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Holiday season helpers: Story ideas from SFU
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December 20, 2007
The following are story ideas, experts and tips that might be useful over the holiday season:
Device to aid paralysis a step closer
The first clinical trial of SFU kinesiologist Andy Hoffer’s Neurostep is now underway in Vancouver. The pacemaker-like device is implanted inside the thigh and uses nerve cuffs to sense and stimulate nerve activity and enable movement in those suffering from neurological disabilities such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury or cerebral palsy. Other trials are slated for Quebec, the U.K. and India. Hoffer can talk about the research and its progress.
Andy Hoffer, 778.782.3141, andy_hoffer@sfu.ca (note: Hoffer is away until Jan. 7)
Poles readied for restoration
Restoration work will soon begin on a trio of totem poles recently removed from SFU’s Naheeno Park. The poles, donated by the Alumni Association during the early days of SFU, had become worn by weather and growth of the forest area. SFU Museum curator Barb Winter can talk about the next steps necessary to preserve them.
Barbara Winter, 778.782.3326; barbara_winter@sfu.ca
Sri Lanka to acquire ‘disaster’ vehicle
SFU communication professor Peter Anderson’s emergency mobile communication vehicle will be replicated to benefit another part of the world—Sri Lanka. As the third anniversary of the Boxing Day tsunami approaches, Anderson is completing the new vehicle's operational and technical design plans with the Sri Lankan government and the United Nations International Telecommunications Union. Anderson is advising the regions as they develop and improve their own warning and communication capacities for dealing with deadly disasters.
Peter Anderson, 778.782.4921; peter_anderson@sfu.ca
Tracking addiction success
SFU psychology PhD student Kim van der Woerd concludes that the more support systems there are in place, the better the chances are for success in the long-term battle to conquer drug and alcohol addiction. Van der Woerd, a member of the Namgis band, tracked more than 200 B.C. First Nations clients who went through recovery in an Alert Bay centre and found that the greater the number of supports systems, the more likely clients were to be completely abstinent, while fewer supports increased the likelihood of a complete relapse.
Kim van der Woerd (available after Christmas Day via email), kvanderwoerd@shaw.ca
Heads up: SFU’s Olympic list
With the 2010 Winter Olympics only two years away, check our new list of SFU faculty members available to comment on various aspects of the international event and its impact on the region: http://www.sfu.ca/pamr/issues_experts/hot_topics/2010_Olympics.html
Criminology head nets media award
The Pickton trial, taser shootings, gang murders – Robert Gordon provides expertise on a wide range of issues and stories. It’s no surprise that the director of SFU’s School of Criminology is this year’s recipient of SFU’s President’s Award for service through media and public relations. He is also currently fine-tuning parts of B.C.’s Adult Guardianship law – which he was initially involved in drafting some 14 years ago – and can talk about the law’s impact.
Robert Gordon, 778.782.4305; 604.418.6640 (cell); robert_gordon@sfu.ca
Christmas unplugged
SFU Business assistant professor Boyd Cohen, whose See-It software tracked emissions during the summer’s Live Earth concert, can talk about what we can do to have a ‘green’ Christmas.
Historian Luke Clossey is tracking how the world interprets Jesus through his latest project, called Global Jesus.
And humanities professor emeritus Donald Grayston can provide insight on how spirituality is faring in an ever-commercialized Christmas.
The three are part of SFU’s experts list on the holiday season: http://www.sfu.ca/pamr/issues_experts/hot_topics/holiday_season.html
Boyd Cohen, 778.782.7833; 604.250.1292; bcohen@sfu.ca
Luke Clossey, 778.782.3150; luke_clossey@sfu.ca
Donald Grayston, 604.709.0883; donald_grayston@sfu.ca
Winter fun for little ones
What to do with the small fry when the folks have to be at work on Jan. 2 but school doesn't start until Jan. 7? Bring 'em up to Burnaby Mountain to take part in one of the entertaining and educational all-day camps offered by SFU Recreation and Athletics for kids ages five-18. Sports, music, science -- there's a bit of fun for everyone. For more on the camps or to register, visit: http://students.sfu.ca/recreation/youth_program/camps/wintercamps/index.html
Sue Armitage, hatten@sfu.ca
Where there’s a WIL there’s Christmas spirit
Staff and students at SFU are helping needy families acquire the basics in life – with an unprecedented amount of donations for the campus food bank - and enjoy some Christmas cheer this holiday season. Interest in community work is on the rise thanks to a unit on campus called Work Integrated Learning (WIL), combining career services, co-op training and employer networking. John Grant, WIL marketing coordinator, can explain how the unit is bolstering the Christmas spirit at SFU.
