Alberta Ingenuity puts teachers into cutting edge science labs

May 3, 2008 - Instead of kicking back for their summer break, two Edmonton science teachers spent last summer’s vacation in one of Alberta’s most powerful health research labs, learning the science behind discoveries for treating health problems.

“By placing these teachers and scientists together, we’re seeding the best talent development for Alberta’s future,” said Dr. Peter Hackett, President and CEO of Alberta Ingenuity. “The lessons that come from this partnership between teaching and research excellence are showing Alberta’s students how many opportunities are waiting for them around the corner.”   

The two ‘Science Teacher of the Year’ award winners, Jane Dyke and Mark Haak, spent their summer in the first year of a pilot program with the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Carbohydrate Science (AICCS) at the University of Alberta. The Centre’s research is focused on understanding how cells talk to each other through the complex sugars that coat cell surfaces.

The Centre brings together chemists and biologists to design new treatments to prevent infections. The Centre, based both at the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary, is known worldwide for their pioneering work, and is being led by some of the best researchers in the world, who live right here in Alberta. The AICCS builds on Alberta’s historic excellence in the field of carbohydrate research.

Alberta Ingenuity supports science and engineering research excellence and is engaging Albertans in building a strong science culture in the province. Ingenuity aligns with provincial priorities to maximize the impact of research in Alberta by creating dynamic partnerships and helping recruit and support top talent. These connections help commercialize technologies that are helping solve Alberta problems, and can be shared around the world.

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For more information, contact:
Sandy Robertson
Alberta Ingenuity
(780) 994-7907