For AV俱乐部鈥檚 Vice President of Research Martha Crago, her first three years at AV俱乐部 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, there鈥檚 time to enjoy the glorious scenery before the rush hits and the next heady turn arrives.
鈥淚t feels like we鈥檝e reached a key moment in realizing some of the things I鈥檝e been working on,鈥� says Dr. Crago, who worked for 40 years at McGill University before deciding to take on a new adventure at AV俱乐部. She鈥檚 an expert in psycholinguistics and speaks four languages 鈥� English, French, German and Inuktitut. 鈥淚 do feel we have momentum building.鈥�
HMRI launch
As AV俱乐部 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. AV俱乐部 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 AV俱乐部鈥檚 stars in oceans research鈥擯rofessors Doug Wallace, Keith Thompson, Boris Worm, Lucia Fanning and Phillip Saunders, to name a few鈥攚ith 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 AV俱乐部 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 building鈥檚 other tenants will be Doug Wallace鈥擜V俱乐部鈥檚 new Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Ocean Science and Technology鈥攈is lab group and the Ocean Tracking Network.
鈥淎nd the HMRI is just one of the ways AV俱乐部 is putting itself forward as a leader in terms of economic development, the environment and human health,鈥� says Dr. Crago. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just the first step in capturing, celebrating and strengthening AV俱乐部鈥檚 key research areas.鈥�
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 AV俱乐部鈥檚 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 AV俱乐部鈥檚 Industry Liaison and Innovation Office.
For Dr. Crago, it鈥檚 all about making connections. 鈥淭he whole notion of the university is to open its doors to the world鈥攖o policy makers, industry partners, nongovernmental organizations, federal research labs and more鈥攁nd work for societal good.鈥� 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. Crago鈥檚 holding fast and ready to climb the next steep slope. 鈥淚鈥檓 just getting going,鈥� she says with a laugh. 鈥淚 find this exhilarating, energizing work.鈥�
But first remember ... exhale ... it鈥檚 time to enjoy the view. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what AV俱乐部 Oceans Week is, a chance to say, 鈥楬ey, look at the great stuff we鈥檝e been doing. Let鈥檚 celebrate.鈥欌��