Updates of the Chair

  • Vasseur publishes new article on gut immunity in the diamondback moth

    Friday, January 12, 2018 | By

    Liette Vasseur has published, as co-author with Junhan Lin, Xiaofeng Xia, Xiao-Qiang Yu,Jinhong Shen,  Yong Li, Hailan Lin, Shanshan Tang and Minsheng You, a new article, “Gene expression profiling provides insights into the immune mechanism of Plutella xylostella midgut to microbial infection” in Gene.

    Read the publishers abstract:

    Insect gut immunity plays a key role in defense against microorganism infection. The knowledge of insect gut immunity has been obtained mostly from Drosophila melanogaster. Little is known about gut immunity in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), a pest destroying cruciferous crops worldwide. In this study, expressions of the immune-related genes in the midgut of P. xylostella orally infected with Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris were profiled by RNA-seq and qRT-PCR approaches. The results revealed that the Toll, IMD, JNK and JAK-STAT pathways and possibly the prophenoloxidase activation system in P. xylostella could be activated by oral infections, and moricins, gloverins and lysozyme2 might act as important effectors against microorganisms. Subsequent knock-down of IMD showed that this gene was involved in regulating the expression of down-stream genes in the IMD pathway. Our work indicates that the Toll, IMD, JNK and JAK-STAT pathways may synergistically modulate immune responses in the P. xylostella midgut, implying a complex and diverse immune system in the midgut of insects.

    Read the article 

    Categories: Updates of the Chair

  • OIA Niagara and Hamilton Branch Meeting

    Monday, December 04, 2017 | By

    Mark your calendar for a special joint meeting of the Ontario Institute of Agrologists (OIA), Niagara and Hamilton Branches.  Agrologists from other branches of OIA (with a special invitation to the Hamilton branch) and all interested friends of OIA, spouses, partners, colleagues and students are cordially invited to attend the meeting on Tuesday, December 12.

    Liette Vasseur will be the speaker at the meeting, discussing the topic of “Development of Sustainable Agriculture in China and lessons for Canada.”

    The meeting location is the Innsville Restaurant, 1143 Highway 8, Stoney Creek (west of Fifty Road exit from QEW and on the corner of Lewis Rd and Highway 8. A Google Maps link is attached below).

    Please confirm attendance no later than Friday, December 8th to Mary Jane Combe mjcombe@primus.ca or 905 682-0086.

    Date:  Tuesday, December 12, 2017
    Gathering time:   5:30 p.m.
    Dinner:   6:00 p.m.
    Cost: Order from the menu

    For those wishing to car pool from Niagara, the plan is to meet at the Victoria Ave carpool lot (east of Victoria Ave on the South Service Road) at 5:00 p.m.  (Please indicate if you plan to carpool in your RSVP).

    https://www.google.ca/maps/place/1143+Hamilton+Regional+Rd+8,+Stoney+Creek,+ON+L8E+5G7/@43.210617,-79.6694178,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x882ca39d2e01e693:0xc32f5c3f6ced072!8m2!3d43.2099914!4d-79.6615643

    Categories: Updates of the Chair

  • Liette Vasseur attends Gender Summit North America

    Friday, November 24, 2017 | By

    Liette Vasseur was among more than 600 advocates of gender equality from various science,
    innovation and development affiliations who participated in the Gender Summit North America
    2017 earlier this month.

    Vasseur attended the summit, which took place in Montreal from November 6 to 8,  as a
    representative of the Canadian Council for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
    Cultural Organization (CCUNESCO).

    This marked the 11th year of the international summit and the first time that it was
    held in Canada. It was organized by Natural sciences and Engineering Research Council and
    Fonds de recherché du Québec, with the partnership of the CCUNESCO.

    The summit works to promote gender equality and diversity in research and innovation, with this
    year’s theme focusing on “Embracing pluralism and thriving through diversity – shaping science
    and innovation.”

    Attendees ranged from students, educators and policy makers to government officials such as the
    the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science.

