college myself many

years ago, I thought it would be a great oppor-

tunity to help out some deserving student ath-

letes,” said Embry, who is chief investment strate-

gist at Sprott Asset Management Inc. in Toronto.

His endowment provides two annual scholar-

ships — one created with matching funding

through the Ontario Trust for Student Support

program. The awards recognize athletes who

excel in the classroom and on the sports field.

U of G president Alastair Summerlee, left, and Kinross CEO Tye Burt.

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y K

INR

OS

S G

OLD

CO

RP.

Ken Knox


Winter 2011 11

M any people think of art as painting a canvas,but for MFA student Dawn Johnston, stripping

paint from a cannon is just another form of artistic expres-sion. Much as an archaeologist chips away rock to uncov-er an ancient relic, she chipped away countless layers ofpaint that had entombed the cannon for years.

Johnston became a campus celebrity on Sept. 25when she began her week-long paint-stripping project.But it was clear from the beginning that this wasn’t apublicity stunt. In fact, she built a wooden enclosurearound the cannon to give herself some privacy. “I don’twant people to look at me like I’m a monkey,” she said.

But that’s exactly what happened when the wood-en structure came down later in the week. Studentswould stop by the cannon on their way to class and takephotos with their cellphone cameras as Johnston toiledaway. Some rolled up their sleeves and pitched in whileothers took home paint chips as souvenirs.

This wasn’t Johnston’s first foray into deconstructiveart. “A lot of my work in the past has dealt with histor-ical objects,” she said. “I was taking apart objects thathave some kind of social or cultural significance tounderstand them in a contemporary context.”

She deconstructed a man’s suit by removing everyhorizontal thread, transforming the status symbol intoa ghostly fringe. She did the same to a cloth-covered

loveseat, leaving nothing but the vertical threads, springsand wood frame.

Painting the cannon started decades ago; some say thefirst painters were anti-war protesters who turned weapon-ry into comedy. “It’s an object of expression, but at the sametime, it’s an object of joke,” said Johnston. Mostly the GeorgeIII-era cannon has been used as a student message board.It has worn many colourful coats, displayed greetings frombirthday announcements to marriage proposals and beenreincarnated into enough animals to fill a zoo.

According to campus lore, painting can begin aftersundown and must be completed by sunrise. In onenight, the cannon can get more makeovers than a run-way fashion model.

When Johnston completed her work, there was nodramatic “reveal.” She simply packed up her supplies,dismantled the wooden enclosure and shoveled the left-over paint into garbage bins for disposal. Rumour hasit that the bare cannon was guarded against would-bePicassos over the weekend, so that it could make itspaint-free debut on Monday.

But the paint inevitably reappeared. Johnston said shewould keep some of the paint chips and possibly use themin a future art exhibit. Perhaps the paint that once coveredthe cannon will grace the same wall as a painted canvas.

BY SUSAN BUBAK

on campus

THE ART OF DECONSTRUCTION

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HY

BY

SU

SA

N B

UB

AK

AN

D R

ICH

AR

D B

AIN

Dawn Johnston


Jackie Strauss got sick at age 15.It took seven years of inconclusive testsbefore she ended up in surgery and wasfinally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Bythen, she was doing undergrad studies at herhometown University of Calgary. Thatdegree took six years to complete. Refer-ring to flare-ups that might be triggered bycertain foods, stress or even a cold, Strauss

says: “Most of my undergrad was spent strug-gling, trying to cope with the symptoms andnot able to understand.”

That was the bad news. The good newscame when she started an undergradresearch project in a class taught by micro-biologist Emma Allen-Vercoe. By then,Allen-Vercoe had spent four years in Cal-gary as a post-doc, following her own stud-

ies in England. As a newly minted facultymember at U of C, she was launching aresearch program to learn about gut bacte-ria and, specifically, how those bugs con-tribute to inflammatory bowel disease(IBD). Referring both to her supervisor’sresearch topic and to her research acumen,Strauss says: “Emma’s the main reason Idecided to go into grad school. IBD

12 The Portico

The Poopy Lab does have a distinctive smell, but you get used to it, say these U of G researchers, from left: Eric Brown, Kathleen Schroeter,

Jackie Strauss, Emma Allen-Vercoe, Chris Ambrose, Julie McDonald, Mike Toh and Michelle Daigneault.

Story byAndrewVowles

Photos byMartinSchwalbe

There’s a complex

Microbiologist Emma Allen-Vercoe studies the 1,000 bacterial species


research is important to me because I havea connection with it.”

Plans would soon change for both ofthem. When Allen-Vercoe moved to Guelphas a professor in the Department of Molec-ular and Cellular Biology (MCB) in late2007, Strauss and others came with her.“Research has brought meaning to my suf-fering. I can live with this horrible disease

and still accomplish things. You can still liveyour life,” says Strauss.

Just inside the door of Allen-Vercoe’s lab in the science complex is awhiteboard where someone has written thisline: “The Poopy Lab, where lab stools arenot what you expect.”

It’s true. Researchers here are studying

surprisingly varied aspects of gut microflo-ra. Those studies take the team from one endof the gastrointestinal tract to the other, andbeyond. A primary focus, of course, is learn-ing about IBD. Covering both Crohn’s andulcerative colitis, IBD affects about 200,000Canadians, has no cure, and costs this coun-try an estimated $1.8 billion a year in med-ical and indirect costs.

Winter 2011 13

ecosystem

inside your gut that inhabit your “inner ecosystem” — from mouth to bowel


But the Guelph scientists’ studies also takethem into gum and other mouth diseases,probiotics and even autism, all using a suiteof research tools, including a made-in-Guelph “robo-gut,” that is nearly unrivalledin Canada.

More bacteria live inside your gut thanthere are people living on Earth. Up to1,000 different bacterial species inhabit yourGI tract, and your own microbial melange— Allen-Vercoe calls it a “poo print” —remains with you throughout life. Says EricBrown, a fourth-year microbiology studentworking in her lab: “We’re like a big ecosys-tem of bacterial and human cells.”

Call it an inner ecosystem, says AllenVercoe, one whose workings are as compli-cated as those of any rainforest on the plan-et. “It’s becoming increasingly clear that ourgut microflora are key to our overall health,yet very little is known of the ecology andphysiology of these organisms and their inter-actions with host cells.” She believes thosebugs are also a key to understanding disease.“If it’s a healthy rainforest, and you throw insome perturbation, the ecosystem adapts. Butif you start stripping out species and throwstress in, the ecosystem collapses.”

Take ulcerative colitis, known to be asso-ciated with lower bacterial diversity in thecolon. Researchers don’t know what causesthe disease. But they know that stress cantrigger or worsen inflammation and ulcersin the lining of the colon and rectum. Allen-Vercoe is studying the role of the stress hor-mone norepinephrine on intestinal bugs.Learning which bacterial species trigger IBDmight help in finding new treatments.Although antibiotics are available, the drugsmay wipe out good and bad bugs indis-

criminately, eventually causing more trouble. Although she has used only samples from

healthy people so far — she brought sam-ples from Calgary, and she’s now receivingmore from the British Columbia CancerAgency — Allen-Vercoe plans to team upwith a Guelph gastroenterologist to obtainstool samples from his patients. Adds Dr.Naoki Chiba: “We’re trying to understandthe disease better so that hopefully we cantarget treatment for it down the road. We

don’t have a cure for the disease.” Besides the Poopy Lab, the real guts of

the enterprise are housed in a separate labone floor up (placed there to keep the odourfarther away from neighbours). PhD studentJulie McDonald, B.Sc. ’09, and lab techni-cians Chris Ambrose and two-time Guelphgraduate Michelle Daigneault, B.Sc. ’06 andM.Sc. ’09, have spent the past year assem-bling and testing the robo-gut, technicallycalled a chemostat. All stainless steel, glass-ware and plastic tubing under computercontrol, the assembly mimics the airless envi-ronment of the large intestine, like humaninnards on a lab bench.

It’s actually a collection of robo-gutswhose six glass flasks each hold about twocups of liquid distilled from stool samples.Having mastered flow rates, retention timeand other parameters, the researchers canrun cultures under precise conditions dur-ing eight-week cycles to compare, say, sam-ples containing norepinephrine againstuntreated controls. Eyeing the brown liquidchurning away one morning last fall, Allen-Vercoe says: “It seems obvious, but it’s verydifficult to do. Everyone’s gut is different.”

McDonald studied biochemistry andmicrobiology at Guelph before starting gradwork. “I find it so fascinating that somethingpeople don’t think about — bacteria in yourgut — has a major impact on our daily lives.”She tries to emphasize the science rather thanwhat she calls the “uck factor” of her stud-ies. “I try not to say I work with poop; itturns people off.”

Kathleen Schroeter remembers her ownchildhood fascination with a different kindof bug. She used to suffer from ear infec-tions as a child and recalls hearing her dad

ask the doctor about antibiotic resistance.After her B.Sc. here at Guelph, she beganher master’s degree, studying gut biofilms.Those mats of clumped-up bacteria can bea nuisance when cleaning the chemostatafter a run — or a potential health hazard ifpathogenic bacteria use biofilms to hide outfrom antibiotics. But in a project also involv-ing MCB professor Cezar Khursigara, she islooking to see whether biofilms might helpimprove health. Learn about how bacteria

form biofilms, she says, and we might usethem to retain good bugs longer, like theprobiotic organisms in yogourt. “We’ve allseen the Activia commercials,” says Schroeter.

Back up the gut far enough, of course,and you arrive at the mouth. There, a bugcalled Fusobacterium nucleatum can cause peri-odontitis, gingivitis and plaque — all inflam-matory processes similar to IBD reactions.“Many Crohn’s patients have mouth prob-lems,” says Allen-Vercoe. The U of Gresearchers will compare strains of “Fuso”from the mouth and the gut. Early geneticsstudies show that those bugs differ.

The team has also found evidence thatIBD patients have more F. nucleatum grow-ing in their GI tracts and more virulentstrains of the bug than do control patientswithout the disease. They hope to find bac-terial genes that might serve as markers toprovide clues about what causes the disease.Allen-Vercoe aims to obtain samples fromdental patients through faculty members atthe University of Toronto. That’s a new kindof partnership for both sides. “Dentists don’tspeak to gastroenterologists.”