John Grant, 778.782.7374 (w), 604.290.3375 (cell), jagrant@sfu.ca
Device to aid paralysis a step closer
The first clinical trial of SFU kinesiologist Andy Hoffer’s Neurostep is now underway in Vancouver. The pacemaker-like device is implanted inside the thigh and uses nerve cuffs to sense and stimulate nerve activity and enable movement in those suffering from neurological disabilities such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury or cerebral palsy. Other trials are slated for Quebec, the U.K. and India. Hoffer can talk about the research and its progress.
Andy Hoffer, 778.782.3141, andy_hoffer@sfu.ca (note: Hoffer is away until Jan. 7)
Poles readied for restoration
Restoration work will soon begin on a trio of totem poles recently removed from SFU’s Naheeno Park. The poles, donated by the Alumni Association during the early days of SFU, had become worn by weather and growth of the forest area. SFU Museum curator Barb Winter can talk about the next steps necessary to preserve them.
Barbara Winter, 778.782.3326; barbara_winter@sfu.ca
Sri Lanka to acquire ‘disaster’ vehicle
SFU communication professor Peter Anderson’s emergency mobile communication vehicle will be replicated to benefit another part of the world—Sri Lanka. As the third anniversary of the Boxing Day tsunami approaches, Anderson is completing the new vehicle's operational and technical design plans with the Sri Lankan government and the United Nations International Telecommunications Union. Anderson is advising the regions as they develop and improve their own warning and communication capacities for dealing with deadly disasters.
Peter Anderson, 778.782.4921; peter_anderson@sfu.ca
Tracking addiction success
SFU psychology PhD student Kim van der Woerd concludes that the more support systems there are in place, the better the chances are for success in the long-term battle to conquer drug and alcohol addiction. Van der Woerd, a member of the Namgis band, tracked more than 200 B.C. First Nations clients who went through recovery in an Alert Bay centre and found that the greater the number of supports systems, the more likely clients were to be completely abstinent, while fewer supports increased the likelihood of a complete relapse.
Kim van der Woerd (available after Christmas Day via email), kvanderwoerd@shaw.ca
Heads up: SFU’s Olympic list
With the 2010 Winter Olympics only two years away, check our new list of SFU faculty members available to comment on various aspects of the international event and its impact on the region: http://www.sfu.ca/pamr/issues_experts/hot_topics/2010_Olympics.html
Criminology head nets media award
The Pickton trial, taser shootings, gang murders – Robert Gordon provides expertise on a wide range of issues and stories. It’s no surprise that the director of SFU’s School of Criminology is this year’s recipient of SFU’s President’s Award for service through media and public relations. He is also currently fine-tuning parts of B.C.’s Adult Guardianship law – which he was initially involved in drafting some 14 years ago – and can talk about the law’s impact.
Robert Gordon, 778.782.4305; 604.418.6640 (cell); robert_gordon@sfu.ca
Christmas unplugged
SFU Business assistant professor Boyd Cohen, whose See-It software tracked emissions during the summer’s Live Earth concert, can talk about what we can do to have a ‘green’ Christmas.
Historian Luke Clossey is tracking how the world interprets Jesus through his latest project, called Global Jesus.
And humanities professor emeritus Donald Grayston can provide insight on how spirituality is faring in an ever-commercialized Christmas.
The three are part of SFU’s experts list on the holiday season: http://www.sfu.ca/pamr/issues_experts/hot_topics/holiday_season.html
Boyd Cohen, 778.782.7833; 604.250.1292; bcohen@sfu.ca
Luke Clossey, 778.782.3150; luke_clossey@sfu.ca
Donald Grayston, 604.709.0883; donald_grayston@sfu.ca
Winter fun for little ones
What to do with the small fry when the folks have to be at work on Jan. 2 but school doesn't start until Jan. 7? Bring 'em up to Burnaby Mountain to take part in one of the entertaining and educational all-day camps offered by SFU Recreation and Athletics for kids ages five-18. Sports, music, science -- there's a bit of fun for everyone. For more on the camps or to register, visit: http://students.sfu.ca/recreation/youth_program/camps/wintercamps/index.html
Sue Armitage, hatten@sfu.ca
Where there’s a WIL there’s Christmas spirit
Staff and students at SFU are helping needy families acquire the basics in life – with an unprecedented amount of donations for the campus food bank - and enjoy some Christmas cheer this holiday season. Interest in community work is on the rise thanks to a unit on campus called Work Integrated Learning (WIL), combining career services, co-op training and employer networking. John Grant, WIL marketing coordinator, can explain how the unit is bolstering the Christmas spirit at SFU.
John Grant, 778.782.7374 (w), 604.290.3375 (cell), jagrant@sfu.ca