The excellence of SMU's Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation recognized by major gift

The excellence of Saint Mary's University's Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MTEI) program is being recognized by a major gift from a leading figure in Canada's business and entrepreneurship community.

Rishbah Arora, MTEI student; Dr. Robert Steele, DComm’18; and Laura Russell, MTEI student.

"I have always been impressed by Saint Mary's University and the Sobey School of Business. From my time as a student and in every interaction I have with a Saint Mary's student going back decades," says Dr. Robert Steele DComm'18. "I have seen the impact that a strong business foundation from Saint Mary's provides students. I know that through this gift, Saint Mary's will be able to continue to attract amazing students from Atlantic Canada, Canada and around the world to the MTEI program and the Sobey School. Students will learn from great professors and receive the support they need to successfully develop their business ideas and start-ups into thriving businesses that will give back to the economic vitality of our region."

Dr. Steele is investing a $2 million philanthropic gift in the Sobey School of Business' Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation program which will enable it to double the size of the program, create new resources for research in the area of entrepreneurship, and support students by providing scholarships and awards to student entrepreneurs.

Over ten years, three major initiatives will be supported by this gift. They are:

• The Steele MTEI Scholarships: These scholarships will support bright, creative and motivated students who have chosen the MTEI program to help them achieve their dreams of being an entrepreneur.
  

• The Steele Entrepreneurship Awards: These entrepreneurship awards will be awarded to MTEI student entrepreneurs who are in the earliest stages of starting new businesses.
  

• The Steele Professorship in Entrepreneurship in the Sobey School of Business: This new professorship will provide additional capacity and support to expand and broaden entrepreneurship research intensity at the Sobey School. 

“This gift reflects the outstanding success of our MTEI program over the past six years and recognizes the tremendous impact of the program on entrepreneurship and innovation in Atlantic Canada,” says Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “Saint Mary’s and the Sobey School of Business are the entrepreneurship leaders in our region, and programs like MTEI show why we are part of a rising entrepreneurship tide both nationally and internationally.” 

“On behalf of Saint Mary’s University, the Sobey School of Business, and the MTEI program, I want to thank Dr. Steele for his commitment to the continued success of our institution and entrepreneurship in Atlantic Canada and beyond,” says President Summerby-Murray.  

The Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Saint Mary’s University is a comprehensive, cross-sector program that combines the knowledge and skills of a management program with marketing, leadership, finance, accounting, communications, economics and information technology. Alumni from the program have started their own companies ranging from rope-less lobster traps to companies specializing in customized lighting, water quality measurement, and training for recreation gaming to e-sports. Alumni have also added value to companies by bringing their MTEI expertise to management at different businesses. Those business areas include companies that deal with cybersecurity, virtual conferencing solutions, and transitioning traditionally retail-based services to at-home delivery.   

“The Sobey School of Business is preparing the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs and researchers in business and entrepreneurship,” says Dr. Harjeet Bhabra, Dean of the Sobey School of Business. “With the rapid change this year in how businesses operate, programs focused on the integration of technology and innovation like MTEI are more important now than ever before. With this gift, we can continue to expand the scope of the program, engage more entrepreneurs and researchers in growing knowledge creation and expanding the entrepreneurship and start-up sector.”

Stayers and leavers: new SMU research looks closely at immigration in Nova Scotia

Dr. Ather Akbari

Who immigrates to Nova Scotia, who stays, leaves, and why is the focus of a recently released report from Dr. Ather Akbari, a professor with Saint Mary’s University’s Sobey School of Business. 

The report, Immigration in Nova Scotia: Who Comes, Who Stays, Who Leaves and Why?, was prepared for the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration. Its main purpose was to investigate why immigrants choose Nova Scotia as their destination in Canada and why some stay in the province while others leave.   

“Evidence-based research is important for policymakers to make the best decisions for Nova Scotians. They need to have a clear picture of what attracts immigrants to this province and what is their experience,” says Dr. Akbari. “My research helps to form a picture of the Nova Scotian immigrant experience, the successes and the areas that may need some changes.”  

This report marks the third report in a series of research reports. The first project report used 2016 Canadian Census data to study general mobility patterns of Nova Scotia immigrants. The second report presented a literature review on mobility motivations of individuals and their location choice. This third and final report analyzed the results of an online survey of 2,815 immigrants, representing a total of about 28,600 who arrived in Canada during 2011-2018 with either the intention to go to Nova Scotia or who lived in Nova Scotia at some point during the eight-year period. Focus group interviews were also held in Nova Scotia, Alberta and Ontario. 

