The Search Committee for the Dean of Business is pleased to announce the upcoming public presentation by the candidate for the position of Dean of Business. Dr. Tarek Mady will deliver a public presentation on his Vision for the Faculty of Business, on October 22 at 9:30 in Andrew Hall room 142.

Speaker: Dr. Primitivo B. Acosta-Humánez

Invited Researcher, Instituto de Matemática

Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo

Title:  Liouvillian solutions for Schrödinger equations with Laurent polynomial potentials

Abstract:  This talk is devoted to a parametric study of Liouvillian solutions of Schrödinger equation with Laurent polynomial coefficients. This family of equations, for fixed orders at 0 and ∞ of the Laurent polynomial, is seen as an affine algebraic variety. We prove that the set of Picard-Vessiot integrable differential equations in the family is an enumerable union of algebraic subvarieties. We compute explicitly the algebraic equations of its components. Techniques include a combination of Kovacic Algorithm and Asymptotic Iteration Method (AIM). We give some applications to well known subfamilies as the doubly confluent and biconfluent Heun equations, and to the theory of algebraically solvable potentials of Shrödinger equations. Also, as an auxiliary tool, we improve a previously known criterion for second order linear differential equations to admit a polynomial solution. This is joint work with D. Blázquez-Sanz and H. Venegas-Gómez and is based on a paper recently accepted for publication in Journal of Symbolic Computation (see also https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.11795) 

https://zoom.us/j/97342598765?pwd=SzNxOU0za1I4RmdSRFh0STlKN0NtUT09 

Ethics protocols that involve ‘more than minimal risk’ must be reviewed by the full UPEI Research Ethics Board (REB).  The next deadline for submitting these protocols is Friday October 29, 2021.

Other ethics protocol submissions, including new applications that do not involve ‘more than minimal risk’, renewals, and amendments may be submitted at any time. They will be sent for delegated review as soon as all necessary forms are received.

All research compliance applications, including Research Ethics Board application forms, must be submitted through the Researcher Portal. This online system is paired with electronic approvals to replace the hard-copy signatures process.

Information about the Researcher Portal, including instructions for using the site, is available at https://www.upei.ca/research-services/forms. Contact researcherportal@upei.ca if you have any questions about accessing or using the Researcher Portal.

For more information about the REB review and approval process please contact Joy Knight (Compliance Coordinator) at mknight@upei.ca

The next deadline for submitting Biosafety applications including new applications, renewals and/or amendments is Friday October 29, 2021. These applications will be reviewed at the November 2021 meeting.

All research compliance applications, including Biosafety application forms, must be submitted through the Researcher Portal. This online system is paired with electronic approvals to replace the hard-copy signatures process.

Information about the Researcher Portal, including instructions for using the site, is available at https://www.upei.ca/research-services/forms. Contact researcherportal@upei.ca if you have any questions about accessing or using the Researcher Portal.

For more information about the IBC review and approval process please contact Joy Knight (Compliance Coordinator) at mknight@upei.ca

The staff at the Health Centered Research Clinic at UPEI are offering a free 8 session Health Self-Management program for any UPEI Staff or Faculty.

The program will consist of 8 weekly group education sessions with a Health Promoter and Registered Dietitian (and other guest speakers) and individualized exercise sessions with a Kinesiologist (plus open gym times) located in the lower level of the Steel Building.

If you would like more information or are interested in registering, please reach out to the Program Coordinator, Laurie Michael at lmichael@upei.ca to see how you can pre-register for the session. We look forward to seeing you there! 

The George Coles Bursary for the 2021/22 academic year will be awarded to eligible students in the 2022 Winter term. Information about this bursary and a list of the eligibility criteria can be found here . 

An initial list of potential student recipients will be sent to PEI Student Financial services in early November, for review of eligibility. To be included in this initial review, eligible students must ensure that: 

• their Social Insurance Number is on file at UPEI
• they are enrolled in full time studies in both the 2021 Fall and 2022 Winter terms (unless graduating in the 2021/22 academic year)
• if graduating in the 2021/22 academic year, they have applied to graduate prior to generation of this list in early November

Any questions relating to this message, or the George Coles Bursary can be directed to scholarships@upei.ca

Faculty and Instructional staff are invited to drop by the new multi-purpose Teaching and Learning space for the E-Learning Office and Teaching and Learning Centre in Room 230 in the Robertson Library between 12:30 and 1:30 on Wednesday Oct. 13 and Thursday Oct. 14.  We have some special surprises for folks who stop in!  

The Institute of Island Studies is embarking on a four-year study to better understand and assess the well-being and quality of life of Islanders. We would like you to be part of the initiative! Click on the survey link below to share your thoughts on how island communities could be better places to live, work and play.
The survey is open until October 22, 2021. http://islandstudies.com/research/pei-well-being-project/
For more information, contact Phil Davison at the Institute of Island Studies (pdavison@upei.ca).

