Saint Mary’s professor receives national award for her contributions to subatomic physics

Saint Mary’s University physicist Dr. Rituparna Kanungo

Saint Mary’s University physicist Dr. Rituparna Kanungo’s outstanding research is being recognized with the 2018 CAP-TRIUMF Vogt Medal for Contributions to Subatomic Physics.

"I feel highly honoured receiving this prestigious recognition which I would like to share with my collaborators,” said Dr. Rituparna Kanungo. “Canada’s world-leading subatomic physics facilities attracted me here, thanks to the pioneering efforts by Erich Vogt. I feel fortunate with the support I received, and want to thank the physics community and Canada for valuing my contributions."

Dr. Kanungo working with students. 

Dr. Kanungo’s research aims to answer fundamental questions about existence. Where do we come from? What are we and most of visible matter in our Universe made of? To address those questions, Dr. Kanungo looks at not only what humans are made of but everything else that we can see around us. At the heart of which lies the nucleus. The nucleus is such a fundamental part of existence that it has driven Dr. Kanungo to look closer to examine the different types of nuclei present in matter and what makes them so varied. This has led her to look beyond nuclei found here naturally on earth and look toward the wider variety, the rarer isotopes occurring in the Universe.

Dr. Kanungo launched her research program in rare isotope science with experiments at the RIKEN facility in Japan where she developed techniques to investigate the structure of rare isotopes using neutron removal reactions. Her work has revealed new information on nuclear halos and associated shell changes. 

She has spearheaded a program in Canada using low energy nuclear reactions to view the inner workings of the rare isotopes. For this she developed at TRIUMF the IRIS facility to study nuclear reactions and is the project leader. With IRIS she has made impactful measurements revealing sensitive ways to constrain the strong nuclear force of nature and illuminated characteristics of halo nuclei. Dr. Kanungo has taken on leadership of the Canadian Rare Isotope Beam Facility with an Electron Beam Ion source (CANREB) for producing beams of heavy rare isotopes, focusing on current and future scientific programs at TRIUMF

Dr. Kanungo working with students in a lab at Saint Mary's University

Dr. Kanungo has made outstanding contributions to the understanding of the physics of rare isotopes using direct reactions. She has led experiments involving large international collaborations in Canada, Germany, and Japan exploring the properties of rare isotopes. She is at the forefront of a rapidly evolving new field of direct reactions with radioactive ion beams. In addition, she has provided leadership and service to the international and Canadian communities, with a particular focus on current and future scientific programs at TRIUMF.

“This award is a result of a collaborative effort, from the assistance of undergraduate and graduate students to my incredibly experienced colleagues and researchers—everybody has played a role, and I tremendously value everything that they have done to support achieving our goals,” said Dr. Kanungo. "I would like to thank NSERC, Canada Foundation for Innovation and Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust for supporting our research."

First introduced in 2011, the Vogt Medal recognizes and encourages outstanding experimental or theoretical contributions to subatomic physics.

Dr. Kanungo will be presented with her medal at the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) Medallists' Recognition Banquet in Halifax on Wednesday, June 13, 2018.

Congratulation to Dr. Kanungo on behalf of the Saint Mary’s University community!

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ABOUT TRIUMF

TRIUMF is Canada’s particle accelerator centre. The lab is a hub for discovery and innovation inspired by a half-century of ingenuity in answering nature's most challenging questions. From the hunt for the smallest particles in our universe to research that advances the next generation of batteries or develops isotopes to diagnose and treat disease, TRIUMF drives more than scientific discovery. Powered by its complement of top talent and advanced accelerator infrastructure, TRIUMF is pushing the frontiers in isotope science and innovation, as well as technologies to address fundamental and applied problems in particle and nuclear physics, and the materials and life sciences. In collaboration with 20 Canadian universities, TRIUMF's diverse community of nearly 600 multidisciplinary researchers, engineers, technicians, tradespeople, staff, and students create a unique incubator for Canadian excellence, as well as a portal to premier global collaborations. Our passion for understanding everything from the nature of the nucleus to the creation of the cosmos sparks imagination, inspiration, improved health, economic opportunity, and a better world for all.

