The Dean's Office Dispatch is the Faculty of Science's weekly e-newsletter for students, faculty and staff. 

Dal Oceanography prof named AGU Fellow

On September 18, Dr. Katja Fennel, a professor in and chair of the Department of Oceanography, was announced as a 2024 Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the world’s largest Earth and space science association. Since its inception in 1962, less than 0.1 per cent of AGU members have been selected as Fellows each year. 

“Joining the ranks of the AGU Fellows is a meaningful and much appreciated recognition for me, especially because of my deep respect for the accomplishments of my peers who nominated and selected me,” Dr. Fennel said after hearing the news. 

The 2024 Class of Fellows will be recognized in December at AGU24 in Washington, D.C. See the full list of 2024 AGU honorees announced this week and learn more about Dr. Fennel and some of her recent work:

• Dr. Fennel is the lead principal investigator of the Ocean Alk-align research program that last year received nearly $15 million in support from the Carbon to Sea Initiative to explore the potential of ocean alkalinity enhancement technology to increase the ocean’s ability to absorb and hold carbon.
• Last summer, Dr. Fennel led a team of Dal researchers in adding fluorescent pink dye to parts of Halifax Harbour for the start of a larger study with Dartmouth-based Planetary Technologies on the effects of adding alkaline material to the water. CBC News wrote a story on the project.
• Dr. Fennel appeared on an October 2021 episode of the Sciographies podcast. Listen to the episode on SoundCloud, or find Sciographies on your preferred podcast platform. 

Earth and Environmental Sciences public lecture: Oct. 3

On Thursday, October 3, the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences is hosting a public lecture from Gavin Kennedy (P.Geo, FGC) of Nova Scotia's Department of Environment and Climate Change. Gavin brings his expertise in hydrogeology to an important and timely topic: "Hidden Hazards: Uncovering Geogenic Contaminants in Nova Scotia’s Private Water Wells." Students, alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to attend. Please RSVP via Eventbrite before October 3.

Date: Thursday, October 3
Time: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Locations: Pre-event social at 5:30 p.m. in room 3124, LSC Biology tower | Lecture starts at 6:15 p.m. in LSC room 338

Fall 2024 seminars: Department of Economics

All interested students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend the Department of Economics’ fall term seminars. Upcoming seminars are listed below; see the full schedule on the Economics website. Seminars will be held in-person, unless otherwise noted.

Speaker: Weiyi Li (PhD candidate, Dalhousie University)
PhD thesis defence: Health Insurance, Health States, Retirement and Work. Evidence from China.
Date: Friday, September 20
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Format: Virtual via Microsoft Teams (join at this link)

Speaker: Stéphane Mechoulan (Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University)
Title: From Schmattes to Riches: Intergenerational Mobility of American Jewish Immigrants in the Interbellum
Date: Friday, September 27
Time: 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Room 2198, Marion McCain Arts & Social Sciences Building

Dal Innovates fall programming

Dal Innovates is thrilled to present three programs this fall for students and faculty interested in commercialization or building their skills in entrepreneurship and innovation:

Collide Discover: For undergraduate students that may say, “I’m interested in exploring entrepreneurship, forming a business idea, or finding a solution to a global challenge in a new and innovative way”. In-person on Wednesday evenings from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. starting October 2 (7-week program, deadline to apply: Sept. 25, 2024).

Lab2Market Discover: For current or recently graduated researchers in STEM (Masters, PhDs and Postdocs) who may be interested in discovering how entrepreneurship and innovation can play a role in their graduate degree and beyond. Program sessions every Thursday starting October 10^th at 2p.m. (10-week program, deadline to apply: Sept. 20, 2024)

Collide Validate : For undergraduate students that may say, “I have a business idea that I’m ready to test out in the market, with a little help from entrepreneurial experts.”  Offered in-person in Halifax on Wednesdays from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. starting January 22, and virtually on Thursdays from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. starting January 23.

Interested participants can visit the Dal Innovates website for more details and to apply.

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