When it comes to stayers and leavers, approximately 74 percent of immigrants who had arrived during 2011-2018 were still living in the province or 21,210 in total.  

“I think the most validating find for many Nova Scotians from this report is the positive comments from both immigrants who stayed and those who left, on the quality of life in our province and community safety,” says Dr. Akbari. “Both of these areas received the top satisfaction ratings from both those who stayed and those who left. When comparing Nova Scotia with other provinces, the top two features that received better ratings for Nova Scotia were community safety and cost of accommodation. If we can leverage these with increased employment opportunities and employer involvement in the immigration process, there is a real opportunity to continue to increase the immigration retention rate.”  

The main reason respondents gave for having left the province or for their intention to leave were to seek better employment opportunities.

The survey data indicates that economic opportunity is the most pervasive factor that encourages immigrants to remain in Nova Scotia. Many immigrants who leave Nova Scotia mention economic opportunities as the main reason they left. Many also note they reluctantly decided to go as they miss the positive social interactions and other aspects of living in the province. Opportunities are mainly related to finding a job and extending to finding the right position, or one that fits their level of education, skills and experience. 

The report recommends that immigrant attraction should focus on economic immigrants who come with their families. For their settlement and integration, employer involvement such as in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, is an important step taken at federal and provincial levels. Initiatives to strengthen immigrants’ social connectedness by encouraging volunteering, sports and recreation activities can also help raise their and their family’s satisfaction with living in Nova Scotia. 

Dr. Akbari is the Chair of Atlantic Research Group on Economics of Immigration, Aging and Diversity (ARGEIAD). To read this report, or learn more about ARGEIAD, visit https://smu.ca/centres-and-institutes/atlantic-research-group.html.

SMU students lauded for Remembrance Day research

A Canadian diplomat has expressed appreciation for the work of a Saint Mary’s Geography class, following his participation in Remembrance Day ceremonies in West Africa.  

Sébastien Beaulieu, Ambassador-Designate to The Gambia, travelled this week to pay special tribute to 10 Royal Canadian Air Force servicemen who are buried at the Fajara Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery. The airmen died in 1942 while serving with the 200 RAF Squadron and one had a Nova Scotia connection: Warrant Officer Basil Ralph Yorke was from Cumberland County.

It’s the first time an official Canadian delegation has honoured the fallen airmen. “Attending the ceremonies in person this week was important to me,” Ambassador Beaulieu said in an email exchange with Saint Mary’s.

“I find it very moving, as Canada's representative to The Gambia, that the many personal bonds between our two countries includes the fate of these brave Canadians from B.C. to Nova Scotia who died so far away from home, in WWII,” he said. “The research and field work of the students from Saint Mary's, led by Dr. Cathy Conrad, which was conducted in 2018, has helped connect the dots and contributed to ensure that these Canadians continue to be properly honoured and remembered.”

In the fall of 2018, Dr. Conrad’s Geography International Field School class did a lot of prep work in advance of their trip to The Gambia. They planned to honour Gambian veterans in a local Remembrance Day ceremony during their stay in Banjul, not realizing at first that Canadians were also buried in the cemetery. A flurry of research here on campus and during their trip helped them piece together a largely forgotten chapter of history that took place nearly 80 years ago.

The fallen airmen had served as part of an effort to supply troops in Northern Africa, and to combat German U-boats in the Atlantic Ocean. When Conrad and her students visited the gravesite, they generated quite a lot of media attention in Banjul and Halifax. They also met Sharon Wardle, then British High Commissioner to The Gambia, who shared photos of the students that day on her Twitter site.

“This is how the Canadian Ambassador learned of us,” recalls Conrad. “He emailed me to learn more and we have remained in contact ever since. I can only hope that we will be able to meet with him in the future on West African soil.”

Beaulieu, who grew up in Moncton, shared his own Remembrance Day highlights this week on his Twitter site at @Beaulieu_CAN. “As a fellow Maritimer, I'm so pleased to witness the rich connections between The Gambia and Canada, and the ties with Nova Scotia in particular,” he said.

