Dr. Lori Francis appointed Acting Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science

Dr. Lori Francis

Saint Mary’s University is pleased to announce that Dr. Lori Francis has been appointed Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science – Student Affairs (Acting).

Dr. Lori Francis has been a faculty member in Saint Mary’s University’s Department of Psychology since 2002, and was promoted to Full Professor in 2014. A graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, she holds an MSc in Psychology from McMaster University and a PhD in Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology from the University of Guelph.

During her tenure in Saint Mary’s Faculty of Science, Dr. Francis has taught a wide range of BSc and MSc courses, including Intro to Psychology, upper-level undergraduate courses, and doctoral seminars. Since 2011, she has been Graduate Program Coordinator for the MSc and PhD in Psychology. Dr. Francis has also served on Academic Senate and was a long-time member of Saint Mary’s Pension Committee.

Dr. Francis’ research, which pertains to occupational health, safety, and wellness in the workplace, has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation (NSHRF), and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

As Associate Dean of Science – Student Affairs (Acting), Dr. Francis will oversee the Science Advising Centre and the Science Numeracy and Academic Proficiency (SNAP) Centre, a free, drop-in tutoring centre dedicated to first-year science students. She will also review and provide the final decision on a variety of student issues handled through the Science Advising Centre. 

Saint Mary’s chemistry professor receives federal funding for her antibiotic research

Dr. Clarissa Sit

Saint Mary’s chemical biologist Dr. Clarissa Sit’s research into how to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi received a big boost today as the result of an investment of $171,204 from the federal government.

“Saint Mary’s University is home to innovative research that impacts not only our institution but contributes to addressing problems of global importance,” said Dr. Malcolm Butler, Vice-President, Academic and Research. “We are very appreciative of this federal investment as it represents a core part of our mission as a university, to engage in innovative research and disseminate its results in a way that will serve the community from the local to international level.”

Dr. Sit’s research addresses one of society’s largest public health challenges: antibiotic-resistant bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. As a result of this funding, Dr. Sit will have access to a high-resolution mass spectrometer, equipment that will increase the success rate of finding new molecules in soil that have antibiotic or drug-like properties. If successful, this could lead to the discovery of microbes that develop new natural products, which can be used to develop new medications.

“While this new equipment is essential for my research, it also provides the first high-resolution mass spectrometer on campus, which is incredibly useful to my colleagues in chemistry, biology, geology, and environmental science in their research,” said Dr. Sit.  “I am very grateful to the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Government of Canada for their support and I know that this investment will have a big impact on both my research and scientific research in general at Saint Mary’s.”

This investment comes from the Government of Canada provided through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF). Support from the federal CFI JELF program provides a portion of the funding needed for institutions to acquire research infrastructure to enable cutting-edge innovation, with contributions from the province and private sector making up the balance of the support.

“This federal infrastructure award recognizes Dr. Sit’s unique and innovative experience, and allows her to establish a lab at Saint Mary’s destined to make important contributions in the area of natural antibiotic research,” said Dr. Adam Sarty, Associate Vice-President Research and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. “It also allows the next generation of Saint Mary’s students to train in state-of-the-art experimental techniques.”

Chemistry grad awarded prestigious postgraduate scholarship

Kyle Awalt

This fall, recent Saint Mary’s graduate Kyle Awalt is headed down under to pursue a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Monash in Melbourne, Australia. Kyle, who graduated this spring with a Bachelor of Science in Honours Chemistry, received a Monash Graduate Scholarship and Monash International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, two highly competitive awards worth roughly $70,000 a year. At Monash, Kyle will study under the supervision of Dr. Peter J. Scammells, Medicinal Chemistry Theme Leader and Associate Dean (Research) at Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University. Monash’s prestigious pharmacy program routinely ranks among the best in the world.

Since his second year of study, Kyle has worked as a research assistant to Dr. Robert Singer, current Chair of Saint Mary’s Department of Chemistry. Dr. Singer is a leader in green chemistry and a long-time collaborator of Dr. Scammells.

