Media releases

• Brock student researchers shortlisted in national video competition

  Thursday, February 02, 2017 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: R00024 – 2 February 2017

  Brock University graduate students have earned four spots in the Top 40 of a national video competition showcasing graduate research.

  Angel Phanthanourak, Dan Hughes, Larissa Barelli and Michelle Przedborski join those vying for awards in the Science, Action! competition sponsored by one of Brock’s major funders, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

  The four students are now asking for the public’s support to make it to the second round.

  Each student submitted a 60-second video and a 100-word summary of their research to NSERC. The 25 videos with the most views on YouTube between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28 will move on to the final round, where a panel of judges will select the winners.

  All videos are posted on the Science, Action website.

  The Brock entries are:
  •    Angel Phanthanourak, Department of Health Sciences, researches how anxiety and a fear of falling influences the way we move our bodies. If we stiffen up, or have poor postural strategies, it might increase our likelihood of falling during voluntary movements. “By demonstrating the role psychological factors play in reducing the efficiency of postural control, I hope to aid in the development of interventions meant to reduce feelings of anxiety and encourage older adults to engage in activities.”

  Her video, “Fear of Falls,” can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnQitCPFurE&feature=youtu.be

  •    Dan Hughes, Department of Earth Sciences, focuses on the impacts of climate change on lakes, rivers and their interconnections within an arctic permafrost landscape across Old Crow Flats in the northern Yukon Territory. “This research is working to understand the adverse effects landscape changes have on local communities, the ecosystem and help to predict future implications of a changing arctic climate.”

  His video, “A Changing Arctic,” can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwBauVgOM5U&feature=youtu.be

  •    Larissa Barelli, Department of Biological Sciences, studies how a certain type of fungus that kills bugs transfers nutrients from the bugs to plants and how plants transfer nutrients back to the fungus. This could lead to the development of a natural fertilizer that would replace the chemical-laden options that are typically used. “To be able to promote plant health, increase stress tolerance in crop species, and integrate a form of pest control all through one association would redefine food production and the agricultural industry.”

  Her video, “Insects, a Dinner for Two,” can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxxlU0iA8SY&feature=youtu.be

  •    Michelle Przedborski, Department of Physics, researches “solitary waves” – stable disturbances that travel with a fixed shape and constant speed – in granular chains. The concept can be easily seen in an ornament that sits on many desks: a row of metal balls suspended in a metal frame so that they are just touching each other; when you lift and swing the ball on the far right, the ball on the far left rises, while the balls in the middle stay put. “Being able to predict and control the energy transport properties of these systems could lead to new or improved shock absorbers and energy harvesters.”

  Her video, “Grains, chains, and solitary waves,” can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmGPqA5Y0SU&feature=youtu.be

  “I am absolutely thrilled that four of our extremely talented graduate students have been selected as part of the Top 40,” says Dr. Jens Coorssen, Dean of Graduate Studies.

  “These students are making great strides in their fields of study and we are honoured to have them representing research at Brock. I would encourage everyone in our campus and local communities, and beyond, to support these student researchers by watching their videos and sharing them with others.”

  The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada is a federal government agency that supports faculty and student research in post-secondary institutions across the country as well as encouraging Canadian companies to participate and invest in postsecondary research projects.

  The 15 finalists will be announced no later than April 5.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock prof raising the profile of international women’s hockey

  Wednesday, February 01, 2017 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: R00022 – 31 January 2017

  In a world where men’s hockey dominates in profile, prestige and revenue, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is turning to Brock University Sport Management professor Julie Stevens for advice on how to promote women’s hockey around the globe.

  “There is worldwide interest in developing women’s ice hockey programs, but the process is slow and requires a co-ordinated international effort and commitment,” said Stevens, who was asked to speak on the issue at an IIHF conference in Russia last month. “Since men’s ice hockey generates so much money, it garners most of the attention, but some national hockey federations are beginning to seek advice on how to make women’s ice hockey a priority.”

  Stevens, who conducts diverse hockey research, was a lead presenter at the first World Hockey Forum held in Moscow. Her understanding of the unique needs of each country and knowledge of best practices for growing the sport has made her a sought-after expert.

  “I don’t think fans in Canada and the U.S. realize how much women’s hockey is played around the world,” Stevens said.

  In Russia, the Brock prof talked to members of the IIHF about how they could use similar strategies to men’s hockey to build up their women’s programs, “but also recognizing the need to adopt specific approaches which help to overcome the country-specific social, gender and economic barriers women face,” she said.
  Stevens got interested in hockey at a young age. Her experiences as a competitive player and coach helped her cultivate a strong understanding of the sport’s history.

  “Starting out in a grassroots hockey system as a girl and then joining university hockey in the late 80s allowed me to experience hockey at a critical time for the sport in Canada,” said Stevens.

  “In Ontario, when we were on the brink of losing our women’s hockey varsity program, university administrators stepped in to save the sport. Their commitment taught me the importance of a strong governance system as a key factor to expand women’s teams.”

  By using university and club governance models as examples, Stevens regularly speaks to the many opportunities there are to develop women’s hockey programs globally.

  “Men’s hockey developed because countries were extremely competitive with each other,” explained Stevens. “To effectively grow women’s hockey, I envision a more co-ordinated global approach that not only shares success stories among nations, but also recognizes that each country will need to develop at its own pace and with a method that best suits its unique hockey system.”

  Since attending the World Hockey Forum, Stevens has connected with sport leaders in Europe and Asia to do research and further develop strategies for building the sport.

  “I feel very fortunate to be in the position of helping open doors for future female athletes around the world,” she said.

  In addition to her research accomplishments, Stevens is an assistant coach for the Brock Badgers varsity women’s hockey team.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases