Two retired professors from the Department of Biomedical Sciences will be honoured at the November 7 OVC convocation.

Dr. John Leatherland, former chair of the department, will be named University professor emeritus. Dr. Leatherland played a key role in steering the development of the Institute for Animal-Human Links in Health Science Research from concept to completion. The prime criterion for nomination as a professor emeritus is sustained, outstanding scholarship of such a level that it is recognized internationally.

Dr. Pari Basrur, professor emeritus, will receive the Medal of Merit and deliver the convocation address. The Medal of Merit is awarded to a professor who has retired from the University of Guelph, and who has made outstanding contributions to teaching, the functioning of the University, or other areas which have resulted in substantial improvement to the academic life and character of the University.

A University of Guelph biomedical scientist has been named the 2009 winner of the prestigious Jennifer Dorrington Award from the Banting Research Foundation, Canada's oldest medical research institute.

Prof. Alicia Viloria-Petit, a faculty member and investigator at the Ontario Veterinary College's new Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation, was also was one of five Canadian researchers to receive a 2009 Banting Research Foundation award.

"This is wonderful recognition for Alicia and for the entire University," said Prof. Steven Liss, associate vice-president (research services).

"Her research program is an important contribution to the growing program in comparative cancer being led out of the Department of Biomedical Sciences. Her work has the potential to improve understanding and lead to new treatments for breast cancer. Alicia represents the quality of the young innovators we have attracted to U of G."

The Jennifer Dorrington award is made to the highest-ranked applicant in the fields of cancer or reproductive biology and includes a $20,000 prize. The award is a tribute to Jennifer Dorrington, who chaired the Banting Foundation's grant review panel from 1995 to 1996, for her accomplishments in reproductive biology and ovarian cancer.

The Banting Research Foundation has been awarding grants to support young Canadian medical researchers for 84 years. It's named for doctors Frederick Banting and Charles Best who discovered insulin in 1921.

Viloria-Petit, who joined U of G in 2009, studies how cells change from a normal site-restrained state to a migratory state, a fundamental process in cancer metastasis.

"It's an interesting coincidence that Dr. Dorrington pioneered studies on the regulation of cell growth by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), a growth factor I am also interested in because of its role in breast cancer progression," she said.

Viloria-Petit thanked the Banting Foundation and the University for their support. "I hope to develop these studies into a larger research program aimed at understanding how breast cancer progresses to metastatic disease. My ultimate goal is to contribute new ideas for more effective treatments of advanced breast cancer."

The Ontario Veterinary College and the Animal Health Laboratory at the University of Guelph provide guidance to clarify issues around H1N1 and companion animals.

There is no evidence to suggest that dogs or cats can become infected by or transmit the pandemic H1N1 virus. To date there is only one known case of a pet infected with pandemic H1N1: a ferret in Oregon that appears to have contracted the disease from its owner. Ferrets are susceptible to various influenza viruses. There have been no documented cases of pandemic H1N1 in pet birds nor have there been any reported cases of the disease in pot-bellied pigs.

Although the risk of human to pet transmission of pandemic H1N1 is presumably very low, proper measures should be taken by people who have influenza to reduce the risk of transmission to other household members and to pets, such as paying close attention to hygiene, especially after touching animals, and avoiding close contact with pets' faces.

If your pet is coughing and sneezing or showing other signs of illness – such as lethargy or lack of appetite -- consult a veterinarian. Follow common sense infection control measures: Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, especially after handling animals. It is a good general idea to make sure your physician knows whether you own pets or have other animal contact.

For more information, contact the Public Health Agency of Canada or your local public health office.

H1N1 preparedness is on everyone's mind; OVC community members are reminded that information on the University's plan can be found at www.uoguelph.ca/news/h1n1 or linked to off the University's home page.

The site includes information on the University's pandemic plan, H1N1 questions and answers, handwashing tips, sneezing tips, a link to Public Health guidelines, and guidelines on watch actions to take depending on the severity of symptons. Past information releases can also be downloaded at the site.

The primary focus is on prevention and the health and safety of students, staff and faculty, who are reminded of the importance of staying home if they have symptoms of influenza, which include fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, fatigue, severe headache, sore throat and lack of appetite. Public Health recommends that people remain at home until 24 hours after the fever has broken or they're symptom-free.