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Canadian projects sought for grants
The Canadian-American Studies Committee is seeking proposals for projects and activities that increase awareness and understanding of Canada and Canadian-American relations for its Fall 2004 grant competition.
The grants are funded through the College of Arts and Sciences and the Canadian Studies Grant Program of the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Applications are welcome from all full-time UB faculty and graduate students with faculty sponsorship. Priority will be given to those with requests not exceeding $500. Support is limited to research-related activities, such as travel, graduate assistance, surveys and acquisition of data or documents, honoraria and travel costs for speakers or artists for conferences and/or workshops.
The committee also will give priority to those projects that have not been funded previously and that seek to secure external funding or establish ties with colleagues in Canada.
The deadline for applications is noon on Nov. 10. Forms are available at http://canam.buffalo.edu or from Donna Banach at 645-2299, ext. 42, or dbanach@acsu.buffalo.edu.
Any questions regarding the grants can be directed to H. Lorraine Oak, chair of the Canadian-American Studies Committee, at 645-2711 or loak@buffalo.edu.
GSE to hold open house
The Graduate School of Education (GSE) will hold an open house from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 4 in the lobby of the Student Union, North Campus. Information will be available about graduate programs offered by the school's departments of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology, Learning and Instruction, Educational Leadership and Policy, and the Teacher Education Institute.
Current students and faculty members will answer questions and provide information about part-time and full-time study, admissions, programs, courses and financial aid.
GSE offers a wide range of doctoral and master's degrees, as well as combination master's and certification degrees, and stand-alone certificates. Additional information is available at http://www.gse.buffalo.edu, or by calling the GSE Office of Admissions at 645-2110.
UB and Kinex sign agreement to develop anti-cancer drugs
Kinex Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company located in Buffalo, has signed an exclusive license with UB to develop drugs for the treatment of cancer, osteoporosis and ischemic disorders.
David Hangauer, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences, who also is Kinex senior vice president for research and development, has developed a method for designing and synthesizing a series of anti-cancer compounds called protein kinase inhibitors that shrink tumors and prevent metastases with minimal side effects. These inhibitors have the potential to become a multi-billion-dollar market.
"Kinex is targeting src ("sark") kinase and two series of inhibitors have been developed," said Allen Barnett, Kinex CEO. "We feel that by the end of 2004, we'll have a lead compound selected and ready for application as an Investigational New Drug with the FDA."
Barnett noted that within the next two years, Kinex will complete its preclinical research and begin its phase I human studies.
Last fall, Kinex optioned the technology from UB to carry out initial studies and testing and began to raise capital. At the end of July, the company closed on its Series A financing.
"UB researchers make technological breakthroughs that lead to intellectual property that can be commercialized for the public good," said Robert J. Genco, interim vice president for research and director of the UB Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach.
"The collaboration between UB and Kinex demonstrates the value of technology transfer in the Buffalo Niagara area. Kinex has the potential to be a life sciences success story for the region."
Realizing the potential of protein kinase inhibitors, UB has filed patent applications in the U.S. and abroad. Broad protection of the intellectual property gives Kinex a platform for developing drugs to treat cancer and other diseases, including diabetes, autoimmune disorders and osteoporosis.
Kinex was founded in 2003 by Barnett, Hangauer and Lyn Dyster, who serves as vice president of drug discovery. All three received their doctoral degrees from UB. Kinex has recruited Johnson Lau to serve as chairman of the board. Johnson brings significant scientific and business experience. Most recently, he was chairman, president and CEO of Ribapharm, where he launched the second-largest biotech IPO in history.
Freeman joins UB as ACE Fellow
Lisa C. Freeman, associate professor of pharmacology and director of mentored training at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, is spending the 2004-05 academic year at UB as part of the American Council of Education (ACE) Fellows Program.
Freeman, one of 37 individuals participating in the ACE Fellows Program this year, is studying the ways research universities impact regional economic development. She is exploring ways to enhance multidisciplinary collaboration and broaden participation in research, as well as help UB to forge partnerships with other educational institutions, community organizations and businesses.
The ACE Fellows Program is the premier higher education leadership development program in the country. The fellowship combines seminars, interactive learning opportunities and placement at another university to offer ACE Fellows a unique learning experience. The ACE Fellows Program is the only national, individualized, long-term professional development program in higher education that provides on-the-job experience to benefit participating institutions.
Robert Genco, interim vice president for research and director of the Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach, serves as Freeman's primary mentor for the fellowship year.
Freeman received bachelor's, master's and doctor of veterinary medicine degrees from Cornell University, as well as a doctorate from The Ohio State University. She pursued post-doctoral training at the University of Rochester School of Medicine before joining the faculty of Kansas State University in 1994. Her research program is funded by the National Institutes of Health and focuses on ion channel function. Freeman also coordinates pre-college outreach activities and research training programs for veterinary students and house officers.