Conrad plans to offer the next Gambia field school next fall, if COVID-19 travel restrictions allow by then. She’s hoping to forge new connections between Saint Mary’s and the University of the Gambia, and also to assist with plans for a commemorative plaque at the site where a Canadian warplane went down.

“I’m very grateful for my students who were so vigilant in connecting the pieces of our WWII history in The Gambia, and for participating in a wreath laying ceremony two years ago,” says Dr. Conrad. “They should feel enormous pride in the fact that a Canadian Ambassador went this year, acknowledging their work. Although we wish we could have been there to attend with him this year (as was the pre-COVID plan), the fact that he reached out to us to recognize our efforts is greatly appreciated.” 

New installation viewable from outside coming to the Saint Mary's University Art Gallery

Mitchell Wiebe beginning his installation...painting the walls in the window studio space at the gallery pic.twitter.com/PwGhP1E7SH

— SMUgallery (@SMUgallery) November 16, 2020

The gallery’s current activity is a hybrid of a virtual and physical exhibition called the Window Studio Project. It provides an artist the opportunity to explore ideas in a new space and create something unique for that environment. It also gives those who are on campus something different to see each day, since the entire space is viewable from the front window. The gallery will be posting video and images on its social media for those not on campus.

The featured artist this month is Mitchell Wiebe. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver and a Master of Fine Arts degree from  NSCAD University in Halifax. His art practice involves painting, music, performance and installation, and sometimes a convergence where all mediums coexist. Mitchell currently has a nationally touring solo exhibition titled VampSites, curated by Pan Wendt and organized and circulated by the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, PEI.

In his installation at the gallery, Mitchell is considering the view through abstract Adirondack sculptures. He is embracing the challenge of having his work viewable only through a window. He says, “The idea of looking into an installation through a window offers many possibilities. I am enjoying building a space for paintings and objects to mingle, and hopefully offer a glimpse where the imagination can take shape. Humour might not be readily apparent, but I'm going with the notion that the grass is always greener through the slats of wood!”

Mitchell is also exploring a number of lighting techniques with blacklight, multi-coloured lights and mirrors. He will be working in the space through next week, so for those who have permission to be on campus go check it out. If not, visit the gallery’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for images and video.

For more information on Mitchell, visit his website at www.mitchellwiebesart.com.

New SMU lab tackles society’s wicked problems

Saint Mary’s University’s new Wicked Problems Lab is a teaching, learning, and research hub that brings big data, software, analytic techniques, and resources together to tackle wicked problems.

Wicked problems are complex and multifaceted issues that are difficult, if not impossible, to solve. Saint Mary's aims to take on these challenges, evaluating the problems from various perspectives and offering potential solutions to address the issue.

Made possible by gifts from The Windsor Foundation, the Hewitt Foundation and Dr. Daniel McCarthy BComm'76 DComm'11, this new lab’s mandate is to help students and researchers across the university tackle some of society’s most wicked problems.

"Our lab is working to build capacity in employing the large quantities of data currently available and advanced analytical tools to track, assess, and tackle wicked problems both locally and globally," says Dr. Mathew Novak, a Saint Mary's associate professor and director of the Wicked Problems Lab. "We invite students and faculty to bring us their wicked problems, and we will work them to find a solution.  We can help find data and use a host of analytical software that will help in understanding the complexity of the problem and contribute to our pursuit of new knowledge and solutions."

"The resources and expertise of the lab will help our researchers and our students in every discipline. Students writing a term paper may want to include data to support their arguments," says Dr. Novak. "We can help them with the skills, tools and support needed to wade through the mountains of publicly available data and demonstrate how to look at that data in new ways."

The lab follows three critical facets to its resourcing: teaching, learning, and research.

As a teaching resource, the lab offers problem-based learning activities for undergraduate and graduate-level courses. Each exercise has students engage with data and analytical tools to assess a problem while posing questions about challenges in tackling the issue.  These virtual classroom sessions are available for instructors in all disciplines and are timely demonstrations of how Saint Mary’s is innovating in its delivery of courses online.

As a learning resource, the lab will deliver individual and group training to any Saint Mary's community member that wants to enhance their knowledge and use of data analytics and specialized software tools and databases. Training sessions with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are already underway, demonstrating how the software may be employed in various disciplines across campus and offering participants hands on exercises in map making, data management, and spatial analysis. 

