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Dr. Pat Gregory (biology) has been named this year’s Distinguished Herpetologist by the Herpetologists’ League, one of three major North American societies devoted to the study of amphibians and reptiles. Gregory, who has taught at UVic since 1973, studies the ecology and behaviour of reptiles and amphibians, especially snakes. He is actively involved in the conservation of these animals and has served for many years on the amphibian and reptile sucommittee of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Species in Canada. He is also co-author of the 2006 handbook, Amphibians and Reptiles of British Columbia.
UVic’s Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE) department was one of ten winners to clean up at the 2007 Ecostar Awards presented on Nov. 28 by the Capital Regional District. UVic’s hazardous waste management program, overseen by OHSE, was honoured for contributing to the protection and preservation of the environment. At UVic, waste water and hazardous byproducts produced or used on campus are properly disposed of. These include acids that dissolve rock samples, organic solvents for chemical experiments, paints and photographic products for visual arts, and printing and duplicating materials. Information about UVic’s waste management program is available online.
Dr. Tom Pedersen has been reappointed as dean of the Faculty of Science for a term of five years, commencing July 1. In recommending his reappointment, the review committee noted that Pedersen’s strong advocacy for science, his support for education and research, his success in generating the resources to support the faculty’s mission, and his energy and enthusiasm have all served the faculty well, and that his strengths in these and other areas should continue to move the faculty forward over the next five years. An accomplished researcher in paleoceanography, Pedersen is internationally recognized for his contributions to marine geology.
UVic psychology professor Dr. Holly Tuokko has received the Canadian Association of Gerontology’s Betty Haven Award in Longitudinal Research. Tuokko was recognized for her role in a national study on the epidemiology of dementia, which looked at the changing health status of 10,000 elderly Canadians over a ten-year period. Tuokko was the lead researcher for the neuropsychological component of the study.
In January, 51 UVic law students returned from the 24th annual Law Games in Montréal with $2,000 in prize money and the coveted Spirit Cup, awarded to the overall winners of this four-day athletic and academic competition. Chris Funt and Mike Doris won the academic moot and 10 UVic students were the unanimous choice to win the “So, lawyers can dance?” competition. UVic Law teams also qualified for six of the 10 sports semifinals, clinched the ultimate frisbee and ball hockey titles and narrowly missed the waterpolo final. They will donate the prize money to the Victoria Women’s Transition House, which offers counselling and shelter to women suffering emotional and physical abuse.
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