窪蹋勛圖厙

 

Time to enjoy the view

'I do feel we have momentum building' Martha Crago

- June 2, 2011

Martha Crago is Dalhousie's Vice President of Research.
Martha Crago is Dalhousie's Vice President of Research.

For Dalhousies Vice President of Research Martha Crago, her first three years at 窪蹋勛圖厙have been like climbing the initial incline of a roller coaster.

This roller coaster would undoubtedly have a spectacular view of the ocean, and luckily, theres time to enjoy the glorious scenery before the rush hits and the next heady turn arrives.

It feels like weve reached a key moment in realizing some of the things Ive been working on, says Dr. Crago, who worked for 40 years at McGill University before deciding to take on a new adventure at Dalhousie. Shes an expert in psycholinguistics and speaks four languages English, French, German and Inuktitut. I do feel we have momentum building.

HMRI launch


As 窪蹋勛圖厙Oceans Week starts rolling, adrenalin kicks in with the launch of the Halifax Marine Research Institute and its first annual symposium on Thursday, June 2.

The institute, a federally incorporated not-for-profit entity, will apply world-class science to the economic, social and environmental issues related to oceans. 窪蹋勛圖厙has been working closely with the private sector marine community, other universities and federal research labs in its creation.

The symposium is a snapshot of the partnerships behind the Halifax Marine Research Institute. It brings together Dalhousies stars in oceans researchProfessors Doug Wallace, Keith Thompson, Boris Worm, Lucia Fanning and Phillip Saunders, to name a fewwith representatives from research labs, marine industries and universities from up and down the eastern seaboard and around the world. Discussions will focus on the research themes of the new institute: marine observation, prediction and response; marine resource conservation, biodiversity and risk assessment; marine renewable energy; marine security; and marine policy and governance.

The HMRI will find its home at 窪蹋勛圖厙in a new, four-story wing to the Life Sciences Centre, now under construction. Dubbed the Oceans Excellence Centre, the 68,000-square-foot complex is being added to the west end of the building and connected with a glass atrium to the Oceanography wing.

Besides HMRI, the buildings other tenants will be Doug WallaceDalhousies new Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Ocean Science and Technologyhis lab group and the Ocean Tracking Network.

And the HMRI is just one of the ways 窪蹋勛圖厙is putting itself forward as a leader in terms of economic development, the environment and human health, says Dr. Crago. Its just the first step in capturing, celebrating and strengthening Dalhousies key research areas.

LSRI next


Also coming down the track is the official opening of the Life Sciences Research Institute, a new building at the corner of Summer and College Streets, part of Dalhousies Carleton campus and in close proximity to Halifax hospitals. Under construction for past three years, the building brings together the world renowned Brain Repair Centre, InNOVAcorp, and Dalhousies Industry Liaison and Innovation Office.

For Dr. Crago, its all about making connections. The whole notion of the university is to open its doors to the worldto policy makers, industry partners, nongovernmental organizations, federal research labs and moreand work for societal good. Among the other strength areas that she would like to see elevated are children in challenging contexts, clean technology and health policy and promotion, all of which are important both locally and globally.

At a time when most people might be thinking about winding down, Dr. Cragos holding fast and ready to climb the next steep slope. Im just getting going, she says with a laugh. I find this exhilarating, energizing work.

But first remember ... exhale ... its time to enjoy the view. Thats what 窪蹋勛圖厙Oceans Week is, a chance to say, Hey, look at the great stuff weve been doing. Lets celebrate.