University of Western Ontario
London, ON - August 22-23, 2007
The 12th Annual RISE Workshop was held on August 22-23, 2007 at the University of Western Ontario. The Workshop began on Wednesday afternoon with the traditional mixer, which was held in the Grad Lounge on the UWO campus. The two-hour gathering allowed the fourteen 2007 RISE Scholars, faculty participants, and other guests to meet and get acquainted (or re-acquainted) with one another. The group welcomed in particular Professor Pierre Kennepohl of the University of British Columbia, who joined the RISE group last fall in time for the 2006/07 competition, and RISE alumnae Jody Swift and Lawrence Huck. The Workshop began at 8:50 a.m. the next morning, with a few opening remarks from Workshop host Mark Workentin and UWO Dean of Science David Wardlaw. This was then followed by a series of presentations from the students on the research they carried out during the summer. Special guest Dr. Michelle Chrétien of the Xerox Research Centre of Canada, a former RISE Scholar herself, gave an overview of the research and other activities going on at Xerox. Dr. Chrétien is joining the RISE Group for the 2007/08 competition, as is Professor Gonzalo Cosa of McGill University. The day wrapped up with a fabulous meal at David's Bistro in downtown London.
The 2007 RISE Group owes special thanks to the Department of Chemistry, the Deans of Science and Graduate Studies, and the Vice-President Research & International Relations of the University of Western Ontario for generous financial support, and to RISE Coordinator Mark Workentin for organizing the Workshop. We also bid a fond farewell Professor Ron Steer, who will be retiring from the University of Saskatchewan and the RISE group in the coming year. Ron has been part of the RISE group since 1998.
25sep07; wjl