For more information, visit www.triumf.ca  and www.triumf50.com. @TRIUMFLab

Click here to read the CAP media release on the award. 
 

Saint Mary’s University celebrates the achievements of four exceptional leaders

Dominic Barton

Dr. Bernie Francis

Paul Gauthier

Robert (Rob) G. Steele

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The accomplishments of four exceptional leaders will be recognized this May with honorary degrees at Saint Mary’s University’s Spring Convocation 2018.

The University is pleased to recognize the extraordinary achievements of:

• Dominic Barton, a global managing partner of consulting firm McKinsey & Company, who is committed to the internationalization of Canadian universities and colleges. He leads his company’s focus on the role business leadership plays in creating long-term social and economic value.
   
• Dr. Bernie Francis, a thoughtful and passionate voice for the Mi'kmaw people, who has helped preserve the Mi’kmaw language through an easy-to-learn orthography, which is officially recognized by Mi’kmaw chiefs across the province and by the Canada-Nova Scotia-Mi’kmaw Tripartite Forum. 
   
• Paul Gauthier, one of Canada’s most successful entrepreneurs. He is the founder and president of the Cole Harbour Foundation, a non-profit focused on improving educational opportunities for children and youth, which has helped many Saint Mary’s students over the years.
   
• Robert (Rob) G. Steele, one of Atlantic Canada's top chief executive officers. With more than 18 years in the communications industry, he is a Canadian Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame inductee. In addition, he has an impressive record of success in the auto sales sector where he has built the region’s largest and most diversified automobile group.

“Saint Mary’s University recognizes the important role that leadership and innovation play in the growth of our institution and the Atlantic region,” said Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “Our honorary degree recipients are leaders in business, culture and philanthropy, people who drive growth and prosperity. We are incredibly proud they are joining the Saint Mary’s community, and we look forward with excitement to Convocation and the conferring of their honorary degrees.”

The honorary degree recipients will receive their degrees later this May at Saint Mary’s University’s Spring Convocation 2018, which runs from May 16 to May 18.

Saint Mary's University community driving growth as Top 50 CEOs

Saint Mary’s University is celebrating the success of the Saint Mary’s alumni whose innovation, drive and business leadership were recognized by Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEO Award.  

The well-attended award ceremony took place in the recently opened Halifax Convention Centre. It was a fantastic night of entertainment and celebration, that recognized the successes of leaders who are driving growth and prosperity in the Atlantic region.

It was a particularly spectacular night for Saint Mary’s University, our alumni, our friends and our partners. This year's award winners includes alumni Joyce Carter, BComm’84, Stuart MacLean, EMBA’97; Darren Nantes, BComm’89; Carl Sparkes, MBA’87 and Saint Mary's University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray.

Read on for more about our alumni recently named Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine.  

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Joyce Carter, BComm’84
President & CEO,
Halifax International Airport Authority

Joyce Carter, BComm’84
President & CEO,
Halifax International Airport Authority

Joyce joined the Halifax International Airport Authority in 1999, and since then she has been integral in its growth and development, becoming Chief Financial Officer in 2006, Chief Strategy Officer in 2008, and President & CEO in 2014. Since she became CEO in 2014, there’s been tremendous growth in both passenger and cargo numbers. In 2016 alone, the airport contributed $2.8 billion to the Nova Scotia economy.

 

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Stuart MacLean, EMBA’97
CEO, WCB Nova Scotia
 

Stuart MacLean, EMBA’97
CEO, WCB Nova Scotia

Stuart is passionate about making a difference in the lives of working Nova Scotians by reducing the impact of workplace injury. Five years ago, the commercial fishing sector had the highest rates of injury and fatality in Nova Scotia. MacLean was determined to end the tragic legacy. He and WCB teamed up with government and safety champions in the fishing industry, engaged their board, made investments and watched a safety culture begin to emerge. Today, injuries are at an all-time low.