As a research resource, Saint Mary’s faculty and students can work with Dr. Khan Rahaman, the full-time research analyst, for free assistance in addressing their wicked problem.  Dr. Rahaman will work with the lab's clients and help them collect, manage, and analyze data for reports, theses, and other research outlets.

"We are very excited to be up, and we are embracing online learning and collaboration, offering our services remotely," says Dr. Novak. "We also look forward to when we can be back on campus, and our lab space will be available for in-person teaching and training as well as research assistance.”

“I also want to thank the people behind the gift that supports all of the work that we do,” adds Novak. “A special thanks to The Windsor Foundation, the Hewitt Foundation, and Saint Mary’s alumni Dr. Daniel McCarthy for making this possible.”

• For more information, visit the Wicked Problems Lab website.

Peace and the pandemic

Peaceful Schools at Currie Primary School, Belfast, Northern Ireland/ North of Ireland

Can there be peace in the midst of conflict? Can peace flourish during a pandemic? And do we have an ethical obligation to teach peace education? Those were some of the questions posed at this year’s annual United Nations International Day of Peace conference. Dozens of participants came together under the auspices of Peaceful Schools International, Saint Mary’s University and Yale University, along with students from public and private schools in Halifax, Northern Ireland / North of Ireland as well as the United States.

The Faculty of Education at Saint Mary’s University has been particularly engaged and supportive of a wide range of peace education initiatives, projects and the provision of relevant academic courses over the past 15 years, including this most recent virtual conference. Saint Mary’s University Professor and President of Peaceful Schools International, Bridget Brownlow, noted that the pandemic posed issues for the conference itself, “Like so many organizations, we were tested by not being able to meet in person this year.  However our students and the partner schools rose to the challenge using videos and online technology to connect in a virtual setting.”

Bryn de Chastelain, President of the Saint Mary’s University Students Association (SMUSA) said, “The pandemic gives us a common issue and demands that we work together to develop common solutions. The pandemic has exacerbated problems and inequalities in our local community and around the world. Never before have we been so interconnected. It’s crucial that we focus on how we can work together as we priorize ongoing education and reflection.”

Peaceful Schools International is a not-for-profit network of educators and students which is housed within Saint Mary’s University and has over 380 member schools worldwide. Among many other projects and initiatives, the organization also provides university students with conflict resolution skills and enables them to travel internationally to the North of Ireland / Northern Ireland to teach these valuable skills in peace education to younger students in elementary schools. “Conflict resolution requires daily practice. We start learning at a young age, said SMU student, Salman Sadib, an Accounting major who has travelled to Belfast, Northern Ireland and credits the program with changing his life. “We want the world to be a better place for everyone; we learn to negotiate with peace in every situation.”

Dr. Bonnie Weir, representing the Department of Political Science at Yale University, also participated in the virtual conference. In February, 2020, she had the privilege of observing students from Saint Mary’s University facilitating peace education workshops in primary classrooms in Belfast and learned firsthand that we all have an ethical obligation to teach peace education to both children and adults, including the ability to understand others, respect for difference and the value of uniqueness. Dr. Weir is also a member of the Board of Directors for Peaceful Schools International.

Crystal Witter, a SMU Psychology major, said peace education should be taught at all levels of university, and included in business strategies and programs. “I now see how diversity and inclusion is so important for peace and harmony.”

For more information on Peaceful Schools International and the virtual conference please visit the website: http://peacefulschoolsinternational.org/

David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing and Services celebrates Retail Month

Dr. David Sobey, CM at the National Retail Innovation Awards.

The David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing and Services at Saint Mary's University is hosting a series of online events and discussions on the retail industry this October as part of Retail Month.

Retail Month, hosted by the David Sobey Centre, celebrates the retail industry and leads discussions to uncover the latest trends, practices and future predictions in retail.

"We have hosted several well-received Retail Weeks over the past several years, and one of the main comments we kept receiving was why only a week," says Dr. Ramesh Venkat, the director of the David Sobey Centre. "Retail Month offers industry leaders, and members of the retail sector increased opportunities to discuss trends and innovations they see in the sector. The pandemic has created unusual challenges and opportunities for the retail sector, making this year's Retail Month even more valuable."

Retail Month reach extends beyond the business community to students. There are many opportunities for university students and graduates in the retail sector.  With many companies promoting employees from within, recent graduates have extensive growth opportunities when joining the industry.