Faculty and Instructional staff are invited to drop by the new multi-purpose Teaching and Learning space for the E-Learning Office and Teaching and Learning Centre in Room 230 in the Robertson Library between 12:30 and 1:30 on Wednesday Oct. 13 and Thursday Oct. 14.  We have some special surprises for folks who stop in!  

Speaker: Dr. Primitivo B. Acosta-Humánez

Invited Researcher, Instituto de Matemática

Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo

Title:  Liouvillian solutions for Schrödinger equations with Laurent polynomial potentials

Abstract:  This talk is devoted to a parametric study of Liouvillian solutions of Schrödinger equation with Laurent polynomial coefficients. This family of equations, for fixed orders at 0 and ∞ of the Laurent polynomial, is seen as an affine algebraic variety. We prove that the set of Picard-Vessiot integrable differential equations in the family is an enumerable union of algebraic subvarieties. We compute explicitly the algebraic equations of its components. Techniques include a combination of Kovacic Algorithm and Asymptotic Iteration Method (AIM). We give some applications to well known subfamilies as the doubly confluent and biconfluent Heun equations, and to the theory of algebraically solvable potentials of Shrödinger equations. Also, as an auxiliary tool, we improve a previously known criterion for second order linear differential equations to admit a polynomial solution. This is joint work with D. Blázquez-Sanz and H. Venegas-Gómez and is based on a paper recently accepted for publication in Journal of Symbolic Computation (see also https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.11795) 

https://zoom.us/j/97342598765?pwd=SzNxOU0za1I4RmdSRFh0STlKN0NtUT09 

The UPEI Health and Wellness Centre will be offering the following clinics for students, faculty, staff and immediate family members at McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre:

FLU/COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics: 

                       November 2, 2021 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm

                       November 3, 2021 from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm

                       November 4, 2021 from  9:00 am to 3:30 pm           

Note:  New guidelines from NACI (National Advisory Committee on Immunization) have been released that report both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines may be received at the same time.  Consequently, we will provide the COVID-19 Vaccine to partially or unvaccinated people with the November Flu clinics.  For more information on these guidelines visit the following link: 

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization/national-advisory-committee-on-immunization-naci/recommendations-use-covid-19-vaccines/summary-updates-september-28-2021.html  

Please bring your provincial health card or proof of your UPEI international insurance and UPEI student/staff/faculty ID.

STAFF & FACULTY - Register now for an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Orientation Webinar

Our EFAP provider, LifeWorks by Morneau Shepell, has created orientation webinars for any Employee, Faculty member, and their dependents that want to know more about how their UPEI EFAP benefits work. These general overview sessions are offered in both English and French at no cost to participants.

2021 dates offered: January 27, February 18, March 24, April 15, May 26, June 23, July 15, and October 14.

To register

1. Click this link to view the brochure.
2. Choose the best date (please note the time zone is listed in EST).
3. Click the date to open the registration window.
4. You will receive an email confirmation that has the log-in and call-in details.

EFAP offers a short-term, solution-focused approach to professional counselling to assist you in resolving your concerns and issues. EFAP provides counselling that best suits your needs and busy schedules, whether it is in person, by telephone, or online [E-Counselling], as well as immediate help with crises.  In addition to professional counseling, employees and their eligible family members can access a wide range of programs that provide telephonic consultation with qualified advisors who can help answer questions and clarify concerns that affect us all. Services include Legal, Financial, Family, and Nutritional.

For EFAP Counselling, WorkLife Programs, and Information Services 24 hours a day / 7 days a week / 365 days a year, call:

English: 1-844-880-9142 Visit: www.workhealthlife.com

More information on the UPEI EFAP benefit can be found on the MyUPEI website here.

When you're not in your seat, Ctrl + Alt + Del

Get into the habit of locking your computer when you leave your desk. Its a simple and easy way to protect yourself.

October is Cyber Safety month, and ITSS will be giving away some Apple gift cards. If you email itss@upei.ca and tell me you are CYBER SAFE, you'll be entered into the draw. Good luck! 

The Institute of Island Studies is embarking on a four-year study to better understand and assess the well-being and quality of life of Islanders. We would like you to be part of the initiative! Click on the survey link below to share your thoughts on how island communities could be better places to live, work and play.
The survey is open until October 22, 2021. http://islandstudies.com/research/pei-well-being-project/
For more information, contact Phil Davison at the Institute of Island Studies (pdavison@upei.ca).

UPEI Experiential Education is hosting an information session on Wednesday, October 13th from 1-2pm (ADT) for UPEI faculty to learn about Riipen.

Riipen is an online platform that connects faculty and students to industry and community partners to enable meaningful work-integrated learning, including project-based and internship-style opportunities. The platform allows faculty to frame projects to suit their course needs, and is free to use for all UPEI faculty.