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Darren Nantes, BComm’89
Chairman & CEO, Nantes Capital Inc

Darren Nantes, BComm’89
Chairman & CEO, Nantes Capital Inc.

Darren started his career as a CA and went on to hone his entrepreneurial skills by acquiring underperforming companies and implementing change to increase value. Nantes acts on investment opportunities through his private venture capital firm, Nantes Capital Inc. He currently owns 10 companies in a variety of business sectors.

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Carl Sparkes, MBA’87
President & CEO, Devonian Coast Wineries Ltd.

Carl Sparkes, MBA’87
President & CEO, Devonian Coast Wineries Ltd.

To Carl, business is like a sport. Winning is important but having fun while doing it makes it worthwhile. If the fun leaves, so does he. As president of Olivieri Foods, he quadrupled growth in as many years. That was followed by similar results for Canada Bread, Eastern Bakeries, Omstead Foods and Bento Nouveau. By 2011, he was more than ready to pour his energies into a business of his own, so he created Devonian Coast to acquire Jost and two other Nova Scotia wineries.

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Saint Mary's is proud to have five members of the Saint Mary's community recognized as Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine. You can read more about the Top 50 CEOs in the May-June issue of Atlantic Business Magazine, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the awards. 

Premier Stephen McNeil on campus to congratulate Enactus team on the success of the Square Roots food token program

Premier Stephen McNeil came to Saint Mary’s recently to congratulate Enactus team members on the success of the Square Roots food token program, as they prepare for a national competition. Enactus is a global student organization focused on addressing social issues through entrepreneurship. A total of 38 students are heading to Toronto next week to compete in the Enactus Canada National Exposition.

The Province of Nova Scotia recently supported Saint Mary’s work in entrepreneurship when it announced an $11 million investment for the creation of the Entrepreneurship, Discovery and Innovation (EDI) Hub on campus.

Saint Mary's community celebrates the contributions of Jack Keith

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President Summerby-Murray named Top 50 CEO by Atlantic Business Magazine

Saint Mary's University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray

The following is an excerpt from the May-June issue of Atlantic Business Magazine.

“Robert is an experienced academic administrator and post-secondary advocate. He is passionate about the value of research, teaching and the advancement of learning for everyone who wants to participate in higher education.”

LEARNING MOMENTS In Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray’s very well-educated opinion, there are no failures on the road to success, only a series of lessons waiting to be learned. Having had “many” of these learning moments in his career, he say the key is to “find the opportunity that can be hidden in these challenges.” One such challenge was the development of a strategic plan to articulate the university’s purpose and strengths. Started in 2015, the process took time, and a cultural shift within the institution, but the challenge was overcome. Summerby-Murray knew the process was working when people began articulating ideas in their own words, in ways that were consistent with the university’s broader themes.

ABT (ALWAYS BE TEACHING) As the president of Saint Mary’s University, Summerby-Murray’s daily task is to help create innovative minds and foster entrepreneurial mindsets across faculties. “We equip the next generation for the depth of knowledge and the breadth of understanding that will drive the future of the economy and society.”

SHARING IDEAS Saying that universities are essential venues for critical dialogue, Summerby-Murray is proud of how Saint Mary’s honours that role. “Movements such as Black Lives Matter and #MeToo help to heighten our understanding of social conscience and how we approach our teaching.” They also work to encourage immigration, noting that the connection between innovation and immigration is clear.

Federal-University #DataforGood hackathon a success

Students in the Master of Science in Computing & Data Analytics (MSc CDA) program at Saint Mary’s University developed the top three innovations at the recent Employment & Social Development Canada (ESDC) Hackathon.

Hosted at Saint Mary’s University in partnership with the Government of Canada, the ESDC Hackathon challenged participants to generate data-driven, creative ideas to help improve service delivery to low-income Canadians. The top three teams’ innovations addressed a variety of barriers to access, including wait times and lack of awareness of programs and services.

