Dr. Peter McCarthy will be visiting UPEI and putting on a seminar entitled: "The Microbial Population of Marine Sponges: a Biotechnological Resource" on Friday, August 23 at 10:00 am in AVC, Lecture Theatre B. Dr. McCarthy was educated in England and received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Kent at Canterbury and did a post-doctoral fellowship at Smith Kline Beckman and then joined Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in 1985. For the last 7 years, Dr.McCarthy has worked as a research professor in the Marine Biomedical and Biotechnology Research group of Florida Atlantic University. Projects taking place in his lab include the identification of the symbiotic microbes present in deep-water marine sponges and the development of novel isolation methods to increase the numbers of microbes that can be cultured. This has resulted in the development of an extensive culture collection currently numbering over 19,000 isolates. The group works closely with the Marine Natural Products Chemistry group in the isolation and identification of chemicals produced by these unusual microbes with the goal of discovering new therapies for cancer and infectious diseases. New initiatives taking place in his lab include: the discovery of novel enzymes produced by marine microbes and their use in addressing biotechnological aspects of fuel generation and the investigation of methods to cultivate the pathogenic fungus Lacazia loboi. All are welcome to attend.

Are you nervous, anxious, or excited for O-Week? It doesn't matter! PlayFair will give you the chance to meet new classmates in a fun and easy way! Join in on the UPEI Turf at 8:00 pm to to kick-off O-Week!

Students, staff, and faculty are all invited to take part in the Shine Day Kick-off at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre from 8:00-9:00 am. Discover what Shinerama is about and what UPEI is doing to help! Immediately following, Shine Day will begin on UPEI campus and in the Charlottetown area. You will find UPEI students washing cards, shining shoes, singing songs and doing backflips all in an effort to raise money for cystic fibrosis treatment and research! Show your support this Shine Day!

Fuel up for a big day ahead! Come enjoy some pancakes, sausages, and spend time with new friends!

Meet your UPEI Student Union executive and the councillors that represent you! Join in for an old fashioned BBQ at the O-Week Headquarters (tent in between Don and Marion McDougall Hall and Duffy Sceince Centre) for a great start to the afternoon! All are welcome to attend!

It's time to celebrate and finish off O-Week 2013 with lots of food, new and old friends, as well as staff and faculty! Awards will be presented to the top team, most spirited first-year and top O-Week leader. The UPEI Shinerama 2013 fundraising total will also be announced! Please contact Candice Heigh at 902-566-0530 or admin@upeisu.ca if you're interested in purchasing a ticket.

Looking for services in Charlottetown? Come and meet dozens of local and national businesses who are here to help new students. Be sure to stop and chat with some representatives!

Faculty are invited to a day of discussion and learning at UPEI's annual Let's Talk Teaching Day. Topics and questions such as "How do we explain what we do?", "Do we know what our colleagues do?" and "What does the community think we do?" will be explored. Keynote speaker: Dr. Robert Campbell, President and Vice-Chancellor of Mount Allison University. A faculty meet and greet will take place at 10:00 am in room 329 McDougall Hall. A wine and cheese reception will follow from 4:00-6:00 pm in the Main Faculty Lounge. To register, contact Gerald Wandio at gwandio@upei.ca at the Faculty Development Office by August 29.

Enjoy your first day of classes at UPEI!

Join Mr. Hee-yong Cho, South Korean Ambassador to Canada for a public lecture entitled “Celebrating 2013, the Year of Korea in Canada: A Path Toward a Strategic Partnership between Korea and Canada.” This year is the 50th Anniversary of Korea-Canada Diplomatic Relation. It is formally recognized by both governments as "the Year of Korea in Canada" and "the Year of Canada in Korea." The Korean Ambassador introduces “the past, present, and future of Korea-Canada diplomatic relations” and then discusses “a strategic partnership” between two nations by indentifying “new ways to enhance South Korea’s relationships with Atlantic Canada.” His lecture will help UPEI students, faculty and staff as well as others outside the campus to learn more about its international implications for educational, business or career opportunities and benefits in PEI or South Korea. All are welcome to attend.