Visit https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89305908714 to register.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies is hosting an online UPEI Graduate Studies and Research Conference on Wednesday, October 13th and the morning of October 14th.  

Please join in for the presentations and learn about Graduate Research at UPEI.  

Support our graduate students.

For zoom links; schedule and abstract booklet.

Please contact Colleen Gallant at cgallant@upei.ca and she will send you the links etc.

3M NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOWSHIP 

The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education is happy to announce the Call for Nominations for the 2022 3M National Teaching Fellowship, including revised guidelines and application package. This prestigious Fellowship, now in its 36th year, is open to all Canadian university and college educators, regardless of discipline or level of appointment. Every year, up to 10 Fellowships are awarded. The awards recognize exceptional faculty who, in addition to demonstrating exemplary teaching, also encourage exemplary teaching in others through educational innovation. The call for nominations  with information on award eligibility, criteria and submission procedures can be found at https://www.stlhe.ca/awards/3m-national-teachingfellowship/.

2022 D2L INNOVATION IN TEACHING AND LEARNING AWARD 

The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education is excited to announce that the 2022 D2L Innovation in Teaching and Learning Award will be awarded to 5 Teams in recognition of the significant changes to how we have designed, taught, and used innovative educational approaches during the pandemic. For complete details on award eligibility, criteria and submission procedures see the STLHE website at https://www.stlhe.ca/awards/d2l-innovation-award-in-teaching-and-learning/ 

Mark your calendar for this upcoming event.  Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek (co-editor of Decolonizing and Indigenizing Education in Canada and Vice-President Equity, People and Culture at York University) will be giving a book talk on October 15 at 2:00 pm.  This event will have a follow-up book club facilitated by Dr. Sherry Pictou (First female District Chief for the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq and Assistant Professor in the Faculties of Law and Management, Dalhousie University). These events are being hosted jointly between Mount Saint Vincent University, Saint Mary's University and Dalhousie University, and are open to all educators at AAU institutions. 

For more details and to register, check out these posters for Dr. Cote-Meek's Book Talk  and the follow-up Educators' Book Club or email the Teaching and Learning Centre TLC@upei.ca

The Concussion Awareness Program invites you to participate in our survey to better understand how we can improve the care of concussed children and young adults on PEI. This study is being led by the Concussion Awareness Program (CAP) located here at UPEI.

The goal of the CAP is to increase public awareness related to concussion injury including the steps and protocols that facilitate recovery. The findings from this survey will help us refine our strategic plan.

The survey will take approximately 30 minutes with open-ended, ranking, and classifying questions. If interested, please contact cbeck8805@upei.ca or call 902-628-4300.

PhD Defence for Ahmad Abd-El-Aziz, PhD Environmental Sciences

Wednesday, October 13th, 10:00 AM in the Health Sciences Building Room 106 or by web conference

Title: Proteomic Evidence for a Plausible Epigenetic Effect on Equine Cell Differentiation Under Heat Stress

Abstract:

To learn about the potential effects of extreme heat, which can be a consequence of climate change, the effects of heat as a proxy for climate stress on a cell’s gene expression were investigated. In particular, the aim of this thesis was to determine the impact of heat stress on cell differentiation in an equine stem cell model through the outcome of heat stress on the proteome, which is the complete set of proteins expressed by an organism. The proteins identified could then be used to ascertain whether new biomarkers of chronic heat stress will emerge or whether we will identify potential targets for future treatment. 

Proteomic analysis was performed using mass spectrometry to compare relative protein abundances among three cell types, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), osteoblasts, and adipocytes, cultured at two temperatures, 37°C and 42°C.  The survival of the cells was validated using cell staining and observation of the cellular differentiation process and the heat stress was validated by Western Blotting, using an anti-Hsp90 antibody to quantify Hsp90 elevation in response to elevated cell culture temperature. All cell lines survived at 42°C, and all showed a higher level of HSP90 expression as well, showing that cell culture at 42°C had a physiological effect on the cells.  Furthermore, not only were the proteins’ relative abundances dependent on cell type and the application of heat stress individually, but many proteins only differed in relative abundance among the three cell types when cultured at different temperatures, showing a cell type-specific response to heat stress.  Many of these proteins were involved in cell-signalling pathways such as Notch and Wnt signalling, which are known to regulate cell development in vitro and embryonic development in vivo.  If the effects on the proteome were a result of epigenetic mechanisms, then the altered proteome during differentiation may have long-term effects. 

Future research is required to investigate the potential epigenetic changes in these cells, such as changes in DNA methylation in select genes.  This cell-culture model of cell differentiation could also be applied to test the impact of other forms of stress, such as inflammatory stress caused by biological mediators, on cell development, or on other cell lines, such as human cells

In-person attendance is welcome with masks required. Members of the UPEI community and the general public are welcome. Seating is limited. If attending via the web is preferred, please contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator at gsc@upei.ca for the web link to the web conference.