Kyle credits his experience at Saint Mary’s with his scholarly achievement. “My success has been driven by the paper I published and my work in Dr. Singer’s lab,” says Kyle. “I don’t think I would have had the same level of opportunity as an undergraduate at a larger school.”

Kyle’s undergraduate honours thesis led him to co-author a paper, Utility of iron nanoparticles and a solution-phase iron species for the N-demethylation of alkaloids, published in the peer-reviewed journal RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry) Green Chemistry. It describes a key step in the preparation of naloxone, a drug used to treat opiate overdoses, including fentanyl. Using green solvents and iron as a catalyst, Kyle and his co-authors optimized one of the chemical reactions necessary in the production of the potentially life-saving drug.

Given the current global opioid crisis, this work is particularly timely. “A relatively straight line can be drawn between what we’re doing in the lab and what happens in the real world,” says Kyle. “It’s very rewarding.”

In addition to Dr. Robert Singer, Saint Mary’s University, Kyle’s collaborators include Dr. Peter Scammells and others from the Universities of Monash and Nottingham.

After completing his Ph.D. at Monash University, Kyle plans to pursue postdoctoral studies in Europe. Ultimately, he would like to return as a faculty member at a Canadian institution.

"Small universities like Saint Mary's encourage collaboration and allow undergraduate students the opportunity to take ownership of their research,” says Kyle. “Ultimately, I hope to return to that as a professor.”

Dr. Adam Sarty appointed Associate Vice-President Research and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research

Dr. Adam Sarty

Dr. Adam Sarty will be taking on the leadership role of Associate Vice-President Research and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, effective August 8, 2017.

The Board of Governors approved this appointment following the recommendation of the search committee chaired by the Interim Vice-President Academic and Research, Dr. Esther Enns.

Dr. Sarty has extensive knowledge of and experience with Saint Mary’s, having joined the Department of Astronomy and Physics in 2000. Since that time he has taken on many roles, most recently Associate Dean of Science - External and Student Affairs.

A 3M National Teaching Fellow and recipient of many teaching and leadership awards, Dr. Sarty is a champion for both learning and research – key elements of his new role.

Dr. Sarty’s own research in the field of subatomic physics involves the study of the electromagnetic properties of protons, neutrons, and light atomic nuclei. His research area has an international scope, working at facilities in both Germany and the United States with collaborators from around the world.

Saint Mary’s University and TRIUMF shine light on the Strong Nuclear Force

Dr. Rituparna Kanungo, Department of Astronomy & Physics, and Amit Kumar, Master of Science alumnus, at TRIUMF.

Physicists are one step closer to understanding the mysteries of the strong nuclear force (the strongest force of nature) responsible for binding subatomic particles, thanks to Saint Mary’s researchers.

Astronomy and Physics professor Dr. Rituparna Kanungo and Saint Mary’s alumnus Amit Kumar, together with a team of Canadian and international researchers, have gained insight into the characteristics of the strong nuclear force through a highly-sensitive experiment conducted at ISAC Charged Particles Spectroscopy Station (IRIS).

IRIS is a Saint Mary’s University facility located at TRIUMF, Canada’s national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics in Vancouver.

Otherwise simply known as the “strong force,” the strong nuclear force is perhaps the least understood of the four basic forces in nature; the others are gravity, electromagnetism, and the weak force. Responsible for binding together the fundamental particles of matter (quarks) to form larger particles (protons and neutrons), the strong force also holds the atomic nucleus.

The project, which synthesized a state-of-the-art radioactive ion beam experiment and ab initio theory, was led by Dr. Kanungo and Dr. Petr Navratil from the TRIUMF theory department. Amit Kumar, a graduate of Saint Mary’s Master of Science in Applied Science, contributed greatly to the research at TRIUMF’s IRIS facility, as did TRIUMF postdoctoral fellow Angelo Calci.

The research work is published in Physical Review Letters highlighted as Editor’s Suggestion and discussed in APS Physics Viewpoint.

The team would like to gratefully acknowledge research support from NSERC, the Canada Foundation for Innovation and Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust. TRIUMF receives funding via a contribution through the National Research Council of Canada.