• 1st place - “Near Services”

Near Services is a platform that could improve access to ESDC services by helping individuals find information about benefits and programs relevant to them. “Near Services” is designed to be accessed online or at a variety of accessible locations, including schools, bus stops, and libraries.

Team members:

Rodolfo Garcia Barrantes
Olugbenro Selere
Mohannad Hameed
Daune Oliver

• 2nd place – “Golden Maple”

Golden Maple is an internet-based “decision tree” app designed to help individuals understand and access relevant programs and services.

Team members:

Jinal Salvi
Abhiraj Suryawanshi
Ranjit Mishra
Sankalp Bhagat
Florisha Taneja

• 3rd place – “Richer-Life System”

Richer-Life System is an internet-based app that could shorten wait times for ESDC services by prioritizing services based on an individual’s needs. 

Team members:

Meghana Chillal
Navjot Kaur
Zhengyang Ma
Olufunto Akinyemi

The genesis of the Hackathon came from the mission of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to build a stronger and more inclusive Canada, to support Canadians in helping them live productive and rewarding lives, and to improve the quality of life for all Canadians. ESDC partnered with Saint Mary’s University’s MSc CDA to gather new ideas and seek expertise from the post-secondary sector.

“At Saint Mary's, we recognize the importance of working with our government partners on our shared goals, the betterment of our communities and our country,” said Saint Mary’s President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “We are very proud to partner with the Government of Canada to host this event. I look forward to seeing the innovation in service delivery that will come as a result of this competition.”

The ESDC Hackathon, which was held at Saint Mary’s University on May 4 to 6, was open to current undergraduate and graduate students and to those who graduated in the past 12 months.

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Emploi et Développement social Canada - Saint Mary's University hackathon un succès

Les étudiants du programme de maîtrise en sciences informatiques et en analyse de données de l’Université Saint Mary’s ont proposé les trois meilleures innovations lors du récent marathon de programmation d’Emploi et Développement social Canada (EDSC).

Organisé à l’Université Saint Mary’s en partenariat avec le gouvernement du Canada, le marathon de programmation d’EDSC mettait les participants au défi de proposer des idées créatives axées sur les données pour améliorer la prestation des services aux Canadiens à faible revenu. Les innovations des trois équipes gagnantes s’attaquaient à divers obstacles à l’accès, dont les délais d’attente et la méconnaissance des programmes et services.

1re place – Near Services

Near Services est une plate-forme qui pourrait améliorer l’accès aux services d’EDSC en aidant les gens à trouver de l’information sur les prestations et les programmes qui sont pertinents pour eux. L’accès à Near Services peut se faire en ligne ou à partir de divers lieux accessibles comme les écoles, les arrêts d’autobus et les bibliothèques.

Membres de l’équipe :

Rodolfo Garcia Barrantes
Olugbenro Selere
Mohannad Hameed
Daune Oliver

2e place – Golden Maple

Golden Maple est une application sur Internet de type « arbre décisionnel » qui vise à aider les gens à comprendre les programmes et les services pertinents et à y accéder.

Membres de l’équipe :

Jinal Salvi
Abhiraj Suryawanshi
Ranjit Mishra
Sankalp Bhagat
Florisha Taneja

3e place – Richer-Life System

Richer-Life System est une application sur Internet qui pourrait raccourcir les délais d’attente pour les services d’EDSC en priorisant les services en fonction des besoins d’une personne.  

Membres de l’équipe :

Meghana Chillal
Navjot Kaur
Zhengyang Ma
Olufunto Akinyemi

La genèse du marathon de programmation repose sur la mission d’EDSC de construire un Canada plus fort et plus inclusif, d’aider les Canadiens à mener une vie gratifiante et productive, et d’améliorer la qualité de vie de tous les Canadiens. EDSC s’est associé au programme de maîtrise en sciences informatiques et en analyse de données de l’Université Saint Mary’s pour recueillir de nouvelles idées et solliciter l’expertise du secteur de l’éducation postsecondaire.

