Nobel prize, student health, Aeroplan
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Great minds think alike
Experts zero in on student health
Changing flight plans
Great minds think alike
Their link may not be genetic but it certainly is significant. Some of this year’s Nobel Prize winners have collaborated with SFU molecular biologists and biochemists:
David Baillie, an SFU Canada Research Chair in genomics co-authored one of Andrew Fire’s most cited papers on a fundamental mechanism for controlling the flow of genetic information. The mechanism is known as RNA interference. Fire, a Stanford University professor of medicine and Craig Mello, a University of Massachusetts professor of medicine, earned this year’s Nobel Prize in medicine for discovering RNA interference.
Harald Hutter, an SFU professor of developmental biology, recently published a paper with Fire.
Roger Kornberg is this year’s Nobel Prize recipient in chemistry for illustrating how transcription works. It’s a genetic copying process that enables organisms such as humans to make use of their genetic information. Baillie and Kornberg worked together as postdoctoral fellows under Nobel Laureate Francis Crick in Cambridge, England.
Barry Honda, a SFU molecular biologist who also did his postdoctoral fellowship in Cambridge, later followed in Kornberg’s footsteps.
Baillie, Hutter and Honda can talk about their connections to these great minds and help explain the significance of their research.
David Baillie, 604.268.6590, dave_baillie@sfu.ca
Harald Hutter, 604.291.4284/4803, hutter@sfu.ca
Barry Honda, 604.291.4804, barry_honda@sfu.ca
Bruce Brandhorst, 604.291.4627, bruce_brandhorst@sfu.ca
Experts zero in on student health
They lack sleep, exercise or good nutrition, struggle with stress, anxiety, and can even face eating disorders and suicidal thoughts. The physical and emotional health needs of post-secondary students are at the centre of the Pacific Coast College health conference, hosted this week (Oct. 18-21) by Simon Fraser University’s health and counselling centre. Topics will include substance use, sexual health, obesity, nutrition and the health of campus communities. Centre director Pam Whiting can look at the issues facing students and how overall health and wellness play a major role in academic success. (The conference is being held at the Delta Vancouver Hotel, Richmond.) Check www.capps.wsu.edu/pccha
Pam Whiting, 604.818.9577 (cell)
Changing flight plans
Aeroplan’s new use it or lose it policy means Canadians will have to redeem points at least once a year or face losing all of their accumulated points. The company says active membership is the key to a successful loyalty program. SFU marketing expert Lindsay Meredith can look at what consumers think —and the rationale behind the change.
Lindsay Meredith, 604.291.5554