Saint Mary's Faculty of Science signs new 2+2 agreements with BNUZ

Saint Mary’s has had a partnership with Beijing Normal University (BNUZ) since 2002, encompassing a number of study abroad programs, transfer credit agreements, and a Saint Mary’s satellite campus at BNUZ.

There are 2+2 agreements in Business Science, and Arts that enable BNUZ students to complete the first two years of university study on campus at BNUZ, and to transfer to Saint Mary’s to complete the final two years of their degrees in Halifax.

Seated: Xiangdong Geng, Chair of University Council, BNUZ; Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President, SMU
Standing: Professors Hongyu Xiao and Hongshun Chen, Faculty Members, School of Information Technology, BNUZ; Dr. Malcolm Butler, VP Academic and Research, SMU; Dr. Steven Smith, Dean, Faculty of Science, SMU

On July 10, 2017, the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s University signed a new 2 + 2 articulation agreement with Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai.

BNUZ students can now complete the last two years of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) with a Major in Computing Science at Saint Mary’s after successfully completing two years of required courses at BNUZ. Students graduate with a degree from Saint Mary’s University. A similar agreement for Psychology was signed on June 12 at BNUZ.

The most recent signing ceremony coincided with the BNUZ@SMU Summer Institute, an annual professional development program attended by faculty and administrators from BNUZ.

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Welcome to our BNUZ guests

PhD candidate wins prestigious Vanier Scholarship

Amy Heim

Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce that Amy Heim, a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Science, is the recipient of a three-year Vanier scholarship worth $50,000 per year.

Heim’s work is in the area of Evolution and Ecology, and she was honoured for her research proposal titled “Using traits to enhance plant co-existence and maximize ecosystem services in the green roof environment.”

“I am very excited that Amy won this scholarship. It’s a great endorsement of her innovative research,” said supervisor Jeremy Lundholm.

A plant community ecologist who specializes in understanding the co-existence mechanisms between plant species in harsh environments, she is currently working in two distinct environments: the coastal barrens of Nova Scotia and on extensive green roofs.

Heim explains that both habitats are exposed to drought, high wind, and extreme temperatures, making them useful habitats to compare co-existence patterns in a natural and artificial environment.

“For my green roof research I am looking at how specific combinations of species with specific plant traits can improve the ecosystem services provided by green roofs,” says Heim.

Her work also focuses on better understanding how urbanism impacts humans and the environment as more people move to cities. “Our research will develop a practical approach for selecting high-performance plant combinations that will make green roofs more efficient, reducing several issues related to urbanism,” she explained.

When asked what this scholarship means to her, Heim said that it will let her fully concentrate on her research, and also make it easier for her to create collaborations with researchers across the globe. She has plans to complete an internship with a green roof researcher in Japan during the fall of 2018.

“As an international student, Amy is not eligible for regular NSERC scholarships, so we are grateful for this level of support for her PhD studies. This frees up grant funding and as a consequence I can now fund Amy’s travel to a conference in Italy in the fall,” said Lundholm.

“Research is a collaborative effort so I believe these opportunities will enhance my own studies,” says Heim.

About Vanier Scholarships

Vanier Scholarships are awarded to students in the areas of health research, natural sciences and/or engineering, and social sciences and/or humanities research.

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health sciences.

Three equally weighted evaluation criteria are considered: academic excellence, research potential, and leadership.

Canadian and international students are eligible to be nominated for a Vanier CGS. Vanier CGSs are valued at $50,000 per year, for up to three years. For more info, visit the Government of Canada site.

Math prof continues to find success with science fiction

Dr. Robert Dawson

When he’s not teaching or exploring geometry and category theory, Saint Mary’s mathematics professor Dr. Robert Dawson is probably imagining what the future might look like—at his word processor. Since he began writing fiction seven years ago, he’s published a number of short stories—mostly science fiction—and poems.

Though not all his short stories are informed by hard science, mathematical principles often turn up in his written works: "Damned Souls and Statistics" was born from a discussion about statistical techniques and "The Fifth Postulate" came straight out of the undergraduate geometry course that he sometimes teaches. “Ladies’ Night” is about a card shark who schools her marks in probability theory.