Even less likely might be the notion ofGI doctors talking to neurologists. But inwhat Allen-Vercoe calls a bizarre turn forher studies, she’s now looking at possibleconnections between gut microbes and ner-vous disorders, specifically autism. Otherresearchers have found that gut bacteria inchildren with autism differ from those inhealthy kids. It’s also known that autistic kidsoften require unusual amounts of antibioticsearly in life for ear infections and otherproblems, often while their GI tract is stillassembling that individual “poo print.”

Bacteria produce all kinds of toxic prod-

ucts, says PhD student Mike Toh. “Maybesomething from the bug is affecting thebrain.” He’s using zebra fish to study howproducts secreted by gut microbes mightaffect development. His co-supervisor, MCBprofessor Terry Van Raay, normally uses thesmall, fast-growing and transparent fish tostudy how malfunctions in cell signalingpathways can lead to diseases such as cancer.

Toh also expects to employ the robo-gutto model the GI tract of autism patients and

14 The Portico

In a bizarre turn, Allen-Vercoe is now looking at possible connections


the effects of adding, say, hormones or antibi-otics. For this project, Allen-Vercoe is inves-tigating diet-disease connections with autismresearchers at the University of WesternOntario and with microbiologists at theUniversity of California, Los Angeles. “It’s ameeting of minds between developmentalbiology and microbiology,” she says.

In another meeting of minds, she’s one ofonly a few Canadian researchers working onthe international human microbiome pro-ject, intended to catalogue the genomes of allmicrobes found in or on the human body.Funded by the United States National Insti-tutes of Health (NIH), she’s growing andshipping DNA from bacterial strains to theBroad Institute in Cambridge, Mass. There,researchers sequence the material to gain cluesabout how those strains affect health and dis-ease, and to apply genomics to medicine.

In a 2010 paper published in the presti-gious journal Science, the research teamreported finding novel kinds of bacterial pro-teins and said they expected to find manymore. “It is our ultimate goal to sample thehuman microbiome as completely as possi-ble,” says Allen-Vercoe, who is using NIHfunding to develop techniques for sifting outand growing rare bacterial species from fecalsamples — effectively “culturing the uncul-turable,” as she describes it.

Growing up in England, Allen-Vercoe hadplanned to become an astrophysicist, but hermath wasn’t good enough. She was studyingbiochemistry at the University of Londonwhen she discovered a new world living onPetri plates. “I view a microscope as a verysmall telescope looking in the other direc-tion,” she says. After a PhD at the U.K.’s OpenUniversity and the Centre for Applied and

Microbiological Research (now the HealthProtection Agency), she came to Canada.With her came her husband and lab techni-cian, Chris Ambrose, and their oldest daugh-ter, Phoebe; another daughter, Zoë, was bornin Canada. “We often talk about poop overdinner,” she says. But there is a limit: “I cantalk about the science all I like but not anyof the day-to-day administrative stuff.”

She’s also encouraged by the Crohn’s andColitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) to

discuss her work; the area chapter calls herup for occasional public lectures. Last fall,she spoke to two patient groups in south-ern Ontario. “They make it real,” says Allen-Vercoe, who also receives CCFC fundingfor her research.

As both a patient and a researcher, Jack-ie Strauss knows about making it real. Aftershe finishes her doctorate in 2011, she hopesto continue her studies, perhaps by com-pleting medical school and combining clin-

ical and research work. That route might takeher back to Calgary, where her husbandteaches public school. Over the phone oneday last fall, he told her about two studentsin his class with Crohn’s disease. One momhad shared her worries about her daughter’sprospects. Strauss smiles as she recalls her hus-band’s words: “‘I told them about you doingyour PhD.’” That’s the kind of thing thatmotivates her research, she says, “to bringhope to other kids with this disease.” ■

Winter 2011 15

More bacteria live

inside your gut than

there are people

living on Earth, say

grad student

Kathleen Schroeter,

left, and Prof. Emma

Allen-Vercoe.

between gut microbes and nervous disorders, specifically autism


HOW DO YOU MAKE EVEN MORE Improving milk

is a bit more complicated thanjust tossing in a few tasty ingredients.

BY TERESA PITMAN

PH

OTO

BY

DE

AN

PA

LME

R

16 The Portico


It’s an exciting new world that just mightbe closer than you think. Food scientist Mile-na Corredig and her Guelph colleagues aredeveloping functional food products withingredients that will take healthy eating to awhole new level. She also predicts that thesefoods of the future will be far more special-ized for the needs of the individual consumer.

We all like choice. Right now, for exam-ple, you can choose between skim, two-per-cent and whole cow’s milk, depending onyour tastes and diet. But Corredig thinkswe’ve barely scratched the surface of indi-vidualization and options.

“In the near future, I predict we’ll all havescanning codes on our key chains that wetake with us into the grocery store.” Shop-pers will check their codes against the itemson the shelf to learn which products areappropriate for them and which are likelyto be harmful to their health. The informa-tion will be based on their genes, their par-ticipation in sports, their age, or specific con-ditions such as diabetes or depression.

Does all this sound like science fiction?Not in U of G’s Department of Food Sci-ence. Corredig says: “Our department has acommon vision. We’re looking ahead to thefuture of food and finding ways to make

food better – not just cheaper or tastier, butwith more functionality to promote health.”

Historically, she points out, food scienceresearchers focused on food safety and costs.They developed new ways of processing tokeep food from spoiling and to increase shelflife, and found approaches that increased farmproductivity to reduce costs. Those accom-plishments continue to be important, she says,but today’s consumers expect even more. Nowit’s time to create the next generation of food.

Corredig holds the Canada ResearchChair in Food Nanostructures and theOntario Dairy Council Research Chair inDairy Technology. Her research focuses ondeveloping new ways to incorporate health-enhancing ingredients into food products.

Corredig’s passion for understanding foodand milk products in particular started early inlife — perhaps from birth, since she describesherself as “born in dairy land.” By that, shemeans she grew up in Italy and was, in herwords, “raised on Parmesan cheese. I think Iwas given cheese before I was given formula.”She wanted to expand her knowledge of thedairy industry and food production, eventhough her grandfather teased her about “allthose years of study just to make cheese.”

She earned an undergraduate degree in

THE “PERFECT FOOD” PERFECT?

Imagine a world where a glass of milk can make you feel fuller so it iseasier to eat and lose weight. Or a world where a tub of yogourt not onlytastes good but also boosts your immune system. Or a world where youfeel happier thanks to mood-boosting ingredients in the butter on yourtoast. Or a world where children in Africa are protected from some of theeffects of hiv simply by eating a specially prepared freeze-dried ice cream.

Winter 2011 17


18 The Portico

food biochemistry at the University ofMilan and then came to Guelph to com-plete master’s and PhD degrees in food sci-ence. After five years of work in the UnitedStates, Corredig returned to U of G as a fac-ulty member.

Besides holding research chairs thatdemonstrate government and industry con-fidence, Corredig has attracted the attentionof consumer and professional groups. Herresearch has been featured on the website ofCanadians for Health Research, a non-prof-it organization committed to encouragingpublic dialogue and promoting the qualityof Canadian health research. In 2008, theAmerican Dairy Science Association recog-nized Corredig as a “young dairy foodsscholar who shows potential research andeducational leadership.” A year later, shereceived the Distinguished Research Awardfrom the OAC Alumni Association.

While she is confident that more func-tional foods will be hitting grocery stores inthe future, she admits there is a lot of workto do to turn great ideas into reality. “It’s notso easy just to add things to food. You haveto study how they interact, how thingsdegrade or break down over time. And let’snot forget that it still has to taste good.”

To accomplish that, Corredig’s workinvolves what she describes as “intense sci-ence.” It’s not a matter of tossing a few ingre-dients into a cup of milk; some of the foodparticles she works with are measured innanometres (one-billionth of a metre). She’slooking for ways to encapsulate health-pro-moting compounds in minute structures thatcan be added to foods without affectingtaste, smell, texture or appearance. “The waywe process milk — and other foods — 10years from now is likely to be very differentfrom what we do today.”

Right now, Corredig has 30 studiesunder way with graduate students. Theseinclude studying the polysaccharides pro-duced by the bacteria that turn milk intoyogourt and looking at techniques for intro-ducing soy protein into cow’s milk to pro-vide consumers with the benefits of both.

She and other Guelph food scientistsform one of the few research groups in theworld studying butter’s by-product, calledbuttermilk — not fermented buttermilk,but the watery substance that’s separatedfrom the butter during the butter-making

process. Once this by-product is processed,the nutritional properties are diminished,so the team is trying to find a way toprocess cream and butter that would pre-serve the quality of the phospholipids inbuttermilk.

Other research — completed at U of Gbefore her arrival — discovered that a cow’sdiet can be adjusted to change the amountof omega-3 fatty acids. Now she’s lookingat how fat globules break down and releaseimportant components with high efficacyin the intestines. “The matrix to deliver thenutrients is as important as the nutrientitself,” she says.

Corredig is interested in dairy foods, butother Guelph food scientists are exploringways to enhance the health benefits of cere-als and grains, fruits and vegetables, meat andeggs, and myriad processed foods that com-bine these essential food groups.

“People want more and more from theirfood,” she says. “Nature has done a good job

of providing us with healthy and tasty thingsto eat, but processing can make them moreconvenient. In many instances, processedfoods are also safer, longer-lasting and health-ier. Omega-3 milk and heat-treated toma-to juice are good examples of processedfoods that are actually better for you thanthe non-processed version,” she says. “Andbecause they’re well-conserved, you have thesense of freshness for a longer time.”

None of this is done alone. “Food sci-entists are doing research at the interfacebetween nutritionists, engineers, chemists,physicists and animal scientists. I have somereally outstanding colleagues.”

Corredig adds that U of G provides aunique environment that contributes sig-nificantly to their success: “My research andwork is stronger because I am part of the Uof G community.”

“Other places do not have the mix ofexperts in animal nutrition and health, pro-duction, and human nutrition that we havehere. There is no other place where a stu-dent can take a sample of milk directly froma cow that has been treated according towhat we want to do and then go to the pilotplant to process that milk, make a supercheese and test it for all the sensorial prop-erties and health benefits.

“Only in Guelph can you do all thisseamlessly. And that means our research pro-jects are always a step above the others.”

Corredig says taking advantage of thoseopportunities to collaborate with othersrequires discipline of a different kind: youhave to stop thinking of conversations withothers as wasting time. “I try to schedule ina morning just to knock on my colleagues’doors and talk to them about what they’redoing,” she says. “That’s where the best ideascome from. You have to make time to sitdown with people and have a cup of coffee— or a glass of milk.”

