A story about DNA barcoding aired on CBC’s The National Aug. 21. The story looked at how DNA barcoding, a technique created by U of G Prof. Paul Hebert, has become the largest research program in biodiversity science in the world. This week U of G hosted the 6th International Barcode of Life Conference, which attracted more than 500 people from 56 countries. The CBC news story featured Dirk Steinke, the director of education and outreach for the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario (BIO), and Prof. Bob Hanner, a professor in Integrative Biology and BIO who uses DNA barcoding to detect food fraud and pests. Steinke also appeared on a live call-in show on Ontario Today Aug. 17 and was featured on CTV Aug. 19. In addition, Hebert discussed DNA barcoding  with CBC radio stations coast-to-coast Aug. 21. He also appeared on CBC’s Here and NowOntario Today, Radio-International  and CBCNews.ca this week and was featured in a front page story in the Aug. 10 Globe and Mail and in the latest news bulletin of the Ontario Genomics Institute.

Prof. Tim Dewhirst, Marketing and Consumer Studies, testified before Quebec’s parliament Aug. 19. He spoke about the recently tabled Bill 44 that would, among other things, restrict the use of electronic cigarettes. Dewhirst said electronic cigarette promotion is undermining tobacco control policy. He was quoted in an article and editorial published in La Presse, Montreal’s French-language daily newspaper. In addition, Dewhirst did a CBC radio interview Aug. 20 on advertisements potentially appearing on NHL jerseys. Dewhirst studies tobacco marketing and public policy, brand strategy, celebrity endorsements, advertising and marketing.

Pathobiology Prof. Byram Bridle was featured in a CHCH TV news story Aug. 20. Bridle received a grant from the Terry Fox Research Institute this week for an innovative study on dogs with osteosarcoma, the type of bone cancer that cut short Fox’s cross-Canada Marathon of Hope in 1980. This year marks the 35th anniversary of that run, and it’s the first time the Terry Fox Foundation has supported research at a veterinary school.

Prof. Evan Fraser, Geography, and researcher Alexander Legwegoh, Krishna KC and Marion Davis wrote an article for Foreign Affairs on Aug. 19. The article discusses witch hunts in developing countries, and the political and environmental conditions that allow these hunts to take place. Fraser studies environmental change, food security and socio-economic conditions in countries around the world.

Prof. Donna Lero, Family Relations & Applied Nutrition, was interviewed by the Globe and Mail‘s Report on Business on Aug. 18. Lero discussed the importance of workplaces providing support and care to employees who are struggling with family burdens and illnesses. Lero directs a program of research on public policies, workplace practices and community supports in U of G’s Centre for Families, Work and Well-Being.

Prof. Craig Johnson, Political Science, was interviewed by CBC News on Aug. 18 for a story on the recent bombing in Thailand. Johnson researched ethnic conflict and environmental degradation in Thailand for his PhD dissertation. He discussed the impact of the bombing on tourism in Thailand, and the importance of the government’s response and investigation.

Angi Roberts, manager of information services in recruitment and admissions at U of G, was interviewed by CBC on Aug. 18. Roberts is holding a social media safety seminar this week for U of G’s football team. It’s designed to help the players be more aware of potential dangers online, and provide technical security safety tips. Roberts was part of the team organizing PSEWEB 2015, a national conference on higher education digital marketing, in Montreal this summer.

Prof. Ernesto Guzman, Environmental Sciences, was interviewed by CTV News on Aug. 15 and quoted in a CBC story Aug. 10 about a new study on what is causing declining honeybee health. Guzman says pesticides are just one factor impacting honey bees, and that mites continue to be a major threat. Guzman is the director of U of G’s Honey Bee Research Centre and is studying genetic techniques to learn more about honeybee infections and to help breeders develop better bees. He helped coordinate the Eastern Apicultural Society (EAS) conference held on campus last week.

Paul Kelly, U of G’s leading apiarist and a member of the Honeybee Research Centre, was featured in a CBC online news story Aug. 11 talking about the “Bee Olympics” that were held as part of the EAS conference. More than 500 bee experts from across North America attended the conference. Sessions at the conference included a focus on bee health, protecting against pesticides and other health issues, and technology courses.