“I’ve also written stories based on made-up but plausible results in mathematical logic and real results in classical mechanics,” says Dr. Dawson.

His latest short story, “Sparrowfall” is his second story published in the “Futures” section of Nature, an international weekly journal of science; “Pop-ups” was the first. “Futures” is a science fiction column that presents an eclectic view of what the future may hold. It encourages writers to imagine the limitless possibilities of “what may be lurking around the corner.”

“Sparrowfall” depicts a haunting interaction between a homeless person in crisis and the computerized voice of an autonomous city.

Saint Mary’s researcher recognized for contributions to Accessibility Act

Dr. Linda Campbell (back row, far left) and other members of the Bill 59 Community Alliance

Over the past year-and-a-half, Saint Mary’s University professor Dr. Linda Campbell has worked diligently to improve a very important bill to the province of Nova Scotia through a partnership called the Bill 59 Community Alliance. Their work on Bill 59, otherwise known as the Accessibility Act, has helped to ensure that the bill addresses the needs of Nova Scotians with disabilities.

Dr. Linda Campbell (right) with Amberlin Hines, a deaf student from Gallaudet University who visited Saint Mary’s in 2015.

Recently their hard work was recognized by the Partnership for Access Awareness when they were awarded this year’s Mel Hebb Hourglass Action Award for their contributions to Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act. The Partnership for Access Awareness bestows the Action Award annually during National Access Awareness Week to celebrate individuals who promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nova Scotia.

Lauded by the Honorable Graham Steele as a “remarkable example of effective citizen action,” the Bill 59 Community Alliance helped to make Nova Scotia more inclusive by bringing together high-level civil servants and advocates from diverse backgrounds.

Dr. Campbell recalls the first meeting with the Premier’s Office, in which the Alliance shared their concerns and recommended solutions.

“It was an informative meeting. The Premier’s Office staff was attentive and thoughtful, and we left the room feeling positive about the way forward.”

This meeting led to an invitation from the Executive Council Office to join key players in redrafting the bill. The result, the Accessibility Act, received significant praise. Key features of the bill include a 2030 deadline for Nova Scotia businesses, organizations, and governments to provide barrier-free access to buildings, and a detailed implementation plan to ensure targets are met.

"As an environment scientist, my first priority is to advocate for healthy environments; however, often I must advocate for access before I can even speak about the environment,” says Dr. Campbell. “This two-step process means that others lose access to the knowledge and expertise that I can offer. Establishing a strong Accessibility Act allows people like me to focus on our jobs and careers. "

Bill 59 received Royal Assent on April 28, 2017.

Dr. Linda Campbell is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Environmental Science and Acting Chair of the School of the Environment. She carries out international-level research on environmental contaminants and freshwater ecosystems, has published extensively on these issues, and is frequently consulted by governments and private businesses.

As one of only two Deaf professors in the world doing aquatic research, Dr. Campbell mentors deaf students and has published on the issues facing Deaf academics. She also co-led an interactive sign language place name project at Saint Mary’s University.

 In addition to her work with the Bill 59 Community Alliance, where she co-represented the Deaf community, Linda sits on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Hearing Society and Gallaudet University in Washington DC, the only Deaf liberal arts university in the world. 

Advanced Placement students get a taste of university life at SMU conference

Saint Mary's President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray addresses AP students

Hundreds of top high school students descended on the Saint Mary's campus to get a taste of life at university.

The one-day Provincial Advanced Placement Conference was for students enrolled in AP courses in Nova Scotia high schools.

Students were introduced to the three faculties at Saint Mary's: Arts, Commerce (Sobey School of Business) and Science. Afterwards, students attended workshops focused on learning, curiosity and student leadership. Other sessions included introductions to university-level courses such as Astronomy, Biology, Criminology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Geology and Computer Programming.

Students reactions

Audio clips

Related information

• The benefits of Advanced Placement at Saint Mary's
• Why choose Saint Mary's?