Speakers for Retail Month events include senior executives from national retail companies such as Sobeys Inc., Hudson's Bay Company, Staples, IKEA, and Dillard's. Representatives from these companies, and more, will be sharing their experience in various panel discussions. The topics are e-commerce and the future of retailing, women in retail, and sustainable retailing.

As part of Retail Month, the 4th annual National Retail Innovation Awards will occur on Thursday, Oct. 29. The National Retail Innovation Awards celebrates Canadian retailers' achievements and retailers who have demonstrated innovation and excellence in the industry. This year the award categories are retail business model innovation, retail technology innovation, and community service innovation. The award categories reflect the areas where retailers had to successfully adapt their business practices during the global pandemic.

The Sustainability Case Competition is also taking place during Retail Month. Students will participate in a case competition to support a local, sustainable retailer. This competition is in partnership with the 2nd Annual Sobey School of Business Responsibility Conference hosted by the Sobey School of Business.

For more information on Retail Month and the speaker series, visit: https://www.bigmarker.com/series/retail-month-20201/series_summit.

Saint Mary’s joins universities nationwide to take action on anti-Black racism

Saint Mary’s University is joining universities and colleges across Canada to take action on anti-Black racism in the post-secondary sector. Saint Mary’s will join the University of Toronto and numerous others in a national dialogue taking place on October 1st and 2nd. This dialogue will be the first of a series of sessions called National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities. 

“This conversation is an important early step to a broader national discussion about the impacts of racism, and the actions we can take to address anti-Black racism,” says Deborah Brothers-Scott, Chair of Saint Mary’s University President’s Standing Committee on the Prevention of Racism. “I am confident that this series of dialogues will serve as a strong foundation for self-reflection as a sector and inform the systemic changes needed on the path towards equity.”

The sessions will discuss various topics and make recommendations on subjects such as access to post-secondary and ensuring success, supporting faculty and staff, inclusive learning, representation, and the best practices around race-based data.

A national coordinating committee will carefully review the conversations and recommendations and provide a charter of principles and actions for participating institutions. Saint Mary’s President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray is a member of this committee and is actively supporting this work.

“Since I first came to Saint Mary’s University, I have embraced the diversity of our community as our strength,” says President Summerby-Murray. “This comes with the responsibility to do everything within my power to ensure we are supporting equitable opportunities and treatment for everyone in our community.”

“We are not without challenges in this regard, but these are challenges that we must work to address and overcome,” adds President Summerby-Murray. “This is why I have dedicated myself to this national initiative, in addition to my involvement with the education committee for BlackNorth, and our university’s standing committee on the prevention of racism.”

While Saint Mary’s has often engaged in discussions and dialogues on racism and discrimination against First Nations and persons of African descent, these efforts have been placed into sharp relief by the events of recent months, notably Black Lives Matter and the Anti-Black Racism movement. Saint Mary’s is fortunate to have significant faculty research expertise and community engagement, including through the Department of Social Justice and Community Studies. With support from their colleagues across the university and now recognized across the country, faculty members are leading meaningful and frank discussions of the challenges facing Canada, Nova Scotia, Halifax, and Saint Mary’s when it comes to racism, discrimination, and equity and the actions needed to address it. A prime example of this work is the rising prominence of these discussions at university events such as Homecoming and the event Back to the Classroom: Anti-Racism led by Dr. Rachel Zellars.

While faculty members are working to create change, the university also recognizes the importance of anti-racism action. Earlier this year, the university convened the President’s Standing Committee on the Prevention of Racism, a key recommendation of an earlier 2019 ad hoc committee. Among other recommendations from the ad hoc committee, the current committee has a key mandate to raise awareness and oversee the implementation of other recommendations, including:

• the recent successful hiring of a full-time African Nova Scotian/Black Student & Community Liaison staff position, a role that will help better support Black students on campus;

• education and training to ensure we can identify, report, investigate and respond to incidents of racialized discrimination on campus;

• holding more workshops to help educate and combat racism;

• a revision of the SMU Code of Conduct to ensure it clearly addresses issues of racism;

• developing a retention strategy focused on Indigenous and racialized students; and

• recruiting more racialized faculty and staff members.

Efforts have already begun with a series of listening sessions that have taken place and will continue through the Fall term to give the committee insight into the first-hand experiences of members of the SMU community. Similar to the national dialogues, these sessions form an essential part of the process to inform change.