Ten years from now, when you are walk-ing through your neighbourhood grocerystore and decide to buy a bottle of straw-berry-flavoured milk that will protect youfrom that season’s strain of the flu and choosea granola bar that helps you maintain yourblood sugar at a healthy balance, Corredigwants you to remember that you heard itfrom her first — and that U of G was a bigpart of the changes. “We are bringing foodto the next level.” ■

NEW FOODS THROUGHINTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

U of G food scientists will host an inter-

national symposium in August where

researchers from diverse backgrounds

— food technology, physics, chemistry,

polymer science and nanotechnology, to

name a few — will share expertise on the

application of basic science principles in

the design and fabrication of “healthy and

sustainable” new foods.

The Aug. 21 to 24 meeting is the

fourth in a series of symposia — Delivery

of Functionality in Complex Food Systems

— initiated to build connections between

scientists working on the design of com-

plex foods. The first three symposia were

organized by the Polymer Group of

Switzerland and the Nestlé Research

Cente in Lausanne, the University of Mass-

achussets, and Wageningen University in

The Netherlands.

Speakers for the Guelph meeting

include U of G researchers Rickey Yada

and Amanda Wright, Food Science, and

Gopinath Paliyath, Plant Agriculture. Prof.

Alejandro Marangoni, Food Science, is

conference chair.


Winter 2011 19

S he ’s been inside the Dragon’s Den – and cameout a winner.

The Dragon’s Den is a popular CBC TV show in whichcontestants pitch products or services hoping to persuadethe judges – known as the Dragons – to invest in theirbusinesses. Living up to their name, the Dragons don’thold back when they find something to criticize.

In Claudia Harvey’s case, they found something tolove. The business she had started with friend WendyJohannson won favour with Dragon Kevin O’Leary, whoprovided a $50,000 line of credit on the November 2009show. In addition, he mentioned their product on theCBC business news show, the Lang & O’Leary Exchange.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Kevin,” Har-vey says. “The whole experience was a bit nerve-wrack-ing, but we had prepared and prepared and prepared.We knew our numbers, and we weren’t too greedy. Allthat helped.”

It also helped that they had an unusual yet practicalproduct: Dig It Handwear. These unique gloves, madefrom recycled materials, were originally designed forgardeners who wanted to protect their nails and mani-cures, but Harvey says their customers are also usingthem for sports and other activities. “I wear them whileI’m kayaking.” A small pillow inside each glove fingerfits over the fingernail. A snug fit (the gloves come infive sizes) makes sure the pillows stay in place, and thewearer can still pick up a quarter or write with a pen.

Pitching a business on national TV is not where Har-vey expected to end up when she started her studies atU of G. “I have an honours BA in psychology with achild studies minor,” she says. “I was working a co-opsemester in a daycare when I realized that this was notthe place for me.” At that point, she added more busi-ness courses as electives and shifted her focus.

After graduation, Harvey was delighted to get a posi-tion as a marketing assistant. “It was in the heart of wherebusiness is, on Bay Street,” she says. From that, she movedto a junior sales position and “learned sales from the groundup. By the end, I was presenting to CEOs and CFOs.”

After the birth of her first child, she took a positionwith Citibank selling credit internationally. “It was funbut involved a lot of travel, and after I had two morechildren I wanted to cut back on that. I took a juniorposition in client relations that didn’t involve travel, butit turned out to be very stressful.”

She opted to take a break from working to spendtime with her family and think about what she wantedto do next. That was when her friend, Wendy, dropped

by for a barbecue; they chatted about gardening andmanicures and starting a business together. They bothliked outdoor activities but hated what happened totheir nails in the process. With their combined experi-ence in sales and operations, Harvey says they knewwhat to expect with a start-up business and took theirtime to make sure they had a high-quality product.

“We created five prototypes and organized focusgroups to get feedback,” Harvey says. “Originally weonly had two sizes, but the focus groups showed us thatwe needed to expand the range to get a better fit.”

Their Dig It gardening gloves remain the signatureproduct in a lineup of protective goods sold throughtheir website and by more than 200 retailers in Cana-da, including the Home Hardware chain. Canadian Tirewill launch the product line this spring. Harvey andJohannson have also patented their unique glovethroughout North America and Europe and plan toenter the U.S. market this year.

Read more about their success at digithandwear.comand watch for a follow-up appearance on Dragon’s Den.

BY TERESA PITMAN

great guelph gradSHE WANTS HER GREEN THUMB MANICURED

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y D

IG IT H

AN

DW

EA

R

Claudia Harvey’s new business grew from her love of

gardening and her expertise in sales.

claudia harvey


20 The Portico

B arry B illings has always loved to buildand create things, and he’s always loved agricul-

ture. So he came to U of G to study engineering, fig-uring that one day he’d wind up designing combineharvesters or other large automated farm equipment.

When he enrolled at Guelph, he sold his motocrossbike, believing he’d have neither the time nor the incli-nation to indulge in his childhood hobby. Of course, lifedoesn’t always turn out exactly as one expects at age 18.

Billings did go on to design and build things — butnot exactly the big machines he’d imagined. In fact, hislatest creation was for something so small that it can fitin the palm of your hand. And that “childhood” hob-by? Let’s just say it didn’t stay parked forever.

Billings is the founder and president of MedShare Inc.,a Cambridge, Ont.-based company that designs softwaresystems for home health-care providers and their clients.MedShare creates electronic scheduling and recordkeep-ing tools to manage and enhance care and improve healthoutcomes. Designed for handheld devices such as theBlackBerry, the systems allow health-care providers toreview client information — schedules, medication records,care plans — without carrying around bulky paper files.

Those providers typically look after many clients ofvarying ages and with differing health-care needs, oftendispersed over large areas. Providers also spend largechunks of time — paid and unpaid — filling outrequired paperwork. MedShare’s software has madethings quicker and more efficient.

“Essentially we’ve eliminated all the pens and paperfrom their lives,” Billings says, adding that, by saving timeand money, his software enables providers to make morehome visits. It’s also improved recordkeeping, he adds.

There are more than one million home health-careworkers in North America, making it the fastest-growingsector of health care. In Canada, the industry (public andprivate) generates about $15 billion a year and is expect-ed to invest up to $2.4 billion a year in technology enhance-ments. In November, MedShare's multi-lingual BlackBer-ry application became available to clients in Quebec.

“We made a conscious decision to get really goodat designing products for one market and to make ourservices market-driven, and we decided to focus onhome health care exclusively.”

It’s not the first time in the past 20 years that Billingshas used IT to turn around a pen-and-paper system.After completing an engineering degree at U of G in1983, he worked at Kemptville College, then run by theOntario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

and now one of Guelph’s regional campuses. “They hada faculty spot that required engineering and involvedteaching computing. It was a good fit,” he says. “I wasabout two years older than most of my students.”

Billings also rewrote the college’s data program usedto track student information, including scheduling, gradesand reports. After two years, he was “kicked upstairs” towork as an information technology manager. “We werethe IT department for the entire ministry, everythingoutside of Queen’s Park: 54 county offices, five collegesand three research stations, and a staff of 1,100. We builtall sorts of networks and hardware devices.”

In the mid-1980s, computers were still a novelty, andmany people had a big case of what Billings called the“FUD” factor: fear, uncertainty and doubt. He onceshowed employees how to use a disc to transfer a doc-ument between computers. “I remember one womansaid, ‘It’s black magic.’ That’s what they thought I wasdoing, bringing black magic into their lives.”

He hit a turning point in 1989 when a workshopfacilitator “told me I was too innovative to be a govern-ment employee and that I should go into business formyself.” Three months later, he bought a new car and refi-nanced his mortgage. “I thought, once I’m self-employed,I might never have the money to buy a car or get a loan.”

His new company was called Orbex Computer Sys-tems. Among its first clients was Sentex Canada, whichneeded a complex computer system to handle dairy cat-tle genetics for breeding. That program has been trans-lated into many languages and is used in 70 countries.

After a disagreement with his partners over wherecomputing was headed, Billings sold his shares in thecompany. “I saw the industry evolving and felt the nextgeneration of application platform was this thing calledthe Internet.”

His second company, Active Web Corp., designedmembership management systems for large organiza-tions such as businesses, associations and health-care agen-cies. While working on a system for American militaryhospitals in Europe, Billings came across a medical soft-ware-sharing portal server called MedShare. “I thoughtthat was catchy.” After a bit of domain searching — “Iended up paying a woman in Hawaii $500 to buy thename” — he secured the rights, and MedShare was born.

Billings was the lone staff member when he started in2005. Today MedShare has more than two dozen employ-ees. Its clients include the largest private and non-profithome health-care providers in Canada. Government grantshave allowed MedShare to upgrade its medical software

grea

t gu

elph

gra

dHE PUTS HEALTH CARE IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND


Winter 2011 21

PH

OTO

BY

MA

RTIN

SC

HW

ALB

Ebarry billings

Barry Billings says his business makes it easier for health-care providers to keep their fingers on the pulse of client information.

and to engage university students on projects.Billings and his wife, Kathy, live north of Cambridge

and have a combined family of five children ages 13 to28 and two grandchildren. When not working, he playshockey on the U of G campus, practices windsurfingand, yes, races motorcycles. He dusted off that child-hood hobby at around age 45, when his kids were oldenough to take an interest in the sport. Soon after, some-one suggested he try competitive racing.

This year, he was named the Canadian Enduro Veter-an Champion. He’s endured his share of crashes and injuries,notably dislocated shoulders, banged-up knees and onefinger sliced open mid-race. “I had 20 minutes betweenlaps to stitch it up; I had to do it with my left hand, too.”

But he’s hooked. “I absolutely love the adventure,the adrenaline, the thrill of it. I’m competitive in rac-ing, competitive in business.”

BY LORI BONA HUNT


22 The Portico

grea

t gu

elph

gra

dGRADS ADAPT MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE WORLD’S POOR

PH

OTO

BY

LIS

A M

AC

DO

NA

LDderek and michelle

Derek and Michelle Brown say they’ve developed a better tool for diagnosing anemia in rural areas without power.

I t affects one in four people around the world.In Africa and Southeast Asia, it afflicts two out of three

preschool children and about half of women, especiallypregnant women. It’s anemia, and now a husband-and-wife team of Guelph grads say they’ve come up with asimple test to diagnose people in developing countries.But Derek Brown and Michelle Grandin Brown nowface a new problem: How to get their idea out of their

Calgary basement and into helping hands abroad? Around the world and especially in sub-Saharan Africa,

anemia often accompanies malaria, which affects millionsof people and kills hundreds of thousands of children eachyear. “In the developing world, anemia is one of the mostcommon preventable causes of death in children underfive and in pregnant women,” says Michelle, who grewup in Calgary and studied chemical physics at Guelph.