    “It was a very good meeting,” Vasseur said, “There was a very clear message that we need more
    desegregated data, and that it needs to be better utilized to understand the challenges and barriers
    to inclusivity in the sciences.”

    She added: “There was also a clear message from Minister Duncan that we need to have
    universities clearly stating their policies in regards to gender equality and inclusion and that the
    government will really be pushing the issue to the higher level.”

    At the summit, Vasseur was part of a large panel discussion entitled, “Best Practices: Global
    Perspectives on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in STEM.” During this discussion, Vasseur
    explored global initiatives that aim to better promote, support, and contribute to the rise of
    women in STEM fields.

    Vasseur discussed the UNESCO STEM and Gender Advancement (SAGA) initiative and her work with the Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWEST).

    “We must combat the decline of women in the sciences and the bias that exists – by both men
    and women – against their potential and capabilities,” she said. “It’s about recruitment first,
    getting more women into STEM fields, but then also ensuring they stay in these fields and
    progress through their masters, PhD and eventually into the working world. Then, when we get
    to hiring, ensuring there is a diverse pool of women to be selected and closing the gender gap in
    these disciplines.”

    Vasseur also spoke on behalf of the CCUNESCO when five Canadian researchers were
    honoured and rewarded through the LOréal-UNESCO for Women in Science program. The
    L'Oréal-UNESCO 2017 Excellence in Research Fellowships, each worth $20,000, are awarded
    to support major postdoctoral research projects undertaken by young Canadians at a pivotal time
    in their career. They were awarded to Dr. Marie-Ève Lebel, PhD, Post-doctoral Fellow, Melichar
    Laboratory, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Research Centre and Dr. Kelly Suschinsky, PhD,
    Post-doctoral Fellow, SAGE Laboratory, Queen’s University. Three other awards were also
    awarded at the same time.

    “It was very inspiring seeing so many bright and driven women working
    toward the goal of inclusivity” Vasseur said. “But, we know that we have to keep up the
    momentum that was created there, that’s something that was very clear. We need to continue to
    discuss this issue and figure out ways to move ahead in many aspects because there is much
    work to still be done.”

    Categories: Updates of the Chair

  • Vasseur publishes new article in Ambio: A Journal of the Human Environment

    Thursday, October 19, 2017 | By

    Liette Vasseur has published a new article, “Complex problems and unchallenged solutions: Bringing ecosystem governance to the forefront of the UN sustainable development goals” in Ambio: A Journal of the Human Environment. The article was co-authored with Darwin HorningMary Thornbush, Emmanuelle Cohen-Shacham, Angela Andrade, Ed Barrow, Steve R. Edwards, Piet Wit, and Mike Jones.

    Read the publisher’s abstract:

    Sustainable development aims at addressing economic, social, and environmental concerns, but the current lack of responsive environmental governance hinders progress. Short-term economic development has led to limited actions, unsustainable resource management, and degraded ecosystems. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) may continue to fall short of achieving significant progress without a better understanding of how ecosystems contribute to achieving sustainability for all people. Ecosystem governance is an approach that integrates the social and ecological components for improved sustainability and includes principles such as adaptive ecosystem co-management, subsidiarity, and telecoupling framework, as well as principles of democracy and accountability. We explain the importance of ecosystem governance in achieving the SDGs, and suggest some ways to ensure that ecosystem services are meaningfully considered. This paper reflects on how integration of these approaches into policies can enhance the current agenda of sustainability.

    Read the article

    Categories: Updates of the Chair

  • 16th biennial CCWEST conference report now available

    Monday, October 16, 2017 | By

    A report on the success of the 16th Biennial Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWESTT) Conference, which was held in Ottawa in May of 2016, is now available for viewing.

    The national CCWESTT Conference has always been recognized for its ability to bring together top industry and academic leaders to address topics of women in engineering, science, trades, and technology. The conference and associated workshops provided a forum for participants to develop leadership skills, network with dynamic colleagues, and celebrate women’s achievements in engineering, science, trades, and technology. Close to 200 delegates came from across Canada to participate in the 70 presentations, panel discussions, and workshops held during the four days of the 2016 conference.