Dr. Kathy Singfield Honoured with Educational Leadership Award

Dr. Kathy Singfield

Dr. Kathy Singfield, faculty member in the Department of Chemistry, has been awarded the Dr. Geraldine Thomas Educational Leadership Award.

In 2007, the Quality of Teaching Committee (now the Senate Committee on Learning and Teaching) established an Educational Leadership Award to recognize the long-term commitment of faculty who develop, enhance, and promote the quality of teaching at Saint Mary’s and beyond. The Committee gratefully acknowledges the support of the Saint Mary’s University Faculty Union for this Award. The Award is named for Dr. Geraldine Thomas, national teaching award winner and founding member of the Quality of Teaching Committee. Throughout her academic career, Dr. Thomas supported efforts to improve teaching and learning within the University, the Atlantic region, and nationally.

As both an educator and an administrator, Dr. Kathy Singfield has made an outstanding contribution to student success at Saint Mary’s University. Since joining the Department of Chemistry in 1997, through her work as Department Chair, and as Associate Dean of Science – Curriculum, Dr. Singfield has been guided by a single passion: to help shape and manage the experiences through which Saint Mary’s students prepare for their own life-long learning in careers, further study, and as engaged citizens.

From classroom to community, Dr. Singfield has demonstrated remarkable leadership and mentorship of both her fellow faculty and students. In the Department of Chemistry, she championed the implementation of active learning strategies, creating over fifty popular YouTube instructional videos for first-year chemistry student lab and coursework. As Chair of Saint Mary’s Department of Chemistry in 2009, she was instrumental in the development of the unit’s first strategic five-year plan.

Drawing from her commitment to staying abreast of high-impact education practices, Dr. Singfield has made significant contributions to the success of new students at Saint Mary’s. Within the Faculty of Science, she initiated and managed a science faculty-student mentor program that ran for over a decade until, under her leadership, it evolved into the PEER One Mentorship program in 2013. In recent years, Dr. Singfield has led academic orientation for all science students.

At the university-wide level, her colleagues credit her for her tremendous leadership of the Committee on Academic Planning, which spearheaded many of the initiatives that will form the core of Saint Mary’s comprehensive new first-year student experience. Following this, the conceptual framework she introduced through her role on the Community and Student Engagement (CASE) Committee, will further guide the development of this new programming.

A true scientist, Dr. Singfield believes that “change involves decision making that is supported by evidence.” Consequently, she is deeply committed to the employment of high-impact practices and developments in teaching and learning, and higher education development. She believes strongly in sharing this information with her colleagues across disciplines, because, as she is wont to say, “It is always about the students.”

Saint Mary’s Astronomer Awarded Canada Research Chair

Dr. Marcin Sawicki

Saint Mary’s University has been awarded one new Canada Research Chair and one renewal, the Government of Canada announced last week. Dr. Marcin Sawicki was named Canada Research Chair (Tier I) in Astronomy, and Gavin Fridell was renewed as Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in International Development Studies.

Dr. Gavin Fridell

Dr. Sawicki’s research explores the formation and evolution of galaxies at epochs when the universe was only a fraction of its present age. Using telescopes on the Earth’s surface and in space, including NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope set to launch in 2018, Dr. Sawicki explores how stars formed in the early universe to create carbon, iron and silicon—the elements necessary for life.

Created in 2000, the Canada Research Chair Program invests $300 million per year across Canada to attract and retain the world’s most accomplished and promising minds.

Saint Mary’s University proudly hosts a number of Canada Research Chairs:

Dr. Najah Attig
Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Finance

Dr. Christa Brosseau
Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Sustainable Chemistry and Materials

Dr. Gavin Fridell
Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in International Development Studies

Dr. S Karly Kehoe
Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Atlantic Canada Communities

Dr. Kevin E. Kelloway
Canada Research Chair in Occupational Health Psychology

Dr. Marcin Sawicki
Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Astronomy

Dr. Rob Thacker
Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Computational Astrophysics

Dr. Gregory Ventura
Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Petroleum Systems, Geochemistry and Reservoir Characterization