The next seminar in the series being presented at AVC for 2012-2013 will be held on Thursday, March 21st @ 3:00 pm in Rooms 286B & 286C N in the McCain Foundation Learning Commons. Dr. Juan Carlos Rodriguez-Lecompte, Associate Professor in Immunology in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology, AVC will present "Effect of low calcium and different levels of 1,25(OH)2D3 diets on mRNA expression of toll-like receptors, adapters, cytokines, chemokine and total IgG production in broiler chickens". Dr. Rodriguez-Lecompte’s research area focuses on the nutritional factors regulating immune-responses and animal health, including nutrients, bioactive compounds, and diseases states (e.g. immune suppressive diseases). At the AVC he is investigating nutritional alternatives to cover not only the nutrient requirements for maintenance and the activation of immune systems, but also for the development of the immune system. The presentation will show and discuss the role of nutrients such as Vit D/Ca++ as immunomodulator to affect toll-like receptors, cytokines, chemokine, and antibody production expression in favor of the activity of antigen presenting cells, T and B cells. Everyone is welcome!

At the next Research on Tap, join us for a discussion about how we choose our literature. Dr. Shannon Murray, Professor of English at UPEI, will lead a discussion entitled "We’ve become adults who read children’s books. What’s wrong with us?" The event begins at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 2, at The Pourhouse, above The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse in Charlottetown. Dr. Murray’s discussion will delve into the history of children’s literature, and how we have categorized (and sometimes marginalized) books for children. She’ll also bring examples of some of her favourite books that can be enjoyed by kids and adults. Research on Tap is a series of public discussions with UPEI researchers. For more information, contact Dave Atkinson at 620-5117, or datkinson@upei.ca.

University 100, 103, and 203 students will present their project work from the University 100 Program. Highlighting Students' Voices will take place on Thursday, March 28. An introduction to the presentations will take place at 11:30 am in The McCain Foundation Learning Commons at AVC followed by student presentations from 12–2:00 pm in room 286. The agenda for the event is as follows: 11:30 am—Welcome & introductions by Vickie Johnston, Director of Student Affairs (The McCain Foundation Learning Commons) "Leadership, A Call to Service"—Professor Emeritus Verner Smitheram.Presentation of "The Verner Smitheram and Andy Robb Excellence in Leadership Award" 12:00–12:40 pm—Student presentations (The McCain Foundation Learning Commons room 286) 12:45–1:10 pm—Poster displays of service learning projects by U100 and U203 students (The McCain Foundation Learning Commons) 1:15–2:00 pm—Student presentations (The McCain Foundation Learning Commons room 286) For more information, contact Inge Dorsey at idorsey@upei.ca or 620-5113.

Join the UPEI Physics Department for guest speaker William M. Whelan, Phd, PPhys, Professor, Department of Physics and Biomedical Sciences. Title: "Listening to Cancers with Optoacoustics" Location: Duffy Science Centre, Room 423 Everyone is welcome to attend.

Join Dr. Catherine Chan for a seminar entitled "Using ‘omics’ to understand the physiology of nutritional treatments for diabetes." Dr. Chan is a Professor in Human Nutrition (Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences) and Physiology (Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry) at the University of Alberta. She is a member of the Alberta Diabetes Institute where she is Director of the Division of Human Nutrition. Dr. Chan’s research is at the intersection of nutrition, physiology and behaviour. She is the leader of the Physical Activity and Nutrition for Diabetes in Alberta team, an interdisciplinary effort to improve health outcomes in type 2 diabetes by developing, implementing and evaluating nutrition and physical activity interventions that can be applied in clinical and community settings. In addition, she conducts laboratory-based research on insulin, its secretion and action with a current focus on nutritional modulators of these endpoints. Her work is funded by CIHR, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Alberta Innovates BioSolutions, the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency and the Alberta Diabetes Institute.

Join the UPEI Jazz Ensemble for their end of semester concert on Tuesday, March 26 at 7:30 pm. Under the direction of David Shephard the ensemble will perform favourite Big Band Charts from Duke Ellington to Gordon Goodwin. Once again the Jazz Ensemble will be joined by members of the UPEI vocal department. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.

In recognition of UPEI's Mental Health Week that took place March 11-15, the Department of Human Resources, in cooperation with Murphy's Pharmacies and the Canadian Mental Health Association (PEI division), is pleased to offer an information session on "Managing Stress and Understanding Mental Health." This session will be held on Friday, March 22 at 12:30 in Room 246, McDougall Hall. RSVP by contacting Lacey Myers at or 566-0605 or ljmyers@upei.ca.

Thousands of people in Iran are denied formal university education due to their religious or ideological beliefs. "Education under Fire" is a 30-minute documentary telling the poignant and compelling story of the Bahai'i Institution for Higher Education (BIHE) -- the only chance for an entire minority community in Iran to receive an education. In May 2011, the BIHE was attacked and another door to a basic human right wasclosed. The screening of "Education Under Fire" will be held on March 25 at 7.00 pm in McDougall 242.This event is sponsored by the faculty of education. All are welcome to attend.

The UPEI Iranian society is hosting a bilingual ceremony in Persian/Farsi and English on March 24 at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre to celebrate Nowruz. Nowruz (from "Now" meaning new and "Ruz" meaning day) marks the beginning of the Persian New Year. Nowruz is celebrated in many countries including Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, etc. It is celebrated on the first day of spring that marks a new beginning for all nature. 6:30-8:30 pm - Potluck dinner 8:30-10:30 pm - Entertainment (live music, poetry, and dance) 10:30-12:00 pm - Iranian DJ Tickets are $10 in advance until March 22 and can be purchased from: - PEI Photo Lab, 55 Queen Street, Charlottetown - Brits Fish and Chips, 41 University Avenue, Charlottetown - Emailing UPEI Iranian Society at: iraniansociety@upeisu.ca

Join Marisa Berry Mendez of the Canadian Council for Refugees for a public presentation on Immigration and Refugee issues in Canada. This presentation will take place on Tuesday, March 26 at 7:30 pm in room 213, Main building, UPEI. Immigration, refugee, and citizenship policies in Canada have been changing at a fast and furious pace in recent years. Canada has made a policy shift towards temporary migration, with the number of temporary migrants in Canada outnumbering those entering Canada on a permanent basis. Refugee determination has become more restrictive, as has access to basic services such as healthcare for refugees. There are new limits on refugees resettled from overseas. Many policy changes have been alarmingly framed as strategies to "protect" Canada and Canadian Citizenship from fraudulent foreigners. Despite the wide range of changes, little public discussion has taken place about the significant reorientation of Canada's Immigration and Refugee Programs. Marisa Berry Mendez will address new developments in immigration and refugee policy in Canada, making room for a discussion about these important issues which are changing the face of Canadian society. This presentation and public town hall is hosted by WUSC UPEI and CUPE in conjunction with The Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC). This presentation is free and all are welcome to attend.