Colin Quinn to perform in CFA
Popular Saturday Night Live/Comedy Central performer Colin Quinn will bring his stand-up routine to UB at 8 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Mainstage theater in the Center for the Arts, North Campus. The performance is sponsored by the Student Association.
The Brooklyn-born Quinn began his career in show business 14 years ago as a stand-up comic. His brash, tell-it-like-it-is act quickly attracted notice and led to several roles in feature films, including "Married to the Mob" and "Crocodile Dundee II," as well as his television debut in 1987 on MTV's "Remote Control," where he served as co-host of the hit game show for three seasons.
In 1995, Quinn landed a spot on the legendary late-night show "Saturday Night Live," where he entertained audiences for six seasons with such unforgettable characters as "Lenny the Lion" and "Joe Blow," the recurring segment "Colin Quinn Explains The New York Times," and his remarkable impersonation of actor Robert DeNiro. Most notably, Quinn was the anchor of "Weekend Update" for two and a half seasons.
After leaving "Saturday Night Live," Quinn went back to his stand-up roots, performing across the country while also writing several screenplays. He starred in NBC's "The Colin Quinn Show" and appeared last summer in the Comedy Central faux-reality series "Contest Searchlight" starring Denis Leary.
He currently is tackling societal issues on "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn," his own late-night series on Comedy Central.
Tickets for Colin Quinn are $27, or $20 for UB students with ID at the CFA box office. Tickets are available at the box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at all Ticketmaster locations.
For more information call 645-ARTS.
HRS to open South Campus office
State and Research Human Resource Services has opened a satellite office in 16 Diefendorf Annex on the South Campus.
Employees working on the South Campus can use the office to pick up forms, drop off forms or to speak with a benefit or payroll specialist by making an appointment.
The office will be open from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday.
For more information, contact the main office at 120 Crofts Hall at 645-7777.
Workshop to address online course evaluations
Peter Gold, associate dean for general education, College of Arts and Sciences, will lead a workshop on "New Developments in Student Course Evaluations" from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday in 280 Park Hall, North Campus.
The workshop is sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning Resources.
Several UB units are switching to email and Web-based delivery for student course evaluations, with a similar move away from paper-and-pencil evaluations becoming increasingly evident on campuses across the nation.
The workshop will address how UB and other comprehensive research and professional institutions have approached online evaluations. Special attention will be given to a pilot project by the College of Arts and Sciences that was conducted last spring.
Although the workshop will be free of charge and open to all UB faculty members, registration is required. To register, visit the Center for Teaching and Learning Resources Web site at http://www.buffalo.edu/ctlr or contact Lisa Francescone at lcf@buffalo.edu or 645-7328 and provide your name, department, and email address.
Dental Alumni Association to host meeting
The UB Dental Alumni Association will host the Buffalo Niagara Dental Meeting Nov. 3-5 in the Buffalo Convention Center.
The conference will feature more than 20 lectures on a variety of topics, ranging from clinical dentistry to finances to wellness. A dinner dance will be held on Nov. 3 in the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Buffalo, adjacent to the convention center.
Among the courses to be offered—some of which will earn participants continuing education credits—are "Total Esthetics for the Everyday Practice," "Oral Care For the Disabled Patient," "Pediatric Dentistry," "Dentistry and the Realm of Illusion," "Building Your Wealth: Investing Throughout Your Lifetime" and "Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset." Classes also will be offered in CPR, emergency response training, alternative wellness and yoga.
The conference is open to members of the UB Dental Alumni Association, as well as non-member professionals. On-site registration fees range from $225 for non-members of the alumni association to $170 for alumni association members to $55 for staff. Some courses and lectures, as well as the dinner dance, will require an additional fee.
For more information, call 829-2061 or email msulzbac@buffalo.edu.
Dance Troupe to perform in CFA
The Center for the Arts will present Hubbard Street 2 at 8 p.m. Nov. 6 in the Mainstage theater in the CFA, North Campus.
Under the leadership of artistic director Julie Nakagawa Böttcher, Hubbard Street 2 (HS2), is a company of six dancers who perform a repertoire of works by some of the nation's most promising young choreographers. HS2 reaches more than 32,000 people annually through performances in schools, community centers and theaters. Since its inception in 1997, the company has become a respected training ground for young, professional dancers and choreographers; a major component of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's Education & Community Programs; a resource for new dancers for the main company, and a performing company in its own right.
In the spring of 2000, HS2 accepted an invitation from the State of Illinois to perform in Johannesburg, South Africa, as part of a state trade delegation. Building on a relationship with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where HS2 has performed on the Millennium Stage numerous times, the company danced at the Kennedy Center's Open House Arts Festival last month September. The 2004-2005 season will take HS2 on tour to Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as overseas to Germany for its first international tour.
Tickets for Hubbard Street 2 are $20 for the general public and $14 for students. Discount coupons are available at all KeyBank locations. Tickets are available at the CFA box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at all Ticketmaster locations.
For more information, call 645-ARTS.