Winter 2011 23

brownShe graduated from U of G in 1999, the same year

that Derek completed his biophysics degree. They metduring a final-year physics project on the fractional quan-tum Hall effect. “It’s very romantic,” she quips.

Combining their science smarts, they’ve developedwhat they believe is a better tool for pinpointing ane-mia and other health problems that are often misdiag-nosed and left untreated. “Diagnostics for people whocan’t afford it” might be the mantra for their after-hourspursuit, which has become a non-profit humanitarianorganization called Diagnostics for Development(www.diagnosticsfordevelopment.org).

Today, clinicians in parts of Africa and Asia use a lit-mus paper test developed by the World Health Organi-zation (WHO). Drop a blood sample onto specially treat-ed paper and compare the paper’s colour change againsta standard chart. That test has numerous problems, saysDerek. It’s invasive, generates hazardous chemical wasteand is not reusable. And because it relies on subjectiveeyeballing, it’s often inaccurate and unreliable.

Looking for a non-invasive, accurate and easier-to-use alternative, he and Michelle have designed a tissuebox-sized device containing a light source and poweredby a hand crank and a battery. Attach a clip with light-emitting diodes to a patient’s finger and you get a num-ber on the computer readout. Says Derek: “Below thatnumber, you’ve got anemia. If it’s above that number,you don’t.” He says the simpler and more portable thetechnology the better, particularly for a nurse or aidworker using the device in a rural clinic.

The Browns began to assemble a prototype at homebut lacked enough money. Too, they faced a long processinvolving patent and regulatory approval from agenciessuch as the United States Food and Drug Administra-tion and Health Canada. “This is a major endeavour,”says Derek. Now they’ve switched tacks. They hope toattract a partner company to make their version of thisdevice and find someone, perhaps the WHO or otheragencies, to distribute it.

Derek stresses that Diagnostics for Development isnot making brand-new technology but is repackagingexisting ideas and materials. “Our focus is to take thattechnology and make it usable for the developing world,”he says. “We’re confident that with enough seed fund-ing, we can make it work.”

He first read about problems in diagnosing anemiawhile doing his post-doc in near-infrared spectroscopy,measuring blood flow in patients using longer wave-

lengths than those of visible light. He completed a PhDin medical biophysics at the University of WesternOntario and is now a medical physicist at the cancercentre located at the Foothills Medical Centre in Cal-gary. He’s also an adjunct professor at the University ofCalgary and belongs to the Canadian College of Physi-cists in Medicine.

Michelle attended Western for her doctorate inchemistry and did a post-doc in materials and bio-sur-faces at ETH Zurich, one of the world’s top universi-ties. She’s a part-time editor, science writer and con-sultant, and a stay-at-home mom to two toddlers, Jacksonand Carter. She figures their diagnostic idea might beadapted not only for other health problems but also forwater-testing kits or biosensors.

Also on the board of Diagnostics for Developmentis Jeremy Brown, a financial analyst with Breville GroupLtd. in Montreal and a two-time Guelph grad whoroomed with Derek during their undergrad years. Jere-my says U of G is where he “discovered a passion fordevelopment issues.” After his B.Comm. in 2000, he pur-sued environmental economics for a master’s degreehere before doing his economics PhD at the Universi-ty of Arizona.

“I’m hoping Diagnostics for Development can makea difference in the lives of children in developing partsof the world,” says Jeremy, who is also a certified man-agement accountant. “Malarial anemia is treatable if diag-nosed properly.” Other board members include a Cal-gary lawyer and a Vancouver medical doctor. The boardrecently applied for charitable status.

The Guelph grads hope to get their idea into theright hands to make a difference overseas. They say Uof G gave them not only a solid science education butalso social awareness. Michelle spent her first year liv-ing in International House and remembers what shecalls Guelph’s community feel. “It’s a down-to-earthuniversity, conscious of what other people are doing inthe world.”

What keeps them going with their after-hours pur-suit? “It’s an interesting challenge,” says Derek. “That attractsboth of us to it. It would have a major impact, and there’sno serious impediment other than money or time.” Refer-ring to anemia, he adds: “It’s such a preventable and treat-able condition. That’s very much in contrast to the pallia-tive nature of many cancer treatments. You can diagnoseand treat cancer, but you can’t always save lives.”

BY ANDREW VOWLES


M us ic i s sa id to be auniversal language, andAndrea Lindsay, BA ’01, is

proving this is true. Lindsay transferredto Guelph’s language program afterspending a year studying classical musicat Laurentian University. Her goal wasto earn a degree in French languageand translation with the hopes of oneday becoming a translator.

As her appreciation and understand-ing of French grew, her love of musicwas further ignited when she joined theU of G choir. She couldn’t imagine notpursuing either professionally andthought it would be great to find a wayto bring those interests together.

With a soft yet strong voice,thoughtful lyrics and emotionallycharged musical arrangements, Lind-say is navigating her way through theworld of music as an anglophone whowrites and performs music in French.

Not bad for someone who droppedFrench midway through high schoolbecause she thought she “wasn’t anygood at it.”

That was a decision she came toregret. After high school, she spent ayear in France working as an au pairand immersing herself in French lan-guage and culture.

“Sometimes you don’t expect tofind a passion,” says Lindsay. “I found Ihad a love for the language. There’sromanticism in it and a vocabulary thatI like. The more time I spent at it, themore I understood. I was excited aboutit, and it became a hobby of sorts thatI kept gravitating towards. The onlyother thing I’d had the same experi-ence with was singing.”

She says earning a degree was

important to her. “I wanted to havesomething in my back pocket while Icontinue to do something I love. I’mhappy to say that my Plan A and myPlan B both worked out.”

The School of Languages and Lit-eratures gave her some of her first paidsinging gigs by hiring her to performat a couple of faculty wine-and-cheeseevents. Since then, she has been per-forming in Canada and Europe.

Her debut album, La Bell Etoile, wasreleased in 2006 and earned her a nom-ination for the Félix Leclerc Award atthe FrancoFolies in Montreal. The nextyear she received the Trille Or Award,which recognizes artistic excellence inthe Franco-Ontarian music industry.Lindsay’s second album, Les sentinellesdorment, garnered an impressive sevennominations at the 2009 Gala Trille Or,and was named Francophone Album ofthe Year at the 2010 Juno Awards.

She says working as an English-speaking French songwriter was diffi-cult in the early days because she was-n’t sure how her thoughts and ideaswould translate into French. She alsowondered how Quebec audienceswould respond to her work.

“I thought the worst-case scenariowas that I’d fall on my face, but I’dknow that at least I’d tried,” says Lind-say, who now divides her time betweenOntario and Quebec.

Like most musicians, she writesabout familiar things, including snap-shots of her life and situations sheencounters.

“I also like ’60s pop references, sosometimes I throw that in, too. I feellike it’s authentically me. It’s in French,but it’s the vocabulary I use to describemy world around me.”

Although she was raised in Guelph,Lindsay’s singing voice tricks audiencesin both Quebec and in France. Onereviewer says they hear a slight accentbut think it comes from a regionaldialect. The songstress admits, however,that people recognize her as an anglo-phone when she talks to her audience.Quebec audiences think she learned thelanguage in Europe. But in France, theythink she speaks like a Québécoise.

To listen to a selection of clips fromLindsay’s albums, go to www.andrealindsay.com. Her music is also availablefor download on iTunes.

BY REBECCA KENDALLPH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y A

ND

RE

A L

IND

SAY

Singing careercombines two loves

grea

t gu

elph

gra

d

Andrea Lindsay

24 The Portico

uof guelph alumni Portico_24to37_Portico_24to37 12/21/10 8:43 AM Page 24

T he School of Engineering launched a new awards program at a pre-sentation dinner Oct. 30 attended by grads, friends, faculty, staff and students.

Award recipients were honoured for their commitment, advocacy, outstanding achieve-ments and community involvement. The inaugural recipients are:MEDAL OF ACHIEVEMENT — Wolf Haessler, B.Sc.(Eng.) ’66AWARD OF EXCELLENCE — Research In Motion (RIM)MID-CAREER AWARD — Keith Driver and Eric Monteith, both B.Sc.(Eng.) ’97YOUNG ALUMNUS OF HONOUR — Nicole Detlor, B.Sc.(Eng.) ’01 and M.Sc. ’04ALUMNI VOLUNTEER AWARD — John Burnside, M.Sc. ’97, and Terry Rothwell,B.Sc.(Agr.) ’72, B.Sc.(Eng.) ’75 and M.Sc. ’96.

Nomination forms for the 2011 School of Engineering awards are available atwww.uoguelph.ca/engineering, or email [email protected]; the deadlinefor applications is May 1.

Front row, left to right: award recipients John Burnside and Nicole Detlor. Row 2:

recipient Terry Rothwell, Tony Florio of RIM’s university relations team, and Col-

lege of Physical and Engineering Science dean Anthony Vannelli. Row 3: U of G

provost Maureen Mancuso and Dave Dietz, RIM’s director of government and

university relations. Back row: recipients Eric Monteith, Keith Driver and Wolf

Haessler, and U of G engineering director Hussein Abdullah. PH

OTO

BY

DE

AN

PA

LME

R

U of G Family Has Strong Sense ofCommunity

O n Sept. 23, University of Guelph fami-

ly, friends and community celebrated

the public unveiling of The BetterPlanet Pro-

ject, a $200-million campaign that will build

on the University’s key strengths and improve

quality of life for people around the world.

While there was no ribbon-cutting or fireworks

display, the electronic and media launch of

The BetterPlanet Project was far more pow-

erful, creating a connected virtual communi-

ty — a gathering of Guelph graduates, stu-

dents and supporters around the world.

It is the strong sense of community that

fuels The BetterPlanet Project. At the core

of this campaign is the University’s long

history of supporting and nurturing students

who will become leaders in communities

around the world, caring for neighbours and

creating a sustainable future.

A community approach is vital to our

BetterPlanet project. Just as alumni are an

integral part of the U of G story, so are the

students who follow in your footsteps. Our

students are doing some amazing things to

make this a better world. They participate in

Habitat for Humanity, Peace Week, Haiti

Relief, Trick or Eat, Five Days for the Home-

less, Global Vets and Engineers without

Borders, and these are just a few examples.

