Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2005
Canadian Light Source and the University of Saskatchewan Celebrate Royal Visit
SASKATOON - After months of preparation and practice, the University of Saskatchewan and the Canadian Light Source (CLS) welcomed The Queen of Canada and The Duke of Edinburgh to the national synchrotron facility.
"This is an absolutely tremendous day for the University, the city and the province," says University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon. "We have been honoured with this opportunity to demonstrate to Her Majesty the kinds of cutting edge research in the medical and life sciences in which the University of Saskatchewan is prominently involved."
The Royal Party, accompanied by President MacKinnon and University Chancellor Tom Molloy, toured the synchrotron, led by Canadian Light Source Executive Director William Thomlinson.
"The Royal Visit has been a once in a lifetime event," says Dr.
Thomlinson.
"It was an amazing opportunity to showcase the science being done on this campus
and celebrate the potential the research has to better the quality of life of people
everywhere."
The Queen had the opportunity to speak with scientists who will be using the synchrotron to conduct research into breast cancer, Alzheimer's Disease and zoonotic diseases such as SARS and Avian Flu. A human face to the work at the synchrotron was given by a cancer survivor, who spoke to Her Majesty about the hope that the research at the CLS and University gives to patients and their families. While in the synchrotron, The Queen also visited with a group of school students from Bjorkdale, Saskatchewan, representing the province's future.
The Duke of Edinburgh toured the floor of the experimental hall with CLS Operations Director Mark de Jong, seeing the synchrotron up close. His Royal Highness also viewed a three dimensional model of a cancer protein created using synchrotron data and participated in a simulated experiment measuring heavy metal contaminants in mine tailings.
Upon exiting the building, Her Majesty was presented with a gift on behalf of the CLS by technologist Mark Besse, as well as the key to the City of Saskatoon by His Worship Mayor Don Atchison.
Officially opened in October 2004, the national synchrotron facility at the University of Saskatchewan is one of Canada's largest science projects in the last 30 years. It is funded through an unprecedented collaboration among the University of Saskatchewan and all three levels of government: the federal government; the provinces of Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta; and the City of Saskatoon. Significant funds were also provided by industry partners in the energy and pharmaceutical sectors. The synchrotron will be used by researchers in academia, government and industry to advance scientific knowledge and industrial capabilities.
Synchrotron light is used to determine the chemical nature and the molecular structure of materials, paving the way for new drugs, more powerful computer chips, better engine lubricants, more effective medical imaging, environmental monitoring and a host of other applications for science and industry. There are synchrotrons in five Commonwealth countries. Besides the CLS in Canada, synchrotrons are operational or under construction in the UK, India, Singapore and Australia. Further information on the Canadian Light Source is available at www.lightsource.ca.
For more information contact:
Matthew Dalzell
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Light Source Inc
Ph: (306) 657-3739 Fax: (306) 657-3535
Cell: 227-0978
matthew.dalzell@lightsource.ca
Rob Norris
Coordinator, Global Relations
Office of the University Secretary
University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 966-2428 Cell 612-2428
rob.norris@usask.ca
Last modified: 2012-01-19 17:01:42