On March 29, the Schulich Medicine Class of 2011 hosted a "Star Wars" themed party for their sponsored Make-A-Wish child, Crosby. The students prepared a spectacular space adventure for Crosby, requiring him to use his special skills to save the galaxy. The students raised funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southwestern Ontario throughout the year to help grant Crosby's wish to go with his family to Walt Disney World® Resort.

Charles Trick, the Beryl Ivey Chair in Ecosystem Health, is one of three recipients of the new Western Humanitarian Awards. Trick, who is cross-appointed between Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and the Faculty of Science, was recognized for his work in establishing the Ecosystem Health - Africa Initiative in 2005. The project examines ecological factors affecting the health of people in the region of Lake Naivasha, Kenya.

Dr. Kevin Fung, Department of Otolaryngology

As a resident-in-training, Dr. Kevin Fung participated in a medical mission to Guyana that would shape his global outlook and future efforts. Fung has since been involved in two medical missions to Honduras, where he served as a head and neck surgeon with an international team of health care professionals. Given his experiences, he now hopes to establish a global health funding
initiative that supports other residents in their humanitarian activities.

Dr. Neil Arya, Director, Office of Global Health

Through innovative training, research and clinical efforts, Dr. Neil Arya has helped provide significant health benefits to disadvantaged communities around the world. A practicing physician, Arya is also founding director of the Office of Global Health within Western's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. This initiative strives to develop socially responsible, collaborative leaders in the advancement of health care and health outcomes for all individuals and populations.

Ryan Rawski, MSc student, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology

Ryan Rawski developed a more global outlook after participating in Western's Alternative Spring Break program in 2009. The service-learning experience encourages active participation in the community and increased civic engagement by students. Rawski's team worked in a health clinic in rural Nicaragua, helping examine patients, providing vaccinations and teaching children about the importance of hygiene to their health. These efforts dovetail with Rawski's studies in clinical anatomy and longstanding experience with the Student Emergency Response Team.

Surgical supply initiative receives Western Green Award

Operation Green, begun this year by Schulich medical students, received one of three Western Green Awards in late March. As the founders of Operation Green, students Jen Bondy, Yoan Kagoma and Nathan Stall have spearheaded an initiative to recycle surgical supplies and donate them to developing nations. These efforts help ease the environmental burden caused by surgical overages and provides surgical equipment to populations that desperately require it. For more on the awards, see this Western News article.

Miguel Valvano receives Senior Scientist Award from Cystic Fibrosis Canada

Miguel Valvano, a Schulich professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Canada Research Chair in Infectious Diseases and Microbial Pathogenesis, was recently named the recipient of the 2011-12 Zellers Senior Scientist Award, as presented by Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

Valvano is considered an international leader in molecular research aimed at dissecting the key bacterial components that directly interact with host cells to cause infections. His work is frequently published in some of the world's most influential scientific journals. Click here for more details.

Students recognize Schulich biochemistry teacher

Derek McLachlin, a Schulich Medicine & Dentistry faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry, was recently honoured as one of four recipients of the University Students' Council (USC) Award of Excellence in Teaching, as presented at the 20^th annual USC awards ceremony at the Great Hall on March 25, 2011. Click here for more details on the annual awards.

BMSc student top Western athlete

On April 6 at the annual Mustangs Athletic Awards Banquet, Honors BMSc student Hailey Nell received the F.W.P. Jones Trophy honouring the female student athlete who made the most outstanding contributions to intercollegiate athletics during her career. In February, Hailey was also recognized as one of the top female scholar-athletes from across Ontario at the eighth annual Women of Influence Luncheon in Toronto.

The London, Ontario native is also a two-time team MVP and two-time recipient of OUA Swimmer of the Week at the provincial championships. She was also selected to the 2009 Canadian University Games team, representing Canada at the FISU games in Belgrade, Serbia.

Laurier to honour Schulich Director of Global Health

Dr. Neil Arya, Director, Office of Global Health, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters at Wilfrid Laurier University during its convocation this spring. Dr. Arya was nominated in recognition of his commitment to health improvement, both locally and globally, through educational programs and clinical research, as well as his advocacy for health-related programs that focus on marginalized and at-risk populations. Dr. Arya will receive his Honorary degree on June 7, 2011.

Dr. Mark Awuku named Business Professional of the Year

Dr. Mark Awuku, Acting Associate Dean, Windsor Program, was named Business Professional of the Year at the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards on April 13.

Dr. Awuku was one of three nominees for the prestigious award presented at the 21st annual event in Windsor. See Dr. Awuku's photo with the award in The Windsor Star

Schulich professors honoured as Faculty Scholars

Greg Gloor, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry, and Anthony Jevnikar, a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, were both recognized when the University of Western Ontario designated 12 Faculty Scholars for 2011.

The Faculty Scholar award recognizes outstanding contributions in research, teaching or service reflecting sustained excellence in all scholarly activities.

Substance in tangerines fights obesity and protects against heart disease

New research from Robarts Research Institute has discovered a substance in tangerines not only prevents obesity, but also offers protection against type 2 diabetes, and even atherosclerosis, the underlying disease responsible for most heart attacks and strokes. Murray Huff, a vascular biology scientist, along with Erin Mulvihill, a PhD student, studied the effects of a flavonoid in tangerines called Nobiletin. Their research is published in the journal Diabetes. Click here for more details on the study.

Marijuana, the brain & emotional significance

Drugs like marijuana act on naturally occurring receptors in the brain called cannabinoid receptors. However, the mechanisms by which these drugs produce their sensory and mood altering effects within the brain are largely unknown. Research led by Steven Laviolette, Department of Biochemistry, has now identified a critical brain pathway responsible for the effects of cannabinoid drugs on how the brain processes emotional information. The findings, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, also help to explain the possible link between marijuana use and schizophrenia. Click here for more details.

New investigational treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C

Dr. Mark Levstik, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, is one of the investigators in a clinical study published in the March 31 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine for a new treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus. The SPRINT-2 study demonstrated that addition of the investigational oral medication boceprevir to standard treatment significantly improved sustained virologic response - the goal of treatment - in a significantly greater number of adult patients who failed previous treatment and in those who were new to treatment. Click here for more details.