Listening is only the first step; the university knows more action is needed.

To learn more about the upcoming sessions or share your feedback, comments, or questions, email The President’s Standing Committee on the Prevention of Racism at anti-racism@smu.ca. All emails are treated with the utmost confidentiality. 

SMU joins Atlantic universities offering region-wide virtual events for student entrepreneurs

Seven universities in Atlantic Canada are co-ordinating efforts to engage and support student entrepreneurs by hosting virtual workshops this fall.

Five virtual workshops and an additional three virtual fireside chats for female-identifying students will be hosted by different participating institutions. Students across all campuses are eligible to attend for free.

The fireside chats, titled Women Leading Startups, are in partnership with the Canadian Ecosystem Gathering and aim to provide additional support and inspiration for female-identifying students, who are traditionally under-represented in entrepreneurship. The chats will introduce students to women who have founded high-growth startups in Canada and allow them to network in a safe and dedicated virtual space.

Two of the workshops, How do I entrepreneur? and Stayin’ lean, are supported by Propel, an online accelerator for technology startups in Atlantic Canada.

The post-secondary institutions participating in these workshops include:

·       Cape Breton University

·       Dalhousie University

·       Memorial University of Newfoundland

·       Mount St. Vincent University

·       Saint Mary’s University

·       University of New Brunswick

·       University of Prince Edward Island

Florian Villaumé, director of the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship at Memorial University in St. John’s, N.L., says the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity to reach more students through virtual events and by co-ordinating efforts between all the universities.

“Having most students studying online has opened new opportunities to inspire and enable aspiring student entrepreneurs,” said Mr. Villaumé. “With the support of Propel and Canadian Ecosystem Gathering, we are collectively investing in the future of student-led startups. This collaboration will create a strong connection between entrepreneurial students across the region, thus making the foundation of the Atlantic Canada startup ecosystem stronger.”

The workshops include topics such as: How do I entrepreneur?, Uncover the right idea; Stayin’ lean and Take on tech.

“Creating a culture of innovation and increasing awareness of available programming across the Atlantic region is amplified by this effort,” said Jeff Larsen, executive director of innovation and entrepreneurship at Dalhousie University. “By working collaboratively, we are able to expand our networks and reach to allow students, academics and community members exposure to the markets, opportunities and experiences that exist outside their home institution.”

The first workshop, How do I entrepreneur?, will be held on Sept. 24.

Saint Mary's wins United Way award

Saint Mary's University has been selected to receive the Local Love award for Fundraising Innovation from the United Way Halifax!

United Way committee co-chairs Roberta Graham, Manager, Custodial Services and Tricia MacPhee, Supervisor, Payroll & HRIS heard the good news via an email from Nicole Cameron, Development Officer with United Way Halifax. Cameron has worked closely with the SMU committee on previous annual campaigns.

“There's a million reasons you deserve this award as an incredible group of dedicated and caring volunteers,” said Cameron. “Your research into finding a virtual 50/50 platform was exceptional as was your ability to dive in and try new things and work collaboratively. Your leadership will benefit other organizations looking for new ways to fundraise virtually this year.

“You also helped the staff at United Way Halifax gain new skills and expertise in the area of virtual fundraising (which little did we know would be critical a few short months later).”

Saint Mary's is featured in the United Way Halifax 2020 annual report at the following link:

https://www.unitedwayhalifax.ca/annual-report-chapter/2019-celebrating-our-workplace-partners/ 

Two Saint Mary’s University scientists receive $795,000 in research funding

Two researchers in the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s have received a total of $795,000 in funding from two government organizations.

Dr. Erin Adlakha and Dr. Erin Cameron will have their work, on hydrothermal ore mineral deposits and soil invertebrates, respectively, funded in equal parts by grants from Canadian Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund and from Research Nova Scotia.

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Dr. Erin Cameron : “Global change impacts on soil invertebrates”

A researcher in the department of Environmental Science, Dr. Cameron’s work focuses on increasing understanding of the impacts of climate change and land use on below-ground ecosystems.

Dr. Erin Cameron

“Much of our understanding of these impacts in terrestrial ecosystems is based on aboveground organisms,” explained Dr. Cameron. “In contrast, although soils support high levels of biodiversity and provide key ecosystem services such as decomposition and carbon storage, we have a limited understanding of global change effects below ground.”