We encourage you to remain connected with

your alma mater and to be an active and

supportive member of the U of G community.

Please visit www.thebetterplanetproject.ca.

Joanne Shoveller

Vice-President

Alumni Affairs and Development

SOE Applauds Grads, Employers

PH

OTO

BY

MA

RTIN

SC

HW

ALB

E

Winter 2011 25

mattersPortico_24to37_Portico_24to37 12/23/10 10:27 AM Page 25

u of gP

HO

TOS

BY

WE

ND

Y J

ES

PE

RS

EN

E ach year the University of GuelphAlumni Association honours distin-

guished alumni for excellence and achieve-ment. Meet the 2010 recipients:

ALUMNUS OF HONOUR Stan Eby, ADA ’64, is an agribusinessexpert, farmer and volunteer who has beena leader locally, provincially, nationally andinternationally.

He was president of the Ontario Cat-tlemen’s Association during the Walkertonwater crisis in 2000 and worked diligentlyto unite the livestock industry and upholdthe reputation of the local farming com-munity. He was involved in another crisis— a case of bovine spongiform encephali-tis in Alberta — while serving as vice-pres-ident and then as president of the Canadi-an Cattlemen’s Association. As borders closedto Canadian cattle and beef products, Ebyworked closely with government ministriesto help lessen the impact on farmers acrossCanada. He continues to advocate for Cana-dian agriculture and the livestock industry.

ALUMNI VOLUNTEERShirley Surgeoner, B.A.Sc. ’72, is an advo-cate of both the University of Guelph andthe Mac-FACS-FRAN Alumni Associa-tion. She has served on the association’sexecutive and on the U of G Senate.

She was an alumni advisor to the deanduring restructuring that created theCollege of Social and Applied HumanSciences in 1998 and co-chaired the Mac-donald Institute centenary celebrations.

The celebration helped launch the

Macdonald Institute restoration projectthat has generated more than $500,000.

Surgeoner ran her own business formany years and taught entrepreneurshipcourses for women. She has also receivedthe Lincoln Alexander Medal of Distin-guished Service.

ALUMNI MEDAL OF ACHIEVEMENTKaren Dupont, DVM ’98, began prac-

tising at the Owen Sound Veterinary Clin-ic in 2003, and is an active volunteer at theU of G and within her community.

Five years ago, she began offering vet-erinary assistance to the northern OntarioFirst Nations community of Cat Lake andrecruited colleagues for a week of surg-eries, vaccinations, parasite control andschool presentations on pet care and ani-mal welfare.

Through the Rural Area VeterinaryService, she travels with other veterinarygrads to remote areas for surgeries and stu-dent mentoring. Dupont also volunteerson campus in the undergraduate DVMprogram’s communication labs.

UGAA Honours Excellence

PH

OTO

BY

AN

DE

RS

ON

-CO

ATS

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HY

PH

OTO

S C

OU

RTE

SY

ALU

MN

I AFFA

IRS

AN

D D

EV

ELO

PM

EN

T

Alumni Gift Will Engage Future Grads

I n this issue of The Portico, I am pleased

to announce a $1-million pledge to The

BetterPlanet Project from the University of

Guelph Alumni Association (UGAA). Over the

next 10 years, revenue from our affinity

programs will support small, discussion-

based seminar courses for first-year students

in all academic disciplines.

The UGAA board believes that invest-

ing in U of G’s first-year curriculum will

engage students, producing graduates who

will become leaders in our society and will

stay connected with the University.

Strong alumni connections are important

to future UGAA endeavours. Our mandate

as an association is to support and sustain

U of G — not just through fundraising but

through advocating publicly for our alma

mater, raising awareness among university

applicants and engaging new graduates.

I encourage you to look at the various

insurance and credit card programs offered

by UGAA's affinity partners. Our new part-

nership with National Group Mortgage offers

competitive mortgage rates to help meet

your financial needs.

Your participation in our affinity programs

will not only provide you with better rates

and services, it will also generate revenue

for UGAA and, in turn, support our pledge

to The BetterPlanet Project and the stu-

dents who are following our lead.

C. Bradley Rooney,

ADA ’93 and B.Sc.(Agr.) ’97

UGAA President

alumni matters

26 The Portico


PH

OTO

S C

OU

RTE

SY

ALU

MN

I AFFA

IRS

AN

D D

EV

ELO

PM

EN

T

HOMECOMING A SELLOUT

Game tickets for the Sept. 25 Homecoming

football game against the Western Mustangs

were sold out two days ahead; almost 9,000

people attended the game, and 300 grads

bought tickets for the alumni entertainment tent.

After a hard-fought battle, the Mustangs

downed the Gryphons 15-8. Guelph ended

the 2010 season play 4-4.

THE BETTERPLANET PROJECT

DEBUTS AT THE ROYAL

Alumni Affairs and Development interns

Amanda Taylor, right, and Aaron Massecar

represented the University of Guelph’s Bet-

terPlanet Project at the Royal Agricultural Win-

ter Fair Nov. 5 to 14. The booth attracted

many visitors, who learned more about the

University’s fundraising campaign. Visiting

with Taylor and Massecar is Andrea MacLean,

B.Sc.(Agr.) ’00.

COMING EVENTSJan. 25 • In Florida, an alumni

excursion to Ringling College of

Art and Design in Sarasota, 9:30-

11:30 a.m. The cost is $7 and

includes the tour and lunch. After

lunch, visit the Circus Museum

and Ringling Museum of Art, $20

admission. To register, call Bert

Mitchell at 941-921-6426 or

email him at [email protected], or

contact Mary-Anne Moroz at

[email protected].

Jan. 25 • CBS and HAFA/HTM

grads: Share your career experi-

ence with students at career and

networking events. For details,

call Jennifer Battler at 519-824-

4120, Ext. 54703, or email jbat-

[email protected].

Jan. 27 • OVCAA annual Water-

ing Hole in the new Primary Health-

care Centre. Call Kim Robinson at

519-824-4120, Ext. 54454, or

email [email protected].

Feb. 22 to 25 • Winter Convo-

cation.

March 2 • Annual Florida Reunion

at Maple Leaf Golf and Country

Club in Port Charlotte, 10 a.m. to

2 p.m., $20 per person includes

lunch, dessert and wine. To regis-

ter, call Lyle Rea at 941-505-0183

or email [email protected]. For

information, contact Mary-Anne

Moroz at 519-824-4120, Ext.

53170, or [email protected].

March 22 • College of Arts grads:

Meet with students and share your

expertise. To volunteer, contact Kate

Cooper at kgille01@ uoguelph.ca

or 519-824-4120, Ext. 52965.

April 1 and 2 • OVC Alumni Chal-

lenge Cup hockey tournament; for

details, contact Kim Robinson at

[email protected].

June 17 and 18 • Alumni Week-

end 2011, details at www.alum-

ni.uoguelph.ca. If you are orga-

nizing a class reunion, contact

Helen McCairley at 519-824-

4120, Ext. 56691, or hmccairl@

uoguelph.ca.

International Students Receive an Alumni Welcome

Alumni-in-Action volunteers held their annual dinner for U of G international students

Oct 6. The group includes U of G grads and staff who offer their time and experience to

University programs that help international students adapt to life in Canada. From left:

students Akeil Morgan and Anna Manore, alumnus Murray Woods, BSA ’56, and stu-

dents Holly Clark and Maria Gonsalves.

VETERAN GRYPHONS PLAY SHINNY

An all-ages shinny game was the highlight of

Guelph’s third annual Hockey Day in

Gryphonville Nov. 13. More than 100 former

Gryphons met current coach Shawn Camp and

watched as the current varsity squad defeated

Brock University in overtime. Players from the

1960s were honoured at a banquet.

Find more U of G alumni news and events at www.alumni.uoguelph.ca

Winter 2011 27


nationalgroupmortgages.com/guelph

Does it really matter where youobtain your next mortgage?Does it really matter where youDoes it really matter where youDoes it really matter where youDoes it really matter where youobtain your next mortgage?Does it really matter where youobtain your next mortgage?Does it really matter where youobtain your next mortgage?Does it really matter where you

Dear

It really does matter where you obtain your next mortgage, and here’

Millions of Canadians are paying too much for their mortgage. annouce a new partnership with National Group Mortgages that will help you!

Alumni: University of Guelph arr



Alumni:



.s whyIt really does matter where you obtain your next mortgage, and here’

is pleased toThe UGAAA Millions of Canadians are paying too much for their mortgage. annouce a new partnership with National Group Mortgages that will help you!

is pleased to annouce a new partnership with National Group Mortgages that will help you!

When you choose to work with National Group Mortgage Program you will receive

available rate in Canada on the product most suited to your mortgage needs. National Group Mortgage Program will help you save thousands of dollars on your mortgage and, at the same time, you help support your alma mater with no additional cost to you.

power of close to 100,000 U of G alumni for substantial savings on your mortgage.

annouce a new partnership with National Group Mortgages that will help you!












and, at the same time, you help support your alma mater with no additional cost to you.

power of close to 100,000 U of G alumni for substantial savings on your mortgage. Thanks to a special agreement between the UGAAProgram, you have access to over 30 lenders, the best rates in Canada, and a free mortgage consultation.

Mortgage Program at 1-877-243-1255 or visit ouYYo

vacation.

power of close to 100,000 U of G alumni for substantial savings on your mortgage. Thanks to a special agreement between the UGAAProgram, you have access to over 30 lenders, the best rates in Canada, and a free mortgage consultation.

Mortgage Program at 1-877-243-1255 or visit ou will automatically be entered in their annual contest for a chance to win your dream

vacation.

and Natbetween the UGAAA Program, you have access to over 30 lenders, the best rates in Canada, and a free

Mortgage Program at 1-877-243-1255 or visit nationalgroupmortgages.com/guelphou will automatically be entered in their annual contest for a chance to win your dream

power of close to 100,000 U of G alumni for substantial savings on your mortgage. and National Group Mortgage

Program, you have access to over 30 lenders, the best rates in Canada, and a free

nationalgroupmortgages.com/guelph. ou will automatically be entered in their annual contest for a chance to win your dream ou will automatically be entered in their annual contest for a chance to win your dream

ake advantage of great savings on your mortgage and help support your alma mater by T

Brad Rooney

ake advantage of great savings on your mortgage and help support your alma mater by

’93 B Sc (ADAABrad Rooney

ake advantage of great savings on your mortgage and help support your alma mater by

.) ’97 ’93, B.Sc. (Agr

ake advantage of great savings on your mortgage and help support your alma mater by ake advantage of great savings on your mortgage and help support your alma mater by

Brad RooneyPresident, University of Guelph

93, B.Sc. (ADAA,ad Rooneyy,President, University of Guelph

.) ’97 ’93, B.Sc. (AgrAssociationAlumni President, University of Guelph


24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Preferred Mortgage Rates

www.nationalgroupmortgages.com/guelph

National Group Mortgage Program is a company of registered Mortgage Agents licensed with Argentum Mortgages FSCO No. 11892

1-877-243-1255Mortgage program recommended by

Ask about our “Better than Best Rates” with our home purchase program

for University of Guelph Alumni

Call us for a pre-approval today!