« À Saint Mary’s, nous comprenons l’importance de travailler avec nos partenaires du gouvernement pour réaliser notre objectif commun, soit améliorer nos collectivités et notre pays, indique Robert Summerby-Murray, président de l’Université Saint Mary’s. Nous sommes très fiers de faire équipe avec le gouvernement du Canada pour l’organisation de cet événement. J’ai hâte de voir les innovations dans la prestation des services qui découleront de ce concours. »

Le marathon de programmation d’EDSC, qui s’est déroulé du 4 au 6 mai, était ouvert aux étudiants actuels de premier cycle et des cycles supérieurs et aux étudiants qui avaient obtenu leur diplôme dans les 12 mois précédents.

Honorary Degree: Rob Steele

Robert (Rob) G. Steele, Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa
President & CEO, Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited CEO, Steele Auto Group

Rob Steele

Recognized as one of Atlantic Canada's top chief executive officers, entrepreneur Rob Steele is a natural-born trailblazer.

With more than 18 years in the communications industry, Mr. Steele, a Canadian Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame inductee, also has an impressive record of success in the auto sales sector; he has built the region’s largest and most diversified automobile group.

Through meaningful and targeted philanthropy, Mr. Steele’s companies, Newcap Radio and the Steele Auto Group, support many charitable causes, and he is personally involved with the Alzheimer's Society, the Mental Health Foundation, Family SOS, Daffodil House, Feed Nova Scotia, and the Arthritis Society.

Committed to giving back to the community, Mr. Steele currently sits on the boards of Montreal-based Stingray Digital and Atlantic Signature Mortgage of Halifax. He also serves as a director of the Halifax Mooseheads and is on the advisory committee for Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia; he will be inducted into the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame in June of this year.

Mr. Steele is past co-chair of the East Coast Music Awards (ECMA) event committee and continues to be involved with the ECMAs in an advisory capacity. He is also a former Halifax Metro Chamber of Commerce board member and former director of Advancement Nova Scotia, an advocacy organization designed to help build a stronger Nova Scotia economy.

Honorary Degree: Dr. Bernie Francis

Dr. Bernie Francis, Doctor of Civil Law, Honoris Causa
Author, Linguist, Advocate

Dr. Bernie Francis

A thoughtful and passionate voice for the Mi'kmaw people, Dr. Bernie Francis, along with his mentor and friend, Doug Smith, helped preserve the Mi’kmaw language through an easy-to-learn orthography, which is officially recognized by Mi’kmaw chiefs across the province and by the Canada-Nova Scotia-Mi’kmaw Tripartite Forum.

Raised in Cape Breton’s Maupeltu (Membertou) First Nation, Dr. Francis initiated Nova Scotia’s Court Worker Program (CWP). Facing opposition and some harassment, he worked for five years to establish the CWP to ensure the fair and proper treatment of Mi’kmaw people within the provincial and federal court systems.

Dr. Francis, a Grand Chief Donald Marshall Senior Memorial Elder Award recipient, later introduced a Mi’kmaw Language Studies Program at Cape Breton University. He also visited First Nations’ communities across the Atlantic provinces, helping teachers produce curriculum materials.

An author of academic articles on Mi’kmaw law, Mi’kmaw spirituality, the conceptual differences of thought between Mi’kmaw People and Europeans and books explaining Mi’kmaw tradition and language, Dr. Francis has contributed to the Saint Mary's University community through participation in numerous colloquia, seminars, and conferences.

As a published storyteller and successful linguist, Dr. Francis has expanded people’s understanding of the Mi'kmaw language and geographical vision of traditional Mi’kmaw territory, including Nova Scotia. His work has contributed so much to the appreciation of Mi'kma'ki – even among his own people.

Pride has arisen in leaps and bounds, raising great hope for future generations of the First Peoples of this land, Mi’kma’ki!

