Disease and DNA
A 500-year-old debate on the origins of syphilis could be ended through DNA analysis. Archaeologist Dongya Yang, SFU's first expert in ancient DNA, is improving techniques for extracting and removing bacterial DNA dating back thousands of years. In addition to research on ancient diseases, Yang and his lab will investigate the genetics of domesticated plants and animals and the identification of ancient human remains.

School Violence
Policies designed to prevent violence in schools may actually encourage it, conclude two researchers. Associate professor of education Linda LaRocque (right) and doctoral candidate Shaheen Shariff (left) say that most policies may inadvertently encourage violence by targeting the perceived perpetrators, who themselves are often victims of violence. They suggest what is needed are holistic policies designed to change a culture of violence into one of respect. Find out more on their website.

Banning the Bugs
The Lower Mainland's only certified insect quarantine facility sits behind locked doors at SFU. It's on the front lines in a battle against exotic bugs moving around the world. Entomologist Gerhard Gries, a top authority on identifying insect pheromones, leads research into breaking the odour-based communication codes between bugs. He's currently investigating the painted apple moth that is defoliating evergreen pines in New Zealand. Find out more on his website.

Measuring Motion
Monitor your baby's breathing - or experiment on the surface of Mars. You can do either using Albert Leung's thermal accelerometer, a pencil-eraser-sized motion-detecting sensor that manufacturers are lining up to buy. The engineering professor's invention of a sensor chip that can be mass-produced at low cost has been licensed to MEMSIC Inc. of Massachusetts and already more than 250 companies want to incorporate it into their products. It is estimated the current market for such sensors to be worth about US$1 billion. SFU owns the intellectual property and patent rights. Leung won a $100,000 Manning Innovation Award in the fall. Find out more on his website.

It's All Greek to Us
A series of lectures celebrating Greek culture begins at SFU. The Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation, in its first foray into Canada, partners with the university in what Hellenic studies chair Andre Gerolymatos calls "a major cultural event. " For information on lectures, in the fall visit their website.

The Perfect Season
The women's Clan rolled over Laval's Rouge et Or 66-51 to win the Canadian Inter-university Sport (CIS) basketball championships. The Clan's perfect record of 35-0 was due in part to the skilled playing of forward Jessica Kaczowka, CIS outstanding player of the year, and national team and All-Canadian point guard Teresa Kleindienst.

Student Star
Engineering undergraduate Maria Trinh is winner of a 2001 Premier's Award for young women in science. To encourage fellow female students in engineering to realize their dreams, Trinh founded the SFU women in engineering group. For her undergraduate thesis she is researching how to improve the detection of objects in media that highly scatter visible light. This could result in more use of laser scanning technology instead of x-rays.

Northern Brights
Managers at Alcan, Eurocan, Methanex, and other companies in Kitimat can now do their MBA without leaving the north.

SFU business faculty's learning strategies group works with the companies to develop curriculum based on workplace situations. SFU instructors fly in for face-to-face classes three times during each course. It will take four years for participants to complete the program. For information visit their website or contact them via email.

Excellent Teachers
A historian, a biologist, and a communicator win this year's Excellence in Teaching Awards. Middle Eastern history professor William Cleveland, pest management program instructor Tammy McMullan, and director of the school of communications, Martin Laba, are recognized for their ability to stimulate students to think creatively and critically.

News Names
Philosophers' Cafe founder Yosef Wosk is a new member of the Order of B.C. The Lieutenant-Governor's citation praises the unique opportunities offered by the Philosophers' Cafes for public discussion. Visit Philosophers' Cafe online.

Vice-president, research, Bruce Clayman is one of 11 appointees to the Tri-Council's research ethics panel. The Tri-Council is the federal government's principal granting body.

Former president Jack Blaney, now senior fellow in the Centre for Dialogue, is the new chair of the Fraser Basin council, succeeding Iona Campagnolo, who is now Lieutenant-Governor. The council works to advance sustainability of the Fraser River basin.

Downtown Business
Another heritage building is being transformed as SFU turns the former Bank of Montreal headquarters on Granville Street into western Canada's first dedicated centre for graduate management and education. To be called the Segal Centre for Graduate Management Studies, it will house unique graduate programs including the management of technology MBA. Chancellor emeritus Joseph Segal, owner of the 1916 building, is making it available to the university and donating $3 million toward the cost of restoration and renovation.

Polynesian Pots
Archaeologist David Burley of SFU and geologist William Dickinson of the University of Arizona are studying the first physical link between Polynesian settlers and their origins. Using radiocarbon to date pottery, they conclude that a sleepy fishing village called Nukuleka in Tonga was settled about 3,000 years ago by people from the Santa Cruz Islands in the modern Solomons, 3,200 kilometres to the north. Who these people were and why they sailed to Polynesia is still a mystery. Find out more on their website. aq

Column Art for Northern Brights by Atomos

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