Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
October 14, 2004
New lecture series features Canada Research Chairs
The University of Guelph is launching a new lecture series this month to highlight the explorations and discoveries of its Canada Research Chairs.
Twenty-two U of G professors hold prestigious Canada Research Chairs, a program created by the federal government to help universities retain and attract world-class faculty. The lecture series is intended to allow the chairs to share their work with the university and broader community.
“The CRC program is a large investment by the government, and the chairs’ contributions benefit the university, province, country and beyond,” said Chris McKenna, associate vice-president (research). “We want to raise awareness of this and show the type of research our chairs are engaged in and the activity it is generating.”
The lectures will be aimed at a general audience and feature the knowledge gained and the new applications being developed by chair holders. “It promises to be an interesting and varied series,” McKenna said, adding that three lectures will be held each semester in the fall and winter.
The first lecture is Oct. 22 and features food scientist Alejandro Marangoni. He will speak at 12:30 p.m. in Room 103 of Rozanski Hall on “Chocolate, Butter and X-rays: A Voyage Through the World of Edible Crystals.”
“As chair holders, we have a responsibility to society,” said Marangoni, who was named a research chair in 2001 and is developing a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the static structure of various soft food materials.
“I believe our scientific work must ultimately benefit the people of this country and the impact must be tangible: training of highly qualified personnel, new industrial processes, a new understanding of the workings of nature. The CRC lecture series is our chance to show off what we have done and will continue doing. We hope attendees will see value in what they hear.
Marangoni added that he has an extra incentive to deliver a top-notch talk – his parents are coming from Ecuador for the event. “My father is the executive director of one of the largest medical organizations in Latin America and he changed his travel plans to be here for the lecture, so it better be good.”
Lectures are also slated for Nov. 19 and Dec. 3. Biomedical scientist Jonathan LaMarre, who is leading a laboratory inquiry on the regulation of individual genes, tissues and species and the role they play in disease states, will speak in November. Geography professor Rob de Loe, who is studying rural water management, will give the December talk.
Launched in 2000, the Canada Research Chairs program supports two types of chairs: Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 research chairs, experienced individuals who are acknowledged by their peers as international leaders, are awarded $200,000 a year for seven years. Tier 2 chairs, those considered to have the potential to become world leaders, receive $100,000 a year for five years.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
