Faculty of Science news

We would like to send you our warmest regards on behalf of the Career Planning Service (CaPS) and Development and Alumni Relations (DAR).  Your hard work, dedication and perseverance have paid off; you should be very proud of your accomplishments. Many doors will be opening for you as you take the next steps in your career.

The Brown Student Services Bldg. is open on all Summer Fridays.  Please contact the Brown Bldg. Reception Desk at 398-8238 for assistance with your questions. Friday access to the Brown Building is by the McTavish Street entrance.  Student casuals, trained to greet and assist visitors, will be available at the main Reception Desk situated at this entrance.

Over 60 years ago, McGill Professors Yves Clermont and Charles Leblond published a paper that revolutionized our understanding of cell biology. Their stem cell renewal theory marks the first use of the term "stem cells" in this biological context. Read more about these pioneering scientists and their contributions on the website of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.

How safe is your shampoo, sofa or shirt? Campaign will soon launch efforts to get ten major U.S. retailers to phase out potentially "toxic" products. Dr. Joe Schwarcz comments on when "toxic" really "toxic." 

Dr. Joe Schwarcz sits down with NBC News' Andrea Canning to take a look at "hormone disruptors", chemicals potentially found in everyday objects that can affect our health. Question is, are they really something to worry about?  Watch it here. 

Dr. Harriet Hall, also known as the SkepDoc, reviews Dr. Joe Schwarcz' latest book, "The Right Chemistry," and concludes that both him and his book do it just right. To read the review, please click here.

Are we designed to be faithful? Dr. Ariel Fenster takes a look at whether monogamy is pre-determined.

Always engaged in educating the public about science, Dr. Joe Schwarcz discusses the importance of skepticism in science. Click here to see Chemistry is not a four-letter word, Dr. Joe Schwarcz' TEDx lecture from last year's Montreal TEDx event. 

A note from Dr. Joe Schwarcz: After our November 26 debate Andre Saine and I agreed to ask each other questions that would be answered in writing and posted on our websites. Mine were ready a few days after the event; I have just received Andre’s. Because I had agreed to post his answers, I am doing so here with some trepidation. The reason is that there is some dangerous advice here about antibiotics and malaria prophylaxis, but I think our readers will see through this.

By Jane Brody, The New York Times Let’s start the new year on scientifically sound footing by addressing some nutritional falsehoods that circulate widely in cyberspace, locker rooms, supermarkets and health food stores. As a result, millions of people are squandering hard-earned dollars on questionable, even hazardous foods and supplements. 

Dr. James Watson of DNA fame has stirred up some controversy with recent remarks about avoiding antioxidants. Unfortunately, some of his comments have been misinterpreted. Here, Dr. Joe explains why.

Click here to see some follow-up on the second debate on Alternative Medicine, Homeopathy: Mere Placebo or Great Medicine?

Dr. Joe Schwracz and Dr. Andre Saine debate, Homeopathy: Mere Placebo or Great Medicine?    Part two of a 2-part debate on Naturopathic Medicine.    

Did you miss this year's Trottier Symposium, Food: A Serving of Science? If so, tune in here and catch both evenings events, with speakers Dr. Walter Willett from Harvard's School of Public Health & Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg Tuft's School of Nutrition, and Jane Brody, NY Times' Personal Health Columnist and Harold McGee, world-class expert on food and cooking. Guarantee it will give you something to "chew" on.

High-tech entrepreneur’s gift will create two institutes and funds a symposium...     MONTREAL — Philanthropist Lorne Trottier wants people to have a greater appreciation of science and engineering so he is donating $15 million to McGill University to help strengthen research and support outreach and public policy in those areas. The high-tech entrepreneur and alumnus will also help fund a public symposium on sustainable engineering in society in collaboration with the Université de Montréal’s École Polytechnique.