Her research seeks to address this gap in our knowledge by examining how climate change, land use change, and invasive species (earthworms) affect communities and ecosystem services (e.g., carbon dioxide flux) in Nova Scotia, Canada's North, and globally, using a combination of field observations, experiments, lab analyses, and modelling.

In Nova Scotia, her work will focus on examining how human disturbances may be affecting soil biodiversity and the ecosystem services provided by soil in forests, and on examining the spread and effects of non-native earthworms. This work will increase understanding of impacts of global change on soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and inform effective management of climate change and invasive species in Canada.

Read more about Dr. Cameron’s recent cover story in the prestigious Science Magazine, in which she studies the global diversity and biogeography of earthworms.

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Dr. Erin Adlakha: “Characterizing Alteration Footprints of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits Using Super Light Element Micro-X-Ray Fluorescence” 

A faculty member and researcher in the Department of Geology at Saint Mary’s, Dr. Adlakha’s research focuses on hydrothermal ore mineral deposits, which we mine for the metals that we use in everyday life. Part of Dr. Adlakha’s research is to understand the source of fluids and metals, and identify the chemical or physical “traps” that cause ore deposition.

Dr. Erin Adlakha

“These deposits precipitate from fluids (e.g. seawater, meteoric water, magmatic fluids) that circulate through Earth’s crust along structures — faults, fractures, mineral grain boundaries —and dissolve metals from the rocks that they pass through,” explained Dr. Adlakha. “When the fluids encounter a chemical and/or physical change, a reaction may occur that triggers the precipitation of economic minerals.”

“I am also interested in the mineralogy and chemical variation of un-economic alteration minerals that form as different fluids circulate through Earth’s crust, as they guide exploration geologists to find new deposits,” she added.

This CFI award will be used to purchase a Super Light Element Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer to characterize the complex ore and alteration systematics of different ore systems, including polymetallic Co deposits in Nova Scotia, Canada; W skarn deposits of the Canadian Cordillera; and polymetallic deposits of the Nonacho Basin, Northwest Territories.

“The results of this research will be used to develop deposit models that describe how hydrothermal ore deposits form, and provide exploration vectors for these deposits, thus contributing to the longevity and sustainability of Canada's exploration and mining programs,” said Dr. Adlakha.

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About the Canadian Foundation for Innovation

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) was built on the ideals of thinking big and investing in areas that matter to Canadians. Since its creation in 1997, the CFI has ensured Canadian researchers have the tools — the cutting-edge labs, facilities and equipment — they need to push the frontiers of knowledge in all disciplines, and to contribute to the full spectrum of research — from discovery to technology development.

The John R. Evans Leaders Fund enables excellent researchers to undertake leading-edge research by providing them with the foundational research infrastructure required to be or become leaders in their field. In turn, this enables institutions to remain internationally competitive in areas of research and technology development, aligned with their strategic priorities. 

Research Nova Scotia

Research Nova Scotia (RNS) is a not-for-profit corporation established to enhance research capacity and align research funding with provincial priorities. RNS invests in research that builds and translates knowledge to help ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for Nova Scotia. This support for the research community in our province helps to advance strategic growth in Nova Scotia, and contributes to innovation in the healthcare system in Nova Scotia. 

Saint Mary’s partners with Nova Scotia Health on new testing centre

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of the Saint Mary’s community have been the primary focus of the university. 

The Santamarian community has come together to provide PPE to health care workers, look at new ways to create PPE and related products such as sanitizers locally, and research the pandemic's economic, psychological, and societal impacts.

On Monday, August 17th, another step in ensuring the Saint Mary’s community is supported move forwards when Nova Scotia Health begins operating a testing centre for COVID-19 located at the Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness. The university has worked closely with Nova Scotia Health to ensure that the testing centre is secure and appropriately spaced from campus activities.

“Our university prides itself on putting community at the heart of all that we do,” says Dr. Malcolm Butler, Vice-President, Academic and Research. “In challenging times, our values are tested. We know that testing is a vital part of the fight against COVID-19. We are proud to partner with Nova Scotia Health and to do our part in helping to keep our community safe.”

By partnering with Nova Scotia Health, the university ensures that members of both the local community and campus community have a safe and secure centre in their community to be tested for COVID-19 when directed by 811.  With the counselling centre and student health centre available to students and residence students, this represents another investment in ensuring that students can receive the healthcare they need when they need it.