Honorary Degree: Paul Gauthier

Paul Gauthier, Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa
Founder & President, Cole Harbour Foundation

Paul Gauthier

Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, native Paul Gauthier is one of Canada’s most successful entrepreneurs. As founder and president of the Cole Harbour Foundation, a non-profit focused on improving educational opportunities for children and youth, Mr. Gauthier has a close connection to Saint Mary's through the many students his Foundation has helped over the years.

The Cole Harbour Foundation supports the children and youth of Cole Harbour, from birth through university graduation. It provides thousands of free books each month for parents to read to their infants and pre-schoolers. The Foundation supports students through math and literacy tutoring and by offering classroom materials to teachers. And this year, the Foundation will award its 100th university scholarship.

Previous to launching the Cole Harbour Foundation, Mr. Gauthier was the chief technology officer at Groupon, where he worked to scale the global platform for local e-commerce. Before his time there, he co-founded Inktomi, a Silicon Valley-based software business that developed search engine technology employed by some of the world’s biggest brands. He was also a co-founder of Ludic Labs; there, he designed and developed a new class of online promotional tools.

With a bold and ambitious vision to protect The 100 Wild Islands along Nova Scotia’s eastern shore, Mr. Gauthier is also a strategic environmentalist. He donated what is believed to be the largest philanthropic gift to environmental conservation in Nova Scotia’s history.

Honorary Degree: Dominic Barton

Dominic Barton, Doctor of Commerce, Honoris Causa
Global Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company London-based

Dominic Barton

Dominic Barton, global managing partner of consulting firm McKinsey & Company, is committed to the internationalization of Canadian universities and colleges; he leads his company’s focus on the role business leadership plays in creating long-term social and economic value.

Author of more than 80 articles on business and society, the issues and opportunities facing markets worldwide, and other related topics, Mr. Barton is the chair of the Canadian Minister of Finance’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth and of the Seoul International Business Advisory Council.

A trustee of the Rhodes Trust and the Brookings Institution, Mr. Barton has received multiple accolades for his corporate leadership and contributions to the communities in which he has lived and worked.

Ahead of becoming McKinsey’s managing partner, Mr. Barton served as its Shanghai-based Asia chairman. Before that, Mr. Barton headed McKinsey's Korea office. In recognition of this work, he was awarded South Korea’s Order of Civil Merit and received the Singaporean Public Service Star.

Mr. Barton, an honorary fellow at Brasenose College and an adjunct professor at Beijing’s Tsinghua University, is also a member of the Singapore Economic Development Board’s International Advisory Council. He also serves on the boards of the University of Oxford Saïd Business School, Memorial Sloan Kettering, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, and FCLT Global.

Graduate student team recognized for creativity at international competition

The Saint Mary's team

A group of four Saint Mary’s University students from the MBA, Master of Finance and Master of Applied Health Science Research programs have received a specially created prize for best creative AI idea at the International Graduate Competition this week in Montreal.

Students Stuart Clow, Soheil Ahmadi, Felix Han and Maxwell Poole travelled to HEC with coach, Dr. Chantal Hervieux, to take part in the International Graduate Competition. Competing teams included the National Chenochi University, Queen’s University, Universidad de Deusto, and RMIT University (Australia).

Although the Saint Mary’s team did not move on to the finals, they received very positive feedback from the AI industry professionals in attendance, who instigated the creation of a special prize for the top AI idea specifically for the Saint Mary’s University team. The proposed solution takes aim at Montreal’s complex pothole problem through a unique coupling of AI construction planning and novel private financing. The students may be asked to keep working on their proposed solution with the City of Montreal.

As well, Stuart was recognized as Best Team Player, for outstanding collaboration.

To register, the IGC requires a cross-disciplinary team (no more than two students from an MBA program). The Saint Mary’s team featured a skill portfolio in international business, strategy, finance and IT.

Collaboration is a key to this competition: for part of the week, students were grouped into their skill vertical to learn from each other. They then regrouped as a team to incorporate what they learned.