Alumni of the University of Guelph can SAVE on a mortgage through preferred group rates while enjoying outstanding service. Whether purchasing your first home, considering a renovation, renewing or refinancing, trust National Group Mortgage Program to help you with your mortgage.

Contact us about yourmortgage and you could

YOUR DREAM

VACATION

Preferred Mortgage Rates for University of Guelph

Preferred Mortgage Rates for University of Guelph

Preferred Mortgage Rates Alumnifor University of Guelph

Preferred Mortgage Rates Alumni

for University of Guelph

for University of Guelph

tMorroup GionaltNarenovaaideringscon

. iservicediandingt ttstpre

ouhrough tgagetmor

Alumni of the University of Guelph can

with our home purchase programAsk about our “Better than Best Rates”

i

ou yhelpo trogram Pgagetinancingfreorrenewing, iontrenovayouringh spurchahhertthheW Wwhileestragrouperredfpre

SAVEAlumni of the University of Guelph can


h

r youhtwiout rus, tinancing, hometst iirf f

g rr

enjoyinwhile on a


mortgage and you couldContact us about your

mortgage and you couldContact us about your

Mortgage program recommended by

mortgage.


Mortgage program recommended by


24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Mortgage program recommended by 1-877-243-1255

24 hours a day, 7 days a week1-877-243-1255

24 hours a day, 7 days a week1-877-243-1255











30 The Portico

universityof guelph

The community is the expert

N obody knows a city betterthan the people who live, work

and play there. That’s the first thing Emma

Cohlmeyer, BA ’07, told people in theMexican city of Colima as she invitedresidents to help design a local park.

The participatory planning processshe introduced last February has turnedout to be a big success. More than 200people got involved in redesigning thepark, construction is now complete, themayor and other officials have decid-ed to apply the planning process toother city projects, and Cohlmeyer was

hired to help implement those plans. Colima is a forward-thinking city,

says Cohlmeyer, who completed a soci-ology degree at Guelph and hopes toenter a master’s program in urban plan-ning later this year. She initially spent asix-month internship in Colima fund-ed by the Canadian International Devel-opment Agency (CIDA) and organizedby the Vancouver-based InternationalCentre for Sustainable Cities. The latteris part of a global network of city plan-ners who share best practices in urbansustainability and planning.

“Following my internship, I was

offered a position by the city to con-tinue my work related to public andcommunity participation in the plan-ning process, although this time in thedevelopment of a master plan for oneparticular district.” Cohlmeyer willcomplete the contract in March. Shesays Colima has many projects under-way, “all with an urban sustainabilityimpetus,” and mentions a new trans-portation and mobility plan, a Sundaycity-wide bike event, new green spacedevelopments and the revival of thedowntown historical centre.

In some ways, Colima could be

Emma Cohlmeyer, right, says her new Mexican friends were excited to help redesign a local park.

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y E

MM

A C

OH

LME

YE

R

grad gr

ad p

rofil

e

1950■ Clark Adams, BSA ’56,practised law in Orangeville,Ont., for 35 years before beingappointed a deputy judge insmall claims court. After retir-ing in 2008, he wrote a bookcalled Your Turn to Judge that

details 40 interesting cases andinvites the reader to decide theoutcome. Adams’s decisions arealso included. For more infor-mation on the book, write toAdams at [email protected] call 519-941-6031.■ Bertram Stewart, ADA ’54,

and Lyle Vanclief, B.Sc.(Agr.)’66, are the 2010 inductees intothe Canadian Agricultural Hallof Fame. Stewart’s career includ-ed working as a dairy consul-tant, but he is widely recognizedfor helping to establish theCanadian 4-H Council, an

organization committed toyouth leadership in Canada.Vanclief, who was a 4-H mem-ber in his youth, started hiscareer on a large farming oper-ation near Belleville, Ont. Heeventually entered politics andwas first elected to Parliament


compared to Guelph, she adds. “It isfairly close and thus influenced by big-ger cities but definitely has its owncharacteristics and governance. It hasa vibrant historical centre, universities,and a friendly and pleasant street life.”

Colima is not on the tourist route.It’s the inland capital of the Mexicanstate of the same name that touches thePacific coast. “The people are so kindand open and have such a sense ofcommunity. It has been easy to adaptto the Mexican culture and to buildlasting friendships with local people. Iam now fluent in Spanish, and I owe

this to time spent in Colima, being ful-ly immersed and working in Spanish.

“I think the biggest differencebetween working in Mexico and inCanada would be the importance oftime. A meeting time, a deadline or astart time are mere approximationshere; this definitely takes some gettingused to. For example, if a meeting issupposed to start at 12 p.m., a 1 or even2 p.m. start is not unheard of, and mayeven be the norm.

“On the other hand, I find the gen-eral culture here much more apprecia-tive of a slower pace of life, the impor-

tance of family, spending time togeth-er and taking care of each other, andfood — oh, the food!”

Before her work in Colima,Cohlmeyer travelled and worked inCosta Rica, Panama, Colombia,Ecuador, Argentina, Uruguay andNicaragua. “I also worked at the YMCAin Victoria, B.C., before participating inthe CIDA internship. Now I look for-ward to moving ahead in the field ofurban planning and urban sustainabili-ty practices, and community health andvibrancy.”

BY MARY DICKIESON

She led visioning workshops in Colima that sparked a new interest in sustainable planning practices.

Winter 2011 31

news

in 1988; he served as Canada’sminister of agriculture and agri-food from 1997 to 2003.

1960■ John Bindernagel, BSA ’64,has published his second bookabout the North American

sasquatch with BeachcomberBooks of Courtenay, B.C. TheDiscovery of the Sasquatch reviewssome of the reasons that the ani-mal is commonly perceived as acultural phenomenon and whymost attempts to attract the atten-tion of scientists have failed. The

wildlife biologist has studied Big-foot since Bindernagel was a stu-dent in wildlife management atU of G. His first book, NorthAmerica’s Great Ape: The Sasquatch,was published in 1998.■ John Theberge, BSA ’64,and his wife, Mary, have pub-

lished their third book based ontheir research as wildlife biolo-gists. Written for non-scientists,The Ptarmigan’s Dilemma exam-ines the mechanisms of evolu-tion. The couple has spent morethan 30 years conducting fieldresearch in Labrador, Yukon,


British Columbia and Ontario’sAlgonquin Park. In 1994, theywere jointly awarded theEquinox Citation for Environ-mental Achievement.

1970■ John Buckingham, B.Sc.’76, after many years working inthe pharmaceutical industry inEurope and the United States,is now living in Toronto sup-porting early-stage health tech-nology companies in the MaRSDiscovery District and HealthTechnology Exchange, as wellas more established companiesworldwide. ■ Judith Carson, BA ’75,writes: “My strong, fond mem-ories of Guelph from myundergraduate days led me toreturn here in my retirement.Guelph is a great place to live.” ■ Ian Darling, BA ’71, recent-ly had his second book, Amaz-

ing Airmen: Canadian Flyers in theSecond World War, published byDundurn Press. It’s a collectionof stories about Canadians inthe air war against Nazi Ger-many. Two chapters discussCanadians who became profes-sors at the Ontario AgriculturalCollege after the war: TomLane, BSA ’49 and M.Sc. ’51,who still lives in Guelph, andRalph Campbell, H.D.La. ’74,who died in 2008. Anotherstory involves former U of Glanguages professor ManfredKremer, who was nine whenhis German city was bombed byLane and his crew just beforethey were shot down. Kremerand Lane first met at a bookreception held in Guelph lastMay. (www.amazingairmen.com)■ Dennis Fitzpatrick, B.Sc. ’75and M. Sc. ’77, is a biochemistryprofessor at the University ofLethbridge in Alberta and the

university’s former vice-presidentof research. Since he joined thecampus 10 years ago, the univer-sity’s research budget has grownfrom $2 million to almost $24million. He has established sev-eral programs that encouragepartnerships across disciplines andstrong ties with Alberta’s tech-nology community.■ Keith Harris, B.Sc. ’77,recently launched a new bever-age aimed at Ontario con-sumers. KiKi Maple Sweet

Water is offered through hiscompany, Troll Bridge CreekInc. (www.trollbridgecreek.ca) ■ Nicholas Leyland, B.A.Sc.’79, recently moved from theUniversity of Toronto to McMas-ter University to become profes-sor and chair of the departmentof obstetrics and gynecology, Fac-ulty of Health Sciences, at theMichael G. DeGroote School ofMedicine. He is also chief ofobstetrics and gynecology atHamilton Health Sciences.

32 The Portico

Hire GuelphCo-op Students

Current StudentsAlumni

Guelph

Post a Job now:www.recruitguelph.ca

HireCo-op

Hire GuelphCo-op Students

Guelph StudentsCo-op

Current

G

Co-op StudentsCurrent Students

Alumni

Students Students

Post a Job.recruitguelph.cawww

Job now:.recruitguelph.ca

KEITH HARRISDENNIS FITZPATRICK


Winter 2011 33

■ Mary van de Kamp, B.Sc.’78, is an authorized nuclearoperator for Ontario PowerGeneration in Pickering, Ont.