    The conference themes were inspired by two major documents: “Seizing Canada’s Moment: Moving Forward in Science, Technology and Innovation” and by our engagement with the United Nations new sustainable development goals, documented in “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” These documents included topics such as indigenous knowledge and science advancement, youth engagement, innovating in the workplace to promote the inclusion of women and advancement of women’s leadership, and preparing women for innovation.

    The event was important for CCWESTT, as the organization has started transitioning to a new era, where members will provide calls to action at regional, provincial, and national levels, in order to move the agenda of women forward in fields that are highly relevant for Canada and the world. To this effect,a policy forum was also held at the conference, where discussions were quite animated and provided the ingredients needed to move towards a national strategy that will recruit and retain women in the job market.

    Read the report
    Learn more about other activities and conferences affiliated with the UNESCO Chair
    Learn more about the Canadian Coalition of Women in Engineering, Science, Trades and Technology (CCWESTT)

    Categories: Updates of the Chair

  • Liette Vasseur appointed as president of CCUNESCO’s Natural, Social, and Human Sciences Sectoral Commission

    Thursday, October 12, 2017 | By

    Vasseur, right, is pictured here with Sébastien Goupil, General Secretary of CCUNESCO, centre, and Louise Vandelac, former Chair of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO’s Sectoral Commission on Human, Social and Natural Sciences.

    Congratulations to UNESCO Chairholder Liette Vasseur, who was appointed as the new President of the Canadian Committee for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (CCUNESCO)’s Natural, Social, and Human Sciences Sectoral Commission last week!

    The Natural, Social, and Human Sciences Sectoral commission is an 11-member group of Canadian scientists, academics and others providing knowledge and expertise on a range of issues. These include: social and environmental impacts of climate change; conservation of natural heritage and water resources; inclusion of newcomers and vulnerable groups; reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people; youth engagement; and measures to fight discrimination, racism, violence, bullying and radicalization.

    “We’re producing refection papers on some of the topics we believe are important, to come up with a long-range vision of how Canadians and the federal government can implement various actions related to sustainability,” Vasseur said.

    The Sectoral Commission advises CCUNESCO on the organization’s programs and activities in these areas. In turn, CCUNESCO, operating under the Canada Council for the Arts, seeks to connect Canadians to the broader work of UNESCO, whose work “contributes to a peaceful, equitable and sustainable future that leaves no one behind.”

    Categories: Updates of the Chair

  • Vasseur publishes new book: Adaptation to Coastal Storms in Atlantic Canada

    Thursday, October 05, 2017 | By

    UNESCO Chairholder Liette Vasseur has published a new book based on an analysis that was performed on a series of winter storms in 2010/ 2011 that caused considerable damage to coastal communities in Atlantic Canada.

    Adaptation to Coastal Storms in Atlantic Canada,     which was co-authored by Brock University’s Mary J. Thornbush and PI Steve Plante, of the Université du Québec à Rimouski, summarizes the results of the project and provides a perspective on how people in 10 coastal communities perceive and experience extreme weather events, and enhance their capacity to adapt and improve their resilience. It describes the outcome of two series of interviews and activities that were conducted during the project, as well as the lessons learned and general elements that should be considered when researchers collaborate with communities to define adaptation and resilience strategies.

    With coastal storms increasing both in frequency and intensity, the book provides a guide that allows communities to better understand the priorities and options available to them in order to then take an active role in adaptation to climate change in their communities.

    “We tried to find ways that the tools would be simple enough that the communities can use them and use a participatory approach,” said Vasseur. “It’s not only for coastal zones and it can be used in other countries. Because this was a large project of six years, we were able to develop a lot of tools that are now being used in other places, such as in a project in Ecuador.”

     To learn more or purchase the e-book, visit the publisher’s website. 

     

    Categories: Updates of the Chair

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