1980■ George Apostolou, BA ’80,has been teaching at Box HillCollege in Kuwait for 10 years.He says he looks forward toattending U of G’s Homecom-ing weekend “one of these years.” ■ Barbara Ann Chidiac,DVM ’85, runs the ChidiacAnimal Hospital in Waverley,Ont. While her daughters, Annaand Carla, were organizing afundraiser called “Waverley forHaiti,” she showed them an arti-cle from the Summer 2010 issueof The Portico about the Haitianexperiences of John, B.Sc.(Agr.)’71, and Deb Currelly, BA ’71.Her daughters decided todonate their fundraising pro-ceeds to the Pan American

Development Foundation asso-ciated with the Currellys. ■ Chris Clark-Soloninka,B.Sc.(Agr.) ’81, received hisPhD last May from MiddlesexUniversity in London, England.■ Diane Deans, BA ’80, wasre-elected in October to hersixth consecutive term as a citycouncillor in Ottawa. She wasfirst elected in 1994. Among hergreatest accomplishments, shecites the construction of theGreenboro District Library; sav-ing the Greenboro TurtleheadNature area, a sensitive wetland,from development; and estab-lishing a business park associa-tion in her ward. In 2006, shewas elected chair of the com-munity and protective servicescommittee, which directs suchessential services as fire, para-medics, housing, public health,and parks and recreation. Deansco-chaired the 2009 City of

Ottawa United Way Campaign. ■ Charlene (Gillies) Gilmer,B.A.Sc. ’82, and Karen(Lochhead) Walton, B.Comm. ’83, have been bestfriends since Grade 5; they evenattended U of G together andwere roommates for two years.Both women met their hus-

bands at U of G, were marriedwithin three weeks of each oth-er in 1985 and became first-time parents within four days of

one another in 1989. Charlene’shusband, Reg Gilmer, ADA’82, owns and operates a largedairy operation in the OttawaValley. Charlene is a teacher anda learning resource coach withthe Upper Canada DistrictSchool Board. They have twodaughters, one of whom is in

her first year at U of G study-ing biology. Karen’s husband,Robert Walton, B.Sc.(Eng.)’84, is the director of public

For information on bequests and planned giving, please contact Ross Butler at 519-824-4120, ext. 56196, [email protected], or visit www.alumni.uoguelph.ca

Make your legacy a better planet.

CHARLENE AND REG GILMER, LEFT,

AND KAREN AND ROBERT WALTON


works for the County ofOxford. Karen runs her ownbookkeeping and accountingbusiness. They have threedaughters; the eldest two cur-rently attend U of G. In July, theGilmers and the Waltons cele-brated their 25th weddinganniversaries together.■ Neil Haworth, BLA ’86,chairs Nelson and Haworth, agolf course design architecturefirm based in Singapore. Hedesigned the Sheshan Interna-tional golf course that hostedthe 2010 World Golf Champi-onship in November. Landscapearchitecture professor RobertBrown says Haworth’s Sheshancourse “is really quite spectacu-lar. He designed the coursearound two 1,000-year-oldGinkgo biloba trees and a 50-metre-deep rock chasm.”■ Scott Jordan, B.Sc. ’85 and

PhD ’90, is a toxicologist inHealth Canada’s marketedhealth products directorate inOttawa. He was recently select-ed by U.S. Pharmacopeia toserve a five-year term on itsexpert committee on dietarysupplements. USP is a non–gov-ernmental authority responsiblefor creating and revising stan-dards for prescription andover–the–counter medicinesand other health-care productsmanufactured or sold in theUnited States. ■ Jennifer La Chapelle, BA’81 and MA ’83, is pleased toannounce that both of her chil-dren are now U of G students.Madelaine Donnelly has juststarted a degree in theatre stud-ies, while her brother, JamesDonnelly, is in his fourth yearof studio arts. ■ Desmond Layne, B.Sc. ’86,

34 The Portico

GraduateDiploma inAPPLIEDSTATISTICS new program, unique in Canada,is designed for professionalswho use statistics in their workbut have limited formal training

can be completed in one year,while remaining fully employed

modern statistical software isintegrated into all aspects of theprogram

the next admission point isSeptember 2011

For more information, please visit: www.uoguelph.ca/GuelphAppliedStatsor contact Susan McCormick at [email protected]

Show your prideWear a U of G alumni hoodie, T-shirt, hat and more. Alumni merchandise is now available at the U of G Bookstore and online.

www.bookstore.uoguelph.ca

O ntario organic grower Ted Shelegy, BSA ’64 and M.Sc. ’84,

hosted farm leaders and politicians on his Scotland, Ont.,

farm in September as he plugged into a new revenue source: a

solar panel that will generate up to 10 kilowatts of power per day

during the summer. The energy will enter the provincial power grid.

“This will reduce my carbon footprint,” he said, predicting that

many other Canadian farmers will soon be “growing” solar energy.

Shelegy, who taught high school science for 30 years, farmed

part-time throughout his teaching career and gained organic cer-

tification in the early 1990s.

He's doing things differently

PH

OTO

BY

MO

RA

G S

TEW

AR

T

The U of G Library celebrates alumni writers.

Submit your book to theCampus Author program.

Deadline Sept. 3 for books published in 2010 and 2011.

Learn more:[email protected], Ext. 52088www.author.lib.uoguelph.ca

WE WANT TO READYOURBOOK


Winter 2011 35

■ Desmond Layne, B.Sc. ’86,is an associate professor ofpomology at Clemson Universi-ty in Clemson, S.C. He launchedan educational website entitled“Everything About Peaches”(www.clemson.edu/peach) thathe calls a one-stop shop forpeach information for com-mercial and backyard growersand consumers. Layne recentlyspent two weeks in China,where he was invited to speakat universities and institutesabout his peach research pro-gram and toured six provincesto investigate the protected cul-tivation of peaches.■ George Plumley, BA ’86,has published a new book, 100Questions to Ask Before Buildinga Website, to help people avoidcostly errors while designingtheir own websites: www.ahun-dredquestionstoask.com.■ Christopher Powell, BA’82, has been a visiting assistantprofessor at the University ofAlberta and completed a PhDthesis on the anti-Vietnam warmovement in Canada at theUniversity of New Brunswick.■ Jeff Walker, B.Sc.(Agr.)’89and MBA ’00, married SuzanneLloyd in July 2009 in Moncton,N.B. The couple announce thearrival of Zoe Elizabeth, bornOct. 22. They live in Shube-nacadie, N.S., where Jeff oper-ates a dairy consulting businesscalled Lonsdale Dairy Solutions.He also owns and operates TheHeifer Hotel, which raisesdairy heifers for customers inNewfoundland.

1990■ Kenn Beatson, B.Sc.(Agr.)’95, married Iram Malik inAugust; they live in Palgrave,Ont. While enrolled in the co-operative education program atU of G, Beatson worked fortwo semesters at Mars Canada(formally Effem Foods). He

now has a full-time position inresearch and development inMars Canada’s pet-care division.■ Peggy (Burnett) Cernick,B.Comm. ’99, has worked as theconference services and specialevents manager at the Prince ofWales Hotel and Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake for five years. Dur-ing the 2010 VancouverOlympics, she worked with CTVas a hospitality manager and saysshe was proud to provide enthu-siastic energy for such a high-profile sponsor of the games. Thispast summer she married MikeCernick of Grimsby, Ont., in “apicture-perfect setting at a localNiagara winery. Life couldn’t beany better.”■ James Fennstra, BA ’07,completed a master’s degree inhistory at George Mason Uni-versity and is now enrolled in adoctoral program at GeorgeWashington University; bothschools are in the Washington,D.C., area.■ Christine Garneau, BA ’09,is completing a master’s degreeat Simon Fraser University.■ Tracy-Ann (Amoaba)Gooden, BA ’92, is assistantprofessor of African diasporastudies at Kent State Universityin Ohio. She is guest editor fora special issue of the SouthernJournal of Canadian Studies onthe theme “Constructing BlackCanada: Becoming Canadian,”due out later this year.■ Aleksander Oniszczak, BA’97, was recently married andhas moved to Silicon Valley,California.■ Deborah Lynn Rumble,BA ’95, writes from her homein London, England: “Thankyou for your stories about alum-ni entrepreneurs. I was self-employed while I studied psy-chology at U of G. I soldorganic cleaners and recycledtoilet paper to banks, golf cours-es and residences. I also supplied

my products to the on-campuspharmacy and sold out at times.Being an entrepreneur helpedme financially, but it was thelove of a better environmentthat fueled my interest in sales.I met other talented entrepre-neurs in a student club, and theywould all agree that entrepre-neurship is for people who havevision and passion and aren’tafraid of taking risks. Manythanks for your stories. Theybrought back memories andshowed me that good ideas nev-er die.”■ Al Shaw, B.Sc. ’94, earnedan M.Sc. at the University ofBritish Columbia in 1999. His

wife, Bev Wicks, B.Sc. ’94 andM.Sc. ’96, earned a PhD in2001, also at UBC. Shaw andWicks have partnered withJamie Nairn, B.Sc. ’94, andRob Wilson, B.Sc. ’96 andM.Sc. ’99, to start an environ-mental consulting firm inMuskoka, Ont. With six U of Gdegrees among the four part-ners, Shaw says: “Our academicand social experience at U of Gmost definitely shaped the waywe view the natural environ-ment and, in turn, how weapply our knowledge to ourprofession.” Learn more aboutRiverStone EnvironmentalSolutions at ww.rsenviro.ca.

O ntario artist Jane Eccles, BA ’70, is preparing a large exhibition

of work that will be at the Station Gallery in Whitby, Ont., from

Feb. 26 to April 10. The show comprises 45 paintings of garments

originally worn by women who, as Eccles says, “have beaten the odds

and succeeded at their chosen discipline.” Included are garments bor-

rowed from Canadian icons such as Karen Kain, Adrienne Clarkson

and Margaret Atwood. Eccles has written stories about all of the women

to accompany the paintings and garments in the exhibit.

Garments tell a visual story

CO

UR

TES

Y JA

NE

EC

CLE

S


went on to earn a master’sdegree in theological studies, spe-cializing in pastoral counselling,at Wilfrid Laurier University in1998. She recently opened a pri-vate practice in Guelph as a reg-istered marriage and family ther-apist offering individual, coupleand sex therapy.

2000■ Kim Anderson, PhD ’10,plays a leadership role in an abo-riginal health research project atSt. Michael’s Hospital in Toron-to and is raising two childrenwith Dave Dornan. A Cree Métis

writer and educator, Andersonreceived the University’s presti-gious Brock Scholarship for doc-toral research in 2005.■ Martha Archibald, BA ’02,

has moved to London, England,to pursue a master’s degree inhuman rights at City Universi-ty. Previously, she interned attwo human rights organizationsin the Philippines and volun-teered with Amnesty Interna-tional for three years in Ottawa. ■ John Dempster, B.Sc.’00,has opened an integrated holis-tic health care centre in Toronto(www.thedempsterclinic.com)to integrate naturopathic and tra-ditional medicine practices andto promote disease preventionthrough proactive health care.■ Shannon Gregg, B.Sc. ’09,received her bachelor of educa-tion from Queen’s University inJune. She lives in Ajax, Ont., andworks as an occasional teacherwith the Durham Catholic Dis-trict School Board. ■ Jenna Healey, BA ’09, con-tinues her education in a Uni-versity of Toronto master’s pro-gram in history and philosophy.■ Valerie Hawke, B.Sc.(H.K.)’01, is a physiotherapist in Ger-ringong, New South Wales, Aus-tralia. She and her husband, Bri-an, welcomed their first child,Matthew Jack, on Sept. 11. ■ Heather (McCready),B.Comm. ’05, and JeremyHertel, M.Sc. ’05, were marriedin Guelph in 2008. They bothwork at The Co-operators in thecommunications and actuarialdepartments and celebrated thearrival of baby Jake on July 25.■ Alisha Janzen, DVM ’04,graduated in June with a mas-ter’s degree in veterinary sciencefrom the University ofSaskatchewan, Western Collegeof Veterinary Medicine. ■ Andrew Kaszowski, BAA’06, was elected to the Univer-sity of Guelph Alumni Associa-tion board of directors this pastsummer. A communicationsspecialist at St. Joseph’s HealthCare in London, Ont., he is thefirst University of Guelph-

Humber graduate to serve onthe alumni board. ■ Kristen Keller, BA ’07, hasembarked on a cross-Canadajourney called the “Coast-to-Coast Couch-Surfing RobotTour” in which she is helpingspecial-needs children buildmoving, art-making robots. Shehas traversed Nunavut and isnow travelling from the EastCoast to British Columbia toteach 15,000 kids at 250 schoolshow to make robots out ofrecycled materials. Find outmore at www.kristenkeller.org.■ Allen Kharlip, B.Comm.’08, is director of marketing atGreen Earth Solutions Inc.(www.GreenIsIn.ca), a greenenergy management companyin Concord, Ont. ■ Mackenzie Kinmond, BA’05, worked in Africa and Eng-land after graduation and is nowcompleting a master’s programin social work at York Univer-sity.■ Kristopher Mask, B.Sc. ’00,and his wife, Tania, of Windsor,Ont., welcome new babyAlexander Lucas, born April 29. ■ Mitch McKechnie,B.Comm. ’06, has started hisown landscaping business calledSuperior Stone Designs andInstallations (www.superior-stone.ca) in Burlington, Ont. ■ Meredith Owen, B.Sc. ’04,graduated from the Universityof Sydney’s Faculty of Dentistryin Nov. 2009. She received theDr. Bruce Maxwell Medal, anacademic merit scholarship inrestorative dentistry, in her lastyear and was also the faculty’snominee for the UniversityConvocation Medal. She ispractising dentistry and tutor-ing second-year dental studentsin Sydney. She would love toget in touch with friends fromU of G and can be contacted [email protected]. ■ Judith Samuels, MBA ’06,

36 The Portico

Kim Anderson

M ichael and Elisabeth Maynard have seen three of their four chil-

dren graduate from U of G, including Alison Maynard, cen-

tre, who received a BA in political science this summer. She has since

travelled to Brazil to volunteer with Mulheres Mils, a program run by

the Brazilian government to empower disadvantaged women, and

then to Palmas in Tocantins state to teach English at a private school.

Alison’s sister, Lindsay, BA ’04, was also bitten by the travel bug,

working in Banff, Alta., and teaching English in Japan before return-

ing to Ryerson University to complete an MFA. She taught at George

Brown and Sheridan colleges and now lives in Fredericton, N.B., where

her parents have relocated after raising their family in Barrie, Ont.

Nathan, BA ’07, earned his Guelph degree in studio art. He is

now studying advertising and graphic design at Humber College

in Toronto.

The youngest Maynard sibling is Sebastian, a Grade 11 student

who has yet to decide where to begin post-secondary education.

Family pride in U of G grads

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y A

LIS

ON

MAY

NA

RD


is manager of corporate com-munications at Maritz CanadaInc. in Mississauga, Ont.

■ Ada Tang, B.Sc.(Eng.) ’05,and Libra Yeung, B.Sc. ’06,were married July 10 and live

in Markham, Ont. They met ata bus stop while they were stu-dents at U of G. Tang works inthe natural health productsindustry and Yeung works as apharmaceutical consultant. ■ Julia Vandepolder, BA ’09,had her work featured at TheTelephone Booth Gallery inToronto. Her oil-on-panel paint-ings depict abandoned architec-tural structures through abstract-ed layers of colour and texture.■ Dylan White, B.Sc.(Env.)’09, is part of a 14-man crew thatwill row unassisted across theAtlantic Ocean to raise moneyfor charity. The crew left

Morocco in December, planningto arrive in Barbados in 30 days:www.row4survival.com.■ David Wilson, B.Comm. ’07,is a senior associate at KPMGFinancial Institutions. He says theB.Comm. program at U of Goffered him “a unique experiencewhich enabled me to focus myarea of specialization beyondwhat other universities offered.” ■ Valery Woloshyn, B.Sc.(Eng.)’03, and Debanjan Mookerjea,B.Sc.(Eng.) ’02, served as pan-elists at the Consulting Engineersof Ontario 2010 conference.Woloshyn is an intermediateproject manager at CH2M

HILL Canada Ltd. Mookerjeaworks in the environmental ser-vices sector at R. J. Burnside &Associates Ltd.■ Don Woods, H.D.Sc. ’01,and his wife, Diane, wrote TheMills of Waterdown: The Growth ofan Ontario Village, 1790 to 1915,which was published by theWaterdown-East FlamboroughHeritage Society. The book pro-vides a historical tour throughthe development of the villageas it grew around GrindstoneCreek and the 28 different millsthat have operated there. Morethan 250 maps, photos andsketches are included.

Winter 2011 37

Angus Adams, BSA ’38, July 14, 2010 Derek Belfry, B.Sc. ’70, Aug. 17, 2010Donald Baron, BSA ’49, Nov. 13, 2010 Brent Bonner, BA ’85, Feb. 14, 2010 Garfield Bowers, BSA ’51,

June 24, 2010 Geoffrey Cox, B.Sc.(P.E.) ’70,

April 25, 2009Gail (Stibbard) Davies, ADA ’60,

Jan. 29, 2009Thomas De Geer, DVM ’54,

Nov. 6, 2010 John Dippel, DVM ’47, May 15, 2010Mary Duxbury, DHE ’47, Aug. 6, 2010 Mark Elliott, ADA ’94, Oct. 6, 2010 William Falkiner, ADA ’74,

Aug. 2, 2009William Fellows, BSA ’49, Oct. 7, 2010Charles Firman, DVM ’50,

Oct. 2, 2009 Alan Fisher, BSA ’52, Aug. 4, 2010Helen (Hipple) Fleming, DHE ’38,

Oct. 13, 2010 William Fleming, BSA ’52,

Aug. 4, 2010Maurice Foster, DVM ’57,

Oct. 2, 2010 Norine Galvin, B.H.Sc. ’61 and

M.Sc. ’72, April 11, 2010 Ronald Girouard, BSA ’60,

Dec. 13, 2009 Ralph Glasser, BSA ’43, Dec. 31, 2009 Nigel Gough, BA ’09, Sept. 26, 2010

Lorne Greenaway, DVM ’58, Sept. 13, 2010

Wrexford Groves, DVM ’41, June 24, 2010

David Hall, BA ’73, July 14, 2010 Macklin Hancock, BSA ’49,

Sept. 14, 2010Grant Hart, BSA ’50, Oct. 10, 2010Arthur Hawkes, DVM ’51, Oct. 6, 2010Lyle Henry, DVM ’49, Aug. 6, 2010 Amber (Patterson) Jackson, BA ’87,

Aug. 8, 2010 Carl Jackson, BSA ’61, Aug. 14, 2010James Jewson, BSA ’43, Aug. 14, 2010 Graham Kemp, DVM ’51,

October 2010Eila (Ross) Lawson, DHE, ’39,

Oct. 13, 2010Thomas Leach, ADA ’40 and BSA ’49,

July 18, 2010 Barbara (Dodge) Lock, B.Sc. ’75,

Oct. 3, 2010 Myra MacLennan, B.Sc. ’84,

Sept. 24, 2009Barbara Manilla, MAN ’08,

June 11, 2010Edward Marfei, BSA ’51, May 9, 2010Robert Mask, B.Sc. ’00, Sept. 19, 2010Mark McGarry, BA ’74, Oct. 12, 2009Lois McIntosh, B.H.Sc. ’59,

March 31, 2010Kenneth McNaught, BSA ’43,

July 5, 2010

Clifford Mizzen, DVM ’50, Aug. 18, 2010

Glen Mowbray, DVM ’60, December 2009

Ralph Nelson, BSA ’49, Aug. 27, 2009James Purdy, DVM ’50, Sept. 21, 2010Gregory Rich, BLA ’83, Aug. 15, 2010Sullivan Roy, BSA ’42, Sept. 29, 2010 Jan Rubes, H.D.Let. ’83, June 2009 Doris (Rose) Sadler, DHE ’34,

May 22, 2010Anne MacIntosh Schramek,

M.Sc. ’89, Dec. 27, 2009 Walter Scott, BSA ’37, April 15, 2010Rose Sheinin, H.D.Sc. ’91,

March 20, 2009Neil Stiver, BSA ’51, Jan. 25, 2010 Elizabeth (Howard) van Diepen,

DHE ’36, July 31, 2010 Yohanna Yiljep, PhD ’91,

Feb. 27, 2009Christopher Zweerman, M.Sc. ’09,

Nov. 14, 2010

FACULTYGeorge Bedell, founding chair of the

School of Hospitality and TourismManagement, Sept. 2, 2010

Ross Hallett, Physics, Aug. 6, 2010Roberto Poma, D.V.Sc. ’02, Clinical

Studies, Nov. 15, 2010Samuel Sidlofsky, Sociology and

Anthropology, Aug. 6, 2010

PASSAGES

ADA TANG


Thank you.

The Impact of Giving Report is available online. Please visit www.alumni.uoguelph.ca.

Thank you to the 14,672 alumni and friends, corporations, associations andfoundations who made gifts to the University last year. Your support continuesto make a difference.

Portico_Covers_Portico_Covers 12/20/10 1:31 PM Page cvr4

Date post:	23-Mar-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	university-of-guelph
View:	223 times
Download:	3 times

Guelph The Portico Magazine, Winter 2011

Documents